bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new classification scheme for teaching reaction types in general chemistry
Authors: Wang Bin
Published: August 2019

General chemistry is a freshman-level class required for most science majors and pre-professional undergraduates. A variety of concepts are introduced in this course; among them, chemical reactions are fundamental, but remain a central topic. The author compared 10 textbooks widely used for college-level general chemistry courses. They all cover the three major classes of chemical reactions: precipitation reactions, acid-base reactions, and oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. However, significant differences in the way these textbooks present the material may cause confusion and misunderstanding for students, including when they move to upper-level courses. The author suggests a modified reaction classification scheme for general chemistry courses, which will provide students a more complete and nuanced understanding of chemical reactions.
Company Law, Connecting Factors and the Digital Age – A New Outlook
Authors: Kurcz Bartlomiej , Paizis Athanasios
Published: August 2019

Usually connecting factors in company law play a decisive role with regard to the corporate governance model of a company and with regard to the level of protection of stakeholders. Their importance generated a long-lasting debate on which connecting factor is “better” and which one is compatible with internal market rules. However, technological developments and digitalisation shed a different light on this discussion.

In order to understand how the current developments impact the discussion on company law connecting factors, it should first be clear what is really understood by connecting factors in the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice. It is important to understand the relationship between substantive company law rules and those on conflict of laws.

The outcome of the above analysis allows to add the digitalisation/new technologies factor into the equation. In this context, a closer look is given at the use of artificial intelligence applications in company law and the operation of a decentralised autonomous organisation within a blockchain network. It allows to question the effectiveness and usefulness of traditional connecting factors.
Dealing with Corporate Scandal under European Market Abuse Law: The Case of VW
Authors: Hössl-Neumann Mario , Baumgartner Andreas
Published: August 2019

This paper uses the current proceedings against Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft for violations of its continuous disclosure obligation as a backdrop for addressing fundamental questions of European market abuse law. Specifically, we ask how the Market Abuse Directive and Regulation (MAD/R) and Member State corporate law together shape management’s disclosure policy vis-à-vis the stock market. Taking the perspective of German stock corporation law, our main findings are twofold: First, while European market abuse law severely limits management’s discretion when market integrity is at stake, Member States can still largely control its influence on internal corporate governance – i.e., on the distribution of information between management and shareholders. Second, MAD and MAR directly draw on conceptions of public interest in Member State law when determining the outer bounds of issuers’ ability to delay disclosure, thereby potentially promoting compliance. Based on these insights, the paper then closes with a note of caution for national legislators and suggests a more profound discussion of their responsibility for the optimal functioning of European market abuse law.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Cultivated Sunflower in Terms of Oil Content, Fatty Acid Compositions and Seed Traits
Authors: Ahmadian Soolmaz , Tahmasebi Enferadi Sattar , Alemzadeh Abbas
Published: August 2019

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivated accessions contains useful genes encoding different phenotypic characteristic through which the origin of sunflower oil could be hypothesized. Those genes could be later used for future breeding programs for providing better quality sunflower oil.

The objective of the current study is to discriminate genetic diversity of cultivated sunflower seeds collection through the statistical methods such as PCA (principal component analysis) and Pearson correlation analysis for two characters; seed oil content and fatty acid composition.

Materials and methods: In the present study, the genetic diversity of 107 cultivated accessions of Helianthus annuus L. was studied for fatty acid composition and oil content. Pearson correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to determine the correlation between the studied parameters. A dendrogram using Ward’s method and the squared Euclidean distance coefficient was produced.

The results showed that the average seed oil content in the accessions was 29.51 % with a profile of 7.23 % palmitic acid (PAL), 5.04 % stearic acid (STE), 36.85 % oleic acid (OLE) and 50.85 % linoleic acid (LIN). The highest oil content was found in accession Hopi Dye (43.66 %). High levels of OLE were observed in the Csehszlovakiai “B” (60.14 %) and Vk-47 (55.73 %) accessions. On the other hand, Fuksinka 10 and Georgia accessions had the lowest mean PAL values (4.98 %) and STE (1.81 %), respectively. Palmitoleic acid (PALM) was identified in 29 accessions and linolenic acid (LIL) in 32 accessions, the highest in Gonondu (0.86 %) and Oleisty Borovskil (0.76 %), respectively. A significant negative relationship between OLE, STE and saturated fatty acids (SFA) with oil content was observed. The Pearson correlation of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids ratio (UFA/SFA ratio) with oil content was positive and significant. In the PCA analysis, four major principal components (PCs) were identified, accounting for 87.19 % of the total variations. In PC1, PAL and STE (with positive coefficients) and UFA/SFA ratio (with negative coefficients), had the highest loadings, which determined 41.33 % of the total variations. In PC 2, OLE (with negative coefficient) and LIN (with positive coefficient), had the highest values. According to the dendrogram of the accessions, they were grouped into seven distinct clusters and the accessions in clusters 4 and 7 contained high UFA and low SFA values.

The findings of this study showed that there is a significant genetic diversity among the accessions, which can be used to maximize heterosis in sunflower breeding programs.
Genetic Resources of the Sunflower Crop Wild Relatives for Resistance to Sunflower Broomrape
Authors: Seiler Gerald J.
Published: August 2019

One of the most threatening holoparasitic plant species is Orobanche cumana Wallr. (sunflower broomrape), mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region and Western Asia where it exclusively parasitizes sunflowers. Sunflower broomrape (BR) is a very destructive parasitic weed causing significant yield losses under high infestations that can easily spread and is vulnerable to mutations. Broomrape is highly variable, controlled by vertical single dominant resistance genes leading to the rapid and frequent breakdown of resistance. This subsequently leads to the continuing need for new unique genes from multiple sources for controlling new emerging virulent races. The USDA-ARS, National Plant Germplasm System crop wild relatives (CWR) collection contains 2,519 accessions of 53 species with 14 annual species (1641 accessions) and 39 perennial species (878 accessions). This CWR collection provides a vast genetic resource for new BR resistance genes, especially in Europe and the Middle East. Sunflower CWR evaluations for new resistance genes for BR races have demonstrated that they are a substantial reservoir for existing and new emerging virulent races. Resistance to sunflower broomrape, including immunity, has been reported in seven annual and 32 perennial species. These sources discovered in the sunflower CWR confer resistance to new virulent broomrape races F, G, and H, and others that have not been assigned a race designation. Since several of the resistant CWR sources are annual and have the same chromosome number as cultivated sunflower, broomrape resistance genes can be incorporated into hybrid sunflower through interspecific hybridization. The diverse sources of resistance from the CWR provide breeders with the prospect for durable broomrape control through exploiting genetic resistance for existing and newly emerging races.
Polarity Analysis of Customer Reviews Based on Part-of-Speech Subcategory
Authors: Ghabayen Ayman S. , Ahmed Basem H.
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, sentiment analysis is a method used to analyze the sentiment of the feedback given by a user in an online document, such as a blog, comment, and review, and classifies it as negative, positive, or neutral. The classification process relies upon the analysis of the polarity features of the natural language text given by users. Polarity analysis has been an important subtask in sentiment analysis; however, detecting correct polarity has been a major issue. Different researchers have utilized different polarity features, such as standard part-of-speech (POS) tags such as adjectives, adverbs, verbs, and nouns. However, there seems to be a lack of research focusing on the subcategories of these tags. The aim of this research was to propose a method that better recognizes the polarity of natural language text by utilizing different polarity features using the standard POS category and the subcategory combinations in order to explore the specific polarity of text. Several experiments were conducted to examine and compare the efficacies of the proposed method in terms of F-measure, recall, and precision using an Amazon dataset. The results showed that JJ + NN + VB + RB + VBP + RP, which is a POS subcategory combination, obtained better accuracy compared to the baseline approaches by 4.4% in terms of F-measure.
Studying variation in Romanian: deletion of the definite article -l in continuous speech
Authors: Vasilescu Ioana , Chitoran Ioana , Vieru Bianca , Adda-Decker Martine , Candea Maria , Lamel Lori , Niculescu Oana
Published: August 2019

Studies of variation in continuous speech converge towards the conclusion that in everyday speech, words are often produced with reduced variants: some segments are shortened or completely absent. We describe an initiative to automatically exploit spoken corpora, in order to better understand linguistic behavior in spontaneous speech. This study focuses on the reduction of the postposed definite article in Romanian. The Romanian corpora used here cover several speaking styles including both prepared and spontaneous speech, such as broadcast news and debates, elicited dialogues and monologues on suggested topics. Taken together, the data sets contain more than 10 hours of speech produced in a variety of communicative frameworks. The deletion of the definite article -l, i.e. L-dropping in continuous speech, is investigated across speaking styles using pronunciation variants aligned with the speech. The main question addressed in the study is the influence of speaking style on the distribution of L-dropping. We examine the role of the surrounding context in L-dropping and L-retention. The results show that, in prepared speech and broadcast news, deletion is triggered by the context as a consequence of the communicative framework and the nature of the following segment (following vowel-initial words favor L-retention, while consonant-initial words favor L-dropping). In spontaneous speech, L-dropping is more frequent and the context is less important in predicting the occurrence of reduced variants than in other speaking styles.
Sicherheit und Sicherheitsgefühl in Bochum
Authors: Feltes Thomas , Reiners Paul
Published: August 2019

Der Beitrag gibt die Ergebnisse der letzten Bochumer Dunkelfeldstudie wieder, die 2016 durchgeführt wurde. Diese Studie (»Bochum IV«) ist einzuordnen in eine Reihe empirischer und kriminalgeografisch orientierter Studien, die erstmals in den Jahren 1975/1976 (»Bochum I«) durchgeführt wurden und in den Jahren 1986/1987 (»Bochum II«) sowie 1998/1999 (»Bochum III«) fortgesetzt worden sind. Im Fokus der Studie standen Viktimisierung und Kriminalitätsfurcht der Bochumer Bürger sowie deren Bewertung der Polizei.
Rechtsextremismus unter Jugendlichen in Niedersachsen
Authors: Krieg Yvonne , Kliem Sören
Published: August 2019

Eine Reihe von Entwicklungen in jüngerer Zeit deutet darauf hin, dass rechte und rechtsextreme Einstellungen immer mehr Anklang in der öffentlichen Meinung finden, was sich ebenso in einer gestiegenen Anzahl von rechtsextrem motivierten Straftaten äußert. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersucht die vorliegende Studie die zeitlichen Veränderungen hinsichtlich rechter Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen anhand umfangreicher Befragungen von Jugendlichen, die in den Jahren 2013, 2015 und 2017 in Niedersachsen durchgeführt wurden. Zudem werden verschiedene potenzielle Bedingungsfaktoren rechter Straftaten untersucht und letztlich die Bedeutsamkeit rechter Einstellungen hinsichtlich des Risikos, rechte Straftaten zu begehen, identifiziert. Zusammenfassend lässt sich feststellen, dass rechtsextreme Einstellungen und Straftaten unter Jugendlichen keine Randerscheinung darstellen, sondern vielmehr starker gesellschaftlicher Aufmerksamkeit unterliegen sollten. Als potenzielle Risikofaktoren rechter Straftaten stellen sich dabei die objektive Deprivation, eigene Viktimisierungserfahrungen durch Eltern oder Personen mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund, Gewaltaffinität, Risikosuche und letztlich die Übernahme rechter Einstellungen heraus. Als möglicher Schutzfaktor gilt ein hohes Empathievermögen. Entgegen der theoretischen Erwartung stellt sich eine autoritäre Einstellung als potenzieller Schutzfaktor sowie die Freundschaft zu einer Person mit Migrationshintergrund als möglicher Risikofaktor für rechte Straftaten heraus.
Expanded Jones complex space model to describe arbitrary higher-order spatial states in fiber
Authors: Mao Baiwei , Liu Yange , Zhang Hongwei , Yang Kang , Feng Mao , Wang Zhi , Li Zhaohui
Published: August 2019

As a new multiplexing dimension, spatial modes are catching increasing attentions nowadays. It is a fundamental task to establish an appropriate theoretical model to describe these spatial modes, especially higher-order spatial modes. However, existing theoretical models are only able to explain some special higher-order spatial states in fiber. The basic problem in these models is that their discussed dimensions are not enough. Indeed, to describe a higher-order spatial state, at least four dimensions are needed. In this paper, we present an expanded Jones complex space model, which is four-dimensional when a single higher-order state is discussed. The expanded Jones model is based on the discussion of an arbitrary combination of four degenerated higher-order modes. As a result, arbitrary spatial states are described. Because the number of used dimensions matches that of the problem, the descriptions of higher-order modes are more complete than other models. Also, we have verified the reliability of the expanded Jones model in our experiment. This model has the potential to simplify many analyses related to spatial modes in fiber.
A real-time ex vivo model (eIBUB) for optimizing intraperitoneal drug delivery as an alternative to living animal models
Authors: Sautkin Iaroslav , Solass Wiebke , Weinreich Frank-Jürgen , Königsrainer Alfred , Schenk Martin , Thiel Karolin , Reymond Marc A.
Published: August 2019

Background

Optimization of intraperitoneal drug delivery systems requires functional models. We proposed the Inverted Bovine Urinary Bladder Model (IBUB), but IBUB does not allow repeated measurements over time and there is a significant biological variability between organs.

Methods

A further development of IBUB is presented, based on the physical principle of communicating vessels. Fresh bovine bladders were inverted so that the peritoneum lines up the inner surface. The IBUB and a second vessel were then interconnected under the same CO2 pressure and placed on two scales. The therapeutic solution (Doxorubicin 2.7 mg and Cisplatin 13.5 mg) was delivered via an aerosolizer. All experiments were in triplicate and blinded to the origin of samples, measurements in a GLP-certified laboratory.

Results

The enhanced IBUB (eIBUB) model allows measurements of tissue drug concentration, depth of tissue penetration and spatial distribution. The homogeneous morphology of the peritoneum enables standardized, multiple tissue sampling. eIBUB minimizes biological variability between different bladders and eliminates the bias caused by the liquid collecting at the bottom of the model. Concentration of doxorubicin in the eIBUB (mean ± STDV: 18.5 ± 22.6 ng/mg) were comparable to clinical peritoneal biopsies (19.2 ± 38.6 ng/mg), as was depth of drug penetration (eIBUB: mean (min-max) 433 (381–486) µm, clinical ~ 500 µm).

Conclusions

The eIBUB model is a simple and powerful ex vivo model for optimizing intraperitoneal drug delivery and represents an attractive alternative to animal models. Results obtained are similar to those obtained in the human patient.
A review on characteristics of food waste and their use in butanol production
Authors: Abo Bodjui Olivier , Gao Ming , Wu Chuanfu , Zhu Wenbin , Wang Qunhui
Published: August 2019

Biobutanol offers several advantages and a larger market, that make it a biofuel to be studied with great interest. In fact, butanol has an energy content similar to that of gasoline, and it can be used as an alternative fuel to gasoline. It is a biofuel that is safe for the environment. The optimization of the production of butanol thus appears as an attractive option. Butanol production from food waste (FW) is a process for carbon recovery and a method for solid waste recycling. Recently, the use of FW and food processing waste (FPW) as raw material for the production of butanol has attracted much interest. However, an efficient fermentation process is vital to improve the production of biobutanol. To the best of our knowledge, no review on butanol production from FW has been presented so far. Thus, this review focuses on the characteristics of FW and its potential to produce butanol. In addition, the main factors that affect their use for the production of butanol are also discussed.
"Because Even the Person Living With HIV/AIDS Might Need to Make Babies" – Perspectives on the Drivers of Feasibility and Acceptability of an Integrated Community Health Worker Model in Iringa, Tanzania
Authors: Shelley Katharine D. , Frumence Gasto , Mpembeni Rose , Mwinnyaa George , Joachim Juliana , Kisusi Hawa Kadria , Killewo Japhet , Baqui Abdullah H. , Peters David H. , George Asha S.
Published: August 2019

Background: Countries with health workforce shortages are increasingly turning to multipurpose community health workers (CHWs) to extend integrated services to the community-level. However, there may be tradeoffs with the number of tasks a CHW can effectively perform before quality and/or productivity decline. This qualitative study was conducted within an existing program in Iringa, Tanzania where HIV-focused CHWs working as volunteers received additional training on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) promotion, thereby establishing a dual role CHW model. Methods: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the combined HIV/MNCH CHW model, qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 36 CHWs, 21 supervisors, and 10 program managers were conducted following integration of HIV and MNCH responsibilities (n=67). Thematic analysis explored perspectives on task planning, prioritization and integration, workload, and the feasibility and acceptability of the dual role model. Interview data and field observations were also used to describe implementation differences between HIV and MNCH roles as a basis for further contextualizing the qualitative findings. Results: Perspectives from a diverse set of stakeholders suggested provision of both HIV and MNCH health promotion by CHWs was feasible. Most CHWs attempted to balance HIV/MNCH responsibilities, although some prioritized MNCH tasks. An increased workload from MNCH did not appear to interfere with HIV responsibilities but drew time away from other income-generating activities on which volunteer CHWs rely. Satisfaction with the dual role model hinged on increased community respect, gaining new knowledge/skills, and improving community health, while the remuneration-level caused dissatisfaction, a complaint that could challenge sustainability. Conclusions: Despite extensive literature on integration, little research at the community level exists. This study demonstrated CHWs can feasibly balance HIV and MNCH roles, but not without some challenges related to the heavier workload. Further research is necessary to determine the quality of health promotion in both HIV and MNCH domains, and whether the dual role model can be maintained over time among these volunteers.
Decentralization and Regionalization of Surgical Care: A Review of Evidence for the Optimal Distribution of Surgical Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Iverson Katherine R. , Svensson Emma , Sonderman Kristin , Barthélemy Ernest J. , Citron Isabelle , Vaughan Kerry A. , Powell Brittany L. , Meara John G. , Shrime Mark G.
Published: August 2019

Background: While recommendations for the optimal distribution of surgical services in high-income countries (HICs) exist, it is unclear how these translate to resource-limited settings. Given the significant shortage and maldistribution of surgical workforce and infrastructure in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the optimal role of decentralization versus regionalization (centralization) of surgical care is unknown. The aim of this study is to review evidence around interventions aimed at redistributing surgical services in LMICs, to guide recommendations for the ideal organization of surgical services. Methods: A narrative-based literature review was conducted to answer this question. Studies published in English between 1997 and 2017 in PubMed, describing interventions to decentralize or regionalize a surgical procedure in a LMIC, were included. Procedures were selected using the Disease Control Priorities’ (DCP3) Essential Surgery Package list. Intervention themes and outcomes were analyzed using a narrative, thematic synthesis approach. Primary outcomes included mortality, complications, and patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included input measures: workforce and infrastructure, and process measures: facility-based care, surgical volume, and referral rates. Results: Thirty-five studies were included. Nine (33%) of the 27 studies describing decentralization showed an improvement in primary outcomes. The procedures associated with improved outcomes after decentralization included most obstetric, gynecological, and family planning services as well as some minor general surgery procedures. Out of 8 studies on regionalization (centralization), improved outcomes were shown for trauma care in one study and cataract extraction in one study. Conclusion: Interventions aimed at decentralizing obstetric care to the district hospital and health center levels have resulted in mortality benefits in several countries. However, more evidence is needed to link service distribution to patient outcomes in order to provide recommendations for the optimal organization of other surgical procedures in LMICs. Considerations for the optimal distribution of surgical procedures should include the acuity of the condition for which the procedure is indicated, anticipated case volume, and required level of technical skills, resources, and infrastructure. These attributes should be considered within the context of each country.
Innovation, Demand, and Responsibility: Some Fundamental Questions About Health Systems Comment on "What Health System Challenges Should Responsible Innovation in Health Address? Insights From an International Scoping Review"
Authors: van Lente Harro
Published: August 2019

In this commentary on the exercise of Lehoux et al (this volume) I argue that in discussions on the current challenges of health systems, a better diagnosis of the health system is required. The cause of responsible innovation in health (RIH) requires a better understanding of the dynamics of health systems, in particular how innovation, demand, and responsibility are manifested. Innovation brings its own dynamic to the health system; demands are linked to historical and social developments; responsibility brings contestations about what counts as good healthcare. Any attempt of RIH should include such reflections.
Innovation Strategies and Health System Guiding Principles to Address Equity and Sustainability in Responsible Innovation in Health Comment on "What Health System Challenges Should Responsible Innovation in Health Address? Insights From an International Scoping Review"
Authors: Buttigieg Sandra C.
Published: August 2019

The insights from an international scoping review provided by Lehoux et al challenge health policy-makers, entrepreneurs/innovators and users of healthcare, worldwide, to be aware of equity and sustainability challenges at system-level when appraising responsible innovation in health (RIH) – purposefully designed to better support health systems.The authors manage to extract no less than 1391 health system challenges with those mostly cited pertaining to service delivery, human resources, leadership and governance. Countries were classified according to the Human Development Index (HDI), while the authors decided not to classify according to the types of health systems justifying this on the basis that the articles reviewed studied a specific setting within a broader national or regional health system. The article presents highly powerful and discerning viewpoints, indeed providing numerous standpoints, yet in a comprehensive manner, thereby putting structure to a somewhat highly complex and multidimensional subject. This commentary brings forth several considerations that are perceived on reading this article. First, although innovation strategies are important for the dynamicity of health systems, one should discuss whether or not RIH can adequately address equity and sustainability on a global scale. Secondly, RIH across countries should also be debated in the context of the principles garnered by the type of health system, thereby identifying whether or not the prevailing political goals support equity and sustainability, and whether or not policy-makers are adequately supported to translate system-level demand signals into innovation development opportunities. As key messages, the commentary reiterates the emphasis made by the authors of the need for international policy-oriented fora as learning vehicles on RIH that also address system-level challenges, albeit the need to acknowledge cultural differences. In addition, the public has not only the right for transparency on how equity and sustainability challenges are addressed in innovation decisions, but also the responsibilities to contribute to overcome these challenges.
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Visual morbidity in patients with pituitary adenoma
Authors: Lithgow Kirstie , Batra Ruchika , Matthews Tim , Karavitaki Niki
Published: August 2019

Visual dysfunction is an important element in the morbidity encountered in patients with pituitary adenoma leading to functional impairment and compromised quality of life. It consists of many parameters (even in the absence of reported symptomatology) as a result of tumour growth in proximity to structures critical for vision (anterior visual pathway, cranial nerves within cavernous sinuses), and as an adverse consequence of therapeutic interventions. Adenoma resection leads to high rates of visual improvement and possibly continues beyond a year post surgery, but the exact timing of maximum effect requires elucidation. Retinal nerve fibre layer measurement may be a reliable, objective parameter predicting favourable visual outcomes, although its prognostic value when pathological, needs to be confirmed. For compromised vision after pituitary apoplexy, early surgical decompression remains usual practice until evidence-based guidance becomes available. The risk of radiation-induced visual toxicity is mainly influenced by total and per fraction dose of radiation and treatment modality. Careful selection of cases and of radiotherapy technique/planning are of major importance in minimising this risk. Dopamine agonists lead to visual recovery in a considerable number of prolactinoma patients. Visual morbidity should be considered a vital indicator in the metrics of quality of service/care in pituitary disease making regular, full ophthalmic examination an essential component of modern management of pituitary pathology at all time points of patient pathway. Well-designed studies minimising effects of bias and using tools and scoring systems reliably reflecting visual status will provide robust evidence on valid prognostication and patient stratification guiding clinical decision making.
A Discharge Vital Sign Documentation Improvement Initiative in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Vukovic Adam A. , Berry Corrie , Johnson David P.
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Vital signs are important data elements in the pediatric emergency department (PED). The presence of unexplained tachycardia at discharge has been associated with patient return to the PED and subsequent admission. Our aim for this study was to increase the percentage of patients discharged with a complete set of vital signs, when indicated, from 22% to 95% by June 30, 2018.

METHODS:

A multidisciplinary team developed key drivers, and data were collected by using a retrospective chart review. Outcome measures were the percentage of patients with discharge vital signs and 72-hour returns to the PED. Balancing measures included PED length of stay (LOS) and hospital admissions. Data were compiled from a chart review 7 times monthly; all charts were of patients presenting to the PED during the days being reviewed. An annotated p-chart was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS:

Data were collected for 18 months, including baseline data from July to September 2017, during which time 22% of patients had discharge vital signs. Targeted quality improvement methodology initially improved discharge vital signs to 41%, and then to 85%, which has been sustained for 7 months. There was no change in 72-hour return PED visits or LOS. Although absolute hospitalizations remained stable, the percentage of patients admitted increased.

CONCLUSIONS:

Targeted quality improvement methodology is associated with sustained improvement of indicated discharge vital signs for patients discharged from the PED. This improvement was not associated with reduced return PED visits, prolonged LOS, or increased hospitalization.
The Upper Pleistocene stratigraphy of the Starunya site as a “bridge” between the stratigraphical frameworks of Western Europe and the plain area of Ukraine
Authors: Аdamenko O. M.
Published: August 2019

The first discoveries of mummified carcasses of the woolly rhinoceros, mammoth, horse, roe deer and other animals were made at a depth of 12 m in the course of mining work at an ozokerite mine near the village of the Starunia. In 1929 an expedition of the Academy of Arts and Sciences from Krakow, when investigating the mine at a depth of 17 m, found the remains of 3 more woolly rhinoceroses. There were also numerous bones of small vertebrates (rodents), artichokes, numerous insects, beetles, parasitic worms, fleas, butterflies, spiders, snails, vascular plants, seeds and branches of dwarf birch, alder, and other representatives of tundra flora. In March 1977, after the earthquake in the Vrancha Mountains (Romania), the first and still the only mud volcano in the Carpathians, which added an entirely new “ note “ to the Starunia paleontological location , arose on the ozokerite deposit. In the 1970s-80s several dozen remains of ancient man from the late Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods were discovered. In 2004-2009, two Ukrainian-Polish expeditions were organized. The results of both expeditions were published in 2005 in the book «Polish and Ukrainian Geological Studies (2004-2005) at Starunia – the area of discoveries of Woolly Rhinoceros» and the scientific collection «Interdisciplinary Studies (2006-2009) at Starunia (Carpathian Region, Ukraine). The main achievements are set forth in 17 articles and relate to the geological environment, geomorphology, lithology, stratigraphy and paleography of the Holocene deposits, their palynological and paleobotanical characteristics, chronostratigraphy and environmental changes during the period of the late Pleistocene and Holocene, and also research by methods of electric probe, gravity and microgravity survey, geochemical analysis, microbiological characteristics and bitumen of Quaternary deposits. An important result was the discovery of the most productive area where the remains of giant mammals and even Pleistocene Cro-Magnon could still be found at depths. All the numerous interdisciplinary research of Polish and Ukrainian scientists confirms the uniqueness of Starunia on a global scale, requiring the preservation and further study of the paleontological finds and of the only mud volcano in the Carpathians. Such findings can onlybe made by organizing the Starunia International Ecological and Tourist Center «Geopark Ice Age».
Changes in pedogenic processes during Pryluky times (Late Pleistocene) in the central part of the Volyn Upland
Authors: Bonchkovskyi O. S.
Published: August 2019

In the central part of the Volyn Upland, the Pryluky palaeosol unit have been studied in nine loess-soil sites (Boremel 1 - 3, Novyi Tik, Smykiv, Shybyn, Kolodezhi, Kovban, Novostav). Several sections were excavated along a slope in each studied site in order to reveal the palaeocatena and to study the most complete palaosol successions. The last were found in palaeorelief depressions, which were acting as sediment traps. The genetic interpretation of palaeosols was carried out on the basis on field macromorphological and analytical (micromorphology, grain-size analysis, content of humus and CaCO3) studies. In order to reconstruct the main features of palaeovegetation as an important factor of pedogenesis, pollen analysis of the palaeosols was carried out. It proved a good correspondence between a character of palaeovegetation and a palaeosol type. It has been shown that grain-size composition of the lower Prylyky soils strongly depends on that of parent rocks (Tyasmyn unit of hillwash sandy loam and Kaydaky unit of pedosediment).. The Chernozem-like polygenic soil is the most common within studied area. The lower part of soil has signs of podsolization (powder of SiO2, light color, low content of clay). The upper Pryluky soils are distorted by erosional and cryogenic processes (mainly by solifluction textures) that hampers the interpretation of diagenetic and original pedogenicprocesses. The abundant bioturbations in the subsoil (the largest number among the Late Plestocene soils), high content of humus, complex microaggregates, but leach in the СaCO3 have been established to Pryluky soil unit. The presence of relic pedogenic signs in the polygenetic soil, an assumption is made about the existence of several stages of its formation. The investigation of pedocomplexes confirm it. The study of well-developed pedocomplexes in sedimentation traps allows the allocation of those pedogenic phases during Pryluky times: pl1b1 – Podzolic, Cryptopodzolic, Albeluvisol, Albic Luvisol; pl1b2 – Luvic Chernozem, Chernic Chernozem and Cryptopodzolic,; pl1с – Umbrisol and Cambic Luvisol; pl3a – Luvic Cambisol; pl3b1 – Luvisol and Luvic Cambisol; pl3b2 – Mollic and Luvic Cambisol.
Palaeoenvironmental changes during the Middle and Early Upper-Paleolithic in the UpperTysa Depression, Ukraine (the Sokyrnytsya and Ruban’ sites)
Authors: Gerasimenko N. P. , Kulakovska L. , Usik V. , Votiakova O.
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study is the reconstruction of palaeoenvironments of the Middle and Early Upper Palaeolithic in the Upper-Tysa Depression, related to short-period Upper Pleistocene changes. Stratigraphical, palaeopedological, pollen and archaeological methodologies have been applied in the study of several excavations at the Sokyrnytsya 1 and Ruban’ sites. Intense translocation processes (during formation of Luvisols and Albic Luvisols) during Late Pleistocene warm phases and Holocene, frequently transformed the material of underlying cold-phase non-soil sediments. The last are revealed in the lower horizons of palaeosols by their pollen assemblages, indicative of a periglacial climate, and by the levels with cryoturbations. The pollen succession of the last interglacial is found in the well-developed Kaydaky Luvisol. The presence of beech growing during the second half of the interglacial is a special feature of Transcarpathia. Above, two interstadials and two stadials are revealed in the early glacial. At Sokyrnytsya 1, Middle Palaeolithic first appeared at the very end of the last interglacial (when boreal forests dominated), and it is traced through sediments of the early glacial interstadials. The small collections of artefacts and the absence of specialized features on them do not allow them to be assigned to a specified technological-typological complex. During the interstadials of the early glacial (‘pl1’ and ‘pl3’), Luvisols and Cambisols developed beneath woodland, dominated by pine, but with admixture of deciduous trees, under a south-boreal climate. The cultural level at Ruban’, located in the transitional horizon from the late Pryluky soil to the Uday loess unit, is related to the Quina-type industry. Its analogues are quite common in Western Europe, but up to now have not been known to the east of the Carpathians. At that time, broad-leaved trees disappeared; the climate became cooler and drier. The presence of dry seasons is indicated by a level with abundant Fe-Mn concretions. At Sokyrnytsya 1, the Early Upper Palaeolithic non-Aurignacian cultural level is found in the Vytachiv unit (Middle Pleniglacial, around 38 - 39 ka BP). It is characterized by a technological-typological complex which has its analogue only in Eastern Europe (Kostenki XIV). In Vytachiv times, woodland, dominated by small-leaved trees,alternated with open landscapes of forbs and sedges. The climate was transitional from south-boreal to boreal. The Upper Palaeolithic level, which also is not related to a distinctive culture, is located above the level of the Bug (Late Pleniglacial), cryoturbations which deeply dissect the Vytachiv unit. The presence of both West European and East European archaeological industries and the exceptional palaeoenvironmental features of the studied area demonstrate its importance in the European context.
On the lower boundary of the Quaternary System in the Azov-Black Sea Basin
Authors: Gozhik P. F.
Published: August 2019

The data on the lowering of the lower boundary of the Quaternary System below the Gelasian Stage at 2.588 million years are presented in the paper. In Azov-Black Sea basin this boundary takes place within the middle of the Kuyalnikian Regionalstage and related to the magnetostratigraphic boundary Gauss-Matuyama and should be drawn under the deposits of the upper Kuyalnikian regionalsubstage, Taman layers of the Akchagylian, alluvium X terrace of the Dnister, Danuba, Prut rivers, the Haprovian layers of the Priazovie and under sediments of the Siverian stage in the loess-soil series of the Ukraine.Below there lie the deposits of the Bogdanivkian stage and the lower Kuyalnikian rocks. The deposits of the Lowerkuyalnikian regionalsubstage, upper and lower Poratian beds and sediments of the Bogdanivkian, Kizlyarkian and Jarkian stage in the loess-soil series related to Piacencian stage and Upper Pliocene. Kuyalnikian deposits in the Odessa (Kryzhanivka) region are the upper part of the Upperkuyalnikian regionalsubstage, above the Tamanian beds and correlations with a Beregovian stage in the loess-soil series. Beginning of the maximum Akchagylian transgression in the Black Sea coincides with a sharp cooling Climate period (2,5-2,6 million years) and compares with the Middle Akchagylian transgression of the Caspian basin. Signs of the late Akchagylian mollusks at the basal beds of the Kuyalnikian of the Priazovie requires additional research, as at that time the formation of the lower Poratian depositstook place in a (with Rugunio lenticularis) Warm climate. The most probable version is the invasion of Akchagylian mollusks during the cocking in Ajdarian time. The author opinion on the reasoning of the lowering of the boundary and the problems of its use in geological mapping are also stated.
Pleistocene soils of the Azov Lowland, Ukraine
Authors: Karmazinenko S. P.
Published: August 2019

With the aim to reconstruct the Pleistocene soils in Azov Lowland (geological sections near the villages of Bezimenne and Melekinе Donetsk region), we carried out palaeopedological research. The Paleopedological method was used, which consisted with a detailed analysis of the morphological (color, structure, granulometric composition, humidity, composition, neoplasms, inclusion, transition between horizons, border) and micromorphological (skeleton, plasma, color, aggregation, porosity, organic and clay parts, mineral skeleton, tumors, microstructure) features. Paleopedological studies of Pleistocene soils have allowed to determine the types of these deposits and to follow the dynamics of changes in soil conditions: - warm-temperate with signs and close to subtropical, when formed reddish cinnamon (krb1), reddish brown (krb2), cinnamonish-brown (shb1), reddish cinnamon (shb2), dark-colour (meadow reddish cinnamon) merged (mrb2 + mrb1), reddish cinnamon, brownish, fused saline soils (mr3) Kryzhanivka, Shyrokyno and Martonosha soils, which are distinguished by reddish shades of coloring of the profiles, are the most ferruginous, clay, with a large number of nodules witch concentration of organo-iron-clay material; - moderately-warm transition to subtropical – red-brown saline (lbb2), dark-colour (brownish-cinnamonic) fused (lbb2 + lbb1) heavy loam Lubny soils, with are less clayed, ferruginous and formed in meadow-steppe and steppe conditions (brownish-gray with cinnamonish shades of coloring profiles,the presence of moleholes, complex microaggregation); - moderately variable – humid close to subtropical – cinnamon and cinnamonsaline (zvb1), reddish-cinnamon saline (zvb2), heavy loam Zavadivka soils, which are a transitional variant to temperate climates, although some of the features of the lower Pleistocene soil formation are retained (ferrugination, presence of segregated clusters organo-clay and clay materials, microortshteins); - moderately-warm equally humid – cinnamon-brown (kdb1), ordinary chernozems (kdb2), cinnamonish-gray saline (plb1), chernozem saline (plb2), brown steppe (plc), heavy and medium loam Kaydaky and Pryluky soils, characterized by the grayish shades of coloring of profiles, the presence of moleholes, carbonates, complex microaggregates, pores and are closest to modern soils; - moderately-warm subarid – cinnamonish-brown (vtb2) heavy loam Vytachiv soils formed under the influence of turf (the presence of crust, carbonate, complex microaggregates) and brown-liked (cinnamonish-brown color of the profile,spatial structure of clays) of soil formation processes and have no analogues in modern soil cover; - moderately-continental and more arid (dry) – chernozems saline (dfb2), brown saline (dfc), desert-steppe fulvous (dfc), medium loam Dofinivka soils, with clear features of xeromorphism (low profile power, its carbonate, lack of signs of organo-mineral materials) replacing.
El transporte de carga terrestre en el comercio internacional. Análisis comparativo entre Bogotá, Colombia y Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Authors: López-Rodríguez Campo Elías , Pardo Rincón Sindy Dayana
Published: August 2019

El crecimiento económico de un Estado depende en gran medida del intercambio de productos que se genere con países del resto del mundo, resaltando así la pertinencia del comercio internacional; y desde esta perspectiva, el transporte de carga terrestre posee un protagonismo relevante en la logística que soporta el éxito de las transacciones comerciales con el exterior. Por medio de un análisis descriptivo de tipo cuantitativo se pretende reconocer el relacionamiento del transporte de carga terrestre con el desarrollo del comercio internacional desde un análisis comparativo entre Bogotá D.C, Colombia y Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Los hallazgos de este proceso investigativo permiten identificar las realidades existentes en la operatividad de este servicio en distintos escenarios geográficos, de tal forma que a partir de los resultados obtenidos se beneficien los sectores productivos relacionados con el transporte de carga terrestre y el comercio internacional colombiano y boliviano.
Nota editorial
Authors: Ortiz Carlos Humberto
Published: August 2019

Se ha propuesto que los más importantes determinantes de la expansión de la productividad multifactorial en Colombia son los siguientes: en primer lugar, la diversificación productiva, en especial la de los sectores intensivos en tecnología e inteligencia, donde históricamente ha jugado un rol primordial el sector industrial manufacturero. En segundo lugar, y claramente relacionado con el anterior, la expansión de la capacidad de compra de la población. El primer determinante se explica por el rol productivo de la división del trabajo, la cooperación y la especialización; y el segundo se relaciona con la expansión del tamaño del mercado y el aprovechamiento de economías de escala.
TLC-based enantiomeric separation of amino acids onto β-CD-incorporated glutaraldehyde-crosslinked PVA electrospun fiber stationary phase
Authors: Khatri Sahrish , Memon Najma , Khatri Zeeshan , Ahmed Farooq
Published: August 2019

Simple and economical methods for chiral separations are always needed in synthesis and drug development and as biomarkers, besides many other useful applications. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are chiral host molecules and have been used to separate a number of chiral analytes. In this study, we have successfully prepared electrospun films of β-CD incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) through glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinking. These films of β-CD-PVA-GA electrospun fibers are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which were subsequently used for thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-based enantiomeric separation of histidine and serine pairs. Amino acids were detected by spraying the chromatograms with the ninhydrin solution. Among various solvent systems employed, it was found that the separation of serine enantiomers with a resolution of 1.6 was possible with the mobile phase ethanol–butanol–ethyl acetate–water–acetone (4:5:5:0.5:1.5,v/v), and histidine enantiomers with a resolution of 1.4 were possible with the mobile phase ethanol–butanol–ethyl acetate–water–acetone (4:5:4.5:0.5:1.5,v/v). This proves that the prepared stationary phase is efficient in enatioresolution of selected amino acid pairs and can be further examined for physiological samples.