bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility: A typology of OECD countries
Authors: Crifo Patricia , Rebérioux Antoine
Published: November 2016

This article investigates the relationships between corporate governance and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The underlying intuition is that governance factors are major determinants of CSR policies and extra-financial performance. More precisely, we identify three main factors that determine the strength of CSR engagement at the firm level: the structure of equity ownership (identity of shareholders), the composition and structure of board of directors, and the regulatory framework on corporate governance and CSR. We show how evolutions regarding corporate governance over the three previous decades have paved the way and shaped the rise of CSR. In addition, we elaborate a typology of CSR and governance structures that characterize OECD countries depending on whether the CSR reporting regime is stringent versus non-stringent, and on whether the corporate governance model is based on the shareholder, stakeholder or hybrid regime.
Public lending to private hedge funds is inefficient, unstable, unconstitutional and unanimously disagreeable
Authors: Acharya Sankarshan
Published: November 2016

Public funds include federally insured deposits held under the custody of private banks, central bank loans and taxpayer funds. The principal finding of this paper is that lending such public funds through a private banking system to private hedge funds allied with the banks is inefficient, unstable, fundamentally unfair (unconstitutional) and unanimously disagreeable. This finding is akin to the unanimously agreeable safe central banking policy (Acharya, 1991-2016) which, in dynamic general equilibrium, (a) eliminates federal guarantee of bank deposits, (b) offers every business enterprise and household an option to keep in the central bank any part of its deposits it wants to be held absolutely safely, (c) completely deregulates all private banks without any privilege to rob public or private wealth like too-big-to-fail or too-big-to-be-jailed status or the power of market making and clearing. Safe central banking is the only way to make private banks responsible to hold sufficient capital to attract uninsured private deposits like the trading houses currently do. The private banks will then have complete freedom to lend their uninsured deposits to private hedge funds. The Volker Rule (NYT, January 30, 2010), incorporated in the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, is an infeasible and unworkable band-aid for the moral-hazard driven systemic robbery of wealth creators wrought by the government-ordained private banking custody of public funds. The established systemic moral-hazard problem can be efficiently and constitutionally resolved only through unanimously agreeable safe central banking. Current proposals on overhauling of Fannie and Freddie made by various pundits of systemic robbery amount to a gargantuan amount of public lending to private hedge funds and, hence, inefficient, unstable, unconstitutional and unanimously disagreeable.
Mudaraba as a Model of Islamic Finance
Authors: Nidaussalam M
Published: November 2016

Sharia bank has mostly been determined by its absent of rate transaction which is officially decided in agreement between the bank and its customer (akad). Mudharaba, one of the akad variants, offers equity finance requiring profit and loss sharing (PLS). This paper aims to critically discuss the principles of mudharaba commitment, mainly focusing on the process of funding and financing. To argue, mudharaba is an cooperating commitment between two economic agencies for which the first agency expected to provide financial capital while the other takes a part in managerial work-progress. In this process, the more profit for mudharib the more profit for the investor.      Keywords: mudharaba, islamic finance, profit and loss sharing
Conservative Anterior Partial Coverage CAD/CAM Restoration
Authors: May JT
Published: November 2016

Computer-aided design and manufacturing technology enables practitioners to create, in a single appointment, indirect restorations that are esthetic and functionally unique to the patient's situation. The popular effort to perform minimally invasive dentistry using digital techniques with chairside milling can lead dentists to novel individualized restorative treatment. This article demonstrates a conservative anterior partial coverage restoration, utilizing both digital technology and chairside ceramic characterization to achieve an optimal esthetic outcome while preserving healthy tooth structure.
General relativity, quantum behavior and Doppler factor basics in laser-driven light sailing and solar sailing
Authors: Tambunga Gabriel James
Published: November 2016

Basic concepts of the Quantum Behavior of atoms and molecules, modified concepts of General Relativity and the Doppler Factor were applied to a reflection associated with solar sailing and laser-driven light sailing, which provides the motion in the sailing due to energy and momentum transfer of the photons to the sail.  The result of this application is the energy and momentum being conserved, for the first time, from the perspective of the reflector and the source.  The magnitude and the direction of the reflector, after a reflection, are not consistent with current beliefs of the reflection of a photon, which is a consequence of the conservation proposed in this paper.  That is, the energy and momentum transfer are far smaller than what is currently believed.  An experimental test to verify the actual energy and momentum transfer from a photon to a reflector is also proposed.BIBECHANA 14 (2017) 9-16
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding voluntary blood donation among the bachelor level students of Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Pokhrel B , Pandey N , Parajuli-Pokhrel K
Published: November 2016

Background and Objectives:  Blood transfusion is a core service within health care systems and individuals who donate their blood in the treatment of sick human for different conditions such as surgery, accident, delivery and treatment of different diseases. The donation of blood by voluntary non-remunerated blood donors is recognized as being crucial for the safety and sustainability of national blood supplies. The study is carried out to find out the prevalence of blood donors and to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice on voluntary blood donation of medical students.Material and Methods:  Data were collected from a semi-structured questionnaire and technique was  self-administered  questionnaire  to  know  the  level  of  knowledge,  attitude  and  practices  of blood donation and analyze by using SPSS software among 167 medical students of Shree Medical and  Technical  College,  Chitwan.  The scoring system in knowledge was included.  Attitude was assessed by using 3-point Likert scale. Results:  Majority of respondents (92.8%) had heard about voluntary blood donation and almost all (97.2%) respondents knew the correct meaning of voluntary blood donation. About 38.9% had poor  knowledge  regarding  voluntary  blood  donation  and  61.1%  of  the  respondents  had  good knowledge  on  voluntary  blood  donation  and  mean  knowledge  was  found   to  be  56.17%.  Those respondents who had work experience had significantly low level of knowledge than who did not have work experience (p = 0.0025).Conclusion: To increase the prevalence of voluntary blood donation, specific campaigns involving interactive  awareness  sessions  on  blood  donation  should  be  organized,  targeting  the  youth, motivating them to become regular voluntary blood donors should be conducted. Efforts must be undertaken  to  bring  the  knowledge  and  positive  attitude  towards  students  into  application  in future to achieve the goal of 100% VBD.Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2015) Vol. 3 (2): 21-28
Kapalbhati changes cardiovascular parameters
Authors: Nayak R , Prakash S , Yadav R K , Upadhyay-Dhungel K
Published: November 2016

Background and Objectives: Kapalbhati is among one of the cleansing act (shatkarma) in yogic philosophy. It is one of the popular Pranayama which has several benefits. It is highly recommended for those who have to do great deal of study and need a clean, clear mind. This study was conducted among nursing students at Janaki medical college, Janakpur, Nepal.Material and Methods: This analytical study was conducted among PCL Nursing students of Janaki Medical College, Janakpurdham, Nepal. Total 40 nursing student who gave consent and performed Kapalbhati correctly were included in the study. A detailed demographic profile with a structured questionnaire and observational checklist was filled for data collection. HR, SBP, DBP were the cardiac parameters taken. Those parameters were taken before, during, immediately after and after 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes and 5 minutes Pranayama. The data were entered in SPSS and Statistical analysis was done using version 20.Results: As in usual exercises, the HR, SBP and DBP increases significantly during Kapalbhati session but immediate post effect was surprisingly significantly fall in those parameters when compared with the value during exercises. The basal (pre-Kapalbhati) mean HR, SBP and DBP were 88.25 ± 9.02, 111.43 ± 11.28 and 73.9 ± 7.70 which increases upto 133.58 ± 35.70, 89.63 ± 23.31 and 118.55 ± 19.08 respectively during exercises and fall immediately after exercises value being 114.48 ± 21.94, 76.43 ± 15.34 and 88.6 ± 17.25 respectively.Conclusion: There is no significant difference between pre and post value of HR, SBP and DBP as in other study. There is significant rise between Pre-value and during-value of all parameters and significant fall of all parameters if compared between during-value and post-value.Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2015) Vol. 3 (2): 43-49
Tyranny and Tragedy: Paradigms of Surveillance in Theodor Storm’s Aquis submersus and Carsten Curator
Authors: White Michael
Published: November 2016

Theodor Storm’s Novellen Aquis submersus (1876) and Carsten Curator (1878) stand out from other nineteenth-century representations of surveillance because of their intensity. Surveillance dominates the relationships between the principal characters, provides the driving force in the narrative action, and constitutes an essential mode of metaphorical expression. Aquis submersus documents an abuse of power: surveillance, in the control of correspondence and the use of informants, is the tool of a corrupt and petty aristocracy. Here, surveillance is depicted as a perverse evil, a transgression of natural justice that stands in the way of love. The text’s ending modifies this critique, however: Katharina’s child drowns as the lovers embrace, a fact that is interpreted and recorded in a painting as paternal negligence, making surveillance a moral duty that impedes the freedom of the observer as well as the observed. Carsten Curator explores surveillance failures in different ways. Carsten’s identity derives from guardianship, and it is his son’s forays outside the paternal field of vision that lead eventually to Heinrich’s death. Yet Carsten’s morality of surveillance is exposed as ideological and emotional self-control: a picture of Carsten’s father and Heinrich’s resemblance to his mother determine Carsten’s actions, functioning as absent observers whose imaginary surveillance Carsten both fears and craves.
Data, Love, and Bodies: The Value of Privacy in Juli Zeh’sCorpus Delicti
Authors: Koellner Sarah
Published: November 2016

This essay explores the transformation processes depicted in Juli Zeh’s fictional narrative Corpus Delicti, which call attention to the ethical challenges of new forms of surveillance. Initially blinded by the ideology of the surveillance state of the Methode, the protagonist Mia Holl transforms from a supporter of the healthcare dictatorship into a member of the resistance. By focusing on the surveillance mechanisms of the Methode, Zeh’s fictional narrative opens up a discourse on the value of privacy in the information age. Read together with Roberto Simanowski’s Data Love, Zeh’s work allows for a re-evaluation of the sharing of personal data when it promises societal benefits. Mia Holl’s rediscovery of human nature as a love for oneself eventually has the power to challenge the legitimacy of the surveillance state. Through the unravelling of the Methode’s imposed “data love” as a mechanism of total control, Mia Holl is able to mentally liberate herself from the Methode’s ideology and spark a widespread protest against the state.
Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: Clinical Presentation And Imaging Features with Emphasis on Sonography
Authors: Forhad Quorrata Eynul , Biswas Ali Akbar , Islam Sk Monirul , Alam Md Shah
Published: November 2016

Objective(s): The purpose of our study was to evaluate clinical findings and sonographic features of abdominal wall endometriosis and also to report its CT and MRI appearance.Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed from January 2008 - December 2012, yielding 12 surgically proven cases of abdominal wall endometriosis. All patients had undergone sonography including power Doppler examination. Additional CT was performed in one case and MRI in four. Pathological material was preoperatively obtained by sonographically guided puncture in six patients. The clinical data were analyzed and the imaging studies were reviewed by radiologist working in consensus.Results: All patients had a history of at least one prior cesarean section. All patients C/S was done in this institution and 1500 C/S were performed within a period of 5 years giving a frequency of 0.8% scar endometriosis after C/S. All presented with focal pain near the surgical scar, which was cyclic in three patients. Nine patients presented with a palpable mass near the scar. Sonography detected 11 lesions within the abdominal wall with a mean diameter 25mm and in one case sonography could not identify any lesion. All lesions were hypoechoic, vascular, and solid, with some cystic changes in one. MRI CT scan showed enhancement of the lesions. Finally histopathologically all were proved as endometriosis.Conclusion: Abdominal wall endometriosis frequently presents with noncyclic symptoms. Imaging findings of a solid mass near a cesarean section scar strongly suggest its diagnosis.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 3-8
Factors Associated with Spontaneous Preterm Delivery in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital
Authors: Abiodun Omole Ohonsi , Francis Belga
Published: November 2016

Objective (s): To determine the aetiological factors of preterm deliveries at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria..Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted between 1st June 2006 and 31st May 2007.One hundred and forty eight women with preterm deliveries (cases) were compared with seven hundred and forty women who delivered at term (control). Data analysis was done using Epi- Info software (6.0 CDC Atlanta Georgia, USA). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The contribution of the risk factors were estimated using chi square test and a p-value of < 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: The period incidence of preterm deliveries was 69 per 1000 births. Unbooked and low socioeconomic statuses, primigravidity, previous preterm deliveries, multiple pregnancies, pre-eclampsia, and malaria in pregnancy were significant risk factors that were associated with preterm delivery. These associations were still demonstrable after adjusting for confounding variables.Conclusion: Early girl marriage and childbearing and spontaneous pre-labour rupture of membranes not to be independent risk factors in this study. Women with risk factors should be managed in specialist hospitals.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 9-14
Clandestine Abortions in Cameroon: Risk Factors for Severe Complications
Authors: Nkwabong Elie , Bechem Efuetnkeng , Fomulu Joseph Nelson
Published: November 2016

Objective (s): The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for severe complications (SC) of clandestine abortions.Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted between March 1st and August 31st, 2012 in the maternities of the University Teaching Hospital and the Central Hospital, Yaoundé (Cameroon). Files of women with clandestine abortions were recruited. Main variables studied were maternal age, parity, gestational age, the method used, the time interval between abortion and consultation, the complications presented. Data of women with SC were compared to those of women who had with non severe or no complications (NC). Fisher exact test and student t test were used for comparison. The significance level was p=0.05.Results: Amongst 94 women, 76 (80.9%) had SC against 18 (19.1%) with NC.Risk factors for SC were gestational age e12 weeks (OR 2.7, 95%CI 0.8-8.9), abortion carried out with dilatation and curettage/evacuation (OR 2.4, 95%CI 0.6-9.2) or with intramuscular injection of a non specified medication (four cases against zero respectively), by a nurse (OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.5- 4.1), by a friend (nine cases against zero respectively) or a traditional healer (three cases against zero respectively). Other risk factors were abortion carried out in a primary health center (OR 1.5, 95%CI 0.4-4.7) and late consultation after abortion (P=0.0404).Conclusions: For prevention of severe post abortal complications, women and abortionists should be informed on these risk factors.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 21-25
Screening of Thyroid Function in the First Half of Pregnancy
Authors: Tania Shaila Naznine , Islam Ferdousi
Published: November 2016

Objective: The study was conducted to find out any alterations in thyroid function status in first half of pregnancy (up to 20 weeks), with ultimate aim of deciding the usefulness of routine screening of thyroid function in pregnancy.Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, over a period of one year from July 2011 to June 2012 on pregnant women in their 1st half of pregnancy to screen for the thyroid function. Based on predefined eligibility criteria, a total of 230 pregnant women were purposively included in the study. Thyroid function status was assessed by measuring serum levels of TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), and free tri-iodothyronine (FT3). Women with thyroid disorders were excluded.Results: The mean age of the patients being 24 years. Over 90% of the women were housewife and majority (88.7%) was educated. Over one-quarter of women was overweight with mean body mass index being 22.1 ± 4.4 kg/m2. The women were predominantly multigravida with 56% in 1st trimester 44% in the 1st half of 2nd trimester of pregnancy (13-20 weeks). Based on trimesters specific range of serum TSH in the 1st and 1st half of 2nd trimester (13-20 weeks) of pregnancy,13% of the patients were hypothyroid and 3% were hyperthyroid thus yielding a total of 37(16%) pregnant women with abnormal thyroid function status.Conclusion: The study concluded that one in every six women may have thyroid disorder in the first half of pregnancy and subclinical hypothyroidism is four times more common than the subclinical hyperthyroidism.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 26-31
Medical Management of Ectopic Pregnancy: An Observational Study
Authors: Begum Shahana , Akhtar Rowshan
Published: November 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of medical management of ectopic pregnancy.Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was conducted between February 2011 to August 2013 in Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and in different private clinics of Chittagong city. Twenty-seven patients of ectopic pregnancy conceived by fertility treatment were recruited for medical treatment after proper evaluation. Ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed by serum ?-hCG and progesterone level but missing intrauterine pregnancy by transabdominal sonography (TAS). Serum ?-hCG was repeated after 48 hours to observe doubling of the level. If level was not doubled or increment was not at least 66% and serum progesterone level was less than 15ng/ml then it was considered as ectopic pregnancy. Patients were treated with Injection methotrexate 50 mg intramuscularly either by single dose or two doses. After 4 days of 1st injection ?-hCG was repeated and if level decreased > 15% then patients were assessed weekly till ?-hCG fell to <5lU/L. If drop was <15% after 4 days a second dose of methotrexate was given.Results: Overall success rate was 66.66% . Surgical intervention was needed in 22.22% patients. All patients were treated after hospitalization in CMCH and different private clinics of Chittagong. They got injection methotrexate, antibiotic, antispasmodic and analgesics for abdominal pain. Single dose cured 55.55% patients and 11.11% patients needed second dose, another 11.11% patients were misdiagnosed later on they were diagnosed as intrauterine pregnancy and medical termination was done. Within one year of treatment 33.33% patients conceived again. There was no side effect or complications of the treatment.Conclusion: This small trial gave a good impression about medical treatment in selective cases. The efficacy should be assessed in a randomized clinical trial with a different set of populationBangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 32-36
International News Vol.29(1)
Authors: Chowdhury Saleha Begum
Published: November 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 61
Dr. Razia Sultana
Authors: Chowdhury Saleha Begum
Published: November 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 62
Caesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy Treated with local Methotrexate: A Case Report
Authors: Sultana Jobaida , Dewan Farhana , Kazal Rezaul Karim , Khan Md Manir Hossain , Sultana Mahmuda
Published: November 2016

Ectopic pregnancy in a caesarean scar is the rarest form of ectopic pregnancy and probably the most dangerous one because of the risk of uterine rupture and massive hemorrhage. Since the advent of endovaginal ultrasonography, ectopic pregnancy in a caesarean scar can be diagnosed and distinguished from cervical pregnancy early in pregnancy. Here we describe a case of ectopic pregnancy in a caesarean scar in which the diagnosis was done at 6 weeks of pregnancy by transvaginal sonography and confirmed by MRI. The case was successfully managed by ultrasonography guided local injection of methotrexate into the gestational sac through trans abdominal route.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2015; Vol. 30(1) : 43-48
Transport Fitness of Cull Sows and Boars: A Comparison of Different Guidelines on Fitness for Transport
Authors: Grandin Temple
Published: November 2016

Sows and boars that have reached the end of their productive lives have a greater risk for welfare problems. This paper reviews literature on culling reasons that may affect the animals’ fitness for transport. The top two reasons identified for culling boars were: obesity and reproductive problems. Sows are most often culled due to lameness, low body condition, or failure to rebreed. The OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) fitness for transport guidelines that would apply to sows and boars were compared with documents from the Canadian Code of Practice, Northern American Meat Institute (NAMI), EU-UK-DEFRA (European Union-United Kingdom, Dept. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), U.S. National Pork Board, European Practical Guidelines to Assess Fitness for Transport of Pigs, and U.S. Pork Trucker Quality Assurance. The guidelines had the greatest agreement on the following fitness for transport issues: non-ambulatory, severely injured animals, sows in the last ten percent of pregnancy and sows with uterine prolapses were not fit for transport. There was less agreement on low body condition. One of the reasons for the lack of agreement is that there were stakeholders who specialized in transporting and processing extremely thin animals. A standard that would severely restrict the transport and slaughter of these animals could hinder the business practices of these stakeholders. Many welfare specialists would agree that some of these animals would be unfit for transport.
Histone H3 Methyltransferase Suv39h1 Prevents Myogenic Terminal Differentiation by Repressing MEF2 Activity in Muscle Cells
Authors: Jin Wei , Shang Yangyang , Peng Jian , Jiang Siwen
Published: November 2016

The myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors have been extensively studied as key transcription factors that regulate myogenic gene expression. However, few reports on the molecular mechanism that modulates chromatin remodeling during skeletal muscle differentiation are available. We reported here that the expression of the H3-K9 methyltransferase Suv39h1 was decreased during myoblast differentiation. Ectopic expression of Suv39h1 could inhibit myoblast differentiation, increasing H3-K9 methylation levels, whereas knockdown of Suv39h1 stimulated myoblast differentiation. Furthermore, Suv39h1 interacted with MEF2C directly and inhibited MEF2 transcription activity in a dose-dependent manner. Together, our studies revealed a molecular mechanism wherein Suv39h1 modulated myogenic gene expression and activation during skeletal muscle differentiation.
Roles of MicroRNA across Prenatal and Postnatal Periods
Authors: Floris Ilaria , Kraft Jamie , Altosaar Illimar
Published: November 2016

Communication between mother and offspring in mammals starts at implantation via the maternal–placental–fetal axis, and continues postpartum via milk targeted to the intestinal mucosa. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short, noncoding single-stranded RNAs, of about 22 nucleotides in length, are actively involved in many developmental and physiological processes. Here we highlight the role of miRNA in the dynamic signaling that guides infant development, starting from implantation of conceptus and persisting through the prenatal and postnatal periods. miRNAs in body fluids, particularly in amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, and breast milk may offer new opportunities to investigate physiological and/or pathological molecular mechanisms that portend to open novel research avenues for the identification of noninvasive biomarkers.
Positive and Negative Impacts of Non-Native Bee Species around the World
Authors: Russo Laura
Published: November 2016

Though they are relatively understudied, non-native bees are ubiquitous and have enormous potential economic and environmental impacts. These impacts may be positive or negative, and are often unquantified. In this manuscript, I review literature on the known distribution and environmental and economic impacts of 80 species of introduced bees. The potential negative impacts of non-native bees include competition with native bees for nesting sites or floral resources, pollination of invasive weeds, co-invasion with pathogens and parasites, genetic introgression, damage to buildings, affecting the pollination of native plant species, and changing the structure of native pollination networks. The potential positive impacts of non-native bees include agricultural pollination, availability for scientific research, rescue of native species, and resilience to human-mediated disturbance and climate change. Most non-native bee species are accidentally introduced and nest in stems, twigs, and cavities in wood. In terms of number of species, the best represented families are Megachilidae and Apidae, and the best represented genus is Megachile. The best studied genera are Apis and Bombus, and most of the species in these genera were deliberately introduced for agricultural pollination. Thus, we know little about the majority of non-native bees, accidentally introduced or spreading beyond their native ranges.
Acoustic Behavior of Hollow Blocks and Bricks Made of Concrete Doped with Waste-Tire Rubber
Authors: Fraile-Garcia Esteban , Ferreiro-Cabello Javier , Defez Beatriz , Peris-Fajanes Guillermo
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we investigate the acoustic behaviour of building elements made of concrete doped with waste-tire rubber. Three different mixtures were created, with 0%, 10%, and 20% rubber in their composition. Bricks, lattice joists, and hollow blocks were manufactured with each mixture, and three different cells were built and tested against aerial and impact noise. The values of the global acoustic isolation and the reduction of the sound pressure level of impacts were measured. Results proved that highly doped elements are an excellent option to isolate low frequency sounds, whereas intermediate and standard elements constitute a most interesting option to block middle and high frequency sounds. In both cases, the considerable amount of waste-tire rubber recycled could justify the employment of the doped materials for the sake of the environment.
Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of a Series of Aporphine Derivatives with Antiarrhythmic Activities and Acute Toxicity
Authors: Wang Hui , Cheng Xin , Kong Shujun , Yang Zixian , Wang Hongmei , Huang Qiuyan , Li Jingyu , Chen Cheng , Ma Yunshu
Published: November 2016

Some aporphine alkaloids, such as crebanine, were found to present arrhythmic activity and also higher toxicity. A series of derivatives were synthesized by using three kinds of aporphine alkaloids (crebanine, isocorydine, and stephanine) as lead compounds. Chemical methods, including ring-opening reaction, bromination, methylation, acetylation, quaternization, and dehydrogenation, were adopted. Nineteen target derivatives were evaluated for their antiarrhythmic potential in the mouse model of ventricular fibrillation (VF), induced by CHCl3, and five of the derivatives were investigated further in the rat model of arrhythmia, induced by BaCl2. Meanwhile, preliminary structure-activity/toxicity relationship analyses were carried out. Significantly, N-acetamidesecocrebanine (1d), three bromo-substituted products of crebanine (2a, 2b, 2c), N-methylcrebanine (2d), and dehydrostephanine (4a) displayed antiarrhythmic effects in the CHCl3-induced model. Among them, 7.5 mg/kg of 2b was able to significantly reduce the incidence of VF induced by CHCl3 (p < 0.05), increase the number of rats that resumed sinus rhythm from arrhythmia, induced by BaCl2 (p < 0.01), and the number of rats that maintained sinus rhythm for more than 20 min (p < 0.01). Therefore, 2b showed remarkably higher antiarrhythmic activity and a lower toxicity (LD50 = 59.62 mg/kg, mice), simultaneously, indicating that 2b could be considered as a promising candidate in the treatment of arrhythmia. Structural-activity analysis suggested that variationsin antiarrhythmic efficacy and toxicity of aporphines were related to the C-1,C-2-methylenedioxy group on ring A, restricted ring B structural conformation, N-quaternization of ring B, levoduction of 6a in ring C, and the 8-, 9-, 10-methoxy groups on ring D on the skeleton.
Inhibition of Urease by Disulfiram, an FDA-Approved Thiol Reagent Used in Humans
Authors: Díaz-Sánchez Ángel , Alvarez-Parrilla Emilio , Martínez-Martínez Alejandro , Aguirre-Reyes Luis , Orozpe-Olvera Jesica , Ramos-Soto Miguel , Núñez-Gastélum José , Alvarado-Tenorio Bonifacio , De la Rosa Laura
Published: November 2016

Urease is a nickel-dependent amidohydrolase that catalyses the decomposition of urea into carbamate and ammonia, a reaction that constitutes an important source of nitrogen for bacteria, fungi and plants. It is recognized as a potential antimicrobial target with an impact on medicine, agriculture, and the environment. The list of possible urease inhibitors is continuously increasing, with a special interest in those that interact with and block the flexible active site flap. We show that disulfiram inhibits urease in Citrullus vulgaris (CVU), following a non-competitive mechanism, and may be one of this kind of inhibitors. Disulfiram is a well-known thiol reagent that has been approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic alcoholism. We also found that other thiol reactive compounds (l-captopril and Bithionol) and quercetin inhibits CVU. These inhibitors protect the enzyme against its full inactivation by the thiol-specific reagent Aldrithiol (2,2′-dipyridyl disulphide, DPS), suggesting that the three drugs bind to the same subsite. Enzyme kinetics, competing inhibition experiments, auto-fluorescence binding experiments, and docking suggest that the disulfiram reactive site is Cys592, which has been proposed as a “hinge” located in the flexible active site flap. This study presents the basis for the use of disulfiram as one potential inhibitor to control urease activity.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Primaquine-Cinnamic Acid Conjugates of the Amide and Acylsemicarbazide Type
Authors: Pavić Kristina , Perković Ivana , Gilja Petra , Kozlina Filip , Ester Katja , Kralj Marijeta , Schols Dominique , Hadjipavlou-Litina Dimitra , Pontiki Eleni , Zorc Branka
Published: November 2016

In this paper design and synthesis of a scaffold comprising primaquine (PQ) motif and cinnamic acid derivatives (CADs) bound directly (compounds 3a–k) or via a spacer (compounds 7a–k) are reported. In the first series of compounds, PQ and various CADs were connected by amide bonds and in the second series by acylsemicarbazide functional groups built from the PQ amino group, CONHNH spacer and the carbonyl group originating from the CADs. PQ-CAD amides 3a–k were prepared by a simple one-step condensation reaction of PQ with a series of CAD chlorides (method A) or benzotriazolides 2 (method B). The synthesis of acylsemicarbazides 7a–k included activation of PQ with benzotriazole, preparation of PQ-semicarbazide 6 and its condensation with CAD chlorides 4. All synthesized PQ-CAD conjugates were evaluated for their anticancer, antiviral and antioxidative activities. Almost all compounds from series 3 were selective towards the MCF-7 cell line and active at micromolar concentrations. The o-fluoro derivative 3h showed high activity against HeLa, MCF-7 and in particular against the SW 620 cell line, while acylsemicarbazide 7f with a benzodioxole ring and 7c, 7g and especially 7j with methoxy-, chloro- or trifluoromethyl-substituents in the para position showed high selectivity and high inhibitory activity against MCF-7 cell line at micromolar (7c, 7f, 7g) and nanomolar (7j) levels. Acylsemicarbazide derivatives with trifluoromethyl group(s) 7i, 7j and 7k showed specific activity against human coronavirus (229E) at concentrations which did not alter the normal cell morphology. The same compounds exerted the most potent reducing activity in the DPPH test, together with 7d and 7g, while methoxy (compounds 7c–e), benzodioxole (7f), p-Cl (7g) and m-CF3 (7i) acylsemicarbazides and amide 3f presented the highest LP inhibition (83%–89%). The dimethoxy derivative 7d was the most potent LOX inhibitor (IC50 = 10 μΜ). The performed biological tests gave evidence of acylsemicarbazide functional group as superior binding group in PQ-CAD conjugates.
Pre-Sleep Protein Ingestion to Improve the Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Response to Exercise Training
Authors: Trommelen Jorn , Van Loon Luc
Published: November 2016

Protein ingestion following resistance-type exercise stimulates muscle protein synthesis rates, and enhances the skeletal muscle adaptive response to prolonged resistance-type exercise training. As the adaptive response to a single bout of resistance exercise extends well beyond the first couple of hours of post-exercise recovery, recent studies have begun to investigate the impact of the timing and distribution of protein ingestion during more prolonged recovery periods. Recent work has shown that overnight muscle protein synthesis rates are restricted by the level of amino acid availability. Protein ingested prior to sleep is effectively digested and absorbed, and thereby stimulates muscle protein synthesis rates during overnight recovery. When applied during a prolonged period of resistance-type exercise training, protein supplementation prior to sleep can further augment gains in muscle mass and strength. Recent studies investigating the impact of pre-sleep protein ingestion suggest that at least 40 g of protein is required to display a robust increase in muscle protein synthesis rates throughout overnight sleep. Furthermore, prior exercise allows more of the pre-sleep protein-derived amino acids to be utilized for de novo muscle protein synthesis during sleep. In short, pre-sleep protein ingestion represents an effective dietary strategy to improve overnight muscle protein synthesis, thereby improving the skeletal muscle adaptive response to exercise training.
Quantum Control in Qutrit Systems Using Hybrid Rabi-STIRAP Pulses
Authors: Vepsäläinen Antti , Danilin Sergey , Paladino Elisabetta , Falci Giuseppe , Paraoanu Gheorghe
Published: November 2016

We introduce and analyze theoretically a procedure that combines slow adiabatic stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) manipulation with short nonadiabatic Rabi pulses to produce any desired three-level state in a qutrit system. In this protocol, the fast pulses create superpositions between the ground state and the first excited state, while the slow pulses transfer an arbitrary population to the second excited state via STIRAP. We demonstrate high-fidelity quantum control of the level populations and phases and we characterize the errors incurred under the breakdown of adiabaticity. In a configuration where an ancillary state is available, we show how to realize a nondemolition monitoring of the relative phases. These methods are general and can be implemented on any experimental platform where a quantum system with at least three accessible energy levels is available. We discuss here in detail experimental implementations in circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) based on the results obtained with a transmon, where the control of population using the hybrid Rabi-STIRAP sequence has been achieved.
Validation of Regional-Scale Remote Sensing Products in China: From Site to Network
Authors: Wang Shuguo , Li Xin , Ge Yong , Jin Rui , Ma Mingguo , Liu Qinhuo , Wen Jianguang , Liu Shaomin
Published: November 2016

Validation is mandatory to quantify the reliability of remote sensing products (RSPs). However, this process is not straightforward and usually presents formidable challenges in terms of both theory and real-world operations. In this context, a dedicated validation initiative was launched in China, and we identified a validation strategy (VS). This overall VS focuses on validating regional-scale RSPs with a systematic site-to-network concept, consisting of four main components: (1) general guidelines and technical specifications to guide users in validating various land RSPs, particularly aiming to further develop in situ sampling schemes and scaling approaches to acquire ground truth at the pixel scale over heterogeneous surfaces; (2) sound site-based validation activities, conducted through multi-scale, multi-platform, and multi-source observations to experimentally examine and improve the first component; (3) a national validation network to allow for comprehensive assessment of RSPs from site or regional scales to the national scale across various zones; and (4) an operational RSP evaluation system to implement operational validation applications. Research progress on the development of these four components is described in this paper. Some representative research results, with respect to the development of sampling methods and site-based validation activities, are also highlighted. The development of this VS improves our understanding of validation issues, especially to facilitate validating RSPs over heterogeneous land surfaces both at the pixel scale level and the product level.
Estimating Leaf Area Index (LAI) in Vineyards Using the PocketLAI Smart-App
Authors: Orlando Francesca , Movedi Ermes , Coduto Davide , Parisi Simone , Brancadoro Lucio , Pagani Valentina , Guarneri Tommaso , Confalonieri Roberto
Published: November 2016

Estimating leaf area index (LAI) of Vitis vinifera using indirect methods involves some critical issues, related to its discontinuous and non-homogeneous canopy. This study evaluates the smart app PocketLAI and hemispherical photography in vineyards against destructive LAI measurements. Data were collected during six surveys in an experimental site characterized by a high level of heterogeneity among plants, allowing us to explore a wide range of LAI values. During the last survey, the possibility to combine remote sensing data and in-situ PocketLAI estimates (smart scouting) was evaluated. Results showed a good agreement between PocketLAI data and direct measurements, especially for LAI ranging from 0.13 to 1.41 (R2 = 0.94, RRMSE = 17.27%), whereas the accuracy decreased when an outlying value (vineyard LAI = 2.84) was included (R2 = 0.77, RRMSE = 43.00%), due to the saturation effect in case of very dense canopies arising from lack of green pruning. The hemispherical photography showed very high values of R2, even in presence of the outlying value (R2 = 0.94), although it showed a marked and quite constant overestimation error (RRMSE = 99.46%), suggesting the need to introduce a correction factor specific for vineyards. During the smart scouting, PocketLAI showed its reliability to monitor the spatial-temporal variability of vine vigor in cordon-trained systems, and showed a potential for a wide range of applications, also in combination with remote sensing.
Gap Measurement of Point Machine Using Adaptive Wavelet Threshold and Mathematical Morphology
Authors: Xu Tianhua , Wang Guang , Wang Haifeng , Yuan Tangming , Zhong Zhiwang
Published: November 2016

A point machine’s gap is an important indication of its healthy status. An edge detection algorithm is proposed to measure and calculate a point machine’s gap from the gap image captured by CCD plane arrays. This algorithm integrates adaptive wavelet-based image denoising, locally adaptive image binarization, and mathematical morphology technologies. The adaptive wavelet-based image denoising obtains not only an optimal denoising threshold, but also unblurred edges. Locally adaptive image binarization has the advantage of overcoming the local intensity variation in gap images. Mathematical morphology may suppress speckle spots caused by reflective metal surfaces in point machines. The subjective and objective evaluations of the proposed method are presented by using point machine gap images from a railway corporation in China. The performance between the proposed method and conventional edge detection methods has also been compared, and the result shows that the former outperforms the latter.
Effects of solvent additive on “s-shaped” curves in solution-processed small molecule solar cells
Authors: Love John A , Chou Shu-Hua , Huang Ye , Bazan Guilllermo C , Nguyen Thuc-Quyen
Published: November 2016

A novel molecular chromophore, p-SIDT(FBTThCA8)2, is introduced as an electron-donor material for bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells with broad absorption and near ideal energy levels for the use in combination with common acceptor materials. It is found that films cast from chlorobenzene yield devices with strongly s-shaped current–voltage curves, drastically limiting performance. We find that addition of the common solvent additive diiodooctane, in addition to facilitating crystallization, leads to improved vertical phase separation. This yields much better performing devices, with improved curve shape, demonstrating the importance of morphology control in BHJ devices and improving the understanding of the role of solvent additives.
THE MOLECULAR WIND IN THE NEAREST SEYFERT GALAXY CIRCINUS REVEALED BY ALMA
Authors: Zschaechner Laura K. , Walter Fabian , Bolatto Alberto , Farina Emanuele P. , Kruijssen J. M. Diederik , Leroy Adam , Meier David S. , Ott Jürgen , Veilleux Sylvain
Published: November 2016

We present ALMA observations of the inner 1′ (1.2 kpc) of the Circinus galaxy, the nearest Seyfert. We target CO (1–0) in the region associated with a well-known multiphase outflow driven by the central active galactic nucleus (AGN). While the geometry of Circinus and its outflow make disentangling the latter difficult, we see indications of outflowing molecular gas at velocities consistent with the ionized outflow. We constrain the mass of the outflowing molecular gas to be 1.5 × 105−5.1 × 106
M
⊙, yielding a molecular outflow rate of 0.35–12.3 M
⊙ yr−1. The values within this range are comparable to the star formation (SF) rate in Circinus, indicating that the outflow indeed regulates SF to some degree. The molecular outflow in Circinus is considerably lower in mass and energetics than previously studied AGN-driven outflows, especially given its high ratio of AGN luminosity to bolometric luminosity. The molecular outflow in Circinus is, however, consistent with some trends put forth by Cicone et al., including a linear relation between kinetic power and AGN luminosity, as well as its momentum rate versus bolometric luminosity (although the latter places Circinus among the starburst galaxies in that sample). We detect additional molecular species including CN and C17O.
O Processo de Criação de um Software para o Ensino e a Aprendizagem de Cálculos Aritméticos no Ensino Fundamental
Authors: Leandro Everaldo Gomes , Batista Antônio José De Lima , Izá Stefânia Efigênia , Oliveira Amanda Castro
Published: November 2016

O presente artigo tem como objetivo mostrar/discutir o processo de criação de um Objeto de Aprendizagem (OA) para o ensino de cálculos aritméticos (mentais, com calculadora, com algoritmos: exatos e aproximados) no Ensino Fundamental. Tal OA é um software com características multimídia no formato pronto. Para a criação do OA, utilizou-se da “Metodologia de concepção e desenvolvimento de aplicações educacionais”. Ao final da pesquisa, como produto final, foi criada a PoliKalc: um OA para o ensino e a aprendizagem de cálculos aritméticos. Nesse trabalho, mostraremos as implicações inerentes ao processo de criação de um software quando os sujeitos envolvidos focam o olhar para algumas questões trazidas por pesquisas da área de Educação de Matemática. Deste modo, pretendemos mostrar um caminho possível para a elaboração de softwares educativos pensados para o ensino e a aprendizagem da Matemática.
Collaboration in initial teacher training for constructing didactic knowledge: a study in Higher Education
Authors: Macário Maria João , Sá Cristina Manuela
Published: November 2016

A study was developed with students from a professional master’s degree. The aims were: i) to identify their representations of collaborative work (by means of a questionnaire and an individual written assignment); ii) to understand the impact of these representations on the use of collaborative work practices in online forums (through a questionnaire and messages posted in the forum); iii) to understand how the use of collaborative work in online forums contributes to the construction of didactic knowledge when addressing the issue of spelling (through messages posted in the forum and didactic tools designed by the groups); iv) to understand the contribution of this knowledge to the creation of didactic tools when addressing spelling. Results show the relationship between the appreciation of (and failure to appreciate) collaboration and its use in a collaborative environment, which impacts on the knowledge constructed and therefore on the didactic tools designed by the students.