bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mappila literature as a paradigm for countercultures: Reading Moinkutty Vaidyar in context
Authors: Hameed Abdullah Abdul
Published: February 2020

Recent studies on Mappila literature revisit Mappila culture in an attempt to understand the 'Mappila Muslim' beyond earlier representations by colonial and nationalist scholarship. Mappila literature is studied as a paradigm for understanding traditions of dissent and resistance by indigenous communities in colonized contexts. This article positions Mappila poet Moinkutty Vaidyar in a lineage of Mappila writings of resistance in Arabic, Arabimalayalam and Malayalam, and studies Vaidyar's works as a continuum of Mappila counterculture while also placing him as a link between two distinct eras in Kerala's literary history through synchronic and diachronic reading of Malayalam literary history. It critically explores the reasons behind marginalization of Mappila literature by mainstream academic studies until the early years of twenty-first century. While considering Moinkutty Vaidyar as a continuum of the Mappila counterculture, this research also presents a case for Vaidyar as an anti-orthodox social reformer, a secular thinker, a successor of the pāttu and bhakti traditions, a harbinger of romanticism and modernism in Kerala's literature and finally as the creative genius who created a new linguistic and literary landscape for Mappila society.
Why did Qajar elites become such enthusiastic patrons of ta'zīyah? A simple question with a complex answer
Authors: Aghaie Kamran Scot
Published: February 2020

The Qajar elites of Iran used various Shi'i religious rituals to bolster their legitimacy, but ta'zīyah was the Qajar ritual par excellence. This article argues for the key role played by the following factors. First, the relationship between the Qajar elites and the elite ulamā was often contentious. Second, since the ulamā controlled most religious spaces and rituals, it was difficult for the Qajar elites to sponsor rituals independently of the ulamā, and third, since the ulamā had conflicting and ambivalent attitudes towards certain Shi'i rituals, because of the practices of dressing up and representing holy Shi'i persons (including males dressing up as female characters), and because of the injurious aspects of rituals like qamah zanī and zanjīr zanī. Finally, hierarchies of status within the ulamā developed throughout the Qajar period, following the victory of the Ūsūlīs over the Akhbārīs in Iraq and Iran. A combination of these factors meant that the highest-ranking ulamā typically did not sponsor rituals like ta'zīyah, which provided a unique opportunity for Qajar elites to promote their legitimacy, with relative independence from the elite ulamā.
Contesting authentic Islam: Ahlul Quran movements and performance of debates in the religious sphere of Kerala
Authors: Shafeeque K. P. Abdul
Published: February 2020

Ahlul Quran movements introduced the debates on the question of the authority of tradition as the second source of Islamic knowledge and critiqued the existing notions of Islam among the Malabar Muslims in Kerala. These intra-Islamic factions attempted to reinterpret Islam according to their interpretations solely based on the Quran and developed their take on what constitutes 'authentic Islam'. This article uses Ahlul Quran as a generic term for the two main Ahlul Quran movements that developed in the Malabar Coast during the early and late half of the twentieth century. These two movements were the Ahlul Quran movement of Pazhayangadi by B. Kunjahamed Haji and Khuran Sunnath Society of Abul Hasan (popularly known as Chekanur Moulavi). They initiated numerous oral debates and discussions with various Islamic groups existing in the Malabar region such as Sunnis, Mujahids, Ahmediyyas and Jamaat-e-Islami, challenging and contesting different notions of 'authentic Islam'. Along with oral debates, it also gave birth to textual contestations, with voluminous books, articles and pamphlets challenging each other. This article traces the intra-religious debates that developed among the Malabar Muslims after the emergence of Ahlul Quran thoughts. It analyses how the existing Islamic groups upholding different versions of 'authentic Islam' in the Malabar region, located in the northern part of Kerala, South India, challenged the growth of these Ahlul Quran movements. In short, during the numerous debates and contestations that happened between the Islamic groups within the Malabar region the article explores how these debates are a constant performance of Islam and its tradition.
Polemical encounters: Ambedkar and Savarkar on Muslim performativity
Authors: Ismailee Sania
Published: February 2020

The concept of Muslim performativity and the perception of the image of an ordinary Muslim are the central themes of this article. It outlays V. D. Savarkar's and B. R. Ambedkar's views on Muslim performativity – performance of Muslimness or Islamic religiosity. It primarily engages with Savarkar's Essentials of Hindutva (1923) and Ambedkar's Pakistan or the Partition of India ([1945] 2013) and extracts their comments on Muslimness with reference to Muslim invasions and alleged divided loyalty. Apart from highlighting the convergences and divergences in their views on Muslim performativity, it describes their debate as performance. Further, this article argues that a hangover of Savarkarite and Ambedkarite comments on Muslim performativity permeates through the legal production of the Muslim community. By discussing the Muslim community's multifarious attempts to reform family law, this essay engages with the lived reality of Muslim performativity to stress the heterogeneity of Muslimness. By posing the lived reality of Muslim performativity against the dominant discourse in the aforementioned thinkers' works, it contributes a novel approach towards the conceptualization of performativity and departs from Judith Butler's concept of performativity.
Congenital urethral dilatation in cattle calves: Diagnosis and surgical intervention
Authors: Ali Magda Mahmoud , Hussein Kamal Hany , Sadek Ahmed , Abdelbaset Abdelbaset Eweda
Published: February 2020

Background and Aim: Congenital anomalies of the urinary system are common affections in ruminants. Dilatation of the pelvic urethra is one of these affections in which the pelvic urethra dilated than normal diameter. This study aimed to explain the diagnosis and surgical treatment of urethral dilatation in cattle calves. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three bull calves (2-7 months old) were presented with a history of stranguria, tenesmus, and straining. Diagnosis of urethral dilatation was relied on the case history and clinical examination and was confirmed using survey and contrast radiography, ultrasonography, and biochemical tests. Treatment was done by urethrostomy under the effect of local infiltration analgesia. Results: Physical examination revealed the presence of an oval, firm, and painless swelling at the perineal region, starting just below the anus and extended to the base of the scrotum. The owners reported that the initial swelling size and severity of symptoms increased with the progress of animal age. Biochemical findings revealed non-significant changes in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Radiographic findings showed an oval radiopaque mass. However, a well-demarcated structure with acoustic enhancement was detected on ultrasonographic examination. Urethrostomy resulted in a successful outcome of all cases. Conclusion: Depending on these findings, ultrasonography is the most reliable diagnostic tool and urethrostomy is the intervention of choice with acceptable results for diagnosis and treatment of urethral dilatation in cattle calves, respectively.
Determinants of Support for Climate Change Efforts in the Global South
Authors: Adugu Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

This paper addresses determinants that underpin support for climate change efforts. The study is based on Pew Research Center (USA), Spring 2015 Global Attitudes survey dataset, with a primary focus on climate change, collected from March 25 to May 27, 2015. Drawing on the new ecological paradigm and ecological modernization perspectives, the paper utilizing logistic regression, examines the relationship between individuals’ perception or awareness of the severity of climate change and their support for limiting greenhouse emissions; the extent to which individuals’ views on whether developing countries should do as much as the rich countries in addressing climate change predict the likelihood of their (individuals’) support for limiting greenhouse emissions. The logistic regression models reveal that people’s rational insight into the following consequences of climate change positively predicts support for limiting greenhouse emissions: severe weather like floods or severe storms; long periods of unusually hot weather; rising sea levels; years of schooling and age positively predict support for limiting greenhouse emissions. In general, knowing an individual’s country of residence offers no predictive value in determining whether the individual will support limiting greenhouse emissions. The notable exceptions are: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. These four countries display positive and statistically significant coefficients in the logistic regression model predicting support for greenhouse emissions.       Keywords: climate change; environmental concern; greenhouse emissions; ecological crisis; Africa
Implementation of an Elemental Diet in Five Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Presenting with Gastrointestinal Disease: A Brief Report
Authors: Barnhill Kelly , Barnhill Kelly , Gutierrez Alan , Gutierrez Alan , Potts Amy , Potts Amy , Devlin Morgan , Richardson Wendy , Hewitson Laura
Published: February 2020

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired communication and social interaction. Children with ASD are frequently diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) issues, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, although the association between ASD and GI conditions is unclear. Underlying nutritional deficiencies are more common in children with ASD, and increase the risk of them developing medical conditions secondary to the behavioral diagnosis. This objective of this study was to examine the use of an elemental diet (ED) in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease in 5 children with ASD ages 2-21 years of age. In the study participants, the ED was well-tolerated with improvements in anthropometric measures, nutritional markers, and/or GI functioning reported after 12 weeks of intervention. Further research to advance the development of specific evidence-based guidelines in the management and treatment of gastrointestinal concerns in the ASD population is warranted.
Strategies for Increasing Beef Cattle Production under Dryland Farming Systems
Authors: Burrow Heather
Published: February 2020

Integrated cattle and dryland farming systems in Indonesia use a range of crop residues and by products to feed cattle through intensive and extensive production systems. Intensive systems use stalls to house cattle and cut and carry feeding systems, primarily for fattening cattle. Under extensive systems, cattle are free‐grazing,and the systems apply only where greater land areas exist and they are used for breeding and fattening cattle. This paper therefore specifically focuses on the opportunities that exist to improve beef production in dryland farming systems in Indonesia. The best strategies for smallholder farmers in Indonesia to improve beef production require farmers to focus on profitability and use proven management strategies, including a) using adapted cattle breeds resistant/tolerant to environmental stressor, b) understanding the market preference; c) managing cattle breeding herds based on rainfall patterns, d) keeping good records on all aspects of breeding and fattening activities and e) adjusting stocking rates in extensive system to match the carrying capacity of the land.
La entre-vista encuentro como método del reportaje
Authors: Osorio Vargas Raúl Hernando
Published: February 2020

Aquí son descritos y analizados los métodos de la reportería de los periodistas, especialmente los procesos del reportero como mediador-narrador. La entre-vista-encuentro implica un método que va al descubrimiento de las vivencias cotidianas, y las acoge con los afectos y las simpatías de la comprensión. En un abordaje dialógico, la narrativa teje las consideraciones y las informaciones que universalizan la situación del cotidiano. En ese camino (método) se establecen las relaciones entre la conversación, la observación y la experiencia-vivencia. Se hace una reflexión sobre la entre-vista-encuentro como método transversal del periodismo, de las investigaciones, de los testimonios, de las historias de vida y de las narrativas humanas. En mi libro El reportaje como metodología del periodismo. Una polifonía de saberes (2017) sostengo que el periodismo muestra e ilumina caminos (métodos) por medio del reportaje, que en todo el mundo ha sido muy estudiado como género periodístico, pero no bajo la dimensión de la metodología del periodismo, que ha estado oculta a las miradas de estudiosos, teóricos y académicos. En este sentido, mi propuesta constituye un giro epistemológico, es novedosa y pionera al contribuir con otra visión, que estudia, analiza y propone la entrevista como método del periodismo, al mostrar algunos hallazgos y abrir nuevas perspectivas sobre las teorías del periodismo.
Desvendando a jornada escolar brasileira
Authors: Parente Cláudia da Mota Darós
Published: February 2020

O artigo tem como objetivo sistematizar os principais elementos constitutivos da jornada escolar brasileira, evidenciando diferentes tipos e modelos de organização da educação básica. Neste ensaio teórico, faz-se um exercício de análise e decomposição da jornada escolar, destacando dois condicionantes: turnos escolares e infraestrutura. A análise da jornada escolar focalizou cinco elementos: currículo escolar compulsório, atividades complementares, recreio, alimentação escolar e tempo de cuidado. O artigo mostra que as relações entre esses elementos demarcam diferentes configurações da jornada escolar (parcial e integral) e ressalta a importância de uma reorientação de política pública no que se refere à ampliação da jornada escolar.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-epileptic drugs – a clinical verification of volumetric absorptive micro sampling
Authors: Canisius Thierry P.I.J.M. , Soons J.W.P. Hans , Verschuure Pauline , Wammes-van der Heijden Emmeke A. , Rouhl Rob P.W. , Majoie H.J. Marian
Published: February 2020

Background

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can serve as a valuable tool in optimising and individualising epilepsy treatment, especially in vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the elderly and children. Unfortunately, TDM is often performed suboptimally due to limitations in blood collection. Therefore, we investigated volumetric absorptive micro sampling (VAMS) – a new home-sampling technique. We aimed to evaluate VAMS to determine and quantify the different AEDs and concentrations of 16 different AEDs in whole blood collected by VAMS.

Methods

Patient blood samples (n = 138) were collected via venepunctures at the Academic Centre for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe. AED concentrations were determined, and these concentrations were used to compare the VAMS method (whole blood) with the conventional method (serum). In addition, the recovery was examined as well as the impact of haematocrit. Finally, AED-spiked blood was used to test the stability of the AEDs inside the micro-sampler devices over a period of time and whether temperature had an effect on the stability.

Results

VAMS allows for an accurate detection of 16 different AEDs within 2 days after sampling. Deviation in recovery was less than 10% and high correlations were found between VAMS and conventional sampling. Moreover, haematocrit does not have an effect with values between 0.3 and 0.5 (L/L). Finally, although storage temperature of VAMS does affect some AEDs, most are unaffected.

Conclusions

VAMS enables an accurate detection of a wide variety of AEDs within 2 days after sampling.
Completeness criterion for the enumeration closure operator in three-valued logic
Authors: Marchenkov Sergey S.
Published: February 2020

A completeness criterion for the enumeration closure operator in three-valued logic is obtained, and all 13 precomplete classes are described.
Classification of distance-transitive orbital graphs of overgroups of the Jevons group
Authors: Pogorelov Boris A. , Pudovkina Marina A.
Published: February 2020

The Jevons group AS̃n is an isometry group of the Hamming metric on the n-dimensional vector space Vn over GF(2). It is generated by the group of all permutation (n × n)-matrices over GF(2) and the translation group on Vn. Earlier the authors of the present paper classified the submetrics of the Hamming metric on Vn for n ⩾ 4, and all overgroups of AS̃n which are isometry groups of these overmetrics. In turn, each overgroup of AS̃n is known to define orbital graphs whose “natural” metrics are submetrics of the Hamming metric. The authors also described all distance-transitive orbital graphs of overgroups of the Jevons group AS̃n. In the present paper we classify the distance-transitive orbital graphs of overgroups of the Jevons group. In particular, we show that some distance-transitive orbital graphs are isomorphic to the following classes: the complete graph 2n, the complete bipartite graph K2n−1,2n−1, the halved (n + 1)-cube, the folded (n + 1)-cube, the graphs of alternating forms, the Taylor graph, the Hadamard graph, and incidence graphs of square designs.
On some implicitly precomplete classes of monotone functions in Pk
Authors: Starostin Mikhail V.
Published: February 2020

The paper is concerned with the completeness problem in implicit expressibility in a multi-valued logics Pk. For each k ≥ 2 and any nontrivial order relation on the set {0, 1, …, k − 1} we find two implicitly precomplete classes of functions which are monotone with respect to this order
Past Extropy of 𝑘-Records
Authors: Sathar E. I. Abdul , Jose Jitto
Published: February 2020

Recently,
A. S. Krishnan, S. M. Sunoj and N. U. Nair
[Some reliability properties of extropy for residual and past lifetime random variables, J. Korean Stat. Soc. 2020, 10.1007/s42952-019-00023-x]
introduced past extropy for measuring uncertainty contained in past lifetime of random variables.
In the present study, we focus on the past extropy of k-records.
The motivation for considering past extropy of k-records has been discussed in detail.
We have also illustrated the merit of considering past extropy of k-records over past extropy of classical records and past extropy of original random sample using two real life data sets.
Some important properties of past extropy of k-records are discussed in this work.
We have expressed past extropy of k-records using past extropy of k-records arising from uniform distribution.
The work proposes a simple estimator for past extropy of k-records as well.
Influence of chemical pretreatments on plant fiber cell wall and their implications on the appearance of fiber dislocations
Authors: Durães Alisson Farley Soares , Moulin Jordão Cabral , Dias Matheus Cordazzo , Mendonça Maressa Carvalho , Damásio Renato Augusto Pereira , Thygesen Lisbeth Garbrecht , Tonoli Gustavo Henrique Denzin
Published: February 2020

The cell wall of plant fibers may contain irregular regions called dislocations. This study evaluated the effect of chemical pretreatment as a mechanochemical dislocation initiator in unbleached and bleachedEucalyptussp. fibers. Accordingly, bleached and unbleached pulps of eucalyptus were subjected to chemical pretreatments with sodium hydroxide at concentrations of 5% for 2 h, 10% for 1 h and 10% for 2 h or with hydrogen peroxide. The extent of dislocations was evaluated by polarized light microscopy. Based on the observation, an index of dislocations (ID) expressing their ratio of cell wall as per two-dimensional (2D) imaging and their angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the fiber were estimated. Chemical pretreatments increased the ID for bleached and unbleached fibers as well as increased the changes in the curl of bleached and unbleached fibers for chemical pretreatments. Chemical pretreatment extracted the hemicellulose of the fiber cell wall causing some fiber to curl, which in turn generated new dislocations and modifications in the dislocation angles which may be useful for improving the deconstruction process of the cellulose fibers.
EZH2 function in immune cell development
Authors: Nutt Stephen L. , Keenan Christine , Chopin Michaël , Allan Rhys S.
Published: February 2020

The polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) consists of three core components EZH2, SUZ12 and EED. EZH2 catalyzes the methylation of lysine 27 of histone H3, a modification associated with gene silencing. Through gene duplication higher vertebrate genomes also encode a second partially redundant methyltransferase, EZH1. Within the mammalian immune system most research has concentrated on EZH2 which is expressed predominantly in proliferating cells. EZH2 and other PRC2 components are required for hematopoietic stem cell function and lymphocyte development, at least in part by repressing cell cycle inhibitors. At later stages of immune cell differentiation, EZH2 plays essential roles in humoral and cell-mediated adaptive immunity, as well as the maintenance of immune homeostasis. EZH2 is often overactive in cancers, through both gain-of-function mutations and over-expression, an observation that has led to the development and clinical testing of specific EZH2 inhibitors. Such inhibitors may also be of use in inflammatory and autoimmune settings, as EZH2 inhibition dampens the immune response. Here, we will review the current state of understanding of the roles for EZH2, and PRC2 more generally, in the development and function of the immune system.
Perspective: plasmon antennas for nanoscale chiral chemistry
Authors: Pedrueza-Villalmanzo Esteban , Pineider Francesco , Dmitriev Alexandre
Published: February 2020

Plasmon nanoantennas are extensively used with molecular systems for chemical and biological ultra-sensing, for boosting the molecular emissive and energy transfer properties, for nanoscale catalysis, and for building advanced hybrid nanoarchitectures. In this perspective, we focus on the latest developments of using plasmon nanoantennas for nanoscale chiral chemistry and for advancing molecular magnetism. We overview the decisive role nanoplasmonics and nano-optics can play in achieving chirally selective molecular synthesis and separation and the way such processes might be precisely controlled by potentially merging chirality and magnetism at the molecular scale. We give our view on how these insights might lead to the emergence of exciting new fundamental concepts in nanoscale materials science.
Evaluation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties for Yield and Some Agronomic Traits
Authors: Tessema Lemma , Mohammed Wassu , Abebe Tesfaye
Published: February 2020

A field experiment was conducted in the central highlands of Ethiopia to evaluate the performance of potato varieties for tuber yield and to identify a superior variety in tuber yield and yield components. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two locations in the central highlands of Ethiopia during the 2017 main cropping season. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the presence of highly significant (P<0.01) differences among varieties over all traits studied. The mean squares for location were also significant in indicating the influence of environments on the traits of the studied varieties. However, the interaction between variety and environment had no significant effect on the performances of the potato varieties to attain 50% flowering, specific gravity and dry matter content indicating a similar performance of these traits across all locations. The variety Belete produced the maximum total tuber yield of 32.8 t ha -1 and marketable tuber yield of 29.1 t ha-1. Conversely, farmers` variety Nech Abeba produced the minimum total tuber yield of 13.8 t ha-1 and marketable tuber yield of 8.4 t ha-1. For most tuber quality traits, viz., tuber specific gravity, dry matter content, starch percentage and total starch yield, varieties Belete and Menagesha were the maximum and minimum producers, respectively. Thus, it could be concluded that varietal and environmental variations as well as their interaction had considerable influence on tuber yield and the potato’s attributes.
„Ghost in the Machine” Der Staat in Luhmanns Theorie politischer Systeme
Authors: Wansleben Leon
Published: February 2020

Dieser Aufsatz diskutiert Niklas Luhmanns ebenso ambivalente wie vielversprechende Auseinandersetzung mit dem Staat. Das Problem im Hintergrund dieser Auseinandersetzung ist die Schließung des politischen Systems und die Rolle des modernen Staates in der Stabilisierung von Grenzen zwischen der Politik und den anderen Funktionssystemen. Entsprechend stellt Luhmann Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Grundrechte als historisch wesentliche, in der Politik selbst institutionalisierte ‚Absicherungen‘ für eine funktional differenzierte Gesellschaftsstruktur dar. Allerdings verstellt seine ‚Staatsskepsis‘ und das Konzept der „strukturellen Kopplungen“ den Blick für komplementäre Formen moderner Staatlichkeit (z. B. den Wohlfahrtsstaat). Von dieser Problemstellung ausgehend werfe ich einen neuen Blick auf die Bindung der Politik an die organisationale Konfiguration der öffentlichen Verwaltung, die aufgrund ihrer polykontextural angelegten Beobachtungs- und Entscheidungsprogramme zeitkritische Systeminterdependenzen adressierbar macht. Der Aufsatz knüpft schließlich an Diskussionen über das Konzept der Weltgesellschaft an, um zu argumentieren, warum ‚staatliche‘ Lösungen von Interdependenzproblemen zwischen Funktionssystemen im Angesicht von fragmentarischen Differenzierungsprozessen immer weniger tragen.
Vor der Differenz Anmerkungen zum Verhältnis von allgemeiner Systemtheorie und der Philosophie Michel Serres’
Authors: Melters Benedikt
Published: February 2020

Die systemtheoretische Rezeption der Philosophie Michel Serres’ beschränkt sich zumeist auf die Figuren desQuasi-Objektsund insbesondere desParasiten. Greift man hingegen nun über diese Theoreme hinaus und berücksichtigt ihren systematischen Kontext, so ergeben sich zwischen Systemtheorie und Philosophie Serres’ nicht nur partielle Überschneidungen, sondern intrikate Theoriebezüge. Als Kern erweist sich dabei der Begriff der Differenz als unaufhebbarer und zugleich konstituierender Hiat sei es von System/Umwelt, sei es von Information/Rauschen. Dennoch richten sich Systemtheorie und die Philosophie Serres’ vollständig anders aus: während die Systemtheorie hochselektive Operationsprozesse innerhalb von sozialen Systemen in einem Begriffsraum aus und über der Differenz nachzeichnet, entwickelt Serres seine Philosophie alsTheorie der Ränderohne Grenzübertritte. Unter Verzicht auf klassische Begriffsstrategien der Grenzbehandlung entwirft er einerandonéevor der Differenz. Insgesamt kann man mithin zwischen Systemtheorie und der Philosophie Serres’ ein Verhältnis der Komplementarität feststellen.
Establishing and using reference intervals
Authors: Ozarda Yesim
Published: February 2020

Reference intervals (RIs) and clinical decision limits (CDLs) are fundamental tools used by healthcare and laboratory professionals to interpret patient laboratory test results. The traditional method for establishing RIs, known as the direct approach, is based on collecting samples from members of a preselected reference population, making the measurements and then determining the intervals. For challenging groups such as pediatric and geriatric age groups, indirect methods are appointed for the derivation of RIs in the EP28-A3c guideline. However, there has been an increasing demand to use the indirect methods of deriving RIs by the use of routine laboratory data stored in the laboratory information system. International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL) is currently working on the study for the comparison of the conventional (direct) and alternative (indirect) approaches for the determination of reference intervals. As a matter of fact that, the process of developing RIs is often beyond the capabilities of an individual laboratory due to the complex, expensive and time-consuming process to develop them. Therefore, a laboratory can alternatively transfer and verify RIs established by an external source (i.e. manufacturers’ package inserts, publications). IFCC, C-RIDL has focused primarily on RIs and has performed multicenter studies to obtain common RIs in recent years. However, as the broader responsibility of the Committee, from its name, includes “decision limits”, the C-RIDL also emphasizes the importance of the correct use of both RIs and CDLs and to encourage laboratories to specify the appropriate information to clinicians as needed.
Investigation of the Changes in Asphalt Rubber Binder Fractions and Their Relation to Performance Enhancement
Authors: Ragab Mohyeldin , Abdelrahman Magdy , Attia Mohamed Ibrahim El-Sharkawi
Published: February 2020

The relation between the molecular attributes of crumb rubber–modified asphalt (CRMA) fractions and the enhancement in the CRMA in-service properties was investigated. This was achieved by investigating the relation between the enhancement of the CRMA physical properties expressed in terms of its stiffness (complex modulus [G*]) and elasticity (phase angle [δ]) and the change in its molecular structure. Gel permeation chromatography analysis on the liquid phase of CRMA fractions was employed to characterize the change in the CRMA fractions (saturates, asphaltenes, naphthene aromatics, and polar aromatics). Research results showed that, for most of the samples, there is a marked difference in the weight average molecular weight and polydispersity index in relation to enhancement of the physical properties. This indicates that the crumb rubber–modified components played a role in the change of the internal structure of the CRMA, leading to enhancement in its physical properties and thus its expected in-service performance.
Evaluation of Heat Treatment Effect on Impact Strength of Glass Fiber–Reinforced Composite Material Using NDT Technique
Authors: Naqvi Ali Zia , Khan Tariq Mairaj Rasool , Ali M. Ghazanfar , Imran Muhammad , Shah Aqueel
Published: February 2020

Of late, the frequent use of composite materials merits effective inspection techniques to ensure structural integrity after manufacturing as well as during service. The inspection of composite materials is undertaken using various nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques. Ultrasonic testing (UT) is one of the popular NDT techniques used for testing of composites. The aim of the research is to establish a quantitative relationship between UT signal’s features and the mechanical property, i.e., impact toughness of the composite material heat treated at different temperatures. Polyester glass fiber–reinforced composite undergone post-cure heat treatment is the composite used in the research work. The glass fiber–reinforced plastic (GFRP) specimens have been heat treated at different temperatures to mimic different levels of thermal aging. The impact toughness of the composite material is determined using the Charpy impact test. Then, variation in attenuation of UT signals is related to the change in impact toughness of GFRP composite material heat treated at different temperatures. A possible classification of UT signals acquired from GFRP specimens in terms of different level of thermal aging has also been investigated through application of Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) on the acquired UT signals. Hilbert energy frequency distribution-based feature extraction has been successfully used to analyze the effect of post-cure heat treatment on GFRP composite. An empirical relationship is finally obtained between Charpy impact energy and HHT energy. The proposed technique will be useful in prediction of strength and remaining useful life of GFRP composites through analyses of acquired UT-based NDT signals.
Pericyte-Mediated Tissue Repair through PDGFRβ Promotes Peri-Infarct Astrogliosis, Oligodendrogenesis, and Functional Recovery after Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Shibahara Tomoya , Ago Tetsuro , Nakamura Kuniyuki , Tachibana Masaki , Yoshikawa Yoji , Komori Motohiro , Yamanaka Kei , Wakisaka Yoshinobu , Kitazono Takanari
Published: February 2020

Post-stroke functional recovery can occur spontaneously during the subacute phase; however, how post-stroke fibrotic repair affects functional recovery is highly debated. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ)-expressing pericytes are responsible for post-stroke fibrotic repair within infarct areas; therefore, we examined peri-infarct neural reorganization and functional recovery after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) using pericyte-deficientPdgfrb+/–mice. Time-dependent reduction of infarct area sizes, i.e., repair, was significantly impaired inPdgfrb+/–mice with recovery of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in ischemic areas attenuated by defective leptomeningeal arteriogenesis and intrainfarct angiogenesis. Peri-infarct astrogliosis, accompanied by increased STAT3 phosphorylation, was attenuated inPdgfrb+/–mice. Pericyte-conditioned medium (PCM), particularly when treated with platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGFB) homodimer (PDGF-BB; PCM/PDGF-BB), activated STAT3 and enhanced the proliferation and activity of cultured astrocytes. Although peri-infarct proliferation of oligodendrocyte (OL) precursor cells (OPCs) was induced promptly after pMCAO regardless of intrainfarct repair, OPC differentiation and remyelination were significantly attenuated inPdgfrb+/–mice. Consistently, astrocyte-CM (ACM) promoted OPC differentiation and myelination, which were enhanced remarkably by adding PCM/PDGF-BB to the medium. Post-stroke functional recovery correlated well with the extent and process of intrainfarct repair and peri-infarct oligodendrogenesis. Overall, pericyte-mediated intrainfarct fibrotic repair through PDGFRβ may promote functional recovery through enhancement of peri-infarct oligodendrogenesis as well as astrogliosis after acute ischemic stroke.
Meningeal Lymphangiogenesis and Enhanced Glymphatic Activity in Mice with Chronically Implanted EEG Electrodes
Authors: Hauglund Natalie L. , Kusk Peter , Kornum Birgitte R. , Nedergaard Maiken
Published: February 2020

Chronic electroencephalography (EEG) is a widely used tool for monitoring cortical electrical activity in experimental animals. Although chronic implants allow for high-quality, long-term recordings in preclinical studies, the electrodes are foreign objects and might therefore be expected to induce a local inflammatory response. We here analyzed the effects of chronic cranial electrode implantation on glymphatic fluid transport and in provoking structural changes in the meninges and cerebral cortex of male and female mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue and dura revealed reactive gliosis in the cortex underlying the electrodes and extensive meningeal lymphangiogenesis in the surrounding dura. Meningeal lymphangiogenesis was also evident in mice prepared with the commonly used chronic cranial window. Glymphatic influx of a CSF tracer was significantly enhanced at 30 d postsurgery in both awake and ketamine-xylazine anesthetized mice with electrodes, supporting the concept that glymphatic influx and intracranial lymphatic drainage are interconnected. Altogether, the experimental results provide clear evidence that chronic implantation of EEG electrodes is associated with significant changes in the brain's fluid transport system. Future studies involving EEG recordings and chronic cranial windows must consider the physiological consequences of cranial implants, which include glial scarring, meningeal lymphangiogenesis, and increased glymphatic activity.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study shows that implantation of extradural electrodes provokes meningeal lymphangiogenesis, enhanced glymphatic influx of CSF, and reactive gliosis. The analysis based on CSF tracer injection in combination with immunohistochemistry showed that chronically implanted electroencephalography electrodes were surrounded by lymphatic sprouts originating from lymphatic vasculature along the dural sinuses and the middle meningeal artery. Likewise, chronic cranial windows provoked lymphatic sprouting. Tracer influx assessed in coronal slices was increased in agreement with previous reports identifying a close association between glymphatic activity and the meningeal lymphatic vasculature. Lymphangiogenesis in the meninges and altered glymphatic fluid transport after electrode implantation have not previously been described and adds new insights to the foreign body response of the CNS.
Theory of Planned Behavior Approach and Gender Differences on Students’ Intention to Practice Online Business
Authors: Suryawirawan Okto Aditya
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, gender and self-efficacy towards college students’ intention to practice online business in Surabaya. Theory of planned behavior is used to analyze student intention to become an entrepreneur through e-commerce especially online shop platform, thus becoming solution to decrease unemployment rate in Indonesia and furthermore increasing the economy of Indonesia in general. This research uses primary data resources which collected directly by distributing questionnaires to 114 respondents. The respondents are college students that use e-commerce application at least once a month. The findings of this study are attitude has a negative effect towards student’s intention to practice online business, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control have a positive effect towards student’s intention to practice online business. Self-efficacy could not moderate the effect of attitude on student’s intention to practice online business. Female college students have a higher intention to practice online business compared to male college students.
Motivation to Transfer Training and Individual Performance: the Influence of Transformative Learning and Supervisor Support
Authors: Pudjiarti Emiliana Sri , Dwi Putranti Honorata Ratnawati , Nurchayati Nurchayati
Published: February 2020

This article discusses the mediating role of motivation to training transfer as mediation in the relationship between supervisor support and transformative learning on lecturer performance. Survey methods and purposive non random sampling techniques were used with the help of a questionnaire based on a 7-point Likert scale. The number of fit samples was 199 to test the hypothesis. Amos and structural models are used to test the statistical significance of the path coefficients. The findings of the study explain that supervisor support and transformative learning can encourage lecturers to make intense efforts in utilizing the skills and knowledge learned during the training process. The study also highlighted the motivation of training transfer as the key to successfully improving lecturer performance. Training plays an important role in the HRM strategy in an effort to renew the HRM competencies needed by the organization today. Therefore, motivation for training transfer is an important problem faced by professionals in developing HRM. This means that positive transfer training motivation requires that trainees can effectively apply what has been learned to the job, which leads to meaningful changes in performance.
Entrepreneurship Preference among University Students: an Evidence of Entrepreneurship Education Program
Authors: Purusottama Ambara , Akbar Teuku Fajar
Published: February 2020

This study aims to answer the effectiveness of EEP toward entrepreneurial preference in Indonesia. Entrepreneurship Education Program (EEP) has become one of the main instruments of growth of many governments around the world, including the Indonesian government. Nevertheless, polemics and debates have arisen in Indonesia regarding its implementation effectiveness. Through this study, we also emphasize the utilization of family (parents’) work background to understand the effectiveness of EEP further.  Surveys among university students were conducted in this research, particularly to those who were exposed to EEP during their studies. By using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the findings conveyed that EEP is indeed effective and in line with students’ entrepreneurial preferences. Of the three factors, only subjective norms have a contradicting relationship. Similar results occur using family work background, i.e., families with entrepreneurial-work backgrounds and families who do not have an entrepreneurial-work background. This research contributes to the behavioral theory, particularly in mitigating EEP polemics among researchers and practitioners, as well as assess the effectiveness of EEP.
Consejos psicologico-deportivos para el futbolista
Authors: Ureña Bonilla Pedro
Published: February 2020

En este artículo se ofrece una serie de consejos psicológico-deportivos para el futbolista.  En resumen se presentan y discuten algunos factores psicológicos determinantes del rendimiento del futbolista. El texto se ofrece en forma de tesis seguida de consejos prácticos. Finalmente se brinda algunas consideraciones relacionadas con el trabajo psicológico semanal del futbolista. El propósito fundamental de esta guía es ayudar al futbolista, facilitándole algunos consejos que le permitan  expresar su verdadero talento  en la cancha. La guía es mucho más provechosa si se trabaja con el acompañamiento de un psicólogo deportivo.
Efecto de un programa de ejercicio aeróbico y un programa de circuito con pesas sobre la calidad de vida, disnea y resistencia cardiorrespiratoria en sujetos con enfermedad pulmonar crónica
Authors: Delgado Acosta Henry , Acuña Corrales Ernesto
Published: February 2020

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de un programa de ejercicio aeróbico y un programa de circuito con pesas sobre la calidad de vida, disnea y resistencia cardiorrespiratoria en sujetos con Enfermedad Pulmonar Crónica (EPC). Metodología: el programa de rehabilitación se hizo durante ocho semanas, se realizó un pretest y un postest, se cumplió con una sesión semanal presencial, y las otras dos domiciliarias, se tuvo comunicación directa vía telefónica los días que realizaban el ejercicio en la casa. Instrumentos: el cuestionario St. George Respiratory Questonnaire para medir calidad de vida, la escala de Borg para medir la disnea y el test de caminata de los 6 min. para medir la resistencia cardiorrespiratoria. Sujetos: participaron 38 personas con diagnóstico previo de EPC, 18 hombres y 20 mujeres; 27 sujetos con patología obstructiva y 11 sujetos con restrictiva., con una edad promedio de 69.8 ± 9.34 años, divididos aleatoriamente en dos grupos, uno que realizó ejercicio aeróbico (22 sujetos) y otro que ejecutó ejercicio aeróbico y de contrarresistencia con pesas (16 sujetos). Análisis estadístico: ANOVA mixta de cuatro vías (2x2x2x2) para las variables mediciones, sexo, tratamiento y patología. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias significativas entre mediciones para la variable disnea (pre: 7.18 ± 0.69 puntos y post: 4.89 ± 0.68 puntos) (F = 228.770; p < 0,05), calidad de vida (pre: 59.68 ± 7.50 puntos y post 81.75 ± 7.33 puntos) (F = 228.770; p < 0,05), resistencia cardiorrespiratoria (pre 384,95 ± 51,02 mts. y post 432 ± 37,41 mts.) (F: 59.9; p<0.01), pero no se encontraron diferencias por sexo, actividad ni enfermedad (p>0,05), ni interacción entre las variable (p>0,05). Conclusión: la realización de ejercicio físico aeróbico y anaeróbico mejoran el grado de disnea, la calidad de vida y resistencia cardiorrespiratoria en pacientes con EPC.
RALLY… naturaleza, recreación y salud
Authors: Morera Castro María , Serrano Madrigal Ariana
Published: February 2020

El rally es una actividad que congrega a un grupo de personas. Los cuales conforman equipos, con el propósito de recorrer un territorio en un tiempo determinado, realizando acciones (pistas, acertijos o desafíos) que les permitan avanzar hasta lograr el cumplimiento del objetivo planteado. Nadie conoce en dónde están las pistas, acertijos o desafíos.  Las reglas del juego se les explican a todos los participantes, al igual que las normas de seguridad. Se debe tomar en cuenta al realizar un rally, el objetivo,  tema que se quiere lograr, el lugar donde se va a realizar, los materiales que se van a necesitar y con los que se cuenta, también las pistas acertijos o desafíos que se pueden incluir.  A su vez, como se supervisará que todos los equipos pasen por los puestos de control. Como cualquier actividad que lleve una pizca de competitividad, el juego limpio y el respeto debe de prevalecer ante cualquier interés.  Si por algún motivo alguno de los equipos tuvo alguna emergencia, la solidaridad debe de reinar y  la actividad pasará a ser un aprendizaje de valores. El sentido aventurero es parte esencial en esta actividad.  El reto por lo desconocido, lo nuevo, mantiene en alto el deseo de retarse a sí mismo y al grupo. Esta es una actividad que da cabida a que grupos de amigos y amigas, familias, niños, adultos entre otros, convivan y pasen un rato juntos, un día agradable, sano y en contacto con la naturaleza. Rescatando la cooperación, astucia y sobre todo el trabajo en equipo.
Somatotipo de piragüistas élite de Cuba
Authors: Aladro Gonzalvo Arián Ramón , Machado Díaz Miriam , Bueno Fernández Edgar
Published: February 2020

Algunas características físicas están ligadas al máximo desempeño deportivo dando fundamento a un llamado prototipo morfológico y su conocimiento resulta de suma importancia a los profesionales de la actividad física. Por tal motivo la intención del presente trabajo fue evidenciar si los somatotipos de los atletas élite de canotaje de Cuba se relacionan con referencias internacionales, tales como estudios realizado en, España (Esparza, 1993), Canadá (Carter, 1999), Australia (Ackland y otros, 2000), Argentina (Lentini y otros, 2002) y EE.UU. (Vaccaro y otros, 2000). Fueron evaluados 30 deportistas los cuales se distribuían en 9 féminas de kayak, y 21 masculinos de canoa y kayak.Dicho estudio condujo a reconocer la gran heterogeneidad existente en esta población, a juzgar por el comportamiento de los somatotipos a partir de comparaciones intragrupales. Al comparar con otros estudios de referencia el componente endomórfico proporcionó  la diferencia. Esto permitió concluir que existe necesidad de ejecutar acciones que modifiquen dicho componente, para así lograr un acercamiento de los atletas cubanos al perfil antropométrico que exhiben equipos de élite mundial.