bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Performance: A Study of Selected Financial Institutions
Authors: Boloupremo Tarila , Ogege Samson
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study is to examine the impact of mergers and acquisition on financial performance in the Nigerian financial system. The study examined selected financial institutions in the banking sector. Specifically, some financial indicators such as asset profile, credit risk, capital structure, liquidity, size and cost control ratios, were extracted from the audited financial reports of the selected banks for the period 2000-2010 to compare the performance of the selected financial institutions in the ex-ante period and compare these performance with the ex post period of their mergers and acquisitions. Longitudinal and time series analyses were employed to observe the performance of the selected banks. Results from the analysis suggest that credit risks showed a better post merger performance, but were statistically insignificant and negatively related with the performance of the selected financial institution pre-merger. Asset profile was found to be significant and positively related with post-merger in relation to the performance of the selected financial institutions, but it was insignificant and negatively related to the financial performance of the selected firms pre-merger. Capital structure of the selected firms was found to be significant and positively related to the performance of the firms’ pre-merger, but insignificant and negatively related to the performance of the firms post-merger. Liquidity of the firms indicated a significant and positive relationship with the performance of the banks pre-merger. However, post merger result indicates that, there was no significant and positive relationship between the liquidity of the firms and financial performance post-merger. The size of the selected banks indicated a significant relationship with their performance in both the pre-merger and post-merger periods. The cost control variable indicated a statistically significant and negative relationship with the performance of the banks post-merger period, but showed no significant relationship with performance of the banks in the pre-merger period. Finally, the results indicate that mergers and acquisitions can have significant impact on the performance of the selected financial institutions in Nigeria.
Evaluation of Relationship between Oil Revenues and Government Budget in Iraq: 2006-2016 Period
Authors: Dağ Mehmet , Aktuğ Semih Serkant , Alı Zavar Salah Ali
Published: August 2019

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between oil revenues and government budget in Iraq for 2006-2016. The study found that, Iraq’s oil production curve in recent years has remarkably specified the positions, even if not mainly at the levels estimated earlier, as more positive forecasts. Iraq has developed to be the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter. This study confirmed that, the critical element for Iraq’s economy is that, the country depends on oil and 97% of the government revenues are from its oil exports. While challenges continue to achieve the aims of increased oil production, opportunity for Iraq’s resources to produce revenue and pay for broad-based economic development still exists.
Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: A Panel Data Analysis for Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Boğa Semra
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the determinants of FDI inflows in Sub-Saharan African countries. In this study, panel data analysis was performed by using annual data from 23 countries for the period of 1975-2017. The Pesaran (2004) Cross-Section Dependence Test was performed to test correlation and IPS Unit Root Test was applied to reveal the stationary level between the units. Based on the PMG estimator results GDP growth, trade openness, domestic credit, natural resources and telecommunication infrastructure are all found to be the determinants of FDI inflows in Sub-Saharan countries in the long term. But, in the short term, only the GDP growth and trade openness determines the FDI inflows.
CÁLCULO DA LARGURA OBJETIVA DA CALHA DO LEITO REGULAR DE UM CURSO D’ÁGUA USANDO VEÍCULO AÉREO NÃO TRIPULADO
Authors: Melo Emanuelle Zordan de , Silva Claudionor Ribeiro da
Published: August 2019

As Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APPs), segundo o atual Código Florestal Brasileiro (CFB), são delimitadas a partir da largura da calha do leito regular do rio. Contudo, a medida da largura supracitada não é bem definida no CFB, apresentando subjetividade. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é delimitar,de forma objetiva, a largura do leito regular. Para tanto, foram utilizadas imagens obtidas com um veículo aéreo não tripulado (VANT), aplicando técnicas de segmentação de imagens e o diagrama Voronoi. O experimento foi realizado em um trecho do Rio Uberabinha, Minas Gerais. A região deAPP medida com esse método apresentou diferenças de 5,18% em relação à APP obtida por meio de técnicas convencionais, que desconsideram a calha do leito regular dos corpos d’água. A vantagem do método proposto está na eliminação da subjetividade das técnicas convencionais, que usam uma aproximação para essa medida.
PERCEPÇÃO DA POLUIÇÃO DO AR POR COMERCIÁRIOS NO MUNICÍPIO DE DIADEMA, NA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE SÃO PAULO
Authors: Guimarães Paula , Rosário Nilton Évora do , Rizzo Luciana Varanda
Published: August 2019

A poluição do ar é um dos principais problemas enfrentados em regiõesurbanas, e sua percepção pela população é fundamental para a mitigaçãodo problema. Este estudo analisou a percepção da poluição do ar por doisgrupos de comerciários do município de Diadema: um atuante no centro dacidade, em uma via de intenso tráfego, e outro atuante na periferia (bairro).Os resultados demonstram que os entrevistados têm clara percepção dapoluição do ar (90% no centro e 70% no bairro) e identificaram corretamenteseu principal agente, a emissão veicular. Entretanto, a maioria dosentrevistados (65%) não se identificou como causa do problema. A percepçãodos entrevistados sobre a evolução da qualidade do ar foi coerente com dadosde concentração dos poluentes. Vale ressaltar a divergência encontradaentre a percepção dos comerciários e os índices oficiais de qualidade do ar.Não houve diferenças significativas entre as percepções dos comerciários docentro e do bairro.
Innovative Solutions for State Medicaid Programs to Leverage Their Data, Build
Their Analytic Capacity, and Create Evidence-Based Policy
Authors: Adams Lauren , Kennedy Susan , Allen Lindsay , Barnes Andrew , Bias Tom , Crane Dushka , Lanier Paul , Mauk Rachel , Mohamoud Shamis , Pauly Nathan , Talbert Jeffrey , Woodcock Cynthia , Zivin Kara , Donohue Julie
Published: August 2019

As states have embraced additional flexibility to change coverage of and payment
for Medicaid services, they have also faced heightened expectations for delivering
high-value care. Efforts to meet these new expectations have increased the need for
rigorous, evidence-based policy, but states may face challenges finding the resources,
capacity, and expertise to meet this need. By describing state-university partnerships
in more than 20 states, this commentary describes innovative solutions for states that
want to leverage their own data, build their analytic capacity, and create
evidence-based policy. From an integrated web-based system to improve long-term care to
evaluating the impact of permanent supportive housing placements on Medicaid utilization
and spending, these state partnerships provide significant support to their state
Medicaid programs. In 2017, these partnerships came together to create a distributed
research network that supports multi-state analyses. The Medicaid Outcomes Distributed
Research Network (MODRN) uses a common data model to examine Medicaid data across
states, thereby increasing the analytic rigor of policy evaluations in Medicaid, and
contributing to the development of a fully functioning Medicaid innovation
laboratory.
Factors Influencing the Implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards in Pakistan
Authors: Miraj Javed , Wang Zhuquan
Published: August 2019

The significance and impact of Accrual-based Public Sector Accounting Standards (APSAS) in financial reporting has in recent times gained traction and has prompted debates which are aligned towards APSAS reporting. This implies that reforms in the government’s management systems are becoming critical towards examination of actions and steps taken to enhance demands for better transparency and accountability in the management of public finance. As is presently presented in Pakistan, there are numerous fundamental challenges that currently inhibit the efficiency of the government’s finance and accounting management. These problems arise due to poor supervision, poor management of basic financial functions, inefficient financial information including support for decision making, poor staff motivation and finally lack of proper accountability measures. Due to these arising challenges, the purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting the implementation of Accrual-based International Public sector Accounting Standards (AIPSAS) in public sector of Pakistan. The study whose objective was to evaluate the barriers in the adoption of AIPSAS in Pakistan adopted a descriptive qualitative study model. A five-point Likert type scale was utilized to evaluate the results of the study. The study adopted simple randomization process to obtain the population sample group/respondents. The results of the research study recommended improvement of capacity building through training and offering educational courses which will help advance the enforcement of strong financial reporting standards.
Organizational Climate and Knowledge Sharing towards Employees’ Innovative Behavior in Design Industry
Authors: Hisyam Selamat Mohamad , Zhang Yanyu
Published: August 2019

This study examined factors affecting innovative behavior amongst employees in Chinese design industry with the mediating effect of knowledge sharing. Its purpose is to motivate employees to work actively and stimulate their desire for innovation. The examined motivational factors were collective effective belief, freedom in decision. Knowledge sharing was included in the framework as the mediating variable. The survey data used in this empirical study were collected from 432 employees engaged in design work (that is, designers working in graphic design company in Shanxi province of China were the main research objects). Multiple regressions were used to analyses the hypotheses. The findings showed that the effect of collective effective belief on employees’ innovative behavior was high. Practical enlightenment is to discover the theory, how to stimulate and promote the employees’ innovative behavior in the organizational climates, and the organic symbiosis between individuals and collective development in the organizational environment.
Mechanisms for increasing of transportation efficiency using joint service of logistics systems
Authors: Galkin Andrii
Published: August 2019

More and more attention become to Transport Company’s functioning efficiency due to growing of goods’ nomenclature and specific requirements for their service. Existing scientific and practical approaches to managing of transportation process consider separate service of each contract individually. Up-today requirements for transportation services complicate such evaluation. These requirements primarily include transportation frequency and volumes variation in each logistics system due to seasonal consumption of material flows. Different seasonality leads to irrational use of vehicles and decrees of their efficiency. All this gives rise to the mechanism of compatible transportation service of numerous logistics systems and their material flows by any enterprise. The paper consist of next sections the analysis of scientific framework and methods on the transportation services, fleet estimation, efficiency evaluations, analysis of requirements of transportation services; Mechanism of joint transportation services; Modelling of transportation services in logistics systems, where joint efficiency estimation of transportation functioning and logistics system and conclusions. The proposed methods and tools in the complex allow to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of the joint motor transport service of logistic systems by own and hired vehicles compared to the separate on the basis of performance indicators, which vary depending on the technological parameters: transport distances, runway usage factor, cargo class, load capacity of motor vehicles . The offered approach will reveal: regularities of change of indicators of efficiency of variants of the joint motor transport service between the traditional approach (a separate calculation of efficiency for each logistics system) and the proposed (calculation of compatible services), which allows to determine the equivalent cost of transport services during motor transport maintenance of material flows. The calculations confirm the effect of use compared to the separate combined transportation of material flows, which will be shown in reducing the required amount of vehicles by 31,8% and increasing efficiency from 5% to 60%, depending on the initial values of the transportation services parameters. The results of the project can be used in the formation of a freight vehicle fleet of any enterprise that is faced with the issue of hiring transport or have its own, PL providers, transport companies, and others.
Driving energy management of front-and-rear-motor-drive electric vehicle based on hybrid radial basis function
Authors: Sun Binbin , Zhang Tiezhu , Ge Wenqing , Tan Cao , Gao Song
Published: August 2019

This paper presents mathematical methods to develop a high-efficiency and real-time driving energy management for a front-and-rear-motor-drive electric vehicle (FRMDEV), which is equipped with an induction motor (IM) and a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). First of all, in order to develop motor-loss models for energy optimization, database of with three factors, which are speed, torque and temperature, was created to characterize motor operation based on HALTON sequence method. The response surface model of motor loss, as the function of the motor-operation database, was developed with the use of Gauss radial basis function (RBF). The accuracy of the motor-loss model was verified according to statistical analysis. Then, in order to create a two-factor energy management strategy, the modification models of the torque required by driver (Td) and the torque distribution coefficient (β) were constructed based on the state of charge (SOC) of battery and the motor temperature, respectively. According to the motor-loss models, the fitness function for optimization was designed, where the influence of the non-work on system consumption was analyzed and calculated. The optimal β was confirmed with the use of the off-line particle swarm optimization (PSO). Moreover, to achieve both high accuracy and real-time performance under random vehicle operation, the predictive model of the optimal β was developed based on the hybrid RBF. The modeling and predictive accuracies of the predictive model were analyzed and verified. Finally, a hardware-in-loop (HIL) test platform was developed and the predictive model was tested. Test results show that, the developed predictive model of β based on hybrid RBF can achieve both real-time and economic performances, which is applicable to engineering application. More importantly, in comparison with the original torque distribution based on rule algorithm, the torque distribution based on hybrid RBF is able to reduce driving energy consumption by 9.51% under urban cycle.
Safety factor in the sustainable fleet management model
Authors: Tomasz Rudyk , Szczepański Emilian , Jacyna Marianna
Published: August 2019

In the era of rapidly changing market and consumer needs, there are dynamic changes in the services offered. This also applies to the car fleet market. Currently, the approach to owning a vehicle is changing to other forms such as rental or subscription. Different types of funding are conducive to changes in the fleet management industry. More and more sophisticated services are offered for corporate clients, but also private customers. In the context of these changes, the approach to different aspects of vehicle use is also clarified, including what has been noticeable in recent years, increased interest in road safety, environmental issues and most importantly costs of use and possession of the vehicle. This puts high demands on fleet managers who sustainably need to match the structure of their fleets to the needs and capabilities of their customers while taking into account safety and ecology issues. This is a complicated task that requires decision-making assistance.
This article addresses the support of the fleet manager decision, taking into account the sustainable management model. The article aimed to develop a model that takes into account the aspects of safety and ecology from the operator-financier the point of view. The result of the article is to provide a decision-making tool for the selection of vehicles and drivers, taking into account their characteristics to accomplish their tasks. The work presents the problem of fleet management, shows the characteristics of different forms of financing and the impact of market trends on the current approach to these problems. The analysis of safety aspects to the possibility of using different methods affecting its level was then presented. Another element of the article is a mathematical model of the problem of resources assignment for tasks. The developed model is universal and can be used for evaluation and optimisation. To this end, the function of the criterion has been formulated, taking into account the aspects of safety, ecology and financial aspects. It also takes into account the randomness of adverse events and the duration of the remaining appropriations in the out-of-order state. This Model can be used for the risk assessment of the driving staff. The developed model was implemented in the Flexsim environment for a computational example for a trading company. Computational experiments have indicated the correctness of the model and its high application potential, as well as further directions of model development to support complex management processes carried out by fleet managers.
Introduction à l’oeuvre littéraire de Boubacar Boris Diop : du français au wolof
Authors: Diop Papa Samba
Published: August 2019

Boubacar Boris Diop est l’auteur d’une riche oeuvre littéraire réalisée en deux langues : le français et le wolof. Le français est la langue héritée de la colonisation, et le wolof sa langue maternelle. Toutefois, il n’y a pas de conflits entre ces deux moyens d’expression, parce que tous les deux véhiculent le même message : celui de la priorité accordée à l’imaginaire wolof sur tout autre imaginaire, à commencer par celui du pays colonisateur : la France. Le présent article introduit à cette oeuvre bilingue, où l’auteur, un créateur puissant à l’esprit fertile touchant à l’essentiel des relations interculturelles entre l’Afrique et l’Occident, est aussi un auto-traducteur.

Dans les deux langues, Boubacar Boris Diop est un auteur militant pour la conservation de la mémoire culturelle sénégalaise (Doomi Golo et Bammeelu Kocc Bqarma), voire de la mémoire culturelle africaine (Murambi), voire encore de la mémoire négro-africaine avec la traduction en wolof d’Une saison au Congo d’Aimé Césaire : Nawetu deret.
Bàmmeelu Kocc Barma de Boubacar Boris Diop ou comment écrire un roman postmoderne en wolof
Authors: Seye Serigne
Published: August 2019

Cet article soutient que la postmodernité littéraire n’est pas une caractéristique exclusive des littératures écrites en langue européenne. Nous y montrons, en prenant l’exemple de Bàmmeelu Kocc Barma de Boubacar Boris Diop, qu’un roman africain écrit en wolof peut révéler une certaine postmodernité grâce à l’usage de procédés comme l’hybridité et l’intermédialité qui démontrent l’universalité d’un concept qui n’est pas l’apanage de certaines cultures et sociétés. L’article analyse les techniques postmodernes utilisées par Diop pour faire ainsi de son deuxième ouvrage en wolof un véritable roman-essai.
Peut-on se baigner deux fois dans le même fleuve ? À propos de l’auto-traduction de Doomi Golo par Boubacar Boris Diop
Authors: Ngom Ousmane
Published: August 2019

Cet article aborde la question de l’auto-traduction littéraire d’une langue africaine, ici le wolof, vers une langue européenne, ici le français. L’exemple du romancier sénégalais Boubacar Boris Diop, qui traduit lui-même vers le français Doomi Golo, son premier roman écrit en wolof, est riche en enseignements. En effet, une lecture comparative de ce roman et de sa traduction, Les Petits de la guenon, laisse apparaître très rapidement que le texte opère des transformations radicales en passant de la langue de départ à la langue d’arrivée. Se référant à la traductologie et à la génétique des textes, l’article tente de déterminer si ces changements relèvent de l’intraduisibilité de culturèmes wolof en français ou s’ils sont tout simplement l’expression de la liberté de l’auteur-traducteur dans l’intention de s’adapter à la culture-cible.
Boubacar Boris Diop et ses publics, entre français et wolof, ancrage local et internationalisation de l’oeuvre
Authors: Carré Nathalie
Published: August 2019

La question du public des écrivains africains se pose de manière récurrente. En effet, pour ceux d’entre eux qui publient au Nord, le lien avec les lecteurs de leur pays d’origine reste problématique. Or, le fait de « parler aux siens » est l’un des horizons manifestes, non de tous les écrivains, mais bien de ceux qui, tels Boubacar Boris Diop, se définissent comme des écrivains engagés. Cette contribution analyse la manière dont l’auteur, au fil d’un parcours éditorial varié, n’a cessé d’évoluer pour toucher un plus grand nombre de lecteurs africains, au premier rang desquels ses concitoyens sénégalais. Relativement bien publié en France mais aussi sur le sol africain, Boubacar Boris Diop a également fait le choix de passer du français au wolof pour sa création romanesque. Ce faisant, l’auteur-journaliste est aussi devenu professeur et éditeur, misant sur la construction, patiente et obstinée, d’un lectorat à venir. De cette façon, il développe également une oeuvre qui s’ancre localement sans pour autant disparaître à l’échelle internationale. Nous verrons ainsi comment, au fil de son parcours, se reconfigurent les rapports entre centre et périphérie, et ce, par le biais notable de la traduction.
Mettre sa langue à la première place : entretien avec Boubacar Boris Diop
Authors: Seck Fatoumata
Published: August 2019

Cet entretien avec Boubacar Boris Diop porte sur la littérature en langue wolof et sur les enjeux du recours à cette langue au Sénégal, en particulier dans le milieu de l’édition. L’auteur revient sur la prise de conscience qui a suivi son voyage au Rwanda et sur sa décision d’écrire et de publier dans sa langue maternelle. Il retrace l’histoire de la littérature en langue wolof, et parle des défis que le Sénégal devra relever afin de promouvoir l’enseignement et l’écriture en langues nationales. Il évoque au passage aussi le marché de l’édition au Sénégal, la place de la langue française dans l’enseignement, la question de la langue d’écriture des écrivains africains et les objections concernant l’écriture et la scolarisation en langues nationales.
« L’Histoire est un éternel recommencement, et presque toujours pour le pire » : entretien avec Boubacar Boris Diop
Authors: Tchokothe Rémi Armand
Published: August 2019

Un entretien de Rémi Armand Tchokothe avec Boubacar Boris Diop dans le contexte particulier d’une visite au Musée de l’Holocauste à Nuremberg. L’auteur de Murambi y évoque la mémoire de la Shoah, notamment à Washington, en comparaison avec celle du génocide au Rwanda. L’entretien traite ensuite du séjour qu’a fait l’écrivain à l’Université de Bayreuth, occasion de rendre hommage à l’africanistique allemande et de plaider pour un renforcement des études de langue africaines en Afrique même.
Les dossiers personnels des réfugiés de l’île-Royale et de Saint-Pierreet-Miquelon au Ministère de la Marine et des Colonies, 1763–1815
Authors: Landry Nicolas
Published: August 2019

L’étude du sort des réfugiés des colonies françaises d’Amérique après la Guerre de Sept Ans a déjà fait l’objet de recherches fondamentales pour mieux saisir les similarités et les particularités de centaines d’individus. Cependant, on en connaît moins sur les réalités vécues par les réfugiés en provenance des îles Saint-Pierre et Miquelon ; rappelons que ces derniers ont souffert deux conquêtes durant la deuxième moitié du XVIIIe siècle, soit en 1778 et en 1791. Notre recherche a mené au dépouillement de 43 dossiers de la série E (dossiers personnels) conservés par le ministère de la Marine et des Colonies en France. Ces réfugiés bénéficiaient du système royal de la solde de subsistance, mais les dossiers nous apprennent que bon nombre d’entre eux ne se contentaient pas de la solde, et ils nous donnent également des informations sur d’autres personnes. Aux fins de cette étude, les solliciteurs que l’on rencontre dans ces dossiers ont été divisés en quatre catégories : les officiers militaires et subalternes, les fonctionnaires royaux, les habitants exerçant des charges publiques et enfin les familles de réfugiés, dont les demandeurs comptaient plusieurs femmes.
Corruption and Management of Capacity Building in Developing and Emerging Countries
Authors: Brzezińska Joanna , Chrysostome Elie , Gola Jan
Published: August 2019

We examined the phenomenon of corruption in social and economic life in Poland and found that corruption effectively undermines the functioning of the state by destabilizing the economy. One of our major findings was gross deception in project proceedings for contractor selection in major public investment sectors, for the benefit of the contractors. This type of corruption led to the de-concentration and de-specialisation of the corrupt individuals. They were forced to keep double books and bear the costs of keeping illegal transactions secret for as long as possible. This resulted in a decline of economic growth for the state. We also found abuses by private entrepreneurs in the infrastructure and legislative areas. They committed bribery to advance their own economic interests, often worth millions of dollars. These activities have suppressed the growth of states by reducing the number of investments, mismanaging natural resources, and blocking essential structural reforms. However, these pathologies were present not only in Poland but worldwide.
Study on effect of introduced gas bubbles for the low channel damage in direct and alternating current liquid electrode plasma atomic emission spectrometry
Authors: Ruengpirasiri Prasongporn , Tue Phan Trong , Miyahara Hidekazu , Okino Akitoshi , Takamura Yuzuru
Published: August 2019

Liquid electrode plasma (LEP) is used as an excitation source for compact and sensitive elemental analysis, where the channel damage by plasma causes the severe tradeoff between sensitivity and lifetime. In alternative current (AC)-LEP, significantly less channel damage (1/3000) was reported compared to direct current LEP (DC-LEP). However, the mechanism has not been clear. In this paper, the effects of external gas introduction into AC-LEP and DC-LEP were studied. The results showed that the external gas bubbles facilitated stable and highly sensitive plasma generation with lower power, reducing channel damage and increasing the lifetime of the analysis chip. These effects are significant in Ar introduction and AC-LEP cases. The facts suggest that the lower damage in conventional AC-LEP without gas introduction is attributed to H2/O2 bubbles generated by hydrolysis at electrodes and consequently introduced into the LEP from outside of narrow channel.
Binding interactions of epididymal protease inhibitor and semenogelin-1: a homology modeling, docking and molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Shan Changyu , Li Hongwei , Zhang Yuping , Li Yuyan , Chen Yingchun , He Wei
Published: August 2019

Epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) that is located on the sperm surface and specific to the male reproductive system is a non-hormonal contraceptive target, since the binding of EPPIN with the seminal plasma protein semenogelin-1 (SEMG1) causes a loss of sperm function. Here, we investigated the binding interactions between EPPIN and SEMG1 by homology modeling, docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Since no crystal structure was reported for EPPIN, its 3D structure was constructed by homology modeling and refined by dynamics simulation, illustrating the C-terminus domain of EPPIN could bind with its N-terminus domain through the residues 30–32 and 113–116. The binding interaction of SEMG110-8peptide and EPPIN was investigated by Z-DOCK and dynamics simulation. After evaluating the models according to the calculated binding free energies, we demonstrated that C-terminus domain of EPPIN was important for the binding of SEMG1 via residues Tyr107, Gly112, Asn116, Gln118 and Asn122, while residue Arg32 in N-terminus domain also had contribution for their binding interaction. Additionally, the binding pocket of EPPIN was defined according to these key residues and verified by molecular docking with reported inhibitorEP055, suggesting that the pocket formed by Arg32, Asn114, Asn116, Phe117 and Asn122 could be important for the design of new ligands. This study might be helpful for the understanding of biological function of EPPIN and would encourage the discovery of non-hormonal contraceptive leads/drugs in the future.
The Effect of the International Court of Justice on Environmental Issues
Authors: Reza Annabi, Ali , Mahmoud Jalali, , Mahmood Seyyedvalilou Mir
Published: August 2019

Environmental issues are an important in both domestic and international contexts, and may be subject to an International Court of Justice Decision, or any other international judicial institution.  The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the main judicial body of the United Nations, which has both a contentious and an advisory jurisdiction in its decisions. We study the Court's performance in environmental issues in this article. By examining four issues: first, the contentious and advisory tasks; second, the role of environmental organizations; third, the Trail Smelter case (between the United States and Canada), which is the legal basis of international law in the environmental issues, and; fourth, evaluating the Court's performance in eight judgments in the following cases: 1) The status of the environment in the court; 2) the Corfu case (between Albania and the United Kingdom); 3) the Lennox Lake case (between France and Spain); 4) the Mills case (between Uruguay and Argentina); 5) the Oder River case (between Poland and some European countries); 6) Aerial Herbicide Spraying (between Colombia and Ecuador). Because of the current contemporary status of international law and international environmental law, the International Court of Justice, has departed from their traditional approach because of the evolution of legal intellectual and thought on environmental issues. They focus on the general order of the international community as well as on pollution issues.
Static Mantle Density Distribution 1 Equation
Authors: Yun Tian Quan
Published: August 2019

The study of mantle distribution does relate to the reflecting of seismic waves, and has important meaning. Using Archimedes Principle of Sink or Buoyancy (APSB), Newton’s gravitation, buoyancy, lateral buoyancy, centrifugal force and the Principle of Minimum Potential Energy (PMPE), we derive equation of static mantle density distribution. It is a set of double-integral equations of Volterra/Fredholm type.  Some new results are: (1) The mantle is divorced into sink zone, neural zone and buoyed zone. The sink zone is located in a region with boundaries of a inclined line, with angle α1=35°15’ apex at  0(0,0,0) revolving around the z-axis, inside the crust involving the equator. The buoyed zone is located in the remainder part, inside the crust involving poles. The neural zone is the boundary between the buoyed and sink zones. The shape of core (in sink zone) is not a sphere. (2) The Potential energy inside the Earth is calculated by Newton’s gravity, buoyancy, centrifugal force and lateral buoyancy. (3) The gravitational acceleration above/on the crust is tested by formula with two parameters reflecting gravity and centrifugal force, and the phenomenon of “heavier substance sinks down in vertical direction due to attraction force, and moves towards to edges in horizontal direction due to centrifugal force” is tested by a cup of stirring coffee.
NIQAB SEBAGAI FASHION: DIALEKTIK KONSERVATISME DAN BUDAYA POPULER
Authors: Dewi Putri Aisyiyah Rachma
Published: August 2019

Penelitian ini berfokus pada bagaimana niqab (cadar) diwakili di media sosial oleh penggunanya (niqabis). Niqabis di Indonesia memiliki pertumbuhan yang signifikan dalam dua tahun terakhir, mereka juga mulai menunjukkan eksistensinya dalam masyarakat Indonesia yang heterogen. Di sisi lain, penerimaan publik terhadap niqab sangat beragam, ada yang menerimanya sebagai bentuk praktik keagamaan, tetapi banyak orang menolak niqab karena melihatnya sebagai praktik budaya belaka, sementara yang lain sangat menolak niqab karena identik. dengan nilai-nilai radikalisme agama dan terorisme. Karena penerimaan yang beragam ini, niqab di Indonesia telah dimodifikasi dan memiliki penampilan yang berbeda dari asalnya. Niqabis, sebagai bagian integral dari kelompok Muslim perkotaan, mencoba mencampurkan nilai-nilai religiusitas dan modernitas. Dan niqab sebagai mode menjadi produk budaya material di mana keduanya saling terkait. Melalui metode semiotik terungkap bahwa mengunggah foto niqabis Instagram menjadi penanda bagaimana sintesis dari dua wacana itu terjadi. Ada dua foto yang menjadi objek penelitian, yang pertama adalah niqabis yang berdiri sendiri dan yang kedua adalah ketika dia berinteraksi dengan temannya di ruang publik. Kedua foto ini dipilih untuk melihat bagaimana Niqabis menafsirkan dirinya sebagai individu dan sebagai bagian dari kelompok sosial komunitas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa niqab bukan penanda tunggal, itu dibagi dengan spidol lain seperti merek-merek fashion terkenal, warna pop, dan kegiatan dalam foto. Semua objek menunjukkan bahwa menjadi niqabis tidak berarti harus terasing dari kereta modernitas, lebih jauh lingkungan sosial menerimanya secara alami sebagai penerimaan dari anggota masyarakat lainnya.
PERFORMANCE DE COAGULANTES ORGÂNICOS E INORGÂNICOS POR MEIO DE DIAGRAMA DE COAGULAÇÃO EM ÁGUAS NATURAIS
Authors: Silveira Thyago Nóbrega , Barbosa Maria Gabriella Negromonte , Pequeno Lucas Alves Batista , Dos Santos Whelton Brito , Ferreira Weruska Brasileiro
Published: August 2019

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a performance dos coagulantes orgânicos e inorgânicos por meio de diagramas de coagulação, verificando as melhores condições de pH e dosagem para remoção de cor e turbidez, utilizando a água bruta do reservatório Epitácio Pessoa (Boqueirão, Paraíba). Foram realizados ensaios de coagulação/floculação/sedimentação em aparelho jar test, com o emprego de coagulantes orgânicos (Tanfloc SG e Tanfloc SL) e inorgânicos (sulfato de alumínio e cloreto férrico). A faixa de pH utilizada para a construção dos diagramas de coagulação para os coagulantes inorgânicos e orgânicos foram de 4,5 a 9,5 e 5,5 a 9,0, respectivamente, variando as dosagens dos coagulantes aplicadas na água. Com base nos diagramas de coagulação, observou-se que os flocos obtidos com os coagulantes orgânicos apresentaram velocidades de sedimentação maiores em comparação aos coagulantes inorgânicos, proporcionando melhor remoção dos sólidos suspensos, obtendo-se na etapa da decantação valores de turbidez inferiores a 0,5 uT em amplas faixas de pH.
UTILIZAÇÃO DA ESPECTRORRADIOMETRIA NA CARACTERIZAÇÃO DO TEOR DE MATÉRIA ORGÂNICA PRESENTE NO SOLO
Authors: Carneiro Ayala De Souza Reis , De Jesus Taise Bomfim , Dos Santos Erli Pinto , Santos Rosângela Leal
Published: August 2019

O comportamento espectral do solo é condicionado por todos os elementos que o constituem. A matéria orgânica atua de forma peculiar no solo, influenciando diretamente em suas propriedades físicas, químicas, biológicas, mineralógicas; portanto, apresenta forte relação com a sua resposta espectral. Neste sentido, o objetivo do trabalho foi demonstrar o potencial da espectrorradiometria na caracterização da matéria orgânica de solos, confrontando a variável reflectância espectral com a quantificação da matéria orgânica de amostras de solo coletadas no Centro de Agroecologia Rio Seco – UEFS, aplicando também a técnica da remoção do contínuo, sobre os dados de reflectância, como técnicas de extração de informações de dados hiperespectrais. A espectrorradiometria apresentou-se como uma técnica eficaz, rápida e não destrutiva, fornecendo dados significativos para caracterização de amostras de solo. O processamento dos espectros originais com a técnica de remoção do contínuo possibilitou avaliar as bandas de absorção e o relacionamento destas com a presença de matéria orgânica no solo, aumentando o detalhamento das informações contidas nas curvas espectrais.
Musculoskeletal Symptomatic Areas After Total Knee Replacement for Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhang MaryAnn , Selzer Faith , Losina Elena , Collins Jamie E. , Katz Jeffrey N.
Published: August 2019

Objective

The objective of this study was to measure cumulative incidence and incidence rate and identify factors associated with new musculoskeletal (MSK) symptomatic areas after total knee replacement (TKR) for osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Using data from a randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing elective TKR for OA, we assessed for MSK symptomatic areas by region (neck, hands/wrists/arms/shoulders, back, hips, nonindex knee, and ankles/feet) at baseline (pre‐TKR), and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months post‐TKR. Cumulative incidence and incidence rates were calculated for each region. Factors associated with incident MSK symptomatic areas were identified using generalized linear mixed models. Time to incident symptomatic area was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Among 293 subjects, the cumulative incidence of any new MSK symptomatic area over 4 years was 45%; the incidence rate was 19.2 per 100 person‐years. Body site–specific cumulative incidence and incidence rates were highest for nonindex knee and back. Predictors of incident MSK symptomatic areas included female sex (relative risk [RR] 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15‐2.34), body mass index of 35 or higher (RR 1.27; 95% CI 0.88‐1.85), Charlson Comorbidity Index 2 or more (RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.92‐1.78), baseline index knee Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score greater than 40 (RR 1.39; 95% CI 0.99‐1.95), and anxiety/depression (measured by the five‐item Mental Health Index) (RR 1.70; 95% CI 1.20‐2.40).

Conclusion

Incident MSK symptomatic areas occurred in roughly half of recipients of TKR in the 4 years after the operation. Further study is needed to examine the long‐term impact of MSK symptomatic areas on postoperative pain, function, and quality of life.
Ruling against UBH in class action resonates within treatment community
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2019

A federal court ruling against the level‐of‐care and coverage guidelines of managed behavioral health insurance giant United Behavioral Health (UBH) earned plaudits in the substance use treatment community earlier this year, but it remains too soon to determine how the action ultimately might fuel other potential legal challenges and affect managed care's own practices.
Using telehealth for buprenorphine induction and engagement
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2019

CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, a Rhode Island–based opioid treatment program (OTP), has just won a $372,597 contract to implement a telehealth project that will create a rapid crisis response system linking high‐risk populations with buprenorphine. We spoke with Linda E. Hurley, president and CEO of CODAC, on how the program will work.
Computationally Driven Discovery of a Family of Layered LiNiB Polymorphs
Authors: Gvozdetskyi Volodymyr , Bhaskar Gourab , Batuk Maria , Zhao Xin , Wang Renhai , Carnahan Scott L. , Hanrahan Michael P. , Ribeiro Raquel A. , Canfield Paul C. , Rossini Aaron J. , Wang Cai‐Zhuang , Ho Kai‐Ming , Hadermann Joke , Zaikina Julia V.
Published: August 2019

Two novel lithium nickel boride polymorphs, RT‐LiNiB and HT‐LiNiB, with layered crystal structures are reported. This family of compounds was theoretically predicted by using the adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) and subsequently synthesized by a hydride route with LiH as the lithium source. Unique among the known ternary transition‐metal borides, the LiNiB structures feature Li layers alternating with nearly planar [NiB] layers composed of Ni hexagonal rings with a B–B pair at the center. A comprehensive study using a combination of single crystal/synchrotron powder X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state 7Li and 11B NMR spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, quantum‐chemical calculations, and magnetism has shed light on the intrinsic features of these polymorphic compounds. The unique layered structures of LiNiB compounds make them ultimate precursors for exfoliation studies, thus paving a way toward two‐dimensional transition‐metal borides, MBenes.
Bio‐inspired Nonheme Iron Oxidation Catalysis: Involvement of Oxoiron(V) Oxidants in Cleaving Strong C−H Bonds
Authors: Kal Subhasree , Xu Shuangning , Que Lawrence
Published: August 2019

Nonheme iron enzymes generate powerful and versatile oxidants that perform a wide range of oxidation reactions, including the functionalization of inert C−H bonds, which is a major challenge for chemists. The oxidative abilities of these enzymes have inspired bioinorganic chemists to design synthetic models to mimic their ability to perform some of the most difficult oxidation reactions and study the mechanisms of such transformations. Iron‐oxygen intermediates like iron(III)‐hydroperoxo and high‐valent iron‐oxo species have been trapped and identified in investigations of these bio‐inspired catalytic systems, with the latter proposed to be the active oxidant for most of these systems. In this Review, we highlight the recent spectroscopic and mechanistic advances that have shed light on the various pathways that can be accessed by bio‐inspired nonheme iron systems to form the high‐valent iron‐oxo intermediates.
Mathematical model for thickness of off‐center spin‐coated polymer films
Authors: Wasapinyokul Kamol , Panjasamanwong Tanakrit , Ponkasemsuk Worathat , Sriprachuabwong Chakrit , Lomas Tanom
Published: August 2019

Off‐center spin coating is a method to fabricate thin film on a substrate where the substrate is located at an off‐center distance away from the rotating center of the spin coater. Here, a mathematical model to calculate the thickness of a film fabricated by an off‐center spin‐coating technique was developed and proposed. The model showed that the off‐center film thickness was calculable by using four factors—the on‐center film thickness, mass fraction of solid in the wet film, length of the substrate in the radial direction, and off‐center distance. Simply, the off‐center film thickness was inversely proportional to the off‐center distance to the exponent of one‐third, that is, the further the off‐center distance, the thinner the film. The model was verified where the thicknesses of the films calculated by using the model were compared with the experimental values obtained from the off‐center spin‐coated films of poly(vinylidene fluoride) at various off‐center distances. Both the modeled and the experimental data were of the same trend and in a good agreement with each other, indicating the validity of the model. The limitations of the model were also discussed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48356.
Synthesis of pH‐responsive isolated soy protein/carboxymethyl chitosan microspheres for sustained pesticide release
Authors: Chen Long , Zhou Xinhua , Lin Guanquan , Chen Huayao , Hao Li , Zhou Hongjun
Published: August 2019

In order to improve the utilization rate of avermectin (AVM), a complex was prepared by electrostatic self‐assembly using isolated soy protein (ISP) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) for loading AVM to obtain ISP/CMCS@AVM microspheres. The encapsulation efficiency (EE), sustained release property, ultraviolet (UV) protective ability, and toxicity of the microspheres were evaluated, and the release kinetics of AVM from the microsphere at different pHs were investigated. The results demonstrated that the average particle size of ISP/CMCS@AVM was 283.95 nm, and the EE reached 88.42% for AVM after denaturation. After 70 h of exposure to UV light, the residual rate of AVM in ISP/CMCS@AVM was 78.12%, which was significantly higher than 35.18% in the AVM emulsion. Moreover, the formulation imparted pH sensitivity and sustained‐release property to AVM and was consistent with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, controlled by Fick diffusion. Finally, the insecticidal toxicity of ISP/CMCS@AVM did not differ significantly from that of unmodified AVM. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48358.
Metastatic breast cancer patients with lung or liver metastases should be distinguished before being treated with fulvestrant
Authors: He Min , Li Jun‐Jie , Zuo Wen‐Jia , Ji Lei , Jiang Yi‐Zhou , Hu Xi‐Chun , Wang Zhong‐Hua , Shao Zhi‐Ming
Published: August 2019

Background

Endocrine therapy is the preferred treatment for patients with hormone receptor ‐positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). While visceral metastasis is a negative prognostic factor, few studies have distinguished between the prognoses of patients with metastases at different visceral sites.

Patients and methods

In total, 398 patients receiving fulvestrant 500 mg at a single center over a 6‐year period were analyzed. Logistic regression models were used to identify the prognostic factors associated with progression‐free survival (PFS). Kaplan‐Meier analysis was used to compare the PFS of patients with lung and liver metastases.

Results

Baseline visceral metastases were present in 233 patients, including 138 with lungw/o liver metastases (lung metastases without liver involvement), 51 with liverw/o lung metastases (liver metastases without lung involvement) and 41 with lung and liver metastases. The median PFS was 6.8 months (5.6 and 9.2 months for visceral and nonvisceral metastases, respectively, P = .028). PFS was longer in patients with lungw/o liver metastases than in those with liverw/o lung metastases or lung and liver metastases (9.6, 3.7 and 3.2 months, respectively, P < .001; liverw/o lung vs. lungw/o liver hazard ratio (HR) 1.70; lung and liver vs. lungw/o liver HR 2.85). Patients with liver metastases experienced significantly worse PFS than those without liver involvement (3.7 vs. 9.2 months, P < .001). PFS benefits were observed in patients with longer disease‐free intervals, no liver metastases, and no previous chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Fulvestrant treatment benefited patients with lungw/o liver or nonvisceral metastases. When treating hormone receptor‐positive/HER2‐negative MBC patients with endocrine therapy, it is important to differentiate patients with lung metastases from those with liver metastases.