bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Positive Cocaine Urine Toxicology Test and the Effect on Intraoperative Hemodynamics Under General Anesthesia
Authors: Moon Tiffany S. , Pak Taylor J. , Kim Agnes , Gonzales Michael X. , Volnov Yuri , Wright Evan , Vu Kevin Q. , Lu Rachael D. , Sharifi Arghavan , Minhajuddin Abu , Chen Joy L. , Fox Pamela E. , Gasanova Irina , Fox Amanda A. , Stewart Jesse , Ogunnaike Babatunde
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND:

Cocaine has a short biological half-life, but inactive urine metabolites may be detectable for a week following use. It is unclear if patients who test positive for cocaine but have a normal electrocardiogram and vital signs have a greater percentage of hemodynamic events intraoperatively.

METHODS:

A total of 328 patients with a history of cocaine use who were scheduled for elective noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were categorized into cocaine-positive versus cocaine-negative groups based on the results of their urine cocaine toxicology test. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether asymptomatic cocaine-positive patients had similar percentages of intraoperative hemodynamic events, defined as (1) a mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of <65 or >105 mm Hg and (2) a heart rate (HR) of <50 or >100 beats per minute (bpm) compared to cocaine-negative patients. The study was powered to assess if the 2 groups had an equivalent mean percent of intraoperative hemodynamic events within specific limits using an equivalence test of means consisting of 2 one-sided tests.

RESULTS:

The cocaine-positive group had a blood pressure (BP) that was outside the set limits 19.4% (standard deviation [SD] 17.7%) of the time versus 23.1% (SD 17.7%) in the cocaine-negative group (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5–7.0). The cocaine-positive group had a HR outside the set limits 9.6% (SD 16.2%) of the time versus 8.2% (SD 14.9%) in the cocaine-negative group (95% CI, 4.3–1.5). Adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and the presence of comorbid hypertension, renal disease, and psychiatric illness, the cocaine-positive and cocaine-negative patients were similar within a 7.5% margin of equivalence for MAP data (β coefficient = 2%, P = .003, CI, 2–6) and within a 5% margin of equivalence for HR data (β coefficient = 0.2%, P < .001, CI, 4–3).

CONCLUSIONS:

Asymptomatic cocaine-positive patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia have similar percentages of intraoperative hemodynamic events compared to cocaine-negative patients.
Frequency of pap smear among doctors: A pilot study
Authors: Yusuf Lamia
Published: April 2020

Background and Objective: Carcinoma of the cervix is one of the three leading causes of deaths among females worldwide. Pap smear is a simple and very cost-effective method to detect carcinoma of the cervix. The objective of our study was to determine the frequency of papsmear among doctors, so the alarming situation of sloppiness in the screening program can be highlighted.

Methods: The interview-based survey was conducted; multiple questions were asked from the participants. It was a pilot study. Sixty doctors who were married (working in a teaching hospital) were recruited from Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore from June 2018 - November 2018 and associated tertiary care teaching hospitals for the study. Ethical consideration was taken into account and secrecy of participants were maintained.

Results: All data was entered in SPSS 21 and statistical analysis was done in terms of frequencies. Only 25% of doctors have a pap smear once in their life. Majority 75% of the doctors never have papsmear in their lifetime, few reasons were a shortage of time (27%) and shyness (5%). Regarding HPV vaccination 89% of the participants were willing to have HPV vaccination for their daughters.

Conclusion: This study shows the poor implementation of the cancer screening programme in Pakistan. The general public should be informed about the benefits of HPV vaccination.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1651

How to cite this:Yusuf L. Frequency of pap smear among doctors: A pilot study. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):761-764. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1651

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Removal of sodium salicylate from aqueous solution using spruce wood sawdust as an eco-friendly adsorbent
Authors: Aarab Nouh , Essekri Abdelilah , Ait Haki Mohamed , Kabli Hassan , Eljazouli Habiba , Elamine Maria , Lakhmiri Rajae , Albourine Abdallah
Published: April 2020

This study reports the application of Spruce wood sawdust as a low-cost and eco-friendly adsorbent for the removal of sodium salicylate from aqueous solutions. The effects of physicochemical parameters on the sodium salicylate adsorption process such as initial pH, temperature, solid/liquid ratio, initial concentration, contact time, and ionic strength were investigated. The optimum adsorption conditions were found as: equilibrium time = 3h, adsorbent dosage = 0.5 g/L, pH= 6.5, initial sodium salicylate concentration = 10 mg/L and temperature = 25°C. The kinetic study shows that the pseudo-second-order model is suitable to describe the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and generalized) were tested to understand the adsorption mechanism of sodium salicylate onto wood sawdust surface. The adsorption of sodium salicylate follows the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum monolayer uptake capacity was found to be 99.01 mg/g. In addition, the temperature seems to have no noticeable effect on the adsorption of sodium salicylate. Finally, the thermodynamic parameters indicate that the adsorption is spontaneous (ΔG°˂ 0) and exothermic (ΔH°=-5.081 kJ/mol) in nature. Overall, Spruce wood sawdust can be used as a cost-effective and eco-friendly adsorbent for wastewater treatment applications.
Cryptic Species from Biodiversity Hotspot: Estimation of Decapoda on Dead Coral Head Pocillopora in Raja Ampat Papua
Authors: Kurniasih Eka Maya , Sembiring Andrianus , Pertiwi Ni Putu Dian , Anggoro Aji Wahyu , Cahyani Ni Kadek Dita , Dailami Muhammad , Ambariyanto Ambariyanto , Wijayanti Diah Permata , Meyer Christopher P.
Published: April 2020

Cryptic organisms that live within the interstices of reef habitats contribute significantly to coral reef biodiversity. One example of this cryptic biodiversity is the high abundance of decapods in dead coral heads that associated with various biota. However, this diversity poorly studied especially species identification and species richness. This study aims to estimate the decapods diversity in Raja Ampat, Papua, using Pocillopora dead coral head method as semi-quantitative sampling approach. Raja Ampat in Papua is chosen because it situated in the center of Coral Triangle marine hotspot. Data were collected from 10 dead coral heads of genus Pocillopora from 10-meter depth near the islands of Kri and Misool. This study observed a total of 205 individuals Decapoda from Kri Island and 672 Individual from Misool Islands. Species richness observation (Chao1 and ACE) of the total samples reports only 11 families of decapoda detected in this study. Rarefaction curve reach an asymptote after all after all ten dead coral were analyzed; indicating that additional sample collection would not change estimates of diversity found in this study. The Shannon-Wiener index diversity on the Kri Island showed lower diversity value (2.09) compared to Misool Island (2.18). In the future, this research can be used as a basis for understanding the diversity of coral reefs as well as for management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems.
Ectoparasite Prevalences of Grouper Fish (Epinephelus fuscogutatus x Epinephelus polyphekadion) Cultured in Floating Net Cages
Authors: Adibrata Sudirman , Yusuf Muh , Manullang Cristiana
Published: April 2020

Monitoring the health of the reared fish in a floating net cage (FNC) is often conducted by examining their ectoparasites. This study determines ectoparasite prevalences of grouper fish (Epinephelus fuscogutatus x E. polyphekadion). It was conducted in the waters surrounding Pongok Island, South Bangka Regency. The health examination of both fish and ectoparasites was carried out by applying simple random sampling during three periods, November 2016 (I), February 2017 (II) and May 2017 (III). Hydro-oceanography surveys were done every month during the three years. The grouper checkings (I, II and III) indicated the prevalences of ectoparasites in these periods were 43.3%, 8.8% and 13.5%, respectively. Fish death highly occurred in the period I, and the grouper survival rate at harvesting time was only 70% from initial seed stocking of 1,500 fish. The ectoparasite intensities during the research periods were 1.6, 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. This condition implies that every 10 groupers would potentially be attacked by at least 15-16 ectoparasites. A slow seawater current flow triggered the quick uplifting of the ectoparasites from the seafloor. The water condition at the FNC location in 2011 and 2017 was still under the quality standard. The ectoparasites were coming from the surrounding environment of the FNC location. It is inevitable that the fish culture management should focus on cleansing the ectoparasites attaching on the groupers, dusting the net cage clean, and arranging the harvest pattern on a particular month following the surrounding environmental condition to prevent ectoparasite attacks.
Domestication of Red Seaweed (Gelidium latifolium) in Different Culture Media
Authors: Wijayanto Andri , Widowati Ita , Winanto Tjahjo
Published: April 2020

Gelidium latifolium is one of red seaweed types potentially can be developed as an industrial raw material. Since Gelidium is currently taken from ocean, the availability of seaweed from aquaculture is necessary to overcome the small number of its availability in nature. In Indonesia, G. latifolium cultivation has not been carried out so that domestication is required. The use of macro and micro nutrients in growth media is essentially needed for the domestication process. Domestication requires fast media and place for growth. The purpose of this study is to determine the growth of biomass and the survival of G. latifolium in different culture media. The study was conducted in a semi-outdoor research laboratory. The method used in this research is laboratory experimental method and Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the treatment applied using 3 types of culture media (Urea: Za: TSP) by comparison (A) 100: 50: 50% (2 g.L-1), (B) 75: 75: 50% (2 g.L-1) and (C) 75: 50: 75% (2 g.L-1), with 3 replications. The seaweed was kept in 10 L of water in aeration equipped aquarium and filled with 10 g of G. latifolium on each treatment. The best growth rate of G. latifolium biomass is 5.67± 0.58 g and 100±0% are survived in C culture medium with a concentration of 75% Urea: 50% ZA: 75% TSP (2 g.L-1).
Antioxidant Properties of Different Types of Torbangun Herbal Tea
Authors: Matita Intan Cidarbulan , Mastuti Titri Siratantri , Maitri Smita
Published: April 2020

In this study, Torbangun leaves are processed into three different types varying in their oxidation degree, namely unoxidized, semioxidized and oxidized Torbangun leaves. Each type is then brewed into herbal tea and analyzed in terms of its total phenolic, total flavonoid and antioxidant activity. Unoxidized Torbangun herbal tea shows higher content of total phenolic (44.22 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid (17.02 mg QE/g) compared to oxidized (24.66 mg GAE/g total phenolic content and 8.61 mg QE/g total flavonoid content) and semioxidized (33.83 mg GAE/g total phenolic content and 10.68 mg QE/g total flavonoid content) Torbangun herbal tea. In terms of the antioxidant activity, processing the Torbangun leaves into herbal tea tremendously decreased the antioxidant activity based on the IC50 value of 1400.89 ɥg/mL for unoxidized Torbangun herbal tea, 3211.71 ɥg/mL for semioxidized Torbangun herbal tea and 4504.78 ɥg/mL for oxidized Torbangun herbal tea. However, steam blanching used in the preparation of unoxidized Torbangun leaves is proven to increase the total phenolic and flavonoid content of raw or unprocessed Torbangun leaves from 39.02 to 44.22 mg GAE/g and an increase of total flavonoid from 10.32 to 17.02 mg QE/g.Keywords: antioxidant; flavonoid; herbal tea; phenolic; torbangun
Relationship Between Physical Fitness and the Physical Demands of 50-Over Cricket in Fast Bowlers
Authors: Webster Thomas M. , Comfort Paul , Jones Paul A.
Published: April 2020

Webster, TM, Comfort, P, and Jones, PA. Relationship between physical fitness and the physical demands of 50-over cricket in fast bowlers. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): e66–e72, 2022—Professional cricket is constantly evolving and resulting in increased physiological demand placed on players. Fast bowlers experience the greatest physical demand during match-play; despite this, research has overlooked the importance of specific physical attributes to optimizing physical match performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between 50-Over physical match performance and tests of physical qualities in fast bowlers. Fifteen professional male fast bowlers (age = 23.8 ± 4.0 years; height = 183.4 ± 6.7 cm; body mass = 82.9 ± 9.2 kg) participated in the study. Subjects completed the following physical fitness tests; sum of skinfolds, countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprint, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1. Global positioning system data were collected during 6 professional 50-Over fixtures. Moderate correlations were established between CMJ height to total distance covered (r = 0.585; p = 0.022), sprinting distance (ρ = 0.554; p = 0.032), and maximal velocity (r = 0.567; p = 0.027); 20-m sprint time to total distance covered (ρ = −0.519; p = 0.047) and PlayerLoad (ρ = −0.561; p = 0.03); and Yo-Yo distance to total match distance (r = 0.520; p = 0.047) and sprinting distance (ρ = 0.524; p = 0.045). These findings demonstrate the predictive importance of prolonged intermittent running ability, jump, and sprint performance to match running performance of elite fast bowlers in 1-day cricket. Strength and conditioning coaches should use such information to design training to ensure fast bowlers are adequately conditioned to meet the demands of match running performance.
Heart Rate Variability After Sprint Interval Training in Cyclists and Implications for Assessing Physical Fatigue
Authors: Hebisz Rafał G. , Hebisz Paulina , Zatoń Marek W.
Published: April 2020

Hebisz, RG, Hebisz, P, and Zatoń, MW. Heart rate variability after sprint interval training in cyclists and implications for assessing physical fatigue. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 558–564, 2022—This study evaluated the time- and frequency-domain indexes of heart rate variability (HRV) during sprint interval exercise test (SIXT) and identify the onset of fatigue by HRV concurrent with changes in average (Pavg) and peak (Ppeak) power output, total oxygen uptake (V̇o
2tou), and blood hydrogen (H+) and lactate (La−) concentrations. Twenty-seven cyclists performed 4 sets of SIXT in which each set consisted of four 30-second maximal sprints interspersed with 90 seconds of low-intensity cycling. Each set was separated by 25–40 minutes of recovery. Before beginning each set, HRV was analyzed by time (mean normal-to-normal RR intervals [RRNN], SD of normal-to-normal RR intervals [SDNN], and square root of the mean squared difference between successive normal-to-normal RR intervals [RMSSD]) and frequency (total spectral power [T] and very low- [VLF], low- [LF], and high-frequency [HF] spectral power) domain methods. Pavg, Ppeak, and V̇o
2tou were recorded in each set, and H+ and La− were measured after each set. RRNN, SDNN, and VLF decreased in the second set, whereas all time and frequency indexes of HRV decreased in the third and fourth set. Pavg and H+ decreased, while V̇o
2tou increased in the fourth set. Ppeak decreased in the second, third, and fourth set. Correlations were found between the changes in the time and frequency indexes of HRV with H+, La−, and V̇o
2tou. The results indicate that HRV does not reflect the onset of physical fatigue in SIXT as was observed in Pavg and no correlation was found between the changes in HRV with Pavg and Ppeak.
Session Rating of Perceived Exertion as an Efficient Tool for Individualized Resistance Training Progression
Authors: Gomes Rodrigo L. , Lixandrão Manoel E. , Ugrinowitsch Carlos , Moreira Alexandre , Tricoli Valmor , Roschel Hamilton
Published: April 2020

Gomes, RL, Lixandrão, ME, Ugrinowitsch, C, Moreira, A, Tricoli, V, and Roschel, H. Session rating of perceived exertion as an efficient tool for individualized resistance training progression. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 971–976, 2022—The present study aimed to investigate the effects of an individualized resistance training (RT) progression model based on the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on gains in muscle mass and strength when compared with a conventional predetermined progression method (PP). Twenty previously trained young male subjects were randomly allocated to 1 of the 2 groups: RPE (n = 10) or PP (n = 10). Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and maximum dynamic strength were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. The RPE-based progression model resulted in a lower number of high-intensity sessions compared with the PP-based model. Despite this, both groups showed significant and similar increases in CSA (p < 0.0001; RPE = 6.55 ± 5.27% and PP = 9.65 ± 3.63%) and strength (p < 0.0001; RPE = 9.68 ± 4.57% and PP = 9.28 ± 4.01%) after the intervention period. No significant between-group difference was observed for total training volume (RPE = 45,366.00 ± 10,190.00 kg and PP = 47,779.00 ± 5,685.00 kg; p = 0.52). Our results showed that an RT progression model based on session-to-session physiological response assessments resulted in fewer high-intensity training sessions while allowing for similar gains in muscle strength and mass. Thus, trainees are encouraged to adopt session RPE as a potential tool to control workload progression throughout a training period and allowing the optimization of training stimulus on an individual basis.
Effects of 4, 8, and 12 Repetition Maximum Resistance Training Protocols on Muscle Volume and Strength
Authors: Kubo Keitaro , Ikebukuro Toshihiro , Yata Hideaki
Published: April 2020

Kubo, K, Ikebukuro, T, and Yata, H. Effects of 4, 8, and 12 repetition maximum resistance training protocols on muscle volume and strength. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 879–885, 2021—The purpose of this study was to determine skeletal muscle adaptations (strength and hypertrophy) in response to volume-equated resistance training with divergent repetition strategies. Forty-two men were randomly assigned to 4 groups: higher load–lower repetition group performing 4 repetition maximum (RM) for 7 sets (4RM, n = 10), intermediate load–intermediate repetition group performing 8RM for 4 sets (8RM, n = 12), lower load–higher repetition group performing 12RM for 3 sets (12RM, n = 10), and nonexercising control group (CON, n = 10). The volume of the pectoralis major muscle (by magnetic resonance imaging) and 1RM of the bench press were measured before and after 10 weeks of training (2 times per week). No significant difference was observed in the relative increase in the muscle volume among the 4RM, 8RM, and 12RM groups. The relative increase in 1RM was significantly lower in the 12RM group than in the 4RM group (p = 0.029) and the 8RM group (p = 0.021). The relative increase in 1RM was significantly correlated with that in the muscle volume in the 12RM group (r = 0.684, p = 0.042), but not in the 4RM (r = −0.265, p = 0.777) or 8RM (r = −0.045, p = 0.889) groups. These results suggest that the increase in muscle size is similar among the 3 training protocols when the training volume was equated, whereas the increase in muscle strength is lower with the 12RM protocol than the other protocols.
Strength and Electromyographic Responses of Upper and Lower Limbs During Maximal Intermittent Contractions in Males and Females
Authors: Carr Joshua C. , Ye Xin
Published: April 2020

Carr, JC and Ye, X. Strength and electromyographic responses of upper and lower limbs during maximal intermittent contractions in males and females. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2403–2409, 2022—This study examined the strength and electromyographic (EMG) responses of upper vs. lower limb muscles during intermittent maximal contractions in both sexes. Twenty subjects (n = 7 women) performed a fatiguing protocol (6, 30-second intermittent maximal isometric contractions with a 50% duty cycle) with either the elbow flexors or the knee extensors on separate visits. Bipolar surface EMG signals were detected from the biceps brachii and vastus lateralis muscles (n = 5 women retained). Women maintained more of their maximal force than men (Δforce: men vs. women = −55.0 ± 12.8% vs. −43.3 ± 9.9%, p = 0.042). Although force loss was similar between the elbow flexors and knee extensors, the EMG responses showed greater reductions for the biceps brachii than those for the vastus lateralis (Δamplitude: biceps brachii vs. vastus lateralis: −32.0 ± 22.3% vs. −18.9 ± 28.9%; Δmedian frequency: biceps brachii vs. vastus lateralis: −31.1 ± 14.5% vs. −10.3 ± 17.0%). During a series of maximal intermittent isometric contractions with 30 seconds of recovery between work bouts, women are more fatigue resistant than men. In addition, the greater electrophysiological fatigue exhibited by the biceps brachii than that by the vastus lateralis suggests that high-intensity contractions involving elbow flexion will have a greater rate of fatigue progression than those involving knee extension.
Warm-ups for Youth Athletes: Making the First 15-Minutes Count
Authors: Myburgh Gillian K. , Pfeifer Craig E. , Hecht Christopher J.
Published: April 2020

Warm-up procedures have been found to have a significant influence on fitness performance in youth athletes. As such, warming up before exercise and competition is encouraged and is a widely accepted practice with children and adolescents. Differences in structure, type, duration, intensity, and content of warm-up protocols have led to considerable variation in warm-up procedures. As a result, there is a lack of consensus on the ideal method for preparing youth athletes for exercise and sport. This article, therefore, aims to review current warm-up classifications and considerations of youth athletes, while providing a template of appropriate exercises that can be used safely and effectively in individuals of varying capabilities.
Investigation of Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Al6061–TiB2 Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Veeresh Kumar G. B. , Gopinath Reddy D. , Vineeth Reddy C. , Sriteja Ch , Pramod R.
Published: April 2020

Aluminum alloys are commonly used in transportation, manufacturing, and related production fields for commercial applications because they possess high stiffness, strength-to-weight ratio, design flexibility, corrosion, and crack resistance. For this study, an attempt has been made to fabricate and improve the mechanical and sliding wear behavior of in situ–produced aluminum metal matrix composites (MMCs) with the titanium diboride (TiB2) particulate reinforcements by varying weight percentage from zero to six. The addition of TiB2 ceramic particle reinforcements to Al6061 matrix leads to an increase in material density and also results in a significant increase in modulus of the composite and specific strength as they have hardness of 86 HRA and high elastic modulus of 560 GPa. The Brinell hardness values of the composites along with the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) values were witnessed to increase with higher content of ceramic TiB2 because of uniform particle distribution and smaller size of filler at the lower elongation percentage. The microscopic investigations indicated that the change in hardness and UTS with increase in grain boundaries was due to fine interfacial bonding and coarse grain structure. Superior performance in properties was found at 6 wt. % of TiB2. The sliding wear tests were carried out at fixed velocity and at different loads. The wear test results of composites with TiB2 filler showed higher wear resistance because of effective load transfers at matrix ceramic particle interface.
Social Movements in Taiwan and Hong Kong
Authors: Liao Dachi , Wu Hsin-Che , Chen Boyu
Published: April 2020

We propose the logic of communitive action to analyze digitally networked social movements. Through an examination of Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement and Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement, we offer an explanatory framework of community consciousness that elucidates a new type of leadership, and discuss crowdsourcing as a supplement to the theory of social movements in the digital age.
Examining Politicians’ Wealth Accumulation in South Korea
Authors: Jung Hoyong
Published: April 2020

One of the public’s popular beliefs about politics is that politicians engage in rent-seeking behaviors, such as accumulating property, using their political power. By applying a regression discontinuity design, this study examines whether members of the National Assembly of South Korea gained assets during three elective terms (2004–2008, 2008–2012, and 2012–2016). The results contradict the public’s claim. In general, there is minimal evidence that election winners accumulate more assets than runners-up. And observing the winners’ premium for newly elected politicians in the 2012–2016 term, I find that it is related to a political support fund, which is a legitimate channel for politicians’ funding. The results suggest that an information disclosure policy can play a pivotal role in restricting politicians’ rent-seeking behaviors.
Authoritarianism, Authority, and Representation
Authors: Przeworski Adam
Published: April 2020

Representation is always a dynamic relation, a tatonnement, in which the represented adjust their preferences on the basis of beliefs induced by the representatives. All rulers—those selected in clean elections, those who hold such ceremonies without putting their power at stake, and those who do not even bother to hold them—claim to have reasons to be followed, and people are willing to follow them if they believe these are good reasons. Thus, individual preferences, “wills,”are influenced by the relation of representation. The controversial issue is whether the relation of representation can be assessed when preferences are endogenous, in particular when people are not exposed to a plurality of reasons.
“I do not want her, I am sure”
Authors: Urakova Alexandra
Published: April 2020

Alexandra Urakova,“‘I do not want her, I am sure’: Commodities, Gifts, and Poisonous Gifts in Uncle Tom’s Cabin” (pp. 448–472)

This essay focuses on Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852) in discussing the interrelation of sentimentality, slavery, and race. It asks what happens when a slave himself or herself becomes a gift in the way that Mr. Shelby buys Eliza as a present for his wife, and St. Claire seems to bestow Uncle Tom upon Eva and ultimately gives Topsy to his cousin Ophelia. Although much has been said about “sentimental property” or “sympathetic ownership” in Stowe, the instances of exchanging slaves as gifts in the novel have been surprisingly overlooked. Touching upon one of the novel’s important and precarious themes—the distinction between people and things—the aforementioned episodes not only contribute to our understanding of the novel’s gift economy but also invite us to revise the complex attitude to racial otherness in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I claim that while pursuing a sentimental ideology of the gift that comes to support racialist implications of its abolitionist rhetoric, Stowe’s novel also contains a radical potential of its critique embodied in the image of the poisonous gift of a slave child, Topsy, who figures as an unwelcome, wasteful, and repellent present. Concurring with critical opinion that Stowe’s racism is in the sentiment, this essay suggests that the novel’s unsentimental, explicitly racist metaphors paradoxically inform one of Stowe’s strongest antislavery arguments.
Semiotical Narrative of the Greimai Bridge in Prienai
Authors: Smolskaitė Giedrė
Published: April 2020

In 2017, the world celebrated 100 years since the birth of Algirdas Julien Greimas (1917–1992). The anniversary inspired many commemorative works, events, conferences, research projects, etc. That is also the case with this paper.Here, instruments of semiotic analysis are applied to a rather unusual object – a bridge located in the town of Prienai, Lithuania. In 2010, the bridge was given the name of Greimai by the Government of Lithuania as a way of paying tribute to Julius Greimas (1882–1942), schoolteacher and burgomaster of Prienai (1934–40), and his son Algirdas Julien Greimas, literary scientist and semiotician who as a child liked to wander the woods of Prienai.The paper discusses the semantics and narrativity of the Greimai bridge. The main focus is on its function, the characteristics of the bridge and its shores, the semantic universe it embodies. Also considered is the transformation from a simple and concrete structure with a clearly defined function to a symbolic monument.The findings of this small research suggest that the bridge’s characteristics make the Greimai name a good fit and that it creates additional meanings: one recognizes plurality and duality, the echo of the father-son relationship, cyclicality and rituality, etc. In addition, the bridge appears to act as a mediator between nature and culture, life and death.
Eric Landowski. Short Semiotic Manifest in Honour and for Attention of Comrade Sociologist Pekka Sulkuneni. Transl. by Kęstutis Nastopka
Authors: Landowski Eric , Nastopka Kęstutis
Published: April 2020

Iš prancūzų k. vertė Kęstutis Nastopka. Versta iš: Landowski, Eric. Petit manifeste sémiotique en l’honneur et à l’attention du camarade sociologue Pekka Sulkunen. Actes Sémiotiques, 2017, Nr. 120 (http://epublications.unilim.fr/revues/as/5816)
Making sense of resistance in an afterschool tutoring program
Authors: Kohls Robert A.
Published: April 2020

The term resistance has been an evolving concept in literacy and composition studies. While much has been studied in terms of student resistance in high schools, first-year composition classrooms, and in university writing centers, little is known about how resistance occurs in afterschool tutoring programs between volunteer writing tutors and their tutees. Using an ethnographic case study approach, this paper examines how three adult volunteer writing tutors made sense of resistance in working with their adolescent tutees in an urban tutoring program. The findings showed that tutor attitudes, values, and reactions shaped their experience of resistance in a variety of ways including a) misreading tutee signals of engagement; b) masking expectations of cultural and linguistic compliance within a discourse of resistance; and c) embracing resistance as a bridge to tutor growth. The author uses these findings to inform current conceptions of student resistance and compliance and to provide implication for volunteer tutor training.
 Conamomum odorum  , a new species of Zingiberaceae from central Vietnam
Authors: Truong Luu Hong , Dang Tran Huu , Dat Nguyen Quoc , Trung Nguyen Tran Quoc , Gioi Tran
Published: April 2020

Conamomum odorum is described as a new species from Khanh Hoa Province, Central Vietnam. It is characterized by sweet smell, striate and narrowly elliptic leaf leaves with short petiole and ligule, ovoid congested inflorescence, pubescent calyx, cream corolla lobes, yellow, obovate and reflexed labellum with median red bands at base and hairy ovary. The new species is illustrated with detailed photographs of key characters and morphologically compared to its closest congeners C. piereanum and C. rubidum. A distribution map of the genus in Vietnam is provided.
Gelişmekte Olan Ülkelerde Demokrasinin Ekonomik Büyümeye Etkisi
Authors: TÜTÜNCÜ Asiye
Published: April 2020

Küreselleşme hareketlerinin başlamasından sonra ülkelerin ekonomik büyümelerini etkileyen faktörler değişkenlik göstermiştir. Yapılan incelemelerde, iktisadi faktörlerin ekonomik büyümeyi açıklamakta, tek başına yetersiz kaldığı görülmüştür. Böylece, genellikle gelişmiş ülkelerde benimsen demokrasinin ekonomik büyüme üzerindeki etkisi araştırılmaya başlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, 1992 - 2017 dönemi ele alınarak gelişmekte olan 24 ülke için demokrasinin ekonomik büyümeye etkisi Kónya (2006) panel nedensellik testi kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre, Arjantin, Brezilya, Bulgaristan, Endonezya, Ermenistan, Malezya, Nijerya, Peru, Şili ve Türkiye için demokrasinin ekonomik büyümeyi negatif etkilediği; Çin, Gürcistan, Macaristan, Makedonya, Mısır, Romanya ve Rusya için demokrasinin ekonomik büyümeyi pozitif etkilediği; Azerbaycan, Güney Afrika, Hindistan, Paraguay ve Ukrayna için ise, demokrasi ile ekonomik büyüme arasında ilişki olmadığı tespit edilmiştir.
Fiscal Decentralization with a Redistribution Rule vs. Fiscal Centralization
Authors: BULUT-CEVİK Zeynep
Published: April 2020

This paper compares the case of fiscal decentralization (FD) with an intergovernmental transfer rule to the case of fiscal centralization (FC) from a theoretical perspective while focusing on Markov-perfect Nash equilibrium by a continuum of citizens, local governments and a central government, which interact strategically. Simulation analysis shows both the degree of spillovers and capital mobility play a role in the comparison of these two cases. In the presence of spillovers, the welfare of FD case is higher than the one of FC which is an unexpected result but points out the positive effect of a redistribution rule in FD model in terms of welfare. On the other hand, the growth rate of FD is lower than FC case when there are spillovers. So, fiscal discipline, provided by the redistribution rule, prevents inefficiently low tax rates which pull down the growth rate. In addition, when spillovers are not allowed, capital mobility determines which case is superior.
Yenilikçi Girişimciliğin Oyun Sahası: Kurumsal Yapının Kadın Girişimciliğine Etkisi
Authors: TAĞ Mehmet Nasih , HIDIROĞLU Duygu
Published: April 2020

Girişimciler arasında kadın oranının düşük olması genelde kadın ile erkek arasında fırsat eşitsizliğine bağlanmaktadır. Bu görüşe göre, fırsat eşitliğinin sağlandığı durumlarda kadın girişimciliği artmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı bir ülkedeki kurumsal yapı ve sistemlerin erken aşama yenilikçi girişimciler arasında kadınların oranı üzerindeki etkisini araştırmaktır. Bu amaçla ortaya konan kavramsal çerçeve, devletin girişimcilere desteği, kadın girişimcilere sağlanan destek, girişimsel finansman imkânları ve ticari altyapının yenilik içeren girişimler arasında kadın girişimci oranını etkilediğini savunmaktadır. Bu çerçevede geliştirilen hipotezler, 93 ülkeyi kapsayan geniş bir veri setinden yararlanılarak karışık-etkili lojistik regresyon yöntemi ile test edilmiştir. Test sonuçları, ortaya konan kavramsal çerçeve ile genelde tutarlı görünmektedir. Bu bulgular, kurumsal yapı ve sistemlerin kadınların ekonomik faaliyet sürecine katılımında oynadıkları rolü ortaya koymaktadır.
Kamu Maliyesinde Bir Risk Unsuru Olarak Koşullu Yükümlülükler: Türkiye Örneği
Authors: ŞEN Semih , TOKATLIOĞLU Mircan
Published: April 2020

Hükümetlerin kamu maliyesini sağlıklı şekilde sürdürebilmesinin koşullarından biri, ortaya çıkabilecek riskleri iyi analiz edip, en aza indirmeyi sağlamaktır. Bu bağlamda son yıllarda birçok ülkede görülen koşullu yükümlülüklerdeki artış eğilimi, dikkate alınması ve izlenmesi gereken risk unsurlarından biridir. Koşullu yükümlülüklerdeki artışın, kamu borcunda ve kamu açıklarında artışa yol açmasının yanı sıra kamu kesiminde mali şeffaflık ve ahlaki tehlike yaratma potansiyeli bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada amaç Türkiye’nin koşullu yükümlülüklerini 1990-2018 dönemi için analiz etmektir. Çalışmada koşullu yükümlülüklerin son yıllarda arttığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu artış, Türkiye’nin mali istikrarı açısından bir risk olarak değerlendirilebilir. Ayrıca koşullu yükümlülüklerin yönetiminde başta mali şeffaflık olmak üzere bazı sorunlar mevcuttur.
La extinción de dominio en México: Reflexiones sobre la reforma de 2019
Authors: Anguiano Espinosa Griselda
Published: April 2020

La reciente reforma al art. 22 de la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos trajo nuevas perspectivas en la figura de la extinción de dominio en México en cuanto a su naturaleza, procedencia, ejercicio, aplicación, derechos y garantías, así como, el control y administración de los bienes, todas encaminadas a abonar a la seguridad pública, a limitar la capacidad financiera de los grupos delictivos, así como, la consolidación de dicha figura jurídicamente; en un primer análisis, el sentido y alcance de la reforma constitucional origina algunas reflexiones que probablemente se disipen con la próxima publicación de la Ley Nacional en materia de extinción de dominio, misma que deroga la Ley Federal y las leyes estatales en la materia; previo a dicho acontecimiento, se desprenden algunas consideraciones que dilucidan a simple vista ciertos matices que desorientan el sentido de la reforma, mismas que parecen disociadas con el marco jurídico actual, sin embargo, con el transcurso del tiempo la ley, la jurisprudencia y la práctica motivaran el perfeccionamiento en dicha institución.
De la usura recopilada a la usura codificada: una cuestión juzgada por el siglo
Authors: Gómez de Maya Julián
Published: April 2020

La secularización jurídica comienza a plasmarse en las leyes a lo largo del siglo XIX. Se trata de un fenómeno que incluye la despenalización de ciertos delitos históricamente traspasados por la idea de pecado, como el delito de usura. Sin embargo, ya desde la centuria anterior se había manifestado en la doctrina patria y el usus fori un sentido expansivo de los casos en que el prestamista podía ver justificado su beneficio o interés. Así, sin continuismo ni ruptura tajante, se advierte una evolución que acabará accediendo a la codificación patria con zigzagueante tratamiento: la supresión de la usura en 1822, salvo en su forma más mezquina; la inclusión, a partir de 1848, de las irregularidades formales en la administración de las casas de préstamo; el añadido desde 1928 de otras figuras delictivas restauradoras en parte de la estricta usura; por último, su descarte de nuevo por el Código vigente.
Antecedentes históricos y jurídicos de la institución procesal de la subasta judicial
Authors: López Pico Rubén
Published: April 2020

Bajo la rúbrica “Antecedentes históricos y jurídicos de la institución procesal de la subasta judicial”, recogemos el tratamiento jurídico que esta institución procesal —la subasta judicial— ha recibido a lo largo de la historia. Desde sus orígenes, en el Derecho Romano, hasta la actualidad; atravesando las diferentes etapas integrantes del denominado Derecho Histórico español hasta finalmente alcanzar su realidad jurídica durante los siglos XIX, XX y XXI.
Actuaciones procesales de la mujer en Roma. Prohibición edictal y literatura jurídica
Authors: Mollá Nebot Asunción Sonia
Published: April 2020

La improcedencia moral de que las mujeres usen de la palabra en el ámbito público, que se refiere a los lugares de espacio relevante como es el forum o intervengan en actos jurídicos formales, especialmente los solemnia verba, no impide que pueda intervenir procesalmente en defensa de asuntos propios y ajenos, aunque esta postulatio se traten de virilibus officiis. De esta forma la intervención de la mujer en la defensa de asuntos propios y ajenos aparece como algo poco común pero no prohibido hasta finales de la república. Un edicto de la primera mitad del s. I a. C, introduce el impedimento general de que intervenga la mujer en los procesos ajenos. La contradictoria afirmación que prohíbe a la mujer la postulatio porque se trata de virilibus officiis, pero se permite cuando sean procesos atinentes a los intereses de la mujer.
Extinciones individuales del contrato de trabajo en empresas en concurso, preconcurso y concurso sobrevenido
Authors: Olmos Par´és Isabel
Published: April 2020

La compatibilidad entre la extinción individual del contrato de trabajo, al amparo de la acción que el art. 50 1º b) del Estatuto de los Trabajadores (ET) concede a los trabajadores y el concurso de acreedores (o el preconcurso), o cuando sobreviene el concurso, es una cuestión compleja, dada la solución arbitrada por la ley concursal de convertirla en una extinción de tipo colectivo, con la consiguiente pérdida de competen-cia del juez social en favor del juez mercantil. Las diversas soluciones e interpretaciones a los problemas que sobre esta cuestión se vienen planteando en los tribunales es el ob-jeto fundamental de este trabajo.
La realidad jurídica y política en los sistemas democrático representativos
Authors: Séptimo Rodríguez Enrique
Published: April 2020

El presente artículo pretende realizar una reflexión sobre la realidad jurídica y política que se vive en los Estados con sistema democrático representativo, motivo por el cual, se efectúa un estudio teórico de conceptos fundamentales, desde el origen y evolución de la democracia, hasta abordar conceptos inherentes a ella, como libertad, pueblo, soberanía y representación. Lo anterior, con el fin último de poder circunscribir la problemática que se genera en torno a las diferencias existentes entre lo jurídico y lo político. Todo lo anterior fundado en la premisa de que la única forma de alcanzar la libertad e igualdad es a través de la Democracia Constitucional
CARRILLO DEL TESO, A.E., Decomiso y recuperación de activos en el sistema penal español, Tirant Lo Blanch, Valencia, 2018, 374 pp.
Authors: Neira Pena Ana María
Published: April 2020

El presente trabajo tiene por objeto recensionar la obra de la Doctora Carrillo del Teso titulada "Decomiso y recuperación de activos en el sistema penal español". En esta obra, fruto del trabajo de tesis doctoral de la autora, se tratan de manera brillante cuestiones tales como la estrategia internacional y supranacional en materia de decomiso, el concepto de decomiso, su naturaleza jurídica, las distintas formas de decomiso y el procedimiento de decomiso autónomo. Finaliza la obra con una lectura constitucional de la institución del decomiso, en la que se somete la regulación al tamiz de las garantías y los derechos fundamentales, perspectiva garantista que, por otra parte, inunda la obra en su conjunto.
Effects of Age and Sex of The Foal on The Gestation Length of Thoroughbred Mares
Authors: MİLOJEVİC Milena , STRETEN Mitrovic , AYAŞAN Tugay , ZDRALİC Tatjana , DJERMANOVİC Vladan
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of age and sex of the foal on the gestation length of thoroughbred mares. The study covered six stallions (of average age of 10.25 years) and 34 mares (of average age of 10.51 years) with descent records (pedigree), English Thoroughbred horses raised and actively used for breeding at a study farm called Ljubičevo, located in Serbia. The following average morphological body measures were established: body weight (473.10 kg), withers height (159.55 cm), body length (160.54 cm), chest circumference (188.00 cm), and tibia circumference (19.21 cm) were found to be within the scope of standard measures for this breed and particular ages e.g. 9 to 15. The average gestation length, regardless of the sex of the foal, was 336.57 days. The gestation of mares carrying male foals was somewhat longer (337.70 days) than of mares carrying female foals (335.80 days). The difference (1.90 days) in gestation length was not statistically significant (P>0.05). A weak positive correlation (rp=0.321) was observed between the age of the mare and the gestation length (regardless of foal sex). Additionally, a medium correlation (rp=0.444) was observed between the mare's age and the gestation length in the case of male foals, and a very weak correlation (rp=0.210) in the case of female foals.
Emperical Study about Fears and Misconceptions of Aids and Hepatitis among Medical Students
Authors: Ghafoor Ammarah , Khan Adeel Ahmad
Published: April 2020

Background: A number of evaluations regarding awareness among people about modes of transmission, sources of transmission and vaccination against HBV, HCV and HIV have been carried out but very few of them have specifically focused medical students. This study reflects the degree of awareness of 3rd year MBBS students on these issues and their vaccination status. It also depicts whether medical students are afraid of examining patients afflicted with these diseases or not.

Objectives: To determine the knowledge of medical students about various aspects of HBV, HCV and HIV.

Methodology: This is an observational cross-sectional study with prospective data, done through a questionnaire survey on 130 3rd year M.B.B.S students.

Results: Knowledge of students about modes of transmission of HBV, HCV and HIV: 28.4% complete/70.7% incomplete/ 0.007% no knowledge

Fear among students for examination of patients with HBV, HIV and HCV: 40% afraid/60% not afraid

Knowledge of students about availability of vaccination against HBV, HCV and HIV: HBV : 7%     HCV: 42.3%       HIV:   16.9%

Vaccination status of students against HBV: 81.5% vaccinated/19.5% not vaccinated

Conclusion: The percentage of students having complete knowledge about these diseases is lower than that is expected.
Antibacterial Effects of Ocimum Sanctum L Leaves, Flowers and Shoots against Bacillus spp from Soil
Authors: Islam Md. Azizul , Azad Md. Abul Kalam , Karim Md. Rezaul , Biswas Sudhangsu Kumar , Rahmam Md. Mostafizur , Rahman Md. Mafizur
Published: April 2020

In this study, the antibacterial activity of various organic solvent extracts of Ocimum sanctum L leaves, flowers and shoots was determined in vitro using agar diffusion method and MIC tested against the isolated soil bacteria. The identified bacteria were Paenibacillussp. L32, Paenibacillussp. BF38, Bacillus megaterium, Terribacillussp. 3LF, Bacillus simplex and Bacillus cereus. Various organic extracts of Ocimum sanctum L revealed a good antibacterial activity against about all bacteria. Results showed that the best extract was methanol because highest inhibition zone were obtained by this extract and all studied bacteria were inhibited. At a concentration of 500 µg/disc, the highest microbial inhibition was found 19.2±.76 mm against Bacillus simplex for methanol extract, 15.7±0.58 mm on Terribacillus sp. 3LF for ethanol extract of flower, 14.0±2.0 mm on Terribacillus sp. 3LF for ethanol extract of leaves, 13.34±0.58 mm on Bacillus megaterium for n-hexane extract and 11.7±0.6 mm on Terribacillus sp. 3LF for chloroform extract, respectively and MIC (64, 128, 256 and 512 µg/ml, respectively). Most of the cases, antibacterial activity with commercial antibiotics such as amoxicillin and erythromycin, organic extracts exhibited similar or higher antibacterial activity than standard drug. The results of this study suggest that the organic extracts of Ocimum sanctum L leaves can be a source of natural antimicrobial agents with potential applications.