bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual functioning in females with depression in remission receiving escitalopram
Authors: Roy Pritha , Gupta Bandna , Tripathi Adarsh , Nischal Anil , Dalal Pronob Kumar , Kar Sujita Kumar
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:

Sexual functioning is a strong determinant of quality of life. Sexual dysfunction has been widely reported due to depressive disorder as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Thus, treatment with antidepressants can culminate in a double-edged sword, leading to drug discontinuation and symptom relapse. The objective of this study was to assess the sexual functioning of sexually active females with depression, currently in remission, receiving escitalopram and to compare with healthy controls.

Methods:

Fifty female patients with depression, currently in remission, with self-reported normal pre-morbid sexual function and receiving escitalopram for at least three months, were assessed on female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire and compared with healthy controls.

Results:

Half of the patients (n=25, 50%) in group A were found to have sexual dysfunction (FSFI score <26.55), while, 90 per cent (n=45) had decreased desire, 86 per cent (n=43) had decreased arousal, 54 per cent (n=27) had decreased lubrication, 68 per cent (n=34) had decreased orgasm, 62 per cent (n=31) had decreased satisfaction and 32 per cent (n=16) had pain during sexual activity. Patients receiving escitalopram had significantly higher sexual dysfunction as compared to healthy controls in mean total FSFI score (P<0.001) and all mean domain scores of FSFI except pain.

Interpretation & conclusions:

A significant proportion of sexually active females with depression currently in remission, receiving escitalopram, reported dysfunction in all domains of sexual function; thus, routine screening for sexual dysfunction during follow up is advisable for early identification and prompt treatment.
In vitro comparison of the cytotoxic effects of statins on U266 myeloma cell line
Authors: Terzi Hatice , Altun Ahmet , Şencan Mehmet
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:

Statins are one of the most widely used drugs and have antilipidemic effects as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic effects. It has been shown that the synergistic combinations of statins which can provide better clinical benefit in the treatment of cancer and if administered with other anticancer agents, may be an alternative treatment modality. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of administrating statin in multiple myeloma (MM) cell line on cell proliferation.

Methods:

U266 myeloma cells were cultured in 25 or 75 cm2 flasks by using cell culture medium mixtures obtained with the supplementation of 10 per cent foetal bovine serum and one per cent of penicillin-streptomycin into RPMI 1640 medium. When the cells reached confluence (reached to the density of 70%), they were reproduced by passaging. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by using the XTT test.

Results:

Statins (atorvastatin and simvastatin), were administered to the U266 myeloma cell line at 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12 μM concentrations. Inhibitor concentration 50 (IC50) values calculated for atorvastatin and simvastatin were determined as 94 and 38 μM, respectively. While 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12 μM concentrations were used for bortezomib, the IC50 value calculated for this agent was 18.2 nM. When six concentrations of bortezomib used in the study were combined with 12.5 μM inactive concentrations of statins that did not cause inhibition in cell proliferation, both atorvastatin and simvastatin increased the effect of bortezomib at all the concentrations used, and simvastatin showed a stronger efficacy than atorvastatin.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our in vitro results indicated that atorvastatin and simvastatin when used along with the conventional treatment in myeloma patients, may improve the effectiveness of the standard therapy and prevent the bortezomib-induced cytotoxic and neurotoxic side effects when used at a low dose. Further studies need to be done in MM patints to confirm these findings.
Autopsy-based morphometric study of coronary atherosclerosis in young adults
Authors: Thiripurasundari R. , Sreekumari K. , Aravindan K.P.
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:

The burden of cardiovascular diseases is high in Kerala, India, and a considerable proportion of these occur in young people. The objective of this study was to estimate the severity of atherosclerosis in autopsies done for accidental and suicidal deaths in victims below 40 yr of age.

Methods:

Coronary arteries from 77 autopsies done for unnatural deaths in a population below 40 yr were graded, and the degree of stenosis, intimal thickness index (ITI) and the intima-media ratio (IMR) were measured.

Results:

There were 65 males and 12 females in the sample. The American Heart Association (AHA) type 3-6 (pathological intimal thickening) was seen in 55.4 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 42.5-67.7%] of males and 25 per cent (95% CI: 5.5-57.2%) of females and advanced lesions (type 4-6) in 44.6 per cent (95% CI: 32.3-57.5%) of males and 8.3 per cent (95% CI: 0.2-38.5%) of females. Types 5 or 6 lesions were seen in 32.2 per cent (95% CI: 21.2-45.1%) of males. The mean stenosis was 57.3 per cent in males and 40.6 per cent in females. More than 40 per cent stenosis was seen in 76.6 per cent cases, more than 50 per cent in 54.5 per cent cases and more than 75 per cent stenosis in 14.3 per of the sample. The mean ITI (MIT) was 1.85 and the mean IMR was 4.11. The degree of stenosis, MIT and IMR were significantly associated with male sex, overweight and smoking.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Morphometric data showed that the degree of atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary arteries in young non-diseased population was high. It portends a danger to the community unless preventive measures are taken up.
Effects of Vitamin E on the immune system and tumor growth during radiotherapy
Authors: Gu Yeun-Hwa , Kang Ki-Mun , Yamashita Takenori , Song Jin Ho
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Vitamin E (VE) on the immune system and tumor growth during radiotherapy (RT) in mice model.

Methods:

C57BL/6NCrSlc mice were randomly distributed in four groups (control, VE alone, RT alone, and VE + RT). In the VE and VE + RT groups, VE was administered in the diet at 500 mg/kg. Radiation was delivered at 2 Gy in a single fraction on the whole body or at 6 Gy in three fractions locally in the RT and VE + RT groups. Changes in leukocytes and T lymphocytes were counted and compared between the four groups. To evaluate the effects on tumor growth, Ehrlich carcinoma cells were injected into the thighs of mice, and tumor volumes and growth inhibition rates were compared.

Results:

The number of leukocytes was increased in the VE group compared with that in the control group. The magnitude of leukocyte recovery after RT was also increased by VE. This change was affected largely by alterations in lymphocytes and monocytes rather than that in granulocytes. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were positively affected by VE. The tumor growth was inhibited not only by RT but also by VE alone. If RT was delivered with VE, tumor growth was markedly inhibited.

Conclusion:

VE could increase the number of leukocytes, primarily lymphocytes, even after RT was delivered. VE also inhibited the tumor growth in addition to RT. Thus, VE may be a useful radioprotective supplement in radiotherapy without inducing tumor growth.
Ideals of the Quantum Group Algebra, Arens Regularity and Weakly Compact Multipliers
Authors: Nemati Mehdi , Rajaei Rizi Maryam
Published: January 2020

Let $\mathbb{G}$ be a locally compact quantum group and let $I$ be a closed ideal of $L^{1}(\mathbb{G})$ with $y|_{I}\neq 0$ for some $y\in \text{sp}(L^{1}(\mathbb{G}))$. In this paper, we give a characterization for compactness of $\mathbb{G}$ in terms of the existence of a weakly compact left or right multiplier $T$ on $I$ with $T(f)(y|_{I})\neq 0$ for some $f\in I$. Using this, we prove that $I$ is an ideal in its second dual if and only if $\mathbb{G}$ is compact. We also study Arens regularity of $I$ whenever it has a bounded left approximate identity. Finally, we obtain some characterizations for amenability of $\mathbb{G}$ in terms of the existence of some $I$-module homomorphisms on $I^{\ast \ast }$ and on $I^{\ast }$.
Geochemistry and Radioactivity of Mineralized Pegmatite
from Abu Rusheid Area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Ablah Ahmad Ragab Ablah Ahmad Ragab
Published: January 2020

The mineralized pegmatite of Abu-Rusheid area, S. Eastern
Desert, has quartz core and feldspars and mica margins. This
pegamtite was analyzed by the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass
Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the content of the major and
trace elements including the rare earth elements (REE). The
mineralized pegmatite vein trends NNW-SSE with dip of about 10-
30° due WSW. It is emplaced parallel to foliation and banding of the
cataclastic country rocks. The studied pegmatite is classified as rare
metals-enriched and shows a zonal distribution from the barren core to
the mineralized wall-zone in the metals; Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Th, U, Y and
Ga. The main carriers of the trace metals are zircon, rutile, columbitetantalite, samarskite and other REE and Th-U minerals. Cassiterite,
chlorite, deep violet fluorite, calcite, goethite, hematite, pyrite,
magnetite, zinnwaldite, and phlogobite, are the main accessory
minerals. The studied pegmatite is highly differentiated, NYF-type
and characterized by high FeO/MgO ratio with high concentration of
Nb, Y, Zr, Th, U, REE (except Eu), and Ga. It is derived from Fenriched proterozoic crustal source depleted in Cs, B and P. The rock
is peraluminous and highly fractionated and had been affected by
hydrothermal alteration. The pegmatite displays clear M-type tetrad
effect of the REE. The calculated tetrad effect in the pegmatite of
Abu-Rusheid demonstrates clear tendency towards the ratios of the
common isovalents such as Zr/Hf, Nb/Ta and Y/Ho. However, the
tetrad effect seems not to be mutual with the content of Na2O and
Rb/Sr. The absence of coherence between tetrad effect and soda
content may indicate insignificant role of the Na-metasomatism in
developing the tetrad effect. The pegmatite has a prominent negative
Eu anomaly and excessively low K/Rb ratio. The radioactivity of the
studied pegmatite is related to a) uranium mineral (autunite), b)
thorium minerals (thorite, thorianite and uranothorite) and c)
Development and Operation Result of Japanese Accent Perception Test Based on E-learning System
Authors: KIM Yu Young
Published: January 2020

Main purpose of this study is to find and build a model of Japanese accent perception practice at Japanese lessons in regular classrooms and those based on utilization of network and multimedia. Until now, Japanese phonetic researchers and teachers had to spend a disproportionate amount of time and effort to conduct experiments or test, and to develop the means to process resulting data of the experiments conducted. With the proposed [AJ-phonetic Test] system, accent tests are conducted online. In this respect, Japanese learners can take part in the phonetics experiment in a time and location convenient to them. Also, researchers and teachers can work on the obtained data by using the database available. Moreover, AJ-phonetic test feedbacks provide not only test results but also a more comprehensive data analysis. Results of the 12-year operation of AJ-phonetic test in Korea proved to have a positive effect on students as well as teachers. This paper present general guidelines necessary to conduct the AJ-phonetic test. Firstly, in case of Korean learners of Japanese, a separate set of words accentless pitch and those with accent pitch is needed because the two sets present different difficulty levels for a learner. Secondly, as the number of moras in a word affects the difficulty, we introduced dummy words, which proved successful in controling the level of difficulty and increasing learning effect. Besides, dummy words worked well as a substitute for low tone (frequency) long words as well for long words in general. Thirdly, since there are only few cases with a distinctive long-short opposition in Korean, Korean learners of Japanese have difficulties recognizing accents in words with special moras. Such words therefore need special attention. Finally, the ability of Korean learners of Japanese to recognize accent in Japanese words differs based of the learners’ native dialects. Best results were obtained by learners from the Jeonla-do region, followed by those from Gyeongsang-do region, while learners from Seoul had most difficulties in recognizing the accent. From all the above findings we conclude that Japanese accent education is highly necessary, and that in the process of education, both Japanese accent characteristics as well as learners’ native dialects should be considered.
Orthoepic Competence Descriptors in Japanese Language Education: CEFR Levels B1 to C2
Authors: ITO Hideaki
Published: January 2020

The Council of Europe’s 2001 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) has shown rapid global adoption, and now includes Japanese language education though it primarily aimed at alphabetically transcribed languages. It basically acknowledges that orthoepic competence relates to comprehension of characters yet does not indicate descriptors. Descriptors examining A1 and A2 levels, using altered techniques, have already been set. In this paper, I re-examine descriptors for levels B1 to C2, which have not yet been attempted, and combine them with the results for levels A1 and A2 to present descriptors for levels A1 to C2 in overall.
Results of European Union Cohesion Policy in Terms of Quality of Life Improvement on a Regional Level (as Exemplified by Eastern Poland)
Authors: Miś Teresa , Zając Dariusz
Published: January 2020

The aim of the article is to evaluate the significance of the European Union funds supporting the cohesion policy, which the Eastern Polish local governments benefit from in order to improve their residents’ quality of life. Empirical data used in the research concerns five provinces located in Eastern Poland and the research data comes from the sources of the Polish Main Statistical Office in Warsaw. The temporal scope of the study encompasses the period 2004-2018. The choice of the spatial scope of the research is justified by the peripheral location of Eastern Poland, as well as the fact that this region benefits from the EU Programme financially supporting local government units. The article elaborates on the use of the EU funds aiming to enhance the cohesion policy performed by local governments of Eastern Poland and the residents’ opinion on the improvement of their quality of life. The research proves that the provinces of Eastern Poland are particularly qualified to gain financial funding from the European Union due to their lower level of Gross Domestic Product per capita compared to the country as a whole. According to the residents of Eastern Poland, their quality of life has improved and can be treated as comparable to the country’s average, even though slightly worse. The research confirms the elaboration’s hypothesis that the use of the EU funds by the local governments in Eastern Poland results in the increased country cohesion measured by the improvement of residents’ quality of life. This, in turn, constitutes a vital outcome of the European Union cohesion policy.
Assessing the Effects of Financial Sources on the Fiscal Soundness of Local Government: With a Focus on Special Grants and Non-Tax Revenue
Authors: Kim Jungsook , Park Nara
Published: January 2020

The fiscal soundness of local governments has been of great interest to both scholars and practitioners. This study explored how special grants and non-tax revenue affected the financial stability of Korean local governments in the five-year period between 2009 and 2013. Panel regression found that special grants reduced fiscal soundness, which was measured as the debt ratio and financial independence of the local governments in this study. In addition, as the non-tax revenue in absolute terms increased, financial independence initially decreased before rising again at a certain point in time. We also classified local governments into three groups (low, medium, high) in terms of their debt ratios and financial independence. Special grants and non-tax revenue had a significant yet differential influence on the fiscal soundness of local governments depending on the level of financial independence, while general grants did not have statistically significant effects on local governments with either low debt ratio or low financial independence.
Use of the ABC Curve in Medicine Line Balancing: A Case Study at a Brazilian Pharmaceutical Distribution Center
Authors: Oliveira N.P. , Prado D.G.O. , Jesus R.H.G.
Published: January 2020

Within the logistics, especially in distribution centers, there is still use of manual activities, with great possibility of gaining productivity. This work aims to improve efficiency in the supply and separation stages by balancing drug lines using the ABC classification. For this, a case study was carried out in a large Brazilian retail pharmaceutical network, in which products of higher output were relocated in more strategic areas. Ergonomic gains, reduction of required manpower, greater assertiveness, and savings of two hours of work (25%) were the main results achieved. The study also made it possible to disseminate an accessible, automated and effective tool for line balancing on large scale inventories.
Representações do aprender línguas em narrativas visuais: o que mostram as imagens de sites de escolas de inglês
Authors: Da Silva Renato Caixeta
Published: January 2020

This article is about the discourse on learning languages construed and transmitted by images in websites of private schools specialized in foreign languages teaching, evidencing the representations construed by these establishments to society. The argument favors the consideration of images in language studies, and the theoretical basis adopted includes the socio-semiotic approach to language, the Grammar of Visual Design, and the concept of social representation. The corpus analysis evidences the representation of the learning in optimal conditions of comfort, homogeneity, with the presence of resources and diverse instruments, in which the student is an agent of processes related to linguistic reception. It is concluded that these visual narratives contribute to the idea widely spread in society that the ideal language learning  happens in private specialized schools and is reserved for few people.
Affordances na interação online de aprendizes de inglês na modalidade Educação a Distância
Authors: Turolo da Silva Andreia
Published: January 2020

The main objective of this research was to describe the mechanisms for engagement with affordances that help to sustain written interpersonal interactions of students in online discussion forums of a virtual learning environment while they were learning English as a foreign language. The notion of affordance was discussed in this study according to three dimensions: (i) environmental, (ii) technological, and (iii) linguistic, associating a pragmatic theory to the latter (GREENO, 1994; VAN LIER, 2000; LAMY & HAMPEL, 2007). The research findings showed that the environmental and technological affordances contributed to the construction of students’ presence as well as of a learning community. New forms of online interactions afforded new forms of language learning, especially by the movement of relexicalization and gap-filling.
Apresentando o copa-trad versão 2.0 um sistema com base em corpus paralelo para pesquisa, ensino e prática da tradução
Authors: Silva Carlos Eduardo , Fernandes Lincoln
Published: January 2020

This paper describes COPA-TRAD Version 2.0, a parallel corpus-based system developed at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) for translation research, teaching and practice. COPA-TRAD enables the user to investigate the practices of professional translators by identifying translational patterns related to a particular element or linguistic pattern. In addition, the system allows for the comparison between human translation and automatic translation provided by three well-known machine translation systems available on the Internet (Google Translate, Microsoft Translator and Yandex). Currently, COPA-TRAD incorporates five subcorpora (Children's Literature, Literary Texts, Meta-Discourse in Translation, Subtitles and Legal Texts) and provides the following tools: parallel concordancer, monolingual concordancer, wordlist and a DIY Tool that enables the user to create his own parallel disposable corpus. The system also provides a POS-tagging tool interface to analyze and classify the parts of speech of a text.
Retrieving L2 word stress from orthography: Evidence from word naming and cross-modal priming
Authors: Post da Silveira Amanda
Published: January 2020

In this paper we investigated how L1 word stress affects L2 word naming for cognates and non-cognates in two lexical stress languages, Brazilian Portuguese (BP, L1) and American English (AE, L2). In Experiment 1,  BP-AE bilinguals named a mixed list of disyllabic moderate frequency words in L1 (Portuguese) and L2 (English). In Experiment 2, Portuguese-English bilinguals named English (L2) disyllabic target words presented simultaneously with auditory Portuguese (L1) disyllabic primes. It is concluded that word stress has a task-dependent role to play in bilingual word naming and must be incorporated in bilingual models of lexical production and lexical perception and reading aloud models.
Maternal undernutrition during lactation leads to reduction in skull size and thickness of adult-aged Wistar rats
Authors: Pires Lucas , Junior Albino , Chagas Carlos , Manaia Jorge , Gameiro Vinicius , Babinski Marcio
Published: January 2020

Introduction

It is known that the quality and quantity of milk is directly related to the dietary habits of the mother. Despite that, the rates of maternal malnutrition during lactation are increasing in several countries; thus, observing its effects on the offspring is relevant. The present study aims to verify the effects of maternal malnutrition during breastfeeding on the skulls of adult-aged Wistar rats.

Material and methods

Thirty-six newborn rats were divided in three groups: the control group, in which the mother received a regular commercial diet containing 23% protein in unlimited amounts; the protein-energy restriction group, in which the dam received a commercial diet containing 8% protein in unlimited amounts; the energy restricted group, in which the dam received a commercial diet containing 23% of protein in limited amounts. After weaning, all rats received the same diet as the control group until 180 days of age. Then, the rats were euthanized, and their crania were excised and measured in radiographic images. Afterwards, their skull was decalcified with nitric acid (5%) and histological samples were obtained and the thickness of the diploe was verified. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA followed by the Newman-Keuls test were performed for comparison purposes.

Results

It was observed that the skull from the protein-energy restriction and energy-restriction groups was smaller and thinner than that of the control group in several parameters.

Conclusions

Maternal malnutrition during the lactation period caused long-term effects in skull morphology of Wistar rats. These effects could not be reversed after regulation of the diet.
Genetic variant of SPARC gene and its association with growth traits in Chinese cattle
Authors: Zhang Danyang , Xu Jiawei , Yang Peng , Wen Yifan , He Hua , Li Jiaxiao , Liang Juntong , Zheng Yining , Zhang Zijing , Wang Xianwei , Yu Xiang , Wang Eryao , Lei Chuzhao , Chen Hong , Huang Yongzhen
Published: January 2020

Abstract. SPARC is a cysteine-rich acidic secreted protein. It is a non-collagen component
of bone, which is widely distributed in humans and animals and plays an
important role. SPARC has been found in a variety of human cancers (breast
cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.) and diabetes-related research.
Especially the muscle and fat metabolism are closely related. In this study,
we used a DNA pool to detect a new SNP site (g.12454T > C). A
total of 616 samples of four breeds of Qinchuan cattle (QC, n=176), Xianan
cattle (XN, n=160), Pinan cattle (PN, n=136) and Jiaxian cattle (JX,
n=144) were analyzed and identified with ARMS-PCR. In addition, we
correlated SNP with growth traits and showed significant correlation with
growth traits such as rump length, hip width, and body length (p<0.05). Moreover, we tested the SPARC gene expression level in different tissues
belonging to XN adult cattle (n=3) and found its high expression in muscle
tissues (relative to the kidney). Further, we found the SNP is able to increase
the SPARC expression level in skeletal muscle (n=12). According to statistical
data, this SNP site may be applied to a molecular marker of an early
marker-assisted selection for early growth of beef cattle.
Quality of care transition and its association with hospital readmission
Authors: Weber Luciana Andressa Feil , Lima Maria Alice Dias da Silva , Marques Acosta Aline
Published: January 2020

Objective: To evaluate the quality of care transition for patients with chronic diseases and to verify its association with hospital readmission within 30 days after discharge. Method: Cross-sectional epidemiological study of 210 patients with chronic diseases discharged from a hospital in southern Brazil. The Care Transition Measure-15 (CTM-15) instrument was used, through a telephone contact and, in order to identify readmissions within 30 days, the hospital management system was consulted. Student’s t-tests analysis of variance and nonparametric Pearson or Spearman correlation tests were performed. Results: CTM-15 score was 74.7 (± 17.1). No significant association was found between the quality of care transition and hospital readmission. 12.3 % of the patients were readmitted, and 46.2 % of these readmissions were to the emergency service. Conclusions: The quality of the care transition for chronic patients from inpatient units to home, showed a satisfactory score. However, there was no association between the quality of care transition and hospital readmission within 30 days after discharge.
Controlled-Release Fertiliser and Substrates on Seedling Growth and Quality in Agonandra brasiliensis in Roraima
Authors: Souza Aline das Graças , Smiderle Oscar José , Montenegro Raiovane Araújo , Moriyama Thiago Komuro , Dias Thiago Jardelino
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of different substrates, in the presence and absence of controlled-release fertiliser, on the growth and morphological quality of seedlings of Agonandra brasiliensis Miers ex Benth. & Hook.f., in the state of Roraima, Brazil. The experimental design was a 2 * 5 factorial scheme, with and without the addition of 1.0 g L-1 NPK 18-05-09 formulation controlled-release encapsulated fertiliser (Forth CoteR) and five substrates. The following were evaluated: shoot height (H), collar diameter (CD), increase in shoot length (IncH) and collar diameter (IncCD), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), total dry weight (TDW) and Dickson quality index (DQI). The use of NPK 18-05-09 formulation controlled-release fertiliser (Forth CoteR) in a medium-sand substrate is recommended for obtaining plants of Agonandra brasiliensis of greater robustness, balance of biomass distribution, and a high standard of quality. In the substrate composed of soil from the cerrado + carbonised rice husks - CRH + organic substrate (2:1:1), the addition of NPK 18-05-09 formulation Forth CoteR is not necessary to obtain Agonandra brasiliensis plants of good morphological quality. Substrate 3, composed of soil + CRH (3:1), with or without the addition of NPK 18-05-09 formulation Forth CoteR, is not recommended for producing plants of Agonandra brasiliensis, due to the slow development and reduced morphological quality of the plants.
Solitary pancreatic metastasis from a primary breast carcinoma: A case report
Authors: E Arcilla Crisostomo , Paolo A Zamora Hector , R Perez Anthony
Published: January 2020

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women. Common sites of metastatic involvement of breast cancer, in order of frequency, are bone, lung, pleura, soft tissues, and liver. Isolated metastasis to the pancreas from a primary breast cancer is a rare occurrence. Presented herein is a case of a 55-year-old female patient postmastectomy for breast carcinoma who developed signs and symptoms of obstructive jaundice secondary to a pancreatic head mass. It was documented to be metastatic from the primary breast cancer and was managed surgically to relieve the biliary obstruction.
Una aproximación a la medición en ambientes de aprendizajes inclusivos. Editorial
Authors: García Soto Yorlenis Lilibeth
Published: January 2020

La Revista Electrónica de Conocimientos, Saberes y Prácticas es una publicación interdisciplinaria de carácter científico y tecnológico en el ámbito de la educación. La revista es un espacio de difusión y publicación de trabajos de investigación, experiencias de innovación, reflexión educativa y reseña de libros relacionado con la educación en su vertiente más amplia, extendiendo su cobertura a profesionales de otras disciplinas afines. En este sentido, una aproximación a la medición en ambientes de aprendizajes inclusivos es una publicación que presenta resultados de investigación relacionado con la educación, felicidad, afectividad, matemáticas y la medición.
Radioactive Decay as A Second-Order Kinetics Transformation Process. Consequences on Radiometric Dating
Authors: Cavazzini Giancarlo
Published: January 2020

Arguments suggest and recent analysis of experimental work confirm that the current interpretation of the transformation process we call ‘radioactive decay’ should be revised. The characteristics of this process are better accounted for by re-interpreting it in terms of second-order kinetics. Therefore, the atomic systems of nuclides we observe decay are ‘radio-activated’, and not, as hitherto believed, ‘radio-active’. According to this interpretation, the rate of decay of a radioactive nuclide is at any instant proportional to the concentration of the physical species that determines its activation. The analysis of λ of alfa- and beta-emitting nuclides show the dependence of these parameters from solar activity and distance. Therefore, if changes in the emission of energy from the sun occurred over time since the formation of a geological system, changes in the values of λ of the radioactive nuclides would also have occurred, and the calculated radiometric age of the system may differ from the true age. Implications on the science of dating geological samples using parent-daughter decay systematics are investigated.
The Aftermath of the Tariff War on China
Authors: Bitar Nicholas
Published: January 2020

Will the US sustain its economy after the tariff war with China, or will the economy regress? This paper offers a conceptual framework, based on the tenets of New-Keynesian theory, to answer this question. I anticipate that the tariff will have a positive effect on the GDP of the US economy in the short run while prices will rise. When adding the most recent reforms of interest cut by the Fed to 1.75% in September (2019) the model concludes a better outcome. Followed by an expansionary monetary policy by reducing the interest rate, the aftermath of the tariff war on China seems to have a positive impact on the US income and productivity. Obviously, some critics to the Trump Administration indeed shed light on the curtailed global and US social welfare that is caused by the inflationary effect of the tariff war, in addition to the deteriorating conditions for some trading sectors in the US which would certainly lead to unemployment. But the benefits to the US economy that are translated by the New-Keynesian theoretical framework show a positive impact on US production, employment, and GDP.
Critical Particulate Contaminant(s) Generated during Arc Welding on Aluminum Alloys
Authors: McManus Thomas Neil , Haddad Assed N.
Published: January 2020

Assessing exposure to particulate emissions during arc welding is an important consideration in assuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This study examined welding emissions during argon-shielded GMAW (MIG welding) processes involving aluminum alloys in a shipbuilding environment using traditional methods of air sampling (portable pumps and closed-face cassettes containing PVC filters.) Current requirements for exposure determination (inhalable, respirable and total particulates) necessitate three simultaneous samples, a very onerous imposition on worker safety and comfort. Application of a conversion factor published in the literature can considerably simplify this situation through use of a single sampler, the conventional closed face cassette. This approach provides a first-level means of evaluation and is especially useful where exposure levels are low compared to regulatory Exposure Limits. Assessment of exposure to chromium, magnesium and manganese may require additional consideration because of the necessity for simultaneous evaluation against TLVs for inhalable and respirable particulates and different oxidation states. Results strongly suggest that beryllium and/or chromium VI and possibly manganese dominate consideration about exposure and control measures (Critical Particulate Contaminant). This results from the difficulty of analysis created by the combination of extremely small Exposure Limits, presence of these elements in the alloy in trace to very small quantities and uncertainty associated with detectability in standard air samples. Resolving this question requires collection and analysis of bulk quantities of welding fume to improve the mathematics associated with detectability. Determination of the Critical Particulate Contaminant considerably simplifies future evaluation and focuses follow-up action in the appropriate direction.
Measuring Operational Efficiency of Foreign Branches of Bangladeshi Banks as Financial Intermediary
Authors: Akter Asmina
Published: January 2020

In this study an Output-oriented DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) model is used to measure operational efficiency of foreign branches of Bangladeshi banks as financial intermediary organization for borrowing funds from savers and lending those funds to others for making profit. Among 58 Bangladeshi banks there are only three Bangladeshi banks which have in total seven foreign branches in different foreign locations. A branch of bank can’t be separated legally from its parent company and supervised by its home authorities as part of supervision of the banking group as a whole. By employing DEA model and using “Financial Intermediary Approach” this study found that as a financial intermediary organization between savers and borrowers these foreign branches of Bangladeshi banks are performing efficiently over the years. Among three banks Janata Bank Limited and AB Bank limited are performing most efficiently and Sonali Bank Limited is performing less efficiently relative to two other banks in operating their foreign branches as a financial intermediary organization for borrowing funds from savers and lending those funds to others for making profit.
The Influence of Geographical Coverage on the Microfinance Sustainability and Outreach in Northern Ghana
Authors: Salifu Issahaku
Published: January 2020

The study examined for statistically significant relationship between geographical coverage of microfinance institutions and sustainability and outreach from the view point of managers and operational staff in northern Ghana. Structured questionnaire was used in collecting data. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 181 managers and operational staff of 18 microfinance institutions. The study used primary data. In selecting the respondents for this research paper, purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed. The questionnaire was personally administered by the researcher. The study was conducted to ethical standards and respondents were made aware that participating in the study was voluntary. Data collected was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation and descriptive statistics. The research uncovered a statistically significant positive relationship between geographical coverage and sustainability and outreach in northern Ghana using Spearman’s correlation. In addition, the use of descriptive statistics showed that geographical coverage of microfinance institution influenced its sustainability and outreach with particular reference to the number of clients served, location of offices or branches, and scope of coverage. This study adds to the literature on geographical coverage and microfinance sustainability and outreach in the context of northern Ghana. This study is limited to only northern Ghana and not Ghana in its entirety.
Empirical Research on the Investment Performance of Information and Communication Technology in China
Authors: Qiying Wei
Published: January 2020

The continuous development of the new-generation Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has drawn increased focus and investment from China. However, will China’s investment in the ICT bring a long-term positive impact on China’s economic growth? Will such impact be changed by any external factors? These questions bear strong significance for the academic cycle and require urgent solutions. Given such concerns, the paper introduced a partial dynamic adjustment model and selected the panel data of China from 2001 to 2016 to study how China’s investment in ICT affected its economic performance. The study found that such investment has significantly promoted the economic growth of China with gradually shortened gap between physical capital and the ICT investment, while human capital still played a vital role in economic growth; there is a mutual and harmonious influence between macrovariable and the speed of adjustment, and only their effective combination can improve economic performance to the maximum extent.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Food Research, Vol. 9 No. 1
Authors: Dong Bella
Published: January 2020

Journal of Food Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated.

Journal of Food Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please contact us for the application form at: jfr@ccsenet.org

Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 1

Amira Mohamed Elkholy, Suez Canal University, Egypt

Antonella Santillo, University of Foggia, Italy

Bojana Filipcev, University of Novi Sad, Serbia

Cheryl Rosita Rock, California State University, United States

Corina-aurelia Zugravu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Romania

Diego A. Moreno-Fernández, CEBAS-CSIC, Spain

Jelena Dragisic Maksimovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Jintana Wiboonsirikul, Phetchaburi Rajabhat University, Thailand

Jose Maria Zubeldia, Gestión Sanitaria de Canarias – Gobierno de Canarias, Spain

Lenka Kourimska, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic

Lucy Mlipano Chove, Sokoine University Of Agriculture, Tanzania

Magdalena Polak-Berecka, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland

Shao Quan Liu, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Teodora E. Coldea, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Winny Routray, McGill University, Canada

Yong Yang, University of Maryland, USA
La competencia argumentativa como meta en contextos educativos. Revisión de la literatura
Authors: Guzmán-Cedillo Yunuen Ixchel , Flores Macías Rosa del Carmen
Published: January 2020

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el estatus de la investigación sobre la competencia argumentativa dentro del ámbito educativo. Para ello se consideran diferentes propuestas para su desarrollo, ya sea en forma oral o escrita, tanto en escenarios virtuales como mixtos o presenciales en diferentes áreas del conocimiento. El análisis se centra en setenta y tres investigaciones ubicadas en seis bases de datos donde se tomó en cuenta el año en que se realizó la investigación, el tipo de publicación, el nivel educativo en el que se llevó a cabo, la actividad o la situación educativa, el tipo de análisis reportado y el área de conocimiento. El período en que las investigaciones fueron realizadas abarca los años 2000 y 2016, y la mayor parte de textos tratados son artículos científicos (un 88%) que se concentran en la argumentación escrita (un 43%), utilizando el análisis cualitativo para evaluar los argumentos (un 41%), en escenarios presenciales (un 45%) de educación superior (un 50%), en su mayor parte en el área de humanidades y ciencias de la conducta (un 24%), con una presencia mínima en las áreas de ingenierías, medicina y fisicomatemáticas. A partir de esta revisión se reflexiona sobre la necesidad de implementar los hallazgos reportados en diferentes áreas de formación profesional, las posibilidades de desarrollar esta competencia en niveles educativos más tempranos y la instrumentación de la evaluación formativa, además del aprovechamiento de la potencialidad de las TIC.
Evolución de la competencia digital docente del profesorado universitario: incidentes críticos a partir de relatos de vida
Authors: Padilla-Hernández Angelina Lorelí , Gámiz-Sánchez Vanesa M.ª , Romero-López M.ª Asunción
Published: January 2020

Ante la necesidad de mejorar la competencia digital docente (CDD) del profesorado universitario, surge el interés por comprender esta competencia como un proceso dinámico y cualitativo. En el presente artículo se comparten resultados de investigación acerca de la evolución de la CDD en la trayectoria profesional de profesores universitarios de España y México. Desde una aproximación cualitativa y mediante el método biográfico-narrativo se realizó un conjunto de estudios de caso centrados en relatos de vida profesional. Se identificaron incidentes críticos para la adquisición y el desarrollo de la CDD por parte de los docentes participantes. Los incidentes estaban agrupados en cuatro conjuntos: antecedentes de uso de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC); selección y creación de contenidos para las asignaturas; exploración de recursos digitales para el aprendizaje y la docencia, y desarrollo de proyectos e iniciativas con TIC. Asimismo, se reconocieron aspectos transversales del desarrollo competencial: las reflexiones del profesorado, el tipo de cambios en el uso de TIC, las ayudas recibidas y las dificultades experimentadas. A partir de los hallazgos se propone un listado de categorías y de indicadores para comprender la CDD como evolución enfocada en el desarrollo profesional docente y también como una perspectiva complementaria para proyectos de diagnóstico y formación docente.
Qualificació en l’ús docent de la pissarra digital interactiva: desenvolupament d’una rúbrica per avaluar mestres
Authors: Domínguez García Santiago , Palau Martin Ramon
Published: January 2020

Aquest treball tracta de respondre la necessitat de poder avaluar les habilitats docents en l’ús de la pissarra digital interactiva (PDI) creant una nova eina: la rúbrica. La PDI és ja una realitat emergent a les aules i per aquest motiu cal avaluar si els mestres que l’empren tenen adquirides prou habilitats per utilitzar-la i per crear els recursos que calguin per treballar-hi. La investigació ha estat realitzada seguint la metodologia Educational Design Research, que marcarà els passos que seguirem durant el procés. La confecció de la rúbrica consta de diferents fases i els resultats obtinguts demostren que compleix l’objectiu pel qual ha estat creada: avaluar de forma completa i acurada l’ús docent de la PDI i la creació de recursos per a aquest tipus d’eina.
GRINDING TESTING OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Authors: BAIER Andrzej , ŻÓŁKIEWSKI Sławomir
Published: January 2020

Grinding testing is one of the most important tests of materials applied for contact with other elements. The subject matter is limited to grinding testing and this is only the beginning of complex testing of composite materials. In this article, the tested composite materials are epoxide and polyester laminates. The selected materials can be put into use in the wagon sides construction. This article includes a proposal for a laboratory stand for comparative grinding testing and presents sample test results.
DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO USE SENSORS AND SENSOR NETWORKS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES
Authors: ŁUKASIEWICZ Henryk
Published: January 2020

The use of sensors is the subject of research and heated discussions not only in our country. Through the creation of network centric warfare - NCW, the intensity of research about the use of sensors for military applications are on the increase. The use of sensors and sensor networks for the military forces must meet several requirements, which are not only related to their costs. These requirements are primarily associated with the reconnaissance possibilities of sensors, resistance to electromagnetic interference or with maintaining security of data transmission. This publication is the first from series of publications about sensors and sensors networks for military applications. Its purpose is to familiarize the reader with issues related to the construction of sensors as well as with the physical quantities measured by them.
RADIATION SITUATION OF RIVER WATER IN UPPER SILESIA - IMPACT OF COAL MINING
Authors: KULA Agata , SOBIANOWSKA Katarzyna , WALKOWIAK Władysław , MACIEJEWSKI Paweł
Published: January 2020

The main goal of this publication was to describe the problem of radioactivity of coal mine water from Upper Silesia and its influence on the environment around the mines. First part of this work presents the current knowledge concerning natural and artificial radioactivity and describes current radiation monitoring system in Poland. In the next part, there are the results of analysis of river's water taken from different points:below and above the points of discharge of mines waters. This analysis was performed in the Chemical Metallurgy Division, at Wroclaw University of Technology. Conclusion based on results is: even high concentrations of radium in mine water doesn't pollute the rivers too much.
POLAND IN DEVELOPING EUROPEAN SECURITY SYSTEM – MILITARY ASPECT
Authors: KULCZYCKI Marek
Published: January 2020

The article describes Poland’s involvement in the activities of three organisations: NATO, EU and OSCE, which constitute the basis of the European security system. This activity has been shown over the last two decades, from the early 1990s until today. The author of the article describes the employment of Polish military units in the operations conducted by the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union in the European area as well as the civil and military activity in the missions conducted by OSCE. The article also mentions the Polish contribution to maintaining security on our continent.
CROSS-BORDER SECURITY OF POLAND
Authors: BĄK Tomasz
Published: January 2020

The article discusses the issues of cross-border organized crime. It also lists offences committed by organized crime groups throughout Europe. Furthermore, the article provides statistical data concerning cross-border crimes. The author of the article pays special attention to the threats this phenomenon poses for the countries in the European Union. Moreover, the article shows what efforts should be made to effectively combat this phenomenon.
PERSONNEL AND DISPOSITION OF NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICES IN SILESIA PROVINCE IN THE YEARS OF 1922-1939
Authors: KAYZER Ziemowit , KAYZER Bernard
Published: January 2020

The paper describes the personnel in the national security services in the autonomous Silesia province from 1922 to 1939. Moreover, it presents the deployment and evolution of the internal system of the departments in the Republic of Poland from 1922 to 1939.