bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety in Motor Vehicle Repair Workshops in Jeddah
Authors: Ahmad Ijaz , Rehan Mohammad , Balkhyour Mansour A. , Ismail Iqbal M.
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: This study aims to examine the occupational health and safety (OHS) status in motor vehicle repair workshops (MVRW) industry in the city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). An inspection tool composed of 10 OHS components and 69 items was employed through observations, interviews, walk through survey and focused group discussions. The data was collected from local workshops (LWs, N=62) and multinational companies’ workshops (CWs, N=11). The mean positive response for OHS components among surveyed LWs and CWs was as follow; personal protective equipment’s (PPEs) (28% and 61%), fire protection and emergency management (52% and 91%), provision of facilities (69% and 94%), electric safety (44% and 82%), general workshop safety (43% and 82%), housekeeping (18% and 84%), chemical exposure (16% and 69%), maintenance and services (54% and 86%), manual handling (84% and 100%) and tool safety (58% and 91%), respectively. The overall OHS mean positive response, complying best practices and regulations, of all OHS elements in LWs was 47% which was much lower than 84% positive response for CWs. The impact of OHS on workers’ health was also discussed together with recommendations given for further improvement.
Expansion of Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells on the Amniotic Membrane Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Barikrow Nooshin , Amirizadeh Naser , Roodbari Nasim Hayati , Nikougoftar Mahin
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: Because of insufficient number of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells (UCB-HSCs), expansion of these cells seems to be important for clinical application in adults. The aim of this study was to co-culture of UCB-HSCs with the amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMMSCs) as a feeder layer in order to expand hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). UCBs and amniotic membrane were collected from concern mothers. Ex vivo culture of UCB-HSCs were performed in four culture conditions: cytokine cocktail with MSCs feeder layer, cytokine cocktail, stem cell factor, and co-culture with MSCs without any cytokine. The number of total nucleated cells (TNC) was counted by hemocytometer. The HSC count and immunophenotyping of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and expanded HSC were evaluated by flow cytometry. Colony forming unit (CFU) assay was used to evaluate the potential of expanded HSCs for production of different lineage colonies. The mean fold changes of total nucleated cells (TNC) and CD34+ cells in the cytokine culture with feeder layer were higher than the cytokine culture without MSCs. However, in the co-culture system without cytokine, TNC and CD34+ cell numbers were increased up to 8 folds, but cell viability was more than 80% and differentiation rate was low. Our results demonstrated that we could increase the number of CD34+ cells of UCB that were used as primary HSC for transplantation.
Assessment of Phytochemical Constituents and Antimicrobial Activity of Lantana Camara L.
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Singh Shikha , Saini Pragati
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: In present study the phytochemical constituents such as total phenol, total flavonoid contents and antibacterial activity against four gram negative and two gram positive isolates Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogens, Proteus vulgaris, Lactobacillus, S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis and antifungal activity against four fungal strains Penicillium, Aspergillus niger, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum fulvum of petroleum ether, diethyl ether, chloroform and acetone extract of leaves and flowers of Lantana camara L were evaluated. Maximum zone of inhibition was recorded in the presence of free flavanoid fraction of the plant extract against Trichophyton mentagophytes and Microsporum fulvum which was the most susceptible fungus for all the extracts tested. The extract also compared favourably with streptomycin which serves as a positive control. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was recorded for all bacteria and fungi in which highest MIC was of B. subtilis and M. fulvum. The UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopic analysis also revealed the presence of different active groups and bonds. L. camara contains phytochemical compounds with antibacterial & antifungal activities. Moreover, the chloroform & acetone leaf & flower extracts of L. camara are active against pathogenic microorganisms.
Keratinolytic Enzymes for Cleaning Edible Bird’s Nest
Authors: Rahayu Sri , Suhartono Maggy T , Suryapratama Wardhana , Bata Muhamad
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: Edible bird’s nest (EBN) as a kind of functional food has high economic value depending on the quality such as color and hygiene. The purpose of this research was to find optimum condition for application of keratinolytic enzymes Bacillus sp. MTS in cleaning EBN. Activating agents for both enzymes were cation divalents, EDTA, reducing agents, organic solutions, and antibacterial agents. Additives compound that able to increase keratinase activity were used to make cleaning solution and its tested on EBN and human hair. Alcoholic solutions (25% ethanol, 25% methanol, 25% glycerol), and some divalent metallic ions(Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+)were able to increase keratinase while disulfide reductase was solely activated by 0.05 mM EDTA. The activity of both enzymes was inhibited by Na Cland Na-azide. The activity of keratinase of Bacillus sp. MTS in cleaning solution formulated in this research was 2-3 fold as much as control (crude extract) in human hair substrates. Gliserol and cations divalent increasing 2-3 fold keratinase activity in cleaning solution. The solution was successfully apllied to cleaning EBN with weight loss 2.3-2.5% approximately.
The Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Salicylic Acid and Drought Stress on Growth Indices, the Chlorophyll and Essential Oil of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Authors: Sharifi Parisa
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: The side effects of chemical drugs and the human tendency to make greater use of natural products in order to keep their health as well as problems of modern medical system caused more attention of human to medicinal plants. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a plant of the family Lamiaceae and is one of the most important medicinal plants containing essential oils. Despite of the other crops, medicinal plants are the plants that quality of materials compared to their quantity is much more important and necessary. Today using symbiotic microorganisms with plants as the bio-fertilizer for providing nutrients is considered. Among plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas and Bacillus can be pointed out. It was observed that using the bio-fertilizer Nitroxin and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on Chamomile increased vegetative yield, seed yield and essential oil yield. In order to study the effect of PGPR, salicylic acid and drought stress on growth indices, the chlorophyll and essential oil of hyssop,a factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at the research greenhouse, Faculty of Agriculture, … University, during 2013- 2014. Treatments were drought stress, salicylic acid and PGPR. Results showed that drought stress reduced the growth and physiologic characteristics and increased essential oil percentand accordingly Hyssop essential oil yield increased. Also, salicylic acid caused the increase in the yield, physiologic and essential oil traits and avoided stress injuries and compensateddecrease in growth traits. Growth promoting bacteria by producing some metabolites such as growth regulators, or types of vitamins as well as improved access to nutrients were directly increase plant growthand development. Among used bacteria, Azospirillum had the greatest impact on improving the measured traits.
Fungicidal Management of Stemphylium blight of Onion caused by Stemphylium vesicarium (Wallr.) Simmons
Authors: Mishra Bhavya , Pratap Singh Rajesh
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: Onion is an important commercial crop grown all over the world. It is attacked by many diseases which cause yield losses and result in lowering the quality and export potential of the produce. Stemphylium blight caused by Stemphylium vesicarium (Wallr.) Simmons is one such disease, which has become an economic threat since past few years, especially in Northern and Eastern India. In the present study, field evaluation as well as in vitro study was conducted for evaluating some fungicides for the management of Stemphylium blight as well as to observe their effects on yield and quality parameters of onion. The results of the in vitro study revealed that fluopyram + tebuconazole gave complete mycelial inhibition of test fungus at 50 ppm concentration. Results of the field experiments showed that all the treatments significantly reduced the disease severity. However, strobilurins were found to be more effective, giving more than 50% disease control over check. Keeping in view the overall performance of the fungicides, it was concluded that the combination products azoxystrobin 25% + flutriafol 25% SC and fluopyram 20% + tebuconazole 20% SC can be recommended for the management of Stemphylium blight of onion under field conditions.
The Effect Ofinitial Practice with Dominant and Non-Dominant Hand on Acquisition, Retention and Transfer of a Complex Motor Task
Authors: Tousi Malihe Moones , Emami Toktam , Hoseini Seyed Mojtaba
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of practice orderwithdominant and non-dominant hand on acquisition, retention and transfer of basketball dribbling skills of female students at Ferdowsi University. The subjects were 20 female students of General Physical Education (19-24), who did not have any experiences in basketball with dominant right hand. They were randomly selected and equally assigned into two groups. The subjects practiced within the program for 4 weeks, 2 times a week and 45 minutes per session. Group A practiced with their dominant right hand for the first four sessions and then switched to their left hand for the second four sessions. Group B practiced reversely. The subjects were assessed by Slalom-Dribble-Test in pre-test and post-test. Retention and transfer tests were performed one week after the exercise was finished. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in acquisition of dribbling skill (p=0.053). Movement time has been significantly reduced from pre-test to post-test (p=0.00). The results showed better performance of the right hand compared to the left (p=0.042). Both groups had a shorter dribbling time with the right hand compared to the left hand in the post-test and retention test. There was no significant difference between two groups in transfer task (p = 0.16). The results indicate that practicing with dominant and non-dominant limbs in the initial motor learning seems to be important to improve performance of both limbs and to strengthen bilateral competence of the learners.
Activated Carbon from Fly Ash of Heavy Fuel Oil: Characterization and its Utilization for Removal and Determination of Chlorophenonls in Water
Authors: Abu-Rizaiza A. , Kadi M.W. , El-Shahawi M.S.
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: Activated carbons (AC) prepared from volatile fly ash (FA) of heavy fuel oil via gasification with combined steam - CO2 was characterized and used as a low- cost adsorbent for removal of chlorophenols (CPs) e.g. 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), and 2,4,6- tetra chlorphenol (TCP) in water. At pH< 2.0, maximum CPs uptake was achieved and the average half-life time (t1/2) of the equilibrium adsorption of CPs was in the range 0.80 ± 0.01- 1.1 ± 0.04 h. Data suggested use of AC in packed column for separation and determination of various concentrations (0.5-100 µgL-1) of CPs in water (0.5-1.0 L). Complete extraction and recovery (97.4 + 2.9 %, n=5) of CPs were achieved at 2 mL min-1 flow rate. Analysis of CPs spiked onto tap- and seawater were also analyzed by AC packed column and the results were compared with the standard HPLC method at 95% confidence (P-0.05, n=5). The experimental student t test (texp 1.81-1.93) and F (Fexp 1.21-5.76) values were lower than the tabulated t (tcrit. = 2.78) and F (6.38), respectively. AC packed column provides remarkable selectivity, reproducibility, and cost-effectiveness towards removal and/ or determination of CPs. AC adsorbent may serve positively in point-of-care use.
Combined Application of Different Species of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens on the Cellulolytic Enzymes of Fusarium Oxysporum for the Control of Fusarium wiltDisease in Arachis hypogea. L
Authors: Rajeswari P. , Kapoor Rupam
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: Fusarium oxysporum causes Fusarium wilt of crop plants leads to considerable yield loss. The study was conducted to determine the beneficial effects of combining Trichoderma species and Pseudomonas fluorescens i.e Trichodema viride+ Pseudomonas fluorescens (Tv+Pf) (1+2%), Trichoderma harzianum+Pseudomonas fluorescens (Th+Pf) (1.5+2%), Trichoderma viride +Trichoderma harzianum (Tv+Th) (1+1.5%) on the activity of cellulolytic enzymes of Fusarium oxysporum to control Fusarium wilt of Arachis hypogaea. L wilt in vitro. The activity of 1,4 -β – Endoglucanase, 1,4 -β – Exoglucanase, Cellobiases produced by Fusarium oxysporum (Control) was higher. Maximum inhibition of Cellulolytic enzymes was shown by culture filtrate of Trichoderma viride + Pseudomonas fluorescens (Tv+Pf) (1+2%), followed by Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens, (Th +Pf) (1.5+2%) and Trichoderma viride + Trichoderma harzianum (Tv+Th) (1+1.5%). However, disease suppression of Fusarium wilt of Arachis hypogaea. L by the compatible combination of Trichodema viride + Pseudomonas fluorescens (1+2%) was considerably better as compared to other two strains. At the same time the other two combinations resulted in enhanced disease suppression as compared to single strains. This indicates that the potential benefits of using combination treatments to suppress Fusarium wilt. The study suggests the significance of interactive effects of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas in biocontrol of wilt disease.
Gene Stacking for Fungal Resistance in Plant Transformation Vector
Authors: Sharma Sonia , Singh Gurtej , Shaik Sadiq Pasha , Singh Gagandeep , Bhat Sumangala , Sharma Gaurav
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT: Fungal diseases like early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt cause 30-40 per cent loss in fruit production. Form past decade many transgenic plants had been developed using genes encoding chitinases and glucanases with the objective of imparting fungal disease resistance. Since the genes encoding chitinase and glucanase act synergistically. The study was performed to construct plant transformation vector pRAGS carrying both ech42 and bgn under single T-DNA region. Initially, HindIII site at 5' end of earlier cloned bgn (T. harzianum) was removed using primers during reamplification of the gene. The amplicons were cloned into pTZ57R/T containing T overhangs at Eco321 site and transferred to E. coli DH5a and further to plant transformation vector pBI121 which was named as pRA121. In order to clone another gene (ech42) into pRA121, expression cassette from iHP vector was transferred to pRA121 and named as pRAG121. Further in order to gain XhoI site for cloning ech42 gene into pRAG121, ech42 (pSUM1) was cloned into pYES2/CT, named as pSAG1, ech42 from pSAG1 cloned with KpnI and XhoI in pRAG121 and named as pRAGS121. The vector constructed in the present study can be used to transform important crop plants to have enhanced resistance to fungal diseases.
Joey Orr interview with Suzanne Lacy, Sunday, 19 July 2015
Authors: Orr Joey , Lacy Suzanne
Published: October 2017

From 1985 to 1987, California-based artist Suzanne Lacy initiated The Whisper Minnesota Project. This work addressed cultural perceptions of aging women and explored their representations in public opinion and the media. It was a conceptual and performative platform that encompassed events, classes, film screenings, a media campaign, and a leadership series, among many other activities meant to contribute to the aesthetics and politics of the work. It culminated on 10 May 1987 in the one-day performance, The Crystal Quilt, in which 430 women over the age of 60 discussed their views on ageing. This performance, a visual spectacle that activated a design by painter Miriam Schapiro and included collaboration with many other artists, was attended by over 3000 people. In 2012, the Tate (London, England) acquired the work in the form of video, documentary, quilt, photos, a sound piece by Susan Stone, and a time-lapse film. The title of the work collected by the Tate is The Crystal Quilt, the title of the one-hour public performance. Its dates, however, correspond to the two and a half year, socially embedded Whisper Minnesota Project (1985–87). When the title of the performance is associated with the dates of the social project, many nuances get washed over. This interview explores the challenges and contradictions that arise when social practice that is generated and deeply anchored in the public realm finds its way into major institutional collections.
Exercises in the curatorial open form: On the example of exhibition Making Use. Life in Postartistic Times
Authors: Szreder Kuba
Published: October 2017

This article aims to discuss curatorial methodologies developed during the exhibition Making Use. Life in Postartistic Times,1 curated by Sebastian Cichocki and myself at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw in early 2016.2 Making Use attempted to survey art in the expanded field of art, constituted by a plethora of alternative art-sustaining environments and a constellation of plausible art worlds. As I will argue, these art worlds facilitate the application of artistic competences in spaces not traditionally devoted to art. Such art worlds create their own value systems, promoting aesthetic idioms and politics of art as an alternative to the ideologies that dominate the mainstream art world, with its pretences of autonomy, commodification of artistic objects and urge to reproduce its own hierarchies. With Making Use as my example, I will argue that the tectonic shifts in the social and ideological composition of the art world, related to the emergence of alternative environments that sustain art, undermine existing curatorial methodologies and promote the development of new ones. In this context, I will refer to Making Use as an experimental process that tested the methodology of the curatorial open form, which uses techniques such as reporting, exhibition as action (verbs versus nouns) and the open archive to present practices unfolding in the expanded field of art. I will argue that the curatorial open form contributes to the development of new institutional models, responding to the general transformation of public sphere.
Address: Critical irony, neo-authenticity and humour in the art we call public
Authors: Garnett Robert
Published: October 2017

This text is a critical analysis of the term ‘public art’ and the often unquestioned assumptions that underpin the term’s still-extant currency, this in spite of the mani-fold shifts that have taken place in recent decades that, for me at least, render mori-bund any reductive oppositions between the ‘public’ and the ostensibly ‘private’. Attempting to go beyond the binary of ‘autonomous’, privatized domain of white-cube, ‘gallery art’ versus a putatively ‘socially engaged’ art within the broader domain of the public sphere, I will attempt to argue that the all-too-often elided dimension of the time of art, or art’s durationalty conceived of as spatio-temporal ‘scene-event’ might offer a productive means of exceeding the ossified public-private dialectic.
Zepo as metapicture of its making
Authors: Rossouw Martin P.
Published: October 2017

This article addresses Zepo as an extended reflection – a ‘metapicture’ – on the material conditions by which its sand pictures are made. It examines the film’s selfreflexive gestures by tracing its visual-narrative motifs of traces on surfaces (blood spots, footprints), together with covering layers and depth (breakable ice, trappings under snow).
Zepo: An allegory of silence
Authors: Jiménez-Morales Manel , Salvadó Alan
Published: October 2017

The short film Zepo – an allegory of bewilderment, cruelty, horror and deceit – uses abstraction and the metaphor of silence to reveal the latent historical memory surrounding the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) and subsequent dictatorship (1939–75).
Listen and the loneliness of misunderstanding
Authors: Felando Cynthia
Published: October 2017

Focusing on the competing perspectives at stake when an abused woman tells her story, Listen offers a searing rendering of the potential for miscommunication and misunderstanding in situations governed by gender and cultural differences. Further, the marginalized woman in Listen reflects a common short film strategy to feature ‘lonely’ characters.
Listen and the question of silence
Authors: Doubinsky Sébastien
Published: October 2017

Listen is a film about words, but around words. The words become useless and are surrounded by silence. And the whole film is constructed on this silence, which builds up like an unbreakable wall. The question is thus: what are we listening to? What should we listen to? And maybe, even more crucial: who should be listening?
En búsqueda de estímulos para el aprendizaje: la utilización de producciones audiovisuales en la enseñanza de contenidos histórico-culturales en el Profesorado en Lengua Inglesa
Authors: Brunori Eliana , Pellegrino Verónica , Torres Germán
Published: October 2017

Esta propuesta está basada en una investigación exploratoria descriptiva en curso denominada “La utilización de producciones audiovisuales en el aprendizaje de contenidos histórico-culturales a nivel universitario: una propuesta didáctica para el Profesorado en Lengua Inglesa” de la Universidad Nacional de Villa María, cuyo objetivo principal es enriquecer el aprendizaje de los contenidos histórico-culturales del espacio curricular Perspectivas del Mundo Actual del mencionado profesorado. En el marco de este proyecto nos encontramos diseñando material de apoyo adicional y extra áulico que resulte motivador, atractivo y esclarecedor. Como es bien sabido, en los últimos años las nuevas tecnologías ofrecen a los más jóvenes nuevas formas de incorporar conocimiento que suelen resultar más motivadoras que la metodología tradicional basada exclusivamente en la utilización de textos; en este sentido, el cine sirve de gran incentivo. Asimismo, teniendo en cuenta que las producciones audiovisuales resultan de la unión del reflejo y de la (re)creación de los acontecimientos históricos, es menester indagar, cuestionar y analizar dicha representación visual; por este motivo, el material tendrá el valor agregado de promover las habilidades de pensamiento crítico.
Investigaciones sobre la enseñanza de la historia en Argentina (1991-2016): un campo en expansión
Authors: González Maria Paula
Published: October 2017

Este artículo presenta un panorama de las investigaciones desarrolladas en los últimos veinticinco años en Argentina en torno a la enseñanza de la historia a partir del examen de revistas y otras publicaciones. A través del relevamiento de revistas específicas del campo y de otras publicaciones, se esbozan las grandes líneas de indagación, se señalan los proyectos centrados en la historia reciente y se indican las condiciones en que han avanzado las pesquisas. El escrito mostrará un campo de investigación multidisciplinar y dialógico en franca expansión que debe trabajar en pos de su consolidación académica.
Primeros resultados de una prueba piloto para evaluar el pensamiento histórico de los estudiantes
Authors: Domínguez Jesús , Arias Laura , Sánchez Raquel , Egea Alejandro , García Francisco
Published: October 2017

Este artículo analiza el estudio piloto y primeros resultados de una prueba de historia que ha sido concebida y diseñada como posible modelo para evaluar las competencias de pensamiento histórico del alumnado al finalizar la etapa de secundaria obligatoria. El artículo hace una breve exposición del marco teórico del estudio y explica cómo pueden concretarse en destrezas evaluables los conceptos de pensamiento histórico, como el de empatía. El estudio piloto se ha realizado en dos fases en las que han participado en torno a 800 alumnos de entre 16 y 18 años. Los resultados de la primera fase, con las respuestas de 316 estudiantes analizadas estadísticamente siguiendo la Teoría de Respuesta al Ítem (TRI), nos hacen confiar en que la prueba sea un instrumento adecuado para evaluar dicho pensamiento histórico y para distinguir escalas de niveles de logro en las distintas competencias históricas.
¿Almacenar o construir memoria? La educación patrimonial y el pensamiento crítico
Authors: Castro Fernández Belen , López Facal Ramón
Published: October 2017

El patrimonio cultural es una construcción intelectual que está mediada por la presencia de un discurso interpretativo. El establecimiento de una mirada crítica sobre el patrimonio o el proceso de patrimonialización por parte de la sociedad es fundamental. La asignación de valores a lo cotidiano, lo cercano y lo significativo está ligada con la mediación científica y la experiencia emocional del espectador. El patrimonio no es suficiente por sí mismo. Incluso si se pretende una experiencia únicamente estética y sensorial, es necesario manejar previamente referencias que permitan realizar este tipo de análisis. El conocimiento y la comprensión del patrimonio desencadenan la apropiación simbólica, la caracterización de contextos culturales y la definición de un referente identitario propio con valores específicos del presente. La capacidad de la educación para transformar el sentido de los elementos patrimoniales y ofrecer claves interpretativas es el punto de salida, o de llegada, de un juego mucho más amplio: la sostenibilidad como resultado de aprendizaje.
To Grow or Not to Grow? That Is the Question: Lessons for Social Ecological Transformation from Small-Medium Enterprises
Authors: Leonhardt Heidi , Juschten Maria , Spash Clive L.
Published: October 2017

Why do firms grow? Do they need to? Why do they want to? Why do some refuse to? In the context of post-growth research this paper investigates mechanisms that lead to the growth of small and medium sized enterprises and explores the non-growth option.While research on alternatives
to growth at the level of the economy as a whole is accumulating, few studies have related the criticism of growth to the business level. This paper starts to address this gap by investigating mechanisms of growth for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), presenting a case study that
applies Q methodology and interviews with owner-managers of both growing and non-growing SMEs in Austria. General mechanisms stimulating growth are identified (e. g., contributing to innovativeness and motivation of employees) and differentiated from those only of relevance for some SMEs:
competition, financial stability, and a desire for market power. The owner-managers of non-growing SMEs hold values and pursue goals that free them from mechanisms of growth or prevent them from being triggered. Moreover, they exhibit a strong identification with their SME, operate in niche
markets and strive for financial independence. This illustrates that a growth imperative is neither inevitable nor are growth mechanisms always operative, but depend upon structures and institutions.
Ein Streifen am Horizont ‐ interdisziplinäre Beiträge zur Endlagersuche
Authors: Mehnert Michael
Published: October 2017

Reaktion auf den Schwerpunkt Jahrhundertprojekt Endlagerung in GAIA 26/2 (2017)
Two for One: Integrating the Sustainable Development Agenda with International Climate Policy
Authors: Obergassel Wolfgang , Mersmann Florian , Wang-Helmreich Hanna
Published: October 2017

2015 was a watershed for international sustainability governance. With the Paris climate agreement and Agenda 2030, the international community adopted new targets and processes which are to guide policy for decades to come. Both emphasise the need for integration. In practice,
however, climate change and sustainable development have so far been siloed issues.
Therapeutische Landschaften in der Psychoonkologie: Die gesundheitsfördernde Wirkung von Natur und Landschaft
Authors: Rathmann Joachim , Brumann Sebastian
Published: October 2017

Natur und naturnahe Landschaften können menschliches Wohlbefinden stärken, Krankheiten lindern und eine raschere Genesung bewirken. Dieser positive Einfluss wird mit dem Konzept der ,,Therapeutischen Landschaften“ operationalisiert. Neu für die Diskussion ist, das
gesundheitsfördernde Potenzial von Landschaften in der Psychoonkologie zu nutzen: Der therapeutische Aufenthalt in der Natur und das Betrachten schöner Landschaft verspricht Krebspatient(inn)en Hilfe bei Begleiterscheinungen wie depressiven Verstimmungen, Ängsten und Ermüdungserscheinungen.
The Prologue of Philainis’ Peri Aphrodision
Authors: Perale Marco
Published: October 2017

Revised text of the prologue of Philainis’ Peri Aphrodision as transmitted by P.Oxy. XXXIX 2891 fr. 1, where I propose to restore ll. 3-5 as με/θ’ ἡ̣[δον]ῆ̣ϲ τὸν βί̣ον δ̣ι̣ε/ξα[ιρεῖϲ]θ̣αι. The supplement solves a textual crux and sheds further light on the meaning of the exordium of Philainis’ erotic treatise.
Nine Greek Ostraca from the Egyptian Museum
Authors: Aly Shereen A.
Published: October 2017

Edition of nine ostraca from Elephantine, now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, containing receipts for several money taxes from the 2
La “sezione presocratica” del De pietate di Filodemo
Authors: Vassallo Christian
Published: October 2017

This article collects all the papyrological and bibliological observations necessary for a new edition of P.Herc. 1428 (= TM 62400; LDAB 3563), which comes from the large Herculanean roll that preserves Philodemus’ treatise On Piety. A new critical reconstruction, along with a translation and some selected notes, of the ‘pre- Socratic section’ of P.Herc. 1428 is presented.
The Asymmetric Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on the Trade Balance of Singapore
Authors: Bahmani-Oskooee Mohsen , Harvey Hanafiah
Published: October 2017

Previous studies that tested the short-run and long-run effects of exchange rate changes on trade balances assumed that the effects are symmetric. The more recent research direction has now changed to investigating the possibility of asymmetric effects. In this paper, we assess the short-run and long-run effects of exchange rate changes on the bilateral trade balances of Singapore with her 11 partners. By applying the nonlinear ARDL approach, which separates appreciations from depreciations, we find that exchange rate changes have short-run asymmetric effects in most models. The short-run effects, however, lasted into the long run in a few models. In the long run, while depreciation improves Singapore’s trade balance with the U.S., it hurts it with Malaysia and China. These three partners account for almost 50 % of Singapore’s trade.
Chemical, physico-mechanical properties and biological durability of rubberwood particleboards after post heat-treatment in palm oil
Authors: Lee Seng Hua , Ashaari Zaidon , Lum Wei Chen , Ang Aik Fei , Abdul Halip Juliana , Halis Rasmina
Published: October 2017

The chemical properties, dimensional stability, mechanical strength and termite resistance of urea formaldehyde (UF) bond rubberwood (RW) particleboard (PB) were assessed after a two-step oil heat treatment (OHT). The PB was immersed in palm oil before heating to 180, 200, and 220°C in a laboratory oven for 2 h. Anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) and water repellency efficiency (WRE) as well as bending (MOE, MOR) and internal bonding strength (IB) were determined. Resistance against a subterranean termite,Coptotermes curvignathusHolmgren, was tested. The degradation of hemicelluloses and cellulose, that are mainly responsible for wood wetting processes, was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Formation of an elevated cross-linking density in lignin also contributed to the dimensional stability, where 93.6% ASE and 46.3% WRE were achieved in the samples treated at 220°C. Mechanical properties of treated samples were inferior to the control samples due to hemicelluloses degradation and breakage of the UF bonding network. A significant improvement in termite resistance has been found in the treated samples.
Ameliorative effect of gallic acid on doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats
Authors: Omóbòwálé Temiday O. , Oyagbemi Ademola A. , Folasire Ayorinde M. , Ajibade Temitayo O. , Asenuga Ebunoluwa R. , Adejumobi Olumuyiwa A. , Ola-Davies Olufunke E. , Oyetola Orotusin , James Gana , Adedapo Adeolu A. , Yakubu Momoh A.
Published: October 2017

Background:

The use of doxorubicin (DOX) as an antineoplastic agent has been greatly limited because of the myriad of toxic sequelae associated with it. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effects of gallic acid (GA) on DOX-induced cardiac toxicity in rats.

Methods:

Sixty male rats (Wistar strain) were used in this study. They were divided into six groups (A–F) each containing 10 animals. Group A was the control. Rats in Groups B, C, and D were treated with DOX at the dosage of 15 mg/kg body weight i.p. Prior to this treatment, rats in Groups C and D had been treated orally with GA for 7 days at the dosage of 60 and 120 mg/kg, respectively. Animals from Groups E and F received only 60 and 120 mg/kg GA, respectively, which were administered orally for 7 days.

Results:

The exposure of rats to DOX led to a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the cardiac antioxidant defence system and elevation of creatine kinase myocardial band and lactate dehydrogenase. The electrocardiography results showed a significant decrease in heart rate, QRS, and QT-segment prolongation. GA alone improved the antioxidant defence system.

Conclusions:

The GA pretreatment significantly alleviated GA-associated ECG abnormalities, restored the antioxidant status and prevented cardiac damage.
A hierarchical Bayesian model of pitch framing
Authors: Deshpande Sameer K. , Wyner Abraham
Published: October 2017

Since the advent of high-resolution pitch tracking data (PITCHf/x), many in the sabermetrics community have attempted to quantify a Major League Baseball catcher’s ability to “frame” a pitch (i.e. increase the chance that a pitch is a called as a strike). Especially in the last 3 years, there has been an explosion of interest in the “art of pitch framing” in the popular press as well as signs that teams are considering framing when making roster decisions. We introduce a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate each umpire’s probability of calling a strike, adjusting for the pitch participants, pitch location, and contextual information like the count. Using our model, we can estimate each catcher’s effect on an umpire’s chance of calling a strike. We are then able translate these estimated effects into average runs saved across a season. We also introduce a new metric, analogous to Jensen, Shirley, and Wyner’s Spatially Aggregate Fielding Evaluation metric, which provides a more honest assessment of the impact of framing.
Decline in lung function among cement production workers: a meta-analysis
Authors: Moghadam Somayeh Rahimi , Abedi Siavosh , Afshari Mahdi , Abedini Ehsan , Moosazadeh Mahmood
Published: October 2017

Background:

Several studies with different results have been performed regarding cement dust exposure and its pathogenic outcomes during the previous years. This study aims to combine these results to obtain a reliable estimate of the effect of exposure to cement dust.

Methods:

PubMed and other data banks were searched to identify required electronic articles. The search was extended interviewing with relevant experts and research centers. Point and pooled estimates of outcome with 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

Results:

Participants were 5371 exposed and 2650 unexposed persons. Total mean differences (95% confidence intervals) were estimated as of −0.48 (−0.71 to −0.25) L for forced vital capacity (FVC), −0.7 (−0.92 to −0.47) L for forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), −0.43 (−0.68 to −0.19) L for FEV1/FVC%, −0.73 (−1.15 to −0.30) L/min for PEFR and −0.36 (−0.51 to −0.21) L/s for FEF25-75.

Conclusion:

Our meta-analysis showed that cement dust has significant impact on lung function and reduces the indicators of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR and FEF25-75.
The role of health services in encouraging disclosure of violence against women
Authors: Leskošek Vesna , Lučovnik Miha , Pavše Lucija , Sršen Tanja Premru , Krajnc Megie , Verdenik Ivan , Velikonja Vislava Globevnik
Published: October 2017

Introduction

The aim of the survey was to assess the differences in disclosure by the type of violence to better plan the role of health services in identifying and disclosing violence.

Methods

A validated, anonymous screening questionnaire (NorAQ) for the identification of female victims of violence was offered to all postpartum women at a single maternity unit over a three-month period in 2014. Response rate was 80% (1018 respondents). Chi square test was used for statistical analysis (p<0.05 significant).

Results

There are differences in disclosure by type of violence. Nearly half (41.5%) of violence by health care services was not reported, compared to 33.7% physical, 23.4% psychological, and 32.5% sexual that was reported. The percentage of violence in intimate partnership reported to health care staff is low (9.3% to 20.8%), but almost half of the violence experienced by heath care services (44%) is reported. Intimate partnership violence is more often reported to the physician than to the psychologist or social worker. Violence in health care service is reported also to nurses.

Conclusions

Disclosure enables various institutions to start with the procedures aimed at protecting victims against violence. Health workers should continuously encourage women to speak about violence rather than asking about it only once. It is also important that such inquiries are made on different levels of health care system and by different health care professions, since there are differences to whom women are willing to disclose violence.
DFT Studies of Graphene-Functionalised Derivatives of Capecitabine
Authors: Aramideh Mehdi , Mirzaei Mahmoud , Khodarahmi Ghadamali , Gülseren Oğuz
Published: October 2017

Cancer is one of the major problems for so many people around the world; therefore, dedicating efforts to explore efficient therapeutic methodologies is very important for researchers of life sciences. In this case, nanostructures are expected to be carriers of medicinal compounds for targeted drug design and delivery purposes. Within this work, the graphene (Gr)-functionalised derivatives of capecitabine (CAP), as a representative anticancer, have been studied based on density functional theory calculations. Two different sizes of Gr molecular models have been used for the functionalisation of CAP counterparts, CAP-Gr3 and CAP-Gr5, to explore the effects of Gr-functionalisation on the original properties of CAP. All singular and functionalised molecular models have been optimised and the molecular and atomic scale properties have been evaluated for the optimised structures. Higher formation favourability has been obtained for CAP-Gr5 in comparison with CAP-Gr3 and better structural stability has been obtained in the water-solvated system than the isolated gas-phase system for all models. The CAP-Gr5 model could play a better role of electron transferring in comparison with the CAP-Gr3 model. As a concluding remark, the molecular properties of CAP changed from singular to functionalised models whereas the atomic properties remained almost unchanged, which is expected for a carrier not to use significant perturbations to the original properties of the carried counterpart.
Shod vs. Barefoot Effects on Force and Power Development During a Conventional Deadlift
Authors: Hammer Mark E. , Meir Rudi A. , Whitting John W. , Crowley-McHattan Zachary J.
Published: October 2017

Hammer, ME, Meir, RA, Whitting, JW, and Crowley-McHattan, ZJ. Shod vs. barefoot effects on force and power development during a conventional deadlift. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1525–1530, 2018—The kinetics of a conventional deadlift in shod (S) vs. unshod (US) footwear conditions in 10 male participants (mean ± SD, age = 27.0 ± 5.8 years; body mass = 78.7 ± 11.5 kg; height = 175.8 ± 8.2 cm; 1 repetition maximum [1RM] deadlift = 155.8 ± 25.8 kg) was assessed in 2 testing sessions. A counterbalanced, cross-over experimental design was used with different loads (60 and 80% 1RM). Four sets of 4 repetitions were prescribed per session with 2 sets per shoe and with each shoe condition involving 1 set per load. Peak vertical force (PF), rate of force development (RFD), time to peak force (TPF), anterior-posterior (COP-AP) and mediolateral (COP-ML) center of pressure excursion, and barbell peak power data were recorded during all repetitions. Except for RFD (F = 6.389; p = 0.045; ηp2 = 0.516) and ML-COP (F = 6.696; p = 0.041; ηp2 = 0.527), there were no other significant main effects of shoe. There were significant main effects of load for PF (p ≤ 0.05), COP-AP (p = 0.011), TPF (p = 0.018), and COP-AP (p = 0.011). There were no significant interactions found between session, shoe, and load (p range from 0.944 to 0.086). Although the US condition may have produced changes in RFD and ML-COP compared with the shod condition, there is only limited evidence in the current study to support this lifting technique for the conventional deadlift. Further investigation is required to clarify any possible implications of this result and its benefit to lifters.
Mechanical Consequences of Suffusion on Undrained Behaviour of a Gap-Graded Cohesionless Soil - An Experimental Approach
Authors: Mehdizadeh Amirhassan , Disfani Mahdi M. , Evans Robert , Arulrajah Arul , Ong D. E. L.
Published: October 2017

Fine particles may migrate in the preexisting pores of an internally unstable soil matrix caused by water flow. This migration changes the fine particle distribution and content at different zones and can affect the mechanical properties of these soils. Due to the different roles that fine particles can play in the force chains of an internally unstable soil, the available geometrical assessment methods do not predict post-erosion behavior of the soil. The fine particles may sit loose in the voids, provide lateral support for the primary soil matrix, or participate directly in stress transfer. This will depend on the fine content, particle size distribution, constriction size, relative density, stress path, and particle shape. However, to evaluate the post-erosion behavior accurately, computational modelling or experimental investigation needs to be conducted. A modified triaxial apparatus connected to a water supply system and collection tank was developed to investigate the post-erosion behavior of an internally unstable cohesionless soil under different loading patterns in undrained conditions. This system allowed all test phases to be completed, including erosion inside the triaxial chamber to remove any possible impact of specimen disturbance. The results suggest that the undrained shear strength of the eroded specimen increased at small vertical strains (0–4 %) under monotonic and cyclic loadings, whereas the initial modulus of elasticity remained unchanged. Also, the eroded specimen showed much higher resistance against cyclic loadings, whereas the non-eroded specimen was liquefied during less than five cycles of loading. This improvement was due to a better interlock between coarse particles due to erosion of fine particles. The hardening strain behavior of the non-eroded specimen changed to limited flow deformation due to a decrease in the fine content. The flow deformation of the eroded specimen at medium strain may be due to the local increase in lubrication effect of fine particles in the eroded specimen.
Toward a Revolutionary Model of Music Pedagogy
Authors: Rubinoff Kailan R.
Published: October 2017

Established in 1795 in the aftermath of the French Revolution, the Paris Conservatoire emerged from a training school for National Guard musicians. Aligned with the French Republic’s broader educational reforms, the Conservatoire was marked by its secularization, standardized curriculum, military-style discipline, and hierarchical organization. Among its most ambitious achievements was the publication of new instruction treatises from 1799 to 1814. Covering elementary theory, solfège, harmony, and all the major instruments, these methods articulated the Conservatoire’s pedagogy and circulated widely in nineteenth-century Europe. Hugot and Wunderlich’s Méthode de flûte (1804) exemplifies the Conservatoire’s approach, making a distinct break from methods published only a few years earlier: abstract technical drills predominate, evenness of tone quality in all key areas is emphasized, and the instruction of improvisation is curtailed. Airs, brunettes, and other pieces typical of ancien régime tutors are replaced with exercises demanding repetitive practicing. Meticulous instructions for the mastery of the flute’s four-key mechanism bear a striking resemblance to rifle-handling directions in contemporary military training and combat manuals by Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, Comte de Guibert, and others.

The Conservatoire instruction manuals serve not only as guidebooks to historical fingerings and period performance style; they also can be read as social and political texts. Meant to advance a more rational music pedagogy, these treatises show the extent to which the military model permeated everyday life in post-revolutionary France. Further, they demonstrate a new conception of musical training beyond personal development toward the creation of professional musicians serving a patriotic, republican function. The treatise thus becomes what Michel Foucault calls a “simple instrument,” disciplining musicians’ bodies for the political goals of the state.
The Faenza Codex
Authors: Robinson Richard
Published: October 2017

Owing to gaps in the documentary evidence, the study of medieval instrumental music remains beset with uncertainties. Yet once a context can be established for a given manuscript, it is often possible to establish where the manuscript was probably used, what function it performed, and for which instrument or instruments it was most likely intended.

No example highlights this point more clearly than the Faenza Codex (FaenBC 117; henceforth Faenza), an Italian manuscript containing the largest surviving collection of instrumental music from before 1450. This article re-examines the repertorial context of Faenza, challenging in particular the widely held view that the manuscript contains distinct “secular” and “sacred” repertoire. When combined with the results of a comprehensive investigation of voice-crossings in the manuscript, it is possible to demonstrate beyond all doubt that the Faenza intabulations were intended for solo organ.