bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-Amorphous Solid Dispersions for Solubility and Absorption Improvement of Drugs: Composition, Preparation, Characterization and Formulations for Oral Delivery
Authors: Karagianni Anna , Kachrimanis Kyriakos , Nikolakakis Ioannis
Published: July 2018

The amorphous solid state offers an improved apparent solubility and dissolution rate. However, due to thermodynamic instability and recrystallization tendencies during processing, storage and dissolution, their potential application is limited. For this reason, the production of amorphous drugs with adequate stability remains a major challenge and formulation strategies based on solid molecular dispersions are being exploited. Co-amorphous systems are a new formulation approach where the amorphous drug is stabilized through strong intermolecular interactions by a low molecular co-former. This review covers several topics applicable to co-amorphous drug delivery systems. In particular, it describes recent advances in the co-amorphous composition, preparation and solid-state characterization, as well as improvements of dissolution performance and absorption are detailed. Examples of drug-drug, drug-carboxylic acid and drug-amino acid co-amorphous dispersions interacting via hydrogen bonding, π−π interactions and ionic forces, are presented together with corresponding final dosage forms.
The Role of Pharmacists in Travel Medicine in South Africa
Authors: Baker Lee
Published: July 2018

Worldwide, pharmacists, who are the most accessible health-care providers, are playing an ever increasing role in travel medicine, assisting travelers in taking the necessary precautions to ensure safe and healthy travel. This article looks at the situation in South Africa, and how pharmacists are performing these functions within the legal constraints of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965, which prevents pharmacists from prescribing many of the travel vaccines and medications. The scope of practice in community pharmacies increased since the successful down-scheduling of some of the antimalarials, allowing pharmacists to supply the many travelers who frequently travel to neighboring countries. As in many other countries, travel medicine in South Africa is currently thwart with products that are out of stock, and a number of temporary guidelines were put in place to deal with these. Ways to facilitate expanding the role of pharmacists in travel medicine in South Africa need to be further explored.
Multitemporal Classification of River Floodplain Vegetation Using Time Series of UAV Images
Authors: Van Iersel Wimala , Straatsma Menno , Middelkoop Hans , Addink Elisabeth
Published: July 2018

The functions of river floodplains often conflict spatially, for example, water conveyance during peak discharge and diverse riparian ecology. Such functions are often associated with floodplain vegetation. Frequent monitoring of floodplain land cover is necessary to capture the dynamics of this vegetation. However, low classification accuracies are found with existing methods, especially for relatively similar vegetation types, such as grassland and herbaceous vegetation. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery has great potential to improve the classification of these vegetation types owing to its high spatial resolution and flexibility in image acquisition timing. This study aimed to evaluate the increase in classification accuracy obtained using multitemporal UAV images versus single time step data on floodplain land cover classification and to assess the effect of varying the number and timing of imagery acquisition moments. We obtained a dataset of multitemporal UAV imagery and field reference observations and applied object-based Random Forest classification (RF) to data of different time step combinations. High overall accuracies (OA) exceeding 90% were found for the RF of floodplain land cover, with six vegetation classes and four non-vegetation classes. Using two or more time steps compared with a single time step increased the OA from 96.9% to 99.3%. The user’s accuracies of the classes with large similarity, such as natural grassland and herbaceous vegetation, also exceeded 90%. The combination of imagery from June and September resulted in the highest OA (98%) for two time steps. Our method is a practical and highly accurate solution for monitoring areas of a few square kilometres. For large-scale monitoring of floodplains, the same method can be used, but with data from airborne platforms covering larger extents.
A Parameter Self-Calibration Method for GNSS/INS Deeply Coupled Navigation Systems in Highly Dynamic Environments
Authors: Chen Zang , Lai Jizhou , Liu Jianye , Li Rongbing , Ji Guotian
Published: July 2018

The GNSS/INS (Global Navigation Satellite System/Inertial Navigation System) navigation system has been widely discussed in recent years. Because of the unique INS-aided loop structure, the deeply coupled system performs very well in highly dynamic environments. In practice, vehicle maneuvering has a big influence on the performance of IMUs (Inertial Measurement Unit), and determining whether the selected IMUs and receiver parameters satisfy the loop dynamic requirement is still a critical problem for deeply coupled systems. Aiming at this, a new parameter self-calibration method based on the norm principle is proposed which explains the relationship between IMU precision and the velocity error of the system; the method will also provide a detailed solution to calculate the loop steady-state tracking error, so it will eventually make a judgment about the stability of the tracking loop under present system parameter settings. Lastly, a full digital simulation platform is set up, and the results of simulations show good agreement with the proposed method.
Intersection and Complement Set (IACS) Method to Reduce Redundant Node in Mobile WSN Localization
Authors: Mohd. Zaid Harith Muhammad , Mohamed Noor Noorzaily , Idna Idris Mohd. , Mohd. Tamil Emran
Published: July 2018

The majority of the Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) localization methods utilize a large number of nodes to achieve high localization accuracy. However, there are many unnecessary data redundancies that contributes to high computation, communication, and energy cost between these nodes. Therefore, we propose the Intersection and Complement Set (IACS) method to reduce these redundant data by selecting the most significant neighbor nodes for the localization process. Through duplication cleaning and average filtering steps, the proposed IACS selects the normal nodes with unique intersection and complement sets in the first and second hop neighbors to localize the unknown node. If the intersection or complement sets of the normal nodes are duplicated, IACS only selects the node with the shortest distance to the blind node and nodes that have total elements larger than the average of the intersection or complement sets. The proposed IACS is tested in various simulation settings and compared with MSL* and LCC. The performance of all methods is investigated using the default settings and a different number of degree of irregularity, normal node density, maximum velocity of sensor node and number of samples. From the simulation, IACS successfully reduced 25% of computation cost, 25% of communication cost and 6% of energy consumption compared to MSL*, while 15% of computation cost, 13% of communication cost and 3% of energy consumption compared to LCC.
On the Einthoven Triangle: A Critical Analysis of the Single Rotating Dipole Hypothesis
Authors: Gargiulo Gaetano D. , Bifulco Paolo , Cesarelli Mario , McEwan Alistair L. , Moeinzadeh Hossein , O’Loughlin Aiden , Shugman Ibrahim M. , Tapson Jonathan C. , Thiagalingam Aravinda
Published: July 2018

Since its inception, electrocardiography has been based on the simplifying hypothesis that cardinal limb leads form an equilateral triangle of which, at the center/centroid, the electrical equivalent of the cardiac activity rotates during the cardiac cycle. Therefore, it is thought that the three limbs (right arm, left arm, and left leg) which enclose the heart into a circuit, where each branch directly implies current circulation through the heart, can be averaged together to form a stationary reference (central terminal) for precordials/chest-leads. Our hypothesis is that cardinal limbs do not form a triangle for the majority of the duration of the cardiac cycle. As a corollary, the central point may not lie in the plane identified by the limb leads. Using a simple and efficient algorithm, we demonstrate that the portion of the cardiac cycle where the three limb leads form a triangle is, on average less, than 50%.
Emotional Responses to Energy Projects: Insights for Responsible Decision Making in a Sustainable Energy Transition
Authors: Perlaviciute Goda , Steg Linda , Contzen Nadja , Roeser Sabine , Huijts Nicole
Published: July 2018

Energy projects aimed at a sustainable energy transition can trigger strong negative emotions and resistance from the public. While practitioners are increasingly realising that they cannot simply ignore public emotions, they struggle with how to deal with people’s emotional responses and how to secure public acceptability of sustainable energy projects. We argue that a first critical step in order to adequately address emotional responses to energy projects is to understand where these emotional responses come from. We introduce a value-based approach, which entails that different characteristics of energy projects may violate or support people’s core values, which evokes emotions in people. We present a theoretical framework of the relationship between people’s values, the (perceived) implications of energy projects for these values, and people’s emotional responses to energy projects. We give examples from case studies in the literature to substantiate our reasoning, and we offer directions for future research. Our novel approach provides critical insights for project developers, decision makers, engineers, and scientists who aim to better understand the human dimension of a sustainable energy transition.
The Impact of Entrepreneurial Resilience on the Success of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa
Authors: Fatoki Olawale
Published: July 2018

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have a significant role to play in a country’s sustainable development. The measures of a country’s sustainable development include economic and social factors. The sustainability of small and medium enterprises is vital to job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. The high failure rate of SMEs negatively impacts on South Africa’s sustainable development. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and the success of SMEs in South Africa. Success was measured using both organisational and individual criteria. The Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale 10 (CD-RISC 10) was used to measure entrepreneurial resilience. Data was collected from 170 small business owners through the survey method. The self-administered questionnaire method was used to collect data from the participants. Convenience and snowball methods were used for sampling. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation, and regression analysis were used for data analysis. Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. The results indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and individual and organisational success. Ways to enhance the resilience of small business owners in order to ensure the sustainability of SMEs are suggested.
Impacts of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement: Effects on Finance, Policy and Public Discourse
Authors: Bergman Noam
Published: July 2018

The fossil fuel divestment movement campaigns for removing investments from fossil fuel companies as a strategy to combat climate change. It is a bottom-up movement, largely based in university student groups, although it has rapidly spread to other institutions. Divestment has been criticised for its naiveté and hard-line stance and dismissed as having little impact on fossil fuel finance. I analyse the impact of divestment through reviewing academic and grey literature, complemented by interviews with activists and financial actors, using a theoretical framework that draws on social movement theory. While the direct impacts of divestment are small, the indirect impacts, in terms of public discourse shift, are significant. Divestment has put questions of finance and climate change on the agenda and played a part in changing discourse around the legitimacy, reputation and viability of the fossil fuel industry. This cultural impact contributed to changes in the finance industry through new demands by shareholders and investors and to changes in political discourse, such as rethinking the notion of ‘fiduciary duty.’ Finally, divestment had significant impact on its participants in terms of empowerment and played a part in the revitalisation of the environmental movement in the UK and elsewhere.
Effects of Poultry-Litter Biochar on Soil Properties and Growth of Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.)
Authors: Yu Chun-Hui , Wang Shan-Li , Tongsiri Prapasiri , Cheng Mei-Ping , Lai Hung-Yu
Published: July 2018

Poultry-litter biochars (PLBs), which were prepared at two pyrolytic temperatures, were applied to the soils of croplands with four consecutive harvests of water spinach to assess the effects of PLBs on the soil properties and the growth of water spinach. The results show that PLB amendment resulted in an increase of soil pH. The electrical conductivity values, and the concentrations of extractable inorganic nitrogen, exchangeable potassium, and available phosphorus in the soils drastically increased in the 0.5% and 1% biochar-amended soils. However, most of the significant changes due to PLB amendment disappeared after four consecutive harvests of water spinach. The growth of water spinach was enhanced in the soils amended with PLBs, especially the one prepared at 350 °C. Nonetheless, the application of 1% PLBs to the soil resulted in an imbalance between calcium and magnesium in water spinach.
Dynamic Capability of the Firm as Driver of Green Supply Chain Management Implementation
Authors: Song Bomi , Choi Donghyun
Published: July 2018

Eco friendly management has received attention from business as an important competitive source. Thus, an emerging body of studies is interested in the implementation of green supply chain management (GSCM). Previous research in this field has acknowledged the importance of GSCM. However, the capability that enables a firm to successfully adopt GSCM is not well researched. This study empirically examines dynamic capability as an antecedent of GSCM, with the aim of proposing a causal relationship between dynamic capability and GSCM. The result of this study shows that implementing GSCM with dynamic capability enables a firm to achieve successful GSCM practices, and that this in turn leads to enhanced organizational performance.
Local Authority Responses to Climate Change in South Africa: The Challenges of Transboundary Governance
Authors: Leck Hayley , Simon David
Published: July 2018

Recent progress and innovation are testament to the willingness of municipal authorities to address climate change. However, urban regions worldwide exhibit an immense diversity of conditions, capabilities and responses to the challenges of changing climatic conditions. While separated by politico-administrative borders, adjacent municipalities within such regions are connected through biophysical, politico-economic, and social systems likely to be reconfigured under changing climatic/environmental conditions. Yet, to date, politico-administrative borders have largely determined the parameters of local government climate change adaptation strategies, with insufficient attention to the role of inter-municipal collaboration, especially between neighbouring rural, peri-urban and urban municipalities, for co-ordinating such policies and interventions. Within a multi-level governance framework, this paper considers the recent evolution of climate agendas in the eThekwini (formerly Durban City Council) metropolitan municipality and the adjacent Ugu (predominantly rural) district municipality on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN), South Africa, focusing particularly on cross-border collaboration within the greater city region. The challenges were investigated by means of 53 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with municipal, regional and local authority association staff in November 2009, March 2012, and August 2017. Our core argument is that weak inter-municipal collaboration, particularly between urban, peri-urban and rural areas within metropolitan and functional city regions, has been a significant impediment to realizing transformative adaptation within such regions. The experiences of these two contiguous yet contrasting municipalities represent a microcosm of the dramatic discontinuities and inequalities on all variables within adjacent urban metropolitan and rural contexts in South Africa and beyond. Despite promising recent signs, the challenges of inter-municipal collaborative action are therefore formidable.
An Integrated Sustainable Supplier Selection Approach Based on Hybrid Information Aggregation
Authors: Zhou Xiongyong , Xu Zhiduan
Published: July 2018

With a great emphasis on both social and environmental responsibilities, sustainable supply chain management has gradually been adopted and promoted as an innovative business model. In sustainable supply chain practice, the choice of sustainable suppliers relates to the long-term development of a company. While the environmental performance of suppliers has been commonly considered, the social dimension has not yet received enough attention. This paper first proposes a novel criteria system for evaluating sustainable suppliers from three aspects and six dimensions, and then introduces an integrated evaluation model with a novel hybrid information aggregation. To verify the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method, a real case of a large supermarket is introduced and analyzed. The research results show that (1) the indicator system based on Triple Bottom Line theory can serve as a framework of sustainable supplier selection for manufacturing and circulation enterprises; (2) the introduction of hybrid information aggregation can effectively handle the uncertainties of indicator scores under the realistic fuzzy environment and objectively reflect the intentions of the scorers; and (3) in comparison with the TOPSIS algorithm, the priority order finally obtained is consistent, but the proposed model shows more robustness in the sensitivity test.
Perception and Representation of the Resource Nexus at the Interface between Society and the Natural Environment
Authors: Giampietro Mario
Published: July 2018

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in the resource nexus. This has created the co-existence of different understandings and uses of the concept. In this regard, experiences in the EU H2020 project ‘Moving towards adaptive governance in complexity: Informing nexus security’ are consistent with findings reported in the literature: (i) The inconvenient message of the nexus is difficult to get across, it being incompatible with the currently dominant rosy narratives about sustainability. Indeed, from a historic perspective, the nexus can be seen as a revival of the ideological fight between cornucopians and neo-Malthusians; (ii) Silo structures in existing institutions are a problem for the governance of the nexus, and so is the resulting reductionist strategy of addressing and fixing one issue at the time; (iii) Scientific inquiry is currently not providing the quality inputs needed for a meaningful discussion of the resource nexus. Entanglement of resource flows is rooted in the complex metabolic pattern of social-ecological systems, the analysis of which requires a complex systems approach and relational analysis. Contemporary reductionist models simply make the nexus invisible to the analyst.
Comparative Evaluation of Indirect Immunofluorescence and NS-1-Based ELISA to Determine Zika Virus-Specific IgM
Authors: De Ory Fernando , Sánchez-Seco María , Vázquez Ana , Montero María , Sulleiro Elena , Martínez Miguel , Matas Lurdes , Merino Francisco ,   Working Group for the Study of Zika Virus Infections
Published: July 2018

Differential diagnosis of the Zika virus (ZIKV) is hampered by cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses, mainly dengue viruses. The aim of this study was to compare two commercial methods for detecting ZIKV immunoglobulin M (IgM), an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), using the non-structural (NS) 1 protein as an antigen, both from EuroImmun, Germany. In total, 255 serum samples were analyzed, 203 of which showed laboratory markers of ZIKV infections (PCR-positive in serum and/or in urine and/or positive or indeterminate specific IgM). When tested with IIF, 163 samples were IgM-positive, while 13 samples were indeterminate and 78 were negative. When IIF-positive samples were tested using ELISA, we found 61 positive results, 14 indeterminate results, and 88 negative results. Among the indeterminate cases tested with IIF, ELISA analysis found two positive, two indeterminate, and nine negative results. Finally, 74 of the 78 IIF-negative samples proved also to be negative using ELISA. For the calculations, all indeterminate results were considered to be positive. The agreement, sensitivity, and specificity between ELISA and IIF were 60.2%, 44.9%, and 94.9%, respectively. Overall, 101 samples showed discrepant results; these samples were finally classified on the basis of other ZIKV diagnostic approaches (PCR-positive in serum and/or in urine, IgG determinations using IIF or ELISA, and ZIKV Plaque Reduction Neutralization test—positive), when available. A final classification of 228 samples was possible; 126 of them were positive and 102 were negative. The corresponding values of agreement, sensitivity, and specificity of IIF were 86.0%, 96.8%, and 72.5%, respectively. The corresponding figures for ELISA were 81.1%, 65.9%, and 100%, respectively. The ELISA and IIF methods are both adequate approaches for detecting ZIKV-specific IgM. However, considering their respective weaknesses (low sensitivity in ELISA and low specificity in IIF), serological results must be considered jointly with other laboratory results.
Projected Changes in Soil Temperature and Surface Energy Budget Components over the Alps and Northern Italy
Authors: Cassardo Claudio , Park Seon Ki , O Sungmin , Galli Marco
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the potential changes in surface energy budget components under certain future climate conditions over the Alps and Northern Italy. The regional climate scenarios are obtained though the Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3) runs, based on a reference climate (1961–1990) and the future climate (2071–2100) via the A2 and B2 scenarios. The energy budget components are calculated by employing the University of Torino model of land Processes Interaction with Atmosphere (UTOPIA), and using the RegCM3 outputs as input data. Our results depict a significant change in the energy budget components during springtime over high-mountain areas, whereas the most relevant difference over the plain areas is the increase in latent heat flux and hence, evapotranspiration during summertime. The precedence of snow-melting season over the Alps is evidenced by the earlier increase in sensible heat flux. The annual mean number of warm and cold days is evaluated by analyzing the top-layer soil temperature and shows a large increment (slight reduction) of warm (cold) days. These changes at the end of this century could influence the regional radiative properties and energy cycles and thus, exert significant impacts on human life and general infrastructures.
Efficient catenane synthesis by cucurbit[6]uril-mediated azide–alkyne cycloaddition
Authors: Ng Antony Wing Hung , Yee Chi-Chung , Wang Kai , Au-Yeung Ho Yu
Published: July 2018

We report here the efficient synthesis of a series of [3]catenanes featuring the use of cucurbit[6]uril to simultaneously mediate the mechanical and covalent bond formations. By coupling the mechanical interlocking with covalent macrocyclization, formation of topological isomers is eliminated and the [3]catenanes are formed exclusively in good yields. The efficient access to these [3]catenanes and the presence of other recognition units render them promising building blocks for the construction of other high-order interlocked structures.
The Araucaria Project: High-precision Cepheid Astrophysics from the Analysis of Variables in Double-lined Eclipsing Binaries*
Authors: Pilecki Bogumił , Gieren Wolfgang , Pietrzyński Grzegorz , Thompson Ian B. , Smolec Radosław , Graczyk Dariusz , Taormina Mónica , Udalski Andrzej , Storm Jesper , Nardetto Nicolas , Gallenne Alexandre , Kervella Pierre , Soszyński Igor , Górski Marek , Wielgórski Piotr , Suchomska Ksenia , Karczmarek Paulina , Zgirski Bartłomiej
Published: July 2018

Based on new observations and improved modeling techniques, we have reanalyzed seven Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Improved physical parameters have been determined for the exotic system OGLE LMC-CEP-1718 composed of two first-overtone Cepheids and a completely new model was obtained for the OGLE LMC-CEP-1812 classical Cepheid. This is now the shortest period Cepheid for which the projection factor is measured. The typical accuracy of our dynamical masses and radii determinations is 1%. The radii of the six classical Cepheids follow period–radius relations in the literature. Our very accurate physical parameter measurements allow us to calculate a purely empirical, tight period-mass–radius relation that agrees well with theoretical relations derived from non-canonical models. This empirical relation is a powerful tool to calculate accurate masses for single Cepheids for which precise radii can be obtained from Baade–Wesselink-type analyses. The mass of the type-II Cepheid κ Pav, 0.56 ± 0.08 M
⊙, determined using this relation is in a very good agreement with theoretical predictions. We find large differences between the p-factor values derived for the Cepheids in our sample. Evidence is presented that a simple period–p-factor relation shows an intrinsic dispersion, hinting at the relevance of other parameters, such as the masses, radii, and radial velocity variation amplitudes. We also find evidence that the systematic blueshift exhibited by Cepheids is primarily correlated with their gravity. The companion star of the Cepheid in the OGLE LMC-CEP-4506 system has a very similar temperature and luminosity, and is clearly located inside the Cepheid instability strip, yet it is not pulsating.
Probing the Turbulence Dissipation Range and Magnetic Field Strengths in Molecular Clouds. II. Directly Probing the Ion–neutral Decoupling Scale
Authors: Tang Kwok Sun , Li Hua-Bai , Lee Wing-Kit
Published: July 2018

The line width of ions has been observed to be systematically narrower than that of the coexisting neutrals in molecular clouds and been interpreted as the signature of the decoupling of the neutral turbulence from magnetic fields in partially ionized medium. As a sequel of Li & Houde, here we present further observational evidence that supports these earlier proposals with the velocity coordinate spectrum analysis. We recover the turbulent energy spectra of HCN and HCO+ (4 − 3) in a starless molecular cloud in NGC 6334 where magnetic fields play a dynamically important role. Our analysis showed that the neutral spectrum is consistent with Kolmogorov type (

k

−
5

/

3

, where k is the wavenumber), while that of the ions is the same on the large scale, but steeper (∼k
−2), for scales smaller than 0.404 pc. We carefully ruled out the possibilities that the spectrum difference can stem from the differences of ion and neutral optical depth and hyperfine structure.
Simulation of dynamic characteristics of GaN p-i-n avalanche diode operating as particle detector with internal gain
Authors: Vyšniauskas Juozas , Gaubas Eugenijus
Published: July 2018

An evolution of the transient characteristics of the GaN p-i-n diodes, operating in the avalanche mode and acting as particle sensors, has been simulated by using the Synopsys TCAD Sentaurus software package and the drift-diffusion approach. Profiling of the charge generation, recombination and drift-diffusion processes has been performed over a nanosecond time-scale with a precision of a few picoseconds and emulated through the photo-excitation of an excess carrier domain at different locations of the active volume of a diode. Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH), Auger and radiative recombination processes have been taken into account. Fast and slow components within a current transient have been analysed based on the consideration of the carrier spatial distribution at different instants of the avalanche process. The internal gain due to charge multiplication ensures the sufficient charge collection on electrodes of the relatively thin (5 µm) diode operating in the avalanche mode. It has been shown that the simulated evolution of the detector transient responses by employing the drift-diffusion approach reproduces properly the qualitative modifications of the main features of a detector with an internal gain, realized by induction of the avalanche processes governed by the applied external voltage.
Linear Atelectasis around the Hilum on Chest Radiography: A Novel Sign of Early Lung Cancer
Authors: Ozturk Kerem , Soylu Esra , Topal Ugur
Published: July 2018

Background:

Linear atelectasis is a focal area of subsegmental atelectasis with a linear shape. Linear atelectasis may occur as a consequence of subsegmental bronchial obstruction.

Aims:

We propose an early roentgen sign of obstructing lung tumors, namely perihilar linear atelectasis, and ascertain whether this phenomenon could be used as a sign to detect radiographically occult primary lung cancer.

Materials and Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of 45,000 posteroanterior chest radiographs to determine the frequency of appearance and characteristics of perihilar linear atelectasis. The perihilar region of chest radiographs was evaluated for the presence of linear atelectasis. When linear atelectasis was found, the total thickness was measured. Student's t-test was used to evaluate statistical significance, correlating the thickness of atelectasis and the presence of obstructing central primary lung cancer.

Results:

Perihilar linear atelectasis was demonstrated in 58 patients. Atelectasis was caused by an obstructing tumor in 21 (36%) cases and a variety of other conditions in 37 (64%) patients. A statistically significant relationship (P < 0.001) was observed between the dimension of perihilar linear atelectasis and primary lung cancer, with 16 of 19 patients with thick (>5.5 mm) perihilar linear atelectasis found to have primary lung cancer.

Conclusion:

Thick perihilar linear atelectasis is a new diagnostic roentgen sign that suggests subsegmental bronchial obstruction. In this patient subgroup, who are otherwise asymptomatic, a persistent linear atelectasis can be due to primary lung cancer.
Foreword
Authors: Nina GOLOB
Published: July 2018

With this volume, Acta linguistica is entering its 5th year. We would like to announce, with our great pleasure, that the journal has undergone some changes  and will from now be published twice a year, with its summer and winter volume. This summer volume includes researches with a common topic of practicing a language, whether in educational, and religious institutions, or in the languages primary surroundings. In this spirit, the volume is divided into two parts, with the first devoted to the methodology of language teaching, focusing mainly on Chinese and Japanese language and presently still under-researched dyslexia role in language studies, and the second focusing on under-documented languages and their gap between language policies and the actual state of language use.The first paper by Katja Simončič, entitled Evaluating Approaches to Teaching and Learning Chinese Vocabulary from the Learning Theories Perspective: An Experimental Case Study, discusses two basic approaches to teaching Chinese vocabulary, and evaluates them based on the results of experimental study on Slovene students of Chinese.The next two papers deal with the different lexica in Japanese language. Nataliia Vitalievna Kutafeva's research, entitled Japanese Onomatopoeic Expressions with Quantitative Meaning analyzes the lexical mode of expression of quantitative meanings and their semantics with the help of onomatopoeic (giongo) and mimetic (gitaigo) words, and based on it proposes the new arrangement of semantic groups.Kiyomi Fujii’s research, entitled Blogging Identity: How L2 Learners Express Themselves, discusses identity expression in blogs by Japanese language learners on the intermediate and advanced level.The paper by Nagisa Moritoki Škof, Japanese Language Education and Dyslexia: On the Necessity of Dyslexia Research, shows an insight to dyslexia and through an outline of the present state of accepting and treating leaning disabilities in the Japanese education system stresses the  importance of incounting dyslexia in language education in general.Manel Herat in his paper Functions of English vs. Other Languages in Sri Lankan Buddhist Rituals in the UK, analyzes the language shifts from the Sinhala and Pali languages to English at Buddhist festivals and sermons in UK. Next paper by Ali Ammar and his colleagues, Language Policy and Medium of Instruction Issue in Pakistan, briefly re-explores the situation of languages in the country and studies the latest language policy of Pakistan and its implications for local languages.The last research paper in this volume Bhadarwahi: A Typological Sketch was written by Amitabh Vikram Dwivedi and is an attempt to describe phonological and morphosyntactic features of the under-documented Bhadarwahi language belonging to Indo-Aryan language family.Finally, in the context of describing under-documented languages, the influence of the existing language policy is also noticed by Erwin Soriano FERNANDEZ and his book review on Pangasinan, entitled Panuntunán na Ortograpiya éd salitan PANGASINAN 2012. Manila: Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.
Diccionario de construcción y regimen de la lengua Castellana por Rufino José Cuervo, continuado y editado por el Instituto Caro y Cuervo, Santafé de Bogotá, ICC, 1994
Authors: Markič Jasmina
Published: July 2018

Monumento a la palabra, máxima obra gramatical y sintáctica de la lengua castellana, una catedral, un palacio enorme, monumento lexicografico de la historia cultural de la lengua española, y, según Gabriel Garcia Márquez, una novela de la palabra, son sólo algunas palabras usadas últimamente para definir el singular Diccionario de construcción y régimen de la lengua castellana, o, más brevemente, el Diccionario Cuervo. El Diccionario de construcción y régimen de la fengua castellana ( 1500 ejemplares en su primera edición) consta de ocho elegantes e impresionantes volumenes, un excelente trabajo de la lmprenta Patriotica del Instituto Caro y Cuervo de Yerbabuena. Tiene un poco más de ocho mil páginas, nueve mil quinientas voces con mas de 600.000 ejemplos de dos mil escritores conocidos de la lengua española.
Mortar mixes with oxblood: historical background, model sample recipes and properties
Authors: Zhang Kun , Rampazzi Laura , Riccardi Maria Pia , Sansonetti Antonio , Grimoldi Alberto
Published: July 2018

Abstract. In this survey we present studies on mortar mixes added with oxblood, which
was a commonly found local waste material, with a wide application and long
history of use; a precise recipe of lime–pozzolan mortar with blood addition
from a 19th-century Italian manual was chosen, and model samples were prepared
accordingly, with the aim of better understanding the chemical, mineralogical and
physical characteristics of such compositions, starting with a blank
reference specimen. The specimens were analysed by means of scanning electron
microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction,
and the results suggested that amorphous calcium carbonate could be formed in
the specimens with oxblood addition. These preliminary results allow a
better understanding of historical building practices, measuring effects
induced by organic additives on mortar microstructure, as well as an evaluation of new
performances obtained in mortar mixes. Moreover, this paper intends to propose
a full multi-discipline approach to bridge the history of architecture and
building materials to conservation science.
Effect of plateau pikas disturbance and patchiness on ecosystem carbon emission of alpine meadow on the northeastern part of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Qin Yu , Yi Shuhua , Ding Yongjian , Zhang Wei , Qin Yan , Chen Jianjun , Wang Zhiwei
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) disturbance and patchiness intensify the spatial heterogeneous distribution of vegetation productivity and soil physicochemical properties, which may alter ecosystem carbon emission process. Nevertheless, previous researches have mostly focused on the homogeneous vegetation patches rather than heterogeneous underlying surface. Thus, this study aims to improve our understanding of the difference in ecosystem respiration (Re) over heterogeneous underlying surface at the plot scale in an alpine meadow grassland. Six different land surface: large bald patch, medium bald patch, small bald patch, intact grassland, above pika tunnel and pika pile were selected to analyze the response of Re to pikas disturbance and patchiness, and the key controlling factors. The results showed that (1) soil moisture (SM) under pika pile and bald patches was 2–11 % less than intact grassland despite pikas disturbance increased water infiltration rate, while soil temperature (ST) under pika pile and bald patches was 1–3 ℃ higher than intact grassland; (2) soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) density under above pika tunnel were 2.45–3.31 and 2.10–3.72 times higher than other surface types; and (3) Re under intact grassland and above pika tunnel were 0.22–1.07 times higher than pika pile and bald patches, and Re was significantly correlated with SM, TN and vegetation biomass (P
Real Earnings Management: A Review of Literature and Future Research
Authors: Ali Belal , Kamardin Hasnah
Published: July 2018

In recent years, increasing attention has been given to real earnings management (REM) as an alternative method to accrual-based earnings management. This paper reviews the recent studies on REM to provide updated and comprehensive information about this type of earnings management. Specifically, the review focuses on REM definitions, motivations, techniques, consequences, and measurement. In addition, the paper provides a discussion of the theoretical frameworks used by researchers as underpinning theories of earnings management. The review of the literature showed that companies have shifted earnings management practising from accruals-based to real activities based. Useful suggestions for REM research opportunities are also provided.
Median Nerve Symptoms, Signs, and Electrodiagnostic Abnormalities Among Working Adults
Authors: Hegmann Kurt T. , Merryweather Andrew , Thiese Matthew S. , Kendall Richard , Garg Arun , Kapellusch Jay , Foster James , Drury David , Wood Eric M. , Melhorn J. Mark
Published: July 2018

Introduction:

Diagnostic screening tests for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) have not been rigorously assessed in large populations.

Methods:

This study is a cross-sectional analysis from a prospective cohort study. Participants' (n = 1,194) symptoms and disease prevalence were measured. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated.

Results:

When defining CTS as tingling/numbness in at least two median nerve–served digits and an abnormal median nerve conduction study, the prevalence was 8.9%. The sensitivity of paresthesias with nocturnal awakening was 77.4%. The sensitivity of the Phalen sign was 52.8% and that of the Hoffman-Tinel sign was only 37.7%.

Discussion:

The highest sensitivity (77.4%) for a case definition of CTS in this population of workers was for nocturnal tingling/numbness in a median nerve distribution, and the highest specificity (97.5%) was for continuous tingling/numbness. The Phalen sign has a sensitivity of 52.8% and NPV of 95%, suggesting that the NPV is of particular diagnostic value. Hoffman-Tinel signs seem primarily helpful for the NPV (93.7%).

Level of Evidence:

Level II diagnostic study
In-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Beliefs About Teaching, Learning and Nature of Mathematics and Their Mathematics Teaching Practices
Authors: Aljaberi Nahil , Gheith Eman
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study is four fold: (a) to investigate the beliefs of elementary (grades 1-3) and middle school (4-6 grades) math teachers about teaching, learning and nature of mathematics; (b) to explore their teaching practices of mathematics; (c) to study the impact of their educational qualifications, years of experience, major on their beliefs toward teaching, learning and nature of mathematics, and; (d) to explore the relationship between their beliefs about teaching learning and nature of mathematics and their teaching practices. Data were collected using two questionnaires: the Math Teacher Beliefs Scale and the Mathematics Teaching Practices Scale. The study sample consisted of 101 teachers who teach in 11 private schools located in Amman, Jordan. The result of this study showed that teachers’ beliefs towards teaching and learning mathematics are more inclined towards being constructive or mixed in between. It was also concluded that the teaching practices lean towards constructivism. There were no significant differences attributed to years of experience, academic level, major, or at what stage they teach, whether it revolves around the their beliefs towards teaching and learning mathematics or towards teaching practices (from teachers’ perspective). The study results revealed a statistically significant correlation between what the teachers believe and what teaching practices they put into use.
The Effect of Somatotype Characteristics of Athletes on the Balance Performance
Authors: Top Elif , Celenk Cagri , Marangoz Irfan , Aktug Zait , Yilmaz Taner , Akil Mustafa
Published: July 2018

Our study aims to investigate the effects of somatotype characteristics of elite athletes on the balance performances. The study has included 46 elite athletes totally. The heights, body weights, skinfold thicknesses, periphery and diameter of skinfold of the subjects included in the study have been measured and somatotype characteristics have been determined by using Heath-Carter method. The balance performances of the athletes have been evaluated by using Biodex Balance System. It has been determined that the dynamic balance performance of the athletes has changed in accordance with the endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph characteristics of the athletes; however, static balance performances have not changed. Accordingly, no difference has been observed between the oscillation indexes and static balances of the athletes (p>0.05), whereas a significant difference has been found as the balance level increases in accordance with the endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph characteristics of the athletes in terms of dynamic balances (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.001). In conclusion, it is assumed that the athletes having endomorphic characteristics may be more successful in the sports branches that put an emphasis on the balance.
Archibald Motley Jr. and Racial Reinvention
Authors: Wolfskill Phoebe
Published: July 2018

An essential African American artist of his era, Archibald Motley Jr. created paintings of black Chicago that aligned him with the revisionist aims of the New Negro Renaissance. Yet Motley’s approach to constructing a New Negro—a dignified figure both accomplished and worthy of respect—reflected the challenges faced by African American artists working on the project of racial reinvention and uplift. Phoebe Wolfskill demonstrates how Motley’s art embodied the tenuous nature of the Black Renaissance and the wide range of ideas that structured it. Focusing on key works in Motley’s oeuvre, Wolfskill reveals the artist’s complexity and the variety of influences that informed his work. Motley’s paintings suggest that the racist, problematic image of the Old Negro was not a relic of the past but an influence that pervaded the Black Renaissance. Exploring Motley in relation to works by notable black and non-black contemporaries, Wolfskill reinterprets Motley’s oeuvre as part of a broad effort to define American cultural identity through race, class, gender, religion, and regional affiliation. The book concludes by considering how racist images of the past continue to fuel conflicts over black representation.
Teaching with Tenderness
Authors: Thompson Becky
Published: July 2018

Teaching with Tenderness follows in the tradition of bell hooks’ Teaching to Transgress and Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, inviting us to draw upon contemplative practices (yoga, meditation, free writing, mindfulness, ritual) to keep our hearts open as we reckon with multiple injustices. Teaching with Tenderness makes room for emotion, offers a witness for experiences people have buried, welcomes silence, breath, and movement, and sees justice as key to our survival. It allows us to rethink our relationship to grading, office hours, desks, and faculty meetings, sees paradox as a constant companion, moves us beyond binaries, and praises self and community care.
Teaching with Tenderness identifies a range of stresses that students and faculty bring to the classroom—as young people worried about the state of the world, veterans, trauma survivors, people with disabilities, and social justice activists—and ways of teaching that remind us that we belong to each other. It identifies why people take flight from their own bodies and strategies that enable people to stay fully present for each other. The book draws upon the author’s teaching at a range of universities in the United States as well as in China, Greece, and Thailand. Thompson writes as a professor, poet, yoga teacher, and humanitarian worker seeking spontaneous, planned, and found rituals of inclusion that lean us toward justice, rest on rigorous study, and treat the classroom as a sacred space.
American Oligarchy
Authors: Formisano Ron
Published: July 2018

Almost all studies of the nation’s extreme inequality of income and wealth have overlooked a critical, overarching cause of the creation of The New Gilded Age. The permanent political class has driven and sustained economic and political inequality not only with the government policies it has crafted over the past four decades. It has created inequality by becoming a self-dealing, self-serving nepotistic oligarchy that is enabling the One Percent and the .01 Percent to create an American aristocracy of wealth.
American Oligarchy describes a multifaceted culture of self-dealing and corruption reaching into every sector of American society. The political class’s direct creation of economic inequality by channeling the flow of income and wealth to elites, has been described extensively; less exposed has been how its self-aggrandizement indirectly—but hidden in plain sight—creates a culture of corruption that infects the entire society.