bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of non-pathogenic types of gastrointestinal protozoa in population in Slovakia and their potential importance in the aspect of public health
Authors: Dudlová Adriána , Jarčuška Pavol , Jurišová Silvia , Vasilková Zuzana , Krčméry Vladimír , Juriš Peter
Published: October 2018

The aim of the research was to determine the prevalence of non-pathogenic protozoa circulating in the human population of Slovakia. We particularly focused on the socially deprived areas with poor sanitation conditions, as they are one of the factors affecting the transmission of these infections. Within this study, 2760 people were coprologically screened for the presence of protozoan cysts. The analyzed group comprised 1173 men and 1587 women from different regions of Slovakia. The total prevalence (2.03%) of non-pathogenic protozoa species was determined. The prevalence of Entamoeba coli was 0.80%, the prevalence of Endolimax nana 0.58%, and the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis was 0.65%. The presence of non-pathogenic protozoa was more frequent in women than that in men, in all age groups. The highest incidence of Entamoeba coli was found in children aged one month – seven years (0.79%), the lowest in the age group of 19–88 years (0.66%). Endolimax nana was most frequent in 8–18 year-olds (0.95%), where the statistical significance was found (p<0.05). The prevalence of Blastocystis hominis by the age group ranged from 0.39 to 0.95%. We did not find any statistical significance (p>0.05) for Entamoeba coli, and similarly for Blastocystis hominis associated with the sex and age. Although the circulation of non-pathogenic protozoa in the human population is far from being limited to the developing countries, their occurrence is also frequent in the population of developed countries. Despite their controversial pathogenicity, they should not be neglected, particularly in the patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
First finding of Ityogonimus lorum and I. ocreatus co-infection in the Iberian mole, Talpa occidentalis
Authors: Adalid Roser , Torres Jordi , Miñarro Marcos , Fuentes Màrius Vicent , Miquel Jordi
Published: October 2018

The Ityogonimus lorum-I. ocreatus co-infection is reported for the first time in the Iberian mole Talpa occidentalis in Asturias (NW Spain). Both Ityogonimus species are stenoxenous helminths of insectivores of the genus Talpa and they have often been found parasitizing the Iberian mole and also the European mole T. europaea, but a mixed infection had not been previously reported. The present study also highlights the main differential morphometric characteristics between I. lorum and I. ocreatus such as the body length, the ventral sucker diameter, the ratio between suckers and the distance between suckers.
Helminth and respiratory mite lesions in Pinnipeds from Punta San Juan, Peru
Authors: Seguel Mauricio , Calderón Karla , Colegrove Kathleen , Adkesson Michael , Cárdenas-Alayza Susana , Paredes Enrique
Published: October 2018

The tissues and parasites collected from Peruvian fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and South American sea lions (Otaria byronia) found dead at Punta San Juan, Peru were examined. The respiratory mite, Orthohalarachne attenuata infected 3 out of 32 examined fur seals and 3 out of 8 examined sea lions, however caused moderate to severe lymphohistiocytic pharyngitis only in fur seals. Hookworms, Uncinaria sp, infected 6 of the 32 examined fur seals causing variable degrees of hemorrhagic and eosinophilic enteritis. This parasite caused the death of 2 of these pups. In fur seals and sea lions, Corynosoma australe and Contracaecum osculatum were not associated with significant tissue alterations in the intestine and stomach respectively. Respiratory mites and hookworms have the potential to cause disease and mortality among fur seals, while parasitic infections do not impact significatively the health of sea lions at Punta San Juan, Peru.
Meglumine antimoniate-induced DRESS: original case with a positive skin test
Authors: Chaabane Amel , Romdhane Haifa Ben , Brahim Hajer Ben , Fredj Nadia Ben , Chadli Zohra , Boughattas Naceur A , Chakroun Mohamed , Aouam Karim
Published: October 2018

We report a case of a 64-year-old woman treated with meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®). On day 20, she developed fever, a pruriginous skin rash and myalgia. The blood tests showed eosinophilia and hepatic cytolysis. The clinico-biological picture improved gradually and the symptoms disappeared 4 weeks after the drug withdrawal. Six weeks later, intradermal tests to Glucantime® were performed and were positive at 48 hour-reading. This clinical picture suggests DRESS induced by meglumine antimoniate. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of meglumine antimoniate-induced DRESS has been reported in the literature and we are the first to report a case confirmed by skin tests.
Emotion recognition ability across different modalities: The role of language status (L1/LX), proficiency and cultural background
Authors: Lorette Pernelle , Dewaele Jean-Marc
Published: October 2018

This paper considers individual differences in the Emotion Recognition Ability (ERA) of 1368 participants in different modalities. The sample consisted of 557 first language (L1) and 881 foreign language (LX) users of English from all over the world. This study investigates four independent variables, namely modality of communication, language status (L1 versus LX), proficiency, and cultural background. The dependent variable is a score reflecting ERA. Participants were asked to identify an emotion (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and disgust) portrayed by a native English-speaking actress in six short recordings – either audiovisual or audio-only – embedded in an online questionnaire. English proficiency was measured through a lexical recognition test. Statistical analyses revealed that participants were better able to recognise emotions when visual cues are available. Overall, there was no difference between L1 and LX users’ ERA. However, L1 users outperformed LX users when visual cues were not available, which suggest that LX users are able to reach L1-like ERA when they can rely on a sufficient amount of cues. Participants with higher proficiency scores had significantly higher ERA scores, particularly in the audio-only condition. Asian LX users were found to score significantly lower than other LX users.
Bibliotheken in der Gesellschaft - für Menschenrechte gegen rechtspopulistische Tendenzen
Authors: Lux Claudia
Published: October 2018

Der Beitrag behandelt Menschenrechtsaspekte, wie Bibliotheken mit rassistischen und rechtspopulistischen Angriffen auf die Menschenwürde in Bibliotheken umgehen und wie sie Grenzen setzen können, um betroffene Nutzer zu schützen. Meinungsfreiheit und Zugang zur Information sollten von Bibliotheken als ihr Kerngeschäft angesehen werden. Aufgrund der bibliothekarischen Ethik wird jede Zensur abgelehnt. Die Menschenrechte auf Bildung und Teilnahme am kulturellen und wissenschaftlichen Leben der Gemeinschaft spielen ebenfalls für Bibliotheken eine wichtige Rolle. Einschränkungen oder Irritationen durch Fake News können durch die Förderung von Bildung mit Informationskompetenz durch Bibliotheken verhindert werden.
Den Blick schärfen. Zum Umgang mit rechtspopulistischen Sachbüchern aus Lektoratssicht
Authors: Brandt Susanne
Published: October 2018

Meinungsfreiheit kontra Menschenwürde? Der freie Zugang zu Informationen gehört zu den Kernanliegen von Bibliotheken und schließt das Angebot von Titeln mit rechtspopulistischen Positionen nicht aus. Da sich aber bei der Kaufentscheidung zu diesen Büchern oft ein Konflikt zwischen zentralen Grundrechten offenbart, kann weder eine unkritische Akzeptanz noch eine grundsätzliche Ablehnung die Antwort sein. Lektorinnen und Lektoren tragen mit ihrer Markt- und Titelsichtung dazu bei, dass der Blick für Kriterien und Grenzen geschärft und der Mut für begründete Entscheidungen gestärkt wird.
zeit.punktNRW - das nordrhein-westfälische Zeitungsportal
Authors: Herkenhoff Michael
Published: October 2018

Die Digitalisierung der historischen Zeitungen in Deutschland (bis Erscheinungsjahr 1945) erfordert große Anstrengungen und beträchtliche Mittel. Eine DFG-Förderung allein ist nicht ausreichend. Sie muss durch regionale Programme ergänzt werden. Der folgende Beitrag stellt ein Verbundprojekt nordrhein-westfälischer Archive und Bibliotheken zur Zeitungdigitalisierung vor, das vom Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen finanziert wird. 20 Mio. Zeitungsseiten sollen in zehn Jahren digitalisiert und online gestellt werden. Das nordrhein-westfälische Zeitungsportal „zeit.punktNRW“ ist Ende Juni 2018 freigeschaltet worden.
Do Firms Supported by Credit Guarantee Schemes Report Better Financial Results 2 Years After the End of Intervention?
Authors: Dvouletý Ondřej , Čadil Jan , Mirošník Karel
Published: October 2018

The study contributes to underdeveloped knowledge on effects of SME policies in Central and Eastern Europe. We evaluate two Czech credit guarantee schemes funded from EU funds during years 2007–2013. We conduct micro-econometric firm-level impact evaluation based on propensity score matching approach. We estimate average treatment effect on the treated (ATET) for six financial outcome variables (total assets, tangible fixed assets, personnel costs, sales, price-cost-margin and return on assets) measuring firm´s competitiveness. Two years after the programme, no statistically conclusive results were obtained for the most of the outcome variables. We found only a positive change in tangible fixed assets for the programme participants. However, we cannot say, that the supported firms would be better off, compared to those non-supported in a short-term. Our analysis shows that without reliable data gathered by public sector authorities, no rigorous evaluations can be made and thus no evidence driven policies can be formed.
Adding clinical utility to the laboratory reports: automation of interpretative comments
Authors: Oosterhuis Wytze
Published: October 2018

In laboratory medicine, consultation by adding interpretative comments to reports has long been recognized as one of the activities that help to improve patient treatment outcomes and strengthen the position of our profession. Interpretation and understanding of laboratory test results might in some cases considerably be enhanced by adding test when considered appropriate by the laboratory specialist – an activity that was named reflective testing. With patient material available at this stage, this might considerably improve the diagnostic efficiency. The need and value of these forms of consultation have been proven by a diversity of studies. Both general practitioners and medical specialists have been shown to value interpretative comments. Other forms of consultation are emerging: in this time of patient empowerment and shared decision making, reporting of laboratory results to patients will be common. Patients have in general little understanding of these results, and consultation of patients could add a new dimension to the service of the laboratory. These developments have been recognized by the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, which has established the working group on Patient Focused Laboratory Medicine for work on the matter. Providing proper interpretative comments is, however, labor intensive because harmonization is necessary to maintain quality between individual specialists. In present-day high-volume laboratories, there are few options on how to generate high-quality, patient-specific comments for all the relevant results without overwhelming the laboratory specialists. Automation and application of expert systems could be a solution, and systems have been developed that could ease this task.
Indirect determination of hematology reference intervals in adult patients on Beckman Coulter UniCell DxH 800 and Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire devices
Authors: Zierk Jakob , Arzideh Farhad , Haeckel Rainer , Rauh Manfred , Metzler Markus , Ganslandt Thomas , Krause Stefan W.
Published: October 2018

Background

Conventional establishment of reference intervals for hematological analytes is challenging due to the need to recruit healthy persons. Indirect methods address this by deriving reference intervals from clinical laboratory databases which contain large datasets of both physiological and pathological test results.

Methods

We used the “Reference Limit Estimator” (RLE) to establish reference intervals for common hematology analytes in adults aged 18–60 years. One hundred and ninety-five samples from 44,519 patients, measured on two different devices in a tertiary care center were analyzed. We examined the influence of patient cohorts with an increasing proportion of abnormal test results, compared sample selection strategies, explored inter-device differences, and analyzed the stability of reference intervals in simulated datasets with varying overlap of pathological and physiological test results.

Results

Reference intervals for hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell count and platelet count remained stable, even if large numbers of pathological samples were included. Reference intervals for red cell indices, red cell distribution width and leukocyte count were sufficiently stable, if patient cohorts with the highest fraction of pathological samples were excluded. In simulated datasets, estimated reference limits shifted, if the pathological dataset contributed more than 15%–20% of total samples and approximated the physiological distribution. Advanced sample selection techniques did not improve the algorithm’s performance. Inter-device differences were small except for red cell distribution width.

Conclusions

The RLE is well-suited to create reference intervals from clinical laboratory databases even in the challenging setting of a adult tertiary care center. The procedure can be used as a complement for reference interval determination where conventional approaches are limited.
Hydrotalcite Anchored Ruthenium Catalyst for CO2 Hydrogenation Reaction
Authors: Srivastava Vivek
Published: October 2018

We developed a series of new organic-inorganic hybrid hydrotalcite functionalized Ru catalytic systems. All the developed materials have been studied by FTIR, N2 physisorption, ICP-OES, XPS, NMR (1H, 13C, 29Si) and TEM analysis were performed to know the physiochemical behavior and structural morphology of functionalized hydrotalcite materials. XPS results strongly suggest that it involves the formation of N-Ru coordination bonds. We applied these well analyzed materials for CO2 hydrogenation reaction as catalyst (with and without ionic liquid medium). We found that Ru metal containing functionalized hydrotalcite materials were highly active and stable (in terms of catalyst leaching and recycling). The heterogeneous catalyst can be easily recovered and reused 8 times without significant loss of catalytic activity and selectivity, which is a better green alternative for practical applications.
Clustering Analysis of Normal Strength Concretes Produced with Different Aggregate Types
Authors: Kılınçarslan Şemsettin , İnce Ebru Yılmaz , Tuncay Ebru Başpınar , Yağmurlu Fuzuli
Published: October 2018

Concrete is the most commonly used structural material, which is composed of individual base materials. The compressive strength of concrete is important to understand for activities like construction arrangement, prestressing operations, proportioning new mixtures and quality assurance. Concrete has a problem known as Clustering, which is the unsupervised classification of patterns into clusters. The clustering problem has been addressed by several researchers in many contexts and various disciplines; this shows that clustering uses many areas and is an important step in data analysis. In this study, concrete samples with different aggregate types and normal strength were produced. Clustering analysis was performed on the effect of aggregate species for its mechanical strength. According to the result of clustering analysis, it was found that there were three different groups, the study predicts that clustering is not related to the origins of the rocks but is clustered between the strength of the rocks and the mechanical strengths of the concretes produced within these rocks. The common feature of L, RL and SG aggregates in the first cluster is that it is a sedimentary rock. The aggregate of the concrete in the second cluster is that it is a volcanic superficial rock. The common feature of DO and TB rocks in the third cluster is that it has high density. As a result, it was determined that the clay made in normal class concrete is related to the mechanical strength of rocks.
Free Vibration Analysis of Fiber Metal Laminated Straight Beam
Authors: Maraş Sinan , Yaman Mustafa , Şansveren Mehmet Fatih , Reyhan Sina Karimpour
Published: October 2018

In recent years, studies on the development of new and advanced composite materials have been increasing. Among these new technological products, Fiber Metal Laminates (FML), and hybrid structures made of aluminium, carbon, glass or aramid fiber, are preferred especially in the aircraft industry due to their high performance. Therefore, free vibration analysis is necessary for the design process of such structures. In this study, the vibration characteristics of FML for clamped-free boundary conditions were investigated experimentally and numerically. Firstly, numerical results were obtained using Finite Element Method (FEM) and then these results were compared with the experimental results. It was seen that the numerical results were in good agreement with the experimental results. As the theoretical model was justified, the effects of various parameters such as number of layers, fiber orientations, and aluminium layer thickness on the in-plane vibration characteristics of the FML straight beam were analysed using FEM. Thus, most important parameters affecting the vibration characteristics of the hybrid structures were determined.
Humidity properties of Schiff base polymers
Authors: Demir Ramazan , Kaya Ismet
Published: October 2018

The synthesized Schiff base polymers were investigated for humidity and chloroform response characteristics. The crystal structure of polymers were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (X-RD) method. We used the QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) method for the analyses of the water steam adsorption and desorption ratio of polymers. The experimental results showed that Schiff base polymers were very sensitive to humidity and chloroform at room temperature and it was possible to use it as a sensing element in moisture sensor applications.
Effect of Malus halliana Koehne Polysaccharides on Functional Constipation
Authors: Niu Yingying , Wang Junya , Wang Pengyu , Guo Xiuchun , Wang Jinmei , Kang Wenyi
Published: October 2018

The effects of Malus halliana Koehne polysaccharides on functional constipation was investigated in this study. The rats were divided into six groups: normal group, model group, positive control group, M. halliana polysaccharides high dose groups 1200 mg/ kg, medium dose groups 1000 mg/ kg and low dose groups 800 mg/kg. The model of constipation was established by loperamide hydrochloride. Feces weight at 6 and 24 hours after treatment, Colon moisture content, in addition the levels of motilin (MTL), gastrin (Gas), somatostatin (SS), substance P (SP) in serum were used to evaluate the preventive effects of M. halliana polysaccharides on constipation. Compared with the model group, the positive control group, M. halliana polysaccharide high, medium and low dose group 6 h weight of feces, colon moisture content, the levels of motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS) and substance P(SP) significantly (p <0.01) increased, the levels of somatostatin (SS) significantly decreased. The results indicated that the high, middle and low dosage of M. halliana polysaccharide could effectively improve functional constipation. Amongst these doses, the low dose group was better than others.
Electro-photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin using calcium titanate
Authors: Zhou Lvshan , Guo Xiaogang , Lai Chuan , Wang Wei
Published: October 2018

The electro-photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin in aqueous solution was investigated using single factor test by the potassium permanganate method for measuring the values of chemical oxygen demand (CODMn). Batch experiments were carried out successfully under different conditions, including initial amoxicillin concentration, calcium titanate dosage, pH, UV irradiation time, electrolyte and temperature. The experimental results show that there is a great difference between electro-photocatalytic and photocatalitic degradation. The maximum electro-photocatalytic degradation efficiency can increase to 79% under the experimental conditions of 200 mL amoxicillin solution (100 mg L-1) with 0.5 g calcium titanate by pH=3 for 120 min irradiation and 0.058 g sodium chloride as electrolyte at 318.5K. In addition, the reaction rate constant of 0.00848~0.01349 min-1, activation energy of 9.8934 kJ mol-1 and the pre-exponential factor of 0.5728 were obtained based on kinetics studies, indicating that the electro-photocatalytic reaction approximately followed the first-order kinetics model.
Structural Properties and Nonlinear Optical Responses of Halogenated Compounds: A DFT Investigation on Molecular Modelling
Authors: Janjua Muhammad Ramzan Saeed Ashraf
Published: October 2018

Computational chemistry is used to evaluate structures of different compounds by using principles of theoretical and quantum chemistry integrated into useful computer programs. It is used to determine energies, dipole moments and thermodynamic properties of different compounds. The present work reports the computational study of six donor-acceptor dyes. The computational method CAM-B3LYP with 6-31G(d,p) was used in this research to determine the effect of halogens on non-linear optical compounds. HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, dipole polarizabilities, first hyperpolarizabilities, and absorption spectra of six studied compounds (dye 1: 4-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethynyl)benzenamine; dye 2: 4-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethynyl)benzenamine; dye 3: 4-(2-(4-bromophenyl)ethynyl)benzenamine; dye 4: 5-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethynyl)benzene-1,2,3-triamine; dye 5: 5-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethynyl)benzene-1,2,3-triamine; dye 6: 5-(2-(4-bromophenyl)ethynyl)benzene-1,2,3-triamine) with aniline and halo phenyl segments were computed by using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Results indicate that all dyes showed wavelengths of maximum absorbance in the visible region. Small HOMO-LUMO energy gaps were observed in all investigated dyes. The present calculations on these dyes (1-6) offer an understanding of the direction of charge transfer (CT) and how NLO behavior can be explained. The aniline-to-halo phenyl CT, caused by the combination of the donor amino group and the acceptor halo group, could be a reason for NLO behavior of these sorts of compounds. These compounds exhibit significant molecular second-order NLO responses, especially dyes (6) and (5), with second-order polarizability determined to be approximately 4600 a.u.
The Effect of Macroalgal Extracts and Near Infrared Radiation on Germination of Soybean Seedlings: Preliminary Research Results
Authors: Michalak Izabela , Lewandowska Sylwia , Detyna Jerzy , Olsztyńska-Janus Sylwia , Bujak Henryk , Pacholska Paulina
Published: October 2018

In the present study, synergistic effects between the application of near-infrared radiation (NIR) and macroalgal extracts on the germination of soybean seeds were searched for. NIR is captured by special photoreceptors (i.e. phytochromes, cryptochromes and phototropins) and next plants generate a wide range of specific physiological responses through these receptors. For the study, a special system of NIR was applied to irradiate soybean seeds. To our knowledge, this is the first time this kind of radiation was used for the biostimulation of soybean seeds. Previously, the effect of other ranges of light (e.g. green, red, blue) was analysed in terms of photosynthetic activity, growth and yield of different plants, except seeds. NIR for 3 and 5 minutes was also combined with the application of macroalgal extracts used for seeds soaking. They are known as a rich source of biologically active compounds that can stimulate plant growth. These preliminary studies show that the examined factors can stimulate plant’s growth and their quality.
Response of spring wheat to NPK and S fertilization. The content and uptake of macronutrients and the value of ionic ratios
Authors: Klikocka Hanna , Marks Marek , Barczak Bożena , Szostak Bogdan , Podleśna Anna , Podleśny Janusz
Published: October 2018

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) fertilizers on the content and uptake of macronutrients by grain dry mass (DM) of spring wheat. A field experiment was conducted in southeastern Poland on Cambisols (WRB 2007), in conditions of low S content in the soil. The experiment included 2 factors: fertilization with N (0, 40, 80, 120 kg ha-1) and with S (0, 50 kg ha-1).

The experiment showed a positive response of spring wheat to N and S fertilization. The highest grain yield was found after application of 80 kg N ha-1 and addition of 50 kg S ha-1 (5.43 t ha-1). The described combination resulted in beneficial content of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) (P –4.267, K–4.533, Mg–1.567, Ca–0.433 g kg-1) and uptake of macroelements by grain dry mass (DM) (P–20.48, K–21.79, Mg–7.52, Ca–2.08 kg ha-1). A generally positive correlation was found between content and uptake of macronutrients with exception of P content. Fertilization with N caused significantly narrowed mass ratios of K+: Ca2+, K+: Mg2+ and mass and mole ratio of K+:(Ca2++Mg2+) and increased mass ratio of Ca:P. While S application narrowed significantly, mass ratios of K+:Ca2+ and K+: (Ca2+ + Mg2+) and increased mass ratio of Ca:P.
Standing up to the canoe: Competing cognitive biases in the encoding of stative spatial relations in a language with a single spatial preposition
Authors: Næss Åshild
Published: October 2018

This paper discusses how verbal directional markers are used to encode stative spatial relations in the Oceanic language Äiwoo. It argues that the apparent reversal of directional meaning in stative expressions, where ‘up’ is used in expressions meaning ‘underneath’, ‘down’ in expressions meaning ‘above’, and ‘out’ in expressions meaning ‘inside’, can be explained by a fictive motion analysis where the figure is construed as metaphorically moving towards the ground. It moreover argues that in expressions where motion leads to a resulting spatial configuration, where ‘up’ means ‘on top of’ rather than ‘underneath’, this reading is overridden by the so-called goal bias, whereby the resultant configuration is more cognitively salient than the motion producing it. It suggests that the linguistic construal of stative spatial relations may to some extent be correlated with the formal means of expression, where marking by adpositions favours a ‘search domain’ construal whereas encoding within the verb favours a ‘fictive path’ construal. It thus provides a new angle on the linguistic encoding of spatial relations, an area which has been subject to much research within cognitive linguistics, but which so far has paid little attention to the possibility of encoding stative spatial relations within the verb.
Integrated Thermoelectric Energy Generator and Organic Storage Device
Authors: Al-Haik Mohammad Y. , Alothman Abdulmohsen A. , Hajj Muhammad R.
Published: October 2018

We evaluate the storage performance of an integrated energy harvesting and storage system using a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and an organic energy storage device. The power generated by the TEG is obtained by varying the temperature of the heat source on the bottom surface of the TEG while keeping the opposite surface at a constant cooling temperature. The difference in temperature gradient (Δ T) increases the power generated by the TEG. Capacitance-voltage measurements were performed on the organic storage device to evaluate the storage capabilities of the embedded storage elements, CdS nanoparticles. The objective is to assess the possibility of the integrated system and evaluate the effectiveness of the storage device. Voltage, current and power density values are determined and compared for different load resistance. The results revealed that for the 100 Ω load resistor, the voltage across the capacitor was the maximum at a lower temperature gradient with a charge density of

5.14
×

10

−
3

C

m
2

$5.14 \times 10^{-3} \frac{C}{m^2}$

.
The Determinants of Entrepreneurship at the Country Level: A Panel Data Approach
Authors: Rodrigues Brás Gonçalo , Soukiazis Elias
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of a variety of factors on the total entrepreneurial activity rate (TEA). A panel data approach of 26 developed countries was used to evaluate the simultaneous influence of the factors on TEA (2004–2011). Our findings show an inverse relationship between TEA and the initial capital effort; a direct relation between TEA, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial market development and education; and a nonlinear concave relationship between TEA and the GDP per capita. The dynamic estimation approach shows a high speed of adjustment between the actual and desired rate of entrepreneurship. Overall, the main findings clarify which potential determinants have a real impact on entrepreneurial activity. Our contribution aims to help economic policymakers in developed countries to gain awareness of the main determinants of entrepreneurial activity at country level and thus to enable better decisions.
Universes and simulations: Civilizational development in nested embedding
Authors: Komosinski Maciej
Published: October 2018

The rapid development of technology has allowed computer simulations to become routinely used in an increasing number of fields of science. These simulations become more and more realistic, and their energetic efficiency grows due to progress in computer hardware and software. As humans merge with machines via implants, brain-computer interfaces and increased activity involving information instead of material objects, philosophical concepts and theoretical considerations on the nature of reality are beginning to concern practical, working models and testable virtual environments. This article discusses how simulation is understood and employed in computer science today, how software, hardware and the physical universe unify, how simulated realities are embedded one in another, how complicated it can get in application, practical scenarios, and the possible consequences of these situations. A number of basic properties of universes and simulations in such multiply nested structures are reviewed, and the relationship of these properties with a level of civilizational development is explored.
Production of xylooligosaccharides and cellulosic ethanol from steam-exploded barley straw
Authors: Álvarez Cristina , Sáez Felicia , González Alberto , Ballesteros Ignacio , Oliva José Miguel , Negro María José
Published: October 2018

Agricultural residues, such as barley straw (BS), are attractive sources for the production of chemicals and fuels based on the biorefinery principle. In the present paper, BS was steam exploded at 180°C/30 min and then 90% of the cellulose and 60% of the hemicellulose were recovered in solid and liquid fractions respectively, which were used for ethanol and xylooligosaccharides (XOS) production. In the course of enzymatic hydrolysis (EH), different solid loading (SL) (10–20% w/v) and enzyme doses (15 and 30 FPU g−1 glucan) were applied to optimize the yield of glucose concentrations, while 92 g l−1 glucose was released at 20% SL and 30 FPU g−1 glucan enzyme dosage. For ethanol production, two different process configurations were compared: separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) or prehydrolysis with simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (PSSF). To transform the soluble hemicellulose into xylooligomers, two glycoside hydrolases (GH) families 10 and 11 endoxylanases were used. Reaction times, enzyme dose and several combinations of enzymes were optimized to maximize the conversion into XOS. Under the pretreatment conditions indicated above, 14 g of ethanol was obtained via the PSSF approach and 11.1 g of XOS (with DP2–DP6) was obtained per 100 g of raw material.
Clinical relevance in present day hormonal contraception
Authors: Regidor Pedro-Antonio
Published: October 2018

The contraceptive pill is an effective and very safe method to control pregnancies. It was developed 60 years ago, and despite that the composition has been the same since it was first developed (estrogen and progestogen), over the years the concentration of ethinyl estradiol has been reduced to improve tolerability. Nevertheless, progestogens are the basic active agent of hormonal contraception. The mechanism of progestogens is a multimodal one and basically three modes of contraceptive action can be distinguished: (a) A strong antigonadotrophic action leading to the inhibition of ovulation. The necessary dosage of ovulation inhibition per day is a fixed dosage that is intrinsic to each progestogen and independent of the dosage of estrogen used or the partial activities of the progestogen or the mode of application. (b) Thickening of the cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration and (c) desynchronization of the endometrial changes necessary for implantation. The on the market available progestogens used for contraception are either used in combined hormonal contraceptives (in tablets, patches or vaginal rings) or as progestogen only contraceptives. Progestogen only contraceptives are available as daily oral preparations, monthly injections, implants (2–3 years) and intrauterine systems (IUS). Even the long-acting progestogens are highly effective in typical use and have a very low risk profile. According to their introduction into the market, progestogens in combined hormonal contraceptives, have been described as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation progestogens. The different structures of progestogens are derivatives from testosterone, progesterone and spironolactone. These differences in the molecular structure determine pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic differential effects which contribute to the tolerability and additional beneficial or therapeutic effects whether used in combined oral contraceptive (COC) or as progestogen only drugs. These differences enhance the individual options for different patient profiles. The new development of polymers for vaginal rings allowed on the one hand, the improvement of the estrogen/progestogen combination in these rings especially regarding the comfort of use for women (e.g. avoiding the use of cold chains or packages with up to 6-month rings) and on the other hand, the development of progestogen only formulations. Another future development will be the introduction of new progestogen only pills that will provide effective contraceptive protection with more favorable bleeding patterns and a maintenance of ovulation inhibition after scheduled 24-h delays in pill intake than the existing progestogen only pill (POP) with desogestrel (DES).
Copper and zinc in stage I multiple myeloma: relation with ceruloplasmin, lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase activity
Authors: Khadem-Ansari Mohammad-Hassan , Asoudeh Mojtaba , Gheshlaghi Hosein Fallahi Kord , Nozari Samira , Zarringol Mina , Maroufi Nazila Fathi , Faridvand Yousef
Published: October 2018

Background

The main aim of this study was to assess the serum levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) with lipid peroxidation, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) activity, and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted in 34 MM patients at stage I. Serum Cu and Zn levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Also, spectrophotometric assays of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in addition to Cp and Cu/Zn SOD were quantitated.

Results

The results showed a significant decrease in the serum Zn levels in patients with MM (p < 0.0001). Also, serum Cu levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001). However, the serum Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher in the cancer patients (p < 0.0001). A significant difference was observed in the patients group compared with the control group according to the Cu/Zn SOD activity (p < 0.0001). Moreover, serum levels of Cp and MDA were significantly increased in patients (p < 0.0001, both).

Conclusions

The elevated levels of serum Cu and MDA with a decrease in Zn and Cu/Zn SOD might explain the increased oxidative stress in MM disease. As the high Cu level was observed in MM patients, therefore, Cu levels should be concentrated in the pathogenesis and progression of MM disease.
The Paradoxical Survival of Spanish ¡Vamos! in the Face of Old Spanish ¡Vayamos! and the Loss of Old Spanish imos
Authors: Rini Joel
Published: October 2018

Although Spanish philologists have long been aware of the origin of the first person plural imperative of the verb ir, ¡Vamos!, (as well as reflexive ¡Vámonos!), none has even remarked on the synchronic irregularity of the affirmative-negative pattern vamos ~ no vayamos vis-à-vis that of all other verbs, e. g., cantemos ~ no cantemos, comamos ~ no comamos, salgamos ~ no salgamos, etc., in which the same form appears in both the affirmative and negative. Nor has anyone recognized that the original pattern was indeed regular, i. e., vayamos ~ no vayamos (and vayámo(s)nos ~ no nos vayamos). It therefore remains to be explained how, when, and why this original, regular affirmative-negative structure was replaced by the irregular structure now found in Modern Spanish. The present study will attempt to answer these questions through a detailed diachronic morphosyntactic analysis.
Pragmatics and the emergence of a subject in Peninsular Spanish
Authors: Lara Bermejo Víctor
Published: October 2018

El andaluz es conocido por haber nivelado en un solo pronombre el tratamiento en plural. Dicha forma (ustedes) es sintácticamente 3pl, pero induce tanto concordancia 3pl como concordancia 2pl. Los datos disponibles del siglo pasado indican que los hablantes andaluces no distinguían la formalidad y la informalidad y que habían perdido la diferencia pragmática que sí se da en el resto del español peninsular. Sin embargo, un nuevo trabajo de campo arroja más luz a este fenómeno y revela que ustedes no ha sido sujeto, sino un vocativo que funcionaba como tópico. Asimismo, durante los cien años que han pasado entre la última información disponible y el nuevo trabajo de campo, ustedes ha pasado por un proceso mediante el cual ha eliminado cualquier otra forma de tratamiento y se ha convertido en un sujeto por completo. Este artículo pretende proporcionar una explicación lingüística y geográfica que justifique el cambio pragmático atestiguado en Andalucía, las fases que este fenómeno ha producido y su evolución en el último siglo.
El papel de los agentes literarios en las dinámicas de campo
Authors: Villarino M. Carmen
Published: October 2018

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es, a partir de una perspectiva de sociología de la literatura y de la cultura, entender cuál es el papel, en la actualidad, de los agentes literarios como intermediarios culturales en relación a la circulación de obras y autores/as y a la producción literaria, con foco específico en el caso del sistema literario brasileño.
Appointed by young people – a qualitative study on young patients recruiting hospital staff in Denmark
Authors: Hanghøj Signe , Thomsen Ena L. , Blix Charlotte , Hertz Pernille Grarup , Boisen Kirsten A.
Published: October 2018

Background

There is a lack of knowledge about young peoples’wishes for the qualifications including skills and personal traits of hospital staff during the recruitment process.

Objective

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore which qualifications, skills and personal traits young people prefer when recruiting hospital staff.

Methods

A Youth Recruitment Committee (YRC) consisting of four young people performed six job interviews in parallel to conventional job interviews at Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark. The interviews with the candidates and the subsequent YRC deliberation were observed and recorded, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four main themes with matching sub-themes emerged from the data: (1) Personality (appearance and commitment), (2) Professional skills (approach, mentality and activities), (3) Project management (skills and experience), (4) Communication (during the interview and experiential approach to youth). It was important to the YRC that the candidate had professional experience working with young people as well as being a skilled project manager. The YRC also assessed the candidates´ communication during the interview.

Conclusions

By inviting young people in as a separate recruitment committee, their perspectives and preferences were noted without interference from professionals. Our findings are in line with previous research regarding young peoples´ preferences on youth-friendly health services. Furthermore, this approach made it possible to evaluate candidates´ communication skills with young people as they were assessed during the job interviews.
Child labor and mental health status of in-school adolescents in a municipal local government area of Lagos state, Nigeria
Authors: Famodu Oyetomiwa O. , Adebayo Ayodeji Matthew , Adebayo Bosede Ehelamioke
Published: October 2018

Background

Child labor (CL) is on the increase in developing countries with its adverse consequences. Many studies have related CL to physical and social well-being and not mental health (MH). This study was designed to assess the experience of CL and mental health status (MHS) among in-school adolescents and determine the association between them, if any, in a metropolitan area of Lagos state, Nigeria.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in eight private and four public secondary schools using a two-stage cluster sampling method. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on CL and MH. Experience of CL was assessed through a “yes” or “no” response to whether respondents had ever worked or were currently working in exchange for money or not. MHS was measured with the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ). The SDQ is a 25-item instrument with two subdivisions: strength (prosocial) and difficulty scales. Difficulty scale is categorized into emotional, conduct, hyperactivity and peer problems. Each category of the subdivision was scored as normal (low need), borderline (some need) and abnormal (high need). The scores were modified into “positive” (low need) and “negative” (some need and high need). Total difficulty was scored “positive” (0–15) and “negative” (16–40) and prosocial behavior was scored “positive” (6–10) and “negative” (0–5). Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test and logistic regression at α < 0.05.

Results

The mean age of respondents was 14.1 ± 1.9 years with 61.4% aged 14 years and above and 59.2% were female. About a quarter (23.8%) experienced CL with apprenticeship being the most common form (55%) followed by street trading (10%). About 20% of the respondents had negative MHS on the overall difficulty scale and 8.0% on the prosocial scale. Based on the ratings of the difficulty scale, 39.1% of them had problems with peers, 19.3% had emotional problems, 17.2% had conduct problems and 7.6% were hyperactive. Sex, mothers’ and fathers’ levels of education, and school absenteeism were predictors of CL experience. Respondents who lived with both parents had lower odds of having negative MHS [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.187–0.815].

Conclusion

The study revealed that among in-school adolescents in the study area, a considerable percentage of children were involved in CL and had poor MHS especially peer and conduct problems. Concerted efforts at reducing the menace of CL and interventions to promote the MH of in-school adolescents are hereby advocated.
Retraction of: Adsorption of CO2 onto Activated Carbons Prepared by Chemical Activation with Metallic Salts
Authors: Acevedo Sergio , Giraldo Liliana , Moreno-Piraján Juan C.
Published: October 2018

Retraction of https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2017-0198.
Immobilization of Fructofuranosidase from Aureobasidium sp. Onto TiO2 and Its Encapsulation on Gellan Gum for FOS Production
Authors: Valdeón Daniel H. , Araujo Paula Z. , Daz Mirta , Perotti Nora I.
Published: October 2018

Fructofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.26) fromAureobasidiumsp. ATCC 20524, recovered from 5 L fermented medium, purified by two simple steps with a yield of 65 % and a purification factor of 16, was immobilized by adsorption onto titanium dioxide (FTIO). The enzyme was also covalently immobilized onto TiO2coated with polyethyleneimine (FTIOP) and encapsulated in gellan gum (FTIOPG). FTIO and FTIOP recorded an activity of 903 U g−1and 9212 U g−1, respectively. The immobilized enzyme showed high activity and stability at pH levels ranging from 4.0 to 8.0 and there were no changes in the temperature profile for either methodology when compared with free fructofuranosidase. The immobilized biocatalysts were reused 7 times for FOS production without significant activity loss, except FTIO at pH 5.0. Gellan gum was used for FTIOP encapsulation. FOS production was performed in a batch and a continuous reactor using FTIOPG as a biocatalyst. Batch conversion (gFOS/ginitial sucrose) was around 60 % for initial sucrose concentrations of 100, 300 and 600 g L−1, at a time of maximum conversion. Fixed-bed reactor operational stability was remarkable, providing a constant FOS production in the outlet of the column during 720 h.
Preaching promise and hope: models of preaching and lived religion in Latin America
Authors: Adam Júlio Cézar
Published: October 2018

This paper aims to reflect on homiletics and Christian preaching as a voice of promise in a paradoxical context such as the Brazilian and Latin American. Initially it will reflect upon three characteristic types of relationship between preaching and promise: the eschatological and transcendentalist preaching that locates the promise in an afterlife or the end of times; the humanistic and liberating preaching that places the promise in the dimension of the socio-political struggle for transformation in the present; the individualistic and prosperity-oriented preaching that projects promise as material achievement and hedonistic satisfaction. Finally, faced with this reality, we seek ways in literature (Two Words, by Isabel Allende) and in popular culture (Central do Brasil, a movie by Walter Salles) to help us in creating a sermon that announces the promise amid the paradoxes of life in order to contribute not merely to individual, ecclesial or ideological satisfaction, but to point to human and cultural transformations.