bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endothelial function assessed by peripheral arterial tonometry is not related to cardiovascular risk score in healthy subjects
Authors: Sigurðardóttir Ylfa Rún , Stefánsdóttir Bylgja Rún , Aspelund Thor , Guðmundur Thorgeirsson , Kristinsdóttir Linda Björk , Gudnason Vilmundur , Andersen Karl
Published: January 2017

Background: The majority of first cases of myocardial infarction stem from those classified as intermediate- or low-risk in CV risk prediction calculators. Risk prediction models need to be refined in their capacity to discriminate high-risk from low-risk. Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) is a non-invasive method to assess peripheral endothelial function that could potentially improve primary prevention of CVD. We investigated the relation of PAT results to CV risk factors and risk score in a healthy cohort.

Methods: PAT measurements were performed on 102 individuals, with no previous history of CAD, attending a Risk Preventive Clinic. Traditional CV risk factors were evaluated and integrated into a CV risk score calculator. Outcome was expressed as absolute and relative 10-year risk of developing CVD.

Results: PAT results of reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and augmentation index (AI) had no statistically significant relation to risk score while baseline pulse amplitude was positively correlated with both absolute (p = 0.02) and relative (p = 0.02) 10-year risk of developing CVD. Among CV risk factors only heart rate was significantly associated with RHI (r = - 0.24, R2 = 0.06, p = 0.01). AI and baseline pulse amplitude both correlated with several risk factors.

Conclusions: Endothelial dysfunction, as measured by PAT, was not associated with an increased 10-year risk of developing CVD. The relation between endothelial dysfunction and established CV risk factors was limited. Further clinical end point studies are needed to fully comprehend the diagnostic and predictive value of PAT measurements in healthy subjects.
Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Fabry Disease
Authors: Dragonetti Laura , Pietrani Marcelo , Rivas Carlos , Pérez de Arenaza Diego , Eyheremendy Eduardo , Kozzor Rebeca , García Mónaco Ricardo , Moon James
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can measure cardiac structure, function and characterize myocardial tissue. The full potential of CMR for Fabry disease (FD) is yet to be defined. The objective of the present work was to assess the clinical utility of CMR for the detection and classification of cardiac involvement in patients with FD.

Methods: This is retrospective observational study of CMR scans performed in 99 unique FD patients from 2 hospitals in Argentina between April 2005 and October 2013. Diagnosis of FD was confirmed by measurement of alpha galactosidase A activity on plasma and peripheral leukocytes (males) or genetic testing (females).

Results: Ninety nine FD patients (61 females and 38 males), mean age 35 SD 15 years, underwent CMR. Cardiac involvement was present in 56% of cases. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was present in 44% and left ventricular (LV) impairment in 8% (mean left ventricular ejection fraction 49%, range 40-54%). Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was present in 33% of cases and was more common with age and when LVH was present. Of the LVH patients, 59% had LGE compared to 13% without LVH (p<0.001).

Conclusion: CMR is a useful diagnostic tool in detecting and classifying cardiac involvement of FD, including the detection of patients with LGE before LVH occurs.
An Overlooked Mechanism for Ischaemic Preconditioning?
Authors: Harley Eric Hugh
Published: January 2017

No abstract (Letter to the Editor)
Honey improves lipid profile of diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats
Authors: Nurmasitoh Titis , Pramaningtyas Miranti Dewi
Published: January 2017

Background
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, including Indonesia. One of the risk factors for CHD is hypercholesterolemia. One of the natural products that has been developed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is honey. Honey contains fructooligosaccharides, various vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which are supposedly able to lower blood cholesterol levels. This research aimed to study the influence of honey on the levels of blood total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in Wistar rats.

Methods
This study was of experimental post test control group design. Twenty-four male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly divided into 4 groups. K1 was the negative control group (with normal diet), K2 was the positive control group (with high-fat diet), P1 was fed a high-fat diet for 7 days, followed by high-fat diet plus honey for the next 7 days. P2 was fed a high-fat diet for 7 days, followed by regular diet plus honey for the next 7 days. After completion of this treatment, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels were measured by the cholesterol oxidase phenol+aminophenazone (CHOD-PAP) method using enzymatic spectrophotometry principles.

Results
There were significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels between all groups after day 15 (p<0.05).

Conclusion
Honey supplementation was able to reduce the blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. Honey supplementation accompanied by non-cholesterol feeds could more effectively lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL serum levels in Wistar rats.
Increased knowledge of thalassemia promotes early carrier status examination among medical students
Authors: Dewanto Julius Broto , Tansah Haryono , Dewi Sari Puspa , Napitu Helena , Panigoro Ramdan , Sahiratmadja Edhyana
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND
Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, in which the patient requires life-long blood transfusion. As Indonesia harbors 6 to 10% thalassemia carriers, thalassemia prevention measures such as early screening and education in the community are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice about thalassemia among young medical students.

METHODS
A cross-sectional analytic observational study was conducted on 179 subjects in 2015, using a questionnaire with items on knowledge, attitude and practice about thalassemia for data collection. After signing informed consent, the questionnaire was filled in by the students and a blood test was performed when the students agreed to be examined. Detection of probable thalassemia carrier status was done by determination of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin.

RESULTS
The knowledge about thalassemia of the first year medical students (n=179) was good (21.1%), moderate (70.9%) and poor (21.1%). Only 67 (38.3%) of the students agreed to a blood examination for determination of their carrier status after filling-in the questionnaire. The knowledge of thalassemia among first year medical students was statistically related to the timing when they would agree to have their thalassemia carrier status examined (p=0.021, one way ANOVA test).

CONCLUSION
A higher thalassemia knowledge score causes medical students to be willing to undergo thalassemia carrier status examination at an earlier point in timing. A well-organized educational program focusing on thalassemia and early screening in young adults may enhance the thalassemia prevention program.
Fetal blood vessel count increases in compensation of hypoxia in premature placentas
Authors: Kartini K , Jusuf Ahmad A , Jusman Sri Widia A , Ekawati M , Prijanti Ani R
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND Prematurity refers to live births before 37 weeks of gestation, wherein the baby is born before the body and its organ systems achieve perfect maturity, and this disorder is still a global problem. The high incidence of prematurity is a problem in developing and also in developed countries. Certain conditions accompanying pregnancies like preeclampsia, infection, and placental insufficiency, may trigger uterine hypoxia, causing premature birth. The placental condition is related to the intra-uterine fetal condition. In prolonged placental hypoxia, there occurs a compensatory mechanism, i.e. an increase in placental angiogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hypoxia on fetal blood vessel count as compensatory mechanism for tissue hypoxia. METHODS An observational-analytical cross-sectional design using paraffin blocks of conserved premature placentas, comprising 31 samples of hypoxic premature placentas and 28 samples of non-hypoxic premature placentas, selected using non-random consecutive sampling. The samples were made into slides and stained with hematoxylin-eosin for assessment of histological structure, including fetal blood vessel count and integrity, villus conditions, syncytiotrophoblastic nuclear changes, and syncytiotrophoblastic nuclear aggregation. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the difference of blood vessel count between groups. RESULTS Assessment of histological structure showed a significant increase in fetal blood vessel count in the hypoxic group [8.00 (5-15)] as compared with the non-hypoxic group [7.50 (3-15)]. CONCLUSION The hypoxia in premature placentas caused an increase in the number of fetal blood vessels as a form of compensation for disturbed oxygen homeostasis.
Against the Heresy of Immanence: Vatican’s ‘Gender’ as a New Rhetorical Device Against the Denaturalization of the Sexual Order
Authors: Garbagnoli Sara
Published: January 2017

Since the mid-1990s, the Vatican contests the concept of gender as forged by feminists to study social arrangements through which the sexual order is naturalised. This contestation came with the distortion of the analyses and claims formulated by feminists and LGBTQ scholars and social movements. This article understands the Vatican’s invention of ‘gender ideology’ as a new rhetorical device produced both to delegitimise feminist and LGBTQ studies and struggles and to reaffirm that sexual norms transcend historical and political arrangements. It also investigates how the transnationality of this discursive construct relates to the specific features it has taken in two different national contexts – France and Italy. The article is structured as follows: it first highlights the logic and structure of the anti-gender discourse. Then, it analyses how the same argumentative device is performed in anti-gender demonstrations. Finally, it scrutinises the rhetorical and performative strategies through which anti-gender actors have formulated their views and argues that ‘gender ideology’ can be understood as a political reaction against the entry of minorities into the fields of politics and theory.
La competencia comunicativa para el aprendizaje del español como lengua extranjera
Authors: Waked Hernández Myriam Teresa
Published: January 2017

The purpose of communicative competence in learning Spanish as a foreign language (SFL) is to consolidate the communicative competence of foreigners. The issue emerged from the research project entitled Implementing Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The methodology focuses on communicative elements and activities, rather than grammatical, as it aims, above all, to encourage the learning of Spanish as a foreign language. The result was the book entitled Comunicarse en español: la mejor opción. The article concludes with a series of activities where communicative competence is implemented in order to stimulate SFL learning and to promote the communication, listening, writing, reading comprehension of intercultural texts in foreigners.
Comunicación verbal y no verbal en una institución educativa distrital y su relación con los procesos de convivencia escolar
Authors: Romero Rodríguez Olga Lucía , Sierra Alonso Santiago , Galindo Parra María Jackelinn , Vaca Vaca Martha Patricia
Published: January 2017

This investigation explores the relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication and coexistence in school settings among 30 fourth grade students between the ages of 8 and 11 from a district school. The data collection methods used were the participant observation and the semi-structured interview. After analyzing the information recorded, it is shown that students identify the characteristics of verbal and non-verbal communication and link them to their social behavior at school; thus, the article acknowledges the importance of communication and coexistence habits learned at home and which, together with those acquired at school, become patterns that guide their behavior. This favors the understanding of coexistence processes in schools.
Sentido de la vida y trascendencia humana, aportes al fundamento epistemológico de la educación religiosa escolar desde la psicología de la religión
Authors: Cuéllar Orrego Natalia , Imbachi Silva Carlos Andrés
Published: January 2017

There are currently a number of issues around religious education in schools (RES), such as religious pluralism and the non-existence of religious beliefs. The purpose of this article is to acknowledge some of these trends and identify core concepts in the study of religion. Particular reference is made to core concepts such as the meaning of life and transcendence, which is not about self-realization, but going beyond yourself, finding a value, a person or a deity to grant the desired meaning on the outside. Finding common elements is, from the point of view of psychology, the result of current research initiatives.
Los procesos de paz en Colombia, camino ¿a la reconciliación?
Authors: Turriago Rojas Daniel Guillermo
Published: January 2017

This reflection paper proposes a very brief and concise review of some historiographical aspects of the peace process in Colombia; it is not an ideological or value judgment of the process due to its complexity. Then, a brief presentation is made of the concept of reconciliation in a context of conflict resolution. This will allow readers to link the peace process in Colombia to reconciliation in a society in conflict.
Herramientas neuropedagógicas: una alternativa para el mejoramiento en la competencia de resolución de problemas en matemáticas
Authors: Pinzón Blanco Diego Mauricio , Téllez Sánchez Francisco Javier
Published: January 2017

This paper reveals the results of the pre-test phase of the implementation of a neuropedagogical tool-based strategy aimed at strengthening problem solution skills in mathematics (trigonometric functions), specifically in the methodological process. The methodology applied to this investigation is mixed with a preexperimental design, based on the initial data provided by internal and external tests provided by the institution and the professors, as well as information acquired through an instrument designed in light of neuropedagogy. Conclusions: Including neuropedagogy-centered strategies makes it possible to visualize aspects to enhance the students’ skills from a creative, emotional, operational and practical point of view.
Situação Energética no Estado do Rio de Janeiro e o Capim-Elefante como Fonte Renovável
Authors: Novo Antonio Alonso Cecon , Daher Rogério Figueiredo , Costa Ernany Santos , Gravina Geraldo de Amaral , Ogliari Juares
Published: January 2017

Esta revisão aborda a situação energética no Estado do Rio de Janeiro e também outras fontes alternativas de energia que vêm se destacando, como por exemplo, o capim-elefante. Foi realizado um breve relato sobre as fontes para geração de energia que tiveram um papel importante para o setor energético. Dentre as principais fontes para fins energéticos, o capim-elefante tem sido muito utilizado em pesquisas pela Universidade Estadual Norte Fluminense – UENF, na obtenção de cultivares mais produtivas para o desenvolvimento econômico principalmente da região Norte e Noroeste Fluminense. Este trabalho destaca as principais fontes de energia, com ênfase para o capim-elefante na matriz energética, com a produção de biomassa para geração de energia.
Emergência de genótipos de capim-elefante com potencial de uso em programas de melhoramento de plantas
Authors: Daher Rogério Figueiredo , Menezes Bruna Rafaela Da Silva , Rodrigues Erina Vitório , Oliveira Maria Lorraine Fonseca , Araujo Maria Socorro Bezerra , Silva Verônica Brito , Novo Antônio Alonso Cecon
Published: January 2017

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a emergência de 51 genótipos de capim-elefante, com potencial de uso em programas de melhoramento de plantas. O experimento foi conduzido no delineamento em blocos casualizados com duas repetições. Utilizou-se o teste de agrupamento de Scott e Knott ao nível de significância de 5% de probabilidade. Houve a divisão dos genótipos em dois grandes grupos, sendo o grupo dos mais prolíficos constituído de 13 genótipos (grupo elite), e o segundo grupo, dos menos prolíficos. O genótipo Taiwan A-148 foi o que obteve maior número de perfilhos por metro linear, apresentando potencial para utilização em programas de melhoramento genético da cultura do capim-elefante.
Situações Propostas no Livro Didático de Matemática Utilizado no Ensino Médio Integrado à Educação Profissional: Contexto e Aplicações
Authors: Vieira Vanice Da Silva Freitas , Curi Edda
Published: January 2017

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar o resultado da análise das situações matemáticas que são propostas no livro didático utilizado em um curso de Ensino Médio Integrado à Educação Profissional. A análise do livro baseou-se em pesquisa documental e requereu uma revisão bibliográfica sobre contextualização e Enfoque Ontossemiótico do Conhecimento e Educação Matemática. Em relação ao contexto, foram investigadas as situações apresentadas na introdução dos conteúdos e nas atividades propostas. No que se refere aos conhecimentos prévios e emergentes, foram analisadas somente as atividades propostas. Verificou-se que, nas atividades de introdução, prevalece o contexto da realidade; e nas propostas, o da própria Matemática. Esses dados mostram a expressividade de atividades de cálculos algorítmicos, que contribuem para a aprendizagem de técnicas e propriedades, mas não para o desenvolvimento do pensamento crítico do aluno. Assim, considera-se que os autores poderiam ter distribuído as atividades de maneira mais uniforme. Ressalta-se ainda que as atividades também não contemplam a realidade da área técnica.
Predictors of Work Stress among Psychiatric Nursing Staff in Rural and Urban Settings in Taiwan
Authors: Ma Yu-Chin , Yang Chiu-Yueh , Tseng Chin-An , Wu Mei-Hui
Published: January 2017

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the work stress of nursing staff in urban and rural areas of Taiwan and to explore the predictors of work stress in nurses in Taiwan.
Method: In this cross-sectional study, purposive sampling was adopted to select 271 nursing staff members from 2 psychiatric teaching hospitals. The Emotional Quotient Inventory (Sun, 2004) and the Nurse Stress Checklist (Tsai & Chen, 1996) were used to perform this study. A hierarchical multivariate regression model was used to examine significant predictors of work stress.
Results: The work stress of nursing staff in urban hospitals was lower than that of nursing staff in rural hospitals. Compared with the urban nursing staff who participated in the EQ and stress classes, the rural nursing staff, regardless of whether they had attended the classes, experienced more work stress; and hospital types, employment patterns, years of work experience, and emotional intelligence were predictors of work stress.
Conclusion: Overall, the findings demonstrate that administration managers must provide effective career advancement measures (eg, offering full-time jobs) or increase salaries to recruit sufficient nursing staff. In addition, managers could avoid unfair treatment experienced by part-time nursing staff by placing additional emphasis on the basic welfares and salaries of nursing staff to effectively mitigate the stress that they experience.
Responsabilidade por inatividade da Administração Pública: um estudo específico do silêncio administrativo
Authors: Saddy André , Teixeira Anderson Vichinkeski
Published: January 2017

No presente artigo pretendemos elucidar, de forma mais precisa, os aspectos relacionados à responsabilidade do Estado em casos de silêncio da Administração Pública. Em um primeiro momento, analisaremos conceitualmente a ideia de silêncio administrativo. Em seguida, passaremos para o exame dos requisitos básicos do silêncio administrativo. Por fim, concluiremos demonstrando como a possibilidade de indenização por responsabilidade da Administração Pública tem assumido, em casos de silêncio administrativo, condição de relevo na doutrina pátria, influenciando, inclusive, novas tendências jurisprudenciais. As duas primeiras partes da pesquisa foram norteadas pelo método analítico-descritivo, buscando examinar nosso objeto de estudo. A parte final foi construída com base no método crítico-hermenêutico.
Cibertransparência: informação pública em rede e a intimidade como um dos limites constitucionais – uma abordagem a partir do tema 483 da Repercussão Geral examinada pelo STF
Authors: Limberger Têmis
Published: January 2017

Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar a decisão do Supremo Tribunal Federal – STF, tema nº 483 da Repercussão Geral, que discutiu em sede constitucional, o direito à informação pública e o dever de publicidade dos atos estatais, cotejado com o direito à intimidade dos servidores públicos. A Lei de Acesso à Informação no Brasil seguiu uma tendência de legislação no mundo globalizado, reacendendo o debate entre os limites das esferas pública e privada. A publicidade é positiva para o fortalecimento da democracia; todavia, deve respeitar um dos limites à informação pública na Internet, nomeadamente a proteção da privacidade. Utiliza-se como referencial teórico principal a obra Ciberciudadania, de Antonio Enrique Pérez Luño, para discutir o objetivo principal: como a disponibilização da informação pública em rede pode servir para tornar a administração estatal mais transparente – Cibertransparência.
Contratos administrativos à luz de novas formas de gestão e da sustentabilidade: por uma concretização do desenvolvimento sustentável no Brasil
Authors: Diz Jamile Bergamaschine Mata , Caldas Roberto Correia da Silva Gomes
Published: January 2017

A inclusão, por intermédio de lei, da dimensão ambiental nos contratos administrativos torna-se, pouco a pouco, uma realidade a ser observada pela Administração Pública de forma a concretizar o princípio constitucionalmente estabelecido do desenvolvimento sustentável. Para que efetivamente se possa avaliar a incorporação da dimensão ambiental em todas as etapas de conformação do contrato administrativo, enfatizando-se a sua sustentabilidade, faz-se necessário adotar mecanismos de planejamento, execução, avaliação e monitoramento, como o caso do chamado ciclo PDCA (sigla em inglês para Plan, Do, Check and Action). Desse modo, o presente trabalho se propõe a analisar a questão das licitações sustentáveis, com foco nas fases formativas do contrato administrativo, utilizando o método PDCA e buscando estabelecer em que medida pode-se averiguar e dimensionar a sustentabilidade a praticar-se pela Administração Pública para, posteriormente, realizar estudo de caso envolvendo os contratos administrativos firmados pelo Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo.
Inclusão e concurso público: análise crítica da jurisprudência sobre pessoas com deficiência
Authors: Araújo Luiz Alberto David , Maia Maurício
Published: January 2017

A ação afirmativa contida no artigo 37, VIII, da Constituição Federal, é medida de efetivação da dignidade humana e da igualdade material. Sua aplicação, outrossim, não está livre de problemas, e passou por relevantes mudanças com a internalização, no ano de 2008, da Convenção sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência da ONU, especialmente no que diz respeito ao conceito de pessoas com deficiência, ou seja, quem concorre às vagas reservadas. Questões como uma eventual incompatibilidade da deficiência com o cargo em disputa e a ordem de nomeação dos candidatos aprovados no concurso também são controvertidas. O Poder Judiciário, embora tenha avançado no reconhecimento dos direitos dos grupos vulneráveis, ainda não vem aplicando corretamente as novas diretrizes e normas estabelecidas pela Convenção, que, ademais, têm equivalência constitucional.
Technology Update: Custom Biological Produced Water Treatment Yields Fast Oil Recovery Boost in Waterflood
Authors: Karicherla P. , Clement B. G. , Kozicki K. M. , Samuel M. B. , Meling T.
Published: January 2017

Technology Update

Improving oil production from mature fields is a significant challenge because of rising recovery costs and fluctuating crude oil prices. Although large investments are made in finding new reserves, typically more than 60% of discovered oil is left behind. Thus, the use of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies is necessary to bring more of this oil into production. This article describes how the use of a biological EOR technique that applied produced water for reservoir flooding in a mature field led to rapid and substantial increases in oil production.

Glori Energy’s Activated Environment for Recovery of Oil (AERO) technology is a biological EOR method in which customized nutrients are injected into the reservoir to activate native microbes. The ensuing microbial activity improves oil mobility and leads to increased production in waterflooded sandstone reservoirs.

Use of the technology involves minimal capital spending and low operating costs, and applications can use existing field infrastructure. Reservoirs respond quickly to the use of the method, showing higher oil rates and increased oil cuts. Recovery is increased, and the economic life of the field is extended.

Oil fields are screened in a two-step process that includes reservoir analysis and treatment design. Reservoir analysis involves geological assessment to determine key characteristics such as porosity, permeability, structural alignment, net pay, oil gravity, injector/producer continuity, and historical production response. The analysis allows for a quick review of multiple fields to select the one predicted to benefit most from biological EOR.

Treatment design comprises biochemical testing and nutrient formulation. The process starts with the sampling of reservoir fluids under controlled conditions, using specialized equipment from pertinent locations such as injection, production, and source-water wells. Chemical analysis is begun immediately upon the sample’s arrival to determine the physicochemical characteristics of oil and water. Biological testing comprises assessing the viability of native microbial populations, developing a customized nutrient blend tailored to the field, and confirming the suitability of injection water for supporting microbial activity.
Faster Rate of Penetration in Hard Chalk: Proving a New Hypothesis for Drilling Dynamics
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: January 2017

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 173068, “Faster ROP in Hard Chalk: Proving a New Hypothesis for Drilling Dynamics,” by Eirik Akutsu, SPE, and Mads Rødsjø, SPE, Det Norske; John Gjertsen and Mats Andersen, SPE, NOV; Nils Reimers, SPE, and Morten Granhøy- Lieng, SPE, Tomax; and Ellen Strøm, SPE, and Kjell Arvid Horvei, SPE, Halliburton, prepared for the 2015 SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition, London, 17–19 March. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Large areas of the North Sea contain Cretaceous sediments, which form a massive hard layer of chalk that historically has presented a major drilling risk and expense to operators in the area. To mitigate such problems, a Norwegian operator gathered an integrated team to thoroughly analyze drilling records and lessons learned from previous offset wells and to re-engineer the drilling process. The positive results of this effort are described in the paper.

Introduction

In 2011, an operator initiated preparations for drilling a series of deep, high-pressure/ high-temperature exploration wells in the Norwegian part of the central North Sea. Given the depth of the exploration objectives, the first three wells in the program had to penetrate a massive body of hard Cretaceous chalk belonging to the Shetland geological group. Acknowledging the challenge and the fact that a discovery would lead to the drilling of successive wells though the same troublesome interval, an integrated team representing both the operator and technologists from the key suppliers was assembled. Individuals from this same group are the authors of this paper. The team’s task was to produce and execute a strategy that made it possible to drill the entire 12¼-in.-hole section, including the hard chalk, in one bit run.

In order to accomplish the goal of completing the entire section in one bit run, a basic strategy was formulated by the team leader: Drill with a high point load, and preserve a defined bottomhole cutting pattern. The strategy was built on the hypothesis that the drill-bit cutters are not the primary source of stick/slip vibrations in hard chalk.
Beta Blockade and Clinical Outcomes in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Chang Melody M. , Raval Ronak N. , Southerland Jessie J. , Adewumi Dare A. , Bahjri Khaled A. , Samuel Rajeev K. , Woods Rafeek O. , Ajayi Olaide O. , Lee Bryan S. , Hsu Frank P. K. , Applegate II Richard L. , Dorotta Ihab R.
Published: January 2017

Background:

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages are frequently complicated by hypertension and neurogenic myocardial stunning. Beta blockers may be used for management of these complications. We sought to investigate sympathetic nervous system modulation by beta blockers and their effect on radiographic vasospasm, delayed cerebral infarction, discharge destination and death.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of 218 adults admitted to the ICU between 8/2004 and 9/2010 was performed. Groups were identified relevant to beta blockade: 77 were never beta blocked (No/No), 123 received post-admission beta blockers (No/Yes), and 18 were continued on their home beta blockers (Yes/Yes). Records were analyzed for baseline characteristics and the development of vasospasm, delayed cerebral infarction, discharge destination and death, expressed as adjusted odds ratio.

Results:

Of the 218 patients 145 patients developed vasospasm, 47 consequently infarcted, and 53 died or required care in a long-term facility. When compared to No/No patients, No/Yes patients had significantly increased vasospasm (OR 2.11 (1.06-4.16)). However, these patients also had significantly fewer deaths or need for long term care (OR 0.17 (0.05-0.64)), with decreased tendency for infarcts (OR 0.70 (0.32-1.55)). When compared to No/No patients, Yes/Yes patients demonstrated a trend toward increased vasospasm (OR 1.61 (0.50-5.29)) that led to infarction (OR 1.51 (0.44-5.13)), but with decreased mortality or need for long term care in a facility (OR 0.13 (0.01-1.30)).

Conclusion:

Post-admission beta blockade in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients was associated with increased incidence of vasospasm. However, despite the increased occurrence of vasospasm, beta blockers were associated with improved discharge characteristics and fewer deaths.
A Review of Current Regenerative Medicine Strategies that Utilize Nanotechnology to Treat Cartilage Damage
Authors: Kumar R. , Griffin M. , Butler P.E.
Published: January 2017

Background:

Cartilage is an important tissue found in a variety of anatomical locations. Damage to cartilage is particularly detrimental, owing to its intrinsically poor healing capacity. Current reconstructive options for cartilage repair are limited, and alternative approaches are required. Biomaterial science and Tissue engineering are multidisciplinary areas of research that integrate biological and engineering principles for the purpose of restoring premorbid tissue function. Biomaterial science traditionally focuses on the replacement of diseased or damaged tissue with implants. Conversely, tissue engineering utilizes porous biomimetic scaffolds, containing cells and bioactive molecules, to regenerate functional tissue. However, both paradigms feature several disadvantages. Faced with the increasing clinical burden of cartilage defects, attention has shifted towards the incorporation of Nanotechnology into these areas of regenerative medicine.

Methods:

Searches were conducted on Pubmed using the terms “cartilage”, “reconstruction”, “nanotechnology”, “nanomaterials”, “tissue engineering” and “biomaterials”. Abstracts were examined to identify articles of relevance, and further papers were obtained from the citations within.

Results:

The content of 96 articles was ultimately reviewed. The literature yielded no studies that have progressed beyondin vitroandin vivoexperimentation. Several limitations to the use of nanomaterials to reconstruct damaged cartilage were identified in both the tissue engineering and biomaterial fields.

Conclusion:

Nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties that interact with biological systems in novel ways, potentially opening new avenues for the advancement of constructs used to repair cartilage. However, research into these technologies is in its infancy, and clinical translation remains elusive.
High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the Age Range of 20-39 Years Old Individuals in Lome
Authors: Kolou Malewe , Katawa Gnatoulma , Salou Mounerou , Gozo-Akakpo Komlan Selom , Dossim Sika , Kwarteng Alexander , Prince-David Mireille
Published: January 2017

Background:

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It affects all women and men irrespective of age. Although sub-Saharan Africa is an area of high prevalence of this disease, data on the prevalence of acute and chronic HBV infections in this region remain to be widely documented.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV in relation to age in Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Campus (CHU-C), one of the two teaching hospitals of Lome, Togo.

Method:

The present study is a cross-sectional study about the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage from 2009 to 2011. All study participants were screened for HBsAg at the Immunology laboratory of CHU Campus of Lome.

Results:

One thousand two hundred individuals were screened for HBsAg from 2009-2011. The overall prevalence of HBV infection was 19.08%. This prevalence was significantly higher in men (25.00%) than women (14.80%). The highest prevalence of HBV was observed in age range of 20-29 years and 30-39 years with respectively 26.33% and 21.67%. The lowest prevalence was 6.08%, found in people over 50 years. Concerning the clinical indication of the test, the prevalence during the clinical abnormalities related to liver (CARL) was the highest (26.21%), followed by the systematic screening (SS) with 20.25% while the pre-operative assessment (POA) showed the lowest prevalence with 5.56%.

Conclusion:

The study shows the high prevalence of HBsAg carriage in young people. This could be used to enhance prevention and treatment of HBV infection in Togo.
Application of Principles of Testing: A Study in the Context of Third Year Engineering Graduates
Authors: Saha Prativa Rani , Kalpana R
Published: January 2017

Language testing has been an elemental part of the teaching- learning process, though views on language testing have always been changing. This paper presents the various components required to construct and use a language test. It primarily aims at highlighting the importance of validity, reliability, and washback and focuses if a test paper is valid, reliable and has washback effect. A test should measure what it intends to measure and for this validity, of a test is a very essential component. Reliability of a test refers to how a test should be measured and is also concerned with the consistency of scoring and the accuracy of the organization of the test, hence reliability also is an important factor for a test. Further, any item should ideally have a positive washback effect i.e., the test must have a beneficial effect. Any test setter has to consider these three qualities of a test discussed above. The paper aims at highlighting about these important aspects of test i.e. validity, reliability and washback and elucidates how these three aspects could be integrated in testing writing skills.
Clash of Ideas and Sensibility in the writings of Joseph Conrad and Chinua Achebe
Authors: Kaur Gurnoor
Published: January 2017

The topic of this case study is Clash of ideas and sensibility in writings of Joseph Conrad and Chinua Achebe. I have portrayed how both the authors have represented Africa in their writings. Joseph Conrad is a European whereas Chinua Achebe is an African. Both of them have contrary views about the people of Africa and Africa as a country.  Both show some of the effects that the white colonists had on the area, and the influence they had on the natives. In Heart of Darkness, we see the influence of Kurtz over the natives at the Inner Station, where they revered him almost as a god. At the other stations, we also see the natives being affected by the white colonists, changing their ways of living around the station, and following what the white men's command, for the most part. In Things Fall Apart, we see this in Okonkwo’s home village, where the white colonists set up a District Commissioner (D.C), and the natives bend to the laws he sets, even helping him enforce them. This completely changes their previous way of life.
The Nature of God and Man in the writings of Guru Nanak
Authors: Kaur Ashmeet
Published: January 2017

My study is about the Nature of God and Man reflected in the writings of Guru Nanak and the relation between the two. Though it’s difficult to understand the two individually but there exists a link which binds the two together. Guru Nanak’s way of approach to religion and its aspect urged a belief in him that altogether resulted in dealing life and the world differently in a mode which he created.  He started a new way of religion with new philosophies and teachings which took the time to owe its place in the society. Though his ideologies stand out different from others but these teachings and sayings, somewhere, were something which talked about the unknown reality i.e. the power, the reality that exists within the same world without our knowledge. In the Holy Book, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Nanak himself and through his Successors have talked about ideal nature of God and the True nature of Man. Nanak says that we are men of evil deeds but we all, in the end, come to the feet of Lord in His Honour to make ourselves honorable. My study also talks about the link between God and Man in terms of their nature which relate each other in every aspect.
Stone pedestalled vessels from Tel Tsaf, a Middle Chalcolithic site in the Central Jordan Valley, Israel
Authors: Bekker Marina , Garfinkel Yosef
Published: January 2017

The pedestalled bowls described here are part of the ground stone tool assemblage discovered during the Hebrew University of Jerusalem excavations at Tel Tsaf (2004-2007). This site, located in the Central Jordan Valley, is the first well-documented and large-scale excavation of the Middle Chalcolithic period in the southern Levant. The inhabitants used two types of raw materials for their stone items: basalt and limestone. While the first is commonly used in the stone-vessel industry of the Chalcolithic period, the second is rarer. We present here the preliminary results of our analysis of the typology and function of the pedestalled bowls, a small but important component of the local ground stone tool assemblage.
Da fazenda à cidade: a territorialização da dádiva na formação de Poço Fundo (MG)
Authors: Lyra Ana Claudia
Published: January 2017

Resumo: O artigo analisa a prática social da doação de terras como uma das baseshistóricas de formação dos atuais campos de poder econômico e político que estruturam o espaço físico, social e simbólico da cidade de Poço Fundo (MG). Com base em insights presentes no exame antropológico da dádiva realizado por Mauss, investigo a lógica sociossimbólica da doação de terras pelos fazendeiros e a dinâmica de subordinação política que tais doações põem em jogo na cidade, transformando os fazendeiros doadores em chefes locais. Como parte de um estudo histórico mais amplo da formação do espaço sociogeográfico de Poço Fundo, pretendo indicaro processo de “territorialização da dádiva” como um dos desdobramentos da sua “matrizterritorial”, isto é, da tradicional fazenda cafeeira, um modelo de organização sociossimbólicado território que prepondera até hoje nas formas pelas quais a cidade é social e culturalmente percebida, apropriada e vivenciada pelos seus habitantes.Palavras-chave: Dádiva; espaço geográfico e rural; poder político local; Poço Fundo; territorialização. Abstract: The article analyzes the social practice of land donation as one of thehistorical bases for the formation of the current fields of economic and political power thatstructure the physical, social and symbolic space of the city of Poço Fundo (MG). Based oninsights present in Mauss’ anthropological investigation of the gift, I examine the social-symboliclogic of land donations carried out by farmers and the dynamic of political subordination thatstems from such donations, transforming donor farmers into local leaders. As part of a largerhistorical study of the occupation and transformation of Poço Fundo’s social-geographic space,I intend to indicate the process of “territorialization of the gift” as one of the offsprings of its “territorial matrix”, that is, the traditional coffee plantation, a model of social-symbolical organization that prevails till today in the forms whereby the city is socially and culturallyperceived, appropriated and experienced by its inhabitants.Keywords Geographical and rural space; gift; local political power; Poço Fundo; territorialization.
O desfio de planejar e produzir expansão urbana com qualidade: a experiência colombiana dos planos parciais em Bogotá, Colômbia
Authors: Santoro Paula Freire
Published: January 2017

Resumo: O artigo discute a necessidade de planejar o crescimento urbano em extensãonas cidades latino-americanas face à exacerbada mercantilização do desenvolvimentourbano que envolve disponibilizar áreas urbanizáveis e atender às estratégias do mercado interessado na dispersão e em ganhos especulativos, nem sempre produzindo espaços comqualidade urbano-ambiental ou dando conta das necessidades habitacionais. Reconhecendoa perversidade desse quadro e admitindo-se que o crescimento em extensão é um padrão recorrente, procurou-se visitar a experiência colombiana que obriga os municípios a planejarema expansão urbana em diversas escalas, articulando plano urbano, execução e investimentos. Este processo centralizador, elaborado essencialmente por técnicos, parece ter tido resultados urbanos: produziu preventivamente novas áreas urbanizadas com qualidade em Bogotá edeixou aos empreendedores privados a construção da habitação. No entanto, manteve algumas características do padrão periférico de crescimento, como a não mescla de classes sociais, a concentração de habitação distante de outros usos ou trabalho.Palavras-chave Bogotá; Colômbia; expansão urbana; planejamento urbano; plano parcial; plano urbano. Abstract: The paper discusses the possibility of planning urban growth in LatinAmerican cities facing the radicalization of urban sprawl, mercantilization of urban landand speculative land markets that seldom produce spaces of quality, neither respond to housing needs. Recognizing this model as inadequate, and assuming that urban growth is a recurring pattern, this paper brings the Colombian experience, which requires municipalities to planurban expansion in many realms, concerning urban plans, implementation and investmentson settlements. This centralized process, developed essentially by experts, seems to have produced positive achievements: produced good quality urbanized areas in Bogota while leaving housing building to private developers. However, some patterns of peripheral growth were mantained,such as social homogeinity and settlements distant from other urban activities.Keywords: Bogota; Colombia; partial plan; urban plan; urban planning;urban sprawl.
Capital excedente e urbanização: o papel dos grandes projetos urbanos
Authors: Somekh Nadia , Gaspar Ricardo Carlos
Published: January 2017

O presente artigo desenvolve algumas reflexões sobre a relação entre os grandes projetos urbanos, a absorção dos excedentes de capital e as crises econômicas da atualidade. Ele principia pela conceitualização dos grandes projetos urbanos à luz do novo papel das cidades na economia mundial contemporânea, prossegue com considerações sobre a dinâmica imobiliária e a disputa em torno da terra e da renda do solo urbano, e finaliza com a defesa do papel do Estado – em todas as escalas geográficas, mas, sobretudo, do Estado nacional – no ordenamento do território, na fixação de princípios integrados de política regional e na regulação pública do espaço urbano. Palavras-chave: grandes projetos urbanos; excedentes de capital; política urbana; Estado nacional; solo urbano. Abstract: This article offers some reflections on the relationship among large urban projects, the absorption of capital surpluses and the ongoing economic crisis. It starts with the conceptualization of large urban projects in the light of the new role of cities in the contemporary world economy. Then it turns to considerations about the real estate dynamics and the conflicts involving urban land use and urban rent, and finally, it highlights the essential role of the State – in all geographic scales but, mainly, at the national level – at fixing parameters for territorial arrangement, principles of integrated regional policy, and enforcing the public regulation of urban space. Keywords: large urban projects; capital surpluses; urban policy; National State; urban land.
Sampul Depan 34 2 2016
Authors: Puspitasari Santi
Published: January 2017

Sampul Depan 34 2 2016
Financial manager decisions in small and medium Tunisian firms
Authors: Hamad Salah Ben
Published: January 2017

The agency framework has shifted research in the theory of finance from the traditional quantitative analysis towards a richer analysis that incorporates the behavioural aspects. In this paper we implement an exploratory analysis in order to pick up the behaviour of the managers of small and medium firms (SMF) in financial decisions making. An Important finding in our research is that the traditional Modigliani and Miller framework cannot be merely translated to analyse the financing decision in a context of asymmetric information and agency conflicts among the different corporate actors. Empirical evidence is performed on a sample of Tunisian SMF
Directors remuneration, firm performance and board committee relationship in Malaysia
Authors: Talha Mohammad , Sallehhuddin Abdullah , Masoud Shukor Bin
Published: January 2017

Researches on company directors’ remuneration and its links with firms’ performance have been carried out by a number of scholars. The issue has drawn wide attention as stakeholders are interested to find out whether directors received the right package of remuneration and whether it is always in line with the firm’s performance. However more studies are needed to examine the relationship between directors’ remuneration and firm performance with board committee characteristics. Thus, this study attempts to close this gap. This exploratory study, involving 20 top Malaysian government linked public listed companies and 20 top Malaysian non government linked public listed companies aim to examine these relationships.