bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-driven models of governance across borders: Datafication from the local to the global
Authors: Arora Payal , Stevens Hallam
Published: April 2019

This special issue looks closely at contemporary data systems in diverse global contexts and through this set of papers, highlights the struggles we face as we negotiate efficiency and innovation with universal human rights and social inclusion. The studies presented in these essays are situated in diverse models of policy-making, governance, and/or activism across borders. Attention to big data governance in western contexts has tended to highlight how data increases state and corporate surveillance of citizens, affecting rights to privacy. By moving beyond Euro-American borders — to places such as Africa, India, China, and Singapore — we show here how data regimes are motivated and understood on very different terms.
Lay perspectives on big data: Insights from citizen conferences in Germany
Authors: König René
Published: April 2019

As big data shapes more and more aspects of our lives, a wide-spread concern is that the affected people’s interests are not sufficiently taken into account. The field of participatory technology assessment (pTA) has attempted to make such processes more democratic by involving laypeople as an additional voice to the often rather expert-driven development. This text presents the lessons learned from such an endeavor, namely three citizen conferences on big data held in Germany. The empirical results are presented and critically contextualized in the larger discourse on pTA and big data. Therefore, the article sheds light on lay perspectives on big data while also providing insights into the strengths and weaknesses of participatory methods such as citizen conferences.
On a nonlinear PDE involving weighted $p$-Laplacian
Authors: El Khalil A. , Alaoui M. D. Morchid , Laghzal Mohamed , Touzani A.
Published: April 2019

In the present paper, we study the nonlinear partial differential equation with the weighted $p$-Laplacian operator\begin{gather*}- \operatorname{div}(w(x)|\nabla u|^{p-2}\nabla u) = \frac{ f(x)}{(1-u)^{2}},\end{gather*}on a ball ${B}_{r}\subset \mathbb{R}^{N}(N\geq 2)$. Under some appropriate conditionson the functions $f, w$ and the nonlinearity $\frac{1}{(1-u)^{2}}$, we prove the existence and the uniqueness of solutions of the above problem. Our analysis mainly combines the variational method and critical point theory. Such solution is obtained as a minimizer for the energy functional associated with our problem in the setting of the weighted Sobolev spaces.
Stability in mixed linear delay Levin-Nohel integro-dynamic equations on time scales
Authors: Ali Khelil Kamel , Ardjouni Abdelouaheb , Djoudi Ahcene
Published: April 2019

In this paper we use the contraction mapping theorem to obtain asymptotic stability results about the zero solution for the following mixed linear delay Levin-Nohel integro-dynamic equation    x^{Δ}(t)+∫_{t-r(t)}^{t}a(t,s)x(s)Δs+b(t)x(t-h(t))=0, t∈[t₀,∞)∩T,where f^{△} is the △-derivative on T. An asymptotic stability theorem with a necessary and sufficient condition is proved. The results obtained here extend the work of Dung d. In addition, the case of the equation with several delays is studied.
Nano topology induced by Lattices
Authors: Thivagar M. Lellis , Devi V. Sutha
Published: April 2019

Lattice is a partially ordered set in which all finite subsets have a least upper bound and greatest lower bound. Dedekind worked on lattice theory in the 19th century. Nano topology explored by Lellis Thivagar et.al. can be described as a collection of nano approximations, a non-empty finite universe and empty set for which equivalence classes are buliding blocks. This is named as Nano topology, because of its size and what ever may be the size of universe it has atmost five elements in it. The elements of Nano topology are called the Nano open sets. This paper is to study the nano topology within the context of lattices. In lattice, there is a special class of joincongruence relation which is defined with respect to an ideal. We have defined the nano approximations of a set with respect to an ideal of a lattice. Also some properties of the approximations of a set in a lattice with respect to ideals are studied. On the other hand, the lower and upper approximations have also been studied within the context various algebraic structures.
Trends and Regulatory Challenges of Environmental Institutions: Evidences from Federal and selected Regions of Ethiopia
Authors: Assele Alemayehu Assefa , Aberra Yohannes , Diriba Dawit
Published: April 2019

The trend of development of environmental institutions in the third world has experienced a considerable lag since 1970s compared to the pace and scale of environmental threats; and mainly challenged by poor autonomy, weak regulatory capacity, and inadequate political support. Ethiopia, being prone to recurrent droughts and environmental maladies, has been grappled with policy responses towards building green and environmentally benign economy. The objective of this study was to explore the trends of institutionalization in environment sector and the challenges that hamper their regulatory performances in Ethiopia. Based on evidences from federal to local levels, the study has indicated that Ethiopia has made its late debut in institutionalization of environmental mandates in early 1990s and introduced three waves of institutional reforms so far. The institutionalization process both at the center and regional levels has got some arduous challenges, most of which were akin to the experiences of other developing countries. However, there were some distinct challenges in Ethiopian context such as sustained influence from agriculture sector coupled with parochialism in mandate allocation, recurrence of droughts that mostly caught the wits of policy makers, and resource laden economic growth which utterly undermined environmental regulations. Therefore, redefining institutional mandates to avoid role conflict, elevating their status and autonomy, and working towards filling the environmental knowledge deficit could be amicable solutions.
Inside the Black Box of the Board: Towards a Global Comparative Model of Board Effectiveness for Listed Companies
Authors: Jansen Peter AM
Published: April 2019

This conceptual research seeks to develop a global comparable model of board effectiveness for listed companies based on a multi-theoretic and multi-disciplinary approach and mostly quantifiable macro-level (national culture and legal-institutional indicators) and micro-level variables (board characteristics and board processes), by synthesizing recent corporate governance theories on boards of directors and board effectiveness into a new theoretical model. In contrast to most existing models of board effectiveness, it accounts for the moderating effect of national contexts, the mediating influence of board roles on board processes, the relevance of those board processes as predictors of board effectiveness and it offers a validated board effectiveness measure that is directly linked to firm performance. Additionally, it offers a research strategy for cross-national board effectiveness research.
Loving the Eternal Recurrence
Authors: Sinhababu Neil , Un Teng Kuong
Published: April 2019

We explore how one might respond emotionally to the eternal recurrence. Zarathustra himself serves as our central case study. First we clarify the idea of eternal recurrence and its role in Nietzsche's philosophy, explaining why the eternal recurrence has the emotional consequences Nietzsche describes when he first introduces the idea in The Gay Science. Then we describe Zarathustra's emotional journey from horror at the eternal recurrence to loving it, in the sections from “On Great Events” to “The Seven Seals, or: The Yes and Amen Song.”
Nietzsche's Notion of Lying
Authors: Wermuth Yann
Published: April 2019

This article clarifies Nietzsche's notion of lying. The notion needs clarification because it is at odds with widespread definitions of lying. The first section compares Nietzsche's notion of lying in Beyond Good and Evil (BGE) 192 with a widespread definition of lying, highlighting the former's oddity. The second section argues that “On Truth and Lies in an Extra-Moral Sense” (TL) helps to clarify Nietzsche's notion of lying as he wants to allow for unconscious lies—an expression that can be found only in TL. The third section explains Nietzsche's notion of lying as a form of intellectual dishonesty that involves making something seem real that is not. The fourth section applies the notion of lying to make sense of BGE 192 and answer additional questions. The fifth section ends the article by bringing to bear Nietzsche's notion of lying on passages on lying by Nietzsche in his late work The Antichrist. The last section thus makes a case for Nietzsche's sticking to this notion throughout his writing. The present study aims at rehabilitating TL in certain respects by highlighting the explanatory potential of Nietzsche's notion of lying as laid out there.
A three-stage learning algorithm for deep multilayer perceptron with effective weight initialisation based on sparse auto-encoder
Authors: Almulla Khalaf Maysa Ibrahem , Gan John Q
Published: April 2019

A three-stage learning algorithm for deep multilayer perceptron (DMLP) with effective weight initialisation based on sparse auto-encoder is proposed in this paper, which aims to overcome difficulties in training deep neural networks with limited training data in high-dimensional feature space. At the first stage, unsupervised learning is adopted using sparse auto-encoder to obtain the initial weights of the feature extraction layers of the DMLP. At the second stage, error back-propagation is used to train the DMLP by fixing the weights obtained at the first stage for its feature extraction layers. At the third stage, all the weights of the DMLP obtained at the second stage are refined by error back-propagation. Network structures and values of learning parameters are determined through cross-validation, and test datasets unseen in the cross-validation are used to evaluate the performance of the DMLP trained using the three-stage learning algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective in combating overfitting in training deep neural networks.
The Legitimisation of Soccer in Australia: A Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Harper Andrew
Published: April 2019

Weber’s legitimacy theory has been diffused widely throughout the corporate and political context but not to thesporting world. This paper adopts Weber’s legitimacy theory to better understand the context of Australian sport,particularly as it relates to soccer’s standing in the culture. For the majority of its Australian existence, soccer wasnot part of the mainstream, and academic and other writing has labelled it illegitimate. However, despiteappropriating the illegitimacy label, no theoretical model has been applied to the assertion. Weber’s Theory ofLegitimacy depicts three types of legitimacy; charismatic, legal/rational and traditional. This qualitative researchutilized interview data collected from a purposive sample (N=22) of the influential people who determined soccer’slegitimacy as a result of the sport’s restructure in 2003, through to the nationally acclaimed triumph of winning themen’s Asian Cup in 2015. The data was then compared against Weber’s theory to better understand soccer’stransformation, showing that Australian soccer was legitimised by the recruitment and leadership of Frank Lowy(charismatic), the intervention of the Federal Government (legal/rational) and the inter-generational growth of thesport’s popularity and participant base (traditional). This paper not only attempts to theorise Australian soccer butalso raises some important questions regarding Australian soccer studies in general.
Understanding, Identity and Ethnic of Malay-Muslims students in Thailand
Authors: Pengjan Siriporn , Chen Zhixai
Published: April 2019

This article aimed to study the adaptation process of youths from the three southern border provinces who moved to other areas of Thailand, whose have Islam religious and Malay- Muslims ethnic group who move to study at Prince of Songkhla University Surat Thani Campus (PSU), Thailand. The study based on qualitative, focus group was analyzed using analysis four misunderstanding issues to finding level of adaptation as 1) Teacher day's observation 2) The activity of welcoming freshmen 3) Hijab and 4) Halal food with Youths, aged 18- 24, it found that had three levels of adaptation: The first level, during the first month. They are attached to the identity of the ethnic group. The second level, they have adapted to the identity of the ethnic group. At the same time, they have adapted to the culture or culture to the third level, and when they are in the area for longer, they see themselves as part of a new culture. Moreover, this article will help to open up new perspectives for people of different religions, or individuals in Thai society to better understand the way of life, culture, and differences of Muslim students. Together, people of different ethnicities can learn and accept their cultural differences so that they can live together peacefully.
Morphometric and biochemical screening of old mulberry trees (Morus alba L.) in the former sericulture region of Slovenia
Authors: Urbanek Krajnc Andreja , Ugulin Tina , Paušič Andrej , Rabensteiner Johannes , Bukovac Vesna , Mikulič Petkovšek Maja , Janžekovič Franc , Bakonyi Tamás , Berčič Rebeka Lucijana , Felicijan Mateja
Published: April 2019

Over centuries, in many European countries, the white mulberry trees (Morus alba L.) became an integral part of the cultural landscape, bearing witness to past sericulture activities. The distribution records of white mulberry trees in the cultural landscape are incomplete and in general poorly documented. The aim of the presented research was to collect data regarding geographical locations of mulberry trees and to define their morphological and biochemical variability in Goriška region, one of the historical sericulture regions in Slovenia. Principal component analysis of all morphometrical leaf traits allowed us to characterize two separate groups of morphotypes. Recordings of the tree pruning management revealed that annual base cutting is traditionally used in Goriška region. Significant correlations between pruning management and leaf morphology traits showed that frequently pruned trees form larger leaves. Biochemically, mulberry leaves are shown to be rich in proteins containing threonine, arginine, asparagine, serine, and glutamine as the most prominent free amino acids. The main phenolic compounds were identified as caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, quercetin malonyl-hexoside, rutin, kaempferol acetyl-hexoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, and p-coumaric acid derivatives. The difference in concentrations of the investigated metabolites is correlated either with the pruning management or the morphotype. Pruning significantly affected the levels of asparagine, alanine, and serine, which were higher in the annually pruned trees regardless of the morphotype. Furthermore, we were able to confirm a significant effect of pruning on total phenolics as well as on the levels of rutin, quercetin malonyl-hexoside, and quercetin-3-glucoside contents. Multivariate analysis allowed us to determine seven chemotypes with distinctive biochemical traits. Our results are the basis for defining superior high-yielding genotypes with optimum metabolic composition for both silkworm feeding as well as for innovative usage in food processing and pharmaceutical industries.
Spatial structure of grassland patches in Poland: implications for nature conservation
Authors: Szymura Tomasz Henryk , Szymura Magdalena
Published: April 2019

Grasslands provide wide range of ecosystem services, however, their area and quality are still diminishing in Europe. Nowadays, they often create isolated patches inside “sea” of other habitats. We have examined basic structural landscape metrics of grasslands in Poland using CORINE land use database. Characteristics for both all individual patches as well as average values for 10 × 10-km grid covering Poland were examined. We also assessed the percentage of grasslands within protected areas and ecological corridors. We found that in Poland rather small patches (0.3–1 km2) dominate, usually located 200–500 m away from each other. The grasslands had clumped distribution, thus in Poland exist large areas where grasslands patches are separated kilometers from each other. Almost all indices calculated for 10 × 10-km2 were correlated, i.e., in regions with high percentage of grasslands, the patches were large, more numerous, placed close to each other, and had more irregular shapes. Our results revealed that the percentage of grasslands within protected areas and ecological corridors did not differ from the average value for Poland. On the other hand, forests were significantly over-represented in protected areas and ecological corridors. These findings suggest that there is no planned scheme for grassland protection at the landscape scale in Poland. Development the scheme is urgent and needs high-quality data regarding distribution of seminatural grasslands patches. In practice, nature conservationists and managers should consider spatial processes in their plans in order to maintain grassland biodiversity.
The role of context in the interpretation of verbal probability expressions
used in International Financial Reporting Standards
Authors: Silska-Gembka Sylwia , Gierusz Jerzy , Koleśnik Katarzyna
Published: April 2019

The objective of this study is to specify whether the interpretation of verbal probability expressions
(VPEs) by accounting professionals depends on the context in which they have been used in IFRS. For
the purpose of this study, a questionnaire was distributed, and a sample of accountants and auditors was
asked to interpret the “probable” expression used in IFRS establishing the threshold for recognising
various accounting elements. The results provide further support for the hypothesis that the context the
VPEs are used in affects their interpretation. The results indicate the problem of inconsistency in the
interpretation of these expressions by accounting professionals. Thus, this study should provide some
tentative implications for standard setters to consider in using VPEs in IFRS.
Spis treści
Authors: Szychta Anna
Published: April 2019

spis treści
Nawęglanie próżniowe stali 18HGM
Authors: Skoczylas Paweł
Published: April 2019

Przedmiotem badań była ocena mikrostruktury warstw uzyskanych na stali 18HGM otrzymanych w technologii nawęglania próżniowego. W pracy porównano mikrostrukturę warstwy uzyskaną w procesie nawęglania aktywnego oraz aktywno-dyfuzyjnego w połączeniu z bezpośrednim hartowaniem. W ramach pracy wykonano badania metalograficzne, pomiary twardości, mikrotwardości oraz zawartości węgla w przekroju warstwy nawęglonej. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały, iż zastosowanie aktywnego nawęglania bez okresu wyżarzania dyfuzyjnego skutkuje wysokim stężeniem węgla w strefie przypowierzchniowej, czego efektem jest siatka cementytu i duża ilość austenitu szczątkowego obniżającego twardość. W procesie nawęglania aktywno-dyfuzyjnego zastosowanie operacji wyżarzania powoduje zwiększenie grubości warstwy dyfuzyjnej, uzyskanie optymalnego stężeniem węgla w strefie przypowierzchniowej, a co za tym idzie poprawny profil mikrotwardości.
A Detailed Critique of Pauline Watts' Nicolaus Cusanus: A Fifteenth Century Vision of Man
Authors: Hopkins Jasper ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

This critique presents important textual, epistemological, and metaphysical considerations that serve to correct Pauline Watts' account of Nicholas of Cusa's "fifteenth-century vision of man."
Helsinki's Child
Authors: Lucas, Jr. George R. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

This bibliography attempts to assess the unprecedented outpouring of literature devoted to the question of human rights which has occurred since 1975 largely, though not exclusively, as a result of international deliberations on the implementation of the Helsinki Final Act.The bibliography encompasses published contributions to this topic since 1975 in the humanities and social sciences; specifically the fields of philosophy, political science, history, comparative literature, religious studies and theology, economics, and sociology and law. The bibliography is limited, however, to essays which focus primarily upon a broad analysis of the international human rights question. Essays discussing human rights or civil rights dilemmas in individual nation-states are included only insofar as such discussions are intended as case-studies of the broader international issues of human rights. In addition, essays which comprise primarily editorials or statements of personal opinion have been omitted in an attempt to keep this instrument within manageable bounds.
An Index for Wittgenstein's On Certainty
Authors: Martin Dean M. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

This work provides a thorough index of terms found in Ludwig Wittgenstein's On Certainty. The index includes not only every philosophical term found in Wittgenstein's text, but also many non-philosophical terms when they are used in highly charged philosophical contexts. In all, there are some 575 main entries. Moreover, a concerted effort is made to indicate in what connections a given term is used by adding subordinate qualifying phrases to the main entries. For crucial terms (e.g., 'know,' 'proposition,' 'doubt,' etc.) the sub-entries indicating context are quite extensive.
Notes by C. I. Lewis on Royce's Theory of Categories
Authors: Molina Fernando R. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

C.I. Lewis wrote in his autobiography that the "general tenor" of his thought --conceptual pragmatism—may have "taken shape" under the influence of Josiah Royce. This study contains excerpts from lecture notes by Lewis taken in a course on logic taught by Royce. Juxtaposed with these excerpts are references to Lewis' early works. "The similarity of content between the excerpts and points later made by Lewis can be taken as evidence that Royce indeed had a massive influence on the young C.I. Lewis.
PROTECCIÓN DE DATOS DE PRUEBA Y SU EXCLUSIVIDAD EN MEDICAMENTOS Y AGROQUÍMICOS. LA INTERPRETACIÓN DEL ARTICULO 39.3 ADPIC
Authors: Pereira Marta Carolina Gimenez
Published: April 2019

As novas tendências em Propriedade Intelectual nos remetem ao Acordo TRIPS ao analisar a "informação não divulgada" e nela a "exclusividade de dados" prevista no artigo 39.3. No entanto, existem interpretações difíceis para esta figura de controvérsia que não escapa aos interesses dos diferentes setores participantes dos mais variados membros da OMC. O presente estudo visa abordar a figura a partir de seus conceitos e requisitos, analisando suas diversas interpretações, bem como as sensibilidades em sua aplicação. O método utilizado é o dedutivo e a técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica. Está estruturado em introdução, desenvolvimento, conclusões e bibliografia.
A flexibilidade por trás das câmeras: transformações na cadeia produtiva do cinema e os impactos no mercado de trabalho
Authors: Almeida Ricardo Normanha Ribeiro de
Published: April 2019

O artigo tem como objetivo analisar as transformações na cadeia produtiva do cinema brasileiro a partir da entrada da Globo filmes no mercado cinematográfico e os impactos para o mercado de trabalho neste setor. O trabalho em cinema caracteriza-se pelas suas dimensões de flexibilidade e incertezas. Neste contexto, a reestruturação da produção de filmes no Brasil acarreta em um processo de desintegração vertical da cadeia produtiva, ao passo que estabelece uma organização extensiva de cooperação entre empresas, apontando para um processo de especialização flexível entre as diversas empresas envolvidas na produção cinematográfica. Como resultado desta dinâmica, ao se observar os dados referentes ao emprego com vínculo no setor do audiovisual, pode-se perceber que as configurações das cadeias produtivas deste segmento compartilham da lógica flexível de produção, marcada pela descentralização dos processos produtivos e terceirização das atividades inerentes à realização das obras audiovisuais. Exemplo disso é o crescimento do número de estabelecimentos empregadores nas atividades de produção e pós-produção, grande parte deles categorizados como pequenas e microempresas.
A adoção de metodologias ativas e os impactos na docência: um estudo de caso na Faculdade Vale do Salgado – FVS
Authors:   Faculdade Vale do Salgado, Silva José Hélio Chaves da , Pereira Antonio José Lima
Published: April 2019

Muitas instituições ainda utilizam as metodologias convencionais de ensino, como as aulas expositivas. Mas apenas essas aulas não ajudam a desenvolver o perfil profissional dos estudantes, para ajudar nessa questão existem as metodologias ativas de ensino, através delas os alunos podem aprimorar características como, a liderança e o trabalho em equipe. O mercado de trabalho está cobrando do contador mais do que apenas calcular o valor a ser pago em impostos, os gestores das empresas querem profissionais que saibam explicar a situação patrimonial da empresa, elaborar relatórios gerenciais e que sejam proativos, sendo assim, esse artigo tem o objetivo de verificar a adoção de metodologias ativas e os impactos na docência: um estudo de caso na Faculdade Vale do salgado – FVS. Para alcançar esse objetivo, realizou-se uma pesquisa com os docentes do Curso de Ciências Contábeis, onde eles responderam um questionário estruturado com perguntas objetivas e subjetivas relacionadas ao uso e conhecimento dos mesmos sobre as metodologias ativas. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que apesar de haver um entendimento dos professores sobre a importância de utilizar as metodologias em suas aulas, a maioria dos pesquisados não as utilizam de maneira constante, grande parte respondeu que procura usar mensalmente. Apesar da abordagem da pesquisa ser limitada apenas aos docentes ela não deixou de ser relevante, pois mostrou o real entendimento dos professores em relação à adoção das Metodologias Ativas em sala de aula, e descobriram-se os benefícios que são notados nos alunos durante as aulas em que elas são utilizadas.
Guias de reputação relacionados ao ambiente de trabalho influenciam decisões de investimento?
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Silva Daniel José Cardoso da , Suave Ricardo ,   Universidade Estadual do Paraná,
Published: April 2019

Como forma de assegurar a continuidade, as empresas buscam otimizar suas fontes de financiamento que lhes garantam funding para a operacionalização dos seus negócios. A imagem frente ao mercado é um ativo que precisa ser devidamente comunicado para a efetividade das suas estratégias. Os financiadores/investidores, por sua vez, buscam informações que lhes auxiliem na tomada de decisão de investimentos. De maneira cada vez mais frequente, guias reputacionais se apresentam como supostos subsídios para o mercado. Na presente pesquisa, objetivou-se verificar se a presença ou não nesses referidos guias, especialmente em guias sobre a qualidade do ambiente de trabalho proporcionada aos trabalhadores, interfere na decisão de investidores. A estratégia de pesquisa se baseou no uso de um experimento com abordagem between-subjects, em que houve a manipulação de um fator independente em dois níveis, nomeadamente, a presença ou não em guias reputacionais. A pesquisa foi aplicada com estudantes de graduação de universidades públicas, de maneira voluntária, e não houve qualquer espécie de incentivo para a participação. Para análise estatística, utilizou-se a Anacor como técnica exploratória e Regressão Logística Multinomial como técnica confirmatória. Os resultados evidenciaram que a presença em guias reputacionais não influencia decisões de investimento, o que sugere que investidores razoavelmente bem informados acerca de possíveis organizações a se investir não levam tal informação como fator decisivo para investir.
Evoluzione metodologica dell’invalidità civile in Italia: confronto ragionato tra i sistemi valutativi tabellari, di legge e non, che si sono succeduti negli anni
Authors: Sammicheli Michele , Scaglione Marcella
Published: April 2019

The authors describe the evolution from 1980 to the present of the tables that describe invalidating states, on which the medical-legal judgments of civil disability in Italy are based.The first part of the work briefly describes the main disabilities, grouped by both body system and percentage value range, that can be found in the tables attached to the main documents applied, or applicable, to the sector: those issued alongside the Ministerial Decree n. 282 of 1980, those that accompanied the Ministerial Decree of February 1982 (still in force today) and those proposed by the Italian Institute of Social Security (INPS) in 2012, which have not yet entered into force.The second part of the paper has two aims. On the one hand, it seeks to underline the change in the pre-eminent type of disability featured in the tables: from osteoarticular diseases, which were the most significant type in the 1980 tables, to neoplastic diseases, which are the most prevalent overall in the 2012 tables.On the other hand, the authors highlight that the tables themselves have evolved, moving towards a more precise definition (both clinical and instrumental) of the organ damage causing the reduction in general working capacity. In the 1980 tables, disability was often evaluated empirically rather than based on the use of functional indices or systematic classification. In the 2012 INPS proposed tables, evaluations of the reduction in working capacity are often based on specific functional parameters for the various organs (EF for the heart, FEV1 for the respiratory system, GFR for the urinary system) or on standardized disability evaluation scales (NYHA classes for heart diseases, EDSS or the Hoehn & Yahr classification for neurological disorders, MMSE or CDR for dementia, the Child-Pugh classification for cirrhogenic hepatopathies).
“No hay enemigo bastante poderoso para contrarrestarnos”: las victorias chilenas en la prensa de caricaturas de la Guerra del Pacífico (1879-1884)
Authors: Ibarra Patricio
Published: April 2019

Objective/context: The article studies the political cartoons dedicated to elevating the triumphs of the Chilean Army and Navy during the Guerra del Pacífico, published in the Chilean satire newspapers El Barbero, El Ferrocarrilito, El Nuevo Ferrocarril and El Padre Cobos. Visual representations created and reproduced a nationalistic, warmongering tone, reinforcing the perception of Chilean superiority in the conflict. Later this superiority was confirmed by the victories of Chile’s military campaign. Originality: The War of the Pacific, namely its causes, development and consequences, has been studied from a diplomatic and military perspective. Previous work has not gone into depth on socio-cultural actions of civil society, including the satirical newspapers in general, and the engravings and verses commenting on the conflict specifically. Methodology: Three steps were taken to decode the cartoons. First, the pre-iconographic description, which is referred to the “natural meaning” of the subjects, objects and situations. Then, the iconographic study, which allows to single out the represented event. The iconological interpretation followed and the engraving was placed in its historical and material context, thus seeking its essential meaning. Conclusions: This article shows how the satirical newspapers constructed the image of the Chilean military success by taking advantage of the discursive and aesthetic flexibility of the political cartoon, embracing the national cause, and highlighting and glorifying the triumphs. Through satire, its writers, illustrators, poets and editors collaborated in the creating a self-portrait of a nation superior to Peru and Bolivia.
“El zoológico del porvenir”: narrativas y memorias de nación sobre el Zoológico de Chapultepec, Ciudad de México, siglo XX
Authors: Horta Duarte Regina
Published: April 2019

Objective/context: The article focuses on the history of Chapultepec Zoo (CZ), at Mexico City, over the 20th century. Idealized by the biologist Alfonso Luis Herrera and founded with the support of the president Alvaro Obregón, in 1923, the CZ integrated narratives about the nation and about the Mexican Revolution, in contexts of memory disputes and the construction of myths of nationality. Originality: This article is based on solid research on archives and libraries, and offers a new and unprecedented perspective on the history of CZ. On the one hand, it explores the first attempts of building a zoo at Mexico City during the porfiriato. On the other hand, it analyses the definite inauguration of CZ in 1923, becoming part of a master narrative about the nation and about the Mexican Revolution. Methodology: The research dialogs with environment history, science history, and political history, always based on extensive research on primary sources. With a specific focus on CZ, it opens the way for the analysis of the role of zoos in the broader context of contemporary societies, especially in Latin America. Conclusions: The diversity of narratives about CZ shows how the history of this institution has blended with practices, debates and political myths since its foundation. The CZ continues to face great challenges in the present and remains as a land of contestations and disputes, delineating a horizon of expectations projected simultaneously over the past, the present, and the future of Mexican society.
A longitudinal study of the faecal microbiome and metabolome of periparturient mares
Authors: Salem Shebl E. , Hough Rachael , Probert Chris , Maddox Thomas W. , Antczak Philipp , Ketley Julian M. , Williams Nicola J. , Stoneham Sarah J. , Archer Debra C.
Published: April 2019

Background

Periparturient mares are at increased risk of colic including large colon volvulus, which has a high mortality rate. Alterations in colonic microbiota related to either physiological or management changes, or both, that occur at this time have been suggested as potential causes for increased colic risk in this population of horses. Although the effect of management changes on the horse faecal microbiota has been investigated, limited work has been conducted to investigate changes in faecal microbiota structure and function in the periparturient period. The objectives of the current study were to investigate temporal stability of the faecal microbiota and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the faecal metabolome in periparturient mares.

Methods

Faecal samples were collected weekly from five pregnant mares from 3 weeks pre-foaling to 7 weeks post-foaling. The microbiome data was generated by PCR amplification and sequencing of the V1–V2 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes, while the VOC profile was characterised using headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

Results

The mare faecal microbiota was relatively stable over the periparturient period and most variation was associated with individual mares. A small number of operational taxonomic units were found to be significantly differentially abundant between samples collected before and after foaling. A total of 98 VOCs were identified. The total number of VOCs did not vary significantly between individual mares, weeks of sample collection and feeds available to the mares. Three VOCs (decane, 2-pentylfuran, and oct-2-ene) showed significant increase overtime on linear mixed effects modelling analysis. These results suggest that the mare faecal microbiota is structurally and functionally stable during the periparturient period. The findings also suggest that if changes in the gut microbiota are related to development of colic postpartum, altered risk may be due to inherent differences between individual mares. VOCs offer a cost-effective means of looking at the functional changes in the microbiome and warrant further investigation in mares at risk of colic.
Optimisation of Point-Set Matching Model for Robust Fingerprint Verification in Changing Weather Conditions
Authors: Udo I. J. , Akhigbe B. I. , Afolabi B. S.
Published: April 2019

Aims: To provide a baseline for the configuration of Automated Fingerprint Verification System (AFVS) in the face of changing weather and environmental conditions in order to ensure performance accuracy. 

Study Design:  Statistical and theoretical research approaches.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between July 2017 and July 2018.

Methodology: Data set were collected in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. We use 10,000 minutiae points defined by location and orientation features extracted from fingerprint samples obtained at 9 various physical and environmental conditions over 12 months period. These data were used to formulate linear regression models that were used as constraints to the verification objective function derived as constrained linear least squares. The effects of the changing weather and environmental conditions were incorporated into the optimised point-set matching model in order to minimise the total relative error on location and orientation differences between pairs of minutiae. The model was implemented using interior-point convex quadratic programming was implemented in Matlab.

Results: The results obtained from the optimisation function by adjusting the thresholds of the effects of weather and environmental conditions to 0.0, 0.0 for location and orientation properties of minutiae, respectively, showed minimal total relative errors on the corresponding pairs of matched minutiae, when compared with using the default threshold values of the selected conditions.

Conclusion: The optimisation of point-set based model could provide a computational basis for accurate fingerprint verification for low and high-security AFVS in unfavourable conditions if they are incorporated into the matching model. However, further validation and evaluation of the model with data sets from regions with similar weather and environmental conditions is needed to further validate its robustness in terms of performance accuracy
Comparative Analysis of Per Second Billing System of GLO, MTN, Etisalat, Airtel and Visafone in Nigeria
Authors: Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin , Lawal Samuel Oluwaseun
Published: April 2019

This study compares per second billing system of network providers such as MTN, AIRTEL, GLO, ETISALAT and VISAFONE in Nigeria. The area of research cluster in this study is to assess price, usage and beneficial Comparisons among communication companies (Network providers) along with their market competition in Nigerian economy and to evaluate the factors that influence the decisions of Nigerian telecommunication commission on price changes. Data of network subscribers and other network bundles were collected via Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) database and other valuable medium. Comparison of active, inactive and installed capacity was inferred using multiple bar charts for efficient comparison. The study, with the aid of drift analysis, surveyed the effects of the competition on availability, quality and cost of telecommunications services in Nigeria.

The method of price comparison employed in this study centered on the five telecommunication network operators’ tariff plans (both prepaid and postpaid), an approach which defined separate service price data on the basis of service usage levels, service merits, economic factor, tariff rate and accessibility. This study showed that, telephone density (teledensity) increased from 97.60 to 108.11. It was inferred that, Visafone offers better per second billing system, follow by MTN Nigeria. Airtel Nigeria per second billing system is also moderate; Globacom Limited followed Airtel Nigeria; Etisalat tariff rate would have follow Visafone as the second best had it been it does not offers its service with access fees. It was observed according to the official data that, MTN Nigeria has the highest number of subscribers, follow by Globacom Limited, Airtel Nigeria, Etisalat and Visafone Limited in rapid succession. Hence, factors that determine the rate of subscription to individual network service among others, include, age of the network, quality service render, network coverage, tariff rate, accessibility, benefits, etc.
Resource Allocation Scheme for One-to-Many Cooperative Wireless Systems Using the Bidding Game Strategy
Authors: Adeleke Oluseye , Boonsong Wasana
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we propose a new scheme for optimal resource (i.e, power) allocation in a cooperative wireless communication system, using a type of game called the Bidding game. Previous related works have all considered networks with multiple source nodes interacting with either single or multiple relays, without paying so much attention to how partners are selected for cooperation. However because of the importance of partner selection as an integral part of an efficient cooperative communication network, which also includes resource allocation, we propose this new game-based resource allocation scheme, in which the conventional theories of economic bidding are applied. In this work, we model the cooperative communication network as a single-user, multi-relay system in which the source acts as the auctioneer while the relays or partners act as the bidders in the game. The resource being auctioned here is power. The relay which offers the highest bid in terms of price is first selected by the source node and then allocated power by the source node. Our proposed scheme is aimed at answering the question of how maximally or optimally the power should be allocated in the network by the source node so as not to violate the power constraint. We show that there exists bidding and pricing mechanisms or strategies that lead to the maximization of network throughput or utility in cooperative communication networks. We also see in our simulation results that there is convergence to the Nash equilibrium which proves the correctness of our scheme.
Equilibrium Adsorption Studies of Methylene Blue onto Caesalpinia pulcherrima Husk-based Activated Carbon
Authors: Nuhu A. A. , Omali I. C. P. , Clifford C. O.
Published: April 2019

Activated carbon was prepared from Caesalpinia pulcherrima husk (CPH) by chemical activation method using phosphoric acid as an activating agent.  The activated sample was characterized based on the physical properties.  The experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models. The coefficient of determination for Langmuir model R2 = 0.967 was higher compared to Freundlich and Temkin showing monolayer adsorption, and also established that the adsorption of methylene onto CPH based activated carbon can be best described by the Langmuir isotherm model. The energy of adsorption (806.2 kJ/mol) obtained from this model shows clearly that the process is chemisorption. It was observed that the adsorption characteristic indicates a rapid uptake of the adsorbate; the optimum contact time for the adsorption of Methylene blue onto the prepared carbon was 60 minutes. This evidence also points to chemisorption process. These results demonstrate that the carbon derived from CPH can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the adsorption of Methylene blue.
Tetrapleura tetraptera Extract Inhibited Luteinizing Hormone and Estrogen Secretion in Clomiphene Citrate Treated Female Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Agbai E. O. , Nwanegwo C. O. , Njoku C. J. , Onyebuagu P. C. , Ekezie J. , Nwafor A. C. , Eke C. C.
Published: April 2019

Tetrapleura tetraptera stem bark has been reported to cause inhibition of luteinizing hormone release in cultured rat pituitary cells. Hence, we investigated the effects of Tetraptera tetrapleura pod extract on follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, cortisol, progesterone and estrogen. Thirty non-pregnant female wistar albino rats were divided into group A - D. Group A rats were used as Control. Group B rats were administered 1 mg/kg/day of clomiphene citrate orally. Group C rats were administered 200 mg/kg of extract only, whereas group D rats were administered 1 mg/kg /day of Clomiphene citrate plus 200 mg/kg of extract. At the end of 14 days experiment, group A, B and D were found in proestrus phase and group C in diestrus phase. FSH and cortisol levels remained unchanged. Group C and D rats produced significant reduction (P < 0.05) in LH and estrogen levels in prolonged proestrus and normal diestrus respectively. Progesterone level was significantly high (P < 0.05) in the group C rats. The reduced LH level could be due to the anti-estrogenic effect of extract during proestrus when LH secretion is expected to surge. But co-administration resulted in high progesterone secretion, suggesting extract may have influenced progesterone secretion in group D rats simultaneously administered with clomiphene citrate and extract. The above findings indicated that Tetrapleura tetraptera pod extracts inhibited luteinizing hormone and estrogen even when co-administered with clomiphene citrate.
Protective Effect of Dorema glabrum on Induced Oxidative Stress by Diazinon in Hippocampus of Rat
Authors: Adampourezare Mina , Sistani Parisa , Nemati Homeira Hatami
Published: April 2019

Introduction: Diazinon (DZN) administration produces lipid peroxidation as an indicator of oxidative stress in the brain. Some medicinal plants such as Dorema glabrum has antioxidant properties, so can be used as an antioxidant that may protect neurons from oxidative stress. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of D. glabrum against DZN-induced oxidative stress in hippocampus.

Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were used in this study. The rats randomly were divided into four groups including a control group, and two groups received different doses of D. glabrum (40 and 80 mg/kg) as pre-treatment for 21 days with DZN (100 mg/Kg) that was injected intraperitoneally (ip) in last day of D. glabrum usage, and one group received only DZN. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), which are the indicators of lipid peroxidation, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) were determined in the ratsʼ hippocampus.

Results: Administration of DZN significantly increased TBARS levels and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased glutathione peroxidase activity but there were no significant changes in catalase activity in the hippocampus. Combined D. glabrum and DZN treatment, caused a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase, a significant decrease of TBARS and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase and again no significant changes in catalase activity in the rats’ hippocampus when compared to the rats treated with DZN.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that D. glabrum had an amelioratory effect on oxidative stress induced by DZN.
Evaluation of Carbon Stock across Different Forest Physiognomy in a Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Arubasa Onome O. , Odiwe Anthony I.
Published: April 2019

This study investigated carbon stock in above-ground biomass across different physiognomies in Obafemi Awolowo University tropical rainforest ecosystem. This was with a view of increasing the understanding of carbon cycle in tropical rainforest in Nigeria.

Two 20 m x 20 m plots were marked out in the secondary forest, Tectona grandis and Riparian vegetations. Total enumeration was carried out for the living tree, the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of trees ≥10 cm were measured at 1.3 m above the ground and height was also determined using a ranging pole and Haga altimeter.

Aboveground carbon stocks in standing trees ranged from 218.24 to 318.92 C t ha-1 with the highest value in Tectona grandis plantation. Trees with DBH size class 11-20 cm contributed more to Carbon stock in secondary forest and Tectona grandis plantation, while size class ≥60 cm contributed more in the riparian vegetation. Tectona grandis plantation proved to be better in mitigating carbon in our environment and this result will enhance better estimates of local and regional carbon stock which is crucial to addressing the problems of climate change.