bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some aspects related to the human body plant
Authors: Petrescu Florian Ion Tiberiu , Petrescu Relly Victoria Virgil
Published: February 2020

The paper presents some important aspects related to the human liver, which is a real human body's plant, having essential roles in human life, especially in the preparation of the food necessary for the organism, in the production of the various essential substances necessary for the body and the basic chemical elements. At the same time, the human liver has the role of detoxifying the body, processing and eliminating toxic elements from ingested foods. The liver secretes various substances necessary for the human body. The more we keep this vital organ healthier, the more human body becomes free, healthier, younger and vigorous. The liver is probably the organ with the most diverse functions in the human body. After ingestion of food, they are processed along the digestive tract and degraded to nutrients that will reach all tissues and organs in the body. The liver is an annexe of the digestive tract with a very complex structure. The morphological unit of the liver is the liver lobe. It has a pyramid shape and a length of a few millimeters. The liver contains up to 100,000 lobules.
On cities and entropy: a thermodynamical view of the large towns
Authors: Serpa Nilo Costa
Published: February 2020

Present article proposes the application of the concept of entropy in the study of the environmental impacts created by a city. It was taken a strictly thermodynamic approach of cities as heat sinks that generate entropy. The formalism of caloric field theory was adopted to establish the relationship between entropy caused by thermal exchanges and the physical environmental parameters considered. The notion of evolutional global time was introduced in order to treat entropy more objectively in the context of thermodynamics. A table with the rates of change of entropy in some cities was set.
Considering an integrated malacology approach to ecosystem assessment: a socio-ecological system analysis of the terrestrial mollusks in an atlantic rainforest area, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Esteves Rafael Alves
Published: February 2020

The invertebrate group is not considered in environmental studies. When they are remembered, the studies are vague, superficial and do not give the due importance that the group has in the ecosystem dynamics. This paper aimed at placing the terrestrial mollusks in the discussion agenda of complex socio-ecological systems and analyzed the interactions of these mollusks with the other components of the socio-ecological subsystems. The analysis was based on the theoretical-methodological framework proposed by Ostrom and discussed how terrestrial mollusks have the potential to support actions for decision-making in biodiversity conservation, public health and local economy. The framework presented four subsystems categorized as ecological, political, social and economic, with the Sooretama Biological Reserve in the Northern state of Espirito Santo as a geographical boundary. The results allow us to perceive that terrestrial mollusks have essential characteristics that reflect into ecosystem health, acting in an integrated way with the dynamics of environmental services and the equilibrium of habitats.
Neuromarketing for a better understanding of consumer needs and emotions
Authors: Gurgu Elena , Gurgu Ioana-Andreea , Tonis Rocsana B. Manea
Published: February 2020

In this paper we are talking about the fact that marketing and publicity specialists have become aware of the limitations of traditional market research methods for decades, but only in recent years science has allowed the development of a more effective mechanism by which consumers' thoughts can be deciphered: neuromarketing. This term refers to the use of techniques developed by cognitive neuroscience and psychology specialists to analyze and understand people's reactions to products and promotions, which allows refining marketing efforts to make them more effective. In the article we are talking about the tools used for this purpose, which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain scanners that identify brain parts that react to different stimuli, and electroencephalography (EEG), devices that measure electrical activity in the brain. By tracking brain reactions to different stimuli, researchers can discover the marketing mechanisms that are most likely to lead to the desired outcome: selling the product. For this, in parallel with the EEG measurements, an eye-tracking device is used, which allows the exact identification of the stimulus that produces the reaction from that moment. Also, some neuromarketing companies also use GSR (galvanic skin response) sensors to measure the electrical conductivity of the skin, which is another element that provides information about the consumer's response to various commercial messages. The purpose of our article is to show the role played by neuromarketing in the correct understanding of consumer needs, words and emotions.
Investment in Green Technology and Entry Deterrence
Authors: Strandholm John C. , Espínola-Arredondo Ana
Published: February 2020

This paper analyzes an entry-deterrence model in which the incumbent decides whether to invest in research and development (R&D) that promotes clean technology. We consider the case in which the entrant could benefit from a technology spillover and analyze the conditions that facilitate the incumbent’s entry-deterrence behavior. We show that higher levels of the spillover make entry more attractive compared to a standard entry game. In addition, regulator and incumbent prefer entry when the spillover from clean technology is sufficiently high and the cost of investing in R&D is relatively low. However, preferences are misaligned when the spillover and cost of R&D are low.
Microfinance and Vulnerability to Seasonal Famine in a Rural Economy: Evidence from Monga in Bangladesh
Authors: Berg Claudia , Shahe Emran M.
Published: February 2020

This paper uses a unique data set on 143,000 poor households from Northern Bangladesh to analyze the effects of microfinance membership on a household’s ability to cope with seasonal famine known as Monga. We develop an identification and estimation strategy that exploits a jump and a kink at the 10-decimal land ownership-threshold driven by the Microfinance Institution screening process to ensure repayment by excluding the ultra-poor. Evidence shows that microfinance membership improves food security during Monga, especially for the poorest households who survive at the margin of one and two meals a day. The positive effects on food security are, however, not driven by higher income, as microcredit does not improve the ability to migrate for work, nor does it reduce dependence on distress sale of labor. The evidence is consistent with consumption smoothing being the primary mechanism behind the gains in food security of MFI households during the season of starvation.
The Consequences of the 1959–1961 Chinese Famine for Educational Attainment
Authors: Lay Margaret J. , Norling Johannes
Published: February 2020

This paper finds that the Great Chinese Famine of 1959–1961 reduced lifetime educational attainment by up to 3.8 years for people who lived in areas most severely hit by the famine. Using geographical variation in famine intensity, information about place of residence during the famine, and educational attainment recorded in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the paper demonstrates that the decline in educational attainment was particularly sharp for women. This decline interrupted substantial gains in schooling achieved in China during the middle part of the twentieth century.
Accounting for Differences in Female Labor Force Participation between China and India
Authors: Azam Mehtabul , Han Luyi
Published: February 2020

Although, the male labor force participation rate is comparable in China and India, female labor force participation rate remains very low in India. In this paper, we examine the factors responsible for the difference in female labor force participation rate between the two countries by carrying out decomposition exercise at three points of time covering two decades. We find that the differences in female labor force participation rate are not explained by the differences in characteristics across the two countries in each of the three year studied. The differences in returns to these characteristics explain most of the differences in participation rate.
The Effects of Entry when Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly Coexist
Authors: Fujiwara Kenji
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a model of a continuum of industries in which some industries are monopolistically competitive, the others are oligopolistic, and they interact in a labor market. We use this model to examine the effects of entry of oligopolistic firms. We show that this raises the equilibrium wage and induces exit of monopolistically competitive firms. Then, we find that the profits of each oligopolistic firm and the whole oligopolistic industry decrease. Finally, we establish that if the elasticity of substitution is the same in all industries, welfare improves as a result of an increase in the oligopolistic firms.
Pretrial Beliefs and Verdict Accuracy: Costly Juror Effort and Free Riding
Authors: Guha Brishti
Published: February 2020

If jurors care about reaching the correct verdict, but also experience costs to paying attention during the trial, even a small effort cost generates interesting interactions between pretrial beliefs and verdict accuracy. I demonstrate the existence of a strong free riding effect; jurors respond to a more informative prior by reducing their probabilities of paying attention, to the extent that over a non-empty range, a more informative prior will be associated with poorer verdicts. Pretrial beliefs can depend on several factors: I consider two – the extent of discovery during the pre-plea bargaining process, and the efficiency of the police. My results imply that more liberal discovery rules, which result in a less noisy plea bargaining process, will actually be complemented by greater juror effort over a range, resulting in more accurate verdicts. In contrast, greater police efficiency will, over a range, elicit a sufficient drop in juror effort such that verdicts are less accurate. Thus, improving discovery has added benefits over a range, while the benefits of exogenous improvements in policing may be dampened. I briefly extend the model to cases where attentive jurors receive an imperfect public signal instead of a perfect one, and to cases where jurors’ utilities from convicting a guilty defendant differ from their utilities from acquitting an innocent one.
Product R&D Coopetition and Firm Performance
Authors: Ramsza Michał , Karbowski Adam
Published: February 2020

We investigate firms’ behavior in demand-enhancing product R&D. We consider and compare a cooperative and non-cooperative R&D investment setting by firms. In a non-cooperative scenario (R&D competition), firms decide on their R&D investments and outputs unilaterally. In a cooperative scenario (R&D coopetition), firms engage in a bargaining process to reach a binding R&D agreement. Firms through bargaining can reach an R&D agreement which specifies their R&D investment levels. The investment levels under R&D coopetition are higher compared with the investment levels under R&D competition. Firms’ profits are also higher under R&D coopetition compared with R&D competition. We conclude that R&D coopetition can alleviate the individual R&D investment disincentive and work as a strategic instrument that enhances product innovation and firms’ profits.
Edaravone exerts brain protective function by reducing the expression of AQP4, APP and Aβ proteins
Authors: Ren Haiyan , Ma Lijuan , Gong Xueli , Xu Chenbo , Zhang Yuge , Ma Meilei , Watanabe Kenichi , Wen Juan
Published: February 2020

This study aims to investigate the changes of aquaporin-4 (AQP4), β-amyloid precursor proteins (APP) and β-amyloid (Aβ) in brain tissues after cerebral ischemiareperfusion injury (CIRI), and evaluate the effect of edaravone. The Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion was used to establish CIRI in rats. Rats were divided into control, model and edaravone groups. The neurological deficits in the model group were obvious and the neurological score increased compared to the control group, while the neurological deficits of the edaravone group were improved as the neurological score decreased compared to the model group. The number of pyramidel cells in the hippocampus of the model group was significantly decreased whereas edaravone could reverse this decrease. The model group had significantly higher levels of Aβ, APP and AQP4 than the control group and edaravone group, suggesting that they might be involved in the neuronal cell damage. Meanwhile, the increased AQP4 might enhance the permeability of cells, and thus cause cell damage and neurological deficit. Conclusively, edaravone could reduce brain edema, protect neuronal cells and improve the neurological impairment of rats possibly by decreasing the expression of Aβ, APP and AQP4. Therefore, edaravone may have the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease).
Cognition in construction grammar: Connecting individual and community grammars
Authors: Anthonissen Lynn
Published: February 2020

This paper examines, on the basis of a longitudinal corpus of 50 early modern authors, how change at the aggregate level of the community interacts with variation and change at the micro-level of the individual language user. In doing so, this study aims to address the methodological gap between collective change and entrenchment, that is, the gap between language as a social phenomenon and the cognitive processes responsible for the continuous reorganization of linguistic knowledge in individual speakers. Taking up the case of the prepositional passive, this study documents a strong community-wide increase in use that is accompanied by increasing schematicity. A comparison of the 50 authors reveals that regularities arising at the macro-level conceal highly complex and variable individual behavior, aspects of which may be explained by studying the larger (social) context in which these individuals operate (e. g., age cohorts, community of practice, biographical insights). Further analysis, focusing on how authors use the prepositional passive in unique and similar ways, elucidates the role of small individual biases in long-term change. Overall, it is demonstrated that language change is an emergent phenomenon that results from the complex interaction between individual speakers, who themselves may change their linguistic behavior to varying degrees.
Meeting the Assumptions of Inverse-Intensity Weighting for Longitudinal Data Subject to Irregular Follow-Up: Suggestions for the Design and Analysis of Clinic-Based Cohort Studies
Authors: Pullenayegum Eleanor M.
Published: February 2020

Clinic-based cohort studies enroll patients on first being admitted to the clinic, and follow them as part of usual care, with interest being in the marginal mean of the outcome process. As the required frequency of follow-up varies among patients, these studies often feature irregular visit times, with no two patients sharing a visit time. Inverse-intensity weighting has been developed to handle this, however it requires that the visit process be conditionally independent of the outcome given the observed history. When patients schedule visits in response to changes in their health (for example a disease flare), the conditional independence assumption is no longer plausible, leading to biased results. We suggest additional information that can be collected to ensure that conditional independence holds, and examine how this might be used in the analysis. This allows clinic-based cohort studies to be used to determine longitudinal outcomes without incurring bias due to irregular follow-up.
[DMImd-DMP]: A highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 4H-benzo[b]pyran derivatives
Authors: Redouane Mohamed Abdenour , Khiri-Meribout Naima , Benzerka Saida , Debache Abdelmadjid
Published: February 2020

A series of substituted 4H-pyrans derivatives were synthesized by a one-pot, multi-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, and pyrazolone derivatives or active methylene carbonyl compounds such as dimedone, in the presence of 1,3-dimethyl imidazolium dimethyl phosphate [DMImd-DMP] as a catalyst in aqueous ethanol. Recyclability of the catalyst, high yields, simple product isolation and high atom economy are the noteworthy aspects of this protocol.
A Coordinated Voltage Control Scheme of Distribution Networks with Distributed Generation Based on On-Load Tap Changers and Shunt Capacitors by Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Nguyen Minh Y
Published: February 2020

Recently, the voltage stability and control of distribution networks become challenges due to the large line impedance, load variations and particularly the presence of distributed generation. This paper presents a coordinated voltage control scheme of distribution systems with distributed generation based on on-load tap changer and shunt capacitors. The problem is to determine the optimal operation of voltage regulation devices to minimize a multi-objective function including power losses, voltage deviations and operation stresses while subject to the allowable voltage ranges, line capacity and switching stresses, etc. The problem is formulated and solved by a modified particle swarm optimization algorithm to treat the large-scale and high nonlinearity property. The proposed scheme is applied to a typical 48-bus distribution network in Vietnam. The result of simulation shows that the voltage profile can be improved while the power loss of distribution systems can be reduced significantly.
Influence of the Freeze-drying Conditions on the Physicochemical Properties and Grinding Characteristics of Kiwi
Authors: Domin Marek , Dziki Dariusz , Kłapsia Sybilla , Blicharz-Kania Agata , Biernacka Beata , Krzykowski Andrzej
Published: February 2020

The aim of this work was to study the influence of freeze-drying conditions of kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) on physicochemical properties and grinding characteristics of dried fruits. Whole kiwi fruits were freeze-dried with the different pressure: 12, 20, 42, 63, 85, and 103 Pa. Dried fruit properties that underwent evaluation included color, texture, rehydration, total phenolics content, antioxidant properties and sensory analysis. Moreover, the grinding energy indices of dried kiwi were determined. The results showed that an increase in the pressure caused decreased lightness, but increased yellowness and greenness of freeze-dried kiwi. The force of kiwi penetration increased and the rehydration ability decreased with the increase in the pressure. The specific grinding energy of dried kiwi ranged from 10.1 to 13.6 kJ⋅kg−1, whereas the average particle size of kiwi powder changed from 0.331 to 0.337 mm. The highest values of these parameters were obtained for kiwi freeze-dried with the highest pressure.
Effect of Delta Current and Delta Current Frequency on tensile properties and microstructure of Gas Tungsten Constricted Arc (GTCA) welded Inconel 718 sheets
Authors: Sonar Tushar , Balasubramanian Visvalingam , Malarvizhi Sudersanan , Venkateswaran Thiruvenkatam , Sivakumar Dhenuvakonda
Published: February 2020

Inconel 718 is a nickel-based superalloy which finds major applications in lightweight welded frames and other parts in gas turbine engines. This alloy is frequently joined by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process for clean and precise welds. However, the weldability of Inconel 718 alloy is limited by the high heat input and slower cooling rate in GTAW process. It leads to the segregation of alloying elements and detrimental laves phase formation in weld metal which significantly reduces the tensile properties of the welded joints. To overcome this problem, a newly developed gas tungsten constricted arc welding (GTCAW) process is used for joining Inconel 718 alloy. The main effect of Delta Current (DC) and Delta Current Frequency (DCF) on the tensile properties and microstructure of GTCA welded 2 mm thick Inconel 718 alloy sheets was investigated. Superior tensile properties were exhibited at Delta Current of 50 A and Delta Current Frequency of 4 kHz due to the refinement in fusion zone. Delta Current and Delta Current Frequency showed deleterious effect at higher levels due to the high heat input.
Composite filler by pre-flocculation of fiber fines and PCC and its effect on paper properties
Authors: Kang Hyun , Won Jong Myoung , Cho Byoung-Uk
Published: February 2020

A composite filler was developed by pre-flocculation of fiber fines and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) particles with flocculants such as cationic polyacrylamide (cPAM) and bentonite. The composite filler was compared with a conventional loading method in terms of physical properties of handsheet and filler retention. The handsheets using the composite filler showed higher strength properties than that using a conventional loading at a similar paper ash content level, implying that paper ash content can be increased maintaining same level of paper strength. Optical properties such as opacity and brightness of the paper with the composite were quite similar with the paper with the conventional loading. Filler retention of the composite filler was slightly higher than that of the conventional loading even though retention aids were not used for the composite filler. Paper formation of the composite filler was better than the case of the conventional loading. However, the sheet with the composite filler showed lower bulk than that with the conventional loading. Conclusively, the composite filler technology by pre-flocculation of fines and filler has a potential to be utilized to produce a high loaded paper.
The influence of process parameters of screen-printed invasive plant paper electrodes on cyclic voltammetry
Authors: Kavčič Urška , Karlovits Igor
Published: February 2020

Using disposable screen-printed electrodes is a convenient way of monitoring environmental pollution, production process control etc. Usually, commercially available screen-printed electrodes are used, but more and more studies are being carried out in the field of printing electrodes on thinner, low-cost and versatile substrates, including paper. In the present research, the comparison of screen-printed electrodes printed on different paper-based materials is presented. Two unique and innovative invasive plant-based papers made from (1) Japanese knotweed, (2) Canadian and Giant goldenrod and (3) commercially available cardboard were used as a printing material for the electrodes. The selected paper substrates were characterized, and screen-printed electrodes were printed. The influence of substrates’ properties and pre- or post-treatment of the screen-printed electrodes on the electrochemical behaviour is thoroughly analyzed. The results indicate that the printing substrate (roughness) had the most significant influence on the cyclic voltammetry response. Comparing pre- and post-treatment of screen-printed electrodes, it was shown that grinding influenced the electrochemical activity significantly, while corona discharge does not have as significant influence. Besides, it was shown that the invasive plant-based papers are viable alternatives to commercially available papers and can be used as low-cost and eco-friendly alternatives for disposable screen-printed electrodes.
Getting off the Omnibus: Rejecting Free Will and Soul-Making Responses to the Problem of Evil
Authors: Macallan Brian C.
Published: February 2020

The nature of suffering and the problem of evil have been perennial issues for many of the world’s religious traditions. Each in their own way has sought to address this problem, whether driven by the all too present reality of suffering or from philosophical and religious curiosities. The Christian tradition has offered numerous and diverse responses to the problem of evil. The free-will response to the problem of evil, with its roots in Augustine, has dominated the landscape in its attempt to justify evil and suffering as a result of the greater good of having free will. John Hick offers a ‘soul-making’ response to the problem of evil as an alternative to the free will response. Neither is effective in dealing with two key issues that underpin both responses – omnipotence and omniscience. In what follows I will contrast a process theological response to the problem of evil and suffering, and how it is better placed in dealing with both omnipotence and omniscience. By refashioning God as neither all-knowing nor all-powerful, process theodicy moves beyond the dead ends of both the free will and soul-making theodicy. Indeed, a process theodicy enables us to dismount the omnibus in search of a more holistic, and realistic, alternative to dealing with the problem of evil and suffering.
Model of electric charge distribution in the trap of a close-contact TENG system
Authors: Kim SeongMin
Published: February 2020

Electron propagation in a trapped state between an insulator and a metal during very close contact in a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) system was considered in this study. A single energy level (E0) was assumed for the trap and wave function inside the trap, which is related to the ground state energy. The phase of the waveform in the metal (neglecting the rebound effect at the wall) was assumed very small (δ′ ≪ 1) because of the large size of the metal. The contact distance between the trap and metal is very small, which allows us to ignore the vacuum potential. Based on our results, the probability of finding an electron inside the trap as a function of time was found to be in oscillation (i.e., back-and-forth propagation of the electron between the trap and metal leads to an equilibrium state). These results can be used to understand the quantum mechanisms of continuous contact, particularly in sliding-mode TENG systems.
Surface Contamination by Antineoplastics in Hospitals: An Observational Study for Mapping of Potential Contamination Associated with Handling Excreta of Babies through Diaper Management
Authors: Palamini Marie , Mercier Geneviève , Bussières Jean-François
Published: February 2020

Background

In the hospital setting, trace contamination with hazardous medications comes primarily from the manipulation of containers used in preparing and administering drugs. However, some traces of medications also come from the excreta of patients.

Methods

This descriptive exploratory study involved direct observation and discussion. The aim was to map potential contamination associated with handling babies’ excreta through diaper management. The study was conducted at CHU Sainte Justine (Montréal, Québec, Canada), a 500-bed mother and child facility with 38 beds for hematology-oncology and bone marrow transplant. A list of key steps related to the management of diapers by a parent or caregiver on a pediatric unit was established by the investigators. A data collection grid was then developed and reviewed by a member of the research team.

Results

A total of six diaper changes, by six distinct individuals, were observed in August and September 2019. Transport of a soiled diaper for weighing outside the baby’s room by an additional caregiver was also observed and recorded. In total, 25 individual steps in diaper management and 28 potential failure modes were identified through mapping.

Conclusions

Changing a baby’s diaper involves many individual steps, which are subject to numerous failure modes that can contribute to contamination with traces of hazardous drugs. A good understanding of these process steps and failure modes is desirable to better train caregivers and parents to reduce trace contamination with hazardous drugs.
The Chief Fallacy: A Commentary on Hostility to Hospitality
Authors: Winiger Fabian
Published: February 2020

This commentary takes issue with three central themes contained in Michael and Tracy Balboni’s Hostility to Hospitality: the argument against a ‘spirituality of immanence’ prevalent in biomedicine, the proposal for ‘structural pluralism’ as a model of institutional reform that addresses the alleged deficiencies of immanence, and the role of ‘chief love’ in the conceptualisation of a spirituality suitable to this form of pluralism. Drawing on a brief discussion of spiritualities which do not fit into the hermeneutic of ‘chief love’, we suggest that the Balbonis’ argument contains largely unexamined assumptions coloured by the authors’ own theological commitments. We contend that the success of ‘structural pluralism’ hinges on the extent to which the authors can credibly disentangle particular religious interests from their proposal for institutional reform, and that this requires broad consultation of spiritual experiences beyond ‘chief love’ and the critique of immanence. The World Health Organisation’s cross-cultural methodology employed in the development of a quality of life measure that incorporates “religiousness, spirituality and personal beliefs” (‘WHOQOL-SRPB’) is briefly discussed as an example of such consultation.
Nozzle Geometry Effect on Twin Jet Flow Characteristics
Authors: A Muthuram , S Thanigaiarasu , Divvela Rakesh , Ethirajan Rathakrishnan
Published: February 2020

Effect of nozzle geometries on the propagation of twin jet issuing from nozzles with circle-circle, circle-ellipse, circle-triangle, circle-square, circle-hexagon and circle-star geometrical combinations was investigated for Mach numbers 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8. In all the cases, both jets in the twin jet had the same Mach number. All the twin jets of this study are free jets, discharged into stagnant ambient atmosphere. The result of the twin jets issuing from circle-circle nozzle is kept as the reference in this study. For all the twin jet nozzles, the inter nozzle spacing; the distance between the nozzle axes (S) was 20 mm and all the nozzles had an equivalent area of 78.5 mm2. Thus for all the cases of the present study, S/D ratio is 2. The results show that the mixing of the combined jet, after the merging point is strongly influenced by the combined effect of the nozzle geometry and jet Mach number. Among the six different twin jet nozzle configuration studied, circle-square combination is found to be the most superior mixing promoter.
Investigating Low-Temperature Properties of Nano Clay–Modified Asphalt through an Energy-Based Approach
Authors: Ashish Prabin Kumar , Singh Dharamveer
Published: February 2020

Significant effort has been given by researchers in recent years to explore the potential use of nanomaterials such as nano clay (NC) for asphaltic pavement applications. The effect of NC on fatigue and rutting performance of asphalt binder has been reported by many researchers; however, limited information is available regarding its effect on the low-temperature performance of asphalt binder. Besides that, reported work reflects inconsistent conclusive remarks about the influence of NC on low-temperature performance parameters of asphalt binder. Therefore, this study examines the effects of NC on low-temperature properties of asphalt binder not only through a conventionally adopted approach (on the basis of creep stiffness and creep rate) but also a dissipated energy-based approach. NC dose was selected as 0, 2, 4 and 6 % by the weight of the asphalt binder. Initially, creep stiffness and relaxation rate were evaluated as per the recommendation of ASTM D6648, Standard Test Method for Determining the Flexural Creep Stiffness of Asphalt Binder Using the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR). Although the creep stiffness value was found to increase, the creep rate was found to decrease only by a marginal amount with incremental dosages of NC. A master curve was subsequently drawn for creep stiffness, relaxation modulus, and creep rate, and the curve indicated their strong dependency on the level of creep period. Furthermore, various energy parameter components were evaluated with the help of viscoelastic modeling of creep compliance response using the Burgers model. Although both the energy components were found to decrease with NC addition, the rate of decrease in the dissipated energy component was higher compared with the corresponding decrease in stored energy with incremental dosages of NC. Such a response indicated a decrease in overall stress relaxation rate and hence degradation of low-temperature properties of control binder with the addition of NC to asphalt binder.
Shape-Preserving Planar Quadratic Bézier Interpolation Spline with Minimal Stretch Energy
Authors: Li Juncheng , Liu Chengzhi , Zhang Li
Published: February 2020

A method for constructing shape-reserving planar C1 quadratic Bézier interpolation spline by minimizing the stretch energy is proposed in this paper. Because the C1 quadratic Bézier interpolation spline can be determined only by the second control point of the first interpolation curve, we give the method for determining the second control point of the first interpolation curve by minimizing the stretch energy. We prove that the C1 quadratic Bézier interpolation spline constructed by the proposed method is shape preserving. Some numerical examples show that the proposed method has good effect.
Contribution of Rare Variants of the SLC22A12 Gene to the Missing Heritability of Serum Urate Levels
Authors: Misawa Kazuharu , Hasegawa Takanori , Mishima Eikan , Jutabha Promsuk , Ouchi Motoshi , Kojima Kaname , Kawai Yosuke , Matsuo Masafumi , Anzai Naohiko , Nagasaki Masao
Published: February 2020

Gout is a common arthritis caused by monosodium urate crystals. The heritability of serum urate levels is estimated to be 30–70%; however, common genetic variants account for only 7.9% of the variance in serum urate levels. This discrepancy is an example of “missing heritability.” The “missing heritability” suggests that variants associated with uric acid levels are yet to be found. By using genomic sequences of the ToMMo cohort, we identified rare variants of the SLC22A12 gene that affect the urate transport activity of URAT1. URAT1 is a transporter protein encoded by the SLC22A12 gene. We grouped the participants with variants affecting urate uptake by URAT1 and analyzed the variance of serum urate levels. The results showed that the heritability explained by the SLC22A12 variants of men and women exceeds 10%, suggesting that rare variants underlie a substantial portion of the “missing heritability” of serum urate levels.
The Language of Vietnamese School Science Textbooks
Authors: Hoang Van Van
Published: February 2020

In this article, an attempt is made to explore in some depth the transitivity features of seven lessons (texts) of a Vietnamese science textbook – Sinh h?c 8 (Biology 8). The findings show that in constructing biological knowledge in their texts, the Vietnamese biologists as textbook writers have employed very high frequency of material and relational processes, virtually no behavioural process, very low percentage of mental, verbal and existential processes, relative small number of circumstances, high percentage of participants/Subjects, high lexical density, high frequency of grammatical metaphor, and only two types of expansion clause complex: elaboration and enhancement. These transitivity features constitute part of what Halliday (2005a: 59) refers to as the ‘prototypical syndrome’ that characterizes the language of Vietnamese school science textbooks. They explain in part why the language of school science textbooks often creates a feeling of ‘alienation’ (Halliday and Martin, 1993: 2) to school students.
Applying Systemic Functional Linguistics: The State of the Art in China Today by Jonathan Webster and Peng Xunwei (Eds) (2017)
Authors: Zhou Nana
Published: February 2020

Applying Systemic Functional Linguistics: The State of the Art in China Today by Jonathan Webster and Peng Xunwei (Eds) (2017)
Linguistic Politeness in Online Discussion Boards
Authors: Ranalan Rhodora S.
Published: February 2020

The move away from relying on location and physical interaction to define community has brought about a recognition of non-geographic communities particularly those that meet only through the Internet. This paper explores one such online community, a group of animé lovers which have grown in recent years due to the global spread of Japanese pop culture. The data mined from this fan forum are used to determine how its members behave linguistically to reinforce this community. It also aims to investigate the politeness strategies used by the members of the community paying attention to the context of how linguistic politeness is deployed in online environments devoted to fandom. As politeness is more often a facet of face to face interaction, the paper is interested in knowing if politeness can be employed as a strategy of accommodation in an online context. The findings reveal that positive politeness strategies dominate the comments of the members of the discussion forum. The creative use of language also helps maintain this virtual environment where they establish relationships. For fans who meet online, this relationship is not a given but rather is a communicative accomplishment where each member works toward the construction and maintenance of the online community.
Ksiądz Stanisław Piotrowski, apostoł Kalisza
Authors: Stańczuk Janusz
Published: February 2020

Ks. Stanisław Piotrowski (1912–1998) był cenionym i charyzmatycznym duszpasterzem. Jest jednym z wybitniejszych kapłanów drugiej połowy XX wieku, zaangażowanym w religijną, społeczną i kulturalną edukację młodzieży. Według jego opinii kultura powinna być silnie obecna w ewangelizacji i nauczaniu katechetycznym. Był współautorem pierwszego zintegrowanego programu przygotowania do sakramentu małżeństwa. Jest także przykładem życia osobistego opartego na wyrzeczeniu i umiłowaniu ubóstwa. Każdy, kto zajmuje się duszpasterstwem młodzieży, może znaleźć inspirację w życiu i pismach ks. Piotrowskiego.
Fides ex visu. O medialnych wizualizacjach wiary
Authors: Draguła Andrzej
Published: February 2020

Artykuł podejmuje temat teologicznego statusu obrazu w jego wersji elektronicznej, czyli jako ekranu. W chrześcijaństwie kwestia teologii obrazu podejmowana jest od czasów sporów ikonoklastycznych na Wschodzie (VIII–IX w.). Teologia zachodnia od X wieku, a potem na skutek Reformacji, krytycznie podchodziła do epifanijnej funkcji obrazu, która dla chrześcijaństwa wschodniego jest oczywista. Ten teologiczny dystans wobec spełniania funkcji epifanijnej dominuje w teologicznej interpretacji obrazu elektronicznego. Przyjmuje się, że obraz elektroniczny (ekran) nie jest zdolny, by transmitować misterium. Kategoria „symulakrum”, którą stosuje się w opisie obrazu elektronicznego, wskazuje na zerwanie z ikonicznym bądź mimetycznym odwzorowaniem rzeczywistości. Symulakrum imituje rzeczywistość przedstawioną, dlatego nie jest w stanie jej objawiać.
RNA Extraction for RIN and DV 200 Analysis v1
Authors: Allen Jamie , Neumann Elizabeth , Brewer Maya , Spraggins Jeff , Gutierrez Danielle , De Caestecker Mark
Published: February 2020

Scope: Extract RNA for RIN and DV 200 Assessment. Expected Outcome: RIN and DV 200 measurements for tissue quality assessment.
Initial Rapid Pathology Assessment of Kidney Tissue v1
Authors: Allen Jamie , Neumann Elizabeth , Brewer Maya , Yang Haichun , Spraggins Jeff , Gutierrez Danielle
Published: February 2020

Scope: Prepare formalin fixed tissue with freezing fresh tissue protocol (dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.6wghfbw). This protocol provides the steps to prepare formalin fixed human kidney tissue and perform histology assessment for normalcy. Expected Outcome: Pathological assessment of kidney tissue for use in LC-MS/MS and imaging.
Gerze Tavuğu ve Bazı Saf Hat Genotiplerinde Majör Doku Uyumluluğu Gen Kompleksi Polimorfizmi
Authors: EKİNCİ Derya , MERCAN Levent
Published: February 2020

Bu çalışmada Gerze tavuğu
popülasyonuna ait 43 örnek ile ticari saf hatlardan oluşturulan 50 örneklik Saf
hat popülasyonunun majör doku uyumluluğu gen kompleksi (MHC) bakımından
moleküler incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Allelik çeşitlilik, MHC içerisinde yer
alan MCW0371 ve LEI0258 mikrosatellit lokuslarının PCR yöntemi yardımıyla
çoğaltılarak elde edilen DNA fragmentlerinin agaroz jel elektroforezi ile
ayrımlanması ile hesaplanmıştır. Gerze popülasyonunda LEI0258 lokusunda elde
edilen allel sayısı, etkili allel sayısı, gözlenen heterozigotluk ve beklenen
heterozigotluk değerleri sırasıyla; 16, 10.82, 0.67, 0.91, Saf hat
popülasyonunda ise 19, 11.84, 0.60, 0.92 olarak bulunmuştur. MCW0371 lokusu
için sırasıyla; Gerze popülasyonunda 3, 2.68, 0, 0.63 ve Saf hat popülasyonunda
3, 1.96, 0, 0.49 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Popülasyonlar arasında Nei genetik
uzaklık ve genetik benzerlik değerleri sırasıyla 0.419 ve 0.658 olarak
hesaplanmıştır. Popülasyonlar arasında FST değeri 0.068 olarak
bulunmuştur. Elde edilen bulgular,
içerdiği allel deseni bakımından Gerze tavuğunun özgün bir genetik kaynak
olarak korunmasının ve ıslah programlarına dahil edilmesinin önemli olduğu
sonucuna varılmıştır.
Kuzularda Yetiştirme Tipinin Regresyon Ağacı Algoritmaları Tahmin Performansına Etkisi
Authors: TATLIYER Adile
Published: February 2020

Bu araştırma, yetiştirme tipi elit ve taban olan İvesi ırkı kuzuların sütten kesim ağırlıkları üzerine CART, CHAID ve Exhausted CHAID algoritmalarının tahminleme performanslarını karşılaştırmak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu çalışmada Osmaniye Toprakkale ilçesinde bulunan farklı yetiştirme tipi uygulayan (elit ve taban) iki işletmeden elde edilen 2014-2015 yıllarında Kasım-Ocak aylarında doğmuş toplam 331 baş İvesi ırkı kuzu kaydı kullanılmıştır. Elit sürü tipinde doğan kuzuların doğum ağırlığı (DA) ortalaması 4.92±0.05 kg; taban sürüde doğan kuzuların DA ortalaması ise 4.11±0.07 kg; elit sürüde yetişen kuzuların sütten kesim ağırlığı (SKA) ortalaması 14.35±0.12 kg; taban sürüde yetişenlerin ise 13.89±0.16 kg olduğu görülmüştür. Her iki sürüde (elit ve taban) doğumdaki ana yaşı, doğum tipi, cinsiyet, doğum ayı, sütten kesim zamanı ve doğum ağırlığı bağımsız değişken olarak kullanılırken, sütten kesim ağırlığı bağımlı değişken olarak kullanılmıştır. CART, CHAID ve Exhausted CHAID algoritmalarını mukayese etmek için RMSE, MAPE, RAE, SDratio ve MAD uyum iyiliği kriterleri ile Pearson korelasyon katsayısı (r), R2Adj ve R2 değerleri kullanılmıştır. Her iki sürüde en yüksek R2 değeri CART algoritması ile elde edilmiştir. Bu çalışma ile yetiştirici koşullarında yapılan seleksiyon çalışmalarında CART algoritması iyi bir araç olarak değerlendirilebilir.
Placenta praevia: percreta and accreta, our experience
Authors: Lewis Preeti F. , Chinchoriya Shreya
Published: February 2020

Background: morbidly adherent placenta has an increasing incidence over decades. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors and etiology of placenta previa- accreta and percreta.Methods: A cross sectional observational study of patients with morbidly adherent placenta previa including placenta accreta and placenta percreta were studied over a period of three years from June 2017 to June 2019 in a tertiary care centre, Mumbai.Results: Cases showed a higher incidence in patients with previous cesarean delivery (CS), grandmultiparity, abortions without the history of check curettage and anterior/central placentae.Conclusions: History of uterine surgeries and previous cesarean are some important risk factors for accreta in placenta previa patients.
Effect of premature rupture of membranes on the maternal and fetal prognosis during childbirth at the gynecology-obstetrics department of the Matam Communal Medical Center, Conakry, Guinea
Authors: Conté Ibrahima , Alpha Diallo Boubacar , Hawa Bah Oumou , Souleymane Touré , Sory Baldé Ibrahima , Kalil Sylla Ibrahima , Ibrahima Sylla , Sory Sow Ibrahima , Telly Sy , Namory Keita
Published: February 2020

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (RPM) is defined by rupture of the amnion and chorion before entering labor within 24 hours leading to vaginal discharge of amniotic fluid without uterine contractions. Objective of this study was to improving the management of premature Ruptures of the membranes received in the service.Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical prospective study lasting six months from January 1 to June 30 2016.Results: During the study period, we collected 108 cases of RPM out of 1543 deliveries, representing a hospital frequency of 7%. RPM had more frequently concerned pregnant women aged 25-29 (37.04%), housewife (37.03%), primiparous (45.37%) and referral (52.78%). 95.37% were single pregnancies with cephalic presentation (80%) received between 37-42 weeks (84.26%). Management mainly consisted of antibiotic prophylaxis (100%), fetal pulmonary maturation and childbirth. The vagina was the main mode of delivery (62.04%). The maternal prognosis was dominated by chorioamnionitis (12.96%). The fetal one was made up of respiratory distress (40.71%) and prematurity (12.39%).Conclusions: RPM is frequent at the Matam municipal medical center. It is essential for its prevention to ensure health education of the population in general and genital hygiene in particular, to make a coherent prenatal follow-up while putting a particular accent on the detection and the treatment of genital infections.
Kangaroo mother care review article
Authors: Jadhao Arjun , Kotha Rakesh , Singh Himabindu , Maddireddi Alimelu
Published: February 2020

Inspite of so many available health facilities, humans are unable to prevent preterm deliveries may be because of evolution process for increasing intelligence in Human species. Now a days most of the preterm babies are surviving due to antenatal steroid coverage, with advancement of health care facilities. As authors are unable to replace the nature and create in utero environment, Kangaroo mother care is a simple but most effective way of developmental supportive care. Here baby is exposed to some known and similar environment like in utero. Preterm survival without morbidity and com-promised quality is an important than survival alone. As preterm organs are still in a developing stage particularly central nervous system where organization, synapse formation still occurring hence enriched environment is necessary for optimal development. In kangaroo care baby usually meet enriched environment, here authors are giving a brief review of Kangaroo Care because of more evidence was there but still not practicing fully in many centers where needed particularly in developing countries. That’s why authors are adding from their side.
Clinical profile of dengue fever in children admitted in a district hospital of South India
Authors: Muthusamy Ramaswami , Sengottaiyan Palanivel
Published: February 2020

Background: To assess the clinical profile of dengue fever in children.Methods: In this Prospective observational study 110 patients who admitted in Government District Headquarters Hospital, Namakkal between 1st August 2019 to 31st December 2019 were included. Those patients with confirmed dengue, with IgM dengue antibody positive were included in this study. Detailed history was taken, and clinical examination was performed, and laboratory investigations were done.Results: In this study 110 patients were studied, majority were males. Fever was present in 100% of patients followed by headache, myalgia. The common signs and symptoms of dengue infection were fever, headache, body ache, retro-orbital pain, bleeding manifestations, and rash in 100%, 97.27%, 92.72%, 77.27%, 8.12%, and 60.90%, respectively. In 90 cases platelet count was less than 100,000/cumm of which bleeding manifestation was found in 9 patients. Pleural effusion and ascites were observed in 25 and 15 cases respectively. Hepatomegaly was noted in 19 cases and splenomegaly in 10. Leucopenia was present in 52 cases whereas raised liver enzymes were present in 51 cases. The mortality rate was 0.9%.Conclusions: Dengue epidemic has increased in recent past probably due to unplanned urbanization with rapid construction activities, unhygienic condition and poor sanitation facilities contributing fertile breeding soil for mosquitoes. Early diagnosis and management can decrease mortality and morbidity of illness. Platelet transfusions have little role in management of dengue patients.