bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desde la retórica a la interculturalidad. Algunas reflexiones desde las aportaciones de Bartolomé de Las Casas
Authors: Zuchel Lorena , Krupecka Iwona
Published: January 2018

Optando por la retórica, Las Casas busca un modelo antropológico nuevo, distinto tanto del humanismo elitista, como del erasmismo voluntarista. En esta búsqueda quisiéramos poner énfasis, argumentando a favor de un resultado revolucionario a la luz de sus objetivos prácticos: cesar el homicidio y garantizar la libertad a los indios en cada aspecto de su vida. Desde aquí, nos referiremos a esta postura revolucionaria que bebe de Aristóteles y de santo Tomás, pero que es capaz de superarlos, a favor de una defensa de lo propiamente humano, que estriba precisamente en reconocer que todas las comunidades tienen la posibilidad de realizarse autónomamente. Por esto, creemos que se puede hallar, en Bartolomé de las Casas, una importante contribución a la cuestión del reconocimiento, pero aún más, un importante punto de partida para los desafíos de una filosofía intercultural.
Elderly diabetes patients’ health beliefs about care and treatment for diabetes
Authors: Şermet Kaya Şenay , Kitiş Yeter
Published: January 2018

Purpose: This descriptive study aimed to assess elderly diabetes patients’ health beliefs about care and treatment for diabetes.Methods: The universe of the study consists of 1176 diabetic patients aged 65 years and over who are registered to eight family health centers affiliated to Mezitli district of Mersin province. In the sample, it was planned to reach the elderly between 165-330. As a result, 280 elders were reached. After obtaining the necessary permissions from the related institutions, data were collected with Descriptive Characteristics Form and HBMS for Diabetes Patients in 2012 and analyzed with nonparametric tests.Results: Of 280 patients, 55.7% were male and 60% were aged 65-69. The median value for HBMS showed that the patients had a negative health belief. The patients with higher education levels and those receiving information about diabetes had higher median of values for both the scale and its subscales, those checking their blood glucose had high median of values for the scale and the subscale perceived benefits and barriers, those complying with nutrition therapy had higher median of values for perceived barriers and recommended health behaviours, those having regular check-ups had higher median of values for perceived barriers and those doing exercise regularly had higher median of values for perceived benefits (p<0.05).Conclusion: Elderly diabetes patients should be offered education about self management and HBMS for Diabetes Patients should be used to determine educational needs and to evaluate effectiveness of education offered to help diabetes patients to develop positive health beliefs.
Fully truncated simplices and their monodromy groups
Authors: Berman Leah Wrenn , Monson Barry , Oliveros Déborah , Williams Gordon I.
Published: January 2018

We describe a simple way to manufacture faithful representations of the monodromy group of an n-polytope. This is used to determine the monodromy group for 𝓣
n
, the fully truncated n-simplex. As by-products, we get the minimal regular cover for 𝓣
n
, along with the analogous objects for a prism over a simplex.
On CMC hypersurfaces in 𝕊
n+1 with constant Gauß–Kronecker curvature
Authors: de Almeida S. C. , Brito F. G. B. , Scherfner M. , Weiss S.
Published: January 2018

After nearly 50 years of research the Chern conjecture for isoparametric hypersurfaces in spheres is still an unsolved and important problem. Here we give a partial result for CMC hypersurfaces with constant Gauß–Kronecker curvature, mainly using a result given in [3] by Otsuki.
Uniform cover inequalities for the volume of coordinate sections and projections of convex bodies
Authors: Brazitikos Silouanos , Giannopoulos Apostolos , Liakopoulos Dimitris-Marios
Published: January 2018

The classical Loomis–Whitney inequality and the uniform cover inequality of Bollobás and Thomason provide upper bounds for the volume of a compact set in terms of its lower dimensional coordinate projections. We provide further extensions of these inequalities in the setting of convex bodies. We also establish the corresponding dual inequalities for coordinate sections; these uniform cover inequalities for sections may be viewed as extensions of Meyer’s dual Loomis–Whitney inequality.
Are sdAs helium core stars?
Authors: Pelisoli Ingrid , Kepler S. O. , Koester Detlev
Published: January 2018

Evolved stars with a helium core can be formed by non-conservative mass exchange interaction with a companion or by strong mass loss. Their masses are smaller than 0.5 M⊙. In the database of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), there are several thousand stars which were classified by the pipeline as dwarf O, B and A stars. Considering the lifetimes of these classes on the main sequence, and their distance modulus at the SDSS bright saturation, if these were common main sequence stars, there would be a considerable population of young stars very far from the galactic disk. Their spectra are dominated by Balmer lines which suggest effective temperatures around 8 000-10 000 K. Several thousand have significant proper motions, indicative of distances smaller than 1 kpc. Many show surface gravity in intermediate values between main sequence and white dwarf, 4.75 < log g < 6.5, hence they have been called sdA stars. Their physical nature and evolutionary history remains a puzzle. We propose they are not H-core main sequence stars, but helium core stars and the outcomes of binary evolution. We report the discovery of two new extremely-low mass white dwarfs among the sdAs to support this statement.
Diffusion in hot subdwarf progenitors from the common envelope channel
Authors: Byrne Conor M. , Jeffery C. Simon , Tout Christopher A. , Hu Haili
Published: January 2018

Diffusion of elements in the atmosphere of a star can drastically affect its surface composition, sometimes leading to unusual mixtures. These chemically peculiar stars can be identified fromthe presence of unusual lines in their spectra. Some hot subdwarf stars show extraordinary abundances of elements such as lead, zirconium and strontium, while the abundance of helium ranges from practically zero to almost 100 percent across the hot subdwarf population. A sequence of extreme horizontal branch star models was generated by producing a number of post-common envelope objects from red giants. The evolution of these subdwarf progenitors was computed with the MESA stellar evolution code from immediately after envelope ejection right up to the ignition of helium in the core. Envelope abundances were calculated at the zero age horizontal branch for models both with and without the presence of diffusion. A small number of simulations also looked at the effects on radiative levitation of these abundances, to test how well diffusion physics is able to reproduce observational data.
LS IV — 14°116 : A Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Martin Pamela , Jeffery C. Simon
Published: January 2018

LSIV-14 116 is a very unusual subdwarf B star. It pulsates non-radially with high-order g-modes, these pulsations are unexpected and unexplained, as the effective temperature is 6 000K hotter than the blue edge of the hot subdwarf g-mode instability strip. Its spectrum is enriched in helium which is not seen in either the V361 Hya (p-mode pulsators) or the V1093 Her stars (g-mode pulsators). Even more unusual is the 4 dex overabundance of zirconium, yttrium, and strontium. It is proposed that these over-abundances are a result of extreme chemical stratification driven by radiative levitation. We have over 20hrs of VLT/UVES spectroscopy from which we have obtained radial velocity curves for individual absorption lines. We are currently exploring ways in which to resolve the photospheric motion as a function of optical depth.
Pupillographic campimetry: an objective method to measure the visual field
Authors: Stingl Krunoslav , Peters Tobias , Strasser Torsten , Kelbsch Carina , Richter Paul , Wilhelm Helmut , Wilhelm Barbara
Published: January 2018

Pupillographic campimetry allows measuring the visual field objectively by analyzing the pupil response to perimetric stimuli. One of the drawbacks of this technique, similar to static perimetry, is the need of reliable fixation of the subject. By using stimulus sizes comparable to static perimetry and applying gaze tracking, we enable a retinotopic visual field examination regardless of fixation problems and with an increased stability and improved spatial resolution. Here, we present the results of applying the method in eight normal sighted subjects as well as in three patients suffering from diseases usually diagnosed by perimetry. The results in normal sighted subjects show a reduction in the amplitude of the pupil response with increasing eccentricity as expected. We also demonstrate that gaze-controlled campimetry is able to detect organic visual field defects objectively in a patient group and classify the visual field defects without an organic background. Moreover, we show that our method is able to evaluate the visual field sensitivity loss beyond classical perimetry in patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa. Thus, gaze-controlled pupil campimetry can be used in addition to classical perimetry, allowing for an objective monitoring of disease progression, rendering it as a biomarker for novel treatments.
Round spheres are Hausdorff stable under small perturbation of entropy
Authors: Wang Shengwen
Published: January 2018

We show that if the entropy of any closed hypersurface is close to that of a round hyper-sphere, then it is close to a round sphere in Hausdorff distance. This generalizes the result of [3] to higher dimensions.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and double-outlet right ventricle: elements of trisomy 18?
Authors: Kollia Maria , Sokou Rozeta , Patsouras George , Panagiotounakou Polytimi , Iacovidou Nicoletta , Konstantinidi Aikaterini
Published: January 2018

We present a case of a term male neonate born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) and a “picture of genetic syndrome”, antenatally diagnosed, without any confirmation of a particular syndrome as no amnioparacentesis was performed. The postnatal chromosomal analysis revealed trisomy 18.
Investigation of the effect of some variables on terpolymerization process of vinyl monomers in CSTR by design of experimental method
Authors: Moslemi Amin , Bagheri Rouhallah , Karami Negar , Mokhtari Ehsan
Published: January 2018

Aqueous slurry free radical terpolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) with vinyl acetate (VAc) and a constant amount of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfunic acid (AMPS) using K2S2O8/NaHSO3 redox initiator was carried out in a 15-l continuous stirred tank reactor at constant temperature (60°C) and atmospheric pressure. A three-level response surface method based on central composite design was applied to investigate the effect of VAc concentration (wt%) in monomer mixture, bisulfite- to-persulfate ratio in redox initiator system $\left( {\frac{{{\text{[HSO}}_3^ - ]}}{{[{{\text{S}}_2}{\text{O}}_8^{ - 2}]}}} \right)$ and bisulfite-to-monomer mixture ratio $\left( {\frac{{[{\text{HSO}}_3^ - ]}}{{{\text{AN}} + {\text{VAc}}}}} \right)$ on the monomer conversion percentage to polymer, intrinsic viscosity [(η)] and sulfur end groups (SEG) index of the prepared polymers. Experimental results showed that the optimum conditions for synthesis of AN-VAc-AMPS system can be addressed as VAc=9 wt%, $\left( {\frac{{[{\text{HSO}}_3^ - ]}}{{[{{\text{S}}_2}{\text{O}}_8^{ - 2}]}}} \right) = 9.6$ and $\left( {\frac{{[{\text{HSO}}_3^ - ]}}{{{\text{AN}} + {\text{VAc}}}}} \right) = 0.027.$ Monomer conversion percentage to polymer, intrinsic viscosity and SEG index under optimum conditions were 75%, 1.38 dl/g and 190, respectively. The synthesized polymer under these optimum conditions can satisfy the requirements for acrylic fiber production in which its characterization was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscope.
Topp–Leone Linear Exponential Distribution
Authors: Atem Bol A. M. , Nasiru Suleman , Nantomah Kwara
Published: January 2018

This article studies the properties of the Topp–Leone linear exponential distribution. The parameters of the new model are estimated using maximum likelihood estimation, and simulation studies are performed to examine the finite sample properties of the parameters. An application of the model is demonstrated using a real data set. Finally, a bivariate extension of the model is proposed.
Luminescence chronostratigraphy for the loess deposits in Złota, Poland
Authors: Moska Piotr , Adamiec Grzegorz , Jary Zdzisław , Bluszcz Andrzej , Poręba Grzegorz , Piotrowska Natalia , Krawczyk Marcin , Skurzyński Jacek
Published: January 2018

Loess formations in Poland display a close relationship with cooling and warming trends of the Northern Hemisphere during the Pleistocene. Loess sequences sensitively record regional palaeoclimatic and palaeoecological changes. The Złota loess profile (21°39’E, 50°39’N) provides a unique opportunity to reconstruct climate conditions in the past in this part of Poland. This continuous sequence of loess and palaeosol deposits allows to distinguish between warmer and more humid climate which is favourable for soil development and much colder and dry periods which are conducive to loess accumulation. The silty and sandy aeolian material originates mainly from weathered rock surfaces affected by frost shattering or from glaciofluvial/fluvial deposits of river flood plains. In Poland, loess and loess-like formations occur in the southern part of the country, mostly in the south polish uplands, i.e. in the Lublin, Sandomierz, and Cracow Uplands. We used different techniques to establish a chronological framework for this site. 21 samples for luminescence dating were collected from the investigated loess profile in Złota. Infrared post-IR IRSL dating method was applied to the polymineral fine grains (4–11µm). The dating results are accompanied by detailed analyses of the geochemical composition, organic carbon and carbonate. Also, analysis of magnetic susceptibility and grain-size distribution were investigated. Based on such a large stratigraphic dataset an age-depth model using OxCal has also been constructed for this site.
Equilibrium shapes of charged droplets and related problems: (mostly) a review
Authors: Goldman Michael , Ruffini Berardo
Published: January 2018

We review some recent results on the equilibrium shapes of charged liquid drops. We show that the natural variational model is ill-posed and how this can be overcome by either restricting the class of competitors or by adding penalizations in the functional. The original contribution of this note is twofold. First, we prove existence of an optimal distribution of charge for a conducting drop subject to an external electric field. Second, we prove that there exists no optimal conducting drop in this setting.
On Φ-Dedekind, Φ-Prüfer and Φ-Bezout modules
Authors: Motmaen Shahram , Darani Ahmad Yousefian
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we introduce some classes ofR-modules that are closely related to the classes of Prüfer, Dedekind and Bezout modules. LetRbe a commutative ring with identity and set

ℍ={M∣M⁢ is an ⁢R⁢-module and ⁢Nil⁢(M)⁢ is a divided prime submodule of ⁢M}.\mathbb{H}=\bigl{\{}M\mid M\text{ is an }R\text{-module and }\mathrm{Nil}(M)% \text{ is a divided prime submodule of }M\bigr{\}}.

For anR-moduleM∈ℍ{M\in\mathbb{H}}, setT=(R∖Z⁢(R))∩(R∖Z⁢(M)){T=(R\setminus Z(R))\cap(R\setminus Z(M))},𝔗⁢(M)=T-1⁢M{\mathfrak{T}(M)=T^{-1}M}andP=(Nil(M):RM){P=(\mathrm{Nil}(M):_{R}M)}. In this case, the mappingΦ:𝔗⁢(M)→MP{\Phi:\mathfrak{T}(M)\to M_{P}}given byΦ⁢(x/s)=x/s{\Phi(x/s)=x/s}is anR-module homomorphism. The restriction of Φ toMis also anR-module homomorphism fromMintoMP{M_{P}}given byΦ⁢(x)=x/1{\Phi(x)=x/1}for everyx∈M{x\in M}. A nonnil submoduleNofMis said to be Φ-invertible ifΦ⁢(N){\Phi(N)}is an invertible submodule ofΦ⁢(M){\Phi(M)}. Moreover,Mis called a Φ-Prüfer module if every finitely generated nonnil submodule ofMis Φ-invertible. If every nonnil submodule ofMis Φ-invertible, then we say thatMis a Φ-Dedekind module. Furthermore,Mis said to be a Φ-Bezout module ifΦ⁢(N){\Phi(N)}is a principal ideal ofΦ⁢(M){\Phi(M)}for every finitely generated submoduleNof theR-moduleM. The paper is devoted to the study of the properties of Φ-Prüfer, Φ-Dedekind and Φ-BezoutR-modules.
Microwave-assisted and regular leaching of germanium from the germanium-rich lignite ash
Authors: Chen Yuqian , Zhou Junwen , Zhang Libo , Peng Jinhui , Li Shiwei , Yin Shaohua , Yang Kun , Lin Yaping
Published: January 2018

Demand for germanium (Ge) is rapidly growing in recent years in various fields including semiconductors, aerospace, and solar cells. However, the Ge resources are very limited in the world. Hence, in this work, microwave-assisted leaching and conventional leaching methods are employed for the leaching of Ge from the Ge-rich lignite ash (GA). The effects of leaching temperature, leaching time, initial acid concentration, oxidizing agent amount, and stirring speed on leaching of Ge were investigated and microwave-assisted and conventional methods of leaching were compared. Here, HCl solution is used as a leaching agent, and MnO2 is used as an oxidizing agent. From the results, the leaching rate of Ge was found to be 89.49% in the microwave-assisted method, and 83.62% in the conventional leaching method. The optimal conditions for microwave-assisted method include a leaching temperature of 65°C, a leaching time of 90 min, an oxidizing agent amount of 10 g/l, an initial acid concentration of 10 mol/l, and a stirring speed of 250 rpm. The leaching rate of Ge significantly improved in the microwave-assisted method as compared to the conventional method. Therefore, the microwave-assisted method is a suitable method for the leaching of Ge from the GA and is a novel way for the efficient utilization of Ge concentrate.
International Human Rights in Czech Legal Education
Authors: Kilian Petr , Pospíšil Ivo , Smekal Hubert
Published: January 2018

The paper presents novel data on international human rights in the Czech legal education. The importance of international human rights treaties and case-law of human rights bodies in the domestic practice gradually increases, therefore the students of Czech law schools should be familiar with the grounds of the sub-discipline, especially with the interpretative techniques used by international human rights bodies. The paper categorizes the approaches which the Czech law faculties employ as regards educating students in international human rights field and evaluates advantages and disadvantages of the approaches implemented by individual law schools. Finally, the paper identifies weak spots in Czech legal curricula and proposes some ideas for improvement.
Limitations of Comparative Advertising Permissibility: Denigration/Disparagement
Authors: Andraško Jozef , Sopúchová Soňa Ralbovská
Published: January 2018

The authors analyse legal regulation of comparative advertising that refers to situations when competitor’s goods or services are expressly or by implication identified in any form of advertising. Such an analyse is made from the perspective of European Union, United States and Indian legal orders. In particular, the main focus is on the issue of denigration or disparagement as limitations of comparative advertising permissibility. In addition, significant case law with respect to aspects of denigration or disparagement within issue of comparative advertising is analysed. Such an analysis would lead to identification of differences that arose within comparison of various legal orders and case law. These findings are necessary in order to make a conclusion which approach regarding to the issue in question is the most preferable.
Brexit, EEA and the Free Movement of Workers: Structural Considerations on Flexibility
Authors: Stehlík Václav
Published: January 2018

The article focuses on the regulation of the free movement of workers under Agreement on the European Economic Area in the light of the considered accession of the United Kingdom to this agreement after the Brexit takes place. The participation in the European Economic Area would keep the United Kingdom part of the EU internal market including the free movement of workers. The article tries to answer the question on the degree of flexibility in the EEA Agreement which would give space for the UK to pursue its own policies on the movement of workers. The article argues that structurally the EEA Agreement gives a space for some flexibility, however, only in case of very specific circumstances.
Residential Co-Ownership within the Superficiary Right of Building – Theoretical Hotch-Potch or Practical Reality?
Authors: Petr Pavel
Published: January 2018

The new approach to a thing enables the concept of residential co-ownership within the superficiary right of building. Residential co-ownership may be created where a building with at least two apartments forms the component part of the immovable thing. The superficiary right of building is established as a derivative of the superficies solo cedit principle. Therefore, it requires the accession of building and land. The building is no longer a separate thing in the legal sense, but part of the superficiary right of building. If the building which is part of the superficiary right of building contains two apartments, then residential co-ownership may also be established as part of the superficiary right of building
Information and Communication in Public Administration in the Context of Management Control Functioning in the Public Finance Sector in Poland
Authors: Mituś Ambroży
Published: January 2018

The aim of this article is to present the essence and significance of information and communication in public administration in the context of the management control. Broadly understood information in public administration allows both to control the activity of this administration and to make correct decisions and actions in order to perform public tasks effectively. Therefore, the existence of a proper system for sharing and exchanging information is an essential component of the management control, ensuring the execution of the tasks and objectives in a way that is consistent with the law, effective, efficient and timely. The article points to i.a. the types of information and means of communication that may be deemed effective or legally acceptable tools for conveying information and communicating in public information. In this context it should be emphasised that - in particular - sharing public information requires that a relevant form be retained and a proper sharing procedure be followed.
Property Regimes of Spouses and Partners in New EU Regulations – Jurisdiction, Prorogation and Choice of Law
Authors: Valentová Lucia
Published: January 2018

There are millions of international couples living and working in the EU. Not a small number of those face difficult time when their marriage or partnership comes to an end. On top of dealing with loss, the couples have to navigate through a lot of administrative and legal obstacles to figure out the division of their property located in different Member States or governed by different national law. These proceedings are lengthy and expensive. European Commission, aware of the issue their citizens face, introduced two proposals for regulations on matrimonial property and property of registered partners. In 2013 the proposals did not get the required unanimity, in 2016 they are being re-introduced in enhanced cooperation.
The Equilibrium on Money Market and the Central Bank Issuing Policy
Authors: Pospíšil Richard
Published: January 2018

The issue of money and establishing interest rates are the main activities of central banks. Th rough this, the banks immediately influence the behaviour of households, companies, financial markets and the state with the impact on real outcome, employment and prices. When monitoring the issue of money, it is necessary to focus not only on its volume, but also on the attributes and functions carried by money. Among the first economists who considered the quality monetary aspect were J. Locke, D. Hume, D. Ricardo and others. The founders of modern monetarism of the 20th century were I. Fisher and M. Friedman. Fisher was the first to define the equation of monetary equilibrium in the present-day form. The objective of the paper is to point out different approaches to the equation and its modifications and different meanings of its variables. As regards the monetary aggregate M - Money - the paper also deals with the denomination of the aggregate to its various elements, which is significant for fulfilling monetary policy targets. This approach is very important especially at present in the time of crisis when central banks are performing their policy considering contradictory targets of price stability and economic growth.
Crimean conflict – from the perspectives of Russia, Ukraine, and public international law
Authors: Ingelevič-Citak Milena
Published: January 2018

The article presents the Crimean conflict from Russian and Ukrainian standpoints, confronting them with international law analysis. It is worth to mention, that Crimean crisis is still extremely controversial, since both parties are justifying their actions with norms of international law. This article starts with brief introduction of historical background of the Crimean crisis. Second chapter assesses the Crimean secessionist movement claiming the right of self-determination, and its compliance with Ukrainian law. Third chapter examines Russia’s position and its actions on the basis of Russian law. Fourth chapter presents the international law analysis of events in Crimea and its current legal status. Results of the analysis are presented in a conclusion.
Autonomy Principle and Fraud Exception in Documentary Letters of Credit, a Comparative Study between United States and England
Authors: Alavi Hamed
Published: January 2018

Despite the fact that Documentary Letters of Credit are involved in process of International Trade for many centuries, but their legal personality is very new and their life span is much shorter than their existence. In the middle of Eightieth Century, Lord Mansfield introduced legal aspects of LC operation for the first time to the Common Law System. Later, International Chamber of Commerce started to codified regulations regarding international operation of Documentary Letters of Credit in 1933 under the title of Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Letters of Credit and updated them constantly up to current date. However, many aspects of LC operation including fraud are not codified under the UCP which subjects them to national laws. Diversified nature of National Laws in different countries can be source of confusion and problem for many businessmen active in international operation of Documentary Letters of Credit. Such differences are more problematic in Common Law countries as a result of following precedent. For Example, legal aspects of International LC transactions under British Law are only based on case law, however, American Law addresses Letter of Credit Operation under Article 5 of Unified Commercial Code. Due to important role of English and American law in practice of international trade, current paper will try to compare their approach to autonomy principle of in LC operation, fraud rule as a recognized exception to it and search for answer to following questions what is definition of fraud, and what are standards of proof for fraud in LC operation, under English and American law?
Some Aspects of Criminal Liability for Sports Injuries
Authors: Coufalová Bronislava , Pinkava Jan
Published: January 2018

The essence of the problem of using criminal law to affect sports injuries caused in sport lies in the fact that the means of criminal law to interfere in sport or not. From this perspective, we talk about two theories: the theory of absolute immunity sports and the theory of strict adherence to the rule of law. These two concepts are supplemented by a number of theories that perspective as an autonomous system that contains its own rules of conduct that regulate internal relations in sports. In the event that disciplinary liability is not sufficient in this case, can be applied liable under civil and administrative law. In the most serious cases, the possibility of protecting the rights and legitimate interests in sport according to the norms of criminal law. The subject of this article is selected aspects of criminal responsibility in different sports, both individual and collective. From individual sports we mainly deal with skiing. The contact sports in this article will be football, hockey and rugby.
Powers of the President in the Romanian Semi-Presidential System. Critical Features
Authors: Rodean Neliana
Published: January 2018

In Romania, a semi-presidential system characterized by an exaltation of the powers of the President of the Republic, there would be critical observations to be reported in relation to this institution. More precisely, it refers to the constitutional provisions which weaken the President among the political institutions and could also lead to different interpretations. First of all, the paper examines the President as popularly elected body but that does not reflect fully the will of the nation. Secondly, its oath violated the freedom of religion and if the wording will not be changed, will continue to constitute a discrimination against other non Orthodox President that could be elected. Moreover, the Romanian legal system is characterized by an independence of the President in its relationship with the Parliament but on the one hand, that does not mean that the President is more powerful in the event of dissolution of the Parliament and the other hand, the Parliament is completely independent in determining its competences in relations with the office of the Presidency.
The Common Agricultural Policy, Its Role in European Integration and Influence on the Enlargements of the Organization (Case Study: Georgia)
Authors: Troitino David Ramiro , Chochia Archil
Published: January 2018

The article deals with the problematic of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as the crucial political question related with the European Integration. The authors describes and analysis the role of the CAP within the EU policies, its development form the very beginning of the integration its internal structure, rules of organisation, working system and financial aspects. The close concern is given to the question of the long-term sustainability of CAP and the reform for the next financial period (2014-2020). Th e special part is devoted to the influence of the CAP on the enlargement process with the special impetus to the association of Georgia to the EU.
The Ethics of Reciprocity in the Light of the German and the English Charitable Sector and Emerging Trends in European Philanthropic Governance
Authors: Lück Nina C.
Published: January 2018

The lively debate about European cross-border donations and the European philanthropic landscape that has been started has seemingly reached a slight standstill since the global financial crisis and austerity plans are dominating the every day discussion. However, the European non-profit sector remains an area that is of crucial importance for the European labour market, the European Research Area, and most importantly, the participation of European civil society which directly influences questions of citizenship and European identity. The paper will compare the origin and legal framework of the English and the German charitable foundations and link it to the EU’s third sector where the European Foundation Centre (EFC) as a key representative for civil society actors in the non-profit area and the Commission play a pivotal role in the establishment of a European Foundation Statute (FE) that is meant to facilitate cross-border donations and non-profit activities throughout the EU. In the concluding part, the wider meaning of a strong third sector in the EU will be analysed.
Consumer Protection on so Called Discount Websites
Authors: Vítová Blanka
Published: January 2018

The subject of this article is the Th e “Deal-of-the-day” operators (discount website operators, such as Slevomat in the Czech Republic, or Groupon at the international level) and their practices, which can be unknown territory for most of their consumers. “Deal-of-the-day” websites (discount websites) are websites offering consumers a service to buy discounted (oft en gift ) certificates (coupons or vouchers) which can be used at local or national companies. When examining the issue deeply, we realise that there are many potential threats for the consumers who are not as well protected by consumer law as they should be. The article covers these problematic areas.
Less is More or More is More? Revisiting Universality of Human Rights
Authors: Kerikmäe Tanel , Nyman-Metcalf Katrin
Published: January 2018

Human rights are much talked about and much written about, in academic legal literature as well as in political and other social sciences and the general political debate. Indeed, they are so oft en referred to and used as a basis for claims of various kinds that there may be a risk of certain “inflation” in that so much is said to be a human right that the notion loses its essential meaning. Th is article argues that the universality of basic human rights is one of the values of the concept of rights. Th e rights and the understanding and interpretation of rights may have to be purist. Th is may be the way universal human rights as a concept can survive at all. In the modern world there are different trends that to some extent conflict, like the trend of globalisation but also the re- emphasising in different parts of the world of traditional values, whether from a religious background or something else. It appears that the basic dogma of human rights - which has also been called the first universal ideology - that it is the individual and her rights and freedoms that should always be in the centre of any human rights discourse, is abandoned all the more oft en as the central principle. Instead the banner of human rights is used for various political and economic aims
Unveiling the overlooked freedom – the context of free movement of capital and payments in the EU law
Authors: Hamuľák Ondrej
Published: January 2018

Free movement of capital and payments represents the youngest of the freedoms within the single internal market of the European Union. Th e title “youngest” points on the very slow release of capital markets within the European Community and the European Union which leads to the tardy development of this freedom. It is young also from the view of the legal effects because it was the last of the freedom where direct effect of basal Treaty provision was accepted by the Court of Justice. In the heading of this article I awarded the forth freedom with the adjective “overlooked” which is clearly my subjective opinion on the approach of the EU law scholars to this part of the internal market law. In the most of the substantive textbooks and casebooks we may find only marginal space devoted to this field, especially in comparison with the other market freedoms. My objective is to off er and general introductive insight to this area and to certain extent cover the emerging gap.
The EU Air Transport Liberalization and Re-Regulation
Authors: Gaspari Francesco
Published: January 2018

Over the last decades, international air transport liberalization has steadily evolved. As a consequence, many initiatives all over the world have paved the way to enhance international air transport liberalization, and numerous models have been hypothesized for a new multilateral aviation regime to supplant bilateralism, which however, remains the primary vehicle for liberalizing international air transport services for most States. Th e present study aims at investigating the EU experience in the field of liberalization and re-regulation of air transport, taking into account the other approaches developed internationally, where relevant. Th e paper is divided into four sections. Aft er having introduced, in the first section, the different forms and venues of liberalization and regulation of international air transport, the process of Community liberalizations is analyzed, taking into account, on one side, the most recent air transport agreements in this field between the EU and third countries and, on the other side, the actual and potential benefits and drawbacks stemming from the implementation of these liberalization policies, which are still ongoing. In the last part of the paper, a new legal order in international air transport - stemming from the recent liberalization and re-regulation policies in the "Old Continent" - will be identified. In order to overcome the political and legal issues brought about by the liberalization and re-regulation of air transport worldwide, the paper concludes that stronger cooperation between international and regional actors must be implemented, and a global approach within a specialized international organization should be enhanced.
Mainstreaming youth-friendly health services into existing primary health care facilities: experiences from South-South Nigeria
Authors: Ogu Rosemary , Maduka Omosivie , Alamina Folusho , Adebiyi Obelebra , Agala Vetty , Eke Gracia , Porbeni Ibimonye , Offor Nnesochi , Abam Claribel , Nte Alice , Okonofua Friday
Published: January 2018

Background

Youth friendly services, an evidence based approach to overcome the barriers experienced by youths in accessing care, is poorly implemented. The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Rivers State chapter, was supported by Ford Foundation to mainstream youth-friendly health services (YFHS) into existing primary health care facilities in two hard-to-reach communities. This paper presents the interventions, findings, challenges and recommendations.

Methods

This study project was implemented in stages: design, baseline survey, interventions and evaluation, between 2014 and 2016. Interventions included facility modifications, health worker capacity building, school and community outreaches, peer group activities, and interpersonal communication. Pre-and-post-intervention surveys were carried out among in- and out-of-school youths to determine the effects of the interventions.

Results

The most commonly stated barriers to uptake of youth friendly health services included: unavailability of services (154; 33.1%), unavailability of health care workers (167; 38.9%), unaffordability of services (108; 45.8%) and difficulty in communicating with health workers (85; 36.0%). Post-intervention, utilization improved across all services while the perception of barriers to utilization of services reduced (p < 0.05). The interventions implemented increased the odds of youths utilizing YFHS 1.81 times (95% CI = 1.39–2.37).

Conclusion

Facility modifications, capacity building of health workers, school and community outreaches, peer group activities, and interpersonal communication improved utilization across all services while the perception of barriers to utilization of services reduced. Implementation of YFHS is impacted by external factors often beyond the control of project implementers. Innovative solutions outside of routine health care delivery systems are critical for success. Further evaluation to explore the effect of these interventions is needed. Strengthening of health systems remains a vital strategy for scale-up of YFHS.
Yoga versus physical exercise for cardio-respiratory fitness in adolescent school children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Satish Vhavle , Rao Raghavendra Mohan , Manjunath Nandi Krishnamurthy , Amritanshu Ram , Vivek Udupa , Shreeganesh Hassan Ratnakar , Deepashree Shashidhara
Published: January 2018

Background

Yoga is very effective in improving health especially cardio-respiratory fitness and also overall performance in adolescents. There are no large numbers of randomized controlled studies conducted on comparing yoga with physical activity for cardio-respiratory fitness in adolescent school children with large sample size.

Objective

Aerobic training is known to improve physical and cardio-respiratory fitness in children. Cardio-respiratory fitness is an important indicator of health in children. In this study we evaluate the effects of yoga versus physical exercise training on cardio-respiratory fitness in adolescent school children.

Subjects

Eight hundred two school students from 10 schools across four districts were recruited for this study.

Methods

In this prospective two arm RCT around 802 students were randomized to receive daily one hour yoga training (n = 411) or physical exercise (n = 391) over a period of two months. VO2 max was estimated using 20 m shuttle run test. However, yoga (n = 377) and physical exercise (n = 371) students contributed data to the analyses. Data was analysed using students t test.

Results

There was a significant improvement in VO2 max using 20 m Shuttle run test in both yoga (p < 0.001) and exercise (p < 0.001) group following intervention. There was no significant change in VO2 max between yoga and physical exercise group following intervention. However, in the subgroup with an above median cut-off of VO2 max; there was a significant improvement in yoga group compared to control group following intervention (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The results suggest yoga can improve cardio-respiratory fitness and aerobic capacity as physical exercise intervention in adolescent school children.
Rheological, Antioxidative, and Sensory Properties of Chinese Alkaline Noodle Prepared with Regular and Whole Wheat Flour
Authors: Liu Yu-Ming , Shiau Sy-Yu
Published: January 2018

Chinese alkaline noodle (CAN) is one of popular staple foods in Asia. Whole wheat flour (WWF) is healthier than refined wheat flour (WF). This study investigated the effect of substitution level of WWF on physicochemical and sensory properties of CAN. Results showed that increasing WWF amount significantly reduced tensile strength (TS) and extensibility (E) of cooked CAN, but increased TS/E ratio from 6.05 to 13.22 mN/mm. High WWF substitution (>60 %) significantly increased cooking loss and decreased the elasticity of CAN. CAN prepared with WWF had darker, redder and yellower color than control. However, free and bound phenolics and DPPH radical scavenging capacity of CAN obviously increased with the amount of WWF. CAN with 0–40 % WWF had similar sensory scores in color, flavor, texture and overall preferences. The study suggests that healthy whole grain CAN with higher phytochemicals and acceptable eating quality can be produced by using 20–40 % WWF.
Beneficial effect of ghee consumption over mustard oil on lipid profile: A study in North Indian adult population
Authors: Sharma Hanjabam Barun , Vyas Soniya , Kumar Jayant , Manna Soumen
Published: January 2018

Background

Ghee (G) is attributed with numerous health benefits in Ayurveda. However, due to the high saturated fat content, it has been predicted to increase the cardiovascular disease risk. Hence, the current study was performed to evaluate the effect of G consumption as compared to mustard oil (MO) on lipid profile.

Methods

Two hundred (100 males) apparently healthy adults (≥40 years) were randomly selected out of the total individuals interviewed in a house-to-house survey. They were divided into three groups based on G and MO consumption: (A) MO >1 L/month, G<0.5 kg/month; (B) MO 1–0.5 L/month, G 1.25–0.5 kg/month; and (C) MO <0.5–0.2 L/month, G>1.25 kg/month. Serum lipid parameters were compared among the groups.

Results

Group C had the significantly lowest triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), TC/HDL and LDL/HDL and highest high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A similar finding was found when analysis was done separetely for male and female.

Conclusions

A favorable lipid profile might suggest a possible beneficial effect of predominantly G consumption over MO.
Effect of Soft Glass Rod Infiltration in the Core of Photonic Crystal Fiber
Authors: Fatema Saleha , Absar Rubaya , Istiaque Reja Mohammad , Akhtar Jobaida
Published: January 2018

The effect of core infiltration in the optical properties of Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) is investigated. The soft glass rod infiltration provides greater refractive index contrast between the core and the cladding. This modification improves the optical properties significantly. Four structures of photonic crystal fiber (Hexagonal, Octagonal, Decagonal and Elliptical) are investigated and a comparative study has been made to observe the difference in the optical properties due to the infiltration. It is observed that, by introducing this infiltration the birefringence is improved up to the order of $10^{-1}$ and a very high negative dispersion coefficient of 7744ps/(km.nm) can be achieved. The birefringence is increased $4.82\times10^{6}$ times in the hexagonal PCF, $5.38\times10^{5}$ times in octagonal PCF, 546 times in decagonal PCF and about 8 times in the elliptical PCF at operating wavelength due to the core infiltration. The positive dispersion of the fiber is eliminated and a very high negative dispersion co-efficient of 7744ps/(km.nm) is achieved in hexagonal PCF, a relatively flattened dispersion is obtained in other cases due to infiltration at operating wavelength. The nonlinearity is increased about 73 times in case of hexagonal PCF and in other cases it is increased about 2 times. The confinement loss is reduced up to the order of $10^{-11}$ due to the infiltration at the operating wavelength of 1550 nm. Another comparative study shows that the introduced fibers outperform most of the recent works with a more simple structure, which reduce fabrication complexity. The numerical investigation of the structures is conducted using full vector finite element method.
Evaluation of management and surgical outcomes in pregnancies complicated by acute cholecystitis
Authors: El-Messidi Amira , Alsarraj Ghazi , Czuzoj-Shulman Nicholas , Mishkin Daniel S. , Abenhaim Haim Arie
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To evaluate the management of pregnancies complicated by acute cholecystitis (AC) and determine whether pregnant women are more likely to have medical and surgical complications.

Methods:

We carried out a population-based matched cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2003 to 2011. Pregnant women with AC were age matched to non-pregnant women with AC on a 1:5 ratio. Management and outcomes were compared using descriptive analysis and conditional logistic regression.

Results:

There were 11,835 pregnant women admitted with AC who were age matched to 59,175 non-pregnant women. As compared to non-pregnant women, women with AC were more commonly managed conservatively, odds ratio (OR) 6.1 (5.8–6.4). As compared to non-pregnant women, pregnant women with AC more commonly developed sepsis [OR 1.4 (1.0–1.9)], developed venous thromboembolism [OR 8.7 (4.3–17.8)] and had bowel obstruction [OR 1.3 (1.1–1.6)]. Among pregnant women with AC, surgical management was associated with a small but significant increased risk of septic shock and bile leak.

Conclusion:

AC, in the context of pregnancy, is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Although the literature favors early surgical intervention, pregnancies with AC appear to be more commonly managed conservatively with overall comparable outcomes to surgically managed AC. Conservative management may have a role in select pregnant women with AC.