bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Report of the General Committee: 16
Authors: Wilson Karen L. , McNeill John
Published: March 2017

Decisions are reported on (1) two complicated proposals to conserve names (one rejected, one accepted); (2) two requests about potentially confusable names (both cases considered not confusable); and (3) two requests about whether descriptive material is adequate for valid publication (both considered adequate). The committee also discussed and voted on the list of institutional votes for the next Nomenclature Section in Shenzhen in 2017 and gave its collective opinion on proposed changes to the Code that are relevant to this committee.
In the process of saving plant names from oblivion: The revised nomenclature of Ceratozamiafuscoviridis (Zamiaceae)
Authors: Calonje Michael , Sennikov Alexander N. , Prado Jefferson , Lendemer James , Tripp Erin
Published: March 2017

David Moore provisionally and therefore invalidly published the name Ceratozamia fuscoviridis in 1878. The name was subsequently accepted with a brief description the year after in one of William Bull’s horticultural catalogues, resulting in its valid publication. In 2006, Roy Osborne and co‐authors intended to validate Moore’s C. fuscoviridis, a name that they identified as applicable to a cycad occurring in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico. However, they were unaware of the protologue published by Bull and instead created an isonym with no nomenclatural status. Their holotype designation has no standing but that specimen is here designated as a neotype, therefore retaining the name C. fuscoviridis in use for the species from Hidalgo. Considerations regarding the increasing discovery of validly published names in historical literature are discussed as pertaining to the nomenclature of cycads, with the case of C. fuscoviridis providing an example of an old and obsolete plant name that is dealt with in a way that fosters nomenclatural stability.
How Do Prior Gains and Losses Affect Subsequent Risk Taking? New Evidence from Individual-Level Horse Race Bets
Authors: Suhonen Niko , Saastamoinen Jani
Published: March 2017

Many empirical studies focusing on how prior outcomes affect subsequent risk taking report conclusions that appear mutually contradictory. While some studies document increased risk taking after gains and risk aversion after losses, others report the opposite. This paper contributes to this literature by investigating horse race bettors’ sequential risky decisions using individual-level data. A horse race betting market is a laboratory-like environment and can be used to analyze behavioral patterns associated with decision making under risk. We find evidence for (i) the “house money effect” as bettors take riskier wagers after gains and mostly spend the money they have won; (ii) risk aversion after prior losses, which we label a “playing safe effect”; and (iii) a preference for breakeven. Contrary to the widely held conception in the empirical literature, our findings suggest that the “break-even effect” does not necessarily imply an increased preference for riskier bets because bettors may seek to break even with less risky wagers.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2679 .

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Endogenous Matching in University-Industry Collaboration: Theory and Empirical Evidence from the United Kingdom
Authors: Banal-Estañol Albert , Macho-Stadler Inés , Pérez-Castrillo David
Published: March 2017

We use a two-sided matching framework to analyze collaboration between heterogeneous academics and firms. We consider both horizontal and vertical characteristics—those related to affinity (e.g., preferences for a type of scientific research) and those related to ability (e.g., capacity to produce high-quality scientific output). We build a unique data set based on the teams of academics and firms that proposed research projects to the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Our results are suggestive of positive assortative matching in terms of ability and type, while the matching is negative assortative in terms of their interactions. The most able and the most applied academics are the ones that are more likely to propose collaborative as opposed to noncollaborative projects.

Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2680 .

This paper was accepted by David Hsu, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Solving the Air Conflict Resolution Problem Under Uncertainty Using an Iterative Biobjective Mixed Integer Programming Approach
Authors: Lehouillier Thibault , Nasri Moncef Ilies , Soumis François , Desaulniers Guy , Omer Jérémy
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we tackle the aircraft conflict resolution problem under uncertainties. We consider errors due to the wind effect, the imprecision of aircraft speed prediction, and the delay in the execution of maneuvers. Using a geometrical approach, we derive an analytical expression for the minimum distance between aircraft, along with the corresponding probability of conflict. These expressions are incorporated into an existing deterministic model for conflict resolution. This model solves the problem as a maximum clique of minimum weight in a graph whose vertices represent possible maneuvers and where edges link conflict-free maneuvers of different aircraft. We then present a solution procedure focusing on two criteria, namely, fuel efficiency and the probability of reissuing maneuvers in the future: we iteratively generate Pareto front solutions to provide the controller with a set of possible solutions where she can choose the one corresponding the most to her preferences. Intensive Monte Carlo simulations validate the expressions derived for the minimum distance and the probability of conflict. Computational results highlight that up to 10 different solutions for instances involving up to 35 aircraft are generated within 3 minutes.
Is your governing body up to the challenge?
Authors: Hill Rosemary
Published: March 2017

After the release of the DfE's new competency framework for governance, Rosemary Hill looks at how governing boards can prepare themselves to meet the increasing challenges of the role…
Towards a theory of ‘haktology’
Authors: Barkho Leon
Published: March 2017

This note calls for a brand of research to investigate hacks and leaks and their role in shaping public opinion and influencing the mainstream news media landscape. Hacks and leaks have become a major source of information for the news media. However, we still lack the tools to assess and measure the phenomenon in a systematic, predictive, concise and coherent manner.
The particular visual language of anime: Design, colour and selection of resources
Authors: Horno-López Antonio
Published: March 2017

In the literature of animated film it is common to find opinions of authors that place anime in a style devoid of dynamism, with stylized designs and technical limitations in its process of creation. This article shows how the creativity and knowledge of the artists and Japanese animators have managed to develop a new model of audio-visual expression effective and balanced, which has contributed to the commercial and international success of anime in recent years.
Adapting Practical Aesthetics to the performance animation process
Authors: Mohr Steven , Carter Chris
Published: March 2017

The relevance of acting theory to character animation was recognized early in the history of animation. In the 1930s, Disney animators studied the performances of actors to improve the quality of their animation and this tradition has continued into contemporary practices. The following article is derived from a recent practice-led study, which sought to adapt David Mamet and William H. Macy’s acting technique, Practical Aesthetics, to 3D computer animation practice. Reflecting upon a series of short character animation studies, this article shows how the animator can create authentic and therefore more believable character performances via the techniques of Practical Aesthetics.
Comparing, contrasting and synergizing Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and Aesthetic Education strategies in practice
Authors: Chin Christina
Published: March 2017

This article details understandings from a pilot study based on interviews with student teachers experienced in the implementation of Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and Aesthetic Education strategies. I aim to share the perspectives of these practitioners regarding some of the major similarities and differences between VTS and the Aesthetic Education strategy, and to highlight what they experienced as the primary challenges and benefits to implementing each strategy. Based on their experiences, it appears that VTS and Aesthetic Education can be integrated as complementary and synergistic strategies. Equipped with this information, I anticipate that K-12 educators, and educators of pre-service art teachers, will be able to make sounder choices and suggestions regarding the use of these strategies.
Children make observational films – exploring a participatory visual method for art education
Authors: Meager Nigel
Published: March 2017

In a well-established domain of social anthropology, observational filmmakers employ digital video cameras and audio-visual editing as a research method to investigate human experience. They embrace qualities such as the material, sensory, aesthetic and ineffable. To review this visual method for art education, this article presents film extracts from the Childhood and Modernity project led by anthropologist David MacDougall. Indian children, 10–12 years of age, shot digital video material to create new knowledge about the circumstances of their lives. This keeps qualities that are difficult or impossible to put into words at the foreground of the research. The article also discusses how MacDougall prepared children to use a video camera for observational filmmaking by teaching specific skills that facilitate close observation and analysis through audio-visual means. In this way, MacDougall’s methodology and methods present a challenge and an opportunity for both art education research and classroom teaching.
On shipwrecks and sea nymphs: Fragments of Maltese hospitality
Authors: Shaul Dylan
Published: March 2017

In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul is shipwrecked on the shores of Malta, and through the welcome granted to him the archipelago’s inhabitants are converted to his new religion, while in The Odyssey, the sea nymph Calypso keeps Odysseus prisoner on Malta for seven years until freed by the gods. Tourists, refugees, expatriates, migrants, investors and ethnographers (not necessarily mutually exclusive and certainly not unproblematic categories) in Malta today find themselves caught in one or more junctures between these two poles of hospitality. For Derrida too hospitality is constituted by a double injunction, an aporia between the unconditional and the conditional, simultaneously mutually necessary and mutually contradictory. With these two accounts of divided hospitality in hand, and on the basis of fieldwork in Malta, this article explores the operations of multiple overlapping levels of political, social, cultural, economic, religious and ethnic conditions placed on hospitality, whether at the level of households, communities, States and so on. Particular attention is given to the ways in which such conditions do or do not manifest the inspiration and aspiration of unconditionality through what Derrida dubs ‘intermediate schemas’ between the conditional and the unconditional, as well as to defending the usefulness of the Derridean understanding of hospitality for ethnography.
A systematic literature review on eWOM in the hotel industry: Current trends and suggestions for future research
Authors: Bore Iselin , Rutherford Chris , Glasgow Steven , Taheri Babak , Antony Jiju
Published: March 2017

This study is a systematic review of the literature on eWOM in hotels. Previous reviews of eWOM specific to the hotel and hospitality context have documented the state of research in the field but can be considered outdated, with the literature almost doubling since 2011. Emergent themes in the literature therefore need to be considered for us to identify gaps in knowledge and provide researchers opportunities for future study. Using systematic searches of articles published between 2000 and 2015, 45 journal articles were selected for the review, beginning in 2008. Our findings indicate eight research themes: (1) motivations for contributing to eWOM, (2) motivations for reading eWOM, (3) platforms used to facilitate eWOM, (4) ‘big data’ analytics and eWOM, (5) impact of eWOM on consumer behaviour, (6) impact on hotel performance, (7) hotel responses to eWOM, and (8) consumer cultural differences. We culminate these findings to provide a thematic framework of eWOM research in the hotel and hospitality industry, mapping the research relationships that have been established. We then provide areas for future researchers to develop.
The Norwegian Academy of Music and the Lebanon Project: The challenges of establishing a community music project when working with Palestinian refugees in South Lebanon
Authors: Brøske Brit Ågot
Published: March 2017

The Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) has been involved in a community music project for children in the Palestinian refugee camp, Rashedieh, in South Lebanon since 2003. This has grown into a larger music project where local instructors now run music activities and teach music as a permanent weekly activity. Three issues will be discussed in the article, based on perspectives within the field of community music. The first issue concerns how aiming for a culture of equality and cultural democracy can conflict with the ideology of the local culture and social structures. The role of learning and teaching within a community music project is the focus of the second issue. Finally, the role of formalized organizational structures will be evaluated with regard to fostering participation in music activities within the Lebanon project. Hopefully, presenting these perspectives and holding a discussion thereon will contribute to the ability to nuance and challenge underlying ideologies and common practises within the field of community music.
Reviews
Authors: Poore Benjamin , Raw Laurence
Published: March 2017

CHARLES DICKENS’S GREAT EXPECTATIONS: A CULTURAL LIFE, MARY HAMMOND (2015) UK: Ashgate, 299pp., ISBN: 9781409425878, h/bk, £70.00

THE DRIFT: AFFECT, ADAPTATION, AND NEW PERSPECTIVES ON FIDELITY, JOHN HODGKINS (2013) New York: Bloomsbury, 162 pp., ISBN: 9781623560706, h/bk, £60.00
So you think you can play: An exploratory study of music video games
Authors: Jenson Jen , De Castell Suzanne , Muehrer Rachel , Droumeva Milena
Published: March 2017

Digital music technologies have evolved by leaps and bounds over the last 10 years. The most popular digital music games allow gamers to experience the performativity of music, long before they have the requisite knowledge and skills, by playing with instrument-shaped controllers (e.g. Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Sing Star, Wii Music), while others involve plugging conventional electric guitars into a game console to learn musical technique through gameplay (e.g. Rocksmith). Many of these digital music environments claim to have educative potential, and some are actually used in music classrooms. This article discusses the findings from a pilot study to explore what high school age students could gain in terms of musical knowledge, skill and understanding from these games. We found students improved from pre- to post-assessment in different areas of musicianship after playing Sing Party, Wii Music and Rocksmith, as well as a variety of games on the iPad.
Book Reviews
Authors: Harbord Jack , Apudo-Achola Malachi
Published: March 2017

Sound as Popular Culture: A Research Companion, Jens Gerrit Papenburg and Holger Schulze (2016)

Cambridge: The MIT Press, 448 pp.,

ISBN: 978-0-262-03390-9, h/bk, £31.95

 

Computational Thinking in Sound: Teaching the Art and Science of Music and Technology, Gena R. Greher and Jesse M. Heines (2014)

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 232 pp.,

ISBN: 978-0-1998-2619-3, Paperback, £23.49
Pathways: A graphic meditation
Authors: Burdock Maureen
Published: March 2017

Women’s stories. For a decade, I created a series of graphic fables in which women protagonists from different cultures work with their communities to eliminate gender-based violence. McFarland anthologized that series, Feminist Fables for the Twenty-First Century, in 2015. In my current work, I am continuing to focus on women’s stories; specifically, I am developing autohistoriographic1 narratives, in which my own stories are intimately intertwined with the stories of my female ancestors and with cultural and historical themes. I created Pathways in the space between completing Feminist Fables and beginning this new work. Pathways shows movement towards a deeper understanding of my own stories and the creation of new lines of thought in connection with memories, ghosts, and with the more-than-human world. Drawing – a process of making lines that connect and intersect to create image-stories – is itself an act of finding or forging new pathways.
The pull of 100 voices
Authors: Cowan Sam
Published: March 2017

A visual review of Comix Creatrix: 100 Women Making Comics at House of Illustration, 2016.
The Company’s Internal Characteristics and Mandatory Disclosure Size of Web-Based Financial Reporting
Authors: Weli Weli
Published: March 2017

The new regulation on the Indonesian Capital Market (XK6-Bapepam-LK No. KEP-431/BL/ 2012), related to the disclosure of financial information on the company's website is the main motivation of this study, which is to analyze the extent to which issuers responded to the new regulation. The study was conducted on 50 companies included in the list of 50 companies with the highest score of corporate governance version IICD in 2013 - 2014 and 57 companies in the same industry as a control companies, with the total number of samples is 107 companies. The study was conducted by analyzing the factors (size, listing period, industry, the quality of corporate governance) that affect the level of disclosure by the company on their website. The results showed that not all sample companies do a full disclosure and the average disclosure is only 77%. Further, the factor of disclosure size was also influenced by the company's internal characteristics such as company size, type of industry and good corporate governance.
Using Six Sigma Tools to Improve Strategic Cost Management: Management Accounting Perspective
Authors: Shonhadji Nanang
Published: March 2017

The company's commitment to implement Six Sigma has been said to fail, as a quality management strategies, as expected to lead to continuous improvement. This study has its objective to identify the use of Six Sigma as a tool to improve cost management strategies in the production of LED (light emitting diode) on PT TMJ. It uses a case study approach to non-mainstream. The unit of analysis done on the application of six sigma strategies to evaluate quality management performance on the cleaning process of the LED light top-ring used in this study. The result of the evaluation measure phase, generally, informs that the company has increased sigma capability of the base performance so that the company's efforts to reduce the level of disability in circumference above the cleaning process should be defect-free LED light wrinkle, wave and widened in accordance with the target. All these can be said to be successful. The result also informed that at the stage of evaluating the attributes of data processing capability, informed that the company is in the process conditions. The fairly stable production, production process capability are quite capable to meet the specifications of the desired target customers.
Protective effect of Matricaria Chamomilla extract on hepatic-renal toxicity of ceftriaxone in rats
Authors: Farouk Mona , Abokora Seham , Ali Abdel-Fatah
Published: March 2017

The effect of Matricaria chamomilla (M.chamomilla) against hepatic-renal toxicity of Ceftriaxone was investigated in this study. Twenty eight rats were divided into four groups. The 1st group was injected with saline as control, the 2nd Â and 3rd Â groups were injected with M.chamomilla extraction ( 50mg/kg.b.wt) and with ceftriaxone ( 180 mg/kg.b.wt.) for two and one week respectively while the 4th Â group was injected with M.chamomilla extraction plus ceftriaxone. at dose 50mg/kg and 180 mg/kg.b.wt respectively ,daily for the one week and with M.chamomilla extraction only at dose 50mg/kg.b.wt for another week. At the end of the 1st Â week, the 3rd group had significantly higher ALP,ALT,AST, urea and creatinine levels with significantly lower albumin and A/G ratio levels than that of the 1st and 2nd groups , while the 4th Â group did not differ from 1st and 2nd groups in terms of these parameters. Histopathological studies revealed that, the 3rd Â group had some pathological changes in the liver and kidney.From this study we can conclude that, M. chamomilla extraction Â can reduce hepatic-renal toxicity of ceftriaxone in rats.
On the Occurrence of the Introduced Pest Thrips simplex (Morison 1930) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Slovakia
Authors: Masarovič Rudolf , Zvaríková Martina , Sigmund Jakub , Fedor Peter
Published: March 2017

Exotic species introduction has recently increased European insect diversity in accordance with global climate change and international biological commodity trade, often with serious environmental and economic consequences for natural ecosystems as well as urban and farmland area. This short communication deals with the first official faunistic record of the gladiolus thrips Thrips simplex (Morison, 1930) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) in Slovakia.
The Asceticism of the Phaedo: Pleasure, Purification, and the Soul’s Proper Activity
Authors: Ebrey David
Published: March 2017

I argue that according to Socrates in the
Comparison of Chemical Structure of Alginite Humic Acids Isolated with Two Different Procedures with Soil Humic Acids
Authors: Barančíková Gabriela , Litavec Tadeáš
Published: March 2017

The different origin of alginite and soil organic matter may be the reason of differences in their humic acids (HA) chemical structure. One of the aims of this article is to compare the chemical composition of alginite HA and HA isolated from different soil types. Another aim of this article is to compare the chemical structure of humic acids of alginite isolated with two different procedures: modified IHSS (International Humic Substances Society) method and simplified extraction method. The modified IHSS method was applied for the isolation of alginite and soil HA. To obtain sufficient amount of alginate HA for biological experiments, simplified extraction method suited for large volumes of HA was applied. The differences in elemental analysis and ash proportion in HA extracted by modified IHSS method (C = 35.4, H = 43 atomic%, ash content = 0.08%) and simplified extraction method (C = 31, H = 31 atomic%, ash content = 7.42%) can be caused by different concentration of extraction solution and also differences in purification of HA. The differences in chemical structure between alginate HA and HA isolated from different soil types according to the data of elemental analysis (C content of alginite HA = 35.4 atomic%, C content in soils HA = 38.2‒49.1 atomic%) and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra (degree of aromaticity of alginite HA = 24.4% and soil HA= 35.9‒53%) were found. Results of 13C NMR show that the content of aromatic carbon was decreasing in the following order: Haplic Chernozem HA > Andic Cambisol HA > Haplic Cambisol HA > alginite HA. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the differences in the chemical structure of alginite and soil HA can be explained by the difference in the origin of organic matter in alginite and soil samples. The source of organic matter in alginite is mainly type II kerogen from algae and that of soil is lignin and cellulose (type III kerogen) of higher plants.
Role of Gaseous Disk in the Formation of the Spiral Structure of the Milky Way Galaxy
Authors: Korchagin V. I. , Khoperskov S. A. , Khoperskov A. V.
Published: March 2017

We use observational gaseous and stellar density distributions in the disk of the Milky Way (MW) galaxy together with the disk rotation curve and measured disk velocity dispersion to build collisionless and combined collisionless-gaseous equilibrium models of the Milky Way disk. A purely collisionless MW disk is unstable towards the development of a central bar, so that during the nonlinear stage of instability the stellar bar is a dominant non-axisymmetric structure developing the disk. A ten percent admixture of a gaseous component leads to the development of a three-armed spiral structure in the stellar disk, decoupled spatially from the central bar-like structure. In our simulations, the spiral structure lasts for about 3 Gyr.
Instability of Stationary Spherical Models with Orbits Arbitrarily Close to Radial
Authors: Polyachenko E. V. , Shukhman I. G.
Published: March 2017

The classical problem of the stability of stationary stellar spherical models with purely radial motion is reconsidered. The problem is due to strong central singularity in the density distribution, resulting in not entirely rigorous proof made in the well-known Antonov's paper. To avoid this difficulty, we construct a suitable two-parametric series of models with moderately elongated and nearly radial orbits, without singularity, and pass to the limiting case of models with orbits arbitrarily close to purely radial. The stability of the series with respect to odd and even spherical harmonics is considered. The growth rates of aperiodic even modes increase indefinitely when approaching purely radial models.
Unusual Objects in the Spiral Galaxy NGC 6946
Authors: Efremov Yu. N.
Published: March 2017

Several strange objects in the spiral galaxy NGC 6946 are described. One of these objects is the giant stellar complex noted long ago; we suggested that its sharp semicircular western edge is a result of the ram pressure, arising owing to motion of this complex through the HI halo of NGC 6946. We found another enigmatic object, proposing for it the name Red Ellipse; it is located within the isolated Northern arm of the galaxy. The enormous size of this Ellipse, and especially the spectroscopic data obtained recently with the 6-m reflector of the Special Astrophysical Observatory, made us to conclude that this object could not be a supernova remnant. The excellent image of NGC 6946 obtained with the Subaru 8-m telescope also shows a strange region with several regular crossed dark lanes, connected with a black spot.
Properties of Stellar Streams in the Galactic Disk
Authors: Marsakov V. A. , Kovaľ V. V. , Gozha M. L.
Published: March 2017

Stars of the Sirius, Coma Berenices, Hyades, Pleiades, Wolf 630, Dehnen 6, Dehnen 14, HR 1614, η Cephei, γ Leo streams, the newly identified two subgroups of the Hercules stream, and the streams BB 14, BB 17, BB 20, and BB 21 are selected using the components of space velocities from three independent catalogs. The relationship between their ages, metallicities and relative abundances of α-elements are studied. The data of the three catalogs show slightly different properties for each of the streams studied. However, the general tendency shows that the dependences studied for the stars within the streams hardly differ from those found for the field stars with the corresponding velocities. The dependences found confirm the assumption that all of the streams studied could have been formed as a result of resonance effects due to the Galactic bar or spiral density waves acting on field stars.
Search for and Investigation of Double Open Clusters
Authors: Yalyalieva L. N. , Glushkova E. V. , Dambis A. K.
Published: March 2017

The physical and kinematical parameters of three pairs of open clusters, NGC 6755 and Czernik 39, NGC 1857 and Czernik 20, Berkeley 70 and SAI 47, are determined using the data from several photometric catalogs in order to confirm or disprove the binarity of these pairs.
A Height-Based Multidimensional Extension of the Lorenz Preorder for Integer-Valued Distributions
Authors: Savaglio Ernesto , Vannucci Stefano
Published: March 2017

We study multidimensional inequality on integers. In such a setting, a Lorenz-like preorder and a suitably adapted version of the Muirhead-Pigou-Dalton transfers are defined, and a counterpart of some classic results on inequality measurement is established in this multivariate setting.
S100B maternal blood levels are gestational age- and gender-dependent in healthy pregnancies
Authors: Serpero Laura D. , Bianchi Vincenza , Pluchinotta Francesca , Conforti Erika , Baryshnikova Ekaterina , Guaschino Roberto , Cassinari Maurizio , Trifoglio Oria , Calevo Maria Grazia , Gazzolo Diego
Published: March 2017

Background:

S100B is a well-established biomarker of central nervous system (CNS) development and damage in the perinatal period. Because the fetal CNS induces an overproduction of S100B measurable in the maternal bloodstream we evaluated S100B protein in healthy pregnancies in order to provide a reference curve of the protein in the second and third trimesters and to provide information on CNS development when standard monitoring procedures could be silent or unavailable.

Methods:

Between July 2012 and December 2014 we conducted a prospective study in 1213 healthy pregnancies delivering healthy newborns. Maternal blood samples were collected for standard monitoring procedures and S100B assessment. S100B correlations with selected outcomes (gestational age at sampling, gender of fetus, gestational age and weight at birth, delivery mode) were calculated using multiple forward stepwise regression analysis.

Results:

S100B concentrations in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were found to be gestational age-, gender- and delivery mode-dependent (p<0.05, for all). Multiple forward stepwise regression analysis with S100B as the dependent variable and gestational age at sampling, gender, delivery mode, gestational age and weight at birth as independent variables, showed a significant correlation between S100B and gestational age at sampling (R=0.13; p<0.001).

Conclusions:

The present findings offering a S100B protein reference curve in maternal blood suggest that non-invasive fetal CNS monitoring is becoming feasible and open the way to further research in neuro-biomarker assessment in the maternal bloodstream.
Does A Progressive PIT Stabilize The Economy? A Comparison Of Progressive And Flat Taxes
Authors: Krajewski Piotr , Piłat Katarzyna
Published: March 2017

The aim of the article is to examine the impact of progressive personal income tax rates and the effectiveness of this tax as an automatic economic stabilizer. The assessment of automatic stabilizers is based on the estimates of tax cyclical components. The study shows that the output elasticity of PIT is higher than one, which means that the analysed tax acts relatively efficiently as an automatic stabilizer. However, it was also observed that the tax progressivity is not the main reason of the effectiveness of a progressive PIT as an automatic stabilizer. The study shows that changes in progressive rates of PIT, contrary to widespread opinions, have little effect on the effectiveness of passive fiscal policy. Personal income tax acts as automatic stabilizer mostly due not to the progressive tax rates, but because of the sensitivity of employment to GDP fluctuations.
Reduction Of An Economy's Raw Material Dependence And The Human Capital Of A Country
Authors: Perepelkin Viacheslav , Perepelkina Elena
Published: March 2017

This paper evaluates the raw material dependence of two export-oriented oil and gas extracting countries. We find evidence of presence of the Dutch disease in both countries and of the resource curse in Russia. Reduction of volumes of crude oil and natural gas production and exports, compensated by the growth of value added in other kinds of economic activity, suggests that Norway is gradually overcoming the Dutch disease by means of expanded reproduction of human capital. On the other hand, extraction of hydrocarbons may remain a driver of the Russian economic growth.
Reclamation of High Residual Sodium Carbonate Water with Commercial Sulphuric Acid for Sustainable Cropping and Soil Conservation
Authors: Ali S. , Raza S.A. , Sarwar Z. , Sani M.S.
Published: March 2017

A study was carried out in field experimental area of directorate of land reclamation Punjab, Lahore, to investigate the effect of experimentally quantified commercial sulphuric acid (76%) on residual sodium carbonate (RSC) of water, soil quality and crop yield. The findings were clear indications of effectiveness of acid injection approach to treat water. The sulphuric acid application reduced the RSC value of 6.1 to nil by making (T2) slight change in EC of water. This treated water not only improved the soil quality by decreasing its calcareousness from 20 to 17.2 making soil soft while the same increased to 23 in control (T1), where not acid amendment was done. Similarly, SAR of soil was also restricted from an increase by acid treated water rather than the control set of experiment. To make RSC nil, 5.19 liters of sulphuric acids were injected in water for 3 acre inch irrigation. An increase of 16.65% in grain yield of wheat crop was observed upon harvesting in T2, in comparison with control. Ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents (TPC) were also high in T2, followed by T3 and T1. All the changes in soil parameters and crop yield were found statistically significant.
Quality of Rice Grain is Influenced by Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients and Antioxidant Application
Authors: Gharieb A.S. , Metwally T.F. , Abou-Khadrah S.H. , Glela A.A. , El Sabagh A.
Published: March 2017

The present research was conducted to study the influence of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients as well as antioxidant on rice quality. The experiment was designed in split-split plots with four replications, where main plots were assigned to nitrogen (0, 55, 110 and 165 kg N ha−1) and sub plots were allocated to compost (0, 3.5 and 7 tons ha−1), while the sub-sub plots were assigned to ascobien (control, spraying with ascobien in two times at 15 and 30 days after transplanting (DAT), spraying with ascobien three times at 15, 30 and 45 DAT). The result indicated that grain quality traits were significantly influenced by the organic and inorganic fertilizers, and ascobien. The percentage of hulling, milling and amylose were positively and significantly influenced by nitrogen, organic and antioxidants application. Most of studied characters produced the highest values with the organic fertilize were combined with nitrogen and antioxidants. Application of 110 kg N ha−1, 7 t ha−1 compost and two or three spraying of ascobien, 110 kg N ha−1 or 3.5 t ha−1 compost and three times spraying and 55 kg N ha−1, 7 t ha−1 compost and two times spraying could be recommended for optimum grain quality of Sakha106 rice variety. It can be concluded that compost along with the foliar application of ascobien can be saved from 50 to110 kg N ha−1, without reducing grain quality. It can be the key to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and decrease the cost of production with keeping healthy soil.
Extraction Methods for the Isolation of Isoflavonoids from Plant Material
Authors: Blicharski Tomasz , Oniszczuk Anna
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this review is to describe and compare selected traditional and modern extraction methods employed in the isolation of isoflavonoids from plants. Conventional methods such as maceration, percolation, or Soxhlet extraction are still frequently used in phytochemical analysis. Despite their flexibility, traditional extraction techniques have significant drawbacks, including the need for a significant investment of time, energy, and starting material, and a requirement for large amounts of potentially toxic solvents. Moreover, these techniques are difficult to automate, produce considerable amount of waste and pose a risk of degradation of thermolabile compounds. Modern extraction methods, such as: ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and negative pressure cavitation extraction, can be regarded as remedies for the aforementioned problems. This manuscript discusses the use of the most relevant extraction techniques in the process of isolation of isoflavonoids, secondary metabolites that have been found to have a plethora of biological and pharmacological activities.
Effect of Bi on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded AZ80-2Sn Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Xue Hansong , Li Xinyu , Zhang Weina , Xing Zhihui , Rao Jinsong , Pan FuSheng
Published: March 2017

The effects of Bi on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ80-2Sn alloy were investigated. The results show that the addition of Bi within the as-cast AZ80-2Sn alloy promotes the formation of Mg3Bi2 phase, which can refine the grains and make the eutectic phases discontinuous. The addition of 0.5 % Bi within the as-extruded AZ80-2Sn alloy, the average grain size decreases to 12 μm and the fine granular Mg17Al12 and Mg3Bi2 phases are dispersed in the α-Mg matrix. With an increase in Bi content, the Mg17Al12 and Mg3Bi2 phases become coarsened and the grain size increases. The as-extruded AZ80-2Sn-0.5 %Bi alloy has the optimal properties, and the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation are 379.6 MPa, 247.1 MPa and 14.8 %, respectively.
Deformation and Structure Difference of Steel Droplets during Initial Solidification
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Jing , Zhang Jiaquan , Cheng Changgui , Zeng Zhi
Published: March 2017

The surface quality of slabs is closely related with the initial solidification at very first seconds of molten steel near meniscus in mold during continuous casting. The solidification, structure, and free deformation for given steels have been investigated in droplet experiments by aid of Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope. It is observed that the appearances of solidified shells for high carbon steels and some hyper-peritectic steels with high carbon content show lamellar, while that for other steels show spherical. Convex is formed along the chilling direction for most steels, besides some occasions that concave is formed for high carbon steel at times. The deformation degree decreases gradually in order of hypo-peritectic steel, ultra-low carbon steel, hyper-peritectic steel, low carbon steel, and high carbon steel, which is consistent with the solidification shrinkage in macroscope during continuous casting. Additionally, the microstructure of solidified shell of hypo-peritectic steel is bainite, while that of hyper-peritectic steel is martensite.
Localized eosinophilic fasciitis (Shulman’s disease) as a differential diagnosis of nerve compression syndrome
Authors: Thönnes Simon , Sorg Heiko , Hauser Jörg , Tilkorn Daniel J.
Published: March 2017

A 46-year-old man presented with clinical signs of nerve compression syndrome of his right ulnar nerve as confirmed by nerve conduction studies. Unexpectedly, clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a subcutaneous tumor of 5×2 cm above the ulnar groove. Surgical exploration and histopathology of biopsies demonstrated the nerve distended and entrapped into an eosinophilic, inflammatory tissue. This rare condition is consistent with localized eosinophilic fasciitis, with no systemic manifestations. There are reports of isolated forearm versions of the disease. However, none occurred with the entrapment of a peripheral nerve appearing as a peripheral nerve tumor, yet. Consequentially, the presented patient would not have benefitted from further surgical neurolysis or tumor debulking, as eosinophilic fasciitis is an inflammatory and systemic disease. The patient’s symptoms decreased spontaneously after 4 weeks of postsurgical treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Altogether, this case proved the necessity to regard even rare diseases as a potential cause of entrapment of peripheral nerves. This should lead surgeons to critical, differential diagnostic thinking and suggest that systemic diseases may be encountered during surgery due to their capability to mimic peripheral nerve tumors.
Preliminary phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antioxidant, cytotoxic and inhibition of lipopolysaccaride - induced NOS (iNOS) expression in BALB/c mice liver by Ziziphus oenoplia Mill. fruit
Authors: Thirugnanasampandan Ramaraj , Ramya Gunasekar , Bhuvaneswari Gunasekaran , Aravindh Srinivasan , Vaishnavi Suresh , Gogulramnath Madhusudhanan
Published: March 2017

Background:

Ziziphus oenoplia Mill. is an ethnomedicinal plant and its fruit has been traditionally used by Puliar tribes of Anamalai Hills, Tamil Nadu, India to treat various ailments. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, cytotoxic and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene downregulation activities of Z. oenoplia fruit (ZOF) were studied.

Methods:

To explore bioactive compounds present in the ripened fruits, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis were done. Free radical scavenging, hepatoprotective, inhibition of iNOS gene expression and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extract of fruit were also studied.

Results:

Total flavonoid content of ZOFwas estimated as 69 µg/mg catechin equivalent. HPTLC densitogram confirmed the presence of quercetin and GC–MS analysis showed a total of 16 compounds of 87.66 % with quinic acid as a major compound which accounted for 22.29 %. Free radical-scavenging activity of ethanolic fruit extract was ranged from 160.12 to 650.23 µg/mL. An amount of 1.5 µg lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced severe inflammation in BALB/c mice liver, followed by treatment with ethanolic fruit extract of 100 µg concentration, exhibited significant hepatoprotection and reverse transcriptase polymerase (RT-PCR) analysis showed downregulation of iNOS gene expression in hepatocytes at transcriptional level. ZOF also showed significant cytotoxicity and propidium iodide staining confirmed the induction of apoptosis in cervical cancer cells (HeLa).

Conclusions:

Findings of the present study prove that ZOF is a rich source of bioactive compounds with a wide range of pharmacological activities. Hence, consumption of this wild edible fruit will be a cost-effective and easily available natural nutritional source for health protection.
Effects of luteolin and luteolin-morphine co-administration on acute and chronic pain and sciatic nerve ligated-induced neuropathy in mice
Authors: Hashemzaei Mahmoud , Abdollahzadeh Mina , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Golmakani Ebrahim , Rezaee Ramin , Tabrizian Kaveh
Published: March 2017

Background

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common condition accompanied by nerve injury. To date, there is no definite treatment approved for this disorder. In addition, many drugs that are used for NP cause adverse reactions. Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid with diverse pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer. We sought to investigate luteolin effects on chronic, acute and neuropathic pain as well as its potential to increase morphine anti-nociceptive effects in mice.

Methods

Albino mice (20–25 g) were randomly divided into 14 groups (n=7) including morphine 1 mg/kg body weight +luteolin (5 mg/kg body weight), morphine (9 mg/kg body weight, i.p.), luteolin (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight), imipramine 40 mg/kg body weight and normal saline (NS) (0.9 %) as vehicle and subjected to hot plate test. Formalin test was done in the following groups: NS, diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg body weight, i.p.), morphine (9 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) and luteolin (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight).

Results

Administration of luteolin single dose (5 and 10 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced neuropathic pain (

p

<
0.05

$\rm{p}<0.05$

) in comparison to negative control. Anti-nociceptive effects of luteolin were comparable to imipramine as the standard positive control (

p

<
0.001

$\rm{p}<0.001$

). Co-administration of luteolin and morphine potentiated morphine 1 mg/kg body weight painkilling effects (

p

<
0.001

$\rm{p}<0.001$

).

Conclusions

Our results showed that luteolin alone reduces neuropathic pain. Furthermore, when co-administered with morphine 1 mg/kg body weight, luteolin potentiates morphine effects. Therefore, luteolin-morphine co-administration might be a valuable alternative for the conventional treatment.
The Effect of Motor Imagery Practice on Elevé Performance in Adolescent Female Dance Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Abraham Amit , Dunsky Ayelet , Dickstein Ruth
Published: March 2017

Motor imagery practice (MIP) is the process of mentally rehearsing motor imagery (MI) contents with the goal of improving motor performance. The potential of MIP in providing motor and non-motor benefits to dancers has not been thoroughly investigated to-date. This study investigated the feasibility of delivering a 6-week MIP intervention for adolescent female dance students and its effect on performance of repeated and static elevé. Participants’ imagery ability and self-reported views and attitudes toward MIP were also investigated. Data regarding ankle plantar-flexion (PF) maximal angles, range-of-motion (ROM), and weight bearing symmetry index (SI) were collected from 25 adolescent female dance students randomly assigned to either MIP (experimental) or upper body exercise (control). Results showed feasibility of delivering the MIP intervention with a significant (p <0.05) improvement in ankle PF maximal angle and ROM for the repeated elevé following the intervention. Participants’ views regarding MIP and their imagery characteristics are also presented and discussed in light of practical implications. This study provides support to a promising relationship between implementing MIP as an adjunct dance training method and eliciting enhanced dance performance.
Kant on the Justification of Moral Principles
Authors: Bojanowski Jochen
Published: March 2017

In
Kant über Substanzen in der Erscheinung
Authors: Oberst Michael
Published: March 2017

There is a disagreement in Kant scholarship concerning the question whether phenomenal substance contains a substantial that is the first subject of all accidents and relations. I would like to argue in this paper that the disagreement stems from the overlooking of a development of Kant’s views. Having abandoned his Physical Monadology, Kant first rejected the substantiality of matter because of its infinite divisibility. But in the
Facile synthesis of hierarchical ZnO microstructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Miao Leigang , Shi Biming , Stanislaw Nawrat , Mu Chaomin , Qi Kezhen
Published: March 2017

Flower-like ZnO microstructures were successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route without using any surfactants. The morphology of these microstructures can be easily controlled by adjusting the pH of the reaction solution. The possible growth mechanism of ZnO hierarchical microstructures was proposed based on the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) results. The photocatalytic activity studies of ZnO nanocrystals demonstrated their excellent photocatalytic performance in degrading aqueous methylene blue (MB) under UV-A light irradiation. This higher photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanoplates was mainly attributed to the exposed facets with the higher surface energy.