bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes among women who delivered at intermediate hospital oshakati, Namibia
Authors: Mungoba Teopolina Natangwe , Mitonga Kabwebwe Honore , David Sabina Aishe , Musekiwa Alfred , Nakale Tuyakula
Published: December 2016

Background: Globally, the leading cause of death among females aged 15-49 years old is maternal mortality. More than 1,500 women die each day from pregnancy related causes resulting in an estimated 550,000 maternal deaths annually. We identified risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study, in which we administered a structured questionnaire through face to face interviews. We also applied the multivariate logistic regression model to determine factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.Results: We enrolled a total of 306 pregnant women of whom 50% (n=153) were 12-19 years old and 50% (n=153) were 20-45 years old. Maternal death occurred only in the 20-45 years old mothers (6/153, 3.9%). In multivariate analysis, living in a rural area (aOR2.00, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.69, p=0.027), shorter gestational period [32-37 weeks] (aOR4.84, 95% CI: 2.31 to 10.14, p=0.0007), haemoglobin level <10gm% (aOR3.87, 95%CI: 1.79 to 8.39, p=0.001), obesity [BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2] (aOR4.89, 95% CI: 1.38 to 17.37, p=0.014) and moderately high blood pressure [SBP/DBP of 150/100-159/109] (aOR15.15, 95% CI: 1.78 to 128.68, p=0.013) were significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.Conclusion: In this study, we identified living in a rural area, shorter gestational period, haemoglobin level < 10gm%, obesity, and having moderately high blood pressure to be risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. All the maternal deaths were in the 20-45 years old pregnant mothers. We recommend educating women on these risk factors in order to reduce the burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Quasi-linear correlation between high-frequency and static die-lectric constants in II-VI and III-V semiconductors
Authors: Daoud Salah , Bencheikh Abdelhalim , Belagraa Laarbi
Published: December 2016

A quantitative form of the linear correlation between the high-frequency and static dielectric constants in ANB8-N (N = 2, 3) tetrahedrally coordinated semiconductor materials, and also in I-VII group alkali halides was studied. So, a quasi-linear relationship was found between the high-frequency and the static dielectric constants for some selected II-VI (ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe and CdTe) and III-V (AlP, AlAs, AlSb,….etc) cubic zincblende type materials, in the other side a weak uphill linear relationship has been found in the case of I-VII (LiF, NaF, LiCl,….etc) group alkali halides compounds. In the case of II-VI and III-V cubic zincblende semiconductors, the linear regression is established with a correlation coefficient ( ) of about 0.98. The significance of the linear regression is given as the probability P <0.0001 of the null hypothesis.
Nutritional qualities assessment of locally processed spaghetti
Authors: Tukura Bitrus , Daniel Gbubele Joseph , Mamman Swaiba
Published: December 2016

The quest for cheap and quality food is on the increase, especially during economy crises. Some nutritional properties of the raw and cooked local and industrial spaghetti were determined using standard methods. Concentrations of mineral elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Total ash (0.98±007 %), crude protein (14.28±0.15 %) and carbohydrate (77.95±0.11 %) levels in the raw industrial spaghetti were higher compared to the locally processed raw spaghetti. Carbohydrate and moisture levels for both processed spaghetti increased on cooking, while total ash and protein contents decreased. Crude fiber (0.009±0.00 %), carbohydrate (77.52±0.21 %) and moisture levels in the cooked local spaghetti were higher than in the cooked industrial spaghetti. Proximate contents of the local and industrial raw spaghetti were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different. Concentrations of mineral elements in the raw locally processed spaghetti were lower than in the industrial spaghetti. Low levels of functional properties were recorded in the local spaghetti. Cooking decreased zinc content in the spaghetti, but significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the moisture content, crude fiber, carbohydrate and mineral contents. The spaghetti processed locally may serve as an alternative to the industrial spaghetti.
Gestão do risco de crédito de cooperativas: um estudo comparativo
Authors: Méxas Mirian Picinini , Silva Luiz Paulo Jacques , Drumond Geisa Meirelles
Published: December 2016

A crise econômica que está ocorrendo atualmente no Brasil tem levado ao corte dos acessos de linha de crédito. Diante desta problemática, o presente trabalho analisou qual tipo de cooperativa de crédito apresenta uma melhor gestão do risco de crédito, resultado de baixos índices de inadimplência relacionados à carteira de crédito composta por operações negociadas junto aos cooperados. Além da revisão da literatura, a metodologia utilizada foi uma pesquisa descritiva ao analisar e interpretar os dados contidos nos relatórios de gestão do risco de crédito extraídos do sistema de informações interno, para os anos de 2013, 2014 e 2015, referentes a três cooperativas de crédito com área de atuação no estado do Rio de Janeiro, sendo cada uma classificada nos seguintes tipos: livre admissão, profissionais e microempresários. O resultado da pesquisa indica que a cooperativa de crédito de livre admissão obteve, como resultado de sua gestão do risco de crédito, os menores índices de inadimplência para operações com atraso superiores a 15 e 90 dias nos três anos que delimitam a pesquisa. Como contribuição o estudo identificou qual o tipo de cooperativa é mais estruturada, em vista a gestão do risco de crédito, e segura para ser a escolhida pelo potencial cooperado para que ele se associe e invista.
Valuing Subscription-Based Businesses Using Publicly Disclosed Customer Data
Authors: McCarthy Daniel M. , Fader Peter S. , Hardie Bruce G.S.
Published: December 2016

The growth of subscription-based commerce has changed the types of data that firms report to external shareholders. More than ever, companies are discussing and disclosing information on the number of customers acquired and lost, customer lifetime value, and other data. This has fueled an increasing interest in linking the value of a firm's customers to the overall value of the firm, with the term “customer-based corporate valuation” being used to describe such efforts. Although several researchers in the fields of marketing and accounting have explored this idea, their underlying models of customer acquisition and retention do not adequately reflect the empirical realities associated with these behaviors, and the associated valuation models do not meet the standards of finance professionals. The authors develop a framework for valuing subscription-based firms that addresses both issues, and they apply it to data from DISH Network and Sirius XM Holdings.
Stomatal Density In Miscanthus Leaves
Authors: Pauková Žaneta , Jureková Zuzana
Published: December 2016

In this study, the number of stomata per unit area was determined in the perennial energy grass of two genotypes Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deuter) and M. sinensis ‘Tatai’ on arable land in the South-western Slovakia. The dynamics of stomatal density per mm2 was determined by non-destructive method in three randomly selected clumps. The number of stomata per mm2 of area varied from 125 ±23 to 327 ±47, stomatal length ranged from 33.9 ±4.7 μm to 35.3 ±3.4 μm, and stomatal width ranged from 17.5 ±2.3 μm to 18.8 ±2.8 μm in the two genotypes. We confirmed ontogenetic heterogeneity of leaf area size and stomatal size parameters.
Historical Terrain Changes Mapping Due to the Wind Erosion Degradation Processes
Authors: Lackóová Lenka , Dufková Jana Kozlovsky
Published: December 2016

In this paper we compare the Digital terrain model (DTM) created from contours extracted from the Base Map of Slovakia with the scale of 1 : 10000 from year 1970 and DTM derived from the points measured with the Trimble® R8 GPS receiver with TSC2 data loggers from 2013. The purpose of the provision of these DMTs is to create baseline information that we used in quantifying physical changes due to wind erosion processes in the terrain of selected field in 43 years, since 1970 to present 2013. The comparison of the DTMs was validated by the volumetric method during wind erosion event. The results achieved from the volumetric method show that in one erosion event, about 480 m3 of soil has been eroded and transported to another location. In DTM comparison (43 years) volume amount which was calculated by “3D analyst tool - terrain and TIN surface - Surface difference”, 31,228 m3 of eroded soil was accumulated in the area and 16,236 m3 was lost from the area. Totally 14,922 m3 (5.5 cm height across the whole field) was transported from outlying eroded fields.
Effects of Salinity and Plant Growth Media on in Vitro Growth and Development of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta L.) Varieties
Authors: Vaurasi Varea , Kant Rashmi
Published: December 2016

Taro Colocasia esculenta is a staple food in most countries of the South Pacific region. However, the recent changes in the climatic conditions and the associated factors became a threat to growing taro in the region. Rising sea level and frequent dry and wet conditions had led to increased soil salinity which is a limiting factor in producing taro in these atoll islands. The aim of this research was to screen selected taro varieties based on their ability to tolerate salinity conditions in Samoa. Effects of three salinity levels (0.2, 3% and 5%), and growth hormones Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Thidiazuron (TDZ) were examined on growth and development of in vitro grown taro varieties. Plant height, number of leaves, and number of roots produced were compared in the selected varieties. Results suggest that all varieties had callus induction and regeneration in MSO medium. Addition of BAP induced better growth and the plants produced higher number of leaves, while TDZ improved roots proliferation in C. esculenta. Solomon variety performed best in high salinity conditions. Samoa-1 grew taller and had more leaves and roots compared to Samoa-2 variety. Thus, we suggest Solomon and Samoa-1 could perform better in high-salinity conditions.
Lie Derivations on Trivial Extension Algebras
Authors: Mokhtari Amir Hosein , Moafian Fahimeh , Vishki Hamid Reza Ebrahimi
Published: December 2016

In this paper we provide some conditions under which a Lie derivation on a trivial extension algebra is proper, that is, it can be expressed as a sum of a derivation and a center valued map vanishing at commutators. We then apply our results for triangular algebras. Some illuminating examples are also included.
Liouville-type theorems for elliptic equations in half-space with mixed boundary value conditions
Authors: Harrabi Abdellaziz , Rahal Belgacem
Published: December 2016

In this paper we study the nonexistence of solutions, which are stable or stable outside a compact set, possibly unbounded and sign-changing, of some nonlinear elliptic equations with mixed boundary value conditions.
The main methods used are the integral estimates and the monotonicity formula.
On sign-changing solutions for (p,q)-Laplace equations with two parameters
Authors: Bobkov Vladimir , Tanaka Mieko
Published: December 2016

We investigate the existence of nodal (sign-changing) solutions to the Dirichlet problem for a two-parametric family of partially homogeneous

(
p
,
q
)

{(p,q)}

-Laplace equations

-

Δ
p

⁢
u

-

Δ
q

⁢
u

=

α
⁢

|
u
|

p
-
2

⁢
u

+

β
⁢

|
u
|

q
-
2

⁢
u

{-\Delta_{p}u-\Delta_{q}u=\alpha\lvert u\rvert^{p-2}u+\beta\lvert u\rvert^{q-2%
}u}

where

p
≠
q

{p\neq q}

. By virtue of the Nehari manifolds, the linking theorem, and descending flow, we explicitly characterize subsets of the

(
α
,
β
)

{(\alpha,\beta)}

-plane which correspond to the existence of nodal solutions. In each subset the obtained solutions have prescribed signs of energy and, in some cases, exactly two nodal domains. The nonexistence of nodal solutions is also studied. Additionally, we explore several relations between eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the p- and q-Laplacians in one dimension.
High Frequency Induction Tube Furnace for Determination of Ash Melting Temperature
Authors: Dróżdż Tomasz , Kiełbasa Paweł , Korenko Maroš , Nawara Piotr , Pikul Krzysztof
Published: December 2016

The article describes the designed and manufactured tube furnace intended for, inter alia, determining the melting temperature of ash conforming to the standard of ISO-540:2001. The possibility of digital sample observation and several programs controlling the obtainable temperature enable to determine the test cycle in any case (convenient for the researcher). Reduction of testing time allows for the analysis of the observed phenomena, as well as more detailed research plan of samples, where substantial changes have been demonstrated.
Production Method that Leads to TiO2 Nanofibrous Structure Usable in Food Packaging
Authors: Kovář Radovan
Published: December 2016

Burned inorganic nanofibers most often occur in the nature in two forms: rutile and anatase. Today, the production of rutile is about to end, while anatase provides more application possibilities. The resulting fiber structure is determined by calcination. It is necessary to find the optimal temperature as well as time, during which the fibers must withstand temperature load. For such method of calcination, it is necessary to create a special design of continuous furnace. Anatase has application in food packaging. Packages containing anatase are used for: food safety, improved packaging for spoilage reduction, sensors for detection of pathogens and spoilage, disinfectants and antimicrobial surfaces.
Evaluation of in vivo angiogenetic effects of copper doped bioactive glass scaffolds in the AV loop model
Authors: Bührer Gregor , Rottensteiner Ulrike , Hoppe Alexander , Detsch Rainer , Dafinova Diana , Fey Tobias , Greil Peter , Weis Christian , Beier Justus P. , Boccacini Aldo R. , Horch Raymund E. , Arkudas Andreas
Published: December 2016

effects of 3D scaffolds made from 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) doped with 1 wt. % copper ions in the arteriovenous loop model of the rat.

Materials and Methods: An arteriovenous loop was built in the groin of 10 rats and inserted in 1% copper doped 45S5 BG scaffolds and fibrin. The scaffold and the AV loop were inserted in Teflon isolation chambers and explanted 3 weeks after implantation. Afterwards the scaffolds were analyzed by Micro-CT and histology regarding vascularization. Results were compared to plain 45S5 BG-based scaffolds from a previous study.

Results: Micro-CT and histological evaluation showed consistent vascularization of the constructs. A tendency towards an increased vascularization in the copper doped BG group compared to plain BG constructs could be observed. However, therewas no significant difference in statistical analysis between both groups.

Conclusions: This study shows results that support an increased angiogenetic effect of 1% copper doped 45S5 BG compared to regular 45S5 BG scaffolds in the rat arteriovenous loop model although these tendencies are not backed by statistical evidence. Maybe higher copper doses could lead to a statistically significant angiogenetic effect.
The complete mitochondrial genomes of two weevils, Eucryptorrhynchus chinensis and E. brandti: conserved genome arrangement in Curculionidae and deficiency of tRNA-Ile gene
Authors: Liu Zhen-Kai , Gao Peng , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel , Wen Jun-Bao
Published: December 2016

The weevils Eucryptorrhynchus chinensis and Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are two of the most important pests of the tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima, which is found throughout China. In this study, the complete mitogenomes of the two weevils have been sequenced using Illumina HiSeqTM 2000. The mitogenomes of E. chinensis and E. brandti are 15,628bp and 15,597bp long with A+T contents of 77.7% and 76.6%, respectively. Both species have typical circular mitochondrial genomes that encode 36 genes. Except the deficiency of tRNA-Ile, the gene composition and order of E. chinensis and E. brandti are identical to the inferred ancestral gene arrangement of insects. In both mitochondrial genomes, the start codons for COI and ND1 are AAT and TTG, respectively. A5bp motif (TACTA) is detected in intergenic region between the tRNA-Ser (UCN) and ND1 genes. The ATP8/ATP6 and ND4L/ND4 gene pairs appear to overlap four or seven nucleotides (ATAA/ATGATAA) in different reading frames. The complete sequences of AT-rich region have two regions including tandem repeats. The study identifies useful genetic markers for studying the population genetics, molecular identification and phylogeographics of Eucryptorrhynchus weevils. The features of the mitochondrial genomes are expected to be valuable in
Relationship between plasma and salivary melatonin and cortisol investigated by LC-MS/MS
Authors: van Faassen Martijn , Bischoff Rainer , Kema Ido P.
Published: December 2016

Background:

Disturbance of the circadian rhythm has been associated with disease states, such as metabolic disorders, depression and cancer. Quantification of the circadian markers such as melatonin and cortisol critically depend on reliable and reproducible analytical methods. Previously, melatonin and cortisol were primarily analyzed separately, mainly using immunoassays.

Methods:

Here we describe the validation and application of a high-throughput liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the combined analysis of melatonin and cortisol in plasma and saliva. The LC-MS/MS method was validated according to international validation guidelines. We used this method to analyze total plasma, free plasma (as obtained by equilibrium dialysis) and saliva melatonin and cortisol in healthy adults.

Results:

Validation results for plasma and saliva melatonin and cortisol were well within the international validation criteria. We observed no difference between saliva collected by passive drooling or Salivette. Moreover, we noted a significant difference in saliva vs. free plasma melatonin. We observed on average 36% (95% CI: 4%–60%) higher salivary melatonin levels in comparison to free plasma melatonin, suggestive of local production of melatonin in the salivary glands.

Conclusions:

The novel outcome of this study is probably due to the high precision of our LC-MS/MS assay. These outcomes illustrate the added value of accurate and sensitive mass spectrometry based methods for the quantification of neuroendocrine biomarkers.
A Comparative Analysis Of Initiatives And Adaptation Measures To Climate Change Undertaken In Poland And Western Europe
Authors: Michalak Dorota
Published: December 2016

Climate change is one of the greatest contemporary threats to our planet's environmental, social and economic well-being, accompanied by major changes in life support systems on Earth, where the far-reaching effects will be felt in the coming decades. The Earth's climate is warming rapidly due to emissions of greenhouse gases caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The Stern Report predicts that in the long term, climate change could cut global gross domestic product (GDP) by 5 to 20% or more each year if it is not brought under control by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of this paper is to compare the degree of influence of climate change on the economies of Western Europe and comparing national strategies for adaptation to climate change in selected countries of Western Europe and Poland. The analysis of the main initiatives for adaptation to climate change in selected countries of Western Europe and Poland relate to key issues mentioned in the strategic documents of the European Commission. In the United Kingdom the main emphasis is on the reduction of greenhouse gases as a form of preventive action, rather than adaptation to climate change. All strategies recognize the importance of raising public awareness about the negative effects of climate change and the importance of preparing adaptation measures, and stress the need to support the critical and most sensitive sectors of the European economy – forestry, agriculture and fisheries. The Polish strategy of adaptation to climate change does not deviate from the strategy of these countries of Western Europe, but it must be emphasized that this is only a document listing recommendations on the scope of operations of adaptation to climate change. Its realization is a separate issue.
Morphological diversity of microstructures occurring in selected recent bivalve shells and their ecological implications
Authors: Brom Krzysztof Roman , Szopa Krzysztof
Published: December 2016

Environmental adaptation of molluscs during evolution has led to form biomineral exoskeleton – shell. The main compound of their shells is calcium carbonate, which is represented by calcite and/or aragonite. The mineral part, together with the biopolymer matrix, forms many types of microstructures, which are differ in texture. Different types of internal shell microstructures are characteristic for some bivalve groups. Studied bivalve species (freshwater species – duck mussel (Anodonta anatina Linnaeus, 1758) and marine species – common cockle (Cerastoderma edule Linnaeus, 1758), lyrate Asiatic hard clam (Meretrix lyrata Sowerby II, 1851) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758)) from different locations and environmental conditions, show that the internal shell microstructure with the shell morphology and thickness have critical impact to the ability to survive in changing environment and also to the probability of surviving predator attack. Moreover, more detailed studies on molluscan structures might be responsible for create mechanically resistant nanomaterials.
Is Higher Education Economically Unsustainable? An Exploration of Factors that Undermine Sustainability Assessments of Higher Education
Authors: Maragakis Antonios , van den Dobbelsteen Andy , Maragakis Alexandros
Published: December 2016

As students continue to review the sustainability of higher education institutions, there is a growing need to understand the economic returns of degrees as a function of a sustainable institution. This paper reviews a range of international research to summarize the economic drivers of higher education attainment. Although the cost inputs to higher education are fairly well understood, the economic return of a degree is not. Students misperception of economic returns coupled with a dynamic definition of employability create the framework for unsustainable debt loads for graduates. This paper proposes three metrics that can be used to assess the economic sustainability of students graduating higher education that can be used to supplement the broader definition of sustainability within higher education.
Delving Into Key Dimensions of ESD Through Analyses of a Middle School Science Textbook
Authors: Sahin Elvan
Published: December 2016

Uncertainties and debates regarding the term of sustainable development are still going on, and similarly, the notion of education for sustainable development (ESD) is open to debate. There has been an attempt to make the concept of ESD evident, which is quite challenging. Palmer (1998) stated the appropriateness of ESD within environmental education and presented ESD as a new trend for teaching and learning about the environment. In line with these interpretation, Sauvé (2002) pointed out that ESD seems to emerge as a current issue within environmental education. Contrary to these claims, some researchers do not interpret ESD as an evolution within environmental education. According to Sterling (2001), ESD can be recognized as sustainable education in which there is a movement toward the renewal of education systems and institutions ‘doing better things’ and ‘seeing things differently’. Apart from those qualitatively different interpretations of ESD, in 1998 the Council for Environmental Education published a strategy report (CEE, 1998) which is particularly significant for teachers. This report specified seven key dimensions regarding ESD, namely: interdependence; citizenship and stewardship; needs and rights of future generations; diversity; quality of life, equity and justice; sustainable change; and uncertainty and precaution in action. This study could provide an analysis of Turkish middle school science textbooks with respect to these key dimensions on ESD. Current evidences showed that these textbooks do not refer to the dimensions of sustainable development sufficiently.
Envisioning Complexity: Towards a New Conceptualization of Educational Research for Sustainability
Authors: Pipere Anita
Published: December 2016

This paper aims to present some conceptual insights into the research paradigm of complexity that deals with such problems like sustainability, education, and, more specifically – sustainability education. The transdisciplinary perspective and cognitive approaches of a hermeneutical cycle and semantic waves used in argumentation assist in grasping the essence of complexity and the main principles of complex dynamic systems. The comparison of simple, complicated and complex systems in a field of sustainability education provides an example of using complexity thinking with social systems. Then the complexity in an epistemological context, as the research paradigm, could be used for dealing with the challenging problems of sustainability, education and sustainability education from the point of view of post-normal science. The concept of transdisciplinarity has been developed as a research framework starting from the general approaches to its application for sustainability, education and sustainability education. The specific types of collaboration in educational research for sustainability and the modes of knowledge produced by transdisciplinary research in this field will be described, ending with reflections and suggestions for further analysis.
Bezout rings without non-central idempotents
Authors: Tuganbaev Askar A.
Published: December 2016

Let
Preparation and swelling properties of poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) composite hydrogels
Authors: Cheng Wei-Min , Hu Xiang-Ming , Zhao Yan-Yun , Wu Ming-Yue , Hu Zun-Xiang , Yu Xing-Teng
Published: December 2016

In order to study the effect of composite clays on the mechanical properties, water absorption and salt tolerance of a hydrogel, a poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/bentonite/kaolin composite hydrogel was prepared. Acrylic acid and acrylamide have been used as water absorbent monomers. N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide was used as a crosslinking agent while potassium persulfate was used as an initiator. The water preserving capability, repeated water absorption, salt resistance and the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel are analyzed and discussed. The results show that a small quantity of bentonite can increase the storage modulus of the composite hydrogel, whereas the excess clay had an unfavorable effect on the mechanical strength of the composite hydrogel. Both bentonite and kaolin significantly improved the water preserving capability, repeated water absorption and salt resistance of the composite hydrogel. Optimum values for the amounts of bentonite and kaolin were found to be 10% and 5%, respectively.
Nontrivial Solutions of Higher-Order Nonlinear Singular Fractional Differential Equations with Fractional Multi-point Boundary Conditions
Authors: Xie Shengli , Xie Yiming
Published: December 2016

This paper deals with the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial solutions of fractional multi-point boundary value problems for higher-order nonlinear singular fractional differential equations with sign-changing nonlinear term. The main tool used in the proof is topological degree theory. Some examples are given to illustrate our main results.
Effect of the structure on biological and photocatalytic activity of transparent titania thin-film coatings
Authors: Wojcieszak Damian , Mazur Michał , Kaczmarek Danuta , Poniedziałek Agata , Domanowski Piotr , Szponar Bogumiła , Czajkowska Aleksandra , Gamian Andrzej
Published: December 2016

In this work, the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film microstructure on photocatalytic and biological activity was described. The films were prepared by low-pressure and high-energy magnetron sputtering processes. The structural investigations performed by X-ray diffraction revealed that the films from both the processes were nanocrystalline. It was found that TiO2 prepared by low-pressure process had the anatase structure with crystallites in size of 20 nm, while the film deposited in high-energy process had the rutile form with crystallites in size of 5 nm. The analysis of surface topography with the aid of optical profiler showed that all prepared films were homogenous and their roughness was lower than 1 nm. The wettability studies revealed hydrophilic nature of both films. The values of water contact angle obtained for anatase and rutile films were equal to 40° and 49°, respectively. Both types of the thin films were photocatalitycally active, but rutile exhibited higher decomposition rate as compared to anatase. During the photocatalytic reaction in the presence of TiO2-rutile film after 12 hours of UV-Vis irradiation 30 % of phenol was decomposed, whereas in case of TiO2-anatase it was only 10 %. Moreover, the influence of as-deposited coatings on the growth of selected microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans) was examined. It was found that the structural properties of TiO2 had an effect on biological activity of these films.
Synthesis of SiC nanowhiskers from graphite and silica by microwave heating
Authors: Kahar S.M. , Voon C.H. , Lee C.C. , Hashim U. , Md Arshad M.K. , Lim B.Y. , Gopinath S.C.B. , Rahman W.
Published: December 2016

Silicon carbide (SiC) is an important ceramics for engineering and industrial applications due to its advantage to withstand in high temperatures. In this article, a demonstration of SiC nanowhiskers synthesis by using microwave heating has been shown. The mixtures of raw materials in the form of pellets were heated, using a laboratory microwave furnace, to 1400 °C for 40 minutes at a heating rate of 20 °C/min. The characterization process proved that the mixture of graphite and silica in the ratio of 1:3 is an ideal composition for synthesizing single phase β-SiC nanowhiskers. Vapor-solid mechanism was suggested to explain the formation of SiC nanowhiskers by the proposed microwave heating.
Spectroscopic investigations of polycrystalline InxSb20−xAg10Se70 (0 ⩽ × ⩽ 15) multicomponent chalcogenides
Authors: Sharma Rita , Sharma Shaveta , Kumar Praveen , Chander Ravi , Thangaraj R. , Mian M.
Published: December 2016

The composition dependence of physical properties of chalcogenides has recently been studied for their phase change properties and energy conversion. In the present work, we report the structure, composition, optical and Raman spectroscopy results for bulk polycrystalline InxSb20−xAg10Se70 (0 ⩽ × ⩽ 15) samples. The phase quantification and composition have been studied by using XRD and EDX techniques. The alloy composition up to 5 at.% of indium resulted in crystallization of AgSbSe2, while further increase in In content favored the formation of another chalcopyrite AgInSe2 phase yielding the solid solutions for this alloy system. A decrease in band gap up to x = 5 followed by its increase with an increase in indium concentration has been observed. The variations in shape and position of characteristic Raman bands has been used for understanding the structural modifications of the network with the variation in indium content.
Characterization of deep-level defects in GaNAs/GaAs heterostructures grown by APMOVPE
Authors: Gelczuk Łukasz , Dąbrowska-Szata Maria , Ściana Beata , Pucicki Damian , Radziewicz Damian , Kopalko Krzysztof , Tłaczała Marek
Published: December 2016

Conventional deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and high-resolution Laplace DLTS techniques were used to study electrical properties of deep-level defects in dilute GaNAs epitaxial layers grown by atmospheric-pressure metalorganic vapourphase epitaxy (APMOVPE) on the GaAs substrate. Three samples with nitrogen concentrations of 1.2 %, 1.6 % and 2.7 % were investigated. In DLTS and LDLTS spectra of the samples, four predominant electron traps were observed. On the basis of the obtained electrical parameters and previously published results, one of the traps was associated with N-related complex defects, while the other traps with common GaAs-like native defects and impurities, called EL6, EL3 and EL2.
Improved antitumor efficacy of paclitaxel with nano-formulation in breast cancer
Authors: Ding Shuang , Zhang Haijun
Published: December 2016

Breast cancer has been brought to the forefront of scientific research because of its increasing incidence as well as the growing demands to prolong the life span of patients and improve their quality of life. Paclitaxel (PTX), a small-molecule cytotoxic agent, is one of the most effective anti-cancer drugs against a variety of solid tumors, including breast cancer. Taxol®, a commercial preparation of PTX, has been widely used for the treatment of breast cancer since its approval for use by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1994. However, further development is limited by its poor aqueous solubility and by P-gp substrate and complex synthesis caused by excipient (Cremophor EL) used. Thus, there exist an urgent need to design and develop new-generation formulations of PTX, especially nano-formulations, to maximize the therapeutic effects and minimize the side effects. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the treatment of breast cancer with different formulations of PTX.
Effect of graphite and silicon carbide fillers on mechanical properties of PA6 polymer composites
Authors: Sathees Kumar Sekaran , Kanagaraj Ganesan
Published: December 2016

In this paper, the combined effect of different weight percentages of silicon carbide (SiC) and graphite (Gr) reinforcement on the mechanical properties of polyamide (PA6) composite is studied. Test specimens of pure PA6, 85 wt% PA6+10 wt% SiC+5 wt% Gr and 85 wt% PA6+5 wt% SiC+10 wt% Gr are prepared using an injection molding machine. The tensile, impact, hardness, morphology and thermal properties of the injection molded composites were investigated. The obtained results showed that mechanical properties, such as tensile and impact strength and modulus of the PA6 composites, were significantly higher than the pure PA6, and hybridization with silicon carbide and graphite further enhanced the performance properties, as well as the thermal resistance of the composites. The tensile fracture morphology and the characterization of PA6 polymer composites were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic methods. SEM observation of the fracture surfaces showed the fine dispersion of SiC and Gr for strong interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix. The individual and combined reinforcing effects of silicon carbide and graphite on the mechanical properties of PA6 hybrid composites were compared and interpreted in this study. Improved mechanical properties were observed by the addition of small amount of SiC and Gr concurrently reinforced with the pure PA6. Finally, thermogravimetric analysis showed that the heat resistance of the composites tended to increase with increasing silicon carbide and graphite content simultaneously.
Glückseligkeit an der Schwelle zur Aufklärung
Authors: Arend Stefanie
Published: December 2016

Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651) is a key text to Enlightenment, not the least because of its discussion of the concept of eudaimonia or felicity. A discourse on felicity originates in antiquity and continues into Enlightenment. Hobbes rearranges this discourse, in as much as he questions the antique and Christian lines of tradition and plays these systems of knowledge off against one another. The following article demonstrates how Hobbes deals with central presuppositions and concepts in the antique and Christian traditions and reveals which rhetorics and polemics he employs to contest a Western ethics of felicity. What becomes evident is that Hobbes’s language-critical approach and anthropological assumptions assume a salient role in this criticism. At the same time, this analysis argues that it is precisely Hobbes’s chosen rhetorical strategies, such as praeteritio or brevitas, that, in the end, do not fully dismantle the antique- Christian concept of eudaimonia.
Essayismus als Fiktionalisierung von unsicheres Wissen prozessierender Reflexion
Authors: Gittel Benjamin
Published: December 2016

In contrast to the tendency in recent research to understand essayism as a »mode« or »attitude of thinking«, or as collective term for texts similar to essays, this article proposes to conceptualize essayism as the insertion of a special kind of reflective passages, which process uncertain knowledge, into fictional works of literature. The article discusses several aspects of the fictionalization of such reflections, namely aspects of the theory of fiction and linguistic pragmatics as well as hermeneutical aspects. For various reasons, which depend on the attribution of the reflective passages to a heterodiegetic narrator or characters, the fictionalization of reflection leads the reflective passages to oscillate between an assertive (i.e. fact-stating) reference to reality and a meaning internal to the work of literature.
Strategien des realistischen Universalismus: Raabe, Storm, Stifter
Authors: Köppe Tilmann
Published: December 2016

Programmatic accounts of realism specify the tasks of authors of fiction in terms of the production conditions of a work, its structural features, or its effects on readers. Concerning the conditions of production the poet is supposed to observe the life surrounding him or her and note its law-like regularities. What is presented in the work is then supposed to match these regularities, thus resulting in particular structural features. Finally, readers should be able to read those regularities from the work. I call this program ›realistic universalism‹ (›realistischer Universalismus‹). The programmatic accounts do not specify how reading the regularities from the fiction is supposed to work, however. This is why I examine three prominent realistic texts according to how they implement this program of realistic universalism. Raabe’s Die Chronik der Sperlingsgasse contains explicit versions of said regularities, while Storm’s Immensee exemplifies them. The most subtle version of realistic universalism is to be found in Stifter’s Der Hochwald. This text asks its readers to employ a mode of reading which expresses the norms to be learned from the text.
Drogistische Dichtung
Authors: Beßlich Barbara
Published: December 2016

The late work of Peter Altenberg has been neglected by scholars. This essay analyses the book Prodrŏmŏs (1905) and aims to show how Altenberg anticipates central theses and stylistic notions of expressionism. The focus is on the peculiar form of the text as well as on its whimsical language which includes advertising slogans, pharmaceutical advice and entwines questions of aesthetics and drugstore goods. Altenberg reflects in numerous ways on the departure from Decadence, debates healthy nutrition in the context of the Life Reform Movement and frequently addresses questions of digestion - often in a strange and bizarre manner. Altenberg varies these themes in his book Neues Altes (1911). The study concludes with a look at the reception of Altenberg by the expressionists who rightly extolled him as their household god.
Durchsetzungsstrategien für Wissensansprüche in der literaturwissenschaftlichen Praxis 1965–1985
Authors: Schönert Jörg
Published: December 2016

Mein Beitrag zu dieser Forschungsdiskussion will die (noch immer nicht unbestrittene) Notwendigkeit der Fachgeschichte im disziplinären Aufgabenspektrum der Philologien für eine produktiv-kontinuierliche Wissenschaftsentwicklung betonen. Ich stütze mich dabei vor allem auf persönliche Erfahrungen von mehr als 50 Jahren in der germanistischen ›academia‹; zudem beziehe ich mich dankbar auf das diesbezügliche Engagement von Lutz Danneberg und (ohne explizite Verweise) auf seine Publikationen, insbesondere auf die Einleitung, die er mit Andrea Albrecht, Carlos Spoerhase und Dirk Werle für diesen Band verfasst hat.
Goethe, Humboldt und die »Hydra der Empirie«
Authors: Hentschel Uwe
Published: December 2016

In the age of enlightenment, travelling was thought to result in an expansion of the horizons of one’s knowledge and experience. Aside from ethnologists, who gathered statistical data, and authors, who undertook travel to convey their experiences in effective literary ways, there was also a small group of intellectuals who endeavored to make sense of the regions that they travelled to or through by delving into the particularities characteristic of these areas. However, in their desire to penetrate to the essence of things, these intellectuals found themselves confronted by the necessity of mastering the »hydra of empirical reality« (Goethe). Goethe and Wilhelm von Humboldt both made the attempt to surmount this obstacle, at times in close contact with each other, during the journeys they made around the turn of the century. But both came to recognize, in equal measure, that the genre of travel literature did not suit their purposes of conveying the results of their experiences and impressions.
Kontrafaktische Überbevölkerungsphantasien
Authors: Nicolosi Riccardo
Published: December 2016

The idea of the thought experiment is currently enjoying remarkable attention within the fields of literature and science. However, works on this topic often focus only on general transdisciplinary phenomena and ignore structural and epistemic differences between science and fiction. The article aims to demonstrate the need for differentiation in this research field by discussing particular case studies. First, a complex counterfactual thought experiment in Thomas Malthus’s
Nanofluidic Transport over a Curved Surface with Viscous Dissipation and Convective Mass Flux
Authors: Mehmood Zaffar , Iqbal Z. , Azhar Ehtsham , Maraj E.N.
Published: December 2016

This article is a numerical investigation of boundary layer flow of nanofluid over a bended stretching surface. The study is carried out by considering convective mass flux condition. Contribution of viscous dissipation is taken into the account along with thermal radiation. Suitable similarity transformations are employed to simplify the system of nonlinear partial differential equations into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Computational results are extracted by means of a shooting method embedded with a Runge-Kutta Fehlberg technique. Key findings include that velocity is a decreasing function of curvature parameter K. Moreover, Nusselt number decreases with increase in curvature of the stretching surface while skin friction and Sherwood number enhance with increase in K.
Termiglaucescin, a new polyhydroxy triterpene glucoside fromTerminalia glaucescenswith antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential
Authors: Dawé Amadou , Talom Benjamin , Kapche Gilbert Deccaux Wabo Fotso , Siddiqui Kauser , Yakai Fawai , Talla Emmanuel , Shaiq Muhammad Ali , Lubna Iqbal , Ngadjui Bonabenture Tchaleu
Published: December 2016

Termiglaucescin (1), a new triterpene glucoside, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the root bark ofTerminalia glaucescensPlanch. ex Benth, together with 11 known compounds,β-D-glucopyranosyl 2α,3β,6β-trihydroxy-23-galloylolean-12-en-28-oate (2), arjunglucoside I (3), sericoside (4), arjungenin (5), sericic acid (6), arjunetin (7), chebuloside II (8), 3,3′,4-tri-O-methylelagic acid (9), 3,3′-di-O-methylelagic acid (10),β-sitosterol (11) and stigmasterol (12). Compounds2,3,7,8and9are reported from the plant for the first time. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data interpretations, especially 1D and 2D NMR. The triterpenic isolates showed potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Neuromuscular Activation of Leg Muscles During Dynamic Exercises in Individuals With Stroke
Authors: Liao Lin-Rong , Pang Marco Yiu Chung
Published: December 2016

Liao, L-R, and Pang, MYC. Effect of whole-body vibration on neuromuscular activation of leg muscles during dynamic exercises in individuals with stroke. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1954–1962, 2017—This study examined the leg muscle activity during exposure to different whole-body vibration (WBV) intensities while performing various dynamic exercises in patients with chronic stroke. Thirty patients with chronic stroke performed a series of dynamic exercises under 3 conditions: (a) low-intensity WBV (peak acceleration: 0.96 units of gravity of Earth [g]), (b) high-intensity WBV (1.61 g), and (c) no WBV. Neuromuscular activation was recorded with surface electromyography (EMG) on bilateral biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GS) in both legs and was reported as EMGrms (root mean square) normalized to % maximal voluntary contraction. The EMG amplitude of all tested muscles was significantly increased by adding WBV during dynamic exercise (p ≤ 0.05). The EMG amplitude of BF, TA, and GS during exposure to high-intensity WBV was significantly greater than low-intensity WBV (p ≤ 0.05). The increase in EMG amplitude caused by WBV was exercise dependent in GS and TA (p ≤ 0.05). The EMG response to WBV in GS and BF in the affected leg was significantly greater than the corresponding muscles in the unaffected leg (p ≤ 0.05). The extent of WBV-induced muscle activity was dependent on the dynamic exercise, WBV intensity, and muscle trained among patients with chronic stroke.
Effect of Different Onset Thresholds on Isometric Midthigh Pull Force-Time Variables
Authors: Dos'Santos Thomas , Jones Paul A. , Comfort Paul , Thomas Christopher
Published: December 2016

Dos'Santos, T, Jones, PA, Comfort, P, and Thomas, C. Effect of different onset thresholds on isometric midthigh pull force-time variables. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3463–3473, 2017—Various thresholds have been used to identify the onset of contraction during isometric midthigh pull (IMTP); however, no agreed onset threshold exists for this assessment. The purpose of this study was to compare relative body weight (BW) and arbitrary onset thresholds to a criterion onset threshold 5 SDs of BW for IMTP force-time variables; force at each threshold, peak force, time-specific force values (100, 150, and 200 ms), and rate of force development (RFD) during 0–100, 0–150, 0–200 ms. Academy rugby league players (n = 9, age: 18.5 ± 0.4 years; height: 1.82 ± 0.09 m; mass: 91.2 ± 13.1 kg) performed 2 IMTP trials on a force platform sampling at 1,000 Hz. The neutral force-time data pool (18 trials) was analyzed with five different thresholds and compared with criterion threshold to determine any variance in force-time variables. Five SDs of BW were significantly lower than 10% BW and 75 N for threshold force which led to significantly greater time-specific force values at 100 and 150 ms and unacceptable limits of agreements (LOA) for all force-time variables. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between 2.5% and 5 SDs of BW; and between 5% and 5 SDs of BW for threshold force and all force-time variables with acceptable LOA. The 5 SDs of BW and 2.5% BW onset thresholds consistently resulted in the lowest values for threshold force, time-specific force values, and RFD, attributed to a lower onset bias. Therefore, scientists and practitioners are recommended to use a 5 SD of BW onset threshold for time-specific force values and RFD for accurate data because it accounts for signal noise during the weighing period. Subsequently, there is greater certainty that the onset of contraction identifies a true meaningful change in force, in contrast to relative BW thresholds.