bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Children’s Camps as a Tourism Product – A Case Study
Authors: Kotíková Halina , Schwartzhoffová Eva
Published: January 2018

This article focuses on the issues of organized tourism, more specifically, on children’s summer camps, in which Czech children spend free time during their holidays. T he purpose of this paper is to present results of a pilot study on children’s participation in summer camps. On the basis of the research carried out in the form of a face-to-face survey conducted with a sample of 479 pupils – grades five and seven, selected criteria, which characterize these camps, were analysed in relation to the choice of the camps and children’s participation in them. T he results show that the majority of school children participate in summer children’s camps. T he most popular camps are overnight camps and sports camps run by the organizations which children attend during the school year.
Population surveys of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in the Murchison Falls National Park, Victoria Nile, Uganda
Authors: Behangana Mathias , Lukwago Wilber , Dendi Daniele , Luiselli Luca , Ochanda David
Published: January 2018

1. A 12-month-long survey (April 2013 to March 2014) for Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) was conducted along a section of the Victoria Nile/Ramsar site of Murchison Falls National Park, in order to update the historic information on crocodile populations in the area, locating nesting areas, determining seasonality patterns and habitat use, and assess the current abundance and the population size trends since the 1960s. The methods employed included visual encounter surveys, transect counts and opportunistic methods, by using boats. 2. In general, there were diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in the number of crocodile sightings. The crocodile sightings peaked between the months of June and August, with the highest mean number of sightings encountered on any single day being 67 (in July 2013), and the second peak was between January and March with the highest mean of 118 recorded in January 2014. The second peak also coincided with the crocodile breeding season. This clearly shows that the distribution of the sub-population sampled followed a climatic regime. 3. Crocodiles were observed most frequently in water (37%). Grassy banks, islands, river mouths and sandy banks constituted about 47% of the habitats utilised by the crocodile population. Although basking was the most frequent type of activity performed by crocodiles (50%) over the entire survey period, their key activities varied significantly from month to month. Nesting was very visible during the last quarter of the year and the first quarter of the New Year. 4. There was a clear decline of the abundance of crocodiles in this population between 1960s and nowadays. This declining trend was obvious also taking into account the various survey methodologies employed over the decades.
Analysis of Distribution Channels’ Successfulness –The Case of the Retail Chains in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Anđelković Aleksandra , Barac Nada , Radosavljević Marija
Published: January 2018

The importance of distribution channels comes from the increasingly sophisticated consumer demands, producer’s focus on core competences, and the contribution of the distribution channels to achievement of goals at the national economy level. Due to the fact that intermediaries of distribution channel have the role to link producer and consumers, the results of their functioning have a direct impact on the mentioned partners in the channel. Therefore, the efficiency of the intermediaries directly affects the performance of related partners, producers and consumers. Retailers, as intermediaries in the channel, attracted great attention due to their leadership position and power, which proceed from direct communication with consumers. In this regard, the objective of the research presented in this paper is the analysis of the importance of distribution channels, from partners’ point of view, as well as from macro aspect, with special reference to the retailers, as the primary participants in the distribution channel, in the Republic of Serbia. As indicators of performance, authors use Return of Sale (ROS) and Return of Equity (ROE). By applying the regression analysis, the authors examine whether the performance and role of retail chain leaders in distribution channels depends on the size of the sales network, or the number of sales facilities. The survey shows that the largest retail chains in the Republic of Serbia are performing below the average for the retail sector, and that the size of their retail network has a significant impact on the achieved results.
The perturbation algorithm for the realization of a four-layer semi-discrete solution scheme of an abstract evolutionary problem
Authors: Rogava Jemal , Gulua David
Published: January 2018

In the present paper, we use the perturbation algorithm to reduce a
purely implicit four-layer semi-discrete scheme for an abstract
evolutionary equation to two-layer schemes. An approximate
solution of the original problem is constructed using the
solutions of these schemes. Estimates of the approximate solution
error are proved in a Hilbert space.
Diversity-oriented synthesis of amide derivatives of tricyclic thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones and evaluation of their influence on melanin synthesis in murine B16 cells
Authors: Nie Li Fei , Huang Guozheng , Bozorov Khurshed , Zhao Jiangyu , Niu Chao , Sagdullaev Shamansur S. , Aisa Haji A.
Published: January 2018

A diversity-oriented synthesis of amide-containing thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones is reported. All compounds were tested for their influence on melanin synthesis in murine B16 cells. The azepine fragment in thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one skeleton significantly increases the melanin content.
The Need for Unified Understanding of ‘Military Objective’ in the Context of Human Shields and Passive Precautions Concepts
Authors: Heikkinen Tuomas , Faix Martin
Published: January 2018

Belligerent party being the target of military operations is under obligation to protect civilian population under its control by taking passive precautions and avoid using human shields. Prima facie such obligation is bound to the concept of “military objective”, since non-military objectives are already “immune” from targeting. However, such approach does not take into account the fact that the states have not been able to agree upon unified interpretation of the military objective. It seems counterproductive to limit the obligations to protect civilians only to military objectives. Furthermore, the law does not necessarily support such approach. While the Additional Protocol I speaks of military objectives in the passive precautions, it also includes an overall clause to protect civilians, and the specific references to military objectives should be taken as examples instead of limiting the overall obligations to protect civilians. There is no real reason to tie the obligations to protect civilians to military objectives and allow targeted party into neglecting its duties to protect civilians.
Group Insurance and Reinsurance Business in the Legal Relations with an International Element
Authors: Dobiáš Petr
Published: January 2018

Currently, no internationally unified legal regulation of group insurance contracts and reinsurance contracts is available. As a result, a national legal regulation determined according to conflict-of-law rules is applied to both types of contracts in legal relations with an international element. The differences between national legal regulations could be overcome through the application of optional instruments, namely the Principles of the European Insurance Contract Law and the Principles of Reinsurance Contract Law.
Mandatory mediation in family law issues with domestic violence – limits and experience from USA
Authors: Valentová Lucia
Published: January 2018

Mandatory mediation obliges parties to the dispute to firstly seek out alternative and amicable form of dispute resolution before addressing the court. This could prove suitable in family law disputes where the focus is on maintaining the relationships aft er the dispute is resolved in the best interest of children. However this presumption does not need to apply to all cases. Domestic violence is a phenomenon of family law for centuries. The impact of the abuse between partners is immense. The article focuses on conditions, upon which the mediation could be mandated, what are the key elements of successful mediation and what are the challenges of mandatory mediation in respect of these elements. The article analyzes provisions of acts that regulate mediation in various states of USA with focus on the most controversial regulation in California. At the end it debates the relation of mandatory mediation and right to fair trial.
Criminal Liability of Legal Persons in Case of Computer Crime: A European Union Response
Authors: Klimek Libor
Published: January 2018

The contribution deals with the criminal liability of legal persons in case of computer crime. It is divided into three sections. The first section briefly introduces computer crime and relevant legislation of the European Union in the area of criminal law, which is the basis of that liability. While the second section is focused on provisions of criminal liability of legal persons, the third section is focused on sanctions for legal persons.
Comments on the Representation of Romania in the European Council and on its Consequences for Democratic Accountability
Authors: Banu Constantin Mihai
Published: January 2018

The article approaches issues concerning the representation of Romania in the European Council, question that has received significant attention in recent years. Several decisions handed down by the Constitutional Court of Romania were meant to clear up to a certain degree the division of roles between the President of Romania and the Prime Minister in representation in the European Council meetings, while other matters are still waiting for a clearer answer. These developments occurred with parliamentary debates on what is today the Act no 373 of 18 December 2013 on cooperation between the Parliament and the Government in the field of European affairs. The article aims to asses this case-law of the Constitutional Court in the broader framework of EU affairs.
United States Financial Institution Resolution System as a Possible Inspiration for the European Union
Authors: Kropjok Vít
Published: January 2018

In the current time there are many initiatives that are aimed to protect financial institution clients in the European Union. Current economic and financial crisis has shown that there is a need for common approach in this area. Some proposals have been passed. But there are still some in the bill stage and the deposit guarantee schema is one of them. The aim of the article is therefore to describe briefly and assess the proposed European model. The article also contains comparison with the operating United States model due to the inspiration possibility.
The Re-Codification of the Slovak Civil Procedure Code with a Special Emphasis on Remedial Measures
Authors: Števček Marek , Malá Dominika
Published: January 2018

This analytical paper focuses on the ongoing works on the recodification of the law of civil procedure in Slovakia. Th e paper introduces and presents the most relevant changes to the Slovak Civil Procedure Code and offers the closer examination of the reform of remedial measures included in the re-codification proposal.
The Effort to Achieve Equality with the Help of the Reversal of the Burden of Proof In Anti-Discrimination Litigation
Authors: Forejtová Monika
Published: January 2018

Application of non-discrimination has a fundamental problem inherent in the fact that the prosecutor has only a very limited possibility to prove violations of the prohibition of discrimination, and much less the motives of the discriminating person, and thus the reason for discrimination. In addition, discrimination occurs in the relations, which are characterized by considerable inequalities, when more evidence is on the side of potentially discriminating than on the side of those discriminated. The article offers the analysis and comparison of the US and European approach to the procedural aspects of the anti-discrimination litigation with the special attention given to the special procedural mechanism - the reversal of the burden of proof.
Tax Law: Third Party As Payer of Income from Dependent Activity
Authors: Tepperová Jana , Rytířová Lucie
Published: January 2018

Employment related income paid by a third party (non-employer) has its specific tax treatment. In the Czech Republic, a different approach applies for calculation of personal income tax and obligatory insurance contributions from this income. With the preparation of the Single Collection Point (unifying the collection of personal income tax and obligatory insurance contributions), the question arises whether it is possible to set up unified treatment of this income for all obligatory payments. We provide detailed analyses of this topic from the point of view of the Czech legislation and comparison with selected countries. Further we follow with the discussion of problematic issues in unified treatment for all obligatory payments from this income; such as discrimination and complicated administration. We conclude that even if the national legislation for all obligatory payments from this income would not diff er, there will still be different treatment due to specific international regulations.
Conscientious Objection in the Council of Europe
Authors: Arlettaz Fernando
Published: January 2018

The Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe have been promoting the recognition of conscientious objection, mainly for military service but also in other domains, since the 1960s. However, for more than fifty years the precedents of the European Commission and the European Court of Human Rights repeatedly denied that conscientious objection could be found implicit in article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In 2011 the Court changed its standpoint and energetically affirmed that conscientious objection, at least for military service, is a derivation of freedom of conscience and religion, and that European states are thus bound to incorporate it to their internal legislations.
Organizational Arrangement of an Administrative Authority as a Prerequisite to a due Administration of Competence (Presented on the Council for Radio and Television Broacasting)
Authors: Pouperová Olga
Published: January 2018

Within the structure of public administration there exist administrative authorities with a relatively standardized external and internal organizational arrangement but also administrative authorities which, with regard to their specific competences and other aspects, important during the adoption of the establishing Act by the Parliament, are attributed an exceptional position. In the Czech Republic such case is represented by the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting. The paper focuses on those problematic aspects of the decision-making process of the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting that ensue from its organizational arrangement. A certain specific organizational system of an administrative authority may become a source of shortcomings and cause that a decision of an administrative body will fail the judicial review and eventually bring about additional expenses for both the participating addressees of public administration as well as the public administration itself.
Corruption In Sports Environment
Authors: Coufalová Bronislava , Pinkava Jan
Published: January 2018

In sports environment there is a whole range of different types of wrongful conduct sanctioned not only by disciplinary bodies using specific rules accepted by the executive authorities of sports organizations but also more serious cases that have to be judged in accordance with criminal law. There has been a long debate whether criminal law should intervene into the area of sport, i.e. whether sport and its environment is in itself such an autonomous system that it could deal with all the matters of criminal nature on its own. The area of sport environment involves a whole range of illegal acts, ranging from criminal liability of sportsmen responsible for injuries inflicted upon others in the area of sport, the issues of hooliganism in sporting events, breach of the public peace as far as the issue of match-fixing including the crimes of bribery and illegal betting. Generally speaking, we are of the opinion that there is no good reason why the criminal law should not be allowed to intervene into the area of sport in certain cases. The basic argument to be used is the fact that every social activity must be carried out in accordance with the legal order of the country, the area of sport being no exception. The area of sport or to be more precise the specific types of sports activities are regulated by special internal and statutory rules introducing certain sanctioning mechanisms in the form of disciplinary rules which can be enforced by different disciplinary bodies.
And the best top level domain for European Enterprises is …
Authors: Pelikánová Radka MacGregor
Published: January 2018

The virtualization and dematerialization of private as well as business life, including the conduct of business, are noticeable features of the 21st century. One must bear in mind that e-commerce is the biggest and the fastest growing market in the world.50 It is indispensable to consider the domain as a space on the Internet and the domain name as an Internet code address of a computer knot (IP numeric address) converted through the DNS database placed on special name computer servers into a verbal (literal) form. Such a unique and symbolic name performs many more functions than merely serving as an address and undeniably has a strong significance for successful business conduct. Th us, the choice of a TLD for a domain to be used for entrepreneurial activities truly matters and definitely should be done while considering key factors, including economic, legal, and technical aspects
Accommodation of Western Legislation for Plurality of Beliefs in Family Law
Authors: Combalía Zoila
Published: January 2018

In the last several years, the European societies, that in their majority were fairly uniform as far as race, culture or religion, have been converted into intercultural places where many different visions of the world live together. Together with a factor of exogenous plurality, produced by the increase in immigration, an internal desegregation should also be highlighted in our own societies. In this new environment of diversity, it is without a doubt, difficult for the Law to accommodate all the different ethical, religious or cultural demands of the people. In my paper I study the means of accommodation rooted in our legal tradition such as: the conscientious objection, the agreements of the State with religious groups, mediation and arbitration as a way of accommodation of plurality in the field of Family Law, etc. I conclude by stressing the fact that allowing space for diversity does not mean giving up our own values. Quite the opposite, accommodation comes from our own values: that is, from the respect for freedom and non-discrimination, founded on the dignity of the person.
Exploration of brushing behavior among university students in Iran: a qualitative research
Authors: Ghaffari Mohtasham , Rakhshanderou Sakineh , Ramezankhani Ali , Noroozi Mehdi , Armoon Bahram
Published: January 2018

Background

Currently, it is estimated that 40% of the Iranian population is less than 20 years old, and in the academic year of 2011–2012 about 4 million students of that age were educated. The general assessment of the outcomes of oral health programs and investigating determinants is substantial for developing future plans of oral health. This study was done with the aim of exploring brushing behavior among university students of Iran to specify and understand the important determinants of oral health behavior.

Methods

A qualitative research method was used. This study was conducted between August and November 2016 in Shahid Beheshti University. Maximum variation sampling was used among university attendees and 44 students with more than 2 years of study duration were selected to be included in the research. Semi-structured interviews were employed for data gathering. All of the recorded interviews and notes were accurately evaluated and data analysis was performed based on the content analysis.

Results

As a result of the interview analysis 16 main categories emerged: Religious Beliefs, Perceived Benefits, Perceived Barriers, Habitation, Salience of Behavior, Education, Subjective Norms, Peer Pressure, Observational Learning, Knowledge, Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Outcome Expectation, Skills, Perceived Self-efficacy, and Perceived Behavioral Control. Codes of sub-theme and theme were identified in the study.

Conclusion

This present study provides additional evidence with respect to the religious beliefs and the impact of religious instructions in brushing among students. Salience of brushing behavior has been described as one of the structures in an integrated behavioral model. Despite earlier studies suggesting, that peer pressure only plays a role on children’s brushing behavior, our study showed that peer pressure is effective on adults as well.
Whole blood viscosity and cerebral blood flow velocities in obese hypertensive or obese normotensive adolescents
Authors: Akcaboy Meltem , Nazliel Bijen , Goktas Tayfun , Kula Serdar , Celik Bülent , Buyan Necla
Published: January 2018

Background:

Obesity affects all major organ systems and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Whole blood viscosity is an important independent regulator of cerebral blood flow. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of whole blood viscosity on cerebral artery blood flow velocities using transcranial Doppler ultrasound in pediatric patients with obesity compared to healthy controls and analyze the effect of whole blood viscosity and blood pressure status to the cerebral artery blood flow velocities.

Methods:

Sixty patients with obesity diagnosed according to their body mass index (BMI) percentiles aged 13–18 years old were prospectively enrolled. They were grouped as hypertensive or normotensive according to their ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Whole blood viscosity and middle cerebral artery velocities by transcranial Doppler ultrasound were studied and compared to 20 healthy same aged controls.

Results:

Whole blood viscosity values in hypertensive (0.0619±0.0077 poise) and normotensive (0.0607±0.0071 poise) groups were higher than controls (0.0616±0.0064 poise), with no significance. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocities were higher in the obese hypertensive (73.9±15.0 cm/s) and obese normotensive groups (75.2±13.5 cm/s) than controls (66.4±11.5 cm/s), but with no statistical significance.

Conclusions:

Physiological changes in blood viscosity and changes in blood pressure did not seem to have any direct effect on cerebral blood flow velocities, the reason might be that the cerebral circulation is capable of adaptively modulating itself to changes to maintain a uniform cerebral blood flow.
The utility of body mass index as an indicator for lipid abnormalities in non-fasting children
Authors: Shimodaira Masanori , Hara Masahiro , Nakajima Sadao , Tateishi Tohru , Hisata Toshikazu
Published: January 2018

Background:

Many studies have reported the association between body mass index (BMI) and fasting lipid profiles in children. However, little information exists about the screening of dyslipidemia in the non-fasted state. This study assessed whether BMI can predict non-fasting lipid abnormalities in children.

Methods:

Using gender-separated analysis, 3895 boys and 3866 girls (aged 11–12 years) were investigated. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured, and non-HDL-C (=TC−[HDL-C]) was calculated. A BMI z-score was employed as the weight status. Gender-specific 95th percentiles of TC, TG and non-HDL-C were defined as “elevated”, with the 5th percentiles of HDL-C defined as “reduced”.

Results:

TG and non-HDL-C were positively, and HDL-C was negatively correlated with the BMI z-score in both genders. Both obese (2<BMI z-score) and overweight (1<BMI z-score≤2) were associated with the risks of elevated TG, non-HDL-C and reduced HDL-C. In both genders, a receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that the utility of predicting the above lipid abnormalities was moderate; the areas under the curve ranged from 0.60 to 0.70. The optimal cut-off for the BMI z-score for predicting elevated TG, non-HDL-C and reduced HDL-C were 0.52, 0.55 and 0.51 in boys and 0.34, 0.38 and 0.35 in girls, respectively.

Conclusions:

The BMI could be an indicator of abnormalities of non-fasting TG, non-HDL-C and HDL-C in both genders.
Early fetal megacystis: Is it possible to predict the prognosis in the first trimester?
Authors: Iuculano Ambra , Peddes Cristina , Monni Giovanni
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To evaluate the best management of fetal megacystis diagnosed in the first trimester and define the prognosis and the most appropriate follow-up as early as possible.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study of first-trimester fetal megacystis diagnosed in pregnant women who performed a combined screening for fetal aneuploidy. Megacystis was defined as a longitudinal bladder diameter (LBD) greater than 7 mm. All fetuses were divided into two groups according to the LBD: Group A with LBD > 15 mm and Group B with LBD < 15 mm. The fetal karyotype and associated anomalies were evaluated. Ultrasound monitoring was performed every 2 weeks (a second ultrasound scan after 2 weeks from diagnosis and a third ultrasound scan 2 weeks after the second one).

Results:

Twenty-six cases were identified between 2011 and 2016; three cases of aneuploidy were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 23 cases, 11 were included in Group A and 12 in Group B. All Group A fetuses had an adverse outcome. In Group B: five (41.7%) cases had an adverse outcome and seven (58.3%) had a spontaneous resolution of megacystis. The ultrasound findings of both the ultrasound scans, the second and the third, were 100% concordant.

Conclusion:

An ultrasound scan performed 2 weeks after the megacystis diagnosis can predict the outcome in fetuses with an LBD < 15 mm as early as the end of the first trimester. The outcome of euploid fetuses with an LBD < 15 mm was favorable in 58.3% of the cases.
The need for the application of modern chemical insecticides and environmental consequences of their use: a mini review
Authors: Oberemok Volodymyr V. , Laikova Kateryna V. , Zaitsev Aleksei S. , Temirova Zenure Z. , Gal’chinsky Nikita V. , Nyadar Palmah M. , Shumskykh Maksym N. , Zubarev Ilya V.
Published: January 2018

Currently, the use of insecticides is an acute problem. Due to rapid population growth, the primary task is to increase food production. Beyond abiotic factors (drought, soil salinity, etc.) that reduce crop yields, farmers face problems with insect pests that can decrease crop productivity up to 60%. Also, insects are carriers of severe viral and protozoan human diseases. The need for application of insecticides is not questioned but many of them cause resistance of insect pests to them. This, in turn, leads to the necessity to invent new insecticides that are safe and more effective for long-term use. Preparations based on conservative parts of nucleic acids, particularly contact DNA insecticides, could be used to solve insecticide resistance problem as control agents which are well-tailored to target insect pests. This mini review is devoted to these issues.
Courtroom data and politeness research: A case for neo-Peircean semiotics in interpersonal pragmatics
Authors: Wilson Jack , Price Hazel
Published: January 2018

In this article we take a neo-Peircean semiotic approach to analyzing an interaction in which a routine bail hearing between a defendant and a judge goes awry. Neo-Peircean semiotics is steadily gaining recognition within linguistics for providing a new perspective on meaning. One neo-Peircean approach, referred to asRelationship Thinking(Enfield 2009, 2013), has the potential to be influential for politeness research and linguistic pragmatics generally. In this article, we explore how the concept of relationship can be used to explore meaning on two dimensions:residentialandrepresentational(Kockelman 2006a, 2006b). It is our contention that both of these dimensions are crucial to developing an understanding of what happens in the courtroom data on which this special issue focusses. We begin by providing a detailed overview of neo-Peircean semiotics in order to demonstrate its utility for researchers from different disciplines. We then show how a neo-Peircean analytical approach can illuminate elements of data that may not be accounted for in other analyses. This is as a consequence of the neo-Peircean framework’s scope and its capacity for coping with a range of interactionally significant phenomena, from individual linguistic tokens to institutional norms. In our analysis of the data at the heart of this special issue, the Penelope Soto case, we show that problems can arise when interactants have different understandings of what is asignand what is aninterpretant(Peirce 1955). We make the case that it is a misunderstanding at this level (specifically the interpretations of the word “value”) that is ultimately what causes the interaction to conclude in the way that it does. Ultimately, we suggest that a neo-Peircean approach to the study of in/appropriate behaviour can facilitate links between the traditional (and sometimes disparate) methods of analysis used in politeness research.
Optical and magnetic properties of free-standing silicene, germanene and T-graphene system
Authors: Chowdhury Suman , Bandyopadhyay Arka , Dhar Namrata , Jana Debnarayan
Published: January 2018

The physics of two-dimensional (2D) materials is always intriguing in their own right. For all of these elemental 2D materials, a generic characteristic feature is that all the atoms of the materials are exposed on the surface, and thus tuning the structure and physical properties by surface treatments becomes very easy and straightforward. The discovery of graphene have fostered intensive research interest in the field of graphene like 2D materials such as silicene and germanene (hexagonal network of silicon and germanium, respectively). In contrast to the planar graphene lattice, the silicene and germanene honeycomb lattice is slightly buckled and composed of two vertically displaced sublattices.The magnetic properties were studied by introducing mono- and di-vacancy (DV), as well as by doping phosphorus and aluminium into the pristine silicene. It is observed that there is no magnetism in the mono-vacancy system, while there is large significant magnetic moment present for the DV system. The optical anisotropy of four differently shaped silicene nanodisks has revealed that diamond-shaped (DS) silicene nanodisk possesses highest static dielectric constant having no zero-energy states. The study of optical properties in silicene nanosheet network doped by aluminium (Al), phosphorus (P) and aluminium-phosphorus (Al-P) atoms has revealed that unlike graphene, no new electron energy loss spectra (EELS) peak occurs irrespective of doping type for parallel polarization. Tetragonal graphene (T-graphene) having non-equivalent (two kinds) bonds and non-honeycomb structure shows Dirac-like fermions and high Fermi velocity. The higher stability, large dipole moment along with high-intensity Raman active modes are observed in N-doped T-graphene. All these theoretical results may shed light on device fabrication in nano-optoelectronic technology and material characterization techniques in T-graphene, doped silicene, and germanene.
Partitioning of Cs+ and Na+ ions by dibenzo-18-crown-6 ionophore in biphasic aqueous systems of octanol and ionic liquid
Authors: Biswas Rima , Ghosh Pallab , Banerjee Tamal , Ali Sk. Musharaf
Published: January 2018

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to obtain molecular level insights on the behavior of Cs+/Na+ ions at the water–ionic liquid and water–octanol interface in the presence of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) ionophore with an aim to compare an ionic liquid (IL) to a octanol as receiving organic solvent phase. It was observed that the rate of phase separation for the octanol system was rapid as compared to the IL system. The free crown ethers (CE) were found to be highly solvated by the IL phase. A dual cationic exchange mechanism was observed at the [BMIM]/water interface. The [BMIM]+ cation was found to exchange with both the metal ions in aqueous phase as well as with the metal ion aided by the ionophore. The self-diffusion coefficient of the 1:2 complex (0.07×10−9 m2/s) at the octanol/water interface were found to be smaller than that of 1:1 complex (0.37 and 0.14×10−9 m2/s). It was observed that the surface tension of ILs decreased in the presence of complexes and free CE, whereas the surface tension of water was found to increase in presence of salts (Cs+NO3
− and Na+NO3
−). The experimentally determined value of D
Cs was found to be quite high in IL phase (1.595) compared to the octanol phase (0.139) in presence of CE. The kinetics of Cs+ was found to be very fast having rate with values of

k
1

^

$\widehat {{k_1}}$

=1.79×10−12 s−1 and

k
2

^

$\widehat {{k_2}}$

=0.205×10−12 s−1 in IL and water phase, respectively. The present results may help us in understanding the role of diluents in the assisted metal ion extraction but also in the future design of diluents and ionophore.
Novel pectinase from Piriformospora indica, optimization of growth parameters and enzyme production in submerged culture condition
Authors: Heidarizadeh Mohammad , Fathi Rezaei Parisa , Shahabivand Saleh
Published: January 2018

Background

Pectinases are one of the upcoming enzymes in food processing industries and they hydrolyze pectin substances.

Objectives

This study was done to examine the production of pectinase by Piriformospora indica in submerged fermentation (SmF) along with growth parameters.

Materials and methods

The fungus P. indica was cultured on Kafer medium supplemented with pectin for 0–12 days and fungus growth, number of spores, total protein content, and pectinase activity were investigated.

Results

Firstly, pectinase secretion by P. indica was confirmed by cup-plate assay. The maximum dry cell weight (10.21 g/L), growth yield (0.65 g/g), specific growth rate (0.56 day−1) and pectinase activity (10.47 U/mL) on pectin containing medium (P+) were achieved after 6 day of culture. In the case of pectin free medium (P−) all the parameters were less than P+ medium. The pectinase production by P. indica on P+ was 2.7 times higher than P−. The optimum pH and temperature for maximum polygalacturonase activity were 5 and 50°C, respectively.

Conclusions

For the first time, the work confirmed pectinase secretion by P. indica fungus and it could be a good source for pectinase production. Moreover, optimum pH 5, make it a potential candidate for future application in fruit juice industries.
Einfluss von Windenergieanlagen auf die Entwicklung des Tourismus in Hessen
Authors: Gardt Manuel , Broekel Tom , Gareis Philipp , Litmeyer Marie-Louise
Published: January 2018

Den Ausbau der Windenergie begleitet ein weites Spektrum an negativen Effekten. Neben der Emission von tonalem Schall oder der Gefahr für die Avifauna werden Windenergieanlagen immer häufiger für ihre landschaftsüberprägende Eigenart kritisiert. Diese primär durch die Bauhöhe sowie Rotorbewegung herbeigeführte Tatsache steht in direktem Gegensatz zur naturnahen Landschaftserfahrung, wie sie vorwiegend in den deutschen Mittelgebirgslagen im Rahmen der touristischen Naherholung erlebt wird. Allerdings gibt es bisher wenige Untersuchungen zum potentiellen Einfluss der Windkraftanlagen auf den Tourismus und diese sind zumeist wenig repräsentative Fallstudien. Der vorliegende Artikel schließt diese Lücke mit einer quantitativen empirischen Untersuchung der Beziehung von Windkraftanlagen und regionalem Tourismus in Hessen. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Existenz eines schwachen, aber signifikanten negativen Effekts des Windkraftanlagenausbaus auf den Tourismus.
Charge density studies on methylene blue – a potential anti-Alzheimer agent
Authors: Luger Peter , Dittrich Birger , Benecke Leonard , Sterzel Hannes
Published: January 2018

Motivated by the medical interest in methylene blue as potential anti-Alzheimer agent, the charge densities of three salt structures containing the methylene blue cation with nitrate (as dihydrate), chloride (as pentahydrate) and thiocyanate counter-ions were generated by application of the invariom formalism and examined. The so-obtained charge density distributions were analyzed using the QTAIM formalism to yield bond topological and atomic properties. The atomic charges on the methylene blue cation indicate a delocalized charge distribution; only a small positive charge on the sulfur atom was found. Electrostatic potentials mapped onto iso-surfaces of electron density for the cations, and for the methylene blue cations with anions, were compared. The effect of hydrogen disorder on the molecular electrostatic potential was investigated for the thiocyanate structure.
“A Very Improper Friend”: the Influence of Jowett and Oxford on Frank Russell
Authors: Derham Ruth
Published: January 2018

The life of Frank Russell, the second Earl and Bertrand’s older broth­er, was characterized by conflict as he repeatedly chose to follow paths that defied convention, carved out by and faithful to his own peculiar moral convictions. His conflict with Jowett, Master of Balliol, led to his expulsion from Oxford and changed the course of his life. Using a range of primary sources, this paper questions previously published accounts of the events that took place and reviews the consequences of the actions of those involved, within the social and political context of the time.
Prognostic Implications of Predischarge Assessment of Gait Speed After Hip Fracture Surgery
Authors: Gherardini Sara , Biricolti Claudia , Benvenuti Enrico , Almaviva M. Grazia , Lombardi Monica , Pezzano Paola , Bertini Costanza , Baccini Marco , Di Bari Mauro
Published: January 2018

Background and Purposes:

Hip fracture represents one of the most severe injuries in the older adults. In long-term survivors, disability is common and walking ability may be considered an important predictor of functional recovery. We investigated whether 4-m gait speed, assessed in older persons early after surgical repair of hip fracture, could predict functional recovery and subsequent development of major clinical outcomes.

Methods:

This was a prospective cohort study. We included adults older than 65 years, admitted to a community acute care hospital with hip fracture, undergoing surgical repair. As soon as the participant was able to stand and walk, using walking aids as needed but with no person's help, the 4-m walking speed was tested as the main predictive variable. The outcome variables included the change in the Barthel Index (BI) from prehospital through 1 year postoperative as a continuous variable and 2 dichotomous outcomes, that is, (1) a decrease in BI greater than 5 points in 1 year and (2) a composite endpoint, combining 5+ points BI decline, death, falls, institutionalization, and need for 24-hour home assistance in 1 year.

Results:

Sixty-two participants (mean age = 85 years) were enrolled and evaluated, on average 6 days (standard error of the mean [SEM] = 0.2) after hip fracture surgery. Compared with prefracture (mean = 96.3; SEM = 0.9), BI decreased 1 month after surgery (mean = 76.5; SEM = 2.1) and recovered only partially at 2 (mean = 84.1; SEM = 2.2) and 12 months (mean = 87.2; SEM = 2.8). A predischarge value of the walking speed below the median (20.5 cm/s) predicted a substantial BI reduction throughout the 12 months. Furthermore, the adjusted risk of a decline in functional status was reduced by 5% (odds ratio = 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.997; P = .038) and that of the combined outcome by 7% (odds ratio = 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.99; P = .013) for each centimeter per second of predischarge walking speed.

Discussion and Conclusion:

The 4-m walking speed, measured early after surgical repair of hip fracture, has profound long-term prognostic implications. This assessment approach might prove helpful in clinical decision-making on the postoperative management of older hip fracture persons.
Assessing Asymmetries in Change of Direction Speed Performance: Application of Change of Direction Deficit
Authors: Dos'Santos Thomas , Thomas Christopher , Jones Paul A. , Comfort Paul
Published: January 2018

Dos'Santos, T, Thomas, C, Jones, PA, and Comfort, P. Assessing asymmetries in change of direction speed performance; application of change of direction deficit. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 2953–2961, 2019—The aims of this study were to quantify asymmetries in change of direction (COD) performance using completion time and COD deficit, and determine its influence on asymmetry profiling of COD ability. A secondary aim was to evaluate the relationship between linear speed, 505 time, and COD deficit. Forty-three youth netball athletes (age: 15.4 ± 1.1 years, height: 1.71 ± 0.06 m, and mass: 63.3 ± 6.6 kg) performed the 505 for both left and right limbs and a 10-m sprint test. Asymmetries in 505 completion time and COD deficit were quantified for dominant (D) (faster) and nondominant (ND) (slower) directions. Paired sample t tests revealed significant differences between D and ND directions for 505 time and COD deficit (p < 0.0001, g = −0.53 to −0.60). Substantially greater asymmetries for COD deficit were observed compared with 505 time (p < 0.0001, g = 1.03). Only 2 subjects displayed an asymmetry ≥10% based on 505 times. Conversely, based on COD deficit, 21 subjects demonstrated asymmetries ≥10%. Large significant associations were observed between 505 time and COD deficit (r = 0.500–0.593, p ≤ 0.002). Large significant inverse associations were demonstrated between 10-m sprint time and COD deficit (r = −0.539 to −0.633, p ≤ 0.001), indicating that faster athletes had longer COD deficits. Nine subjects were classified differently for COD ability when comparing standardized scores for 505 time vs. COD deficit. Quantification of asymmetries in COD ability should be based on COD deficits; inspection of 505 times only could lead to misinterpretations of an athlete's COD symmetry and COD ability. Faster youth netball athletes demonstrate longer COD deficits; thus, researchers and practitioners are encouraged to improve their youth netball athletes' ability to rapidly decelerate, change direction, and reaccelerate from 180° turns.
Eye Movement Evidence for Context-Sensitive Derivation of Scalar Inferences
Authors: Politzer-Ahles Stephen , Husband E. Matthew
Published: January 2018

A scalar expression like some can optionally have an enriched interpretation (approximately meaning “some, but not all”) depending on the context in which it appears. Numerous experiments using the self-paced reading method have found evidence that context has an online effect on the interpretation of a scalar term, resulting in faster or slower reading times for a later phrase whose comprehension is dependent on the interpretation of some. The present study used eye movements to isolate the time course of this process. We find evidence that the reading time facilitation observed in previous studies was driven by early reading measures, with little reading time evidence for an immediate inference-based processing cost at the scalar expression itself, consistent with previous studies. Our results suggest that comprehenders can rapidly commit to enriched interpretations online without cost and that these enriched interpretations are then used to guide the processing of upcoming sentence material.
Relative abundance of Bacillus spp., surfactant-associated bacterium present in a natural sea slick observed by satellite SAR imagery over the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Howe Kathryn Lynn , Dean Cayla Whitney , Kluge John , Soloviev Alexander Victor , Tartar Aurelien , Shivji Mahmood , Lehner Susanne , Perrie William
Published: January 2018

The damping of short gravity-capillary waves (Bragg waves) due to surfactant accumulation under low wind speed conditions results in the formation of natural sea slicks. These slicks are detectable visually and in synthetic aperture radar satellite imagery. Surfactants are produced by natural life processes of many marine organisms, including bacteria, phytoplankton, seaweed, and zooplankton. In this work, samples were collected in the Gulf of Mexico during a research cruise on the R/V F.G. Walton Smith to evaluate the relative abundance of Bacillus spp., surfactant-associated bacteria, in the sea surface microlayer compared to the subsurface water at 0.2 m depth. A method to reduce potential contamination of microlayer samples during their collection on polycarbonate filters was implemented and advanced, including increasing the number of successive samples per location and changing sample storage procedures. By using DNA analysis (real-time polymerase chain reaction) to target Bacillus spp., we found that in the slick areas, these surfactant-associated bacteria tended to reside mostly in subsurface waters, lending support to the concept that the surfactants they may produce move to the surface where they accumulate under calm conditions and enrich the sea surface microlayer.
Local knowledge system in music education culture at indigenous community Kampung Naga Tasikmalaya Regency
Authors: Gunara Sandie
Published: January 2018

This study aims to investigate the teaching culture in the indigenous community. This study explores the local knowledge system in the practice of music teaching in an indigenous community of Kampung Naga, Tasikmalaya regency. This is an ethnographic research to give a detailed analysis on each case and to understand the phenomena from the point of view of the doers. This study documents the local knowledge system in music teaching culture in Kampung Naga, including nu dirampa (tried, explored), nu dirasa (perceived, contemplated), and nu nyata (used, applied). Hopefully, these findings can be the foundation of education, conservation, and innovation, and also as skills to improve the society’s welfare, not only Kampung Naga society, but also other societies, especially in the context of education at school. 