bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sources of Stress in Teaching Physical Education in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis
Authors: Bonney Albert Kofi , Stephen Sorkpor Richmond , Forson Emily Araba
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to conduct quantitative descriptive survey to find out sources of stress regarding the teaching of the subject Physical Education in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Data was collected from 30 respondents who are Physical Education teachers from 10 second cycle schools. Questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. It was found out that sources of stress in the teaching of Physical Education in Senior High Schools in Cape Coast include workload, role ambiguity, lack and insufficient equipment and facilities. The study recommended that periodic workshops on sources of stress are organized for second cycle Physical Education teachers
Pregnancy outcomes following botulinum toxin type A exposure: A systematic review
Authors: Abdelkader Noha , Arslan Elif Keskin , Coskun Hilal Erol- , Küçüksolak Gözde , Kaplan Yusuf Cem
Published: June 2018

Objective: To evaluate the available human data to-date in order to assess whether the prenatal exposure to botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is associated with major congenital malformations and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and Reprotox in November  2017. Cohort and case-control studies, case series, case reports were the primary data of interest.

Results: No controlled studies but case series and case reports of therapeutic BTX-A administration during pregnancy were identified. Case reports regarding pregnant women with botulism were also reviewed.

Conclusions: Limited data suggests that BTX-A exposure for therapeutic indications during pregnancy does not seem to be associated with an increase in risk of major congenital malformations. Rates of fetal loss were substantially different between prospective and retrospective data. Controlled epidemiological studies are needed to refute or support our findings.
P Patron- Client Relation of Bajo Society in Local Leaders Election 2015: A Study in Marobo Village of Muna District
Authors: . Bahtiar , Sifatu Wa Ode
Published: June 2018

Fokus artikel ini adalah untuk menggambarkan bagaimana hubungan patron-klien dalam masyarakat Bajo dan apa kekuatan pelindung yang mempengaruhi masyarakat Bajo dalam pemilihan umum pemimpin lokal. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode studi kasus pada masyarakat Bajo di Desa Marobo pada saat pemilihan pemimpin lokal Kabupaten Muna 2015. Teknik datanya adalah melalui observasi dan wawancara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hubungan masyarakat Bajo di Desa Marobo adalah patron-client. Masyarakat Bajo memiliki hubungan dengan pemimpin formal (tokoh kepala desa dan kepala desa / Bajo) serta pemimpin non-formal (orang kaya) sebagai patron mereka. Sikap politik Bajo sangat ditentukan oleh sikap politik patron. Orang-orang Bajo dalam menentukan sikap politik mereka sangat mempertimbangkan untuk manfaat jangka panjang bagi kehidupan mereka, bukan minat sesaat. Sikap politik orang Bajo tidak hanya dicapai dengan mengandalkan kekuatan politik uang. Pemilihan patron yang tepat akan menentukan pemilihan pasangan calon dalam masyarakat Bajo. Pembina yang memiliki hubungan terstruktur formal dan informal dan hubungan yang intens dengan masyarakat Bajo lebih berpengaruh kepada pelanggan yang hanya bergantung pada faktor kekerabatan, kekerasan dan sementara.                                                                                                                                                                                        

 Kata Kunci: Hubungan Patron-Klien, Pemilihan Umum Pemimpin Lokal, Bajo, Marobo
Travelling Wave Solutions of the Perturbed Wadati-Segur-Ablowitz Equation by (G'/G)-Expansion Method
Authors: Kangalgil Figen
Published: June 2018

The investigation of the exact solutions of NLPDEs plays an im-

portant role for the understanding of most nonlinear physical phenomena.

Also, the exact solutions of this equations aid the numerical solvers to assess

the correctness of their results. In this paper, (G'/G)-expansion method is pre-

sented to construct exact solutions of the Perturbed Wadati-Segur-Ablowitz

equation. Obtained the exact solutions are expressed by the hyperbolic, the

trigonometric and the rational functions. All calculations have been made with

the aid of Maple program. It is shown that the proposed algorithm is elemen-

tary, e¤ective and has been used for many PDEs in mathematical physics.
Medioambiente y salud. Pilares en asignaturas optativas de la carrera de Contabilidad y Finanzas. Cuba
Authors: Cañizares Roig Marlene , Suárez Jiménez Alina
Published: June 2018

El desarrollo económico y sus constantes trasformaciones implican nuevos retos para la enseñanza contable, tanto desde la disciplina como desde el entorno social, de manera que se puedan dar respuestas a los complejos cambios planteados. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo evidenciar la formación curricular con el diseño de las asignaturas optativas que tributan a la enseñanza de la contabilidad de gestión en la carrera de Contabilidad y Finanzas. Se presenta el diseño de los programas de las asignaturas optativas, con sus respectivas particularidades y se ejemplifica con casos de estudios resultado de investigaciones en servicios de alto impacto social. Dentro de las principales conclusiones se destaca la necesidad de unión preliminar entre docencia e investigación, que enriquece el escenario docente de la contabilidad con un nuevo paradigma que incluye no solamente los aspectos económicos, sino, también, los sociales y ambientales.
De Barones y Barrigones: el periplo de las esculturas de Concepción, Escuintla
Authors: Chinchilla Mazariegos Oswaldo , Fauvet-Berthelot Marie-France
Published: June 2018

Resumen: Las esculturas monumentales conocidas como “barrigones” forman un género distintivo en el arte prehispánico del sur del área maya. En este artículo se explora la procedencia e historia de tres barrigones que se encuentran en museos de Alemania y Francia, y fueron extraídos de la finca Concepción, Escuintla, Guatemala, en el siglo XIX. Por medio del estudio de documentos inéditos, se demuestra que provienen del mismo sitio arqueológico y se corrigen los errores de trabajos anteriores, que los atribuyeron a otros sitios e incluso a otras regiones. Se resumen las actuaciones y motivaciones de tres individuos (un terrateniente, un diplomático y un arqueólogo) que participaron en esa apropiación, que ilustran los procesos económicos, políticos e intelectuales que determinaron la suerte de las esculturas. Estas conclusiones permiten entender mejor la distribución geográfica de los barrigones y forman un aporte a la historia de la arqueología en Guatemala.
Recomendações e Consensos do Grupo de Estudos de Esclerose Múltipla e da Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurorradiologia sobre Ressonância Magnética na Esclerose Múltipla na Prática Clínica: Parte 1
Authors: Abreu Pedro , Pedrosa Rui , Sá Maria José , Cerqueira João , Sousa Lívia , Da Silva Ana Martins , Pinheiro Joaquim , De Sá João , Batista Sónia , Simões Rita Moiron , Pereira Daniela Jardim , Vilela Pedro , Vale José
Published: June 2018

Introdução: A esclerose múltipla caracteriza-se pela presença de lesões inflamatórias a nível do encéfalo e medula espinhal. A ressonância magnética é atualmente um exame indispensável no diagnóstico, na avaliação da atividade da doença e na resposta ao tratamento. Embora na nossa prática as vantagens da ressonância magnética estejam bem estabelecidas, continuam a existir dificuldades técnicas (uso de sequências e protocolos não padronizados) e clínicas (frequência de exames não adequada) que podem dificultar o diagnóstico e o seguimento dos doentes. Neste contexto, o Grupo de Estudos de Esclerose Múltipla e a Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurorradiologia, após discussão conjunta, designaram um comité de peritos para a criação de recomendações adaptadas à realidade nacional sobre a utilização da ressonância magnética na esclerose múltipla. O objetivo deste documento é publicar as primeiras recomendações de consenso portuguesas sobre a utilização da ressonância magnética na esclerose múltiplana prática clínica.Material e Métodos: O Grupo de Estudos de Esclerose Múltipla e a Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurorradiologia, após discussão do tema em reuniões de âmbito nacional e de uma reunião do grupo de trabalho que teve lugar na Figueira da Foz em maio de 2017, designaram um comité de peritos que elaboraram por método de consenso vários protocolos padronizados sobre o uso da ressonância magnética no diagnóstico e seguimento da esclerose múltipla. O documento teve como base a melhor evidência científica e a opinião dos peritos. Posteriormente, o documento foi enviado para escrutínio à maioria dos responsáveis de consulta de esclerose múltipla e dos departamentos de neurorradiologia; os comentários e sugestões foram considerados. Os protocolos técnicos referentes à aquisição de imagem e a informação que deverá constar no relatório destes exames serão publicados numa publicação separada.Resultados: Neste artigo são propostas várias orientações práticas para promover estratégias padronizadas para serem aplicadas na prática clínica dos profissionais de saúde portugueses no que se refere ao uso da ressonância magnética na esclerose múltipla.Conclusão: Os autores esperam que estas primeiras orientações portuguesas, sobre a utilização da ressonância magnética na esclerose múltipla na prática clínica, baseadas nas melhores evidências e práticas clínicas disponíveis, sirvam para otimizar a gestão da esclerose múltipla e melhorar o tratamento destes doentes em Portugal.
Carta ao Editor: Traquelectomia Vaginal Radical - Experiência de Nove Anos do IPO de Coimbra
Authors: Neves Fabiane , Aldinhas Paulo , Sousa Rita , Sá Luis
Published: June 2018

N/A.
Analysis of the Cochrane Review: Cortisteroid Implants for Chronic Non-Infectious Uveitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2:CD010469
Authors: Leal Inês , Sousa David Cordeiro , Costa João , Vaz-Carneiro António
Published: June 2018

Non-infectious uveitis is a heterogeneous collection of inflammatory eye diseases and is one of the most important causes of blindness among active adults in developed countries. Inflammation control is crucial in the prevention of ocular structural and functional damage. Regarding acute inflammatory control, corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Several types of intra-ocular corticosteroids have been used with the aim of enhanced efficacy compared to their topical or peri-ocular administration, while minimizing its adverse effects associated with the systemic administration. The purpose of this Cochrane review was to synthetize the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid implants in comparison with standard treatment. Due to the heterogeneity in the design of the studies and outcome measures assessed, authors could not conclude that implants are superior to traditional systemic therapy in Non-infectious uveitis. The safety analysis suggested increased risks of post-implant surgery for cataract and high intraocular pressure compared with standard-of-care therapy.
Rewards and Challenges of Research in a Surgical Career
Authors: Alexandrino Henrique
Published: June 2018

N/A.
Aphasia Rapid Test: Estudos de Tradução, Adaptação e Validação para a População Portuguesa
Authors: Tábuas-Pereira Miguel , Freitas Sandra , Beato-Coelho José , Ribeiro Joana , Parra Joana , Martins Cristina , Silva Miguel , Matos Maria Assunção , Nogueira Ana Rita , Silva Fernando , Sargento-Freitas João , Cordeiro Gustavo , Cunha Luís , Santana Isabel
Published: June 2018

Introdução: As baterias clássicas de caracterização de afasia são demasiado longas para serem utilizadas no contexto do acidente vascular cerebral agudo ou como ferramenta de monitorização. O Aphasia Rapid Test é uma escala de 26 pontos desenvolvida como teste de cabeceira para avaliar a gravidade da afasia num doente com acidente vascular cerebral em menos de três minutos. O objetivo do estudo é adaptar e validar a escala para o português europeu.Material e Métodos: Foram avaliados 56 doentes com acidente vascular cerebral no primeiro e sétimo dia pós-acidente vascular cerebral. Ao sétimo dia, foram avaliados por dois avaliadores independentes para avaliar o acordo interavaliadores. Para estudar a validade concorrente, a 20 doentes foi aplicada também a Bateria de Avaliação de Afasias de Lisboa. A capacidade preditiva do Aphasia Rapid Test foi avaliada aos seis meses, através do valor da subescala de afasia do National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale.Resultados: A tradução para o português europeu baseou-se nas versões francesa e inglesa, respeitando a frequência de utilização das palavras. O α de Cronbach foi de 0,796. O coeficiente de concordância entre examinadores foi excelente (0,985). A correlação entre o Aphasia Rapid Test e a Bateria de Avaliação de Afasias de Lisboa é forte (r = -0,958, p < 0,001). Os gráficos de Bland-Altman corroboram as boas concordâncias interavaliadores e validade concorrente. O Aphasia Rapid Test no primeiro dia é preditor independente do resultado a longo prazo.Discussão: Este estudo apresenta resultados confiáveis para o português europeu, com valores de consistência interna, concordância interavaliadores e validade concorrente adequados.Conclusão: O Aphasia Rapid Test é um bom instrumento para avaliação e monitorização da afasia em doentes com acidente vascular cerebral.
Corpo Peritoneal Livre Gigante: Caso Clínico e Revisão da Literatura
Authors: Oom Rodrigo , Cunha Cátia , Guedes Vítor Moura , Féria Luís Palma , Maio Rui
Published: June 2018

Os corpos peritoneais livres são habitualmente diagnosticados de forma incidental. Apenas alguns casos estão documentados na literatura. A sua fisiopatologia não é totalmente conhecida, estando eventualmente relacionada com a torção e separação dos apêndices epiplóicos. É descrito o caso de um homem com 64 anos de idade, com uma lesão sólida esférica de 6 cm de diâmetro na cavidade pélvica, identificada incidentalmente por tomografia computorizada. Foi realizada laparotomia exploradora, identificando-se uma lesão livre, de morfologia ovoide e esbranquiçada. O exame histológico mostrou uma massa de esteatonecrose calcificada e capsulada. Foi feita uma revisão dos casos de corpos peritoneais livres gigantes descritos na literatura. A excisão cirúrgica é recomendada quando o diagnóstico é duvidoso ou quando as lesões são sintomáticas. Os médicos devem ter conhecimento desta entidade, para poderem estabelecer um diagnóstico e plano de tratamento corretos.
Model for Gestational Diabetes on Web Based Parameters
Authors: Sandhya  , Kumar Deepak
Published: June 2018

Background: For the study of gestational diabetes mellitus one of the types of diabetes mellitus a refined model is developed by considering different parameters which plays an important role in the field of gestational diabetes mellitus. Motherhood and a journey of having a child is a blessing of God and a significant occasion for every woman. This disease is associated with the pregnant women and now a day either its global or Indian scenario it is increasing and becoming a risk for women as well for fetus. It sometimes does not go with pregnancy but its effects can be seen afterwards. Many patents have been granted and filed in past two decades related to gestational diabetes mellitus.

Method: A differential equations based model of different parameters are taken into account for gestational diabetes i.e. glucose concentration, insulin concentration, placental volume, beta-cell mass and haemoglobin alc. Further in this work the stability of model is discussed by routh-hurwitz stability criterion.

Results: Different parameters are taken into account for gestational diabetes i.e. glucose concentration, insulin concentration, placental volume, beta-cell mass and haemoglobin alc. Further in this chapter the stability of model is discussed by routh-hurwitz stability criterion. MATlab simulation is used for graphical representation.

Conclusion: In this work, different parameters associated with diabetes mellitus has been taken into consideration for the mathematical model which shows the effects on glucose level and thus helpful in understanding the role of these parameters in the diabetes. In future by understanding the role of these parameters necessary action can be taken as precautions to avoid/treat gestational diabetes mellitus.
Assessment of the Impact of Dynamic Line Rating on Reliability Indices of Level I Systems
Authors: Zambrano Pinto Alvaro A. , Garcia Javier Rosero
Published: June 2018

Background:

This paper evaluates the impact of implementing dynamic line rating on the
reliability indices of an electric power system.

Methods:

In order to obtain this goal, the implementation process of a dynamic rating model that
considers the required variables for its functioning is built. A validation of the model is performed based
on the measurements of an ASCR conductor in laboratory.

Results:

Subsequently, a reliability analysis that includes the use of the dynamic rating is structured and
the impact on the reliability indices of dynamic rating within the electrical system is verified.

Conclusion:

In this way, it was possible to observe that considering dynamic rating on the transmission
lines represents a positive impact on the reliability indices within the electric power system and allows
the optimization of the use of existing infrastructure.
Editorial
Authors: Moreira Maria Alfredo , Casa-Nova Maria José , Oliveira Lia Raquel
Published: June 2018

.
Assessment of Temporary Medical Clinics During the Arbaeenia Mass Gathering at Al-Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq, in 2014: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lami Faris , Ali Ali Abdalkader , Fathullah Kareem , Abdullatif Hana
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

During mass gatherings, public health services and other medical services should be planned to protect attendees and people living around the venue to minimize the risk of disease transmission. These services are essential components of adequate planning for mass gatherings. The Arbaeenia mass gathering signifies the remembrance of the death of Imam Hussain, celebrated by Shiite Muslims, and takes place in Karbala, which is a city in southern Iraq. This annual mass gathering is attended by millions of people from within and outside Iraq.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to map the availability of medical supplies, equipment, and instruments and the health workforce at the temporary clinics located in Al-Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq, in 2014.

METHODS

This assessment was conducted on the temporary clinics that served the masses walking from Baghdad to Karbala. These clinics were set up by governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and some faith-based civil society organizations, locally known as mawakib. We developed a checklist to collect information on clinic location, affiliation, availability of safe water and electricity, health personnel, availability of basic medical equipment and instruments, drugs and other supplies, and average daily number of patients seen by the clinic.

RESULTS

A total of 30 temporary clinics were assessed: 18 clinics were set up by the Ministry of Health of Iraq and 12 by other governmental organizations and NGOs. The clinics were staffed by a total of 44 health care workers. The health workers served 16,205 persons per day, an average of 540 persons per clinic, and 368 persons per health care worker per day. The majority of clinics (63% [19/30]-100% [30/30]) had basic medical diagnostic equipment. Almost all clinics had symptom relief medications (87% [26/30]-100% [30/30]). Drugs for diabetes and hypertension were available in almost half of the clinics. The majority of clinics had personal hygiene supplies and environmental sanitation detergents (78%-90%), and approximately half of the clinics had medical waste disposal supplies. Instruments for cleansing and dressing wounds and injuries were available in almost all clinics (97%), but only 4 clinics had surgical sterilization instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

Although temporary clinics were relatively equipped with basic medical supplies, equipment, and instruments for personal medical services, the health workforce was insufficient, given the number of individuals seeking care, and only limited public health service, personal infection control, and supplies were available at the clinics.
Assessment of Temporary Community-Based Health Care Facilities During Arbaeenia Mass Gathering at Karbala, Iraq: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lami Faris , Hameed Inam , Arbaji Ali
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Arbaeenia mass gathering (MG) in Karbala, Iraq, is becoming one of the largest MGs in the world. The health care infrastructure in Iraq is inadequately prepared to serve the health needs of the millions of pilgrims.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the temporary health care facilities installed and run by the local community to provide health care services to Arbaeenia pilgrims in Karbala, Iraq.

METHODS

A survey was conducted in all community-based health care facilities located along part of Najaf to Karbala road within Karbala governorate. A structured questionnaire was answered through an interview with the workers and direct observation. Data were collected on staff profile, type of services provided, use of basic infection control measures, medical equipment, drugs and supplies, and the most commonly encountered medical problems.

RESULTS

The total number of health care facilities was 120, staffed by 659 workers. Only 18 (15.0%, 18/120) facilities were licensed, and 44.1% (53/120) of the workers were health professionals. The health care workers provided different services including dispensing drugs (370/1692, 21.87%), measuring blood pressure and blood sugar (350/1692, 20.69%), and caring for wounds and injuries (319/1692, 18.85%). Around 97% (116/120) health facilities provided services for musculoskeletal disorders and only 16.7% (20/120) provided services for injuries. The drugs available in the clinic were analgesics, drugs for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, and antibiotics, with an availability range of 13.3% to 100.0%. Infection control practices for individual protection, environmental sanitation, and medical waste disposal were available in a range of 18.1% to 100.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Community-based health care facilities experienced a profound shortage of trained human resources and medical supplies. They can significantly contribute to health services if they are adequately equipped and follow standardized operation procedures.
Syndromic Surveillance of Communicable Diseases in Mobile Clinics During the Arbaeenia Mass Gathering in Wassit Governorate, Iraq, in 2014: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lami Faris , Asi Wejdan , Khistawi Adnan , Jawad Iman
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Arbaeenia is the largest religious mass gathering organized annually in Karbala city, Iraq, and is attended by 8-14 million people. Outbreaks of communicable diseases are a significant risk due to overcrowding and potential food and water contamination. Syndromic surveillance is often used for rapid detection and response to disease outbreaks.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to identify the main communicable diseases syndromes among pilgrims during the Arbaeenia mass gathering in Wassit governorate, Iraq, in 2014.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the 40 mobile clinics established within Wassit governorates along the road to Karbala during the Arbaeenia mass gathering. Six communicable disease syndromes were selected: acute watery diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever and cough, vomiting with or without diarrhea, fever and bleeding tendency, and fever and rash. A simple questionnaire was used to directly gather basic demographics and the syndromic diagnosis from the attendees.

RESULTS

A total of 87,865 patients attended the clinics during the 10-day period, with an average of 219 patients/clinic/day. Approximately 5% (3999) of the attendees had communicable diseases syndromes: of these, 1693 (42%) had fever and cough, 1144 (29%) had acute diarrhea, 1062 (27%) presented with vomiting with/without diarrhea, and 100 (2%) had bloody diarrhea. The distribution of the syndromes did not vary by age or gender. Stool specimen cultures for Vibrio cholerae performed for 120 patients with acute diarrhea were all negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Syndromic surveillance was useful in determining the main communicable diseases encountered during the mass gathering. Expansion of this surveillance to other governorates and the use of mobile technology can help in timely detection and response to communicable disease outbreaks.
Exploring Australian Hajj Tour Operators’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Pilgrims’ Health Risks: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Alqahtani Amani S , Tashani Mohamed , Heywood Anita E , Booy Robert , Rashid Harunor , Wiley Kerrie E
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Travel agents are known to be one of the main sources of health information for pilgrims, and their advice is associated with positive health behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate travel agents’ health knowledge, what health advice they provide to the pilgrims, and their sources of health information.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted among specialist Hajj travel agents in Sydney, Australia. Thematic analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

Of the 13 accredited Hajj travel agents, 9 (69%) were interviewed. A high level of awareness regarding gastrointestinal infections, standard hygiene methods, and the risk of injury was noted among the participants and was included in advice provided to pilgrims. However, very limited knowledge and provision of advice about the risk of respiratory infections was identified. Knowledge of the compulsory meningococcal vaccine was high, and all participated travel agents reported influenza vaccine (a recommended vaccine) as a second “compulsory” vaccine for Hajj visas. Conversely, participants reported very limited knowledge about other recommended vaccines for Hajj. The Ministry of Hajj website and personal Hajj experience were the main sources of information.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies a potential path for novel health promotion strategies to improve health knowledge among Hajj travel agents and subsequently among Hajj pilgrims.
Influence of Chemical Treatments Sequence on Morphology and Crystallinity of Sorghum Fibers
Authors: Ismojo Ismojo , Ammar Abdul Aziz , Ramahdita Ghiska , Zulfia Anne , Chalid Mochamad
Published: June 2018

Micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) derived from natural fibre is continuously gaining interest to produce an environmentally-friendly material, due to economic and ecological reasons. In consequence, sorghum is one of the most-cultivated crops that usually remain the waste as by product of bioethanol production. Indeed, it will be a promising area to utilize sorghum waste to produce MFC for enhancing polymer performance, especially in terms of crystallinity. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a sequence of chemical modification was applied to sorghum fibres, i.e. alkalization using 4% sodium hydroxide followed by bleaching using 1.7% sodium chlorite plus acetic acid as a buffer. The treatment was purposed to unbundle the lignocellulose networks into microfibrils cellulose with less amorphous part and lower hydrophilic properties. Evaluation of the chemical treatments effect on internal microstructure, crystallinity index and chemical composition of sorghum fibre was measured via Field-Emission Scanning Electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transformation Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The experiments show that treatments led to a removal of binding materials, such as amorphous parts hemicellulose and lignin, from the sorghum fibres, resulting MFC of sorghum fibres and enhanced crystallinity index from 41.12 % to 75.73%.
Cadmium(II) Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Microporous Eggshell: Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies
Authors: Zadeh Behzad Shamsi , Esmaeili Hossein , Foroutan Rauf
Published: June 2018

Heavy metals are soluble in the environment and can be dangerous for many species. So, removal of heavy metals from the water and wastewater is an important process. In this study, an adsorbent made of eggshell powder was employed to remove cadmium ions from aqueous solution. A number of parameters were studied including pH of the aqueous solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time, the initial concentration of cadmium ion and mixing rate. The best efficiency for the removal of Cd(II) was obtained 96% using this adsorbent. The optimal parameters were ambient temperature of 30 °C, mixing rate of 200 rpm, pH of 9, an adsorbent dosage of 5 g/L and initial concentration of cadmium was 200 ppm. In order to study the kinetics of adsorbent, the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and intra-particle diffusion model were applied. According to the pre-determined correlation coefficients (R2), the pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed a better correlation between the kinetic behaviors of the adsorbent. Furthermore, to study the equilibrium behavior of adsorbent, Langmuir and Freundlich models used and both models showed high efficiency in isotherm behavior of the adsorbent. So, this adsorbent can be used as a natural and cheap adsorbent.
Fixed-Bed Column Studies for the Removal of Congo Red Using Simmondsia chinesis (Jojoba) and Coated with Chitosan
Authors: Attia Amina Abdel Meguid , Shouman Mona Abdel Hamid , Khedr Soheir Abdel Atty , Hassan Nevin Ahmed
Published: June 2018

The goal of this article describes the potential of utilizing jojoba leaves and also modified with chitosan as an efficient adsorption materials for Congo red dye removal in a fixed-bed column. Inlet dye concentration, feed flow rate and bed height had a great influence on determining the breakthrough curves. The percentage dye removal was found to be approximately 69% of coated jojoba leaves with flow rate 3 mL/min, initial concentration 50 mg/L and 4 cm bed height. The dye uptake capacity at equilibrium (qe) for coated jojoba leaves showed higher values than that found for jojoba leaves. On this basis, this implies that the amino groups played an important role during the adsorption process. Breakthrough curves were satisfactorily in good agreement with both Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models based on the values of correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 96).This study serves as a good fundamental aspect of wastewater purification on jojoba leaves as a novel adsorbent for the uptake of Congo red dyes from aqueous solution in a column system.
EFFECT OF METFORMIN AND SIMVASTATIN IN DIAZEPAM-AND SODIUM NITRITE-INDUCED ANTEROGRADE AMNESIA IN MALE SWISS ALBINO MICE
Authors: Torgal S. S. , C. H. Sugato
Published: June 2018

Objective: To study the effect of metformin and simvastatin on diazepam-and sodium nitrite-induced anterograde amnesia in male Swiss albino mice.Methods: A total of 56 healthy male Swiss albino mice weighing 20–30 g were included in the study Mice were divided into seven groups (n=8) and received a specific dosage of drugs including metformin and simvastatin. Anterograde amnesia was induced by diazepam and sodium nitrite. Morris water maze paradigm was used to study amnesia in which the mice were trained to locate a hidden platform by releasing them into the opaque water for four times a day for four consecutive days. The acquisition of this task was evaluated by measuring escape latency time on all the days of study and by measuring the index of retrieval on day 5 of the study. These observations were compared among the test groups and drug-induced amnesia groups. The time was expressed as mean±standard error of the mean.Results: Significant reduction in the mean escape latency time (25.25 ± 5.09 s) and index of retrieval (52.38 ± 3.55 s) was observed in groups administered with sodium nitrite and metformin (p<0.001). In groups administered with sodium nitrite and simvastatin, the mean escape latency time and index of retrieval were 47.66 ± 7.69 s and 40.75 ± 4.13 s, respectively (p<0.05)). In addition, metformin completely ameliorated sodium nitrite-induced anterograde amnesia.Conclusion: Metformin and simvastatin ameliorated sodium nitrite-induced anterograde amnesia pointing toward a possible antioxidant role and can, therefore, be used to potentially inhibit oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. However, the pleiotropic roles of metformin and simvastatin are the areas that warrant further investigation before their clinical use.
EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF MAGNOLOL IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Subramaniyan Subasri , Dyavaiah Madhu
Published: June 2018

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant activity of magnolol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) model.Methods: Antioxidant activity of magnolol was demonstrated in S. cerevisiae using spot assay, colony forming unit (CFU) assay, detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fluorescent microscopy and spectrofluorometer, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and catalase (CAT) assay.Results: A dose-dependent increase in sensitivity of S. cerevisiae was observed with increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration. At 1.5 mmol concentration of H2O2, we observed 50 % of cell survivability in CFU and spot assay results. The sensitivity of S. cerevisiae to H2O2 was protected by magnolol treatment. In spot assay, magnolol pre-treatment showed the similar growth pattern as that of control and in CFU assay 75 % of survivability was observed. Fluorescence microscopic images and fluorescence intensity levels using 2´, 7´-dichlorodihydrofluoresceindiacetate (H2DCFDA) showed less number of fluorescence cells and 1.2 fold decrease in fluorescence intensity in magnolol pre-treated cells. The cellular protection in the cells pre–treated with magnolol followed by H2O2 was correlated with the decreased LPO and increase in CAT activity was recorded.Conclusion: The result of the present study demonstrates that magnolol protects S. cerevisiae cells from H2O2 induced oxidant mediated cell death.
OMC, APEC y TLCAN: Multilateralismo y Proteccionismo
Authors: Girón Alicia
Published: June 2018

Las reuniones de la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC), el Foro de
Cooperación Económica Asia-Pacífico (APEC) y el diálogo a través del Tratado
de Libre Comercio de América del Norte (TLCAN) fueron tres de los eventos
sobre multilateralismo más importantes que se realizaron en 2017, y dentro de
los cuales se puso a discusión el desarrollo económico en escala global, donde
hay ganadores y perdedores. Los encuentros se efectuaron a un año de distancia
de una nueva gestión política y económica del gobierno de los Estados
Unidos encabezada por el presidente Donald Trump.
Gestión de Pemex como Empresa Productiva del Estado
Authors: Tacuba Angélica , Chávez Luis Augusto
Published: June 2018

A tres años de la reforma energética de 2014, se realiza el presente estudio exploratorio del desempeño de Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) como Empresa Productiva del Estado (EPE). El análisis consta de dos partes: en la primera se hace una revisión de los supuestos de la reforma, del diagnóstico realizado al sector hidrocarburos y de las soluciones e instrumentos puestos en marcha a partir de los cambios legales y del nuevo modelo operativo de Pemex. Mientras que, en la segunda, se realiza una valoración de los avances o las contradicciones en la gestión de Pemex epe, con relación a las premisas originales de la reforma. Los hallazgos ubican importantes pendientes en el área de Gobierno Corporativo, régimen fiscal y asociaciones y contratos en los sectores de petróleo y petrolíferos.
Tingkat Pengetahuan Tentang Rokok dan Kawasan Tanpa Rokok Mahasiswa yang Merokok di Kampus
Authors: Putra Dwi Masu , Widarsa I Ketut Tangking
Published: June 2018

Abstrak

Pemerintah Daerah Provinsi Bali telah menetapkan Peraturan Daerah tentang Kawasan Tanpa Rokok (KTR) di Bali dan kampus ditetapkan sebagai salah satu KTR termasuk kampus Universitas Warmadewa (Unwar), akan tetapi masih banyak mahasiswa merokok pada KTR di kampus. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengetahuan mahasiswa yang merokok pada KTR terhadap rokok dan KTR. Wawancara dilakukan terhadap 95 mahasiswa yang biasa merokok pada KTR di kampus Unwar yang dipilih dengan cara snow ball sampling. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa sebanyak 89,5% sampel adalah laki-laki, 84,2% tergolong perokok ringan-sedang, dan mereka merokok karena faktor lingkungan. Selain itu, sekitar 12,6% sampel memiliki pengetahuan baik tentang rokok, bahaya rokok, dan KTR. Jadi dapat disimpulkan bahwa kebanyakan mahasiswa yang merokok pada KTR di kampus memiliki pemahaman yang kurang tehadap rokok, bahaya rokok, dan KTR yang menyebabkan mereka tidak peduli terhadap KTR sehingga mereka bebas dan tanpa beban merokok pada KTR di kampus. Sosialisasi tentang rokok dan KTR perlu ditingkatkan khusunya kepada mahasiwa perokok. Selain itu, perlu diperbanyak jumlah ruangan tempat merokok di kampus yang mudah diakses oleh perokok.

Abstract

[Knowledge of at-Campus-Smoker Students about Cigarett and No-Smoking Areas]

The Bali provincial government has enacted a regulation of smoke-free areas in Bali, and campus is one the public place with the restriction. However, there are many college students who smoke on the campus, including students of Warmadewa University. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of smoker students about smoking and the smoking ban areas. A total of 95 students who smoked at Warmadewa campus were sampled by snowball method and were interviewed. The study showed that the at-campus smokers were mostly male students (89.5%) and 84.2% of them was mild-to-moderate smokers who smoked because of environmental factor. Only around 12.6% of the samples had good knowledge about cigarette, the harms of cigarette, and smoke-free area regulation. In conclusion, the students who smoked at the campus were mostly students who were not knowledgeable about the cigarette, the harms of cigarette, and smoke-free areas regulation, thus they felt free and were not guilty of smoking at no-smoking areas at the campus. Information dissemination on the harms of smoking and no-smoking areas are needed, especially for the smoking students. Additionally, more of accessible smoking spaces are needed at the campus for the smoker students.
Order of preference of debts under asymmetric information
Authors: Khemiri Sabrina , Brinette Souad , Benkraiem Ramzi , Miloudi Anthony
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this article is to investigate the debt hierarchy adopted by French companies in the context of asymmetric information. In other words, we identify the hierarchy between the three most used forms of debt that best describes the debt behaviors of French companies. The study relies on the ordered probit regression to identify the hierarchy that best describes the debt behaviors of a sample of 121 non-financial firms listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange. Next, we perform panel-data regressions to investigate the impact of the financial crisis on debt behaviors. The empirical results show that French companies listed on the SBF 250 follow the hierarchy Bank debt, Bond debt, Convertible bonds. This hierarchy is explained primarily by asymmetric information. Other variables that explain the adoption of this hierarchy include the size, default risk, deficit and R&D expenditures of the company. At a time of crisis, despite the strong asymmetric information, the debt hierarchy is modified. To the best of our knowledge, this article constitutes the first study that addresses the existence of a hierarchy between three types of debt: bank debt, bond debt, and convertible bonds. Hence, it extends the previous research on capital structure and provides new managerial insights.
The comparison of detection parameters of selected photomultipliers depending on the shape of the scintillator
Authors: Janda Jiri , Hohnova Sabina
Published: June 2018

The manuscript clarifies the issues concerning the effective miniaturization
of readout of the plastic scintillators while maintaining their high
detection efficiency and sensitivity. Values obtained from the measurements
of the chosen gamma emitters (60Co, 137Cs, 241Am), at various distances,
were used to compare the detection efficiencies. The organic plastic
scintillators, with the ternary system of different shapes and volumes,
were chosen for the measurement. The detection parameters for the examined
1" PMT, with variable photocathode geometry, were experimentally found and
compared to the normally used 2" PMT, with the circular type of
photocathode. The primary aim of this work was to verify whether, in the
case of mobile applications, such as UAV, it is possible to replace the
currently bulky and quite heavy electronics with a miniature version and
simultaneously preserve their detection parameters.
The impact of field size and radiation quality on KAP-meter and CT-chamber response
Authors: Zivanovic Milos , Krzanovic Nikola , Lazarevic Djordje , Boziari Argiro , Konstantinou Panagiota
Published: June 2018

Kerma-area product and kerma-length product are important practical
dosimetric quantities used in diagnostic radiology. These quantities are
measured by special types of dosimeters which are calibrated in standard
radiation qualities established in calibration laboratories. However, in
clinical practice the dosimeters are used in different conditions, including
the radiation quality and field size. In this paper, energy and field size
dependence are studied for both types of dosimeters. One dosimeter of each
type is tested. The KAP-meter has shown significant dependence on both
radiation quality and field size, while the dependence of the CT-chamber is
much less pronounced. Two different approaches can be used to correct for the
difference between conditions during calibration and in clinical practice.
When the clinical beam is well characterized and energy and field size
dependence of the dosimeter are well known, the optimum solution is to apply
the adequate correction factor to the measurements, keeping measurement
uncertainty as low as possible. If this is not the case, the above
limitations must be taken under consideration in the calculation of the
expanded uncertainty budget.
Suitability of pure nano crystalline LiF as a TLD dosimeter for high dose gamma radiation
Authors: Amer Hany , Elashmawy Mostafa , Alazab Huda , Ezz El-Din
Published: June 2018

LiF is an alkali halide that is commonly used in radiation dosimetry
utilizing its well-known thermoluminescence property. Pure LiF has very
limited use in radiation dosimetry since the density and types of the
internal traps are limited. For that reason, LiF is usually doped with
different elements such as Mg and Ti in (TLD-100) to enhance its
thermoluminescence properties and to be suitable for dosimetry
applications. In this work we used ball milling as an alternative to
dopants (impurities) to induce structure defects (e.g. dislocation) that
will play the major role in thermoluminescence process similar to
defectsecaused by dopants. The dislocation density of 1 h ball milled
pristine LiF was evaluated at the MCX beamline of the Italian Synchrotron
ELETTRA. A ball milled LiF was then compressed in the form of chips, then
annealed for 1 h at 600?C to get rid of low temperature dislocations. The
annealed samples showed linear response in the range 50-300 Gy. Fading
investigation showed that the integral thermoluminescence intensity almost
stabilizes after 12 days from the first irradiation. Results indicate that
ball milling is a new promising technique to produce thermoluminescence
dosimeters without using any kind of dopants.
An experimental search for a correlation between outdoor 222Rn concentration and 210Pb activity in air particulate samples
Authors: Tomarchio Elio
Published: June 2018

This work was aimed to search for a correlation between outdoor 222Rn air
concentration and 210Pb activity in particulate samples collected on a
filter. The existence of a correlation could support the hypothesis that
both 222Rn and its long-lived product 210Pb are embedded into the same air
masses and undergo the same air transport phenomena. Lead-210 activity was
determined by means of gamma ray spectrometric measurement carried out a few
days after the sampling whereas 222Rn concentration was measured through a
commercial monitor. Experimental tests allowed to obtain a weak
correlation between 222Rn and 210Pb air concentration as a preliminary
result due to high uncertainties of outdoor 222Rn concentration measurements.
Delineation of radionuclide bioaccumulation in golden horn, Istanbul, using bioindicator mussel passive monitoring and transplantation
Authors: Kilic Onder , Belivermis Murat , Sezer Narin , Kalayci Gulsah
Published: June 2018

The Golden Horn estuary in the centre of Istanbul, has been exposed to many
pollutants from domestic and industrial waste effluent during the second half
of the 20th century. In this study, Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus
galloprovincialis) was seasonally collected from eight sites in the Golden
Horn estuary, Istanbul to determine the bioaccumulation of 137Cs, 40K, 210Po,
and 210Pb between 2013 and 2014. The averages activity concentrations of
137Cs, 40K, 210Po, and 210Pb were determined to be 1.36, 463, 91.64, and
11.51 Bqkg-1 at dry weight, respectively. Mussel samples were also
transplanted between the middle and lower part of the estuary to investigate
variations in the levels of radionuclides over the course of the year. Higher
concentrations were observed except for 210Po, compared with their initial
concentrations in the transplanted mussels. Besides, the average and range
annual effective ingestion dose values were calculated to be 11.96 and
2.23-34.45 ?Sv due to 210Po through consumption of mussels from the Golden
Horn. According to obtained dose levels, there is no health risk in terms of
210Po consumption of mussels.
Long-term results of laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection due to morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Ilic Miroslav , Putnik Srdjan , Raspopovic Katarina
Published: June 2018

Introduction. The aim of this paper was to presents long-term results of a
laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection in a ?super super? obese patient and a
follow-up period of eight years. Case Outline. A patient with Body Mass Index
(BMI) of 70 kg/m2 and Stage 3 obesity according to ?King?s Obesity Staging
Criteria? (KOSC), with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk of over
20%, and a pronounced severe obstructive sleep apnea, underwent a
laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection (LGS). After two years, the patient
reached BMI of 28.4 kg/m2 and eight years after the surgery has BMI of 34.3
kg/m2, and %EBMIL (% Excess BMI Loss) of 79.3%. According to the KOCS, he
falls under Stage 0. Conclusion. LGS resection may be performed as a
stand-alone procedure in ?super super? obese patients, with excellent
long-term results.
Meaningful gamification and students’ motivation: A strategy for scaffolding reading material
Authors: Tan Lynette
Published: June 2018

Gamification is an innovative pedagogical strategy where digital games are used in an educational setting and as an aid to learning. Recent publications on gamification in the classroom investigate the concept of “meaningful gamification” where, in line with Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, competency, autonomy and relatedness are prioritized (Ryan and Deci, 2000, p. 68). The paradigm of meaningful gamification works well as a catalyst in motivating students to read background material and grasp key concepts that facilitate a flipped classroom, and this study measures the impact of this intervention by meaningful gaming on students’ motivation at a higher education level. The context for this study is the module ‘Women in Film’, which is part of the Ideas and Exposition Programme at the Centre for English Language Communication, National University of Singapore.