bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An innovative composite plywood for the acoustic improvement of small closed spaces
Authors: Negro Francesco , Cremonini Corrado , Fringuellino Marco , Zanuttini Roberto
Published: April 2017

Poor acoustics is a common problem in many small closed rooms such as offices or dining rooms. Sound absorbing panels used as wall or ceiling coverings can be a remedy. In the present paper, the sound absorption properties of a composite made of two plywood skins bonded to an inner honeycomb core of plywood cells, designed by the authors in a previous study, were improved by drilling the surfaces. The holes communicate with the void cells of the core, activating the Helmholtz resonance effect. The acoustic behavior of small specimens and final-size samples are described, which were also tested in a reverberation chamber and in a real dining room. The developed lightweight composite plywood achieved αmax 0.90 values (maximal sound absorption coefficients) around 400 Hz, i.e. in the low frequency range, resulting in being well suited for various acoustic improvements.
Parameter Estimation of a Two-Colored Urn Model Class
Authors: Chloé Le Goff Line , Soulier Philippe
Published: April 2017

Though widely used in applications, reinforced random walk on graphs have never been the subject of a valid statistical inference. We develop in this paper a statistical framework for a general two-colored urn model. The probability to draw a ball at each step depends on the number of balls of each color and on a multidimensional parameter through a function, called choice function. We introduce two estimators of the parameter: the maximum likelihood estimator and a weighted least squares estimator which is less efficient, but is closer to the calibration techniques used in the applied literature. In general, the model is an inhomogeneous Markov chain and this property makes the estimation of the parameter impossible on a single path, even if it were infinite. Therefore we assume that we observe i.i.d. experiments, each of a predetermined finite length. This is coherent with the usual experimental set-ups. We apply the statistical framework to a real life experiment: the selection of a path among pre-existing channels by an ant colony. We performed experiments, which consisted of letting ants pass through the branches of a fork. We consider the particular urn model proposed by J.-L. Deneubourg et al. in 1990 to describe this phenomenon. We simulate this model for several parameter values in order to assess the accuracy of the MLE and the WLSE. Then we estimate the parameter from the experimental data and evaluate confident regions with Bootstrap algorithms. The findings of this paper do not contradict the biological literature, but give statistical significance to the values of the parameter found therein.
Labeling Demands, Coexistence and the Challenges for Trade
Authors: Smyth Stuart , Kerr William , Phillips Peter
Published: April 2017

As with other facets of regulatory policy for genetically modified organisms, labeling is a contentious issue in international trade policy. Labeling can be a trade barrier. The existing multilateral system for labeling is based in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – and is focused on limiting the rent-seeking trade inhibiting aspects of labeling. An alternative view of labeling is based on the social policy of consumers’ right to know and takes no account of the trade costs associated with labeling. The labeling rules of the SPS and TBT are explained. These are contrasted with the trade effects of a labeling system based on consumers’ right to know that might be incorporated into a preferential trade agreement. The relative economic effects are explained and contrasted with those of the social policy of coexistence. The difficulties arising from some trading partners using the labeling rules of a preferential trade agreement while others use those of the WTO are outlined. The likelihood of alternative rules for labeling being included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) are examined.
Design and Simulation of Optical 4-Channel Demultiplexer Using Photonic Crystals
Authors: Zahedi Abdulhamid , Parandin Fariborz , Karkhanehchi Mohammad Mehdi , Habibi Shams Hosein , Rajamand Sahbasadat
Published: April 2017

In this paper, a 4-channel demultiplexer for WDM systems is designed by using 2-dimensional photonic crystals with square structure. Various wavelengths can be conducted in the certain paths of crystals using defects that look like ring resonator. The characteristic of this demultiplexer can be analyzed by obtaining the pass band spectrum. The property of this designation relative to previous works can be stated as size reduction, minimum crosstalk in output channels, minimum distance (about nm) for distinct wavelengths in output bands and bandwidth increasing in consequence. These improvements have been verified by simulation results.
Utility of electronic medical recordbased fibrosis scores in predicting advanced cirrhosis in patients with hepatitic C virus infection
Authors: Khan Mohammad Qasim , Anand Vijay , Hessefort Norbert , Hassan Ammar , Ahsan Alya , Sonnenberg Amnon , Fimmel Claus J.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To determine whether advanced cirrhosis - defined by the detection of nodular liver contours or portal venous collaterals on imaging studies - could be predicted by fibrosis algorithms, calculated using laboratory and demographic features extracted from patients’ electronic medical records. To this end, we compared seven EMR-based fibrosis scores with liver imaging studies in a cohort of HCV patients.

Methods

A search of our health system’s patient data warehouse identified 867 patients with chronic HCV infection. A total of 565 patients had undergone at least one liver imaging study and had no confounding medical condition affecting the imaging features or fibrosis scores. Demographic and laboratory data were used to calculate APRI, Fib4, Fibrosis Index, Forns, GUCI, Lok Index and Vira-HepC scores for all viremic patients who had undergone liver imaging. Data points selected for the calculation of these scores were based on laboratory results obtained within the shortest possible time from the imaging study. Areas under the receiver operating curves (AUROC), optimum cut-offs, sensitivities, specificities and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each score.

Results

Seven algorithms were performed similarly in predicting cirrhosis. Sensitivities ranged from 0.65 to 1.00, specificities from 0.67 to 0.90, positive predictive values from 0.33 to 0.38, and negative predictive values from 0.93 to 1.00. No individual test was superior, as the confidence intervals of all AUROCs overlapped.

Conclusions

EMR-based scoring systems performed relatively well in ruling out advanced, radiologically-defined cirrhosis. However, their moderate sensitivity and positive predictive values limit their reliability for EMR-based diagnosis.
Hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis
Authors: Djiambou-Nganjeu Herbert
Published: April 2017

Liver cirrhosis is a worldwide gastroenterological condition, characterized by a slow, progressive and irreversible replacement of liver cells by fibrous tissue (scar) that prevents liver function. This condition often leads to the development of other syndromes. Cardiac complications can be indicated through abnormal QTc interval and arrhythmias, thereby their analysis aids in the prevention of cardiovascular events. Most cirrhotic cases have abnormal laboratory values (bilirubin, albumin, AST, ALT, AST/ALT, INR) indicating the presence of concomitant infection, inflammation and coagulopathy. In this case report, the usage Halstead-Reitan and Child-Pugh score helped in the assessment of the status of deterioration of brain. The knowledge of liver cirrhosis aetiologies help to determine the predisposition to development of hepatic encephalopathy and cardiomyopathy. The different values of liver enzymes and other blood laboratory analyses indicated the level of liver damage and poor prognosis.
Inverse problem for a physiologically structured population model with variable-effort harvesting
Authors: Andrusyak Ruslan V.
Published: April 2017

We consider the inverse problem of determining how the physiological structure of a harvested population evolves in time, and of finding the time-dependent effort to be expended in harvesting, so that the weighted integral of the density, which may be, for example, the total number of individuals or the total biomass, has prescribed dynamics. We give conditions for the existence of a unique, global, weak solution to the problem. Our investigation is carried out using the method of characteristics and a generalization of the Banach fixed-point theorem.
Stressed postverbal pronominals in Catalan
Authors: Nadeu Marianna , Simonet Miquel , Llompart Miquel
Published: April 2017

Majorcan Catalan postverbal pronominal elements are typically described as being prominent due to stress shift from their host. This study sheds light on the prosodic phonology of these pronouns through the analysis of duration, vowel quality, and
Electrical and rheological properties of carbon black and carbon fiber filled low-density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate composites
Authors: Xu Xingchi , Wang Tingwei
Published: April 2017

In this study conductive composites of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) filled with carbon black (CB) and carbon fiber (CF) were prepared by melt-mixing method. The morphological, rheological, and electrical properties of CB filled composites were compared with CF filled composites by digital multimeter, scanning electron microscope, rotational rheometer, etc. The composites filled with different fillers have same percolation threshold but the EVA concentration has different effect on the two systems. For CB filled composites the increase in EVA concentration decreased resistivity first and reached lowest point when the LDPE:EVA ratio was 70:30; then the resistivity increased, but for CF filled composites the resistivity continued to decrease. The differences were caused by the diverse morphological and filler distribution of two different composite systems. The rheological behaviors of two types of composites also had significant difference; the value of complex viscosity of CB filled composites was about two orders of magnitude more than CF filled composites in low frequency region. It was because CB particles was nano-scale and had large surface area, so it had great influence on the value of complex viscosity of composites.
Company rating with support vector machines
Authors: Moro Russ A. , Härdle Wolfgang K. , Schäfer Dorothea
Published: April 2017

This paper proposes a rating methodology that is based on a non-linear classification method, a support vector machine, and a non-parametric isotonic regression for mapping rating scores into probabilities of default. We also propose a four data set model validation and training procedure that is more appropriate for credit rating data commonly characterised with cyclicality and panel features. Tests on representative data covering fifteen years of quarterly accounts and default events for 10,000 US listed companies confirm superiority of non-linear PD estimation. Our methodology demonstrates the ability to identify companies of diverse credit quality from Aaa to Caa–C.
The effects of leverage requirements and fire sales on financial contagion via asset liquidation strategies in financial networks
Authors: Feinstein Zachary , El-Masri Fatena
Published: April 2017

This paper provides a framework for modeling the financial system with multiple illiquid assets when liquidation of illiquid assets is caused by failure to meet a leverage requirement. This extends the network model of [6] which incorporates a single asset with fire sales and capital adequacy ratio. This also extends the network model of [14] which incorporates multiple illiquid assets with fire sales and no leverage ratios. We prove existence of equilibrium clearing payments and liquidation prices for a known liquidation strategy when leverage requirements are required. We also prove sufficient conditions for the existence of an equilibrium liquidation strategy with corresponding clearing payments and liquidation prices. Finally, we calibrate network models to asset and liability data for 50 banks in the United States from 2007–2014 in order to draw conclusions on systemic risk as a function of leverage requirements.
Незамеченные семантические полонизмы в приказном языке Московского государства
Authors: Гарбуль Людмила Павловна
Published: April 2017

This article examines the history of the following words found in the 17th c. Musco­vite State diplomatic correspondence: nasaditi ‘appoint, nominate; invest with author­ity’, nasaditisja ‘put smb. hostilely, with enmity against smth.; be up in arms (against); threaten, imperil’, nužnyj ‘poor, beggarly, squalid, miserable; meagre, scanty; bad, nasty’, oprava ‘repair(s), repairing; restoration, renewal; improvement’, pobrati ‘take away, be­reave of; take possession of, seize’, privernuti ‘return, restore, recover’, strašlivyj ‘ter­rible, frightful, horrific’, sumnen’e ‘conscience’, teplica (-y) ‘a locality with hot springs; pl. health resort with hot springs’. The author argues that these words, in the meanings provided above, are probably semantic calques from Polish in the Russian written language of the 16th and 17th centu­ries, which were borrowed likely through mediation of the written language of the Great Duchy of Lithuania, with the exception of nasaditi.
Dramaty Stanisława Wyspiańskiego na scenie teatru polskiego w Wilnie na początku XX wieku
Authors: Fedorovič Irena
Published: April 2017

The works of a well-known poet and dramatist Stanisław Wyspiański (1867–1907) were performed in Vilnius theatres some years after the theatrical events in his native Krakow. The first drama written by this author, the shortened version of The Wedding (Wesele) was staged (on the 19th and 22nd of April, 1906) in Vilnius by the ensemble of Józef Puchniewski. During the summer season, on the 22nd of July 1906, the troupe from Kalisz, conducted by Stanisław Knake-Zawadzki, staged two pieces (a full version, with­out cuts) of the play Wesele.After a break, the most famous of Wyspianski’s plays was staged by the group con­ducted by Nuna (Antonina) Młodziejowska, the director of Polish Theatre in Vilnius. (the premiere was held on the 10th of November, 1907). They were staging this play until the end of their cultural activity in Vilnius (the 13th of March, 1910). In December 1907, the message about Wyspiański’s death was delivered to Vilnius. The Młodziejowska en­semble prepared a prapremiere of The Judges (Sędziowie), another play by Wyspiański. This drama was in repertoire of the Polish Theatre in Vilnius during the two years of their activity, until the 18th of February, 1910.Other Wyspiański’s plays, except for the Wesele and Sędziowie, were performed on the stages of Vilnius a few years later. In February, 1911, the ensemble of Bronisław Oranows­ki staged the play Bolesław Śmiały. The other group, managed by Józef Popławski and Julian Strycharski, again staged the play Wesele in the circus pavilion at Lukiski Square (15th of November, 1911), a year later – the play Warszawianka was put on stage by Fer­dynand Ruszczyc (premiere 23rd of October, 1912). The same play, Warszawianka, was staged again on the 30th of November, 1913 in a newly rebuilt theatre in the Pohulanka in commemoration of the 6th anniversary of Wyspiański death.Wyspiański’s works were in the repertoire of the theatre in Pohulanka from the Au­tumn of 1919 (excerpts from Zygmunt August and Legion), and, from January, 1921, the previously mentioned plays (Warszawianka, Sędziowie) were also staged in the Lutnia Theatre, conducted by Franciszek Rychłowski.
Циклы поучений священникам в Кормчих западнорусской редакции(публикация текста)
Authors: Белякова Елена Владимировна
Published: April 2017

This article is the first publication of the cycles of homilies by the metropolitans of Kiev, based on three manuscripts, which are preserved at the RGADA – the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (f. 181 No. 1596; f.181 No. 1594, f.196 inv.1. No. 1620). The homilies were incorporated into the Kormchaja of Ruthenian redaction that was circulat­ing in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the middle of the 15th century. As for the basis of the homilies, it lies in the Old Russian texts with instructions to the priests, which are known from the 13th century, as well as the Encyclical Epistle of metropolitan Photius. Of particular significance is a text that is new for the Russian cultural circle, titled Ecclesias­tical Order, which clearly articulated the duties of the priest and sets the list of liturgical books required for every church.The language of the homilies seems to be the most valuable because it combines, along with the classical layers of Church Slavonic, elements of the “simple language” — locally spoken (Ruthenian) language that at the time was started to be used in sermons.
Księga akt grodzkich trockich [1660–1661] ze zbiorów Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego. IV
Authors: Ušinskienė Viktorija
Published: April 2017

The catalogue was prepared within the framework of the research project Court Books of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL): Digitization and Database, realized by Vilnius University Library in 2011–2014 (VUL, No. LIT–5–19). The paper deals with the previ­ously unexplored Trakai Castle Court Acts of 1660–1661 (F7–MDGs, 1660–1661) from the VUL collection. It presents Part IV of the critical catalogue of the manuscripts written in Polish and Old Byelorussian (Ruthenian) languages, also as short descriptions of the documents No. 664–774 (pp. 709–826). These documents are important for the research of Lithuanian, Polish and Byelorussian history. Information accumulated within them re­flects a broad political, social and cultural panorama of the multilingual GDL society. It enables us to consider them as unique reference books that represent the process of change in the sociolinguistic situation of the GDL.
Tożsamość na styku kultur. Zbiór studiów. Tom 3. = Tapatybė kultūrų sankirtoje. Mokslinių straipsnių rinkinys. T. 3.
Authors: Dawlewicz Mirosław
Published: April 2017

Lietuvos edukologijos universitetas, Filologijos fakultetas, Lenkų kalbos, kultūros ir didaktikos centras; sudarė ir redagavo Irena Masoit ir Henrika Sokolovska. Vilnius: Lietuvos edukologijos universitetas: Lietuvos edukologijos universiteto leidykla, 2016, 420 p. ISSN 2335-7061, ISBN 978-609-471-058-2, eISBN 978-609-471-059-9. (Mirosław Dawlewicz, Wilno)
Третья международная конференция по старообрядчеству в Торуни
Authors: Морозова Надежда
Published: April 2017

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Reduced Radiation in Children Presenting to the ED With Suspected Ventricular Shunt Complication
Authors: Marchese Ronald F. , Schwartz Erin S. , Heuer Gregory G. , Lavelle Jane , Huh Jimmy W. , Bell Louis M. , Luan Xianqun , Zorc Joseph J.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND:

Ventricular shunt complications in children can be severe and life-threatening if not identified and treated in a timely manner. Evaluation for shunt obstruction is not without risk, including lifetime cumulative radiation as patients routinely receive computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain and shunt series (multiple radiographs of the skull, neck, chest, and abdomen).

METHODS:

A multidisciplinary team collaborated to develop a clinical pathway with the goal of standardizing the evaluation and management of patients with suspected shunt complication. The team implemented a low-dose CT scan, specifically tailored for the detection of hydrocephalus and discouraged routine use of shunt series with single-view radiographs used only when specifically indicated.

RESULTS:

There was a reduction in the average CT effective dose (millisievert) per emergency department (ED) encounter of 50.6% (confidence interval, 46.0–54.9; P ≤ .001) during the intervention period. There was a significant reduction in the number of shunt surveys obtained per ED encounter, from 62.4% to 5.32% (P < .01). There was no significant change in the 72-hour ED revisit rate or CT scan utilization rate after hospital admission. There were no reports of inadequate patient evaluations or serious medical events.

CONCLUSIONS:

A new clinical pathway has rapidly reduced radiation exposure, both by reducing the radiation dose of CT scans and eliminating or reducing the number of radiographs obtained in the evaluation of patients with ventricular shunts without compromising clinical care.
Effect of presoak-accelerated carbonation factors on enhancing recycled aggregate mortars
Authors: Zhan Mimi , Pan Ganghua , Wang Yaping , Fu Minghua , Lu Xiaojun
Published: April 2017

As the low content of calcium-bearing components in demolished recycled fine aggregates (RFA) significantly limits the carbon dioxide (CO2) curing efficiency, the effects of pre-soaking demolished RFA with calcium source solutions before the curing process are presented in this paper. Effects of varied types of calcium source solutions, including calcium hydroxide (CH), calcium chloride (CL) and calcium nitrate (CN) on the curing process are investigated. In addition, the influence of the other two parameters pertaining to curing conditions, namely, the carbon dioxide pressure and curing temperature, on the curing process are also studied. The experimental results show that, after the pre-soaking and curing process, the values of powder content, water absorption and crush value are all decreased for RFA. Furthermore, the compressive strength of mortars at 28 d are increased by as much as 56%. In addition, CN pre-soaking allows the RFA to achieve the lowest water absorption, and CL pre-soaking enables the mortars to obtain the highest compressive strength at 28 d; increasing gas pressure brings about a minor improvement in the properties of RFA and mortars, and curing temperature has complex effects on the carbonation reactions.
Suppressed demand in the clean development mechanism: conceptual and practical issues
Authors: Spalding-Fecher Randall
Published: April 2017

One of the challenges of applying greenhouse gas emission accounting approaches in poor communities is that the current consumption of many household services (e.g. heating and cooking, lighting and potable water) may not reflect the real demand for those services. This could be the result of lack of infrastructure, lack of natural resources or poverty, particularly the high costs of these services relative to household incomes. The situation of ‘suppressed demand’ creates a problem for setting emissions baselines against which to compare project performance, and has negatively affected CDM project development in Africa, Least Developed Countries and other regions with very few CDM projects. Ironically, although new large-scale power plants do not have to show that they actually displace other plants (existing or new), many small-scale energy projects can only claim credit for displacing historical (very low level) emissions from households. While the CDM rules are evolving to consider suppressed demand, much more can be done to catalyse investment in these types of climate change mitigation projects in poor communities. Furthermore, making progress will require significant expert and stakeholder input to ensure that simplification is balanced with maintaining overall environmental integrity.
Bio-oil yield potential of some tropical woody biomass
Authors: Okoroigwe Edmund C , Li Zhenglong , Kelka Shantanu , Saffron Christopher , Onyegegbu Samuel
Published: April 2017

Six tropical biomass samples namely: Ogbono wood (Irvingia wombolu), Mango wood (Mangifera indica), Neem wood (Azadiracta indica), Ogbono shell (Irvingia wombolu), Ogirisi wood (Neubouldia laevis) and Tropical Almond wood (Terminalia catappa) were pyrolyzed in a bench scale screw reactor at 450oC. The physicochemical properties of the samples were determined prior to the pyrolysis experiments. The bio-oil and bio-char produced were similarly characterized using standard procedures established by American Standard and Test Methods (ASTM). The highest bio-oil yield of 66 wt% and least bio-oil yield of 53 wt% were obtained from Neem wood and Tropical Almond wood respectively. The characterization results of the products show that even though the moisture content of the bio-oil was quite higher than those of the original feedstock, their higher heating values were higher than those of the parent feedstock. Both characterization results show that the feedstock and their fast pyrolysis products are good materials for bioenergy production. The Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of the bio-oil shows the presence of useful chemicals such as phenols and levoglucosan, which could be harnessed for industrial applications.
Using participatory GIS to examine social perception towards proposed wind energy landscapes
Authors: Lombard Andrea
Published: April 2017

Thirteen onshore wind farm projects, totalling approximately 700 wind turbines, are proposed for the West Coast Region (WCR) of the Western Cape Province in South Africa. Wind energy exploitation possesses the ability to transform what can be classified as natural landscapes into landscapes of power, making the type of landscape on which wind turbines are deployed a prominent factor in its social acceptance or rejection. This paper examines the landscape aesthetics and land use interference of proposed wind farms in the WCR of South Africa through determining if social acceptance or rejection of proposed wind farms is dependent on the residents and visitors scenic and land use valuation of the natural landscape. The results indicate that the visual intrusion of wind turbines is the impact that respondents are least concerned with contrasting with the findings of international literature and further reasons for this anomaly are interrogated against the background of South Africa’s dire electricity needs. The paper concludes that visual impact assessments alone are not sufficient for evaluating landscapes and this paper recommends that participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) be used in addition to existing wind energy landscape assessments.
Exhaust gas treatment for reducing cold start emissions of a motorcycle engine fuelled with gasoline-ethanol blends
Authors: Raja A. Samuel , Arasu A. Valan
Published: April 2017

In countries like India, transportation by a two wheeled motorcycle is very common owing to affordable cost, easy handling and traffic congestion. Most of these bikes use single cylinder air cooled four-stroke spark ignition (SI) engines of displacement volume ranging from 100 cm3 to 250 cm3. CO and HC emissions from such engines when started after a minimum stop-time of 12 hours or more (cold-start emissions) are higher than warmed-up emissions. In the present study, a 150 cm3 single cylinder air cooled SI engine was tested for cold start emissions and exhaust gas temperature. Different gasoline-ethanol blends (E0 to E20) were used as fuel expecting better oxidation of HC and CO emissions with additional oxygen present in ethanol. The effect of glow plug assisted exhaust gas ignition (EGI) and use of catalytic converter on cold start emissions were studied separately using the same blends. Results show that with gasoline-ethanol blends, cold start CO and HC emissions were less than that with neat gasoline. And at an ambient temperature of 30±1°C, highest emission reductions were observed with E10. EGI without a catalytic converter had no significant effect on emissions except increasing the exhaust gas temperature. The catalytic converter was found to be active only after 120 seconds in converting cold start CO, HC and NOx. Use of a catalytic converter proves to be a better option than EGI in controlling cold start emissions with neat gasoline or gasoline-ethanol blends.
The determination of short circuits and grounding faults in electric power systems using time-frequency analysis
Authors: Esen Vedat , Oral Bulent Oral , Akinci Tahir Cetin
Published: April 2017

In order to ensure that electrical energy reaches consumers uninterrupted, researchers constantly try to improve power transmission lines. To realize this improvement, probable faults should be analysed through every known method, and new methods should also be implemented. In this study, firstly, the Keban power transmission line located in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey was modelled. After that, probable short circuit scenarios were applied on the model, and the short circuit faults in the scenarios were analysed by using the Fourier analysis. The Fourier analysis is a mathematical method that is used as an effective way to determine the sudden changes in the frequency and time band. The study was successful in determining phase and grounding faults through the analyses of the scenarios using Fourier analysis. The fact that the mathematical method was applied on the probable scenarios on a physical model increases the importance of the study.
Mixed Signals: Democratization and the Myanmar Media
Authors: Burrett Tina
Published: April 2017

This article investigates the media context of Myanmar’s recent political reforms and transition of power. Drawing on interviews with 57 Yangon-based media professionals, the article analyzes the media’s role as both an agent and subject of political change as Myanmar prepared for parliamentary elections in November 2015. It asks to what extent changes in the Myanmar media system adhere to existing theories of the media’s role in the democratization process. Specifically, the article analyzes the features and functions of Myanmar’s media during the country’s liberalization from 2010 to 2015. The article concludes by assessing what Myanmar’s experience adds to our theoretical understanding of the media’s transformation during liberalization.
The Influence of Childhood Training on the Adulthood Rejection of Discrimination in Go Set a Watchman
Authors: Rezazade Faeze , Zohdi Esmaeil
Published: April 2017

Racial prejudice, injustice, and discrimination against people of colored skin, especially African Americans, has become a global issue since the twenty century. Blacks are deprived of their rights regardless of their human natures and are disenfranchised from White’s societies due to their skin color which has put them as inferior and clownish creatures in White’s point of view. Although many anti-racist effort and speeches has done to solve racist issues and eliminate racism and its circumstances, still racism is alive and Blacks are suffering from it. Although, many White individuals accept themselves as anti-racist characters that color of skin does not matter to them, they still show prejudice and discrimination towards Blacks and cannot consider them as equal as themselves. A reason to such Whites’ thought and behavior is that they have faced this issue since their childhood and therefore they cannot change it because this attitude is entangled with their personality and is deeply ingrained in them. Thus, a way to stop and eliminate discrimination, prejudice, and injustice is to train children, the next generation, as anti-racist and color-blind characters. In this regard, it has been tried to investigate the role of children training in the elimination of social and racial discrimination in Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman (2015), which is sequel novel to her masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird (1960). Moreover, Jean Piaget’s theory of Children’s Cognitive Development has been used for a better understanding of this investigation.
Study on Effectiveness of Lecture and Smart Class Method of Teaching on Academic Achievements among Upper Primary School Students
Authors: Bala Poonam , Kaur Tanivir , Kaur Maninder
Published: April 2017

This is an experimental study conducted on the upper primary school students in the district of S.B.S Nagar, Punjab. The study was conducted on the students of 6th and 7th class of an international School. Total of 100 students were enrolled for this experimental study who met the inclusion criteria and were randomly divided into 2 equal groups by simple randomization technique. They received either the lecture method teaching or the smart class method teaching. For conducting the experiment, the investigator used pre-test and post-test comparison group design. For collection of data, a structured questionnaire and a structured teaching programme was used. t-test was used for analysis and interpretation of the data. The results of the study revealed that the lecture method of teaching was more effective as compared to a smart class method of teaching.
Features of Knowledge Quality of University Students in Ukraine
Authors: Oleksenko Viacheslav
Published: April 2017

In a highly technological post-industrial society the quality of education is an important factor in providing such a level of life and professional competency of a person that would satisfy both the demands of an individual and the state. The quality of the whole higher education is influenced by the quality of students' knowledge which is acquired at educational classes. Development of studactive classes has brought forward the problem of research of their efficiency, in particular in the aspect of potential quality of knowledge. The results of the experiment are outlined, the main aim of which was to identify the effect of studactive classes on knowledge quality of university students. Monitoring of quality of students' knowledge at studactive classes is realized. It is revealed that students who were taught in a studactive way have better features of knowledge quality (fullness, deepness, system character, operative character and flexibility) comparing with those who were taught in a traditional way. It is proved that knowledge quality of university students can be improved through implementing studactive classes into the pedagogical process. The study was conducted in Ukraine.
Political Narrative Fiction and the Responsibility of the Author
Authors: Rezaei Tahereh , Hanif Mohsen
Published: April 2017

Art in general and fiction in particular have had close affinities with politics throughout history. When there is a close tie between a narrative fiction and political issues then critics may deem it as “committed fiction”. Political fiction is at the crossroads of political science and the art of fiction. And more often than not, novelists are involved with politics but not all of them are dubbed as or even consider themselves to be political novelists. In this article I attempt to investigate political fiction as a distinct genre produced (un)consciously by a range of (politically committed) novelists and critics. The authors discussed in this paper demonstrate dissimilar perspectives on freedom and democracy. Also, regarding political fiction and the responsibility of author, we will see how divergent is the attitudes of critics such as George Orwell, Allen Robbe-Grillet, Juan Goytisolo, Mario Vargas Llosa and Isabel Allende.
Formulation development and establishment of quality standards of sedative drug “Flegmen”
Authors: Sidametova Zaynab , Olimov Ne’mat
Published: April 2017

Background: Sedatives have long been widely used in all sectors of traditional and folk medicine (stress - sensitive patients with neurasthenia, neurosis, anxiety - depressive states, irritability, sleep disorders, emotional disorders, etc.). The objectives of this study were to determine the quantitative content of flavonoids in the collection of “Flegmen”.Methods: As raw materials use the herb of Jerusalem sage Regel (Herba phlomis Regelii) - 30 pieces; Turkestan motherwort grass (Herba Leonuri turkestanicae) - 30 pieces; licorice root (Radix Glycyrrhizae) - 20 parts; peppermint leaves (Folia Mentha piperite) - 20 pieces. All components of sedative collection are grown in Uzbekistan and have sufficient natural stock. The loss in weight upon drying were made in the range of 8.41 to 9.67%; ash shared from 7.9 to 8.73%; ash insoluble in 10%, HCl from 2.0 to 2.32; Particles not passing through a sieve with hole diameter of 7 mm from 5.1 to 7.5. Particles passing through a sieve with a hole diameter of 0.5 mm, from 2.8 to 3.2 percent. Particles of raw materials, loss of natural color from 1.7 to 2.4 percent. Organic impurity ranged from 1.1 to 1.32%; mineral admixture is 0.4 to 0.9%.Results: The content of flavonoids sedative collection “Flegmen” in the range of 0.88-0.9 percent. Based on these data, the rate of content of flavonoids in the collection set at least 0.4%. In order to determine the period of validity of sedative collection “Flegmen”, the storage stability and optimum expiration date were studied. New sedative collection “Flegmen” consists exclusively of local official medicinal plants with sufficient natural reserves. The expiration date of the licorice roots is 4 years, for herb of Jerusalem sage Regel and motherwort is 3 years, and for peppermint leaves, it is 2 years. For establishing expiry date of studied collection, five batches of laboratory sample of the drug were prepared, packed according to project temporary pharmacopeia article (TPA).Conclusions: According to the results of commodity and chemical study of the collection, the characteristics of its authenticity and quality. To determine the expiry date, the stability during storage of the studied collection and the optimum shelf life for 2 years. Vegetable collection “Flegmen” is recommended for use in medical practice as a sedative for central nervous system diseases (neurosis, migraine, neurasthenia, insomnia, etc.).
Prevalence of hypothyroidism in subfertile women in a tertiary care centre in North India
Authors: Singh Kalpana , Kumari Rekha , Kumar Uday
Published: April 2017

Background: Thyroid hormones are essential for normal growth, sexual development and reproductive function. The prevalence of hypothyroidism varies between 2-4% in women of reproductive age group. It can affect the fertility in various ways like sex hormone imbalance, anovulatory cycles, luteal phase defects, and hyperprolactinemia. Objectives: To study the prevalence of hypothyroidism in subfertile patients.Methods: A total of 454 subfertile women visiting the Reproductive Biology department for subfertility were investigated for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL). Hypothyroidism was considered at TSH levels of >4.5 μIU/ml and hyperprolactinemia at PRL levels of >25 ng/ml.Results: Of 454 subfertile women 24% were hypothyroid (TSH >4.5 μIU/ml) and 12.8% patients had hyperprolactinemia.Conclusions: TSH and PRL should be measured in all cases desirous of issue before proceeding for more costly tests or invasive procedures.
A study on relationship between severity of diabetic retinopathy and subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Borooah Mitali , Phukan Shobhana
Published: April 2017

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined as an asymptomatic condition characterized by normal serum levels of free thyroxine and elevated serum concentration of thyrotropin (>4.0µIU/ml). Association between diabetic retinopathy and SCH is unclear. Aim was to study the relationship between severity of diabetic retinopathy and SCH in patients of diabetic retinopathy with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: 120 patients of diabetic retinopathy with known type 2 diabetes mellitus were taken and categorized them according to severity of diabetic retinopathy as per ETDRS classification. Serum thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) concentration were measured in all 120 patients. Patients with normal TSH and FT4 values are euthyroid patients and those with normal FT4 but TSH value >4µIU/ml are considered as having subclinical hypothyroidism. Severity of diabetic retinopathy is compared between the euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid group.Results: Out of the 120 patients included in the study, 72 (60%) were male and 48 (40%) were female. 97 patients (80.83%) were Euthyroid and 23 patients (19.17%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. It was observed that prevalence of more severe form of diabetic retinopathy (severe NPDR and PDR) was higher in SCH group as compared to euthyroid group. Severity of diabetic retinopathy was compared with serum TSH level and it was seen that severity of diabetic retinopathy significantly increases with increase in serum TSH value.Conclusions: Patients with SCH had more severe form of diabetic retinopathy as compared to patients with euthyroidism. Severity of diabetic retinopathy significantly increases with increase in serum TSH value.
A study of association of vitamin D deficiency and coronary artery disease
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Kumar Granth , Verma Vijay K. , Gupta Manish , Gautam Rajesh K.
Published: April 2017

Background: Recently vitamin D has received great interests for its multiple effects on inflammatory system and potential role in atherothrombosis. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the common causes of death and disability in developed countries. Experimental evidence points to the involvement of multiple factors in coronary plaque formation, including vitamin D. The study aimed to examine the association of coronary artery disease with vitamin D level.Methods: 140 patients of CAD (coronary artery disease) and 101 age and sex matched control were enrolled in the study and 25-hyroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration was measured. All participants were evaluated for presence of conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease. Association of vitamin D level was established after adjusting other risk factors using logistic regression analysis.Results: In our study vitamin D level is significantly lower in patient group (CAD patients) compared with control group (18.2±10.9 vs 28.8±21ng/mL). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 81.4% patient in CAD patients whereas 57.7% in control group. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be an independent predictor of CAD after adjusting effect of other risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol and level of physical activity with adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.695 (1.148-6.330).Conclusions: In present study patients of coronary artery disease had significantly low level of vitamin D as compared to individual without coronary artery disease. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be an independent predictor of CAD after adjusting other risk factors emphasizing that vitamin D can be a potential risk factor for development of coronary artery disease.
Evaluation of serum amyloid A, soluble E-selectin and soluble E-cadherin as lung cancer biomarkers
Authors: Saini Varinder , Prashanth Chikkahonnaiah , Kaur Jasbinder , Janmeja Ashok Kumar , Gupta Seema , Jaswal Shivani
Published: April 2017

Background: Lung cancer screening is a challenge. Sputum cytology, chest X-ray, low dose computed tomography and other screening methods have not proved to be very effective. Serum biomarkers are a new hope in screening of lung cancer. The present study was planned to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of serum levels of amyloid A (SAA), soluble E- selectin (sE-selectin) and soluble E-cadherin (sE-cadherin) as lung cancer biomarkers.Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study comprised of three groups with 20 subjects each of proven lung cancer cases, patients with non-malignant respiratory diseases and healthy controls. Levels of SAA, sE-selectin and sE-cadherin were measured by solid phase sandwich ELISA. Individual and collective sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers was analysed and cut off values calculated by receiver operating curves.Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the median levels (ng/ml) of SAA in patients of lung cancer, other non-malignant respiratory diseases, and healthy controls, the levels (Mean±SD) being 24980.50±6564.14,9961.10±2000.24 and 580.95±334.94 respectively in the three groups. A sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 55% was found when SAA levels of 1068 ng/ml were taken as cut off for screening of lung cancer. However, no significant difference was found in the serum levels of sE selectin and sE cadherin between the three groups. Moreover, significant association of biomarkers could also not be established with lung cancer when they were used in combination.Conclusions: In this preliminary report from India, SAA has been found to be a promising biomarker in screening for lung cancer.
Does Evolocumab, as a PCSK9 Inhibitor, Ameliorate the Lipid Profile in Familial Hypercholesterolemia Patients? A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Eslami Seyyed Majid , Nikfar Shekoufeh , Ghasemi Maryam , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: April 2017

Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a member of regulatory serine proteases which is mostly expressed in liver. In the physiological condition, LDL-C binds to LDL receptors (LDLRs) and via endocytosis, LDLRs are degraded. PCSK9 binds to the epidermal growth factor-like repeat A (EGFA) domain of extracellular LDLRs, and then physiological recycling of LDLRs from surface of liver is cancelled, resulting in elevation of circulating LDL-C in plasma. To evaluate whether evolucomab, as PCSK9 inhibitor monoclonal antibody, ameliorates lipid profile in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients, this meta-analysis has been conducted. PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) and Scopus databases were searched for studies which had investigated the efficacy of evolucomab. Types of outcome investigated were percentage changes from baseline of the lipid profile. Our meta-analysis shows that evolucomab at the dosage of 420 mg monthly could decrease LDL-C  by 54.71%, TC by 35.08%, VLDL-C by 28.37 %, ratio of TC to HDL-C by 39.14 %, triglycerides by 12.11 %, and increased HDL-C by 6.06% from baseline compared to placebo at the end of study in FH patients. Our findings indicate that evolocumab could be a hopeful agent for challenging patients, such as statin intolerance or patients who fail to attain the target goal of LDL-C despite consumption of maximum doses of statins. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.