bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Risk Factors for Incisional Hernias and its Management
Authors: Paudel S R , Neupane B R , Gurung N V , Acharya A , Chapagain A , Shrestha S , Gurung A , Shrestha D
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Incisional hernia is a common problem after abdominal surgery. Patients present with pain, swelling and intestinal obstruction. It may be repaired by either anatomical suturing or mesh repair.Methods: It is a prospective observational study conducted in Western Regional Hospital and Fewa City Hospital, Pokhara from 2013 to 2016. A total of consecutive 100 patients admitted in these hospitals during the study period were included.Results: Incisional hernia is more common in females (M : F = 1 : 3.8), and in 30 - 50 years age group (60%). Major risk factors were wound infection (30%), overweight (25%), and postoperative cough (10%). It is found to be more associated with gynecological (65%), than gastrointestinal operations, and more so with lower abdominal midline incision (65%). It is found to occur mostly within one year (60%) of primary surgery than later. Even 24% of the patients had first symptom within six months. Mesh repair (92%) was the preferred standard surgical treatment for incisional hernia.Conclusion: Overweight females of age range between 30 - 50 years with history of gynecological operations by lower abdominal midline incision are more prone to develop incisional hernia. This incidence increases when there is wound infection. Mesh repair is the choice of operation for incisional hernia. J-GMC-N | Volume 11 | Issue 01 | January-June 2018, Page: 16-20
R v Kapp
Authors: Lawrence Sonia
Published: August 2018

This judgment of the Women's Court of Canada takes issue with the reasons, but not the result, in the Supreme Court of Canada's treatment of R v Kapp. It concludes that the Supreme Court was wrong to accept the argument that there was discrimination on the ground of race. Discrimination under section 15 has three required parts: differentiation on an enumerated or analogous ground that is discrimination. Noting that the meaning of “race” is little discussed in jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, the judgment demonstrates that the arguments made in Kapp and the nature of the impugned regulations do not support a conclusion of differentiation on the ground of race (although they may support differentiation on the ground of Band membership). If Kapp is not a case in which the appellants had all of the elements of a section 15 claim, then it was not an appropriate case in which to provide guidance on the doctrine of section 15(2) and section 25. Sections 35 and 25 resist the racialization of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and together with case law, they offer a solid constitutional basis—indeed, requirement—for the recognition of Indigenous sovereignties. Kapp, though it ultimately provides a safe haven for ameliorative programs, ignores the constitutional position of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh (Burrard), and Tsawwassen Nations affected by the regulations at issue. The Supreme Court should not have considered section 15(2), as there was no prima facie case under section 15(1) of discrimination on the basis of race, and the claim should have failed on that basis.
O NEGÓCIO JURÍDICO PROCESSUAL CELEBRADO PELA PESSOA COM DEFICIÊNCIA E A TOMADA DE DECISÃO APOIADA
Authors: Junior Marcos Ehrhardt , Batista Bruno Oliveira de Paula
Published: August 2018

As pessoas com deficiência, após a Lei nº 13.146/15 (Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência), passaram a gozar de capacidade jurídica plena. Essa situação alterou também a capacidade processual de tais pessoas, que não mais necessitam de assistência ou representação para atuar em juízo. As pessoas com deficiência podem, se assim desejarem, adotar o procedimento da tomada de decisão apoiada, no qual serão auxiliadas por duas pessoas de sua confiança para a prática de atos patrimoniais. O Código de Processo Civil permite que as partes celebrem negócios jurídicos que digam respeito às suas situações jurídicas ou acerca do procedimento. Neste artigo advoga-se, por meio do estudo das normas que regem o assunto, bem como da literatura acerca do tema, que é perfeitamente possível a celebração desses negócios jurídicos processuais pela pessoa com deficiência, mediante a tomada de decisão apoiada.
AS EXCLUDENTES DE RESPONSABILIDADE PREVISTAS NO TRIBUNAL PENAL INTERNACIONAL
Authors: Santos Priscilla Camargo , Taques João Daniel Vilas Boas
Published: August 2018

Este artigo tem como principal objetivo abordar de maneira pormenorizada as excludentes de responsabilidade previstas no Estatuto de Roma. Para tanto, foram analisados diversos teóricos de Direito Internacional Penal, buscando-se sempre identificar o entendimento de cada um deles sobre as excludentes aqui abordadas. Após o estudo, foi possível concluir que, no que pese os diferentes matizes teóricos dos estudiosos, a doutrina internacional penal se mostra em relativa harmonia, apresentando problemas e críticas semelhantes. Foi possível notar, ainda, a pouca aplicabilidade concreta dessas excludentes ao longo da história do Direito Internacional Penal, ponto esse muito criticado pela doutrina como um todo.
Revisiting the Relationship between Military Expenditure and Economic Growth in Pakistan
Authors: Qureshi Waqar , Khan Noor Pio
Published: August 2018

This study aims to examine relationship of military expenditure and economic growth in different phases of military regimes in the context of Pakistan. This study uses two-state Markov switching models with Constant Transition Probability (CTP) and Time Varying Transition Probabilities (TVTP) for the time period: 1973-2014. This investigation analyses two sorts of relations between military expenditures and economic development through fixed transition probability Markov exchanging models. To begin with, there is negative connection between GDP growth and military expenditures during a high variance state (i.e. having low economic growth). Second, there is positive relation between both variables, during low variance state (i.e. having higher economic growth) which is also supported by idea of Keynesian income multiplier. Another, empirical test of time varying transition probability model was used to capture the switch through indicator variable. Results of the study suggest that chances of switching are increased from low to high economic growth. The chances of switching increase from lower to higher economic growth period (or high variance period) if non-military expenditure increases. The study concludes that military expenditure and economic growth are state dependent. If conditions of economy are stable then increase of expenditure results in positive outcomes, otherwise, it affects negatively. Empirical findings suggest that military spending should be planned in accordance to the economic performance of the country.
Afghan Displaced Persons: Resettlement, Reintegration and Repatriation
Authors: Jabeen Mussarat , Awan Sajid Mahmood
Published: August 2018

At the commencement of the 21st century, a visible change is occurring in human relationship, but several areas still demand initiation of new developments, ideas, concepts along with practices for a discernible shift in global society. The idea of belonging is one of those concepts, which needs redefinition on the basis of existing positions and experiences of asylum seekers, refugees, displaced persons and migrants. The 'battlefield' for ending the cold war rivalry of superpowers, once again has become an arena for the war on terror, bringing massive destruction to the population at the hands of warring parties. Millions of lives perish due to fratricidal fighting and a huge number of persons are displaced and forced to live in camps. The statistics of the Afghan government and the UNHCR indicate that half a million people are still internally displaced due to continued conflict, violence and prevalent human rights' violation. Majority of such persons are living in camps or camp-like settings for decades and it is an alarming fact that displaced persons are 'more vulnerable and worse-off than the urban poor' who face insufficient housing or shortage of livelihood due to unemployment while displaced persons are facing numerous issues like insecurity, forced eviction, unemployment, poverty and repatriation due to ongoing conflicts. The paper analyzes all these aspects.
US Afghan Strategy: Policy Responses of China and Pakistan (2001-2017)
Authors: Khalid Ijaz , Qureshi Bushra , Hassan Shazia
Published: August 2018

This paper attempts to explore the level of variations in the pattern of foreign policies of Pakistan and China to US Afghan strategy. To investigate this question, the paper examines US strategy in Afghanistan. The current administration under Trump and announcement of China Pakistan Economic Corridor further complicated the US presence in Afghanistan. The study analyses the factors that are responsible for differences between Pakistani and Chinese stance. About the results, China's response was an outcome of their foreign policy principles, that is not to indulge in direct clash with the US and Western world. The interests of China in Afghanistan are linked to that of Pakistan, South and Central Asia. China does not want to wage unilateral talks with Taliban at the cost of Pakistan's interests. While on the other hand, post 9/11 2001, Pakistan could not resist the pressure of US policies in Afghanistan because it was heavily dependent on the US, economically, militarily, politically and diplomatically. The respective Political structure and culture; their foreign policy priorities, goals, and tradition; perception of threat and resulting priorities; political and economic dependence; location, policy options and decision-making and professional capabilities of decision making were jointly responsible for their differences.
Silencing the Silence: A Study of Women at Workplace
Authors: Mahrukh Sayed
Published: August 2018

This paper highlights the extent of women marginalization through silencing their voices at workplaces in the Pashtun society. Using the construct "muted group" theory a qualitative study of the participants with ages between 25 and 32 at Abdul Wali Khan Universy, Mardan (Pakistan) was undertaken. The analysis of response reveals that both males and females work equally, share equal work load, and can perform their duties well together. It is significant that despite the appearance of unbiased equal treatment to males and females the societal biases effect a reality that is contradictory to the facade of equality. The study established that males make use of authoritative language because of which females feel reluctant to share their thoughts openly due to the fear of being rejected at the work place. They conform to male domination and in this way appease the macho ego of males. Moreover, females are often made fun of when they talk; consequently they choose to remain silent. This marginalization explains why men think that women cannot share their thoughts clearly or cannot speak logically without realizing that there is something wrong with the way they deal with women.
Total improvement after surgery for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in a patient with concurrent malignant idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Onder Halil , Ergun Onur , Kaygisiz Mehmet , Daltaban I. Samet
Published: August 2018

The association between idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) constitutes an interesting point of discussion regarding clinical approaches as well as the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Here, the case of a 42-year-old female with malignant IIH and OSAS is illustrated. Initially, the patient was treated with lumboperitoneal shunt surgery. However, OSAS surgery provided total recovery from the recurrent symptoms developing secondary to lumboperitoneal shunt malfunction. The authors point out the importance of identifying OSAS as a crucial causative agent in some IIH subtypes. Future studies are warranted to clarify this underestimated association.
Pain-free and pain-controlled survival after sectioning the nervus intermedius in nervus intermedius neuralgia: a single-institution review
Authors: Holste Katherine G. , Hardaway Frances A. , Raslan Ahmed M. , Burchiel Kim J.
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

Nervus intermedius neuralgia (NIN) or geniculate neuralgia is a rare facial pain condition consisting of sharp, lancinating pain deep in the ear and can occur alongside trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Studies on the clinical presentation, intraoperative findings, and ultimately postoperative outcomes are extremely limited. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical presentation and surgical findings, and determine pain-free survival after sectioning of the nervus intermedius (NI).

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective chart review and survey of patients who were diagnosed with NIN at one institution and who underwent neurosurgical interventions. Pain-free survival was determined through chart review and phone interviews using a modified facial pain and quality of life questionnaire and represented as Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

The authors found 15 patients with NIN who underwent microsurgical intervention performed by two surgeons from 2002 to 2016 at a single institution. Fourteen of these patients underwent sectioning of the NI, and 8 of 14 had concomitant TN. Five patients had visible neurovascular compression (NVC) of the NI by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery in most cases where NVC was found. The most common postoperative complaints were dizziness and vertigo, diplopia, ear fullness, tinnitus, and temporary facial nerve palsy. Thirteen of the 14 patients reportedly experienced pain relief immediately after surgery. The mean length of follow-up was 6.41 years (range 8 months to 14.5 years). Overall recurrence of any pain was 42% (6 of 14), and 4 patients (isolated NIN that received NI sectioning alone) reported their pain was the same or worse than before surgery at longest follow-up. The median pain-free survival was 4.82 years ± 14.85 months. The median pain-controlled survival was 6.22 years ± 15.78 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective review, sectioning of the NI produced no major complications, such as permanent facial weakness or deafness, and was effective for patients when performed in addition to other procedures. After sectioning of the NI, patients experienced 4.8 years pain free and experienced 6.2 years of less pain than before surgery. Alone, sectioning of the NI was not effective. The pathophysiology of NIN is not entirely understood. It appears that neurovascular compression plays only a minor role in the syndrome and there is a high degree of overlap with TN.
Conflict of interest policies and disclosure requirements in neurosurgical journals
Authors: de Lotbiniere-Bassett Madeleine P. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , McDonald Patrick J.
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

An increasing amount of funding in neurosurgery research comes from industry, which may create a conflict of interest (COI) and the potential to bias results. The reporting and handling of COIs have become difficult, particularly as explicit policies themselves and definitions thereof continue to vary between medical journals. In this study, the authors sought to evaluate the prevalence and comprehensiveness of COI policies among leading neurosurgical journals.

METHODS

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of publicly available online disclosure policies in the 20 highest-ranking neurosurgical journals, as determined by Google Scholar Metrics, in July 2016.

RESULTS

Overall, 89.5% of the highest-impact neurosurgical journals included COI policy statements. Ten (53%) journals requested declaration of nonfinancial conflicts, while 2 journals specifically set a time period for COIs. Sixteen journals required declaration from the corresponding author, 13 from all authors, 6 from reviewers, and 5 from editors. Four journals were included in the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) list of publications that follow the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals (currently known as Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals). Five journal policies included COI declaration verification, management, or enforcement. The neurosurgery journals with more comprehensive COI policies were significantly more likely to have higher h5-indices (p = 0.003) and higher impact factors (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In 2016, the majority of, but not all, high-impact neurosurgical journals had publically available COI disclosure policies. Policy inclusiveness and comprehensiveness varied substantially across neurosurgical journals, but COI comprehensiveness was associated with other established markers of individual journals’ favorability and influence, such as impact factor and h5-index.
PSIKOLOGI KEPRIBADIAN DALAM PENDIDIKAN DI MADRASAH
Authors: Anas Rohman Nella Khoirina
Published: August 2018

AbstrakMadrasah sebagai tempat pembelajaran dan pendidikan peserta didik dalam mendapatkan ilmu pengetahuan, tingkah laku dan kepribadian yang baik sehingga tanpa disertai dengan pemahaman yang baik tentang perilaku manusia atau tepatnya kepribadian, akan sulit menjalin interaksi dan sosialisasi guna mencapai pendidikan yang optimal kepada peserta didik. Untuk itu Guru ditugaskan untuk membentuk dan mengembangkan kepribadian anak didiknya, seperti watak dan sifat anak didiknya serta Guru juga harus memahami keberadaan setiap individu atau peserta didik sebagai wujud yang utuh, menangani setiap permasalahan yang muncul dari diri peserta didik dalam peroses belajar melalui pendekatan psikologi. Psikologi kepribadian merupakan tentang kekuatan psikologi yang membuat setiap individu unik dimana alasan seseorang bertingkah laku dipengaruhi oleh faktor pembawaan dan lingkungan yang selalu berkembang dan berubah melibatkan kerja tubuh dan jiwa yang mampu menyesuaikan diri dengan lingkungan sehingga psikologi kepribadian dalam pendidikan di madrasah memberikan kontribusi dalam proses pendidikan.Kata kunci: Psikologi Kepribadian, Pendidikan dan Madrasah Abstract Madrasah as a place for learning and educate the learners in getting knowledge, behavior and good personality so without accompanied by a good understanding of human behavior or precisely personality, it will be difficult to establish interaction and socialization in order to achieve optimal education to learners. For that teacher is assigned to form and develop the personality of their students, such as character and nature of their students and teachers also must understand the existence of each individual or learners as a whole, addressing every problem that arises from the learners themselves in learning through psychological approach. Personality psychology is about the power of psychology that makes each individual unique where the reason someone behaves influenced by innate and changing factors of the environment and involves work of body and soul that is able to adapt to the environment so that the psychology of personality in education in the madrasah contributes in the process of education. Keywords: Psychology of personality, education and Madrasah
DenseZDD: A Compact and Fast Index for Families of Sets †
Authors: Denzumi Shuhei , Kawahara Jun , Tsuda Koji , Arimura Hiroki , Minato Shin-ichi , Sadakane Kunihiko
Published: August 2018

In this article, we propose a succinct data structure of zero-suppressed binary decision diagrams (ZDDs). A ZDD represents sets of combinations efficiently and we can perform various set operations on the ZDD without explicitly extracting combinations. Thanks to these features, ZDDs have been applied to web information retrieval, information integration, and data mining. However, to support rich manipulation of sets of combinations and update ZDDs in the future, ZDDs need too much space, which means that there is still room to be compressed. The paper introduces a new succinct data structure, called DenseZDD, for further compressing a ZDD when we do not need to conduct set operations on the ZDD but want to examine whether a given set is included in the family represented by the ZDD, and count the number of elements in the family. We also propose a hybrid method, which combines DenseZDDs with ordinary ZDDs. By numerical experiments, we show that the sizes of our data structures are three times smaller than those of ordinary ZDDs, and membership operations and random sampling on DenseZDDs are about ten times and three times faster than those on ordinary ZDDs for some datasets, respectively.
Water Stress Influence on The Vegetative Period Yield Components of Different Maize Genotypes
Authors: De Araujo Rufino Cassyo , Fernandes-Vieira Jucilayne , Martín-Gil Jesús , Abreu Júnior José de Souza , Tavares Lizandro Ciciliano , Fernandes-Correa Marciabela , Martín-Ramos Pablo
Published: August 2018

Maize is an important food staple in many countries, and is useful in animal feed and many industrial applications. Its productivity is highly sensitive to drought stress, which may occur at any period during its growth cycle. The objective of this work was to compare the water stress influence on the performance of different maize genotypes in critical vegetative stages. Four genotypes of maize (namely a single-cross hybrid (AG 9045), a double-cross hybrid (AG 9011), a triple-cross hybrid (AG 5011), and a variety (AL Bandeirante)) were subjected to a 10-day period without irrigation in the vegetative stages that determine the number of kernel rows and the plant’s ability to take up nutrients and water (V4, V6 and V8). The impact of low water availability was assessed by analyzing plant height, height of the first ear insertion, stem diameter, yield per plant, and number of rows per ear, evincing that the yield per plant was the most sensitive parameter in all the stages. With regard to the influence of the genotype, the single-cross hybrid was demonstrated to be the most resilient to water shortage.
State-of-the-Art, and Perspectives of, Silver/Plasma Polymer Antibacterial Nanocomposites
Authors: Kratochvíl Jiří , Kuzminova Anna , Kylián Ondřej
Published: August 2018

Urgent need for innovative and effective antibacterial coatings in different fields seems to have triggered the development of numerous strategies for the production of such materials. As shown in this short overview, plasma based techniques arouse considerable attention that is connected with the possibility to use these techniques for the production of advanced antibacterial Ag/plasma polymer coatings with tailor-made functional properties. In addition, the plasma-based deposition is believed to be well-suited for the production of novel multi-functional or stimuli-responsive antibacterial films.
Trellis and Vine: Weaving Function and Fiction in Videogame Play
Authors: Goetz Christopher
Published: August 2018

This paper reviews and synthesizes ideas in the philosophy of play and relevant psychology research in order to address videogame medium specificity, with particular focus on the notion of videogame play as simultaneously “rule-bound” and “make-believe.” It offers the sustained analogy of “trellis and vine” for provisionally sorting through the tangle (the “mess” or “assemblage”) of function and fiction in games.
Neural Responses to Consciously and Unconsciously Perceived Emotional Faces: A Spinal fMRI Study
Authors: Wilson Alyssia D. , Kolesar Tiffany A. , Kornelsen Jennifer , Smith Stephen D.
Published: August 2018

Emotional stimuli modulate activity in brain areas related to attention, perception, and movement. Similar increases in neural activity have been detected in the spinal cord, suggesting that this understudied component of the central nervous system is an important part of our emotional responses. To date, previous studies of emotion-dependent spinal cord activity have utilized long presentations of complex emotional scenes. The current study differs from this research by (1) examining whether emotional faces will lead to enhanced spinal cord activity and (2) testing whether these stimuli require conscious perception to influence neural responses. Fifteen healthy undergraduate participants completed six spinal functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) runs in which three one-minute blocks of fearful, angry, or neutral faces were interleaved with 40-s rest periods. In half of the runs, the faces were clearly visible while in the other half, the faces were displayed for only 17 ms. Spinal fMRI consisted of half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequences targeting the cervical spinal cord. The results indicated that consciously perceived faces expressing anger elicited significantly more activity than fearful or neutral faces in ventral (motoric) regions of the cervical spinal cord. When stimuli were presented below the threshold of conscious awareness, neutral faces elicited significantly more activity than angry or fearful faces. Together, these data suggest that the emotional modulation of spinal cord activity is most impactful when the stimuli are consciously perceived and imply a potential threat toward the observer.
Mechanical and Durability Properties of Green Star Concretes
Authors: Shaikh Faiz
Published: August 2018

This paper presents mechanical and durability properties of green star concretes. Four series of concretes are considered. The first series is control concrete containing 100% ordinary Portland cement, 100% natural aggregates and fresh water. The other three series of concretes are green star concretes according to Green Building Council Australia (GBCA), which contain blast furnace slag, recycled coarse aggregates and concrete wash water. In all above concretes compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, elastic modulus, water absorption, sorptivity and chloride permeability are measured at 7 and 28 days. Results show that mechanical properties of green star concretes are lower than the control concrete at both ages with significant improvement at 28 days. Similar results are also observed in water absorption, sorptivity and chloride permeability where all measured durability properties are lower in green star concretes compared to control concrete except the higher water absorption in some green star concretes.
Active Site of O2 and Its Improvement Mechanism over Ce-Ti Catalyst for NH3-SCR Reaction
Authors: Jiang Dong , Zhang Shule , Zeng Yiqing , Wang Pengfei , Zhong Qin
Published: August 2018

The current study on Ce-Ti catalyst was mainly focused on the function of NH3 and NO adsorption sites. In our study, by comparing Ce-Ti (doped catalyst) to Ce/Ti (supported catalyst), the active site of O2 and its improvement mechanism over Ce-Ti catalyst for NH3-Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reactions were investigated. For Ce-Ti catalyst, a cerium atom was confirmed entering a TiO2 crystal lattice by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman; the structure of Ce-□-Ti (□ represents oxygen vacancy) in Ce-Ti catalyst was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Photoluminescence spectra (PL spectra). The nature of this structure was characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), Nitric oxide temperature-programmed desorption (NO-TPD) and In situ DRIFT. The results indicated that oxygen vacancies had a promotive effect on the adsorption and activation of oxygen, and oxygen was converted to superoxide ions in large quantities. Also, because of adsorption and activation of NO and NH3, electrons were transferred to adsorbed oxygen via oxygen vacancies, which also promoted the formation of superoxide ions. We expected that our study could promote understanding of the active site of O2 and its improvement mechanism for doped catalyst.
The Role of Thin-Film Vacuum-Plasma Coatings and Their Influence on the Efficiency of Ceramic Cutting Inserts
Authors: Volosova Marina , Grigoriev Sergey , Metel Alexander , Shein Alexander
Published: August 2018

The main problem with ceramics used in cutting tools is related to the unpredictable failures caused by the brittle fracturing of ceramic inserts, which is critical for the intermittent milling of cyclic loading. A 125-mm-diameter eight-toothed end mill, with a mechanical fastening of ceramic inserts, was used as a cutting tool for milling hardened steel (102Cr6). For the experiments, square inserts of the Al2O3 + SiC ceramic were used and compared with the samples made of Al2O3 + TiC to confirm the obtained results. The samples were coated with diamond-like coating (DLC), TiZrN, and TiCrAlN coatings, and their bending strength and adhesion were investigated. Investigations into the friction coefficient of the samples and operational tests were also carried out. The effect of smoothing the microroughness and surface defects in comparison with uncoated inserts, which are characteristic of the abrasive processing of ceramics, was investigated and analyzed. The process developed by the authors of the coating process allows for the cleaning and activation of the surface of ceramic inserts using high-energy gas atoms. The impact of these particles on the cutting edge of the insert ensures its sharpening and reduces the radius of curvature of its cutting edges.
SU(2) Decomposition for the Quantum Information Dynamics in 2d-Partite Two-Level Quantum Systems
Authors: Delgado Francisco
Published: August 2018

The gate array version of quantum computation uses logical gates adopting convenient forms for computational algorithms based on the algorithms classical computation. Two-level quantum systems are the basic elements connecting the binary nature of classical computation with the settlement of quantum processing. Despite this, their design depends on specific quantum systems and the physical interactions involved, thus complicating the dynamics analysis. Predictable and controllable manipulation should be addressed in order to control the quantum states in terms of the physical control parameters. Resources are restricted to limitations imposed by the physical settlement. This work presents a formalism to decompose the quantum information dynamics in S U ( 2 2 d ) for 2 d -partite two-level systems into 2 2 d − 1 S U ( 2 ) quantum subsystems. It generates an easier and more direct physical implementation of quantum processing developments for qubits. Easy and traditional operations proposed by quantum computation are recovered for larger and more complex systems. Alternating the parameters of local and non-local interactions, the procedure states a universal exchange semantics on the basis of generalized Bell states. Although the main procedure could still be settled on other interaction architectures by the proper selection of the basis as natural grammar, the procedure can be understood as a momentary splitting of the 2 d information channels into 2 2 d − 1 pairs of 2 level quantum information subsystems. Additionally, it is a settlement of the quantum information manipulation that is free of the restrictions imposed by the underlying physical system. Thus, the motivation of decomposition is to set control procedures easily in order to generate large entangled states and to design specialized dedicated quantum gates. They are potential applications that properly bypass the general induced superposition generated by physical dynamics.
Information and Communication Technology in the Role of Information System of Healthcare Facility in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Gavurová Beáta , Balloni Antonio José , Tarhaničová Miriama , Kováč Viliam
Published: August 2018

The study presents a general overview of the healthcare facility system of the Slovak Republic, especially in a field of the innovation process of the management information system, with a purpose of analysing the consistency and a unity of the system. The data applied in this analysis is collected as a part of the Gesiti research project. This project is developed for mapping out the management of an information system and information technology in healthcare facilities around the whole world. The main goal of the project is to identify the needs and the demands of the healthcare facilities and to create an integrated research report with a focus on a report research roadmap. The information and communication technologies that are applied are partially unsuitable in the healthcare facilities in the Slovak Republic. Information systems are used without exact plans of their future development. This makes it almost impossible to develop them according to the modern needs and to join them with the other systems that are currently used. The big issues also lie in financing these systems and the personnel responsible for them. The outcome of the analysis should create a direction for financial decision making support and for better management of the healthcare facilities, both in the public and the private sector.
The Relation between Prospective Teachers’ Attitudes towards Uncertainty and Motivation in Teaching
Authors: Şenol Cem , Akdağ Mustafa
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between prospective teachers’ attitudes towards uncertainty and their motivation in teaching. The research was conducted with a correlational model. In this study, exploratory and predictive correlation techniques were used. The study group was comprised of 396 fourth grade students studying at the Inonu University Faculty of Education in the academic year of 2015–2016. A simple linear regression analysis and Pearson Product Moment analysis were conducted on the obtained data. A moderate negative and significant relationship was found between prospective teachers’ attitudes towards uncertainty and their motivation in teaching, and the attitude towards to uncertainty was observed to be a significant predictor of motivation in teaching. In addition to this, a moderate negative significant relationship was found between prospective teachers’ attitudes towards uncertainty and their intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and the attitudes towards to uncertainty was observed to be a significant predictor of the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Feasibility of a 100 MW Installed Capacity Wind Farm for Different Climatic Conditions
Authors: Rafique M. Mujahid , Rehman Shafiqur , Alam Md. Mahbub , Alhems Luai M.
Published: August 2018

Wind power is the world’s fastest-growing energy source. More power can be generated from wind energy through the use of new wind machine designs and techniques. The objective of the present work is to encourage people and governments to develop wind energy-based power plants to achieve sustainable energy infrastructures, especially in developing countries. In this paper, a feasibility study of a 100 MW grid-connected wind farm is conducted for five different cities of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The results indicate that the proposed power plant is feasible both technically and economically. All sites are found to be within the profitable range with Dhahran being the most feasible site among the others for the installation of the wind farm. A sensitivity analysis has also been carried out to find out the effects of different incentives on the payback period of the project.
Nitric Acid Pretreatment of Jerusalem Artichoke Stalks for Enzymatic Saccharification and Bioethanol Production
Authors: Dziekońska-Kubczak Urszula , Berłowska Joanna , Dziugan Piotr , Patelski Piotr , Pielech-Przybylska Katarzyna , Balcerek Maria
Published: August 2018

This paper evaluated the effectiveness of nitric acid pretreatment on the hydrolysis and subsequent fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke stalks (JAS). Jerusalem artichoke is considered a potential candidate for producing bioethanol due to its low soil and climate requirements, and high biomass yield. However, its stalks have a complexed lignocellulosic structure, so appropriate pretreatment is necessary prior to enzymatic hydrolysis, to enhance the amount of sugar that can be obtained. Nitric acid is a promising catalyst for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass due to the high efficiency with which it removes hemicelluloses. Nitric acid was found to be the most effective catalyst of JAS biomass. A higher concentration of glucose and ethanol was achieved after hydrolysis and fermentation of 5% (w/v) HNO3-pretreated JAS, leading to 38.5 g/L of glucose after saccharification, which corresponds to 89% of theoretical enzymatic hydrolysis yield, and 9.5 g/L of ethanol. However, after fermentation there was still a significant amount of glucose in the medium. In comparison to more commonly used acids (H2SO4 and HCl) and alkalis (NaOH and KOH), glucose yield (% of theoretical yield) was approximately 47–74% higher with HNO3. The fermentation of 5% nitric-acid pretreated hydrolysates with the absence of solid residues, led to an increase in ethanol yield by almost 30%, reaching 77–82% of theoretical yield.
Modeling and Parameter Design of Voltage-Controlled Inverters Based on Discrete Control
Authors: Dong Ningbo , Yang Huan , Han Junfei , Zhao Rongxiang
Published: August 2018

Grid-connected inverters are widely used to interface renewable energy and energy storage resources into the grid. Voltage-controlled inverters have attracted more and more attention due to their grid-friendly characteristics. The mathematical models of the voltage and current loops are developed in this paper, considering especially the discrete control delay caused by calculation and modulation. In order to suppress the resonance peak in the current loop, the frequency characteristics of the current loop are analyzed in detail. The optimum design flow of the current controller and voltage controller parameters are presented based on numerical analysis, and the stability, dynamic performance and the resonance peak suppression in voltage loop are also considered. Finally, the validity of the mathematical model and the effectiveness of the controller parameters design method are verified by simulation and experimental results.
On the Effect of Chemical Composition on the Desorption of Superabsorbent Hydrogels in Contact with a Porous Cementitious Material
Authors: Farzanian Khashayar , Ghahremaninezhad Ali
Published: August 2018

The behavior of poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) copolymer hydrogels with varied chemical compositions in artificial pore solutions with three different pH values is examined. The absorption, chemical characteristics, mechanical stiffness, and desorption of the hydrogels in contact with a porous cementitious material were investigated. It was observed that the surface characteristics of the hydrogels play an important role in the desorption of hydrogels due to the capillary forces. It was shown that in the hydrogel systems studied here, the bonding between the hydrogels and the porous cementitious material is improved with an increase in the content of acrylamide in the hydrogels, and this results in an increased desorption rate of the hydrogels.
Ethiopian Orthodox Fasting and Lactating Mothers: Longitudinal Study on Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status in Rural Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Desalegn Beruk Berhanu , Lambert Christine , Riedel Simon , Negese Tegene , Biesalski Hans Konrad
Published: August 2018

About half of Ethiopians belong to the Orthodox Tewahedo religion. Annually, more than 200 days are dedicated to religious fasting, which includes abstaining from all types of food, animal source foods, and water. However, the association of fasting with undernutrition remains unknown in Ethiopia. Therefore, dietary pattern and nutritional status of lactating women during lent fasting and non-fasting periods were studied, and predictor variables for maternal underweight were identified. To achieve this, lactating mothers in lent fasting (N = 572) and non-fasting (N = 522) periods participated from rural Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Average minimum diet diversity (MDD-W) was computed from two 24-h recalls, and nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI). Binary logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors of maternal underweight. Wilcoxon signed-rank (WSRT) and McNemar’s tests were used for comparison of the two periods. The prevalence of underweight in fasting mothers was 50.6%. In the multivariate logistic regression model, younger age, sickness in the last four weeks preceding the survey, fasting during pregnancy, lactation periods, grandfathers’ as household decision makers, previous aid experience, non-improved water source, and not owning chicken were positively associated with maternal underweight. In WSRT, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference on maternal body weight and BMI between periods. The average number of meals, diet diversity, and animal source foods (ASFs), consumption scores were significantly increased in non-fasting compared to fasting periods in both fasting and non-fasting mothers (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.001, respectively). Consumption of dark green leafy vegetables was higher in the fasting period (11%) than non-fasting (3.6%), in the study population. As a conclusion, Ethiopian Orthodox fasting negatively affected maternal nutritional status and dietary pattern in rural Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. To reduce maternal malnutrition in Ethiopia, existing multi-sectoral nutrition intervention strategies, should include religious institutions in a sustainable manner.
The Biological Enhancement of Spinal Fusion for Spinal Degenerative Disease
Authors: Makino Takahiro , Tsukazaki Hiroyuki , Ukon Yuichiro , Tateiwa Daisuke , Yoshikawa Hideki , Kaito Takashi
Published: August 2018

In this era of aging societies, the number of elderly individuals who undergo spinal arthrodesis for various degenerative diseases is increasing. Poor bone quality and osteogenic ability in older patients, due to osteoporosis, often interfere with achieving bone fusion after spinal arthrodesis. Enhancement of bone fusion requires shifting bone homeostasis toward increased bone formation and reduced resorption. Several biological enhancement strategies of bone formation have been conducted in animal models of spinal arthrodesis and human clinical trials. Pharmacological agents for osteoporosis have also been shown to be effective in enhancing bone fusion. Cytokines, which activate bone formation, such as bone morphogenetic proteins, have already been clinically used to enhance bone fusion for spinal arthrodesis. Recently, stem cells have attracted considerable attention as a cell source of osteoblasts, promising effects in enhancing bone fusion. Drug delivery systems will also need to be further developed to assure the safe delivery of bone-enhancing agents to the site of spinal arthrodesis. Our aim in this review is to appraise the current state of knowledge and evidence regarding bone enhancement strategies for spinal fusion for degenerative spinal disorders, and to identify future directions for biological bone enhancement strategies, including pharmacological, cell and gene therapy approaches.
Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of the Aqueous Extract from the Stem Bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens
Authors: Baldivia Débora da Silva , Leite Daniel Ferreira , Castro David Tsuyoshi Hiramatsu de , Campos Jaqueline Ferreira , Santos Uilson Pereira dos , Paredes-Gamero Edgar Julian , Carollo Carlos Alexandre , Silva Denise Brentan , De Picoli Souza Kely , Dos Santos Edson Lucas
Published: August 2018

Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) is a tree species native to the Brazilian Cerrado commonly known as barbatimão. In traditional medicine, decoctions or infusions of the stem bark of this plant are used in the treatment of several diseases. The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of Stryphnodendron adstringens aqueous extracts (SAAE) prepared from the stem bark to assess their antioxidant activity and anticancer effects as well as characterize cell death mechanisms against murine B16F10Nex-2 melanoma cells. From the SAAE, gallic acid, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, dimeric and trimeric proanthocyanidins mainly composed of prodelphinidin units and the isomeric chromones C-hexosyl- and O-pentosyl-5,7-dihydroxychromone were identified. The SAAE showed antioxidant activity through direct free-radical scavenging as well as through oxidative hemolysis and lipid peroxidation inhibition in human erythrocytes. Furthermore, SAAE promoted apoptosis-induced cell death in melanoma cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, inducing mitochondrial membrane potential dysfunction and activating caspase-3. Together, these data show the antioxidant and anticancer effects of Stryphnodendron adstringens. These results open new perspectives for studies against other tumor cell lines and in vivo models as well as for the identification and isolation of the chemical constituents responsible for these effects.
β-adrenergic Receptor Stimulation Revealed a Novel Regulatory Pathway via Suppressing Histone Deacetylase 3 to Induce Uncoupling Protein 1 Expression in Mice Beige Adipocyte
Authors: Yuliana Ana , Jheng Huei-Fen , Kawarasaki Satoko , Nomura Wataru , Takahashi Haruya , Ara Takeshi , Kawada Teruo , Goto Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2018

Browning of adipose tissue has been prescribed as a potential way to treat obesity, marked by the upregulation of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1). Several reports have suggested that histone deacetylase (HDAC) might regulate Ucp1 by remodelling chromatin structure, although the mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we investigate the effect of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activation on the chromatin state of beige adipocyte. β-AR-stimulated Ucp1 expression via cold (in vivo) and isoproterenol (in vitro) resulted in acetylation of histone activation mark H3K27. H3K27 acetylation was also seen within Ucp1 promoter upon isoproterenol addition, favouring open chromatin for Ucp1 transcriptional activation. This result was found to be associated with the downregulation of class I HDAC mRNA, particularly Hdac3 and Hdac8. Further investigation showed that although HDAC8 activity decreased, Ucp1 expression was not altered when HDAC8 was activated or inhibited. In contrast, HDAC3 mRNA and protein levels were simultaneously downregulated upon isoproterenol addition, resulting in reduced recruitment of HDAC3 to the Ucp1 enhancer region, causing an increased H3K27 acetylation for Ucp1 upregulation. The importance of HDAC3 inhibition was confirmed through the enhanced Ucp1 expression when the cells were treated with HDAC3 inhibitor. This study highlights the novel mechanism of HDAC3-regulated Ucp1 expression during β-AR stimulation.
“Sleepers” and “Creepers”: A Theoretical Study of Colony Polymorphisms in the Fungus Metarhizium Related to Insect Pathogenicity and Plant Rhizosphere Colonization
Authors: Angelone Steven , Piña-Torres Iván , Padilla-Guerrero Israel , Bidochka Michael
Published: August 2018

Different strains of Metarhizium exhibit a range of polymorphisms in colony phenotypes. These phenotypes range from highly conidiating colonies to colonies that produce relatively more mycelia and few conidia. These different phenotypes are exhibited in infected insects in the soil. In this paper, we provide a theoretical consideration of colony polymorphisms and suggest that these phenotypes represent a range of strategies in the soil that Metarhizium exhibits. We call these different strategies “sleepers” and “creepers”. The “sleeper” phenotype produces relatively greater amounts of conidia. We use the term “sleeper” to identify this phenotype since this strategy is to remain in the soil as conidia in a relatively metabolically inactive state until a host insect or plant encounter these conidia. The “creeper” phenotype is predominantly a mycelial phenotype. In this strategy, hyphae move through the soil until a host insect or plant is encountered. We theoretically model the costs and benefits of these phenotypic polymorphisms and suggest how evolution could possibly select for these different strategies.