bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deformation Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs Strengthened with Different Widths and Configurations of GFRP
Authors: Izadi Hossein , Pesaran Behbahani Hamid
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we conducted a numerical analysis of the deformation behavior of Steel-reinforced concrete (RC) two-way slabs strengthened by glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) with different widths and configurations. A total number of 36 RC slabs of  cm were used in this numerical study. Also, a column of  was considered in the center of the slab for applying static loading. The bonded GFRP strips had 5, 7.5 and 10 cm width (W) and configured in three models called PM1, PM2, and DM. In PM1 (strip length = 2.4 m) and PM2 (strip length =1.7 m) configurations, the strips were bonded in two directions parallel to the sides of the slab, while in DM configuration (strip length =1.7 m), strips were rotated with 45 degree angle around the central axis that is perpendicular to the surface of the slab. According to the comparison results, we found out that the 5-cm wide strips with PM1 configuration having a parallel space of 0.5 times the strip width ( ) greatly reduced the deformation of RC two-way slab compared to other strip widths and configurations, while  strips under all configurations, highly increased the deformation when space between strips varied from  to .
Study on the Compaction Effect Factors of Lime-treated Loess Highway Embankments
Authors: Razavi Amir Reza , Ahmadi Hassan
Published: December 2017

Morning-glory spillways are usually used in dams constructed in narrow valleys or those on steeply sloped supports. Furthermore, one can adopt this type of spillway in cases where guiding and diversion tunnels of adequate diameter are available. One of positive characteristics of these spillways is that, their maximum capacity can be approached at relatively low head. This characteristic can be seen as an advantage in cases wherein maximum outflow from the spillway shall be limited. On the other hand, should water head on top of the spillway exceeds the project baseline head, changes in output discharge will be negligible. Morning-glory spillways are commonly used in large dam construction projects across Iran (e.g. Sefid-Rood Dam, Alborz Dam, Haraz Dam, etc.). Given that spillway is one of the most important axillary structures for dams, accurate and realistic characterization of the hydraulic conditions affecting them seems to be necessary. On this basis, the present research is aimed at accurate determination of flow behavior and discharge coefficient of morning-glory spillways from the flow inlet down to horizontal tunnel of the morning-glory spillway of Haraz Dam. For this purpose, the most significant hydraulic parameters (including flow depth, flow velocity, flow pressure at different sections of the spillway, and rate of outflow at spillway) will be determined. In this study, an effort was made to use the numerical model of Flow3D to numerically model three-dimensional flow based on physical model and actual data from one of the largest and most important morning-glory spillways for calibration and verification purposes, and determine accuracy of the numerical modeling and associated error with simulating the numerical model. Results of this study show that, the flow at morning-glory spillways is controlled in either of three modes: flow control at crest, orifice control, and pipe control.
Numerical Investigation of Inverse Curvature Ogee Spillway
Authors: Daneshfaraz Rasoul , Ghaderi Amir
Published: December 2017

Design of water structures and their segments including spillways play an important role in water resources management and agricultural activities. In the the linear body part of an ogee spillway, for speeding up the flow rate, the flow should be transferred to the stilling basin by inverse curve so that the water energy can be reduced. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the inverse profile curvature on the pressure of spillway surface using Fluent software. For this purpose, five different curvatures of inverse profile were considered to be equal to no-curvature (zero), 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 of the spillway design head. The results indicated that by increasing the curvature radius, the maximum pressure dramatically reduced. And for this purpose, some relationships were given to predict the pressure reduction. Pressure increment in zero curvature is caused by sudden collision of flow lines and turbulence caused by it. By increase in inverse profile curvature, the turbulence is created in flow lines and the maximum pressure shows a lower value than before.  In general, there was little change in the average absolute pressure.
Estimation of Origin – Destination Matrix from Traffic Counts Based On Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Nabizade Gangeraj Ebrahim , Behzadi Gholam Ali , Behzad Reza
Published: December 2017

Determining trip demand matrix is among the basic data in transportation planning. This matrix is derived by surveys, interviews with citizens or questionnaires that required time, money and manpower. Thus, in recent years, demand estimation methods based on network information is taken into consideration. In these methods with the information including: volume, travel time, capacity of the links and initial demand matrix it is possible to estimate the demand matrix. In this paper, we removed the additional parameters in previous studies and used a simple solution to estimate the matrix. This paper proposes a Fuzzy-PFE estimation method that allows to improve the estimation performances of PFE estimator. The objective function presented based on the reduction of travel time and travel time of routs in networks is uncertain. The method is developed by fuzzy sets theory and fuzzy programming that seems to be convenient theoretical framework to represent uncertainty in the available data. The new model is the removal of iterative process of origin - destination matrix estimation using travel time and increase convergence of the model for the large-scale and congested networks by applying little changes in the basic model. In this paper we used TRANSCAD Software to determine the shortest path in the network and optimization of objective function is performed by CPLEX.
SPORT IN VOLYN IN THE YEARS 1921–1939. OUTLINE HISTORY
Authors: Małolepszy Eligiusz , Drozdek-Małolepsza Teresa , Bakota Daniel , Tsos Anatolii
Published: December 2017

Introduction. The aim of this paper is to outline the history of sport in Volyn (the area of the Volhynian province in the period of the Second Polish Republic) in the years 1921–1939. The Volhynian province was established on 19 February 1921. As of April 1, 1939 its area covered 35,754 km2 and had a population of 2,085,600 people (as of 9 December 1931). The population of Polish nationality was 16,6 %, of Ukrainian nationality – 68,4 % , of Jewish nationality – 9,9 %, of German nationality – 2,3 %, of Czech nationality – 1,5 %, of Russian nationality – 1,1 %, the remaining nationalities – 0,2%. Townspeople of the province represented only 13,3 % of the population. The province consisted of the following counties: Dubno, Horochów, Kostopil, Kovel, Kremenets, Liuboml, Lutsk, Rivne, Sarny, Volodymyr and Zdolbuniv. The county of Sarny (formerly included in Polesia province) became a part of the Volhynian province in December 1930. Methods and Research Problems. As part of preparation of this study the following research methods have been used: analysis of historical sources, the method of synthesis and comparison. The following research areas have been put forward: What did the development of sport in Volyn in the years 1921–1939 look like? What conditions influenced the development of sport in the Volhynian province in the years 1921–1939? What clubs and associations were engaged in sports activity in Volyn in the years 1921–1939? As far as the research is concerned preliminary research into archive sources was conducted. The literature used has been the one taking into account the issues of contributions to the history of physical education and sport in Volhynian province in the years 1921–1939. Findings and Conclusions. The years 1921–1939 saw the development of sport in Volyn. The development of sports infrastructure as well as trainings of personnel for the purpose of physical education and sport could be observed. The sports structures established in Volyn – in the form of district sports associations and the operation of Provincial, County and Municipal Committees of Physical Education and Military Training (after 1927) were conducive to the development of this field of sports activity. A significant role in sports activity was played by sports, youth and social clubs and associations. Sport was practised by all nationality groups residing in the Volhynian province.
KERUSAKAN PADA MATERIAL BAUT PIN AKIBAT PATAH LELAH = CAUSE OF PIN BOLT FAILURE IS FATIQUE FRACTURE
Authors: Nusa M. N. Setia
Published: December 2017

Upper pin bolt of three platform support connection which is located under see water having failure, fracture and corroded. Investigation is conducted to find the cause of failure and going recomendation to avoid same failure takes place in the future.The axamination are conducted are visual, fractography, metallography, hardness test, chemical composition and SEM-EDS. From the examination it is resulted that the microstructure of pin bolt material temper with elongated inclusion of sulfide and finding of typical of fatique failure as indicated by beachmark and fanlike radial mark, operation load on fatique fracture I is reversed bending and on fatique fracture II is shear load and reversed bending. The cause of the pin bolt failure is fatique fracture due to bending and shear load. ABSTRAKBaut Pin atas pada klem sebagai koneksi ketiga kaki anjungan, yang berada didalam air laut mengalami kerusakan, patah dan terdapat korosi. Dilakukan penelitian untuk mengetahui penyebab terjadinya kerusakan baut tersebut dan mencari solusi agar kejadian tidak terulang pada masa yang akan datang. Untuk itu dilakukan pemeriksaan secara visual, fraktografi, metalografi, uji kekerasan dan uji komposisi kimia dan pemeriksaan SEM-EDS. Dari hasil pemeriksaan didapatkan struktur mikro baut pin berupa martensit temper dengan pengotor sulfit arah memanjang serta temuan kerusakan dengan ciri-ciri patah lelah yang ditandai dengan adanya beach marck dan radial fanlike. Beban yang diterima pada patah lelah I adalah reversed bending, dan pada patah lelah II menerima beban geser-geser dan reversed bending. Dengan demikian penyebab kerusakan baut pin adalah patah lelah oleh beban bending dan beban geser.
Eleven Myxomycete species new to Finland
Authors: Varis Elina , Karhilahti Ari , Prättälä Aurora
Published: December 2017

The following 11 Myxomycete species new to Finland are described: Clastoderma debaryanum, Comatricha longipila, Cribraria atrofusca, C. mirabilis, C. pertenuis, C. stellifera, Licea eleanorae, Physarum braunianum, P. flavicomum, P. mutabile and Stemonitis marjana. Cribraria pertenuis, C. stellifera, C. longipila and L. eleanorae were collected from moist chamber cultures. The rest of the specimens were collected from field. The known biota of Myxomycetes in Finland now includes altogether 225 species.
Authors: Tri Susilo Andri Anto
Published: December 2017

Seiring dengan kemajuan zaman, kemajuan teknologi informasi juga semakin berkembang pesat. Perkembangan teknologi informasi, memiliki dampak besar pada berbagai bidang kehidupan masyarakat baik dari segi sosial, ekonomi, pendidikan, pembangunan, dan pariwisata. Salah satu unsur penting yang mendukung sektor pariwisata adalah adanya hotel. Hotel sebagai sarana akomodasi umum sangat membantu wisatawan yang berkunjung dengan menyediakan layanan penginapan. Keragaman hotel sering membuat para wisatawan kesulitan dalam menentukan hotel yang akan dipilih sebagai tempat menginap. Sistem pendukung keputusan adalah model yang dibangun untuk memecahkan masalah terstruktur. Composite Performance Index (CPI) adalah metode yang umum digunakan dalam proses pengambilan keputusan adalah). Metode CPI menggunakan pemecahan masalah dengan sistem Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) yang menentukan urutan atau prioritas dalam analisis multikriteria. Hasil akhir dari penelitian ini adalah terciptanya sistem pendukung keputusan yang menghasilkan informasi mengenai peringkat hotel yang dapat dijadikan tempat referensi untuk tetap memperhatikan beberapa kriteria, termasuk tarif kamar, jarak ke pusat kota, fasilitas dan layanan.
Nova estratégia de técnica na moldagem com casquete
Authors: Borges Raulino Naves , Morais Bárbara , De Melo Mauro , Filho Whaine Morais Arantes , Vieira Denise Ferreira , Rodrigues Lívia Graziele
Published: December 2017

Para alcançar maior qualidade nas moldagens para Prótese Parcial Fixa (PPF), foi desenvolvida uma técnica precisa e de fácil aplicação. A técnica do casquete foi modificada ao criar as condições para introduzir pressão no momento de inserir o material de moldagem. Esta modificação consiste na realização de um orifício na parte superior do casquete de acrílico para moldagem, no qual o material de impressão é injetado e tem o objetivo de afastar os tecidos moles gengivais, sem necessidade do uso de fios de afastamento, que podem trazer danos ao tecido e/ou absorção de fluidos prejudiciais à saúde sistêmica de determinados pacientes. Pode-se observar que é um procedimento fácil, não traumático, econômico, rápido e preciso, tornando desnecessário o procedimento de afastamento mecânico.
Multiple primary malignancies
Authors: Siddiqua Dibanur Rashid , Ahmed Shamim , Chakrabortty Rajashish , Rahman Mohammed Atiqur
Published: December 2017

Two cases of multiple primary malignancies (two or more neoplasms without any relationship between them) are presented in this paper. The first case (65 years) was a male in whom follicular carcinoma of thyroid, metachronous neuroendocrine tumor of duodenum and urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma were diagnosed within an eight-year period. The second case (65 years) was a female with synchronous dual malignancy of lung and urinary bladder diagnosed within a very short period of time.
Antibiograms, toxin profiling and molecular typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from two tertiary hospitals in Jordan
Authors: Jaradat Ziad W , Hamdan Thamer A , Hayajneh Wail , Al Mousa Waseem , Al Shehabi Asem
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-associated infections. This study was undertaken to investigate toxin profiles as well as antibiotic resistance patterns of S. aureus isolates form two tertiary hospitals in Jordan.

Methodology: A total of 250 S. aureus isolates from clinical samples of two tertiary hospitals were analyzed for the presence of the mecA, vanA, vanB, and 16 Staphylococcus toxin encoding genes using PCR. The isolates were further tested for antimicrobial sensitivities using the disc diffusion method. DNA from all the isolates were fingerprinted by coa gene Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) to study relationships between isolates from the two hospitals.

Results: 73.2% of the isolates contained the mecA gene and thus were designated MRSA. All MRSA isolates showed high levels of resistance to many of the antibiotics compared to those of MSSA. All MRSA isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin while all MSSA isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin, teicoplanin, vancomycin, cefoxitin, clindamycin, erythromycin and gentamycin. The isolates exhibited high prevalence of the toxin genes and none of the isolates contained less than 4 genes with one isolate contained 14 genes with no apparent differences in gene profiles among MRSA and MSSA. About 60% of the isolates contained 12 to 13 toxin genes and were isolated either from pus or blood.

Conclusion: Antibiograms of the MRSA isolates were significantly different from MSSA antibiograms while there were no apparent differences in the toxin genes profiles. Further, coagulase gene RFLP of the isolates showed that the isolates are very heterogenic.
Characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with Candida bloodstream infections in a tertiary care hospital in Jordan
Authors: Ababneh Mera , Abu-Bdair Ola Ali , Mhaidat Nizar , Almomani Basima Abdalla
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Candida species are important causes of bloodstream infections, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted in an academic tertiary hospital of Jordan. The medical records of patients hospitalized over a ten-year period. were reviewed and patients with candidemia were identified. Data analysis included the infecting Candida species, resistance to antifungals, and risk factors associated with mortality.

Results: A total of 158 cases of candidemia were identified, with an overall incidence rate of 0.48 episodes/1,000 admissions. The proportion of candidemia caused by Candida albicans (44.3%) was higher than that of candidemia caused by non-albicans Candida species (42.4%). Exposure to antibiotic therapy before hospitalization was the only independent factor associated with non-albicans Candida infection (OR 2.454; p = 0.033). The overall crude 30-day mortality was 38.7%. Central venous catheterization (OR 0.255; p = 0.026), mechanical ventilation (OR 0.162; p = 0.003), severe sepsis and septic shock (OR = 0.073; p = 0.008), admission to intensive care unit (OR 0.78; p = 0.001), C. albicans (OR 0.235; p = 0.018), length of stay (OR 1.057; p = 0.001), number of comorbidities (OR 0.580; p = 0.008) were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality.

Conclusion: This study identified several risk factors associated with blood stream infections caused by Candida over 10-years period. Continuous surveillance programs to monitor such types of infection are of great value to antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Clinical features and serum profile of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with brucellosis
Authors: Liu Jingbo , Zhao Xiaotao
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by Brucella, a highly infectious Gram-negative coccobacillus that has been isolated from a variety of mammals. Brucella melitensis is considered the most common cause of human brucellosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum parameters that relate to Brucella melitensis infection.

Methodology: This investigation retrospectively analyzed the clinical laboratory tests and symptoms of brucellosis, which was confirmed by microbiological and serological methods. A total of 36 patients (31 males, 5 females; mean age 49.17 ± 13.56 years) admitted with brucellosis were included in the study over a three-year period between 2012 and 2015 in Peking University People’s Hospital (PKUPH).

Results: A statistically significant increase was observed in C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with low titers of serum antibody when compared with those with high titers. No difference was observed between the two groups with respect to the other serum parameters such as procalcitonin or white blood cell count. Two blood culture systems also yielded different results.

Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated that culture can be improved by using multiple blood culture systems to isolate Brucella melitensis. We also found the different role of inflammatory markers play during the process of brucellosis. The present study may be a helpful reference in the diagnosis of brucellosis.
Development of an interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) for detection of Brucella abortus and clinical diagnosis of brucellosis
Authors: Feng Yu , Zhu Liangquan , Peng Xiaowei , Jiang Hui , Zhang Ge , Diao Youxiang , Ding Jiabo
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Brucellosis, caused by Brucella abortus (B. abortus), is an important zoonosis posing a great risk to both livestock and humans. Currently, most assays for clinical diagnosis of brucellosis have been developed based on serological principles; however, these assays have a number of limitations and disadvantages.

Methodology: To address this concern, the aim of this study was to develop a gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA) for the diagnosis of brucellosis. Towards this end, the stimulating effect induced by different somatic antigens of B. abortus on the secretion of IFN-γ was evaluated.

Results: The best antigen candidate, B. abortus strain 2308, able to induce high levels of IFN-γ expression in peripheral blood (PB) cells from cattle, was used for the development of the IGRA. The optimal concentration for stimulation was determined as 1.0×107 CFU/mL. This study demonstrated that IFN-γ was detectable on day 5 post infection (p.i.) and peaked on day 14 p.i.. Finally, the IGRA developed was used for detection of B. abortus in clinical samples, and a higher level of IFN-γ was detected in Brucella-infected samples compared to vaccination samples and negative controls.

Conclusions: The optimal somatic antigen for B. abortus was identified and used to establish a robust IGRA. The IGRA developed is suitable for clinical diagnosis of brucellosis, especially in the early stages of infection.
CPAF selectively degrades chlamydial T cell antigens for inhibiting antigen presentation
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Zhong Guangming , Cai Huihua , Chen Siping , Sun Donghua , Zhang Dongmei , He Yuanli
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial disease, which may cause significant threats, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal factor infertility, to women if untreated. The pathological mechanisms of chlamydia-induced disease remain largely unknown, but it has been proposed that CPAF, a chlamydia-secreted serine protease, may play major roles in aiding chlamydial infection and contribute to chlamydia pathogenesis during in vivo infection. According to previous results, CPAF targets host immunity by degrading antimicrobial peptides and neutralizing complement activity; however, whether CPAF is involved in chlamydial antigen presentation has never been reported.

Methodology: Antigen presentation assay was used to monitor the effects of CPAF on OT1-, OT2-, and chlamydia T cell antigen-mediated antigen presentation. In vitro cell-free degradation assay was used to detect CPAF processing of chlamydia T cell antigens.

Results: We found that CPAF preferably inhibits OT2- but not OT1-mediated antigen presentation. CPAF inhibits OT2 antigen presentation by direct proteolytic cleavage in the wild type CPAF, but not enzymatic mutants. Importantly, several previously identified chlamydial T cell antigens were selectively degraded by CPAF when co-incubated in vitro. In addition, specific inhibition T cell antigen presentation by CPAF was correlated with T cell antigen cleavage by CPAF in vitro assay.

Conclusions: Our experiments demonstrated that CPAF selectively and specifically degrades chlamydial T cell antigens, which chlamydia may utilize as a novel mechanism for evading host immune responses to promote chlamydia survival.
Pancreatitis in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome: A five-year experience
Authors: Puca Edmond , Harxhi Arjan , Pipero Pellumb , Qyra Elda , Stroni Gentian , Muco Ermira , Hysenaj Zhenisa , Rista Elvana , Tosku Gjok , Bino Silvia
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Pancreatitis is a rare complication of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The causative agents of HFRS are hantaviruses, which belong to the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cases of acute pancreatitis (AP) in patients with HFRS at the Service of Infectious Diseases, Tirana, Albania.

Methodology: In this retrospective study, clinical and laboratory data was obtained from 36 patients with confirmed HFRS, between January 2011 and December 2016. The diagnosis had been confirmed by a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM or IgG antibodies to hantavirus.

Results: The average patient age was 39.7 ± 14.1 years with a range of 15-59 years. From 36 HFRS patients, four (11.1%) were found to have AP, all were male. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom and an increase in amylase and lipase was observed in all four patients. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) indicated pancreatitis with surrounding edema, necrosis and hemorrhage. In this study, the total mortality was 11.1% (4/36), while mortality in patients with AP was 25% (1/4).

Conclusions: The results indicate that AP is a serious complication of HFRS, with a poor prognosis. Increased awareness of AP in clinicians and assessment of amylasemia or lipasemia in patients with HFRS should be considered, especially in endemic areas where a rapid diagnosis is crucial for a positive outcome.
Human papillomaviruses: The cervical cancer saga in developing countries
Authors: Alhamlan Fatimah Saeed , AlAhdal Mohammed N A , Al-Zahrani Ali S , Almatrrouk Shaihana A
Published: December 2017

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women, with worldwide annual incidence and mortality rates of 528,000 and 266,000, respectively, according to the World Health Organization. It is well established that cervical cancer is predominantly caused by a persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of cervical cells. Increasing numbers of studies have investigated HPV and cervical cancer, contributing greatly to the global knowledge and unraveling some of the critical questions regarding HPV transmission, infection, and prevention. However, despite these studies, our knowledge is far from complete and much remains to be discovered. Although molecular detection and HPV prophylactic approaches have greatly advanced in recent years, approximately 85% of the global burden of mortality from cervical cancer still occurs in developing countries. Clinical and molecular epidemiological studies have demonstrated a need for developing countries in general to adopt cervical screening and vaccination programs. However, studies examining cervical cancer screening modalities and HPV prevalence as well as whether HPV vaccination programs should be implemented are lacking at the national level in some developing countries. Therefore, this review describes the current status of HPV in developing countries, presenting some of the existing challenges in implementing cervical screening and HPV vaccination programs.
Listening to the Multiple Voices in an Intercultural Telecollaborative Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project: A Bakhtinian perspective
Authors: Priego Sabrina , Liaw Meei-Ling
Published: December 2017

Although a growing number of studies have recently been focusing on the affordances of digital storytelling as a multimodal tool, relatively little attention has been given to the collaborative process during digital story construction and how that may affect what the participants gain from the experience. This paper focuses on an intercultural telecollaborative multilingual digital storytelling project between pre-service French as-a-second-language teachers in Canada and university-level EFL students in Taiwan. The researchers lean on Bakhtin's concept of dialogism and Fairclough's concepts of assumption/intertextuality to look into how the international partners negotiated to accomplish digital storytelling assignments, how their own voices were expressed during the telecollaborative writing process, and how this affected their completed digital stories. The findings of this study unveil both interpersonal and sociocultural dimensions of negotiation of meaning in technology-mediated collaboration. Based on the findings, the paper discusses pedagogical challenges and prospects of using multilingual digital storytelling as a transformational tool for intercultural learning, creativity, and language development, as well as a space for voicing selves through creative literary articulation.
Estrogen Receptor α Signaling Exacerbates Immune-Mediated Nephropathies through Alteration of Metabolic Activity
Authors: Corradetti Chelsea , Jog Neelakshi R. , Cesaroni Matteo , Madaio Michael , Caricchio Roberto
Published: December 2017

Glomerulonephritis is one of the most serious manifestations of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Because SLE is ≥10 times more common in women, a role for estrogens in disease pathogenesis has long been suspected. Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is highly expressed in renal tissue. We asked whether ERα expression contributes to the development of immune-mediated nephropathies like in lupus nephritis. We tested the overall effects of estrogen receptors on the immune response by immunization with OVA and induction of chronic graft-versus-host disease in female ERα-knockout mice. We used nephrotoxic serum nephritis as a model of immune-mediated nephropathy. We investigated the influence of ERα on molecular pathways during nephritis by microarray analysis of glomerular extract gene expression. We performed RNA sequencing of lupus patient whole blood to determine common pathways in murine and human nephritis. Absence of ERα protects female mice from developing nephritis, despite the presence of immune complexes and the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the kidneys and normal humoral responses to immunization. Time-course microarray analysis of glomeruli during nephrotoxic serum nephritis revealed significant upregulation of genes related to PPAR-mediated lipid metabolism and downregulation of genes in the retinol metabolism in wild-type females compared with ERα-knockout females. Similarly, RNA sequencing of lupus patient blood revealed similar expression patterns of these same pathways. During nephritis, the altered activity of metabolic pathways, such as retinol metabolism, occurs downstream of ERα activation and is essential for the progression to end-stage renal failure.
Assessment of Air Pollution in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand
Authors: Uttamang Pornpan , Aneja Viney P. , Hanna Adel
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Analysis of gaseous criteria pollutants in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR), Thailand, during 2010–2014 reveals that the hourly concentrations of CO, SO2 and NO2 were mostly below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQs) of Thailand. However, the hourly concentrations of O3 exceeded the Thailand NAAQs. The maximum concentrations of O3 ranged from 120–190 ppb. On average, the number of hourly O3 exceedances ranged from 1–60 hours a year depending on monitoring station locations. The exceedances occurred during the summer and winter, dry seasons. Interconversion between O3, NO and NO2 indicates crossover points between species occur when the concentration of NOx ([NOx] = [NO]+[NO2]) is ~ 60 ppb. However, when [NOx]  60 ppb. The calculated photochemical reaction rate (the reaction between NO2 with sunlight), during photostationary state ranges from 0.12 to 1.22 min−1. Linear regression analysis between the concentrations of Ox ([Ox ] = [O3]+[NO2]) and NOx provides the role of local and regional contributions to Ox . Both the local and regional Ox contributions enhance the concentration of Ox . Values of the local and regional Ox contributions during non-episode were ~ 44–54 ppb and ~ 0.13[NOx ] to 0.33[NOx ], respectively. Those values were about double during O3 episodes ([O3] > 100 ppb). Ratio analysis suggests that the major contributors of primary pollutants over BMR are mobile sources (CO/NOx = 19.8). The Air Quality Index (AQI) for BMR was predominantly between good to moderate. Unhealthy O3 categories were observed during episode conditions in the region.
Los códices miniados de la biblioteca del Príncipe de Viana: un intento de reconstrucción
Authors: Planas Badenas Josefina
Published: December 2017

El presente análisis aborda el estudio de los códices iluminados que pertenecieron a Carlos de Aragón y Évreux, Príncipe de Viana, basado en dos líneas maestras trazadas a partir de la lectura del inventario de sus bienes, realizado a raíz de su muerte en Barcelona, el día 21 de Septiembre de 1461. Por una parte, se analizan los manuscritos atesorados en su capilla privada, descritos por la documentación y por otra, se efectúa un intento de aproximación a su biblioteca, haciendo especial énfasis en los ejemplares iluminados que han perdurado hasta nuestros días. La participación de determinados miniaturistas, entre ellos Guillermo Hugo de Luseyo, incorporado al séquito principesco en Sicilia, permite aquilatar la viabilidad de las rutas artísticas establecidas entre Nápoles, Sicilia y Barcelona durante este período.
Impact of Corporate Governance Practices on Firm's Cash Holdings in an Emerging Market: A Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Kengatharan Lingesiya
Published: December 2017

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of corporate governance practices on firm's cash holdings of listed manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka, using panel data extracted from the financial statements of the companies listed on Colombo Stock Exchange. Corporate governance practices of Sri Lankan listed manufacturing companies were measured by board independence, board size, CEO duality, audit committee meetings and audit committee members, cash holdings were measured by percentage of cash and cash equivalents on total assets and also leverage and firm size were considered as control variables. Data were collected from 26 listed manufacturing companies over a five years period of 2011-2015. Pooled Ordinary Least Square, Fixed Effect and Random Effect models were performed using STATA to explore the best model for the impact of corporate governance practices on firm's cash holdings. Results of the study revealed that fixed effect model was the best model with the evidence of Hausman specification test. According to the fixed effect model, CEO-duality and leverage had significant negative impact on cash holdings while audit committee meetings and firm size had positive impact on cash holdings of the listed manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka. Board independence, board size and audit committee members did not show any significant impact on cash holdings. Findings of the study may be useful to practitioners to identify the effects of corporate governance practices on firm's cash holdings.
The Financial Crisis, Basel Accords and Bank Regulations: An Overview
Authors: ElBannan Mona A.
Published: December 2017

This theoretical study presents the different phases for the evolution of Basel Accords since 1988, and the continual efforts of Basel Committee on banking supervision to set out an effective framework to improve the banking sector governance and performance. In literature, compliance with Basel requirements concerning minimum capital requirements, powerful supervision and effective market discipline through information transparency and disclosure have attracted many researchers to study its impact on bank performance and cost of capital. In spite of the risk-based capital adequacy, regulatory and supervisory requirements set by Basel Accords, the financial crisis 2007, which causes instability and turmoil in the whole banking sector, was induced mainly by weak risk management measures, such as stress testing and other risk management tools that were unable to forecast the losses and the adverse unexpected outcomes and determine the size of capital needed to overcome severe shocks.
The Determinants of the Foreign Exchange Exposure in the Life Insurance Companies in Egypt: An Applied Study
Authors: Ibrahim Nada Mohammed Sabry , Mohammed Ibrahim Rehab Emad El-Din
Published: December 2017

Exchange rate fluctuations generate high risk for the insurance companies in Egypt, such as bankruptcy and liquidity. This study aims to measure the foreign exchange exposure (FXE) for the life insurance companies in Egypt during the period from 2000-2016. After that, the study measures the determinants of this exposure. The problem of the study is concerned with the fluctuations of the foreign exchange rate in Egypt, which have a great effect on the financial performance. Following prior studies (e.g. Lee, 2011 and Ampomah 2012), this study uses Jorian model to measure the FXE. The results of the study show that the life insurance companies in Egypt were significant to the FXE; the results are robust to the choice of model design.
Board Structure and Financial Performance of Listed Finance Companies in Sri Lanka
Authors: Suganya S. Jeyan , Kengatharan L.
Published: December 2017

This study investigated the relationship between board structure and financial performance of listed finance companies in Sri Lanka. Data were gathered from the financial statements of randomly selected 20 finance companies which are listed on CSE under Bank, Finance and Insurance Sector for the period of 2011-2015. Financial performance was measured by return on assets (ROA). Board size, female board members, CEO duality, and non-executive directors were considered as the parameters of board structure. Furthermore market capitalization was taken as the control variable. Pooled OLS was performed using STATA for the analysis of data. Results of the study revealed that board size and non-executive directors had significant relationship with ROA. Besides, female board and CEO duality were not significantly related to ROA. This study may helpful for the practitioners and policy makers to maximize the profit. Moreover, analyzing the relationship between board structure and financial performance of firms offering non-financial services can also be a worthwhile research.
El fascismo: la barbarie moderna (y II)
Authors: Catalán José Ramón
Published: December 2017

In this second and final part of the essay, the author addresses the core aspects of fascism. His analysis on nazi propaganda and esthetics is quite relevant. There is a remaining question: is the institutionalized barbarism an exclusive feature of fascism? Or is it a consequence of the illustrate concept of progress, to which barbarism is joined to? Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 112, 2007: 229-246
Materiales para la elaboración de una teología de la creación desde Zubiri. Análisis de un párrafo del libro el "Problema teologal del Hombre: Cristianismo"
Authors: Navarrete Cano Juan Alejandro
Published: December 2017

Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 112, 2007: 247-257
Hacia el ecomunismo: una respuesta mítica a algunos problemas del marxismo
Authors: Capriles Elías
Published: December 2017

According with the author, the way to overcome the contradictions of the ruling capitalism -which are shown in the current ecological crisis- is not quitting the totalizing metastories, but in avoiding its influence -particularly in the case of those metastories that justify the destruction of ecosphere, subjugation and exploitation of other individuals and so on-. In that sense, the so-called Ecommunism is an alternative metastory to capitalism and modernity, in order to create a project that would turn human society into a good place, in which everyone could be able to pursue plenitude and harmony. Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 112, 2007: 271-308
Homero y Shakespeare: nuevo vino para botellas antiguas
Authors: Miller Katherine
Published: December 2017

No abstracts available.
Romero, Óscar Arnulfo. Homilías. Tomo IV. Ciclo B: 3 de diciembre de 1978-17 de junio de 1979
Authors: Alvarenga Luis
Published: December 2017

No abstract available.
Feuerbach, Ludwig. La esencia del cristianismo
Authors: Alvarenga Luis
Published: December 2017

No abstract available.
Ribera, Ricardo. Lecturas de historia contemporánea
Authors: Alvarenga Luis
Published: December 2017

No abstract available.
Un vistazo diferente a la responsabilidad social empresarial
Authors: Quinteros Carolina
Published: December 2017

Social Corporate Responsibility is a concept currently in vogue. Misidentified with philanthropy, Social Corporate Responsibility establishes that corporations have social and labour duties to accomplish. The author reviews the importance of Social Corporate Responsibility inside the corporate world and in the struggle for human rights. A key question posed in this essay is until which extent Social Corporate Responsibility can help to improve labour conditions.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 113, 2007: 337-361
Los nuevos movimientos sociales y el movimiento de mujeres en El Salvador
Authors: Navas María Candelaria
Published: December 2017

In this essay there is an important contribution to the studies on the so-called ‘New Social Movements’, from the scope of the women’s movement in El Salvador. The author makes a systematic study on the history of such movement and gives a critical analysis about it.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 113, 2007: 363-375
Los movimientos sociales entre el saber y el poder. Una exploración del saber producido en Guatemala sobre los movimientos sociales campesinos desde la “mirada” académica (1962-2006)
Authors: Mazariegos Juan Carlos
Published: December 2017

The author makes a critical review on the academic discourses about the social movements in Guatemala. One question raised in this essay is until which extent the academic discourses have analyzed the complexity of a reality in which the social, politic, economic, ethnical and cultural factors are linked. Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 113, 2007: 377-408
¿Es la sostenibilidad una perspectiva interculturalmente sostenible? Elementos para la crítica de un concepto bien intencionado, pero insuficiente
Authors: Fornet-Betancourt Raúl
Published: December 2017

The mere reivindication of sustainability makes evident the unsustainaibility of the economic regime and the civilization which was imposed to humankind some centuries ago. The author asks if whether sustainability is an incomplete solution, whereas it does not confront the core of the problem: a model of living, a civilization and an economic model that is unsustainable from its very gestation. Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 113, 2007: 409-422
Razón pública y derechos fundamentales. En diálogo con John Rawls
Authors: López de Goicoechea Zabala Javier
Published: December 2017

The author reviews John Rawls’ theory on justice, which, in his opinion, is a solidary conception of contractualist liberalism. In this work, the author poses the links of human right and public reason. The author also reviews the debate on the relations of public reason and what Rawls himself called comprehensive reasons. The essay focuses on the links between those comprehensive reason ant the public or politic reason, in its procedimental system for a fair societyRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 113, 2007: 423-433
Erick Ching, Carlos Gregorio López Bernal y Virginia Tilley. Las masas, la matanza y el martinato en El Salvador
Authors: Alvarenga Luis
Published: December 2017

No Abstract available
Guillermo Henríquez Torres. El misterio de los Buendía. El verdadero trasfondo histórico de Cien años de soledad
Authors: Alvarenga Luis
Published: December 2017

No abstract available.
Los libros mudos: funciones de una biblioteca en el Estado, desde Alejandría hasta el monasterio de Melk: lectura para el verano
Authors: Miller Katherine
Published: December 2017

No abstract available.
Exploring the Motive and Effect between Altruistic and Strategic Corporate Giving: An Experimental Design Study
Authors: Yeh Quey-Jen
Published: December 2017

Corporate giving has evolved into more than altruistic actions to include strategic considerations. Drawing on attribution and signaling theory, this study designs two social giving scenarios with one designed to be more sales related, tending to take the advantage of social cause than the other. Our goal is to examine whether the public recognize the difference between the two and how they interpret such a signal in relation to the firm’s standing in reputation, consumer attitude and purchase intention. The results support largely the conceptual framework in that corporate giving strategy could be more beneficial when it is designed to be more altruistic.
Lexico-Semantic Interpretation of Pentecostal Church Posters
Authors: Chibueze Odoemenam Temple , Ordu Rosemary Chinyere , Omoghie Ikphemhosimhe Aslem
Published: December 2017

This paper examines the lexico-semantic choices in the Pentecostal church posters. The researcher attempts to approach the interpretation of the Christian posters from the stylistic view point. Its meaning was made explicit using the tool of linguistics. It is a known fact, that stylistics is beneficial to both the teachers and students. Using M.A.K Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar, as the analytical framework, this paper, examines the lexical semantic choices in the Pentecostal church posters.Pentecostal church posters happen to be one of the several media of advertisement employed by the churches to disseminate information about the churches’ events to the audience/passers-by. Previous studies on the language of advertisements are concerned with the themes of commercial and political posters while the others looked at the elements of pragmatics such as speech acts and implicature etc. This paper reveals that the construction of posters (texts) is a linguistically conscious activity.
Designing a Women’s Refuge: An Interdisciplinary Health, Architecture and Landscape Collaboration
Authors: Dean Suzanne , Williams Claire , Donnelly Samantha , Levett-Jones Tracy
Published: December 2017

University programs are currently faced with a number of challenges: how to engage students as active learners, how to ensure graduates are ‘work ready’ with broad and relevant professional skills, and how to support students to see their potential as agents of social change and contributors to social good. This paper presents the findings from a study that explored the impact of an authentic, interdisciplinary project with health, architecture and landscape students. This project facilitated students’ entrée into the lived experience of women and children requiring refuge services as a result of homelessness and/or domestic violence. Students collaborated with stakeholders from the refuge sector, visiting sites, undertaking individual research, exchanging ideas and problem-solving, to develop a design guide for a women’s refuge.  Focus groups were conducted at the conclusion of the activity to gauge students’ perceptions of the value of the activity. Results indicated that the ‘hands-on’ and collaborative nature of the learning experience in a real-world context was valued, primarily due to its direct relevance to professional practice. Architecture and landscape participants reported an increase in their understanding and knowledge of refuge clients, and many expressed a commitment to further learning and contribution to the sector. Nursing students felt that the authentic learning experience helped prepare them for the ‘real world’ of practice and that it aided development of their professional identities and capacity to effect real-world change. The learning activity had a positive impact on knowledge acquisition and students’ confidence to act as agents of social change.
Construction of EFL Student Teachers’ Beliefs about Method: Insights from Postmethod
Authors: Zeng Zhengping
Published: December 2017

Student Teachers’ beliefs and their teaching behaviors are interactive and closely related. Student teachers’ any adoption of teaching methods in micro-teaching or teaching practicum is largely hidden behind their beliefs. In this paper, starting with the origin and changes of methods in language teaching method era, the author explains certain terms such as method and postmethod, sorts out the theoretical base of this study which contains postmethod condition and postmethod pedagogy and proposes the idea that postmethod is the heritance, transcendence and development of method. Finally, the author discusses the ways to help student teachers construct their own proper teaching beliefs about method.