bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are inflatable play structures really safe for our children?
Authors: Corominas L. , Fernandez-Ansorena A. , Martinez-Cepas P. , Sanpera J. , Obieta A.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The frequency of injuries sustained while playing on inflatable toys such as bouncy castles have rapidly increased. These supposedly safe structures are likely unsafe. The objective of this review was to investigate the risk that these attractions represent and the necessary measures to minimize risk of accidents.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of 114 patients over a period of one year (2015 to 2016). Demographic data collected included: age, gender, anatomical location and side of involvement as well as supervision of the child whilst on the bouncy castle. The extracted data include mechanism of injury and risk factors, i.e. lack of supervision of the child, amounts of users jumping at the same time.

Results

The injuries were slightly more frequent in male than female children; 2:1 up to six years of age. From the age of ten to 14 years the ration evened to 1:1, the higher incidence in female children was between the ages of six to eight years. The most common injuries were to the humerus, followed by the distal radius. Only 28% of the parents said they were supervising while the child was jumping.

Conclusion

Injuries associated with inflatable bouncers have increased over time. The main risk factors: were lack of effective adult supervision and the shared use by an excessive number of participants of different ages and weights. These considerations lead to the conclusion that there is a necessity to enhance child health surveillance and to consider limiting bouncer usage to children over the age of six years, to prevent and control injuries and to minimize their consequences.

Level of Evidence

II - prospective study
Treatment of paediatric trigger finger: A systematic review and treatment algorithm
Authors: Womack M. E. , Ryan J. C. , Shillingford-Cole V. , Speicher S. , Hogue G. D.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Paediatric trigger finger (PTF) is a rare condition as seen by the lack of studies published about paediatric populations. Due to this general lack of information, the steps to employ to correct this disorder, whether surgically or non-surgically, have not yet reached consensus status. The objective of this study is to review the published literature regarding treatment options for PTF in order to develop a proposed step-wise treatment algorithm for children presenting with trigger finger.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted on PubMed to locate English language studies reporting on treatment interventions of PTF. Data was collected on number of patients/fingers seen in the study, the category of the fingers involved, the number of patients/fingers undergoing each intervention and reported outcomes.

Results

Seven articles reporting on 118 trigger fingers were identified. In all, 64 fingers were treated non-surgically, with 57.8% (37/64) resolving. In all, 54 fingers were initially surgically treated, with 87% (47/54) resolving. In total, 34 fingers did not have resolution of symptoms following primary treatment, and 27 fingers received follow-up treatment, with 92.6% (25/27) resolving. Overall, 92.4% (109/118) of fingers achieved resolution of symptoms after all treatments were completed.

Conclusion

Limitations for this study included few prospective studies and small sample sizes. This is likely due to the rarity of PTF. This review of the literature indicated that a step-wise approach, including non-operative and surgical techniques, should be employed in the management of PTF.

Level of Evidence III

This work meets the requirements of the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).
O Tribunal Episcopal de Portalegre, 1780-1835
Authors: Gouveia Jaime Ricardo
Published: June 2018

Baseado em fontes originais, este estudo foca-se na ação do Tribunal Episcopal de Portalegre entre os decénios finais do século XVIII e as primeiras décadas da centúria seguinte. Trata-se de um período marcado pela alteração estrutural e tumultuosa dos paradigmas da autoridade da Igreja, do poder dos bispos e do lugar da religião, iniciada pelo Pombalismo e consumada depois da Revolução Liberal Portuguesa de 1820. O objetivo principal é o de analisar o desempenho revelado por este tribunal eclesiástico português nesse contexto histórico profundamente marcado pelas limitações impostas pelo poder secular ao ofício pastoral.
Seguindo o fio de Ariadne: A Cidade Universitária de Coimbra como património glocal
Authors: Capela de Campos Joana , Murtinho Vítor
Published: June 2018

Este artigo aborda as linhas temáticas de carácter internacional que estiveram relacionados com a arquitetura da CUC, aferindo a sua condição de património glocal, enquanto palco de encontro de uma cultura local com uma global. Adicionalmente, pretende ser um contributo na divulgação e na atualização de conteúdos existentes no Fundo CAPOCUC no AUC, através da identificação de documentos realizada pelo cruzamento de dados constantes em ofícios trocados entre a comissão de obras e outras entidades.
A PERSISTÊNCIA DA BOOK-TAX DIFFERENCES NAS COMPANHIAS ABERTAS BRASILEIRAS APÓS A ADOÇÃO DO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS)
Authors: CARDOSO TATIANNE APARECIDA DE OLIVEIRA , COSTA PATRICIA DE SOUZA , DE ÁVILA LUCIMAR ANTÔNIO CABRAL
Published: June 2018

A persistência da book-tax differences (BTD), ou seja, a autocorrelação dessa variável entre períodos consecutivos, pode ser utilizada para identificar a persistência do lucro contábil e do lucro tributável de maneira conjunta. A oscilação desses lucros provavelmente aumentou após a adoção das International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), provocando a redução da persistência da BTD. Porém a adoção efetiva das IFRS na prática das empresas do Brasil, país de origem code law, possivelmente demore a ocorrer. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar o comportamento da persistência da BTD nas companhias abertas brasileiras após a adoção das IFRS. A amostra composta por 842 observações do período de 2004 a 2015, foi testada por meio de “generalised method of moments” (GMM) e “autoregressive process” AR(1). Os resultados sugerem persistência dos três tipos de BTD (total, temporária e permanente) no horizonte temporal de estudo. A BTD temporária revelou menor nível de persistência. Além disso, os resultados sugerem redução da persistência dos três tipos de BTD após a adoção das IFRS, sendo a BTD temporária a mais afetada. Infere-se que o aumento de escolhas contábeis, o subjetivismo responsável e a representação fidedigna, inerentes à adoção das IFRS, podem provocar oscilações nos lucros reduzindo a persistência da BTD.
Intraempreendedorismo no Setor Público: Análise do Comportamento Empreendedor de Gestores Públicos Municipais por Meio do Carland Entrepreneurship Index (CEI)
Authors: Silva Marcus Vinicius Gonçalves da , Meza Maria Lúcia Figueiredo Gomes de , Oliveira Antonio Gonçalves de , Procopiuck Mário
Published: June 2018

Este trabalho tem por objeto de estudo a criação de um instrumento que permita analisar as características comportamentais empreendedoras dos agentes políticos que ocupam cargos de chefia, direção e assessoramento na administração pública municipal. A análise insere-se em um campo de estudos embrionário na área da gestão pública no Brasil: o empreendedorismo no setor público. Quanto ao método, a pesquisa classifica-se em aplicada, qualitativa e descritiva, e utiliza o instrumento Carland Entrepreneurship Index (CEI), adaptado neste estudo, para o caso da gestão pública do município de Apucarana, localizado na mesorregião norte-central do estado do Paraná. Os resultados demonstram que a presença de características comportamentais empreende­doras na gestão pública incorre, por um lado, em mais riscos, mas por outro, em maior potencial inovador, o que pode produzir externalidades positivas para as finanças municipais e políticas públicas, constituindo-se em importante força para o desenvolvimento institucional e socioeconômico.
Efeito da Drenagem Linfática no Tratamento do Fibro Edema Gelóide em Mulheres
Authors: Gusmão Flávia Ferraz , Guimarães Marcia Meira , Silva Natália Cristina Lima , Ferreira Juliana Barros
Published: June 2018

O fibro edema gelóide, é classificado como um distúrbio no metabolismo do tecido subcutâneo, que leva a uma alteração no corpo das mulheres e como terapêutica de tratamento, tem-se a drenagem linfática manual. Objetivo: Analisar a eficácia da drenagem linfática manual no tratamento do fibro edema gelóide em mulheres. Metodologia: Foram utilizados artigos científicos em português e inglês, entre os anos de 2010 a 2018. Resultados: Foram encontrados 7 artigos obtidos pela análise de dados, que foram categorizados em um quadro contendo autor/ano, título do estudo, objetivo e resultados. Conclusão: Ficou evidente a eficácia da drenagem linfática manual no tratamento do fibro edema gelóide em mulheres. Porém, observa-se que esta técnica deve ser associada a um conjunto de adaptações de hábitos de vida objetivando um melhor prognóstico da disfunção estética.
Teoría y poiesis en Tomas Hobbes
Authors: López Diana María
Published: June 2018

El espíritu científico del siglo XVII, inclinado a demostrar la verdadmore geométrico y a sostener el ideal de un conocimiento seguro que dé cuenta de la totalidad de lo real partiendo de principios evidentes, influye de manera deteminante sobre la justificación racional de las condiciones más adecuadas para la ordenación de la vida en sociedad. En esta línea se inscribe el ambicioso proyecto de Tomas Hobbes, al postular una filosofía práctica demostrativa capaz de articular definitivamente la naturaleza humana el "estado natural" de la sociedad y el ideal de un orden jurídico-normativo cuya expresión máxima, el Estado como ente de razón, asume la forma de un "cuerpo artificial" construido técrucamente por los hombres. La contrastación con el pensamiento de Aristóteles, permite ver que con Hobbes no sólo nos encontramos frente auna original teoría del poder, sino ante la manifestación naciente de un movimiento cultural, filosófico, científico y político, cuyos efectos de sentido nos son hoy contemporáneos.
Racionalidad comunicativa y democracia viva. Comentario crítico sobre "Libertad, Poder y Discurso" de Julio De Zan
Authors: Fornari Anibal
Published: June 2018

Se intenta desarrollar el movimiento de pensamiento que conforma el libro Libertad, Poder y Discurso del filósofo santafesino Julio De Zan, dentro de la línea de la racional dad comunicativa y de la ética del discurso de Habermas y Apel, redefinidos a partir de la problemática político-cultural latinoamericana, del debate entre modernidad y post-modernidad y en orden a una democratización estructural de las sociedades. Se exponen los núcleos y pasajesargumentativos para un diálogo productivo en orden a la superación de las raíces de la "subjetividad egocéntrica" y su ideal ético-político plasmado en la cultura dominante y en las evidencias del actual proyecto de un "nuevo orden mundial".En una primera parte se delinean los momentos de la actual crisispolítico-cultural, con especial énfasis en la crisis de la racionalidad que no alcanza a ser superada, sino que es más bien profundizada, por las formas restaurativas, postmodernas y positivistas de discurso.En una segunda parte se ponen de relieve los momentos superadores elaborados desde dentro de la situación de crisis. Planteando una reconstrucción de Ja fuerza de la racionalidad dialectizable con Jos significados de las culturas efectivas; reelaborando comunicativamente el significado específico del poderpolítico y, finalmente, diseñando el valor ético de la democracia participativa como régimen político de la libertad positiva. En un próximo artículo se indicarán algunos puntos de discusión sobre la base del horizonte de reflexión abierto por este provocante libro.
The material culture of the customs laboratory of Lisbon
Authors: Suay-Matallana Ignacio
Published: June 2018

This work presents the scientific instruments collection of the customs laboratory of Lisbon, created in 1887. It is a peculiar and valuable collection, since it is part of an institution related to the economy (not with teaching or research), it is in good conservation, and there are few similar examples in Europe. The collection has been recently inventoried, and this work shows some preliminary results related to the historical and institutional context of the laboratory, the state and location of the collection, as well as the kind of instruments conserved and their country of production. Therefore, it is expected that this work will contribute to show this collection to a wider group of professionals, and to promote further studies within the framework of the history of science, heritage and museology.
The relationship between selfself-efficacy beliefs of school administrators and effective school leadership
Authors: Ata Erol , Güçlü Nezahat
Published: June 2018

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between self-efficacy beliefs of school administrators working in Anatolia High Schools and Vocational High Schools and effective school leadership. In line with the aim of the project, self-efficacy, school administrators’ self-efficacy, effective school leadership and a conceptual framework were explained in introduction part of the study. The sample of the study is comprised of 60 school administrators and 1050 teachers working in Central Anatolia Region cities Kırşehir, Kayseri, Ankara, Nevşehir, Kırıkkale, Aksaray and Yozgat. The School Administrators Self-Efficacy Scale formed by McCollum, Kajs and Minter (2009) was used in order to obtain data from the school administrators in the study. Furthermore, The Effective School Leadership Scale formed by the researcher with the help of the questionnaires used by Balcı (2001) and Dağlı (2000) so as to measure the effective school leadership. The validity and reliability studies of the both scales used in the study were carried out by the researcher. According to the findings of the study, there is a significant relationship in the same way between the self-efficacy beliefs of the school administrators and the effective school leadership levels according to the opinions of the teachers. The self-efficacy levels of the school administrators also predict their effective school leadership levels. The self-efficacy beliefs of the school administrators and the effective school leadership levels according to the opinions of the teachers were measured in high levels.
Język, literatura, muzyka
Authors: Karpiński Maciej
Published: June 2018

Język, literatura, muzyka
Tonalność języka w pieśni na podstawie utworów ludu Sui
Authors: Kupś Hanna , Burkiewicz Kamil
Published: June 2018

This article aims at describing the realization of lexical tones in songs of Sui people. The main focus for research are the drinking and mountain songs, a part of Sui’s abundant oral literature, most commonly used during traditional festivities and social gatherings. The paper starts with the presentation of the state of current research and the description of Sui language and music. What follows is analysis of four Sui songs and conclusions. The methodology of the article is mostly based upon previous accomplishments, in eg. Chan 1987 and Wong & Diehl 2002.
Fantasy and its Suspension in an Age of Awkwardness: Timur Vermes’s Look Who’s Back
Authors: Yushinsky Troupin Orit
Published: June 2018

The paper examines the way Vermes’s bestseller and its cinematic adaptation, Look Who’s Back, are structured in analogy to Lacan’s notion of the fundamental fantasy, i. e., the framework within which subjects organize their desire in relation to the Other or to the Other’s desire. Employing mainly Adam Kotsko’s terms of awkwardness and sociopathy, I argue that the characters in the novel and the film and the implied and actual audiences constitute Hitler, the narrator and protagonist, as a fantasmatic awkward-sociopath big Other. Hitler is portrayed both as a ludicrous representation of an unsettling and awkward social order, that cannot implement clear and definite norms, and as a cynical sociopath who is incapable not only of overcoming this order but also of fixing it by making it ‘whole’ and consistent again. Discussing major differences between the novel and the film, I examine the ways audiences may fall and avoid falling into the trap of the novel’s and the film’s fantasy. This interpretation contributes simultaneously to the assessment of Hitler’s specific portrayal in Look Who’s Back and the critical exploration of his emblematic representation in our contemporary culture as well as its reasons and effects.
Picea schrenkiana tree-ring chronologies development and vegetation index reconstruction for the Alatau Mountains, Central Asia
Authors: Zhang Tongwen , Zhang Ruibo , Lu Bo , Mambetov Bulkajyr T. , Kelgenbayev Nurzhan , Dosmanbetov Daniyar , Maisupova Bagila , Chen Feng , Yu Shulong , Shang Huaming , Huang Liping
Published: June 2018

In this study, a total of 176 tree cores from Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana) were used to establish a tree-ring chronology and a 167-year July–October normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) for the Alatau Mountains in Central Asia was reconstructed using this newly developed chronology. The tree-ring based NDVI reconstruction tracks the observed data well (r=0.577, p<0.01, n=25) and precisely captures the drought events recorded in historical documents that occurred over a large area in 1917 and 1938. After applying a 21-year moving average, three dense (1860–1870, 1891–1907, and 1950–1974) and three sparse (1871–1890, 1908–1949, and 1975–2006) vegetation coverage periods were found in this reconstruction. Spatial correlation proves that the reconstructed NDVI series contains climatic signals representative for a large area including southern Kazakhstan. Although a comparison between this reconstruction and four climatic reconstructions for southeastern Kazakhstan, Nilka (in the Ili region), the Issyk Lake, and the Aksu region reveals similar variations, the coherence between these reconstructions become weak with the increase in spatial distance from north to south. In addition to the local representation, it was also demonstrated that the newly developed NDVI index can indicate the large-scale circulations over Eurasia, with the higher NDVI associated with stronger westerly winds from the Atlantic to the Alatau Mountains, and the lower NDVI associated with the weaker winds.
Postcolonializing Practical Theological Methodology as Cartography of Boundary Dynamics
Authors: Park Hee-Kyu Heidi
Published: June 2018

This paper conceptualizes a postcolonializing practical theological methodology that maps out the boundary dynamics of spectrality that often characterize the lived experiences on the margin of the empire. It draws from the mathematical understanding of Brownian motion that calculates the random movements of particles, as exposed by quantum mechanics, to construct an image for the postcolonializing practical theology. Then the random movement is explored through the concept of spectrality, which is engaged in dialogue with a 17th century Korean novel, Jangwha Hongryun Jeon, cultural theories and theologies.
Appraisal, Preaching and the Religious Other: The Rhetorical Appropriation of Interreligious Positions in Sermonic Discourse
Authors: Malmström Hans
Published: June 2018

This paper explores preachers’ deployment of Appraisal (affect, judgement, appreciation, and dialogic engagement) in preaching on interreligious themes. Adopting a comparative discourse analysis, the paper investigates two American sermons representing diametrically opposed theological responses to other religions, a pluralist sermon in the Unitarian Universalist tradition and an exclusivist sermon in the biblical-evangelical tradition. An analysis of the two preachers’ Appraisal choices reveals two distinct Appraisal profiles. A discussion is then offered demonstrating how Appraisal is conducive to the appropriation and conservation of a specific interreligious persona during preaching.
Interaction between doped C60 fullerenes and piperazine-2,3,5,6-tetraone: DFT simulation
Authors: Alver Özgür , Parlak Cemal , Ramasami Ponnadurai , Şenyel Mustafa
Published: June 2018

Piperazine and tetraone-related compounds are widely used in the drug industry. Heteroatom-doped fullerenes are studied as new types of sensor devices, and medical applications are studied as drug delivery vehicles. In this work, Si- or Al-doped C60 fullerenes and their interactions with piperazine-2,3,5,6-tetraone (ppto) molecule and some important structural or electronic properties were examined using the density functional theory (DFT). Results indicate that doped C60 fullerenes might be used to diagnose the presence of ppto as delivery vehicle and sensor because of their high adsorption energies and change of band gap energies.
Intercultural communication within a Chinese subsidiary of a Western MNC: Expatriate perspectives on language and communication issues
Authors: Wilczewski Michał , Søderberg Anne-Marie , Gut Arkadiusz
Published: June 2018

This study investigates Polish expatriates’ stories of encounters with local personnel in a Chinese subsidiary of a Western multinational company. A narrative analysis of the stories produced important insights into Polish-Chinese communication in an intra-subsidiary context. Low proficiency in the host language was a serious obstacle to expatriate socialization and a source of expatriates’ exclusion and social isolation in the workplace, which often led to stress, frustration, and negative attitudes toward collaboration with local personnel. Language-related issues prevented the expatriates from acquiring information from Chinese superiors, learning about problems within a team, and participating in decision-making. The findings of this case study relate to communication challenges in the Chinese subsidiary, expatriates’ accounts of how they overcame communication difficulties, and their reflections on what fostered and hampered intercultural communication.
Crystal structure of guanidinium tetrabutyl-ammonium 5-hydroxyisophthalate dihydrate, C25H50N4O7
Authors: Liu Yalin , Li Qiufang
Published: June 2018

C25H50N4O7, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 14.7637(11) Å, b = 12.0608(9) Å, c = 16.7391(14) Å, β = 101.086(1)°, V = 2925.0(4), Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0489, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1076, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of ethyl 4-amino-5-(5-methyl-1-(4-tolyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl)-2-(phenylamino)thiophene-3-carboxylate, C24H23N5O3S
Authors: Geesi Mohammed H. , Mohamed Hanan A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M. , El-Hiti Gamal A.
Published: June 2018

C24H23N5O3S, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.1704(9) Å, b = 10.1253(11) Å, c = 12.2182(14) Å, α = 83.686(10)°, β = 89.542(9)°, γ = 76.982(9)°, V = 1098.5(2) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0551, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1510, T = 296(2) K.
Existence and Stability of Difference Equation in Imprecise Environment
Authors: Mondal Sankar Prasad , Khan Najeeb Alam , Vishwakarma Dileep , Saha Apu Kumar
Published: June 2018

In this paper, first order linear homogeneous difference equation is evaluated in fuzzy environment. Difference equations become more notable when it is studied in conjunction with fuzzy theory. Hence, here amelioration of these equations is demonstrated by three different tactics of incorporating fuzzy numbers.Subsequently, the existence and stability analysis of the attained solutions of fuzzy difference equations (FDEs) are then discussed under different cases of impreciseness. In addition, considering triangular and generalized triangular fuzzy numbers, numerical experiments are illustrated and efficient solutions are depicted, graphically and in tabular form.
Numerical Techniques for Unsteady Nonlinear Burgers Equation Based on Backward Differentiation Formulas
Authors: Mukundan Vijitha , Awasthi Ashish
Published: June 2018

We introduce new numerical techniques for solving nonlinear unsteady Burgers equation. The numerical technique involves discretization of all variables except the time variable which converts nonlinear PDE into nonlinear ODE system. Stability of the nonlinear system is verified using Lyapunov’s stability criteria. Implicit stiff solvers backward differentiation formula of order one, two and three are used to solve the nonlinear ODE system. Four test problems are included to show the applicability of introduced numerical techniques. Numerical solutions so obtained are compared with solutions of existing schemes in literature. The proposed numerical schemes are found to be simple, accurate, fast, practical and superior to some existing methods.
Influence of Non-linear Boussinesq Approximation on Natural Convective Flow of a Power-Law Fluid along an Inclined Plate under Convective Thermal Boundary Condition
Authors: RamReddy Ch. , Naveen P. , Srinivasacharya D.
Published: June 2018

In the present investigation, a problem of natural convective flow of a non-Newtonian power-law fluid over an inclined plate saturated in a non-Darcy porous medium is considered. Also, the nonlinear Boussinesq approximation and convective thermal boundary condition are taken into account to address heat and mass transfer phenomena of thermal systems which are operated at moderate and very high temperatures. The steady-state boundary layer equations are non-dimensionalized into non-similar form and then solved numerically by the local non-similarity method with successive linearisation method (SLM). The effects of various physical parameters on the fluid flow, heat and mass transfer characteristics are depicted graphically and analysed in detail.
Chinese NGOs are “Going Out”: History, Scale, Characteristics, Outcomes, And Barriers
Authors: Li Xiaoyun , Dong Qiang
Published: June 2018

From a historical perspective, China has become a focus of attention in contemporary globalization, and the expansion of Chinese NGOs’ participation overseas has been an important part of its globalization process. On the one hand, this “going out” phenomenon implies a spontaneous, internal cultural power within the Chinese society driven by a strong economy, which is a modern form of ideological promotion caused by capital expansion. On the other hand, this process has also been propelled by utilitarian factors. Nevertheless, despite a decade of development, the “going out” of Chinese NGOs is still in its infancy. Moreover, Chinese NGOs that are going global face various challenges in terms of laws and policies, public awareness and fundraising, transnational operations, and professional talent. To propose new concepts of global development, Chinese NGOs will have to strengthen themselves.
Growth-Enhancing Corporate Tax Reform in Belgium
Authors: Mooij Ruud De , Hebous Shafik , Hrdinkova Milena
Published: June 2018

Until 2018, Belgium had a unique corporate income tax system due to its notional interest deduction, also known in public finance literature as the allowance for corporate equity. At the same time, it had one of the highest corporate tax rates in Europe at 34 percent. The latter came under severe pressure to reform and, as of 2018, the government has started to reduce the rate, gradually to reach 25 percent in 2020. The reduction is accompanied by other measures, including a limitation of the notional interest deduction. This paper argues that the lower CIT rate is likely to be conducive to economic growth. Yet, the effects on growth would have been more favorable if the notional interest deduction would have been strengthened, rather than diminished.
Carboxymethyl cellulose-grafted graphene oxide for efficient antitumor drug delivery
Authors: Jiao Zepeng , Zhang Bin , Li Chunya , Kuang Weicong , Zhang Jingxian , Xiong Yongqiang , Tan Shaozao , Cai Xiang , Huang Langhuan
Published: June 2018

A drug delivery system based on carboxymethyl cellulose-grafted graphene oxide loaded by methotrexate (MTX/CMC-GO) with pH-sensitive and controlled drug-release properties was developed in this work. CMC was grafted on graphene oxide by ethylenediamine through hydrothermal treatment. CMC serves as a pH-sensitive trigger, while CMC-GO serves as a drug-carrying vehicle due to the curved layer and large plain surface. Different amounts of drugs could be loaded into CMC-GO nanocarriers by control of the original amount of drug/carrier ratios. Additionally, low cytotoxicity against NIH-3T3 cells and low in vivo toxicity was observed. In vivo tumor growth inhibition assays showed that MTX/CMC-GO demonstrated superior antitumor activity than free MTX against HT-29 cells. Moreover, prolonged survival time of mice was observed after MTX/CMC-GO administration. The MTX/CMC-GO drug delivery system has a great potential in colon cancer therapy.
Queer Bodies, Queer Lives in China English Contact Literature
Authors: Paiz Joshua M. , Comeau Anthony , Zhu Junhan , Zhang Jingyi , Santiano Agnes
Published: June 2018

Ha Jin and his works have contributed significantly to world Englishes knowledge, both through direct scholarly engagement with contact literatures and through the linguistic creativity exhibited in his works of fiction (Jin 2010). His fiction writing also acts as a site of scholarly inquiry (e.g., Zhang 2002). Underexplored, however, are how local varieties of English as used to create queer identities. This paper will seek to address this gap by exploring how Ha Jin created queer spaces in his short story “The Bridegroom.” This investigation will utilize a Kachruvian world Englishes approach to analyzing contact literatures (B. Kachru 1985, 1990, Y. Kachru & Nelson 2006, Thumboo 2006). This analysis will be supported by interfacing it with perspectives from the fields of queer theory and queer linguistics (Jagose 1996, Leap & Motschenbacher 2012), which will allow for a contextually sensitive understanding of queer experiences in China. This approach will enable us to examine how Ha Jin utilized the rhetorical and linguistic markers of China English to explore historical attitudes towards queerness during the post-Cultural Revolution period. These markers include the use of local idioms and culturally-localized rhetorical moves to render a uniquely Chinese queer identity.
Effects of calcium stearate as pro-oxidant agent on the natural aging of polypropylene
Authors: Bensaad Fatima , Belhaneche-Bensemra Naima
Published: June 2018

The aim of this work is to study the effects of calcium stearate (CaSt2) as pro-oxidant agent on the degradation of polypropylene (PP) under natural exposure. For that purpose, PP samples containing various amounts of CaSt2 were prepared and exposed in Boumerdes, Algeria (Mediterranean climate) for 12 months. Samples were taken off every 3 months and characterized. The evolution of mechanical properties was followed by tensile and hardness tests. The structural modifications of PP were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, whereas the changes in morphology were analyzed by optical microscopy. The results showed a sudden decrease of elongation at break since the 1st month of exposure and a progressive decrease of stress at break and hardness. FTIR analysis showed apparition of oxygen products (carbonyl and hydroperoxide groups) due to the degradation of PP and a significant increase of carbonyl index as a function of exposure time. Furthermore, formation of crazes and cracks occurred during natural aging of PP. All the considered properties were affected by the presence of CaSt2 as pro-oxidant agent, but the results showed that the level of calcium stearate does not have a significant influence and a concentration of 5 wt% was sufficient to initiate the process of degradation.
Study of radiotoxic 210Po in Indian tobacco using liquid scintillation spectrometry
Authors: Srivastava Alok , Tuli Vishal , Scherer Ulrich W.
Published: June 2018

A fast radioanalytical method has been developed to measure 210Po in tobacco samples. After microwave digestion polonium is extracted quantitatively from a 1 M hydrochloric acid solution into a solution of triisooctylamine in toluene. The extract was measured by liquid scintillation counting in α mode. Caused by the high counting efficiency the counting time per sample can be reduced significantly compared to conventional α spectrometry, allowing for high sample throughput. The method was applied to 11 brands of cigarettes, beedis and or chewing tobaccos from India. Based on the resulting activity concentrations and typical consumption habits, annual and lifetime equivalent doses were calculated. They were found to be ~100–700 μSv/a or ~5–35 mSv, respectively.
A review on the sustainability of textile industries wastewater with and without treatment methodologies
Authors: Pattnaik Punyasloka , Dangayach G.S. , Bhardwaj Awadhesh Kumar
Published: June 2018

The textile industry in India plays a vital role in the economic growth of the nation. The growth of the textile industry not only impacts the economy of a country but also influences the global economy and mutual exchange of technology between the countries. However, the textile industry also generates an enormous quantity of waste as waste sludge, fibers and chemically polluted waters. The chemically polluted textile wastewater degrades the quality of the soil and water when it mixes with these natural resources and its dependent habitats and environment. Owing to the existing problem of solid and liquid waste, textile industries are facing major problems in environment pollution. Therefore, researchers and the textile industries are focusing on the reduction of textile wastewater and the formulation of alternative efficient treatment techniques without hampering the environment. Hence, the present literature survey mainly concentrates on the various wastewater treatment techniques and their advantages. Moreover, the focus of the study was to describe the methods for the reduction of environmental waste and effective utilization of recycled water with zero wastewater management techniques. The alternative methods for the reduction of textile waste are also covered in this investigation. Finally, this paper also suggests utilization of solid wastes after treatment of wastewater in other sectors like construction for the preparation of low-grade tiles and or bricks by replacing the cement normally used in their manufacturing.
A review on future episodic thinking in mood and anxiety disorders
Authors: Moustafa Ahmed A. , Morris Alejandro N. , ElHaj Mohamad
Published: June 2018

Future episodic thinking refers to the ability to imagine oneself in the future and project oneself into specific future events. This cognitive process is related to decision making and planning for the future. Although healthy populations commonly project themselves into the future (e.g. while planning a trip or career), patients with mood disorders show impairment in this ability. In this review article, we discuss the similarities and differences in future thinking among the following populations: major depressive disorder, dysphoria, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Importantly, we highlight the methodological variations in future episodic memory tasks in the literature that may explain the differences in the existing results.
Public access venues and community empowerment in Mozambique: a social representation study
Authors: Rega Isabella , Vannini Sara
Published: June 2018

This article uses the theoretical construct of Social Representations to investigate how Community Multimedia Centers (CMCs) – venues that offer public access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to underserved communities – are perceived by communities in Mozambique, and it discusses how the local population understands these venues as means to foster community empowerment and socio-economic development. In total, 113 participants took part in the study, from six CMCs in different towns of Mozambique. Participants were represented from three different social groups, according to their use of the CMC: staff members, users of both CMC components – telecenter and radio – and radio-only users. The article analyses the Social Representations’ structure, using a Prototypical approach. Findings show that CMCs are seen by local communities as places at which they can receive and exchange information, and also as learning spaces, with the telecenter part focused on the delivery of ICT training and the radio component engaging with educational activities and services in a broader sense. Furthermore, CMCs are perceived as places dedicated almost exclusively to children and young people. The results of this study can help policy makers, practitioners, funding agencies and other relevant stakeholders to improve Mozambican CMCs and leverage their community empowerment potential.
The effects of propranolol on heart rate variability and quantitative, mechanistic, pain profiling: a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study
Authors: Petersen Kristian Kjær , Andersen Hjalte Holm , Tsukamoto Masato , Tracy Lincoln , Koenig Julian , Arendt-Nielsen Lars
Published: June 2018

Background and aims

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is capable of modulating pain. Aberrations in heart rate variability (HRV), reflective of ANS activity, are associated with experimental pain sensitivity, chronic pain, and more recently, pain modulatory mechanisms but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. HRV is lowered during experimental pain as well as in chronic pain conditions and HRV can be increased by propranolol, which is a non-selective β-blocker. Sensitization of central pain pathways have been observed in several chronic pain conditions and human mechanistic pain biomarkers for these central pain pathways include temporal summation of pain (TSP) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). The current study aimed to investigate the effect of the β-blocker propranolol, and subsequently assessing the response to standardized, quantitative, mechanistic pain biomarkers.

Methods

In this placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized crossover study, 25 healthy male volunteers (mean age 25.6 years) were randomized to receive 40 mg propranolol and 40 mg placebo. Heart rate, blood pressure, and HRV were assessed before and during experimental pain tests. Cuff pressure pain stimulation was used for assessment of pain detection (cPDTs) and pain tolerance (cPTTs) thresholds, TSP, and CPM. Offset analgesia (OA) was assessed using heat stimulation.

Results

Propranolol significantly reduced heart rate (p<0.001), blood pressure (p<0.02) and increased HRV (p<0.01) compared with placebo. No significant differences were found comparing cPDT (p>0.70), cPTT (p>0.93), TSP (p>0.70), OA-effect (p>0.87) or CPM (p>0.65) between propranolol and placebo.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrated that propranolol increased HRV, but did not affect pressure pain sensitivity or any pain facilitatory or modulatory outcomes.

Implications

Analgesic effects of propranolol have been reported in clinical pain populations and the results from the current study could indicate that increased HRV from propranolol is not associated with peripheral and central pain pathways in healthy male subjects.
Storying experience: Young children’s early use of story genres
Authors: Flynn Erin Elizabeth
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study is to support early childhood teachers’ understanding of the diversity and sophistication present in young children’s storytelling to counteract singular and tacit conceptualizations of story. Drawing on the notion of genre, this study uses systemic functional linguistics to examine rhetorical patterns in the storytelling of a group of children in multilingual and multicultural classrooms. Stories were collected in the context of a small group storytelling activity called story circles. Participation in story circles resulted in 176 stories. Children’s stories were parsed into story stages and story genres based on functional purpose and known patterns in the grammar of language. Results show that the children told stories that varied not only in length and complexity, but in choice of story genres. Further, the majority of children employed different genres of story across the four weeks of the activity. The children in this sample used storytelling as a vehicle for giving significance to everyday experience, elevating ideas and establishing relationships in the classroom context.
How to Win the Brussels Game? Explaining the European Parliament’s Success under the Co-Decision
Authors: Kirpsza Adam
Published: June 2018

The purpose of the article is to identify the conditions that affect the success of the European Parliament’s amendments in the ordinary legislative procedure. In the first step, hypotheses were delineated predicting the impact of specific factors on the effectiveness of EP demands. Subsequently, they were verified using the logistic regression. The results revealed that the EP is more likely to be successful in this procedure if it applies the following negotiation techniques. First, it bundles several legislative proposals in one package. Second, it persuades the European Commission to support its amendments. Third, it negotiates the legislative proposals in trilogues. Fourth, it is cohesive during negotiations. Fifth, it prolongs negotiations with the Council until the end of parliamentary term. Sixth, it designates a rapporteur from a country acting at the same time as the Council Presidency. Seventh, it negotiates with the Council when the Presidency legislative workload is high.
What Kind of Governor was Nehemiah? The Titles פֶּחָה and תִּרְשָׁתָא in MT and LXX Ezra-Nehemiah
Authors: Fulton Deirdre
Published: June 2018

Die Frage nach den exakten Bedeutungen der Begriffe החָפֶּ und אתָשָׁרְתִּ in Esra-Nehemia zog in der Vergangenheit beträchtliche Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. Indem die zwei Begriffe zumeist als Titel verstanden wurden, sind sie für die Frage entscheidend, wie die Texte von Esra-Nehemia die persische Administration der Provinz »jenseits des Flusses« beschreiben. Dieser Artikel untersucht die textkritischen und redaktionskritischen Fragen im masoretischen Text (MT) und in der Septuaginta (LXX) von Esra-Nehemia und wie Veränderungen gegenüber der Vorlage des MT die Stellung des »Gouverneurs« und — spezifischer — die Rolle Nehemias in den Texten modifizierte, die seinen Namen tragen.
The Redactional Reassertion of the Priestly Role in Leviticus 10–16
Authors: Hays Nathan
Published: June 2018

Vielfach wird eine Beziehung zwischen Lev 11–15 und Lev 10,8–11 erkannt. Zusätzlich zu den terminologischen Verbindungen zwischen Lev 10,8–11 und den nachfolgenden Abschnitten lassen sich strukturelle Verbindungen zwischen Lev 10,8–11 und den wichtigen resümierenden Abschnitten in Lev 11–16 aufweisen, die diese Texte verknüpfen. Diese Verbindungen entstammen einer redaktionellen Bearbeitung in Lev 11,47; 13,59b; 14,57; 15,31 und 16,34a. Im Lichte von Jhwhs Rede an Aaron in Lev 10 ergänzte sie auch Aaron als Adressaten in den Redeeinleitungen (Lev 11,1–2a; 13,1; 14,33; 15,1–2a). Auf diese Weise reagiert diese Redaktion auf die egalitären Tendenzen des Heiligkeitgesetzes und betont den Vorrang der Priester als denjenigen, die in Israel zwischen Rein und Unrein unterscheiden und in Israel lehren.
Gemeinsame intellektuelle Hintergründe in Kohelet und in der Familientradition der Tobiaden
Authors: Kwon JiSeong James , Brütsch JiSeong James Kwon und Matthias
Published: June 2018

Die bisherige Wissenschaft beleuchtete den intellektuellen Hintergrund von Kohelet unter Heranziehung von ägyptischen, mesopotamischen und hellenistischen Textsorten. All diese Versuche konnten den intellektuellen Hintergrund von Koh nicht abschließend klären, weshalb die Diskussion nie aufhörte. Anstatt den intellektuellen Hintergrund von Kohelet in Griechenland, Ägypten oder Mesopotamien zu suchen, fanden wir ihn im ammonitisch-israelischen Kernland, nämlich bei der Tobiadenfamilie, soweit sich diese aus Josephus und anderen Quellen erschließen lässt: Sowohl Kohelet als auch die Tobiaden waren als hellenisierende Laien deutlich beeinflusst von der griechischen – namentlich auch kynischen und skeptischen – Literatur und Philosophie. Werden solche gemeinsamen intellektuellen Hintergründe sorgfältig herausgearbeitet, so lässt sich – mit sechs im Artikel genannten Argumenten – sogar eine konkrete Identifikation Kohelets in Betracht ziehen. Dabei spielen die beiden Koheletfragmente aus Qumran (4Q109Koha und 4Q76Kohb) eine Schlüsselrolle.
Reading Micaiah’s Heavenly Vision (1Kgs 22:19–23) and 1 Kings 22 as Interpretive Keys
Authors: Quine Catherine
Published: June 2018

Diese Arbeit stellt die These auf, dass Michas Vision in 1 Reg 22,19–23 und das gesamte Kapitel 1 Reg 22 als hermeneutische Schlüssel fungieren, die dem Leser das darauffolgende Material erschließen. Michas Vision macht deutlich, dass der bevorstehende Sieg der Aramäer und der Tod des Königs von Israel in 1 Reg 22,29–26, die Autorität JHWH′s nicht herausforderte, sondern im Gegenteil bestätigte. Im größeren Zusammenhang kombiniert 1 Reg 22 Themen und Ereignisse aus dem Kontext (1 Reg 16–21; 2 Reg 3–13), um ein Narrativ zu schaffen, das die historischen Ereignisse um den Aufstieg der Aramäer und den Niedergang der Omriden begreifbar macht. Das Kapitel nutzt Ahab und Joschafat als Repräsentanten der Könige von Israel und Juda, um eine Geschichte zu erzählen, die deutlich macht, wie JHWH sich der Aramäer bediente, um die Omriden zu stürzen und Juda aus der Kontrolle Israels zu befreien.
Analysis of Mixed Convection in a Vertical Channel in the Presence of Electrical Double Layers
Authors: Khan Niazi M. Dilawar , Xu Hang , Zhao Qingkai , Sun Qiang
Published: June 2018

We consider the fully developed mixed convection flow in a vertical channel driven by an external pressure gradient and buoyancy force. Unlike in previous studies, we employ a new model to formulate the flow problem that guarantees the smoothness and continuity of the distributions of the electrical potential and velocity. This model, solved by the homotopy analysis method, is compatible with the channel flow models commonly used in fluid mechanics.
I CICLO DE PALESTRAS EM PRÉ-NATAL DE PEQUENOS ANIMAIS
Authors: Anciuti Andréia Nobre , Barwaldt Eugênia Tavares , Silva Edenara Anastácio , Soares Sara Lorandi , Corrêa Luísa Grecco , Keidann Betina , Dias Jordana Moura , Dode Maria Eduarda Bicca , Knabah Nathália Wacholz , Ochôa Talita Lobo , Gheller Stela Mari Meneghello , Corcini Carine Dahl
Published: June 2018

A neonatologia tem despertado o interesse de diversos médicos veterinários, principalmente daqueles que prestam assistência à gatis ou canis. O I Ciclo de Palestras em Pré-Natal de Pequenos Animais, realizado no período de 19 a 23 de junho do ano de 2017 pelo Núcleo de Ensino e Pesquisa em Reprodução Animal (ReproPEL) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, teve como principal objetivo disseminar e propagar informações dos mais diferenciados temas acerca da obstetrícia em pequenos animais e como superar os obstáculos que ainda persistem sobre esse processo. As palestras foram ministradas por médicos veterinários especialistas em medicina felina, endocrinologia, reprodução, imagenologia e anestesiologia, expondo divergentes visões a respeito da complexidade do tema abordado colaborando para disseminação e conhecimento na área.