bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced photodynamic therapy by encapsulation of perfluorocarbon into PEGylated near-infared dyes
Authors: Jiang Ke , Wang Haoran , Zhang Huanhuan , Hu Yiqiao , Wu Jinhui
Published: August 2018

Near-Infrared (NIR) dyes, with improved tissue penetration, minimal invasiveness and high specificity, have gained great interests in diagnosing and treating tumors. However, the poor solubility in aqueous medium and low 1O2 quantum yields of NIR dyes restrict their application in PDT (photodynamic therapy) research. Herein, a novel nanosystem with modifying the NIR dyes and encapsulating perfluorocarbon is reported for improving the PDT effectiveness of NIR dyes. By adding the PEG2000-SH and the C13 carbon chain to a NIR representative dye IR780, the new formed material PEG-IR780-C13 shows good solubility in water. Then PFTBA was encapsulated into PEG-IR780-C13 to form a nanosystem (PFTBA@PEG-IR780-C13). When exposed to laser irradiation, the nanosystem showed enhanced production of 1O2 and significantly increased PDT both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, this work provides an approach for design and application of NIR dyes.
Leucine can modulate the expression of proteins related to protein degradation signalling under mTOR inhibition in C2C12 cells
Authors: Favero-Santos Bianca Cristine , Gomes-Marcondes Maria Cristina Cintra
Published: August 2018

Many metabolic syndromes lead to energetic disturbs which ends to an intense catabolic state. The branched-chain amino acid leucine shows very positive effects on muscle protein metabolism. However, it is still not clear how leucine acts improving the protein turnover. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the effects of leucine supplementation in minimising the signalling pathway of protein degradation when mTOR was inhibited. Our studies were conducted in murine C2C12 myotubes exposed to 2mM leucine or 2mM isoleucine in control situation and compared to the inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin. Then, the expression of proteins related to protein synthesis and degradation signalling pathway was obtained by Western Blot. At this concentration, the leucine was sufficient to maintain the expression of proteins evaluated as in control situation. However, when the cells were exposed to rapamycin (80nM), leucine inhibited the expression of SMAD and FoxO3a, showing that leucine was able to modulate the degradation pathway when protein synthesis is compromised. Furthermore, leucine had no effect in modifying the expression of subunits of ubiquitin-proteasome system, showing that leucine had no direct effect in ubiquitin-proteasome system, but acted leading to the phosphorylation of SMAD and FoxO3, which inhibited the activity of transcriptional of these proteins. No similar results were observed in cells exposed to isoleucine under the same experimental protocol, likely showing that leucine has specific action over another branched-chain amino acids. In conclusion, the present study shows that leucine can modulate degradation pathways even under inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin.
Maslinic acid as an effective anticancer agent
Authors: Lin Xiukun , Ozbey Ulku , Sabitaliyevich Uteuliyev Yerzhan , Attar Rukset , Ozcelik Beraat , Zhang Yuanyan , Guo Mingyue , Liu Minghua , Alhewairini Saleh S , Farooqi Ammad Ahmad
Published: August 2018

Maslinic acid (2Î±,3Î²-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenic compound. Maslinic acid is gradually gaining attention as an excellent pharmacologically active product because of its premium biological properties. In this review we will focus on chemopreventive properties of Maslinic acid against different cancers. Seemingly, available data is limited and we have yet to unravel how Maslinic acid therapeutically targeted oncogenic cell signal transduction cascades in different cancers. Moreover, there are visible knowledge gaps about the ability of Maslinic acid to modulate oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs in various cancers.
Sensitization of cisplatin resistant bladder tumor by combination of cisplatin treatment and co-culture of dendritic cells with apoptotic bladder cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Qi , Chen Zhuo
Published: August 2018

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a population of professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), serving as central regulators of adaptive immunity by presenting antigens. In addition, DCs play essential roles in the connection of the innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, therapeutic vaccines turn out to become a viable therapeutic approach for immunotherapy of cancers. Here we report a dendritic cell-based vaccine strategy which could suppress the bladder tumor growth in vivo and improve the efficiency of chemotherapy. In this study, we investigate the antitumor effects of mature DCs induced by antigen loading in bladder tumor in vivo. We demonstrate the co-culture of cisplatin induced apoptotic human bladder cancer cell line, T24 cells with immature DCs could promote the maturation of DCs. Cisplatin and these activated DCs were reintroduced into mice bearing the T24 cisplatin resistant cells-derived tumor growth to activate or boost the immune response. Mice with iDCs co-cultured with apoptotic T24 (iDCs T24 Apo) cells injection effectively initiate a cytotoxic effect against tumor growth and improve the survival rates of mice compared with controls. Moreover, we observed injection of iDCs T24 apoptosis cells combined with cisplatin into mice with T24 cisplatin resistant cancer cells-derived tumor resulted in a statistically significant suppression of tumor growth compared with mice injected with PBS alone, cisplatin alone, iDCs, iDCs T24 Apo cells, cisplatin plus iDCs. This study provides a dendritic cell-based vaccine strategy which might reduce the risk of tumor recurrence and improve the efficiency of anti-chemoresistance of bladder cancer.
Association of a MiR-499 SNP and risk of congenital heart disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Guo Rui , Feng Zhiyu , Yang Yanliang , Xu Huihui , Zhang Jian , Guo Kai , Bi Yanwen
Published: August 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in heart development. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs have been shown to associate with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methionine synthase (MTR), a key enzyme of folate metabolism, is involved in the early embryonic development. In this study, we aimed to test whether MTR is a direct target of miR-499, and to estimate the associations between miR-499 polymorphisms and the risk of CHD in Chinese population. Gene polymorphisms were analyzed in 1615 subjects including 792 healthy controls and 823 CHD patients. The miR-499 SNP were genotyped and the associations between the SNP frequencies and CHD were assessed by computing odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), as well as by applying Chi-square tests. Dual reporter assay was carried out to test whether MTR is a direct target gene of miR-499. The miR-499 rs374644 AG genotype was not associated with the CHD risk (AG vs. AA. OR=1.27, 95%CI=0.85-1.81, p=0.20). The GG genotype was associated with a significantly increased CHD risk (GG vs. AA. OR=5.33, 95%CI=1.80-15.83, p=0.001). The AG/GG variants were associated with a significantly increased CHD risk, compared with the AA genotype (OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.16-2.10, p=0.003). MiR-499 mimics inhibits the expression of MTR. MiR-499 directly targeted on MTR. Thus, our study suggested that miR-499 directly targets on MTR and the polymorphisms of rs3746444 may be associated with CHD risk in Chinese individuals.
Artesunate and chloroquine induce cytotoxic activity on cholangiocarcinoma cells via different cell death mechanisms
Authors: Guragain Diwakar , Seubwai Wunchana , Kobayashi Daiki , Silsinivanit Atit , Vaeteewoottacharn Kulthida , Sawanyawisuth Kanlayanee , Wongkham Chaisiri , Wongkham Sopit , Araki Norie , Cha'on Ubon
Published: August 2018

Chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is not quite successful. In this study, we revisited the possibility of artesunate (ART) and chloroquine (CQ), the antimalarial drugs, as therapeutic agents against CCA. The possible mechanisms of these drugs to exert cytotoxicity on CCA cells were also explored. The effects of ART and CQ on proliferation and death patterns of two CCA cell lines, KKU-214 and its highly metastatic subtype KKU-214L5, were examined using water soluble tetrazolium (WST) assay and time-lapse photometry, respectively. To differentiate and verify the death patterns between necrosis and apoptosis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and caspase 3 activity were measured. CellROXTM green reagent staining method was used to assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in ART- and CQ-treated cells. ART and CQ significantly inhibited proliferation of CCA cells. Both drugs kill malarial parasites via similar mechanism depending on ROS formation, however, ART induced necrotic cell death and CQ induced apoptotic cell death in CCA cells. ART induced LDH release, whereas CQ activated caspase 3, confirming induction of necrotic and apoptotic cell deaths by ART and CQ, respectively. ART treatment induced higher ROS production than CQ. ART and CQ induce CCA cells death via different death pathways. ART should be suitable for necrosis-sensitive CCA, whereas CQ is more suitable for apoptosis-sensitive CCA.
Warning: spread of NDM-1 in two border towns of Iran
Authors: Armin Shahnaz , Fallah Fatemeh , Azimi Leila , Samadi Kafil Hossein , Ghazvini Kiarash , Hasanzadeh Sepide , Karimi Abdollah
Published: August 2018

NDM-1 producing gram-negative bacteria can be resistant to every beta-lactam antibiotic, including carbapenem which is one of the last-lines of antibiotic therapy against multi-drug resistant bacteria. This study aimed to detect the metallo-beta-lactamase in the isolated gram-negative bacteria of the Iranian clinical specimens collected from two major cities in Iran. In this cross sectional study 171 Acinetobacter baumannii, 120 Enterobacter spp. and 145 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens of two training hospitals in Tabriz and Mashhad were evaluated. Carbapenem resistant screening was performed according to CLSI guide line. The antibiotic susceptibility testing was prepared for carbapenem resistant strains. Then, the metallo-beta- lactamase genes detection was also carried out by PCR assay and confirmed by sequencing. Sixty-eight, 12 and 22 carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp. were respectively confirmed, respectively. blaVIM in 9% and blaNDM-1  in 4% of isolated A. baumannii were observed. blaNDM-1 was also detected in 18% and 25% of K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp. isolates, respectively. This is the first report of NDM-1 producer A. baumannii and Enterobacter pp. in Iran. NDM-1 producing gram-negative bacteria can be resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics and cause complicated challenges in health care systems.
Sinomenine relieves oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced microglial activation via inhibition of the SP1/miRNA-183-5p/IÎºB-Î± signaling pathway
Authors: Qin Feng , Zhao Yang , Shang Wei , Zhao Zhi"‘Ming , Qian Xin , Zhang Bei"‘Bei , Cai Hui
Published: August 2018

Studies have shown that the inflammatory activation of miroglia (MG) and nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-ÎºB ) play a dominant role in inflammatory response. Previous studies have shown that sinomenine, an anti-inflammatory agent extracted from Sinomenium acutum, can directly protect neurons against cerebral ischemia injury. However, there are no reports on its effect on ischemia/reperfusion-induced inflammatory activation of MG. In the present study, an in vitro ischemia/reperfusion model was developed with mouse BV-2 microglia cells, a model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R), and the inhibitory effect of sinomenine pretreatment on inflammatory activation was confirmed through measurement of inflammatory indicators. Mechanistically, sinomenine suppressed OGD/R-induced inflammatory activation through the SP1/miRNA-183-5p/IÎºB-Î± pathway. In conclusion, this study shows that sinomenine effectively inhibits OGD/R-induced inflammatory activation in MG by suppressing the activation of transcription specificity protein 1 (SP 1). This finding is of significance for the clinical use of sinomenine in treating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Energy requirements in mammalian oogenesis
Authors: Arhin Samuel Kofi , Lu Jieqiang , Xi Haitao , Jin Xingliang
Published: August 2018

Oogenesis is a lengthy, multi-step process occurring in mammals yielding single or multiple oocytes capable of being fertilized upon interaction with male gametes. The overall process is highly complex in nature, starting in the primordial follicles, and its ultimate completion is preceded by the meiotic cycle. There are two major phases in oogenesis: the growth phase, followed by a maturation phase that requires relatively less time. Both phases require energy for the various metabolic processes of the oocytes. The energy requirements and the timing of maturation vary significantly among mammalian species. This review describes the variations in the mammalian oocytes development and their energy requirements. It covers the types of mitochondria, the distribution of their changes, and the metabolic processes occurring during the oogenesis in different mammalian species. Oocyte abnormalities associated with glucose deficiency in mammals are discussed, along with the role of fat and protein as alternative energy substrates. The review concludes with recommendations for future studies on oogenesis in mammalian species in the context of energy requirements.
In vitro and in vivo androgen regulation of Dendropanax morbiferus leaf extract on late-onset hypogonadism
Authors: Jung Myung-A , Oh Kyo-nyeo , Choi Eun Jin , Oh Dool-Ri , Kim Yu jin , Bae Donghyuck , Hong Ji Ae , Pan SangO , Kim Ki man , Kim Dong-Wook , Choi Chul-yung
Published: August 2018

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with advancing age and is caused by a deficiency in serum testosterone levels. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a Dendropanax morbiferus H.Lév. leaf extract (DME) on LOH using TM3 cells and aging male rats as in vitro and in vivo models, respectively. The in vitro effects of DME on testosterone levels and 3Î²-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3Î²-HSD) protein expression in TM3 cells were analyzed. In the in vivo experiments, DME was orally administered to rats at three doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. DME significantly increased the testosterone levels and 3Î²-HSD protein expression in TM3 cells. The DME groups showed significantly increased levels of androgenic hormones such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The sex hormone-binding globulin production was significantly lower in the DME groups than that in the control group, while the neurohormone levels in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis markedly increased. No significant differences were observed in the glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and prostate-specific antigen levels among the DME and control groups. The triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower, while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the DME groups than those in the control group. The latency time in the rotarod, treadmill, and swimming tests increased with the DME treatment. Furthermore, the sperm counts in the epididymis markedly increased. These results suggest that DME can be effectively used to alleviate the symptoms of LOH.
Anti-cancer activity of asiatic acid against human cholangiocarcinoma cells through inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis
Authors: Sakonsinsiri Chadamas , Kaewlert Waleeporn , Armartmuntree Napat , Thanan Raynoo , Pakdeechote Poungrat
Published: August 2018

Plant-derived anti-cancer agents have been of considerable interest due to their promising effectiveness with low side effects. Asiatic acid, the main constituent of the medicinal plant Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, has a wide range of biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), which is a malignant tumor of bile duct epithelium, is one of the leading cancers in Southeast Asia, notably the northeast of Thailand where the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini predominates. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have provided evidence supporting that oxidative stress induced by chronic inflammation is involved in CCA genesis with aggressive clinical outcomes. This study was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of asiatic acid on two human CCA cell lines (KKU-156 and KKU-213). Cell viability was determined by a sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Morphological changes of the cells were observed by microscopy. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry using annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of BAX, BCL2 and Survivin/BIRC5 were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It was found that asiatic acid efficiently suppressed CCA cellular viability via induction of apoptosis. In addition, the occurrence of asiatic acid-induced apoptosis was confirmed by microscopic observation of apoptotic vesicles, down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2 and Survivin/BIRC5) and increased early and late apoptotic cells. Our results showed the chemotherapeutic activities of asiatic acid, suggesting the anti-cancer properties of this compound should be clinically assessed and its supplementation may lead to an improvement of survival of CCA patients.
Meta-analysis of gene expression profiles of peripheral blood cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Bae Sang-Cheol , Lee Young Ho
Published: August 2018

Our purpose was to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes and biological processes associated with gene expression changes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We performed a meta-analysis using the INMEX program (integrative meta-analysis of expression data) on publicly available microarray Genetic Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and healthy controls. We performed Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis by using hypergeometric tests. In total, five comparisons (2 B cells, 2 CD4 T cells, and 1 myeloid cell) from two GEO datasets containing 51 cases and 46 controls were included in the meta-analysis. We identified 483 genes consistently differentially expressed in SLE (260 up-regulated and 223 down-regulated). The up-regulated gene with the lowest P-value (P-value = 7.33E-10) was TAP1 (transporter 1, ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (MDR/TAP)). The up-regulated gene with the largest effect size (ES = 2.7799, P-value = 8.28E-06) was STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, 91 kDa). The down-regulated gene with the lowest P-value (P-value = 2.53E-06) was EIF3F (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit F), and the down-regulated gene with the largest ES (ES = âˆ’1.8543, P-value = 8.56E-06) was FBL (fibrillarin). The most significant enrichment among 317 GO categories was the type I interferon (IFN)-mediated signaling pathway with P = 1.93E-20. Other significant GO categories included cellular response to type I IFN (P = 1.93E-20) and response to type I IFN (P = 2.86E-20). Our meta-analysis demonstrates that up-regulated genes mediate IFN-regulated and cytokine-mediate signaling pathways, innate immune response, and antigen processing and presentation. These results provide insights into molecular mechanisms associated to the pathophysiology of SLE.
Investigating the implementation of accredited massive online open courses (MOOCs) in higher education: The boon and the bane
Authors: Wang Xinghua , Hall Allison H , Wang Qiyun
Published: August 2018

This study investigated a 3-year implementation of accredited massive online open courses (MOOCs) in a conventional university in China. Fifteen students and two staff were interviewed, and relevant policy documents were examined. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The study found that students mostly took a wary stance towards accredited MOOCs, while the university supported them. Reasons for students’ favour and disfavour were explored. There was widespread online absenteeism, which was unique to accredited MOOCs. Moreover, accredited MOOCs were found to be completely independent of traditional onsite courses, making them difficult to form a synergy with the latter. Also, a distinct mismatch was identified between the course assessment system and the new course format. Furthermore, there were insufficient regulation, support, and incentives from the university in facilitating the implementation of accredited MOOCs, indicating a discrepancy between university policies and practice. Solutions for future improvement of accredited MOOCs were explored. This study will aid educational practitioners and policymakers in widening access to quality education by exploring effective solutions regarding integrating accredited MOOCs into conventional higher education.
Reflecting on personal data in a health course: Integrating wearable technology and ePortfolio for eHealth
Authors: Sobko Tanja , Brown Gavin
Published: August 2018

Activity trackers (ATs) equipped with biometric sensors may support deep knowledge acquisition of health and active learning. The mechanism may be via personal data being pushed to the students, which deepens the knowledge about their own health and may impact long-term health action processes. To understand health knowledge acquisition, 43 students attending an undergraduate university course were equipped with an AT over a period of five months. Weekly observation on emerging personal data and consequent actions (lifestyle adaptations) were reflected in an individual course-related ePortfolio. Students’ change in health action process was assessed using a short standard eHealth literacy scale at the beginning and end of the course. The usability of ePortfolio tool was tested with two previously validated scales. The combination of personal information from an AT and ePortfolio may have enhanced students’ critical assessment of health-related personal and available digital information. eHealth literacy scores significantly increased by the end of the course (p < .01). The ePortfolio helped with learning, and the usability of the ePortfolio did not really interfere. The combination of AT and ePortfolio constitutes a novel and productive method of using ePortfolios in higher education in regards to eHealth literacy acquisition.
The Effect of Previous Material Research into the Manuscript of Dvůr Králové and the Manuscript of Zelená Hora on their Current State
Authors: Ohlídalová Martina , Křenek Karel , Tvrzníková Jana , Pech Michal , Šefců Radka
Published: August 2018

In 2017, the National Museum commemorated the bicentenary of the discovery of the Manuscript of Dvůr Králové and the Manuscript of Zelená Hora by further material research into both works and especially by an exhibition of their originals. The main aims of this research into the manuscripts included the documentation and evaluation of their current physical condition and the mapping of the effect of the microchemical analyses performed in the context of the disputes over the authenticity of the manuscripts between the middle of the 19th century and the 1970s. For the achievement of these objectives, a detailed documentation of all the pages of the manuscripts in different types of lighting (visible direct, lateral, transmitted, ultraviolet, infrared), optical microscopy, and the identification of the degradation productions of damaged places by means of X-ray fluorescence analysis and Raman spectroscopy were used. This provided new information on the current physical condition of the manuscripts and documentation of the damage caused by historical microchemical testing. In addition, some previously unpublished historical tests were identified, thus offering a new perspective on some current damage of the two manuscripts.
Manuscript Fragments of the Pernstein Bible
Authors: Voleková Kateřina
Published: August 2018

The article presents recently found fragments of an Old Czech Biblical manuscript from the 15th century, namely the Bible of Pernstein (Prague, National Library of the CR, shelf mark XVII A 7), representing the third redaction of the Old Czech Bible translation. The twenty strips from eighteen parchment folios contain short passages from various Biblical books and Biblical prologues.
IUPAC Large or Small? Some Fractal Character?
Authors: Hartshorn Richard
Published: August 2018

Some of you will have come across delightful pictures of those weird beasts called
fractals, whether they be mathematically generated, or those that abound in nature (such
as ferns). If you haven’t, then I think you should spend a little time hunting some down
on the web. Apart from the almost magical self-similarity at different scales (which means
that even if you zoom in you get a picture that looks very similar to that you started
with), the other notable feature of fractals is that they have non-integer dimensions. A
piece of paper is two-dimensional when laid out flat; a ball is a three-dimensional. A
crumpled up piece of paper, an object with some two-dimensional character due to its
origin (and the fact that it is still really only a surface) and some three-dimensional
character (as it does fill space in some way), is somewhere in the middle. A coastline is
more than one-dimensional but less than two dimensional—it too is a fractal. One of the
interesting features of fractals, like a coastline, is that the length that you measure
depends on the size of ruler you use.
Nitrogen Fixation before Haber
Authors: Rabinovich Daniel
Published: August 2018

Much has been written about the German chemist Fritz Haber (1868-1934), who embodies at
once the best and the worst that chemistry has offered to humankind. He received the Nobel
Prize in Chemistry a century ago (1918) “for the synthesis of ammonia from its elements,”
an industrial process that led to the pervasive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in
agriculture and enabled the unprecedented population growth experienced in the world ever
since. On the other hand, Haber is often considered the “father of chemical warfare” for
his role in the development and deployment of chlorine and other poisonous gases during
World War I. This note, however, is not about Haber’s legacy but pays tribute instead to
two resourceful Norwegians who preceded him in the quest for converting atmospheric
nitrogen into more reactive, bioavailable forms of the element.
IUPAC and IYCN: Forging New Connections to Support Younger Chemists Worldwide
Authors: Ferrins Lori , Llabani Evijola , Dunne Christine
Published: August 2018

The International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN) is an organization that aims to connect chemists who are in the early stages of their career, including but not limited to graduate school, postdoctoral associates, chemists within five years of their terminal degree, and chemists newly transitioning into the field. Our core objective is to reach like-minded scientists globally and create a platform for scientific exchange. With a focus on building a worldwide network, we strive to spread scientific knowledge, mentorship, and encourage a passion for chemistry.
The Gender Gap in Science
Authors: Chiu Mei-Hung , Roy Marie-Francoise , Liaw Hongming
Published: August 2018

In 2017, the ICSU Gender-Gap in Science project was approved. Lead by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the project full title is “A Global Approach to the Gender Gap in Mathematical and Natural Sciences: How to Measure It, How to Reduce It?”
Chemistry in Senegal: Between Skepticism and Hope
Authors: Fall Modou , Ndiaye Serigne Amadou , Diop Mayoro
Published: August 2018

In Senegal, the education and university system is characterized by the dominance of arts and humanities over science and technology. The practice of chemistry is relatively important regionally in universities (for both education and research), as well as in the industries—although with a strong contrast between these two areas. Will the dynamism of chemical associations and the recent discovery of gas and oil enable a change in the chemical sector in Senegal? Senegal is a country in West Africa with 15.3 million inhabitants where the practice of chemistry is quite established. In this article, we present the current state of chemical education, research, and industry, without forgetting, of course, the chemical associations that have become increasingly active in recent years.
Polish cooperative banks as net lenders in the money market
Authors: Golec Maria Magdalena , Płuciennik Piotr
Published: August 2018

Due to the traditional operational model of cooperative banks which is mostly based on financial intermediation, the range of a local bank’s social influence in a given environment is highly dependent on the money transfer balance, that is using local money to satisfy local needs. A typical obstacle to this activity could be observed in Poland, in positive money transfers in those banks understood as the excess of deposits from customers over loans given to them. The purpose of the following paper is to examine this phenomenon in Polish cooperative banks in comparison to credit cooperatives in Europe together with its explanation on the basis of the selected group of cooperative banks in Poland. According to the sector data in the years 2004-2015 Polish cooperative banks are net lenders for the remaining entities of the financial sector. On the European market, on the other hand, groups of cooperative banks aim to balance money transfers. It is the activity of the biggest sector players that mostly influences the information concerning credit cooperatives, which is why more thorough research into the group of over 90 Polish cooperative banks was conducted in the years 2009-2016. In the examined group deposits exceed loans and the phenomenon continues to grow and it has been observed in over three quarters of the institutions in question since 2011.
Capitalization and bank performance: Evidence from Nigerian Banking Sector
Authors: Muritala Taiwo Adewale , Ijaiya Muftau Adeniyi , Adekunle Ahmed Oluwatobi , Abidoye Mobolaji Kafayat
Published: August 2018

The study examines the impact of capitalization on bank performance of some selected commercial banks in Nigeria using econometric analysis on annual time series data of ten banks over the period of 2006 to 2014. The results from a Levin, Lin & Chu unit root test show that all the variables were non-stationary. The results from a Panel Least Square (PLS) estimate found that operating expenses, bank size and bank loan are negatively related to profitability but only bank loans are significant. On the other hand, bank deposit and bank liquidity are positively related to profitability but not significant. This conclusion has important policy implications for emerging countries like Nigeria as it suggests that capitalisation and total assets of a bank should be periodically evaluated. The regulatory authorities will therefore need to put in place appropriate machinery that will address issues of bank liquidity and assure asset quality in the industry.
Impact of foreign ownership on dividend policy in Poland
Authors: Zyguła Andrzej
Published: August 2018

The article analyses the impact of foreign investors, who were the majority shareholders of companies on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, on dividend policy of these companies in the years 2004-2014. An evaluation of the direction and strength of the influence of the analysed group of investors, using 2 models, was conducted applying logistic regression. The first – dividend payout policy based on the binary logit model - showed that along with a growing share of a foreign investor in a given company the probability of dividend payment by the company increased significantly. The second – dividend level change model based on the multinominal logit method - showed, however, that with an increasing share of foreign investors the probability that a given company will reduce the paid dividend level was enhanced significantly. Additionally, it should be stated that these results, irrespective of the model used, were to a very large extent in line with conclusions of the pecking order theory. However, in the case of signaling, free cash flow and maturity theories, these results only to a small extent provided evidence supporting these theories.
The impact of trading liquidity on the rate of return on emerging markets: the example of Poland and the Baltic countries
Authors: Gniadkowska-Szymańska Agata
Published: August 2018

Each type of investment has its own liquidity, i.e. the speed with which it can be converted into money. This can be seen with respect to various instruments (such as stocks or futures contracts), market segments, or even entire exchanges. The importance of liquidity has been acknowledged for a long time. A considerable number of studies have investigated stock liquidity, providing evidence that more illiquid stocks have higher returns, which may be deemed an ‚illiquidity premium’. In this paper I present various factors which have an effect on liquidity by presenting the results of research concerning relations between liquidity and stock return on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) and Nasdaq stock exchanges in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.
Modeling of stringer deformation and displacement in Ara salt after the end of salt tectonics
Authors: Li Shiyuan
Published: August 2018

The present work considers numerical models of large rock inclusions (stringers) are embedded in many salt bodies. The study has been made to investigate the influence of salt tectonic process, such as downbuilding, on the deformation and displacement of stringers. In this research, the focus has been on establishing numerical models of the deformation and displacement of stringer embedded in salt (at rest) after occurrences of salt tectonics. The problem of influence of eventual tectonic processes at larger stage is addressed on the development of stringers. The numerical model is based on finite element method in combination with adaptive remeshing. The results show that the stringers experience minor sinking and the differential stress in salt and the differential stress in the stringer decrease during the period after salt tectonics. The change of stress of reservoir will influence drilling process and oil or gas production.
A multi-criteria decision analysis with special reference to loess and archaeological sites in Serbia (Could geosciences and archaeology cohabitate?)
Authors: Vujičić Miroslav D. , Vasiljević Djordjije A. , Hose Thomas A. , Tasić Nenad , Morar Cezar , Ðurić Aleksandar , Marković Slobodan B.
Published: August 2018

Geoarcheology is a term used to describe the work of experts who deal with the archeological record and combine the expertise of their different disciplines, mainly archeology and geology. Because such scientists have different educational backgrounds and use different research methods it was expected that they might value archeological sites (or geoarchaeological geosites) somewhat differently. The principal aim of this study is to show the results of the application of a GAM’s (Geosite Assessment Model) main values, rank indicators and sub-indicators according to the experts’ preferences and attitudes, as it was presumed that they are not of the same importance. For this purpose, the authors used a AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), widely used in decision-making analysis, to define the criteria weights and rank the indicators. Two main groups of expert respondents, geoscientists and archeologists, were surveyed and gave their criteria weights. The results obtained by application of the AHP showed that there is a difference in indicator weights. While both groups gave their highest value to the scientific/educational indictor, the geoscientists gave their higher rank to the scenic/aesthetic rather than to the protection indicator, the archeologists ranked them opposite, and gave their higher rank to the protection indicator and lowest rank to the scenic/aesthetic indicator. This paper further provides information on group decision or consensus on weights and shows the final rankings for both groups, which are further examined and discussed.
Entrepreneurs in White-Collar Crime: A Convenience Perspective
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: August 2018

White-collar crime can be a convenient alternative for privileged individuals who want to enrich themselves. Their occupational positions enable them to commit and conceal offenses among legal activities. This is especially the case, when the offender has sole responsibility for entrepreneurial tasks that involve substantial amounts of money, as illustrated by the four executives presented in this article. One simple learning point from this article is that nobody – including chair persons, chief executives, and presidents – should ever have sole responsibility for tasks involving money on behalf of the organization.
Feedback on the Centralization of Intrathecal Analgesic Preparations in Hospital Pharmacy
Authors: Sorrieul Jeremy , Robert Julien , Kieffer Hélène , Folliard Caroline , Devys Catherine
Published: August 2018

Intrathecal analgesia has increased over the last 30 years. In oncology, it is a real alternative for the treatment of refractory pain. The diversity of the molecules alone or in combination that can be used, the risk related to the route of administration, and the cost of certain molecules are all arguments in favor of centralized preparation within the pharmacy. The purposes of this work are first of all to explain the reasons for centralization of these preparations, and in a second time to describe the circuit developed within our establishment.
Getting service at the constituency office: Analyzing citizens’ encounters with their Member of Parliament
Authors: Hofstetter Emily , Stokoe Elizabeth
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we present an analysis of how constituents procure services at the constituency office of a Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom. This paper will investigate how several previously documented interactional practices (e.g. entitlement) combine at the constituency office in a way that secures service. From a corpus of 12.5 hours of interaction, and using conversation analysis, we examine constituents’ telephone calls and meetings with constituency office staff and the MP, identifying practices constituents use. First, constituents opened encounters with bids to tell narratives. Second, constituents presented lengthy and detailed descriptions of their difficulties. These descriptions gave space to manage issues of legitimacy and entitlement, while simultaneously recruiting assistance. Third, we examine ways in which constituents display uncertainty about how the institution of the constituency office functions, and what services are available. The paper offers original insights into how constituency services are provided, and how constituency offices give access and support to ordinary citizens, while expanding the conversation analytic literature on institutional service provision.
Sozialer Arbeitsmarkt – ein Ansatz zur Erfüllung des Teilhabeauftrags des SGB II
Authors: Knuth Matthias
Published: August 2018

In order to make the labour market more socially inclusive, the new German coalition endeavours to introduce a new instrument, which will eventually create 150,000 temporary subsidized jobs. Compared with the tradition of manifold forms of ‘make work’ in the past, new features are the targeting of people with extreme distance from the labour market, a focus on social integration and participation rather than on transitions to unsubsidized employment, and the creation of concomitant support structures aiming at assisting workers to adjust to a situation unfamiliar to them.
Potential Role of Pre-Exhaustion Training in Maximizing Muscle Hypertrophy: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Ribeiro Alex S. , Nunes João Pedro , Cunha Paolo M. , Aguiar Andreo F. , Schoenfeld Brad J.
Published: August 2018

THE PRE-EXHAUSTION (PE) SYSTEM IN RESISTANCE TRAINING IS LARGELY USED BY ATHLETES AND PRACTITIONERS WITH THE GOAL OF ENHANCING MUSCULAR ADAPTATIONS. PRE-EXHAUSTION CONSISTS OF PERFORMING A SINGLE-JOINT EXERCISE BEFORE A MULTIPLE-JOINT EXERCISE IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE THE OVERLOAD (MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND/OR TRAINING VOLUME) IN A GIVEN MUSCLE. DIFFERENT PE APPROACHES HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED IN RESEARCH; THIS REVIEW DISCUSSES THE RELEVANT LITERATURE REGARDING THE EFFICACY OF PE FOR POTENTIATING OVERLOAD AND MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY. IN GENERAL, PE DOES NOT ALTER THE NEUROMUSCULAR ACTIVITY OF THE TARGET MUSCLE IN MULTIJOINT EXERCISE, BUT IT DOES ALLOW FOR A GREATER TRAINING VOLUME.
Disability, Spinal Cord Injury, and Strength and Conditioning: Sociological Considerations
Authors: Brighton James
Published: August 2018

LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS AVAILABLE FOR STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES (SCCs) TO DEVELOP STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING (S&C) PROGRAMS WITH ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY. KNOWLEDGE THAT IS AVAILABLE IS “BIOSCIENTIFIC” WITH SCANT CONSIDERATION OF HOW DOMINANT UNDERSTANDINGS OF DISABILITY ARE CONSTRUCTED OR HOW DISABILITY IS EXPERIENCED. IN RESPONSE, THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES A CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEW OF DISABILITY AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE AUTHOR'S PUBLISHED RESEARCH INTO DISABILITY SPORT AND SPINAL CORD INJURY TO QUESTION THE TACIT KNOWLEDGE USED IN S&C AND THE INFLUENCE THIS HAS ON SCC/ATHLETE RELATIONSHIPS. GUIDELINES TO DEVELOP MORE RECIPROCAL AND EMPOWERING PRACTICES WITH ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY ARE ADVOCATED.
Die tirolische Legende vom „Anderl von Rinn“. Andreaskult und Wallfahrtskirche
Authors: Dengler Judith
Published: August 2018

Hippolyt Guarinoni is a key figure in the Tyrolean Anderl-cult. His anti Jewish attitude rooted in a deeply Catholic attitude very common in the baroque era. He created a Tyrolean marthyr’s cult („Anderl-cult“) following the concept of the Simon of Trient-legend. The Anderl-legend spread very fast. It was then connected to a child’s murder in Judenstein, near Innsbruck, for which Jews were made responsible. To commemorate the violent „ritual death“ of Anderl Guarinoni planned a church at the very spot of his death. The plan was realized after Guarinonis death in the 17th century. Pilgrimages, processions, songs, prayers, plays, etc. made the place famous far across the borders. These pilgrimages continued far into the 20th century thus keeping up a latent antisemitism in the population. The cult was forbidden in 1989 by Bishop Stecher.
Zentrum in der Peripherie. Nationalitätenpolitik in der SSR Georgien
Authors: Noyan Oliver Musa
Published: August 2018

The following bachelor thesis will deal with the policy of national minorities in the Soviet Republic of Georgia and its impact on the wars of secession in the early 1990s. The analysis will be framed in a center- periphery model to explain the complex struggle between the soviet authorities in Moscow and Tbilisi on the one hand, and Tbilisi and its autonomous regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the other hand throughout the 20th century. The paper tries to examine the contemporary ethnic conflicts in Georgia though the lenses of an historical conflict-analysis to show the deeper historical roots of those frozen conflicts and the effects of the policy of nationalities in the Soviet Union on those conflicts.
„A Place where the Light is constant“. Faktoren der Migration von Nigeria nach Europa und Integration durch den Verkauf von Straßenzeitungen am Beispiel von Tirol
Authors: Leo Tobias
Published: August 2018

The first part of this work is about the reasons, why people want to leave their native Nigeria and start a new life in Europe. Many of today's problems in Nigeria are a product of historical development and can be explained in a problem-oriented perspective, starting with the beginning of the 19th century. The second part is about the Nigerian migrants who have managed to reach Europe, in this case Austria. It is assumed that we live in a post-migrant society and that for migrants, in the style of Homi Bhabha, third spaces can be opened up. Especially for asylum seekers there are few opportunities to work. One of these is the sale of street papers, which may be one of those third spaces in which integration can be facilitated. Therefore, five Nigerians, who sell the Tyrolean street paper „20er”,were interviewed.
Zâhirî Selefî Din Yorumu Sempozyum Tanıtımı
Authors: USTAOĞLU Zehra Betül
Published: August 2018

Kur’ân Araştırmaları Merkezi’nin (KURAMER) organize ettiği “Zâhirî Selefî Din YorumuSempozyumu”, 28 Nisan 2018 tarihinde İSAM konferans salonunda gerçekleştirildi.Farklı şehirlerden çok sayıda akademisyen ve öğrencinin katıldığı sempozyum programı,açılış konuşması ve açılış konferansını müteakiben iki oturum ve her bir oturumda iki tebliğolmak üzere dört tebliğden oluşuyordu. Öğleden önceki oturumun ilk yarısı fıkıh, ikinciyarısı kelam ilimlerinden; öğleden sonraki oturum ise hadis ve tefsir disiplinlerinden akademisyenlerintebliğ ve müzakerelerine ayrılmıştır.
Building Consumer-Based Brand Equity in Retail Banks: A Quantitative Study On a Pakistani Star Bank
Authors: Ahmed Afzal , Talreja Suman , Naz Hina
Published: August 2018

Firms are striving to increase their brand equity that ultimately leads to an increase in profitability. The purpose of the study is to identify the causal relationship of endorser's credibility with Brand credibility and its meditating role on consumer-based brand equity in the banking sector of Pakistan. 384 active HBC account holders taken as the sample and data collected through a comprehensive questionnaire. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted to test the factors of attractiveness, expertise, trustworthiness, and popularity on Brand credibility and further its effect on Brand equity. The results suggest that in banking sector firm Expertise of endorser is the most significant factor followed by trustworthiness and popularity that influence brand credibility and attractiveness does not have any impact on brand credibility. The study provides an understanding of brand building strategy, and it also highlights a clear brand differentiation strategy for bank brands.DOI: 10.15408/etk.v17i2.6728
Arquivos de Pessoa(s): um estudo sobre entendimentos e representações dos arquivos manuscritos na Casa Fernando Pessoa
Authors: ALDABALDE TAIGUARA VILLELA
Published: August 2018

RESUMO Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma investigação de pós-doutoramento. A pesquisa procura discutir a compreensão dos manuscritos arquivísticos de Fernando Pessoa como um espólio e inferir o quantitativo das representações desses documentos, bem como identificar as práticas através das quais essas representações foram mediadas na Casa Fernando Pessoa. O método histórico-documental é adotado, considerando como base empírica os produtos, o espaço do museu e a documentação administrativa de 2006 a 2017. Do entendimento de espólio resultam as seguintes consequências: uma mistura de arquivos como resultado de adições impróprias, a falta de controle sobre a preservação da autenticidade dos documentos, a ausência de representações arquivísticas e de vínculos arquivísticos, a tematização do arquivo em detrimento da descrição arquivística, a desarticulação entre coleções particulares e arquivos públicos e a não conformidade com padrões metodológicos compatíveis com um fundo fechado de arquivo. A Casa Fernando Pessoa é um lugar de convergência entre o material de museus, arquivos e bibliotecas. O resultado quantitativo total das representações dos manuscritos arquivísticos de Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935) corresponde ao número de 225 representações. Foram identificadas as seguintes categorias de representação: fac-similar, artística, visual, gráfica e digital. Identificou-se a ocorrência de 22 práticas distribuídas nos seguintes tipos: recriação histórica, exposição, exposição multimídia, curso, efemérides, webdifusão e curadoria digital. Foi possível constatar que a Casa Fernando Pessoa contribui para a democratização das representações dos manuscritos através de práticas de difusão e mediação cultural com material de arquivo.