bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Customer-focused Quality Service Delivery in Local Government: Conceptual Issues and Perspectives for Consideration
Authors: Sibanda Modeni Mudzamba Micheal
Published: October 2017

Local government in South Africa is no longer exclusively a function of national or provincial government; it is now regarded as a sphere rather than a tier of government. Section 152 of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 stipulates the objectives of the local sphere of government, among which is ensuring the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. Poor or lack of service delivery by local authorities has received much media attention of late. Monitoring customer-focused service delivery could therefore be a critically important means to effect quality service delivery in local government. At its core this approach emphasises the treatment of municipal service users and the citizenry as customers. This article contends that conceptually customer-focused quality service delivery may potentially lever local government authorities out of the poor service delivery rut that has come to render some municipal authorities ineffective and inefficient and hence dysfunctional. At a conceptual level the article grapples with the elusive concept of service quality and the often contested concept of customer and proxy measures for monitoring service quality in the public sector. Citing British and South African customer-focused quality service delivery tools and initiatives, the article interrogates the efficacy of such initiatives and perspectives for monitoring customer-focused quality service delivery in the local sphere of government.
Professional and Ethical Conduct in the Public Sector
Authors: Mle Thozamile Richard
Published: October 2017

One of the basic values and principles governing public administration enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Chapter 10) is that “a high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained. Ethics is a process by which we clarify right and wrong and act on what we take to be right, that is, a set or system of moral principles that are generally accepted. Ethics simply means  what is right and wrong, what is acceptable or unacceptable and is intertwined with the value system of people. Ethics can also be seen as being relative, not absolute, as ethical behaviour is in the eyes of the beholder. Be that as it may, however, ethical conduct and behaviour normally refer to conforming with generally accepted social norms. Relative to ethics is professionalism, which entails a high standard of work and adherence to certain standards and principles pertaining to specific work to be done. Professionalism embodies skills, competence, efficiency and effectiveness. Public institutions exist for the public good and employ public servants to render services to ensure a better life for all. The public sector is characterised by unprofessional and unethical conduct. The article unearths these and suggests strategies/mechanisms to address this ‘ill’. Can an unethical,  unprofessional public servant be trusted to deliver services? Can, for example, a debt-trapped public servant who survives on borrowing money from micro-lenders, who cannot manage personal finances, be trusted to efficiently manage public funds and thus enhance service delivery? Can an incompetent, corrupt, disloyal, unaccountable, shoddy public servant who flouts the principles of Batho Pele and the code of conduct be entrusted with the  responsibilities of ensuring a better life for all? The answers to these questions constitute the core of this article.
Gender and HIV/AIDS: Exploring Men and Vulnerability Towards Effective HIV/AIDS Policy Interventions and Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Nzewi Ogochukwu
Published: October 2017

This article examines the dynamics between HIV/Aids gender policy strategies and the socio-political demands on HIV/Aids interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. Gender in HIV/Aids intervention seems inescapable. Nowhere else is this more marked than in the social dimensions of HIV/Aids prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. This has resulted in prevention strategies, which are encumbered by the reality of poverty, gender, access, power and the various debates on behavioural change. The social constructions of gender roles and power relations play a significant role in the region’s HIV /Aids dynamic. To this end, the mainstreaming of gender issues into national political, social and economic agenda and policies has been championed by international development and economic institutions. In developing HIV/Aids intervention policies, gender has also been mainstreamed, especially where epidemiological data show the disparity in infection rates between men and women, where women are seen as more susceptible to infection. The gendered approach to HIV/Aids appears to typecast women as the vulnerable and suffering face of HIV/Aids, while men, as ‘the other’, are generally regarded as the perpetuators and spreaders of the virus. While there is no doubt that women’s vulnerability in this milieu has been proven within known research evidence to exist, the neglect of institutional (social, cultural and economic) and historical vulnerabilities of African men’s realities are sometimes overlooked. Recently, greater focus has shifted to curbing infection rates in men based on new scientific evidence that shows that risk of transmission in circumcised men is reduced. The article argues that such movement towards showing areas of men’s vulnerability as a focus in HIV/Aids policy interventions may have the potential to shift the observed burden that current HIV/Aids policy thrusts inadvertently place on African women. The article will put forward an argument for ‘the vulnerable other’ in HIV/Aids policy intervention, suggesting a new continental policy strategy that sees men going from peripheral footnotes to the centre of HIV/Aids policy and intervention programmes.
The African National Congress Led Government's (In)ability to Counter Public Corruption: A Forensic Criminological Perspective
Authors: Dintwe Setlhomamaru
Published: October 2017

Since the advent of democracy in 1994, there has been a myriad of incidents of corruption involving the public servants in South Africa. Equally so, the government led by the African National Congress have developed various mechanisms aimed at dealing with the problem of corruption. The incidents of corruption, characterized by colossal thefts,  embezzlements and rampant bribery are the basis of erudition around the ability of the African National Congress led government in dealing with corruption. Although this article acknowledges the presence of corruption during the apartheid era, its crux is mainly on whether the programmes employed by the African National Congress proved adequate in turning the tide against the scourge of corruption, which tends to erode the fabric upon which the South Africa’s economy is built. At the same breath, it is interesting to establish if the programmes employed by the ruling party encapsulate the internationally accepted elements reminiscent of an anti-corruption programmes worldwide. These elements
are  inter-alia, measurement of public perceptions, creation of public awareness, disincentivising corruption, visible sanctions, bureaucratic reform and most mportantly, the political will in dealing with corruption. Corruption is an indicator of a defective system of public accountability which involves subversion of public interest for  personal gains. An ability to deal with corruption manifests tself in two-fold paraphernalia. It encompasses understanding the causes of corruption on one hand and the calculated esponses in countering corruption on the other. It is against this background that his article endeavours to establish the advancement of the African National Congress in dealing with corruption in government.
Comparative Evaluation of 0.1% Turmeric Mouthwash with 0.2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate in Prevention of Plaque and Gingivitis: A Clinical Study
Authors: Nagunuri Divya , Babitha GA
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Dental plaque has been proved by extensive research to be a paramount factor in initiation and progression of gingival and periodontal diseases. Among chemical means, chlorhexidine mouthwash is regarded as the gold standard in dentistry in prevention of dental plaque. Chlorhexidine mouthwash, though effective, has certain side effects, such as brown discoloration of teeth, oral mucosal erosion, etc. Hence, there is need of an alternative medicine enmeshed within precious traditional Indian herbal therapy which is efficient, safe, and economical. Turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties along with hepatoprotective, immune stimulant, antiseptic, antimutagenic properties, etc.

Objectives

This study was conducted to explore and prove the clinical efficacy of 0.1% turmeric mouthwash in mild and moderate gingivitis patients.

Materials and methods

Sixty patients with moderate gingivitis were included and divided into two equal groups: Experimental (0.1% turmeric mouthwash) and control group (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate). The clinical parameters evaluation was done on day 0 and day 21.

Results

On intragroup comparison, statistically significant reduction in clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival index, gingival bleeding index) was seen in both groups on day 21, but on intergroup comparison, no statistically significant reduction in clinical parameters was seen on day 21 between the groups.

Conclusion

Hence, it can be concluded that 0.1% turmeric mouthwash possesses antiplaque and anti-inflammatory properties which has been proven through clinical evaluation and it was almost equally effective when compared with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash in moderate gingivitis patients.

How to cite this article

Nagunuri D, Babitha GA, Prakash S. Comparative Evaluation of 0.1% Turmeric Mouthwash with 0.2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate in Prevention of Plaque and Gingivitis: A Clinical Study. CODS J Dent 2016;8(1):16-20.
Cephalometric Evaluation of Alveolar Bone Remodeling following Anterior Teeth Retraction
Authors: Dhanani Darshit , Shivaprakash G
Published: October 2017

Aim

To evaluate the extent of the alveolar bone remodeling after incisor retraction using lateral cephalograms.

Materials and methods

Lateral cephalograms of 30 patients with age of 16 years and above requiring therapeutic extraction of both maxillary and mandibular first premolars, mainly for the purpose of retraction of anterior teeth, had been taken at the start of treatment and after retraction of anterior teeth. Various hard tissue anatomical landmarks were traced, and linear parameters of pretreatment (T1) and postretraction (T2) lateral cephalometric radiographs were measured. The mean and standard deviation were calculated, the data were tabulated, and comparison of T1 and T2 readings was made utilizing paired Student’s t-test.

Results

When maxillary incisors are retracted, the labial bone thickness at the midroot level (MxL2) and at apical level (MxL3) increased during upper incisor retraction. There was a significant reduction in alveolar bone thickness on the lingual/palatal side after maxillary and mandibular incisor retraction.

Conclusion

When tooth movement is limited, forcing the tooth against the cortical bone may cause adverse sequelae. This type of approach must be carefully monitored to avoid negative iatrogenic effects.

How to cite this article

Dhanani D, Shivaprakash G. Cephalometric Evaluation of Alveolar Bone Remodeling following Anterior Teeth Retraction. CODS J Dent 2016;8(1):21-24.
Evaluation and Comparison of the Surface Roughness and Porosity of Different Provisional Restorative Materials: An in vitro Study
Authors: Kumar G Vinaya , Devi Renuka , Anto Nimmy
Published: October 2017

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the surface roughness and porosity of different provisional restorative materials.

Materials and methods

Provisional restorative materials were divided into following three groups: Dental products of india (DPI), Protemp, Tempofit. For each group, wax block with 20 × 10 × 3 mm was made for making vinyl polysiloxane impression material to give 12 samples in each group of three different provisional restorative materials. The acrylic resin was inserted into the silicon impression mold. A total of 12 specimens of one material were obtained. The specimens were finished with the help of lathe using a sequence of grit sand paper. The surface roughness was verified with the help of a micron dial indicator. To facilitate the porosity readings, the specimens were immersed in dye for 2 hours. The number of pores in each area was determined with a stereomicroscope with magnification 1× 50× to check the porosity of three different provisional restorative materials. Values were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare between Tempofit, Protemp, and DPI. The results obtained indicated that surface roughness of Protemp was least compared with Tempofit and DPI. The ANOVA test was used to check surface area of porosities in each provisional material, followed by Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney test (highly significant) (p < 0.001). The results obtained indicate that Protemp material showed the least number of porosities and minimal surface roughness followed by Tempofit and DPI. Henceforth, it can be concluded that among the three tested materials, Protemp was the best material which can be used for provisional restorations.

Conclusion

Surface roughness and porosity were compared among Protemp, Tempofit, and DPI material; the best results were obtained with the use of Protemp material which had shown the least number of porosities and minimal surface roughness.

How to cite this article

Kumar GV, Devi R, Anto N. Evaluation and Comparison of the Surface Roughness and Porosity of Different Provisional Restorative Materials: An in vitro Study. CODS J Dent 2016;8(1):39-45.
Effect of Infliximab Therapy in Functional Improvement in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Konar Ambar , Ghorai Debayan , Banerjee Aniketa
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), one of the spondyloarthropathies predominantly affecting younger people, is notorious for morbidity with pain, functional impairment, and disability. Infliximab, a chimeric tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor, has been proven as a safe and effective biologic in respect to improvement in clinical and radiological parameters in AS. This study is a humble attempt to look for disability limitations by infliximab therapy in patients with AS.

Aims and objectives

To look for functional improvement in AS patients treated with Infliximab in comparison with control group who were treated conservatively.

Materials and methods

A randomized controlled trial was done in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from December 2015 to May 2017, recruiting 20 AS patients who fulfilled the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria and had significant functional limitation. After Ethics Committee clearance, two groups were made randomly. Both groups I and II were included in the rehabilitation program. Group I, in addition, received injection infliximab on days 0, 14, and 42. Assessment by the Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) and visual analog scale (VAS) for lower back pain was done before intervention and 2, 6, 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.

Results

Statistically significant positive outcome difference was seen in the first group in comparison with control group based on both outcome parameters.

Conclusion

Infliximab is a safe and highly efficacious biologic therapy in limiting disability in AS patients when treated early.

How to cite this article

Konar A, Pramanik R, Ghorai D, Banerjee A. Effect of Infliximab Therapy in Functional Improvement in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Indian J Phy Med Rehab 2017;28(2):59-63.
Bilateral Lower Limb Amputee with Dhat Syndrome
Authors: Gupta Anil K , Srivastava Mohit K
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Dhat syndrome is a clinical entity mostly seen in Southeast Asia. The patient suffering from this syndrome commonly presents with features of depression, anxiety, multiple nonspecific somatic symptoms, and impairment of concentration, which are attributable to semen loss.

Case report

The case that we present here is of a 32-year-old patient with (right) transtibial and (left) transfemoral amputation. Patient presented with following complaints within 10 days of postamputation surgery. He complained of anxiety, low mood, anhedonia, decreased sleep, reduced appetite, and whitish discharge while passing urine. All the blood investigations and ultrasound of the whole abdomen were normal. The patient was prescribed sertraline 50 mg half H.S. for 3 days, followed by 50 mg one H.S. zolpidem (10 mg H.S.), and syrup cyproheptadine [2 teaspoonful (TSF) night time only (HS)] for a period of 2 weeks. Psychoeducation was also given on a daily basis during this duration. Significant improvement was seen in the above complaints after 1 week of medication.

Conclusion

Patients with lower limb amputation mostly suffer with depression, but development of features of Dhat syndrome along with this indicates the emotional and psychological impact of amputation on such patients, which often goes unnoticed. Every amputee should be given psychological rehabilitation after such an adverse episode of their life.

How to cite this article

Srivastava MK, Gupta AK. Bilateral Lower Limb Amputee with Dhat Syndrome. Indian J Phy Med Rehab 2017;28(2):71-73.
A geostatistical data-assimilation technique for enhancing macro-scale rainfall-runoff simulations
Authors: Pugliese Alessio , Persiano Simone , Bagli Stefano , Mazzoli Paolo , Parajka Juraj , Arheimer Berit , Capell René , Montanari Alberto , Blöschl Günter , Castellarin Attilio
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Our study develops and tests a geostatistical technique for locally enhancing macro-scale rainfall-runoff simulations on the basis of observed streamflow data that were not used in calibration. We consider Tyrol (Austria and Italy) and two different types of daily streamflow data: macro-scale rainfall-runoff simulations at 11 prediction nodes and observations at 46 gauged catchments. The technique consists of three main steps: (1) period-of-record flow-duration curves (FDCs) are geostatistically predicted at target ungauged basins, for which macro-scale model runs are available; (2) residuals between geostatistically predicted FDCs and FDCs constructed from simulated streamflow series are computed; (3) the relationship between duration and residuals is used for enhancing simulated time series at target basins. We apply the technique in cross-validation to 11 gauged catchments, for which simulated and observed streamflow series are available over the period 1980–2010. Our results show that (1) the procedure can significantly enhance macro-scale simulations (regional NSE increases from nearly zero to ≈ 0.7) and (2) improvements are significant for low gauging network densities (i.e. 1 gauge per 2000 km2).
Economic Déjà vu
Authors: Johnson Andrew
Published: October 2017

The recent recession that swept through this and many countries worldwide had many causes, one of which was low interest rates in the United States. Loose monetary policy pursued by former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan was a major component of the housing crash and following recession. Furthermore, the Fed’s current monetary policy is extremely similar to policy pursued before the 2008 recession. The current system of monetary policy implemented in the U.S., necessitating that credit and debt expand forever, is a dangerous and potentially disastrous policy to be pursuing. Unless a change takes place, the American economy could experience another — and possibly worse — recession in the near future.
La Nueva Argentina
Authors: Privette Melissa
Published: October 2017

Argentina's recent default is simply another chapter in a saga that stretches back over the past century. To ensure that default and economic recession don’t continue to be the norm in Argentina, its leaders and its people alike must seriously reevaluate the myth of Juan Perón and its relevance in the 21st century world. In order to improve its financial position, Argentina must be willing to relinquish its past views on economic dogma.
When Elephants Fight, It’s the Grass That Suffers
Authors: Al-Soulaiman Laila
Published: October 2017

Publicly, the United States positions itself as the world’s protector and enforcer of democracy. This role, however, is more preferential than universal — especially in the case of the developing conflict in Syria. As the policy has evolved along with the ever-changing dynamics on the ground, it is clear that there are inherent contradictions between the moralistic rhetoric of policy and the amoral empirical realities of policy implementation. U.S. government officials have publicly pledged their support of the Syrian people, called for the abdication of Assad, and stated that the use of chemical weapons is a red line that, if crossed, would provoke military intervention. The U.S., however, has delivered on none of these commitments. In fact, the administration’s foreign policy response to Syria has left many questions unanswered. On one hand, the lack of impactful initiatives to deter the bloodshed over the past five years makes it clear that the U.S. policy did not aim to do so in the first place. If the U.S.’s response to this crisis continues in its current form, and Assad’s regime continues, violence and repression will persist. To this end, democracy will be impossible in Syria, and those who will truly bear the burden of such inaction will be the people of Syria. What exact proposals in need of reversing this conflict are uncertain, but what remains clear is that the U.S. faces an impasse due to its irrevocable decisions, and whatever is to occur in the future will ultimately be decided by the will of the Syrian people.
Defying Putin: Leaders of the Opposition Movement Against Russian Authoritarianism
Authors: Tingley Megan
Published: October 2017

Since being named acting president of Russia in 1999, Vladimir Putin has gone from a little-known ex-KGB agent to one of the most powerful men in the world. Handpicked by his ailing predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, Putin came to power following a decade of economic turmoil and political instability. His decisiveness, especially in regard to civic uprisings in Chechnya, garnered early support among the Russian people. In fact, Putin’s approval ratings remained high even as his actions became increasingly authoritarian. Given Russia’s position of power and its recent invasion of Crimea, there is reasonable concern among the international community over Putin’s ongoing obstructions to democracy both within and outside the country’s borders. Over the past few years, however, opposition groups have emerged with hopes of limiting Putin’s power. While widespread reform has yet to occur, movements to mobilize the Russian public are beginning to take place.
Terapias artísticas y creativas en la mejora del malestar psicológico en mujeres con cáncer de mama. Revisión sistemática
Authors: Rabadán Jennifer , Chamarro Andrés , Álvarez María
Published: October 2017

Objetivo: Conocer el estado actual de la eficacia de las terapias artísticas y creativas (TAC) en las variables de malestar psicológico de mujeres con cáncer de mama y delimitarla en función del tipo de TAC y momento terapéutico del paciente. Método: La búsqueda se realizó mediante las bases de datos Pubmed, Web of Science, Psychinfo y Google Academic para el periodo 2010-2016. Resultados: Se obtienen 9 estudios RTC y cuasi-experimentales controlados (2 de Danza movimiento terapia, 1 de Arte Terapia, 1 de Musicoterapia y 5 de Escucha musical) que incluyen 680 participantes. Se discute la calidad metodológica, el riesgo de sesgo y las medidas de eficacia terapéutica. Conclusiones: Las TAC parecen ser una ayuda complementaria a corto plazo durante la fase de tratamiento en cáncer de mama. Sin embargo, son necesarios más ensayos para aclarar los mecanismos subyacentes a la mejora, así como delimitar la eficacia de cada modalidad.
Uso de biofeedback de variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca durante la radioterapia como método de distracción cognitiva y autorregulación en un paciente pediátrico: Informe de caso
Authors: Sierra Murguía Mariana Alejandra , Padilla Rico Amalia , Fraga Sastrías Juan Manuel
Published: October 2017

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del uso de biofeedback de variabilidad de frecuencia cardiaca (VFC) durante la radioterapia como método de distracción cognitiva y autoregulación emocional en un paciente pediátrico. Método: La paciente es una niña de 11 años con diagnóstico de sarcoma de Ewing en la pierna izquierda. Recibió 28 sesiones de radioterapia. Antes de iniciar tratamiento, se evaluó psicológicamente a la paciente con la entrevista Mini Kid, identificando que no tenía psicopatología. Dos semanas previas a iniciar, se evaluó la frecuencia cardiaca (FC) y variabilidad (VFC) de la misma (indicadores que han sido utilizados previamente como correlatos fisiológicos de estrés y relajación) con un software especializado llamado EmWave, identificando que sí presentaba activación fisiológica asociada a estrés. Se hizo entrenamiento en respiración diafragmática apoyado con el equipo de retroalimentación dos semanas previas a la radioterapia. El día que inició tratamiento, se volvió a evaluar la frecuencia y variabilidad antes de comenzar. Durante la radioterapia se instrumentó a la paciente al software y se permitió que ella escogiera el juego (que registra las variables de FC y VFC e interactúa conforme ella logra autoregulación fisiológica) y éste era proyectado en el techo de la sala mientras recibía la radiación. Resultados: Se identificaron cambios en la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca, logrando una autoregulación, mostrando así que la paciente aprendió a relajarse y que lo puso en práctica durante la radioterapia. Conclusión: El uso del biofeedback es innovador en el tratamiento con radioterapia; permite al paciente integrar los dos métodos más utilizados como preparación para la misma: distraer el foco atencional y lograr una autoregulación. Se sugiere ampliar la muestra para conocer los efectos y generalizar los resultados.
Barreras percibidas por el personal de salud para la toma de la citología cervical en mujeres zapotecas de Juchitán, Oaxaca
Authors: Saldaña-Téllez Minerva , Montero y López Lena María
Published: October 2017

Antecedentes: El cáncer cervicouterino (CaCU) representa un problema de salud pública en México. Las mujeres indígenas presentan mayor riesgo de morir por esta enfermedad. El estudio sobre las barreras que afronta la población indígena mexicana para la toma de la citología cervical es escaso. Propósitos: Objetivo: Identificar las barreras estructurales, psicosociales y culturales percibidas por el personal de salud para la toma de la citología cervical en mujeres juchitecas. Método: Tipo de estudio: exploratorio-descriptivo de corte cualitativo. Se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a personal sanitario de centros de salud públicos y privados de Juchitán. Muestreo intencional por cuotas, 9 participantes, 7 clínicas elegidas al azar. Se realizó análisis de contenido. Resultados: Se identificaron barreras estructurales, psicosociales y culturales. Las principales: tardanza en entrega de resultados, falta de material, espacios para la toma y recursos humanos, alto nivel de desinformación sobre la prueba y la enfermedad, miedo a tener algo “malo” y al dolor, el tabú de la sexualidad, la actitud de la pareja hacia la prueba, prejuicios y falta de traductores que apoyen en la comunicación entre las mujeres y el personal del sistema de salud. Conclusiones: Existe desinformación sobre el CaCu y su detección oportuna en esta población; hay múltiples barreras de tipo estructural, prejuicios y mitos rodean la enfermedad. Se detectó desinterés por parte del sistema de salud en la promoción de programas preventivos del CaCu. Informar a la población en su lengua, cuidar y ser empáticos ante la exposición del cuerpo y diseñar políticas de salud incluyentes, son aspectos fundamentales a considerar y desarrollar en programas locales.
La historia como narración. El tratamiento del pasado en la novela de Tanja Dückers Himmelskörper
Authors: Maldonado-Alemán Manuel
Published: October 2017

En la novela generacional Himmelskörper, que se centra en el tema del recuerdo, Tanja Dückers esboza el concepto de una “historiografía sensitiva”, que recuerda en muchos aspectos las consideraciones historiográficas de Jules Michelet. Siguiendo esa concepción que caracteriza la escritura literaria de la autora, Dückers, en el proceso histórico, pretende descubrir verdades interiores inevitablemente fragmentarias para después representarlas. Las lagunas y contradicciones de las verdades personales remiten a la perspectividad y relatividad de las versiones del pasado y con ello a la interpretabilidad de la historia. A partir del pensamiento historiográfico de Michelet y del relativismo histórico de Nietzsche, el presente artículo indaga acerca de las consideraciones historiográficas que Dückers esboza en Himmelskörper, así como del tratamiento narrativo del pasado.
“Ein aus dem Nichts gestampfter Ort”. Espacio y memoria en Mit der Geschwindigkeit des Sommers de Julia Schoch
Authors: Blanco Hölscher Margarita
Published: October 2017

La novela de Julia Schoch se inserta en el extenso conjunto de obras que a lo largo de las últimas décadas se han ocupado de explorar, bajo diferentes perspectivas, el pasado de la Alemania del Este. En su texto Schoch narra la historia de dos hermanas cuya infancia y juventud transcurre en una pequeña y remota población de Mecklenburg-Vorpommern cercana a la frontera polaca. Las características especiales del lugar y de su entorno sirven de punto de partida, veinte años después de la caída del Muro de Berlín, para la reconstrucción del pasado de las protagonistas en la Alemania del Este anterior y posterior a la unificación. En el presente artículo se analiza la relación entre el espacio y los procesos del recuerdo en Mit der Geschwindigkeit des Sommers de Julia Schoch.
Single-center experience with intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in lung transplantation
Authors: Cosgun Tugba , Tomaszek Sandra , Opitz Isabelle , Wilhelm Markus , Schuurmans Macé M. , Weder Walter , Inci Ilhan
Published: October 2017

Background:

Studies have shown that survival after lung transplantation is impaired if extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is implemented. We investigated the outcome and potential independent risk factors on survival in recipients undergoing lung transplantation with intraoperative ECMO support.

Materials and methods:

Medical records of recipients were retrospectively evaluated (January 2000-December 2014). Retransplantation and bridge to transplantation on ECMO were excluded. Recipients (n = 291) were divided into 2 groups: those who needed intraoperative ECMO support (Group 1, n = 134) and those who did not receive intraoperative ECMO support (Group 2, n = 157). Independent risk factors were identified by a stepwise backward regression analysis.

Results:

1-year survival was 84.2% in Group 1 vs. 90.4% in Group 2, and 5-year survival was 52.8% in Group 1 vs. 70.5% in Group 2 (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis indicated that recipient age (p = 0.001), renal replacement therapy (p = 0.001) and intraoperative ECMO support (p = 0.03) were significant risk factors for overall survival. The rate of postoperative early surgical complications was comparable between the two groups (p = 0.09). The number of patients requiring renal replacement therapy and experiencing late pulmonary complications was significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.02).

Conclusions:

Our data showed that lung transplantation with intraoperative ECMO support is associated with poor outcomes.
Association of DNMT3B -283T>C polymorphism with risk of lung and gastric cancer: a case-control study and a meta-analysis
Authors: Feng Xianhong , Wang Jingdong , Gu Xiuli , Zhang Jingli , Li Xiaolin , Tao Zhi , Chen Jiebing , Chen Bifeng
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the association of DNMT3B -283T>C polymorphism with the risk of lung or gastric cancer, which was followed by a meta-analysis.

Methods:

The genotyping of -283T>C was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and was confirmed by sequencing.

Results:

The results of this case-control study showed that -283T>C was not associated with the risk of lung or gastric cancer, and further stratified analysis according to age, gender, smoking status, and alcohol status confirmed the present finding. However, data from a meta-analysis in the Asian population revealed a significant association between -283T>C and lung cancer risk in the allelic model (C vs. T: odds ratio [OR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.55, p = 0.01) and two genetic models (CC vs. TC: OR = 1.29, 95% CI, 1.04-1.59, p = 0.02; CC vs. TC + TT: OR = 1.30, 95% CI, 1.06-1.60, p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

These results provided evidence that the DNMT3B -283T>C polymorphism might significantly contribute to the lung cancer risk in the Asian population, but not the gastric cancer risk in the Chinese population.
George Eliot's Compact Panorama
Authors: Voyles Katherine
Published: October 2017

The article makes a case for the importance of relations of scale to Eliot's realism by examining how the panorama upended pictorial perspective to show that Eliot affirmed the representational power of realism even as she dramatized its shortcomings. As a large-scale painting, the panorama was not merely realistic, it was immersive. In Eliot's hands, the novel form is generously wide-angled even as that impulse to capaciousness is tempered by the intimate, local focus of Middlemarch. Making the intimate expansive and the expansive intimate creates a familiar fictional world even as it calls attention to the novel's very status as fiction.
Measuring Performance in Rail Freight Transportation Companies
Authors: Frederico Guilherme F. , Cavenaghi Vagner
Published: October 2017

Performance Measurement Systems - PMSs has become relevant for Organizations in the last years taking into consideration the broad approach and the strategic link which the current performance measurement is focused on. Brazilian railroad transportation has poor performance when compared with other similar countries. The rail transportation production has 25% of participation within total transportation matrix. Besides infrastructure aspects, management is the key for the improvement of this performance. A Performance Measurement System - PMS framework using Balanced Scorecard – BSC structure is proposed aiming to allow a more comprehensive and strategic performance measurement in railroad companies. A systematic approach was used for the literature review. Due to the lack in the literature related to the purpose of this paper a long period was considered for the search of references linked to performance measurement for railroads. Aiming to elaborate a PMS framework for railroad companies a case study method was applied in a large Brazilian railroad company. Semi-structured interviews and documental data collection were used in order to get evidences related to the processes, environment, customers and strategic objectives as perspectives needed to elaborate a PMS based on Balanced Scorecard. This case study applied in a large freight railroad company in Brazil allowed to understand typical strategic objectives as well as processes, customer’s requirements and environment related to this kind of business. Balanced Scorecard was suitable to the performance measurement needs of the railroad company operation. It can measure operations performance comprehensively and strategically in an effective way. This study brings up important contribution in terms of PMS literature and it can be used as a reference guide for future researches focused on this field. Also it can be worth for practitioners who desire implement PMS in Organizations, not limited for railroad companies, but also for other kind of operations. This framework proposed is unique taking into consideration that there is no comprehensive PMS for a railroad companies using Balanced Scorecard structure. This same structure can be applied in more field researches seeking better understandings about performance measurement in freight railroad companies. Some research questions in order to solve future issues related to this study are proposed at the end of this paper.
The impact of agonists and antagonists of TLR3 and TLR9 on concentrations of IL-6, IL10 and sIL-2R in culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Klonowska-Szymczyk Agnieszka , Kulczycka-Siennicka Liliana , Robak Tadeusz , Smolewski Piotr , Cebula-Obrzut Barbara , Robak Ewa
Published: October 2017

Toll-like receptors (TLR), especially TLR3, 7 and 9, play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In our study blood was collected from 16 patients with SLE and from 8 healthy volunteers. Concentrations of IL-6, IL-10 and sIL-2R were measured by ELISA in mononuclear cell culture supernatant after 24 hours of stimulation by agonists and antagonists of TLR3 and 9 (for TLR3-poli I/C, resveratrol and for TLR9-ODN2006, IRS 945). Stimulation of TLR9 by ODN2006 led to an increase of IL-6 concentration in cell culture supernatants from the cells of healthy volunteers compared with unstimulated cells from controls. Inhibition of TLR3 activation by resveratrol caused a significantly lower concentration of IL-10 in cell culture supernatants derived from both patients and healthy donors. Moreover, resveratrol significantly decreased the level of IL-10 and sIL-2R in culture supernatants of cells derived from patients with active disease compared to the inactive stage. A positive correlation was also found between IL-6 concentration following ODN2006 administration and disease activity. In conclusions, our results indicate that TLRs play a role in the modulation of the inflammatory response in SLE patients. This suppressive action on IL-10 synthesis demonstrated by resveratrol suggests that it may be useful in SLE therapy.
Ferritin as a potential biomarker of efficacy of treatment of atrial fibrillation - preliminary report
Authors: Sokal Adam , Wójcik Sylwia , Pruszkowska Patrycja , Kowalski Oskar , Lenarczyk Radoslaw , Liberska Agnieszka , Mazurek Michał , Pluta Slawomir , Kalarus Zbigniew
Published: October 2017

Background: Complex mechanisms of responsible for originating and maintaining of atrial fibrillation (AF) are involved in pathophysiology of this arrhythmia. Inflammation substantially contribute to arrhythmic remodelling of atrial tissue.The aim of the present study is to assess an applicability of ferritin and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as biomarkers of atrial fibrillation and their usefulness in evaluation of efficacy of cryoablation.
Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 40 patients who underwent first AF cryoablation procedure. The whole follow-up time was for 6 months. The efficacy of cryoablation was defined as lack of episodes of AF longer than 30 s reported either in patient’s medical documentation or present in standard or Holter ECG records. Concentrations of hs-CRP (latex method ) and ferritin (immunochemical method) were determined in standard way in hospital laboratory.
Results: The recurrence of atrial fibrillation during follow-up was detected in 7 of 40 patients (efficacy 82.5%). Basal concentrations of hs-CRP and ferritin were significantly higher in patients who underwent ablation during AF. Ablation resulted in an increase of either hs-CRP or ferritin concentrations. After seven days, both hs-CRP and ferritin concentrations returned to basal level. The trend toward the higher concentration of hs-CRP was observed in AF recurrence subgroup in 30th and the 90th day after the procedure. Ferritin concentrations were significantly higher in recurrence subgroup after 30 and 90 days.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that the evaluation of ferritin serum level can be a potential tool for assessment of AF treatment efficacy.
What can kinematics tell us about the affective states of animals?
Authors: Guesgen MJ , Bench CJ
Published: October 2017

An animal's welfare state is intrinsically linked to its affective state. Evidence suggests that sentient, conscious animals can experience a range of affective states, such as pain, fear or boredom as well as positive affects like joy, curiosity, satiation or lust. In the behavioural assessment of animal welfare, there is increasing recognition that it is not simply which behaviours an animal engages in but also the quality of its movement. Kinematics is an approach which is being more widely applied to the behavioural assessment of animal welfare. Kinematics is a field of mechanics that describes the movement of points on a body by defining these points in a coordinate system and precisely tracking how they change in terms of space and time. A major opportunity exists for using kinematic technology to inform our understanding of the emotional state of animals. This review argues that kinematics is a useful methodology for identifying and characterising movement indicative of an animal's affective state. It demonstrates that kinematics: i) appears useful in detecting subtleties in the expression of affective states; ii) could be used in conjunction with, and add extra information to, affective tests (for example, an approach/avoidance paradigm); and iii) could potentially, eventually, be developed into an automated affective state detection system for improving the welfare of animals used in research or production. Furthering our knowledge of animal affective states using kinematics requires engagement from many areas of science outside of animal welfare, such as sports science, computer science, engineering and psychology.
Impact of maternal stress and nutrition on behavioural and physiological outcomes in young lambs
Authors: Rooke JA , Arnott G , Dwyer CM , Rutherford KMD
Published: October 2017

The pre-natal period is of critical importance in defining how individuals respond to their environment throughout life. Stress experienced by pregnant females has detrimental effects on offspring behaviour, health and productivity. The sheep (Ovis aries) has been used as a model to inform human studies; however, in a farming context, the consequences for the lamb of stress experienced by the ewe have received less attention. The stressors that pregnant ewes are most frequently exposed to include sub-optimal nutrition and acute and chronic stressors related to husbandry and the environment. This review focuses upon the young sheep, from around 100 days old until adulthood and uses material identified from a systematic survey of the literature relating to production-relevant maternal stressors and lamb outcomes. Overall, the results demonstrated that stressors imposed upon the ewe altered progeny behavioural and physiological responses. However, detailed analysis of the literature shows several deficiencies in the field, as a whole, which greatly limit the ability to draw conclusions as to how welfare may be affected by pre-natal challenges in commercial sheep. These deficiencies included a lack of consistency in response due to the variety of both stressors imposed and responses measured. Key gaps in knowledge include the impact of ewe disease during pregnancy on outcomes for their progeny and more generally how different commercially relevant stressors interact. Furthermore, there is a need to develop a systematic series of behavioural and physiological measures that can be integrated to provide a holistic and practically applicable picture of offspring welfare.
Hang on: an evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Gjendal K , Sørensen DB , Kiersgaad MK , Ottesen JL
Published: October 2017

When introducing environmental enrichment in laboratory animals, positive and/or negative effects on behavioural and physiological parameters should be evaluated. This three-step randomised controlled trial in male C57BL/6 mice investigated the effect of supplementing the environment with one or more hemp ropes. In part 1, the effect of a hemp rope on aggressive and social behaviour, stress and anxiety levels was assessed by social interaction test, elevated plus maze behaviour, and faecal corticosterone metabolites, respectively (n = 224 mice). In part 2, the effect of 1, 2 or 7 hemp ropes on aggressive behaviour in mice subjected to routine handling was evaluated by assessing the number of wounded companion animals and wounds per animal (n = 224). In part 3, climbing activity in the rope and amount of material shredded from the rope was assessed (n = 56). Mice housed with one hemp rope engaged in social behaviour for longer time than mice housed without a hemp rope, while no difference was detected in stress and anxiety levels. No difference was seen in the number of wounded animals or wounds per animal when adding 1, 2 or 7 hemp ropes to the existing environment in mice undergoing minimal human handling. The mice continuously shredded and climbed the rope, even when provided with a new rope, although time spent climbing decreased slightly over time. Thus, a hemp rope can be used as additional environmental enrichment amongst male C57BL/6 mice.
EFEKTI PROGRAMA SPORTSKE GIMNASTIKE NA MOTORIČKE SPOSOBNOSTI STUDENATA FAKULTETA FIZIČKOG VASPITANJA I SPORTA ISTOČNO SARAJEVO
Authors: Fulurija Dalibor , Bjelica Bojan , Gojković Dejan
Published: October 2017

Cilj istraživanja je utvrđivanje efekta programa sportske gimnastike na motoričkesposobnosti (kod studenata Fakulteta fizičkog vaspitanja i sporta Istočno Sarajevo. Naosnovu kvantitativnih razlika između inicijalnog i finalnog stanja na multivarijantnom nivoupokazuju da je kod studenata koji su realizovali program sportske gimnastike došlo doznačajnih poboljšanja motoričkih sposobnosti na statističkom nivou Q=.000. Kvantitativnerazlike na univarijantnom nivou u pojedinim testovima motoričkih sposobnosti izmeđuinicijalnog i finalnog stanja evidentna je značajna razlika u svim varijablama na nivou od.00 (Q<.00). Iz dobijenih rezultata se može zaključiti da je program sportske gimnastike daoznačajne rezultate kod promjena u svim mjerenim motoričkim sposobnostima.