bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective comparative study of clinical profile and severity of plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax in coastal Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: M. Rukmini Ramya , M. Rajya Lakshmi
Published: September 2018

Background: Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) causes vital organ dysfunction. The manifestation of severe form of falciparum malaria includes cerebral malaria, acidosis, severe anaemia, renal failure, hypotension, shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and convulsion. Death rate used to be high. But vivax malaria is not presented in severe form and there is tendency of recurrence. Present study has been designed to compare clinical profile and severity of P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria in coastal district of Andhra Pradesh.Methods: Present study is a prospective comparative randomized observational study conducted in the depart of general medicine Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh from February 2016 to May 2018. The study population include 260 patients diagnosed to have P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria and being admitted in the general medicine dept. Govt medical college Kakinada randomly selected based on exclusion and inclusion criteria.Results: Out of 172 Falciparum malaria patients’ anaemia was present in 39.53% patient and out of 88 P. vivax patients 43.18% patients have anaemia. Thrombocytopenia was present in 19.76% patients of falciparum malaria and 79.54% of P. vivax. Increased leucocyte count was seen in 29.65% P. falciparum and 4.54% P. vivax patients. Leukopenia was seen in 9.3% P. falciparum and 1.136% P. vivax patient. PT and APTT was increased in 12.79% patients of P. falciparum malaria and 6.8% patients of P. vivax malaria. Liver enzyme was elevated in 27.9% of P. falciparum patients and 47.72% patients of P. vivax patients. Raised serum urea and creatinine, was seen in 18.60% patients of P. falciparum and 18.18% patients of P. vivax malaria. Electrolyte imbalance was also found in both groups.Conclusions: - In present study number of falciparum malaria cases were more than vivax with male predominance. Hepatomegaly was more common falciparum, but splenomegaly was more common in vivax malaria patients. Anaemia and thrombocytopenia were more common in P. vivax malaria patients. Elevated liver enzyme was more common in P. vivax patients but elevated serum urea and creatinine was almost same in both groups. Except hepatic dysfunction all other complication was more in falciparum then vivax infection. Death was only marginally high in falciparum then vivax malaria patients.
Assessment of rational use of fixed dose combinations in hypertension in a tertiary care teaching hospital in north India
Authors: Gupta Rohini , Malhotra Apoorva , Malhotra Pavan
Published: September 2018

Background: Fixed-dose combination (FDC) agents could be considered as an effective therapy in chronic illnesses like hypertension, which have multifactorial etiology. At present, many FDCs have come into the market without being assessed for their efficacy, safety and rationality by the drug regulatory authorities. The objective of the present study was to assess the rational use of fixed dose drug combinations in hypertension.Methods: It was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the cardiology outpatient department of ASCOMS and H, Sidhra, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir from February 2016 to July 2016. In the study 92 prescriptions of hypertensive patients who were on anti-hypertensive fixed-dose drug combinations (FDCs) were recruited after thoroughly evaluated for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data obtained includes the demographic profile of the patients, pattern of the prescribed FDCs in hypertension, evaluation of the rationality of the FDCs based upon the comprehensive seven-point criteria developed by Panda et al.Results: In the present study, about sixteen different anti-hypertensive FDCs were observed in the prescriptions of 92 patients during six-month period. It was observed that about 93.75% of FDCs were dual drug combinations. Among the dual drug combinations, most commonly used combination was Olmesartan (ARB; Angiotensin receptor blocker) + Amlodipinine (Calcium channel blocker) in 17.4% of patients. It was also observed that among the 16 different anti-hypertensive fixed dose combinations analysed, 12 FDCs (75%) were found to be rational and 4 FDCs (25%) were found to be irrational.Conclusions: In the present study it was found that 75% of the FDCs prescribed were rational and 25% were irrational. Therefore, before marketing the FDCs proper assessment of their efficacy, safety and rationality should be done.
Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic foot ulcer at a tertiary care hospital among diabetic patients
Authors: Chavan Manohar Shankarrao
Published: September 2018

Background: Foot ulceration is preventable, and relatively simple interventions can reduce amputations by up to 80%. The objective of the present research was to study the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients  Methods: Present study was hospital based cross sectional study carried out at outpatient department of General Medicine for a period of January 2018 to June 2018 among 200 diabetic patients. All eligible patients willing to participate were included in the present study. Diabetic foot ulcer was diagnosed as per the standard criteria and based on the physician acumen. An attempt was made to identify the risk factors like smoking etc. The diagnosed patient was given appropriate treatment.Results: Males were more than females. majority of the patients were found in the age group of 51-60 years (35.5%). Majority of the diabetic patients were from rural area i.e. 84.5%. Majority were illiterate i.e. 69%. 21.5% were found to be smokers. 40% were using alcohol regularly. 36.5% were overweight and 14% were obese. Prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients was found to be 16%. Age, residence, literacy, duration of diabetes and obesity were not found to be significantly associated with DFU. Diabetic foot ulcer was found to be significantly associated with being male, tobacco chewers, tobacco chewers + smokers, alcoholics, smokers + alcoholics, Family history of diabetes, and insulin users.Conclusions: Prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients was very high. Tobacco use, alcohol use, mixed of tobacco and alcohol use, and family history of diabetes were significant risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer.
Prevalence of obesity and it’s associated risk factors among policemen of Chitradurga district, Karnataka, India
Authors: B. Vijeth S. , Pasha Ghouse , R. Vagesh Kumar S.
Published: September 2018

Background: Obesity is an increasingly prevalent disease worldwide and can be regarded as a health problem among individuals of different occupations, including policemen, who are responsible for public security. Working throughout the day in stressful atmosphere produces adverse physical and psychological effects. We conducted this study to find the prevalence of obesity among policemen, if any, and to identify the associated risk factors for obesity in this population.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted among 410 police personnel of 4 talukas of Chitradurga District, Karnataka from July 2017 to January 2018. Semi-structured questionnaire was prepared to collect the data, which consist of socio-demographic data, clinical examination findings, anthropometric measurements and biochemical investigations. At the end whoever had high risk factors, were treated for the same along with advice on healthy life style. Data entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analysed using SPSS software, version 20. Frequency tables, ANOVA test and chi-square test were used for analysis and interpretation.Results: There were total 392 males and 18 females. Age group was ranging from 21 years to 59 years. 201(49%) of the police officers were overweight and 45(11%) were obese. Ideal weight police men were younger than obese policemen and weighed less than obese police. There was statistical difference in BMI between the three groups of policemen. The mean TG and TC levels among overweight and obese were higher than ideal weight policemen and this difference was statistically significant. 32.9% of participants had a high TC level (≥200 mg/100 ml). Moreover, 93.4% and 84.1% had a low level of HDL-C and high level of LDL-C, respectively (<40 mg/ 100 ml and >150 mg/100 ml, respectively). 49.5% of our study participants had TG levels >150mg/100 ml. 60.5% and 42.7% had high SBP and DBP, respectively (>130 mmHg and >90mmHg). The difference between TC and HDL between different BMI groups was statistically significant.Conclusions: Obesity and hypertension are high risk factors for development of cardiovascular diseases. Early detection of the same and effective implementation of a physical fitness program, a regular balanced diet, inoculation training for managing stress can improve the life of police personnel.
Etiological analysis, morbidities and mortality that affect the young and middle aged admitted with altered mental status in a general hospital
Authors: Naqash Henna , Shah Parvaiz Ahmad , Bhat Mohammad Hayat , Dar Ishrat Hussain , Maqbool Muzaffar
Published: September 2018

Background: Authors conducted this study to find the profile of causes and diseases that affect patients of younger age group in altered sensorium admitted in a general hospital associated with Government Medical College Srinagar, in India.Methods: Authors conducted present study over a period of eight months. The patients of young and middle age who were admitted in their hospital ward with altered mental status were included. The study subjects were divided into two groups: group A included patients of age upto 30 years, and group B with patients in age group 31-50 years. The patients were studied for their diagnoses, comorbidities, gender distribution, duration of stay in hospital and mortality patterns.Results: Authors had a total of 112 patients of young and middle age admitted in their hospital ward with altered mental status during the study period. In group A, there were 42 patients or 37.5% (20 males and 22 females). In group B, there were 70 patients or 62.5% (30 males and 40 females). The most common cause of admission in these patients was infection (29.46%) followed by seizures (17.85%) and cardioembolic strokes (11.60%).The most common comorbidities in studied patients were underlying seizure disorder, psychiatric disease in the form of bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.There were 14 deaths in group A and 30 deaths in group B. The most common cause of death was infections followed by seizures, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).Conclusions: The most common cause of admission in young and middle-aged patients in authors’ hospital was infection followed by seizures and cardioembolic strokes. The most common cause of death was again infections followed by seizures, acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe diabetic ketoacidosis.
Effect of health education on breastfeeding initiation techniques among postnatal mothers admitted in a tertiary care centre of Raipur city, Chhattisgarh
Authors: Gupta Shubhra Agrawal , Sharma Mini , Ekka Abha , Verma Nirmal
Published: September 2018

Background: The health benefits of breastfeeding are well documented in public health and medical literature worldwide. It is reported in various studies that early lactation supported by correction of positioning and attachment of breastfeeding improves the rate of effective suckling. However, related to breastfeeding technique, no studies were conducted in Chhattisgarh, Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the improvement in breastfeeding technique (positioning & attachment) after intervention(health education and support) among mother-early neonate units admitted in postnatal ward immediately after delivery in a tertiary level health institute.Methods: A Quasi-experimental (Single group pre and post design) carried out in hospital settings from August to September 2014. This study involved 414 both preterm and term babies who were born during the study period at Dr. BRAM hospital, Raipur with their mothers.Mothers were observed for breast feeding technique on first day followed by correction and post interventional observation.Results: After intervention statistically significant improvement was seen in overall body positioning status and attachment during breast feeding 43.3%, 42.1% respectively.Conclusions: Present study indicate that educating and supporting the mothers regarding correct breastfeeding technique is important to help them in the stage when they are establishing breastfeeding. This also avoids early and late problems related to breastfeeding.
Comparison of cognitive domain scores after lecture-based and problem-based learning in community medicine
Authors: Kartikeyan Sundaram , Malgaonkar Aniruddha A.
Published: September 2018

Background: Problem-based learning is a student-centred, problem-based, small-group method of learning that emphasizes use of scenarios. The objective of this comparative descriptive study was to determine the difference in cognitive domain scores after lecture-based learning and problem-based learning.Methods: This comparative descriptive study was conducted at a municipal medical college in Thane, Maharashtra, India. After approvals, the study was explained to third-year MBBS students and written informed consent was obtained from willing students. After delivering lectures on five topics in environmental health in the subject of Community Medicine, a pre-test was conducted, which comprised five short-answer questions (ten marks per question; maximum 50 marks). Scenarios pertaining to the same topics were devised for problem-based learning. To enable small-group discussion, the students were randomly assigned to two groups. The post-test questionnaire was identical to that used for the pre-test.Results: A total of 61 students (males=26; 42.62% and females=35; 57.38%) participated. The overall mean pre-test scores increased from 26.44±3.58 (95% CI: 25.55-27.34) to 32.74±4.46 (95% CI: 31.62-33.86). The difference between the overall pre- and post-test scores was highly significant (Z=8.604; p<0.00001). However, the gender differences in pre- and post-test scores were not statistically significant.Conclusions: Since problem-based learning offers a stan­dardized method of teaching wherein the knowledge can be applied, it can be used as an adjunct in educational settings that focus mainly on lecture-based learning.
Unusually high serum lactate in patient presenting with septic shock
Authors: Afzal Badar , Siddiqui Emaduddin , Kazi Sayyeda Ghazala , Khan Irum Qamar , Daniyal Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Abdul Raffay
Published: September 2018

Septic shock has high mortality and can present atypically. Serum lactate, a useful biomarker for early recognition, has direct correlation with the mortality. It simply represents organ dysfunction and its relation with mortality has been widely studied. This case of a 65 year old man highlighting the extremely high lactate level with septic shock and its correlation with the clinical condition and outcome of the patient. He presented to the Emergency department (ED) with signs and symptoms of severe sepsis with initial serum lactate of 62.4 mmol/L measured in ED. Appropriate management was started including fluids and antibiotics, but his serum lactate remained elevated his condition deteriorated, eventually leading to death. High serum lactate levels can be a useful marker to timely identify and manage patients with severe sepsis, decreasing the mortality.
THE PRACTICE OF FRAME-ANALYSIS IN GERMANY
Authors: Michailowski A.
Published: September 2018

The article aims to outline the methods and practice of a linguistic frame-analysis within a discourse and a cognitive linguistics at the German universities. This article gives a short overview of the establishment ofthe linguistic frame-theorie and its potential to be applied in the practice. Pointing out the different approaches, the main focus of interest, however, is the contemplation of frames as an analysis instrument and as a cognitive unit of knowledge. The article introduces a method of the frame-analysis by Alexander Ziem, which is based on the lexicological approach of „Matrixframes“ by Klaus-Peter Konerding.
REFLECTION OF THE PAST IN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF TRANSNISTRIAN MOLDOVAN REPUBLIC
Authors: Medinets M. Ya.
Published: September 2018

The article is dedicated to the analisis of historical landscape of the cities of Transnistria from the standpoint of notions of the regional past. Among the components of historical heritage considered in the article there are monuments erected during the times of Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (TMR), objects of architecture, urban toponymy, museum exhibitions. The process of development of historical memory infrastructure on the events of the end of the 20th century in the de facto republic is revealed. Particularly, the text demonstrates that it is the memory of a brief 1992 war against Moldova that constitutes the core thematic element of Transnistrian historical and cultural landscape referring to the present period. Major concepts that are reflected in building monuments to the war veterans are «grief», «gratitude for peace» (whereas not for Transnistrian «victory» as a conclusion of the conflict could have been interpreted), and «protection» of peace. Consequently, the notion of «the peacemakers», as a part of the Russian military contingent in TMR, assumes special semantic and emotional load. Their mission is simultaneously presented as continuation of the historical aims of Russian Imperial Army and Red Army. Transnistria possesses developed museum infrastructure by which, as well as by urban toponymy, the concepts of historical continuity of that de facto state with Soviet Moldovan statehood are translated. Significance of exploitation of that Soviet symbolic heritage is, by and large, opposition to Romanian national idea under conditions of confrontation with Moldova. Specifics of Transnistria is erection of monuments to the foreign historical figures (for instance, Ivan Mazepa or the Swedish military of Charles XII) who have played any role in the regional history. An example of such use of new monuments as a tool of cultural diplomacy is an attempt to open up a monument to Mazepa in the run-up to 2010 Ukrainian presidential election, later replaced by opening of a set of memorials to more «consensual» Ukrainian historical figures.
ONTOLOGY OF AN OLD AGE IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE: THE LATEST DRAMA IN THE CINEMATIC AND LITERARY GERONTOCONTEXT
Authors: Lavlinsky S. P.
Published: September 2018

The theme of an old age and the complex of motives associated with it are often found in modern drama, focusing on the stage and cinema. As you know, the ancient Greek word « gerontes «(gerontes), in addition to the meaning of» old», means»elders, members of the Supreme Council, senators.» The authors of the works of art, which are analyzed in the article, as it revives the lost meaning of this concept, returning to the reader the ancient «ancestral» meaning of the concept of «gerontes».The first part of the article draws attention to how the artistic representations of an old age in some works of the latest Russian drama look at the background of the modern Western European literary and cinematic gerontocontext. Various aspects of ontology of an old age in modern culture are discussed on the basis of some of the most representative works of cinema and literature. The artistic concept of gerontology the newest epic in the European context and different genres of the cinema is affected . The article clarifies certain patterns of gerontophobia. On the one hand, it is seen as a social and biological disaster, a time of awareness of existential and ideological collapse, despair, expressed in the speeches of the characters – the elderly. On the other – not only as an antipode of youth, but as its reverse side, creating free and/or involuntary conditions for the test of «non-old» consciousness «limit questions».In the second part of the article special attention is paid to the analysis of the gerontocontext of the Russian newest drama («Gerontophobia, etc.» by Vadim Levanov, «I, machine gun-chick» by Yuri Klavdiev, etc.). The study of the artistic structures of dramatic works demonstrates how they develop not only the realist logic of representation of an old age, but above all the logic of grotesque and grotesque-fantastic. It focuses on how to overcome gerontophobia and artistic ingly modeled cathartic gerontosofia impossible in area exclusively for social, cultural and psychological representations of an old age, but implemented only in areas related to transcendental mystery and dramatic traditions.
PLAYS OF ELENA POPOVA IN THE CONTEXT OF RUSSIAN DRAMA OF THE «NEW WAVE» (AUTHOR’S STRATEGIES FOR THE ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION OF THE WORLD AND HUMAN)
Authors: Lepisheva E. M.
Published: September 2018

The comparative-typological aspect of Russian and Belarusian dramatic art research in the end of the ХХ and the beginning of the ХХI centuries remains actual and prior in modern literary criticism. In the article we researched plays by famous Belarusian (Russian) playwright E. Popova in the context of the «new wave» of Russian drama (L. Petrushevskaya, A. Galin, A. Kazantsev, V. Slavkin, L. Razumovskaya, M. Arbatova). We try to reveal the relationship between the plays of these playwrights in the end of the ХХ and the beginning of the ХХI centuries at the level of the hero, conflict, chronotope. Our aim is to single out two main authorial strategies, which reflect difficult relationships between man and post-Soviet society, – social-existential and existential. It predetermined study methods: biographical, historical-literary and comparative.The typological affinity of their plays of the 1970 – 1980-ies was a natural consequence of a uniform historical context, the general Soviet reality which have generated similarity of attitude, an author’s position, a foreshortening of a new hero aesthetic searches who has become a disturbing symptom of the “stagnant” time, and has reflected the opposites of private and public, moral and spiritual relativism and conformism. In the end of the ХХ and the beginning of ХХI centuries there was a cardinal change of social and cultural paradigms, which led to «a mutation of stereotypes deeply taken roots in Soviet period» (Y. Levada), valuable «accent changes», therefore, total loneliness, confusion and vulnerability of the person were extremely bared. The generality of genetic Belarus and Russia relations, affinity of separate aspects of social and cultural conditions which have developed on the post-Soviet territory, have defined the problems of «transitive» time which has reflected both social crisis, and destructive inwardness of the modern person (self-identity loss, loss of personal integrity, wreck of moral and ethical hierarchy).As a result of the study we proved changes in authorial strategies of representatives of E. Popova and «new wave» of Russian dramaturgy are traced in 1990-2000-ies, which had not previously been the subject of literary analysis. For the first time, the general tendencies and principal differences in the development of Belarusian and Russian dramaturgy of the end of the ХХ and the beginning of the ХХI centuries were revealed.
Propriedades físicas de uva Sugraone submetida a desidratação osmótica
Authors: Santos Francislaine Suelia dos , Martins Ana Nery Alves , Araújo Karoline Thays Andrade , Araújo Auryclennedy Calou de , Costa Marylia De Sousa , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira
Published: September 2018

A desidratação osmótica, semelhante à desidratação clássica, permite a concentração parcial do material celular dos alimentos. No entanto, ao invés do emprego do calor, a atividade de água do produto é reduzida colocando-se o mesmo em contato com uma solução hipertônica de solutos. Como resultado desse processo, frutos perecíveis são transformados em produtos com boas condições de armazenamento, com maior estabilidade, qualidade semelhante à matéria-prima e, muitas vezes, melhor em cor, sabor e aroma que os produtos de tecnologias mais sofisticadas. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar a influência desse processo em uvas sem sementes da variedade Sugraone, comparando alguns parâmetros físicos. As frutas foram avaliadas in natura e após o processo de desidratação osmótica. Para o processo de desidratação as uvas foram imersas em xarope de sacarose com concentração de 60 °Brix e mantidas sob osmose à temperatura de 40 °C por 24 horas em câmara do tipo B.O.D. Os parâmetros físicos avaliados foram determinados em triplicata, sendo eles: massa individual e específica real, volume, diâmetros mutuamente perpendiculares, área de projeção da posição de repouso, excentricidade e área superficial, volume por deslocamento de massa e por semelhança geométrica, circularidade e esfericidade. Observou-se que as uvas apresentaram ótima resposta ao processo de desidratação, sendo o processo indicado para essa variedade.
Death Makes the News
Authors: Fishman Jessica M.
Published: September 2018

Because it is impossible to create an unfiltered mirror to reality, the news media selectively rely on particular pictures and words to shape our understanding of world events. The construction of news is never a random process, and photojournalism is far more than a mechanical undertaking. Because photographs literally craft boundaries, systematically hiding one reality while illuminating another, this book extensively examines how pictures represent tragedy, uncovering surprising editorial forces that persistently structure the way the news media cover death. Some deaths are concealed, while others are illustrated in great detail, and this book develops formulas predicting these fates. We see how deep political cleavages, especially those powered by nationalism, create remarkable patterns of visibility and invisibility. The patterns are striking, but they overturn long-held assumptions about which deaths are newsworthy, raising fundamental questions about the role of news images. This behind-the-scenes account shares many photographs, including images that were censored from the news. It also explores in-depth interviews with industry leaders who admit to self-censorship and industry censorship. It engages impassioned controversies over bearing witness, protecting privacy, and other sensitive topics.
Synthesis of an (AB)4-type Star Block Copolymer of L-lactide and Cyclohexene Oxide from a Tetra-Arm Telechelic Macrophotoinitiator
Authors: Uyar Zafer , Kaya Emel
Published: September 2018

A
multi-step reaction process was applied for the synthesis of a novel and
well-defined star-shaped telechelic macrophotoinitiator with four
poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) arms bearing photoinitiating benzoin groups at the chain
ends (PLLA-PI)4. To achieve this,
2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol was used as the initiator which
constitutes the core of the star-shaped polymeric scaffold. Benzoin
photoreactive end groups of the telechelic (PLLA-PI)4, capable of
entering into further polymerization, allowed its use as a prepolymer in
photoinduced free radical promoted cationic polymerization with cyclohexene
oxide (CHO) monomer at l=350 nm to produce an (AB)4-type
star-shaped block copolymer composed of both esteric L-lactide and etheric
cyclohexene oxide chains on each arm, (PLLA-PCHO)4.
Structural analysis and characterization of all intermediate and final
compounds were done by a series of analytical and spectral methods. Molecular
weights of the prepared polymers up to telechelic macrophotoinitiator (PLLA-PI)4
were determined based on 1H-NMR (Mn
H-NMR), GPC (Mn exp)
analyses and theoretical calculations (Mn
theo) and were found to be in good agreement with each other. The thermal
behaviors of the polymers synthesized were investigated by thermogravimetric
and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The melting temperature for
(PLLA-PCHO)4 was found higher compared to the other homo-type
polymers in the literature. The thermogravimetric (TG) analyses showed that
introduction of the thermally stable PCHO segment into the structure via
photopolymerization increased its stability shifting its decomposition
temperature to the higher values compared to the prepolymers.
Sliding Mode Control For Current Loop in a Induction Motor Applied in Robot Arm
Authors: Diniz Eber de C. , Júnior Antonio B.S. , Honório Dalton A. , Barreto Luiz H.S.C. , Reis Laurinda L. N. dos
Published: September 2018

The control of a planar elbow manipulator driven by a squirrel-cage induction motor using sliding mode control (SMC) is presented in this paper. The modeling of the manipulator mechanical coupling as a load applied to the induction motor shaft is developed. This has direct influence on both dq currents, which are chosen as the sliding manifold instead of controlling both mechanical and electrical parts as individual processes like most industrial manipulators do. Conventional proportional-integral (PI) controllers are used for each loop, implying easy design procedure and implementation with low computational effort. The system can then be implemented by using a digital signal processor (DSP) and applied in industrial environments. Simulation and experimental results on a real manipulator are shown to validate the proposed control scheme. The results show that there is low steady-state error for the manipulator position.
Conversor CC-CA de Alta Frequência Utilizando Inversores Ressonantes com Comutação Sequêncial
Authors: Amado José Diaz- , Dubut Jean P. , Salazar Andrés O. , Lock Alberto S. , Maniçoba Glauco G. C. , Filho Ricardo F. Pinheiro
Published: September 2018

Este trabalho apresenta um conversor série ressonante de alta frequência CC-CA (CSR), utilizando IGBTs comutados por zero de tensão (ZVS). O conversor CC-CA é composto por quatro módulos inversores em ponte “H” conectados em paralelo, alimentando um circuito ressonante. Cada módulo inversor opera a 100kHz, sendo que, comutados sequencialmente, levam a estrutura a operar globalmente na frequência de 400kHz. Para sincronizar a frequência do CSR a uma frequência próxima à frequência natural de ressonância do circuito é utilizado um sistema PLL. Os princípios de operação de sincronismo, assim como os resultados experimentais, são apresentados para validar as técnicas propostas.
Should Investors in Commodity Markets Be Superstitious (Based on the Example of 29 Commodities)?
Authors: Borowski Krzysztof
Published: September 2018

The issue of efficiency of financial markets has always fascinated scientists. It is significant from the point of view of assessing portfolio management effectiveness and behavioural finance. In the first part of this paper, the hypothesis of the unfortunate dates effect was tested upon 29 commodity prices in relation to the following four approaches: close‑close, overnight, open‑open, and open‑close. The rates of return were calculated for the sessions falling on the 13th and 4th day of the month, Friday the 13th and Tuesday the 13th. The study proved the occurrence of seasonal effects on the so‑called unlucky dates.
The narratives of ethnocentric Buddhist identity
Authors: Fuller Paul
Published: September 2018

This article describes several narratives in Southeast Asian Buddhism. I use the term ‘ethnocentric Buddhism’ to describe these. Collectively, they contribute to the formulation of Buddhist identity, particularly in modern Myanmar. They are based upon a localized form of Buddhism which is often at odds with more universalistic understandings of Buddhism. These new and emerging Buddhist identities are often protectionist in their outlook. They also embrace forms of action which are sometimes in considerable tension with more passive forms of Buddhist behavior. The national and ethnic concerns they represent evoke a rhetoric of intolerance and discrimination which are often violent in their expression. The description of these narratives has the aim of understanding Buddhist ideas and practices that contribute to the emergence of a chauvinistic and nationalistic Buddhist identity.
Politics before God
Authors: Kirkland Kit
Published: September 2018

America’s 2018 midterm elections provide an opportunity to assess white evangelical Protestants’ counterintuitive embrace of Trump. Reports of the President’s past infidelities, suspicious business deals, and possible electoral collusion with Russia appear to have done little to abate the support of America’s most socially conservative law-and-order voters - white evangelical Protestants. PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) data demonstrates though Trump never polled above 50 percent favourability with white evangelical-Protestants during the primaries, since his 2016 election the constituency has only grown more ‘Trump-drunk’ with a record 75 percent endorsing the President and his commitment to put ‘America First’. 

Although America’s Christian right have long-standing Republican inclinations, evangelicals’ self-abasement under Trump remains difficult to understand. White evangelicals have migrated from a Christian movement guilty of overt partisan identification to a movement willing to corrupt their faith values and religious tradition for political opportunities. The effect, as Gerson (2018) notes, is a faith tradition now riddled with ‘political tribalism and hatred for political opponents, with little remaining of Christian public witness.’ Keller cuts deeper, saying ‘evangelical’ used to mean those who took the moral high ground, but now it’s nearly synonymous with ‘hypocrite’ (Keller cited in Gerson, 2018). ‘With an end-justifies-the-means style of politics that would have been unimaginable before [Trump]’ (Jones cited in Coppins 2018a), it seems America’s evangelicals are putting politics before God. 

Subsequently, this article reflects on four dimensions of Trump’s success with white evangelicals. First, it discusses howTrump and the GOP presented 2016 as the ‘last chance election’. Secondly it explores Trump’s ‘priestly rhetoric’ and evangelicals’ ‘priestly faith’ in him. Thirdly, what have white evangelical-Protestants achieved under Trump in return for their votes? Lastly, how has Trump changed American evangelicalism and the nation? Is nativism and tribalism consuming their faith-tradition just as it’s dividing the country?
Fasciolosis hepática en escolares de Pilcomayo, Huancayo
Authors: Sotomayor Córdova Richard Burton , Alva Betalleluz Pilar
Published: September 2018

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de fasciolosis hepática en escolares de Pilcomayo, Huancayo. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y de tipo transversal a 194 escolares voluntarios en el mes de Noviembre del año 2013, se entrevistó y se colectaron 194 muestras de sangre y 582 muestras de heces, las que fueron procesadas mediante inmunoensayo (ELISA) indirecto y la técnica de sedimentación rápida modificada por Lumbreras respectivamente. Resultados: El estudio se realizó en 194 escolares, donde 90 (46,4%) fueron varones y 104 (53,6%) fueron mujeres; la frecuencia de fasciolosis fue 6,7% con referencia al método de (ELISA) indirecto, teniendo en cuenta al 23,1% de los escolares con diagnóstico de fasciolosis, el 53,8% tuvieron resultados positivos en el examen microscópico y el 46,2% fueron negativos; el 38,5% de escolares con fasciolosis fueron hombres y el 61,5% fueron mujeres. Conclusiones: La infestación por Fasciola hepatica es un problema de Salud Pública en pueblos alrededor de la ciudad de Huancayo. Por lo tanto, las medidas de control y prevención, aparte de ser dirigidas a pobladores autóctonos, deben tomar en cuenta grupos de alto riesgo como viajeros frecuentes y personas con regímenes dietéticos basados en vegetales crudos.
Stock Prices Predicted by Bankruptcy Condition?
Authors: Junaeni Irawati
Published: September 2018

This research had two objectives. First, it determined the prediction of the method of Altman Z-Score whether it could classify banking positions, bankruptcy, or financial distress in the go-public bank in Indonesia Stock Exchange. Second, it was to know the influence of value position of Altman Z-Score on the stock price. The population was 84 banking company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2010-2015. The sampling method was purposive sampling. Moreover, data analysis method used was a simple regression analysis. For data processing, it used software Eviews 8. The Z-Score calculations predict the potential bankruptcy of go-public bank in 2010-2015. All results show that Z-Score has the small score of 1,81. It can be said there is a potential bankruptcy. For t-test, it can be concluded that Z-Score has the positive and significant effect on the stock price. The ability of Z-Score values in explaining the stock price is 95,50% while the remaining 4,50% is influenced by other variables that are not analyzed in the research. With some weaknesses of Altman’s Z-Score model, this research has the implication for management bank. It improves the financial performance for the future to avoid opportunity bankruptcy prediction. The results show how the effect of bankruptcy on banking stock prices.
Development of Student Worksheet on Materials Economy Based Problem Solving
Authors: Pratita Dewi , Barlian Ikbal , Rusmin Rusmin
Published: September 2018

This research aimed to determine the validity, practicalities, and effectiveness development of student worksheet on materials economy based on problem solving for Junior High School students Yayasan Pendidikan Islam (YPI) Tunas Bangsa Palembang. This research was developed consisting of four stages; define, design, develop, and disseminate known as 4D development models. The instruments were the validation sheet, questionnaire, observation sheet, and test sheet. The research and development data consisted of the qualitativeand quantitative data. The qualitative data in the form of learning support facility, readability from the draft of student worksheet with problem-based instructions that were developed, and students’ response against using student worksheet with problem-based instructions. While the quantitative data was in the form of test results of student learning. Based on the results of this research, it concludes that the student developed worksheet with problem-based instruction is valid, practical, and effective, so it is very well used by the teacher as a supplement in teaching to complement the teaching materials in the learning process.
Teaching Computer Science Concepts Through Robotics to Elementary School Children
Authors: Friebroon Yesharim Mor , Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2018

Studying computer science (CS) in elementary schools has gained more and more popularity during recent years. However, students at such an early age face difficulties when first engaging with CS. Robotics has been proposed as a medium for teaching CS to young students, because it reifies concepts in a tangible object and because of the excitement of working with robots. We asked: What CS concepts can elementary-school students learn and understand from the participation in a robotics-based CS course?Students from four second-grade classes (ages 7-8) were taught CS concepts using Thymio educational robot and its graphical software development environment. The syllabus was based on existing learning materials that were adapted to the cognitive level of the students.Â A taxonomy of six levels was created to characterize the learning outcomes of the course. The students' abilities were investigated using four questionnaires that were based on the taxonomy. In addition, field observations of the lessons were recorded.The analysis showed that the students were very engaged with the robotics activities and were highly motivated. They did learn basic CS concepts, although they found it difficult to create and run their own programs. There was a gap between the students' abilities regarding advanced concepts as reflected in the classroom activities and their performance on the questionnaires that they answered without the robot.Â
Aspects for generation of transgenic mammals in the USSR: little-known details of an initial step
Authors: Dyban P. A
Published: September 2018

This paper provides well-known as well as little-known data for initial steps of the development of transgenic mammals in the USSR, namely for the collaboration of the Department of Embryology (professor A.P. Dyban) of the Research Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Academy of Medical Sciences, USSR (Leningrad) and the Laboratory of Cellular Engineering (PhD. S.I. Gorodetsky) of the Institute of General Genetics of the Academy of Sciences, USSR (Moscow), and some details about the life journey of these research unit leaders.
Search for Status
Authors: Hamill Heather
Published: September 2018

This chapter explains the dominant features of working-class culture. In particular, the ways in which status and prestige can be gained among the adult male population, and the fact that the hoods are excluded from these paths to power, are explored. This chapter also examines the relationships between the hoods and the influence of their friends and associates on their offending. The analysis here is framed in terms of the understandings that both the hoods and ex-hoods either have or had of their antisocial behavior. Thus studying the world of the hoods in their own terms opens the way to an increased understanding of their behavior. In the process, the data revealed that rather than being anomic the hoods do adhere to a set of norms. The challenge remains to understand the hoods' subculture and make sense of their behaviors.
Signaling Games
Authors: Hamill Heather
Published: September 2018

This chapter attempts to get to the heart of the matter and asks why the punishment administered by the paramilitaries and/or the state does not deter these young people from further recidivism. This lack of a specific deterrent effect violates the rational norm on which deterrence is founded, that certainty and severity of punishment will prevent reoffending, and has bewildered many local people, paramilitaries, criminal justice practitioners, and politicians for some time. The explanatory model proposed in this chapter is that of a signaling game whereby hoods engage in specific behaviors to prove their toughness and status to other hoods. The model, developed from economics, game theory, and biology, explains why people engage in self-destructive behaviors in order to gain group acceptance: often the qualities they wish to display are hard to observe by others who are interested in them and can be easily mimicked by purely verbal claims.
Loyalists
Authors: Hamill Heather
Published: September 2018

This chapter turns to the Protestant community and examines paramilitary punishment attacks (PPAs) perpetrated by Loyalist paramilitaries. Although the violent methods used by Republican and Loyalist armed groups are similar, their motivation is somewhat different. In particular, the supply of PPAs carried out by Loyalist paramilitaries outweighs the demand from the local population. In this case, PPAs are used against delinquent young people, but they are also used to discipline members and settle scores within and between groups to a greater extent than in the Republican case. The chapter also examines antisocial behavior among young people in Protestant areas and finds differences between Protestants and Catholics in the specific types of offending. The explanation for this variation lies in the structure and number of Loyalist armed groups and the different types of opportunities for community recognition, which the respective political and paramilitary organizations offer to them.
PREPARED QUANTUM DOTS SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS BASED ON TiO2/CdS:Mn2+/CdSe PHOTOANODE
Authors: Thanh Tung Ha
Published: September 2018

In this study, we have prepared and investigated the optical properties of the TiO2/CdS:Mn2+/CdSe photoanode as the function of Mn2+ doping concentration and thickness. The results show that the peaks of the UV-Vis spectra shifted toward longer wavelength while Mn2+ doping concentrations or thickness of the films were changed. The main cause of the red-shifting in UV-Vis spectra may come from the increasing of photoanode light-harvesting capacity. In addition, the results also demonstrated by the boosting performance of quantum dots sensitized solar cells from 2.07% for TiO2/CdS/CdSe photoanode to 2.5% for TiO2/CdS:Mn2+/CdSe photoanode.
INFLUENCE OF THE FINITE SIZE EFFECT ON PROPERTIES OF A WEAKLY INTERACTING BOSE GAS IN IMPROVED HATREE-FOCK APPROXIMATION
Authors: Thu Nguyen Van
Published: September 2018

The finite size effect causes many interesting behaviors in properties of a weakly interacting Bose gas. These behaviors were considered in one-loop approximation of quantum field theory. In this paper the influence is investigated in improved Hatree-Fock approximation, which gives more accurate results.
RASIO PAJAK OPTIMAL DAN TINGKAT PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI DI INDONESIATAHUN 1970-2008
Authors: Setiabudi Andang Wirawan
Published: September 2018

Many economists have stated that the government through its either fiscal policies or monetary policies has an important role in supporting economic growth of a country. As the consequence of government’s role in the development process, the size of the government – measured as the ratio of total spending to GDP also expanded along with the economic development. This is the fact faced by any country in the world. However, the growth of government’s size implies higher taxation, and thus, it sometimes become a bad sign for the whole economy. The higher tax collected by the government the more productive source taken by the government from the private sector. If positive impacts of government spending cannot exceed negative impact caused by the lost of productive source of private sectors deadweight loss of economy will appear. By assuming that government runs balanced budget in which all of the government expenditure is financed by tax revenue, so the growth maximizing tax ratio can be estimated. This rate measures the ratio of tax revenue to GDP that is needed to achieve the high and stable growth rate.        The main objective of this study are to find the growth maximizing tax ratio for Indonesia and to analyze whether Indonesia has achieved this optimum point, or has been operating below it or contrary above it. The regression result show that the growth maximizing tax ratio for Indonesia is 14,64%.
Loss of HDAC11 ameliorates clinical symptoms in a multiple sclerosis mouse model
Authors: Sun Lei , Telles Elphine , Karl Molly , Cheng Fengdong , Luetteke Noreen , Sotomayor Eduardo M , Miller Robert H , Seto Edward
Published: September 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). There is no known cure for MS, and currently available drugs for managing this disease are only effective early on and have many adverse side effects. Results from recent studies suggest that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as MS. However, the underlying mechanisms by which HDACs influence immune-mediated diseases such as MS are unclear. More importantly, the question of which specific HDAC(s) are suitable drug targets for the potential treatment of MS remains unanswered. Here, we investigate the functional role of HDAC11 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model for MS. Our results indicate that the loss of HDAC11 in KO mice significantly reduces clinical severity and demyelination of the spinal cord in the post-acute phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The absence of HDAC11 leads to reduced immune cell infiltration into the CNS and decreased monocytes and myeloid DCs in the chronic progressive phase of the disease. Mechanistically, HDAC11 controls the expression of the pro-inflammatory chemokine C–C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) gene by enabling the binding of PU.1 transcription factor to the CCL2 promoter. Our results reveal a novel pathophysiological function for HDAC11 in CNS demyelinating diseases, and warrant further investigations into the potential use of HDAC11-specific inhibitors for the treatment of chronic progressive MS.