bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partially biobased processable polyimides based on aromatic diamine derived from cardanol
Authors: Shingte Rahul D , Tawade Bhausaheb V , Wadgaonkar Prakash P
Published: May 2017

A partially biobased aromatic diamine – namely, 1,1-bis(4-aminophenyl)-3-pentadecylcyclohexane (BAC15) – was synthesized starting from cardanol. A series of polyimides were synthesized by one-step high-temperature solution polycondensation of BAC15 with aromatic dianhydrides. Copolyimides were also synthesized by polycondensation of various compositions of BAC15 and 4,4′-oxydianiline with 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride. The inherent viscosities and number-average molecular weights of (co)polyimides were in the range of 0·33–1·4 dl/g and 14 700–31 900 g/mol, respectively, indicating formation of reasonably high-molecular-weight polymers. Polyimides were soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, dichloromethane and tetrahydrofuran and could be cast into transparent, flexible and tough films from their solutions in chloroform. (Co)Polyimides exhibited glass transition temperatures (T g) in the range of 161–254°C. The lowering of T g could be attributed to the presence of flexible pentadecyl chains, which act as ‘packing-disruptive’ groups. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T 10) of (co)polyimides was in the range of 490–515°C, demonstrating their good thermal stability. The virtue of solubility and the large gap between T g and T 10 offers (co)polyimides opportunities of both solution and melt processability. Copolyimides containing pendent pentadecyl chains exhibited pretilt angles in the range of 2·51–2·75°, indicating their potential application as an alignment layer in liquid crystal display (LCD) devices.
A comparative study of predicting oxygen transfer in weirs and water jets in cross-flows
Authors: Jahromi Mina Esmi , Khiadani Mehdi , Shukla Sanjay Kumar
Published: May 2017

A water jet in a cross-flow drives a substantial content of oxygen into a water body through air ingression. An experimental study was conducted on the oxygen-transfer capacity of a water jet in a cross-flow in which the major influential parameters of the water jet and the receiving water were systematically varied. The mechanism of air entrainment and the hydrodynamic behaviour of the generated two-phase air–water flow reveal major similarities between a low-drop sharp-crested weir aeration system and a jet in a cross-flow. Notwithstanding the cross-flow as the main source of distinction, similar to weir systems, equations were developed to predict the oxygen-transfer efficiency of a water jet in a cross-flow. Amendments were applied to account for the cross-flow characteristics as well as experimental conditions. The results indicated that cross-flow characteristics such as depth and velocity should be included in predictive equations as they influence aeration efficiency. However, minor modifications of independent parameters were promising in some cases. Furthermore, an equation was developed for the estimation of oxygen-transfer efficiency using dimensional analysis.
Influence of sediment on the hydrological performance of a permeable pavement
Authors: Alsubih Majed , Wright Grant , Arthur Scott , Allen Deonie
Published: May 2017

Permeable pavements play an essential role in urban drainage systems, making them a subject of great interest to both researchers and practitioners. The majority of studies, however, have demonstrated a significant degree of uncertainty regarding both the operational performance and maintenance requirements of this type of pavement. This paper describes a laboratory-based experimental study investigating the influence of sediment on the hydrological performance of a permeable pavement. The experimental results show that, under sediment and rainfall loading typical for a 10 year period within the UK, partial clogging of the pavement voids with sediment led to a 6·4% decrease in total outflow, a 6·41% decrease in outflow rate, a 9·5% increase in outflow start time, a 20·7% increase in total outflow duration and no significant change in the concentration of suspended solids. However, no surface ponding was observed and it was therefore concluded that an appropriately designed permeable pavement system, exposed to typical UK rainfall and sediment loadings, should be able to operate efficiently for at least 10 years without the need for any post-construction maintenance. Hence, permeable pavements continue to represent an excellent form of source control for both surface runoff and pollutants.
A Collateral Theory of Endogenous Debt Maturity
Authors: Darst R. Matthew , Refayet Ehraz
Published: May 2017

This paper studies optimal debt maturity when firms must use collateral to back non-contingent claims. The optimal term structure of debt trades-off long-term borrowing costs and short-term refinancing costs because the price of risk is different across states and through time. Issuing both long- and short-term debt allows firms to cater risky promises across time to investors most willing to hold risk. Collateral frictions produce a rich term structure of debt that includes safe "money-like" debt, risky short- and long-term debt, and contrast existing theories predicated on information frictions or liquidity risk. Lastly, we show that "hard" secured debt covenants in long-term debt do not affect investment or credit spreads when collateral is scarce because they act as perfect substitutes for short-term debt.
Goods-Market Frictions and International Trade
Authors: Krolikowski Pawel M. , McCallum Andrew H.
Published: May 2017

We present a tractable framework that embeds goods-market frictions in a general equilibrium dynamic model with heterogeneous exporters and identical importers. These frictions arise because it is time consuming and expensive for exporters and importers to meet. We show that search frictions lead to an endogenous fraction of unmatched exporters, alter the gains from trade, endogenize entry costs, and imply that the competitive equilibrium does not generally result in the socially optimal number of searching firms. Finally, ignoring search frictions results in biased estimates of the effect of tariffs on trade flows.
Identificação de Espécies de Animais Silvestres por Meio de Sequências Mitocondriais Utilizados no Combate aos Crimes Contra a Fauna – Mato Grosso – Brasil
Authors: Reginaldo Rossi do Carmo  , Ângela Regina Serafine Garcez  , Klaucia Rodrigues Vasconcelos  , Diniz Pereira Leite Júnior  , Elisangela Santana de Oliveira Dantas  , Flávia Galindo Silvestre Silva  , Rogério Pincela Mateus
Published: May 2017

The Brazil has an unquestionable importance in the setting of global biodiversity which makes it one of the countries most targeted to this which is the third largest illicit trade of the world, the trafficking of wild animals. Even with the recognition of technique as important tool in identifying, still hangs a discussion about what the best segment of DNA to be used (Cytb or IOC) and if these are effective for degraded samples, as is the case of forensic samples. Objective was to contribute to the dissolution of the questioning and deposit in the GenBank database of mitochondrial DNA sequences generated. The samples were divided into two groups, calls to reference samples (collected animals of the Zoo of UFMT) and challenged samples (sent to Technical Scientific Police laboratory for species identification). After extraction, amplification and sequencing, the sequences were confronted with samples already deposited in GenBank. The best results were obtained for the shorter sequences of Cytb. In only 10% of species achieved success in sequencing the IOC segment. The resulting sequences of samples references, when faced with the sequences deposited in GenBank showed similarity between 100% 93.9%, with the exception of the sample Leopardus pardalis which resulted in 91.9% of similarity with the species Prionailurus bengalensis. For the resulting sequences of samples questioned obtained similarity index greater than 97% of species of hydrochaeris Hydrochoerus, Tapirus terrestris and Euprhactus sexcinctus. For the obtained sequences of species, Pecari tajacu, Rhynchotus rufescens, Leptotila verreauxi and Tupinambis teguixin, the index of similarity was of 94.3% with Pecari tajacu, 96.5% with Ramphasto toco, 96.1% with Amazona guildingii and 98.3% with the species Tupinambis merianae, respectively. Thus this work contributed to standardize and show the efficiency of the technique and the need to carry out a major project of sequencing of the entire fauna Silvestre Brazilian to make them available in public databases.
Culture, Tradition, Custom, Law and Gender Equality
Authors: Maluleke Mikateko Joyce
Published: May 2017

Traditional cultural practices reflect the values and beliefs held by members of a community for periods often spanning generations. Every social grouping in the world has specific traditional cultural practices and beliefs, some of which are beneficial to all members, while others have become harmful to a specific group, such as women. These harmful traditional practices include early and forced marriages (Ukuthwala as practised currently), virginity testing, widow's rituals, 'u ku ngena' (levirate and sororate unions[1]), female genital mutilation[2] (FGM), breast sweeping/ironing, the primogeniture rule, practices such as 'cleansing' after male circumcision, and witch-hunting.

[1]      Levirate unions occur when the deceased's surviving male relative inherits the widow of the deceased. Sororate unions occur where the widower is inherited by the deceased wife's surviving female relative. The inherited widow or widower becomes the wife or husband to the surviving relative of the deceased.

[2]      FGM is not just the cutting of the clitoris; it includes disfigurement, and the changing of the form or elongation of the labia as practiced by Tsonga and Sotho communities.
The Application of Section 8(3) of the Constitution in the Development of Customary Law Values in South Africa's New Constitutional Dispensation
Authors: Ntlama Nomthandazo
Published: May 2017

The constitutional recognition of customary law alongside common law in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 is highly commendable. It also raises the question of whether or not the recognition was undertaken out of genuine respect for customary law or merely forgotten in section 8(3) of the Constitution. It is argued that the exclusion of customary law from the provision of the section is nothing more than the advancement of the dominant status enjoyed by common law, as was the case before the dawn of democracy. This argument is limited to the application of section 8(3) and the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court, without focusing on the shortcomings of the latter in relation to the remedies provided in the resolution of disputes arising from customary law.
Procurement Adjudication and the Rights of Children: Freedom Stationery (Pty) Ltd v MEC for Education, Eastern Cape 2011 JOL 26927 (E)
Authors: Couzens Meda
Published: May 2017

Children are heavily reliant on the services provided by the government and irregularities in public procurement processes are bound to affect the realisation of children's rights. In the Freedom Stationery (Pty) Ltd v The Member of the Executive Council for Education, Eastern Cape the Court was urged by the Centre for Child Law acting as an amicus curiae to consider children's right to education and their best interests when deciding on an interim interdict which would result in a delay in the provision of stationery to several schools in the Eastern Cape. This case note contains a summary of the case, some comments on the court's approach to the rights of children in procurement adjudication, and an assessment of the significance of the case for the development of children's rights in South Africa.
Editorial
Authors: Venter Francois
Published: May 2017

This issue contains various contributions on the themes of traditional African culture, the law relating to children and juveniles, the state's social responsibilities, labour law and one on legal education.

In August 2011 Advocate Joyce Maluleke, Director in the Gender Directorate of the South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development addressed the Annual General Conference of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges held in Potchefstroom on the dangers of harmful traditional practices such as early and forced marriages, virginity testing, widow's rituals, levirate and sororate unions, female genital mutilation, breast sweeping/ironing, the primogeniture rule, practices such as 'cleansing' after male circumcision, and witch-hunting.  Although she considers respect for tradition, culture and customs to be part of the South African identity, she argues that cultural practices should be rooted in respect for human rights, democracy and equality.  We publish her paper here as an oratio.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE LUZNAVA MANOR’S OFFER
Authors: Litavniece Lienīte , Dembovska Iveta , Silicka Inese
Published: May 2017

The Luznava Manor is one of the newest tourist attractions in Rezekne municipality, which is still in development. The paper is the result of the Rezekne Academy of Technologies (RTA) research grant “Feasibility study of tourism product development for the Luznava Manor”. The paper is aimed to assess the attractiveness of the Luznava Manor. The theoretical aspects of destination attractiveness and criteria for its assessment are reviewed in the paper. During the research study, the expert questionnaire was developed and practically approbated; the results of the expert survey are summarized in the paper. The attractiveness of the Luznava Manor’s offer is assessed in accordance with the following criteria: ease of access, exterior, visitors’ facilities, restrooms, staff, accessibility, nature factors, importance of culture, and services. Currently, it is relatively difficult to evaluate the Luznava Manor’s tourism product as a global or European level tourist destination. According to the authors, the Luznava Manor is rather to be considered as a tourist destination of national, regional and local significance.
MUSIC LISTENING AS MUSICKING AND STRONG MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
Authors: Paipare Mirdza
Published: May 2017

Research about musical experience can be found in various works written about the experience of joy felt from music listening or seeing visual art. Gabrielsson and Lindström gathered and analysed more than 1000 case descriptions over a period of ten years, in which participants were asked to describe in as much detail as possible the most powerful and most impressive musical experiences they had ever had. References to such musical experiences in literature are not rare, however they are related to a variety of results – involving demographics, geography, environment, etc.

The author conducted a phenomenological analysis as a subjective psychological aspect’s research method of musical experience, where music listening and musical experience ‘goes together’ with musicking.
ISSUES OF FINANCING LITHUANIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Greičius Saulius , Pranevičienė Birutė , Pūraitė Aurelija , Margevičiūtė Agnė
Published: May 2017

Higher education of Lithuania and its legal regulations constantly undergo various changes – both necessary and timely, as well as quite chaotic and fragmented. There have recently been a number of reforms implemented in the field of higher education in Lithuania, related to the financing of higher education, management, transformations of the influence of the state institutions on higher education institutions. The new reform of the whole system of higher education is being planned to begin in 2017, it is announced that there will be a drastic decrease in the number of public institutions of higher education and this should lead to improvement of the quality of studies and to better allocation of state finances. The object of the research is features and problems of the financing of higher education in Lithuania. The aim of the research is to present the system of higher education in Lithuania, to evaluate trends in financing of higher education and to determine shortages of legal regulation of this field, disclose problems related to dysfunctions of legal regulations and shortcomings of practical applications. After analysing the main provisions of the financing reform of higher education in Lithuania and evaluating the first results of the reform, conclusions regarding the main shortages and advantages of the reform are provided, other financing alternatives for higher education are suggested.
ASSESSMENT OF PERSONAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT AMONG TRANSPORT LOGISTICS STUDENTS'
Authors: Ginavičienė Jurgita , Sprogytė Indrė , Preikšaitis Juras
Published: May 2017

The article presents the results of quantitative research carried out with 305 Vilnius Technologies and Design College transport logistics students in Lithuania. The research focused on the students’ personal financial management. During 2016 the practical training they filled out an electronic demographic data form online and evaluated their personal financial management. The results revealed that transport logistic students assume personal responsibility for their personal financial management. They have short-term goals –at a profitable period to accumulate resources for periods when revenues are not sufficient. The maximum amounts of transport logistic students costs involved food, stationary expenses, presents, taxes.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANIES IN THE BALTIC COUNTRIES: INTERNATIONALIZATION MOTIVES AND BARRIERS
Authors: Trinkunienė Sandra , Aksomitienė Jūratė
Published: May 2017

Internationalization of companies is a necessity on purpose to play an active role in the international market and maintain a competitive advantage. The presented paper aims to reveal barriers and motives for a company‘s internationalization in the Baltic countries. The perceptions of internationalized and non-internationalized firms were assessed. The paper reveals the main motives and barriers of foreign transport and logistics companies for internationalization. All the Baltic countries compete for DFI and seek to demonstrate that they are ideal locations for foreign transport and logistics companies to establish an enterprise or choose another internationalization mode.

The authors disclosed why service firms internationalize to the Baltic countries. The main attractiveness factors of the transport and logistics market in the Baltic countries, internationalization motives and barriers were compared. The framework has been approved by Scandinavian and Central European transport companies that have expanded their business in the Baltic countries. Theoretical and empirical results are beneficial for transport companies seeking to internationalize their activities in Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia.
ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION
Authors: Mirlina Liga
Published: May 2017

Nowadays the role of social media as a communication tool is increasing. Information technologies and communication habits of society changes also the way and the form how to create communication between the government and the society in Latvia. The aim of this research study is to evaluate the role of social media in Latvian government communication by analysing the use of the social media and interaction with the public. The formation of relations between government institutions and the society is defined in different policy documents of the Latvian government. Such research methods as document analysis, content analysis and comparative analysis to measure Latvian government profiles and followers’ involvement were employed to determine how social media use contributes to co-operation between the government and the public and effective exchange of information and coordination. The ways of communication in state administration performance have been changed. It is possible to mark two important changes – firstly, the government communication goal is not just to increase public awareness, but also interaction and involvement of the public in state administration, and secondly, development of information technology and public communication habits expands and makes varied methods and forms of government communication. Different Latvian government policy documents increase the role of communication in state administration, but the communication which is implemented by Latvian state institutions is unable to overcome public distancing and the lack of interest in the state administration.
OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE MEASURES OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
Authors: Kotane Inta
Published: May 2017

To characterise the results of company’s business activities, the term ‘performance’ is used in the foreign scientific and educational literature. Objective and subjective measures are used in the international practice to measure the business performance. In Latvia, evaluation and systematization of these measures has not been carried out, which justifies the necessity of theoretical exploration of the objective and subjective performance measures. The study is based on the analysis of specialised literature and foreign scientific publications on the performance measurement issues. The following general research methods are used in the study: monographic or descriptive research method and comparison method. Aim of the research: to carry out a theoretical study on the objective and subjective measures of business performance. In the result of the research, evaluation and systematization of the objective and subjective performance measures is carried out. Subjective assessment of the company's performance includes the comparison of the company's financial and/or non-financial performance indicators with the competitors'/the main competitor's financial and/or non-financial performance indicators, or the industry’ s average values. Objective assessment of the company's performance determines the necessity of using the information contained in the company's financial statements.
SYSTEMS OF COMPANY’S FINANCIAL CRISIS DIAGNOSTICS
Authors: Klodāne Aļona , Mietule Iveta , Beinaroviča – Litvinova Irēna
Published: May 2017

At present, a company's crisis management becomes an urgent issue worldwide, while in Latvia crisis diagnostics and management have not been sufficiently studied thus far. A financial crisis expanding in the company causes significant problems to the company's economic and growth processes, and can turn into a bankruptcy, when the only solution would be the company's liquidation. Instead, early detection of crisis significantly increases the possibilities of solving the company's financial crisis, saving assets and future development opportunities.

The aim of the research is to carry out a comparative analysis of basic financial crisis diagnostic systems, revealing their essential substance and possibilities of application. To achieve the aim of the research, a range of methods – monographic, comparative and content-analysis, grouping and graphical methods – were used. In the result of the research, the authors have come to the conclusion that, in the case a practical necessity for timely diagnosis of signs of a company’s financial crisis exists, the theory offers two basic systems differing by their general objectives and implementation methods.
THE CREATIVE INFLUENCE OF PABLO PICASSO ON THE WORKS OF LATVIAN ARTISTS
Authors: Apele Diāna
Published: May 2017

Pablo Picasso is one of the Western modern culture creators of the first part of the 20th century. Picasso has influenced numerous artists directly or indirectly – both the followers of Western school and artists here, in Latvia. The main topic of this research is Pablo Picasso's influence on Latvian artists, specifically – Visvaldis Ziediņš, Rūdolfs Pinnis and Aleksandrs Dembo. Picasso stands out for exceptionally virtuosic style – it was characteristic of him to begin each new work as an individual wholeness, experimenting with graphic forms, colours, textures, lines, volumes, playing with relations of dark and light and work's emotional atmosphere. Similarly, in the works of all three artists, the experiments with graphic forms and textures and virtuosic plays with relations of dark and lights and emotions are perceptible. Sharp sense of epoch, refined means of expression, depth of thinking, pictoriality, freedom of inspiration, nonconformity, intellectually difficult practice, lyrism, lightness and looseness, expressivity, spirituality – this is the common denominator of the artists – V. Ziediņš, R. Pinnis and A. Dembo. For all these prominent artists, Picasso’s creative work was not an object of imitation, but rather a launch pad to start acquiring the experience they were fascinated by. Research aim: to characterize creative work of the great Spanish artist Pablo Picasso and analyse his creative influence in the works of Latvian artists. Research methods: theoretical: the analysis of the study fields literature and internet resources.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF COORDINATION BETWEEN 6-8 YEARS OLD CHILDREN’S MUSICAL HEARING AND VOCAL APPARATUS
Authors: Davidova Jelena , Zavadska Galina , Rauduvaite Asta , Chuang Ming-Jen
Published: May 2017

In the present article, the psychological aspects of the development and process of coordination between 6-8 years old children’s musical hearing and vocal apparatus are considered, among which an important role is played by such cognitive processes as music perception, representation of musical hearing, musical thinking, musical memory and self-control. This research aims at studying the psychological aspects of the process of coordination of musical hearing and vocal apparatus between 6-8 years old children.
Utilization of Cinnamon Leaf and Shrimp Flour as an Enhancer of Catfish Meat Quality
Authors: Setiawati Mia , Dairun Suclyadi , Suprayudi Muhammad Agus , Utomo Nur Bambang Priyo
Published: May 2017

Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a freshwater fish that has been produced in the form of a filet. One of the problems in producing good catfish fillet is compactness and brightness of catfish farmed meat. This research aimed to get feed formulation as enhancer  meat quality of striped catfish with added Cinnamon leaves flour (Cinnamomum burmannii)  and used shrimp head meal. A Fish with a weight of  208.98±25.76 g reared in 12 floating nets cage (2x1x1.5 m3) with density of 15 fish/nets for 60 days. As treatment, fish were fed with feed contains 1% cinnamon leaves,  45% shrimp head meal, and combined of cinnamon leaves and shrimp head meal, and as control used feed were formulated without cinnamon leaves and shrimp head meal. Fish were fed 2 times a daily with feeding rate 3.5% of average body weight of
fish. The test parameters observed were physical, chemical and organoleptic test of catfish meat. The results showed feed with contains cinnamon leaves and shrimp head meal could decrease level of body fat 14.7% compared than control (p<0.05). Feed with used cinnamon leaves and shrimp head meal gave a texture of
fillet fish more compact,  elastic and color of fillet fish white.
Utilization of Black Tiger Shrimp Flesh Waste for Pop Shrimp Processing
Authors: Irianto Hari Eko , Putri Dian Dwi , Nurbani Siti Zahro
Published: May 2017

A study on the utilization of black  tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) flesh waste in the processing of pop shrimp has been carried out.  So far, shrimp flesh waste is used for the production of shrimp paste, and shrimp cracker.   The objective of this study was to develop a fomula for pop shrimp production using shrimp flesh waste. Experimental design applied in this study was three-variables mixture design, in which variables observed were shrimp flesh waste, surimi and tapioca flour. Pop shrimp obtained was evaluated for sensory properties. The best product processed using a selected formula was analysed chemically and microbiologically, particularly for proxymate composition and total plate count respectively. Selected formula of pop shrimp consisted of 50.91% shrimp flesh waste, 18.18% surimi, 3.64% tapioca flour, 10.91% onion, 2.18% garlic, 0.73% pepper powder, 1.45% sugar, 0.36% monosodium glutamate, 0.73% ginger, 1.45% salt, 4.44% butter mix, 1.38% corn flour (maizena) and 3.64% bread crumb. Proxymate composition of the best pop shrimp was 70.52% moisture, 0.73% ash, 0.39% fat, and 7.44% protein, while microbiological load in terms of total plate count was 3.3x103 colonies/g.
Combination of Sardine and Shark Oil High Content of Omega-3 and Squalene
Authors: Musbah Muhamad , Suseno Sugeng Heri , Uju Uju
Published: May 2017

Sardine oil contain high concentration of  EPA but low of  DHA while shark is reverse. Shark oil  high contain of DHA and squalene but low EPA. This research aim to fortify the quality of  fish oil withomega-3 and squalen and improve the quality of fish oil. The combination of fish oil (sardine:shark) 1: 1, 1: 2, 1: 3, 1: 4, 2: 1, 3: 1 and 4:1 showed significant results on peroxide, anisidine, and total oxidation value, however free fatty acids analysis did not show the influence to the content value.  The best oxidation parameters value werefound (sardine: shark) (1:4) with peroxide was 5.44±0.06 mEq/kg, anisidine was 8.3±0.72 mEq/kg and total oxidation was 19.27±0.7mEq/kg. Fatty acids profile between  sardines and shark oil containedvarious SFA, MUFA and PUFA. Sardine oil which was added more to combination ratio will increase omega-3. Sample 1:4 had 43.16% squalene.
Quality of Cultured Wader Pari During Storage at Different Temperature
Authors: Pratiwi Almira Islamei , Husni Amir , Budhiyanti Siti Ari , Aji Bambang Retno
Published: May 2017

Rasbora lateristriata is one Indonesian freshwater fish consumed by society as a source of animal protein. Like fish in general, rasbora is considered as perishable food, so it is necessary to apply a proper storage technique, one of which is cold storage. The purpose of this study was to determine the proper storage temperature of the rasbora in the storage of freezer, chiller and ice. The raw materials used was rasbora in size of 2 grams/fish. The Wader was caught then pondered (2,1 kg). Rasbora was split into three different storages those were freezer (-20°C), chiller (4°C), and ice (10°C). The study design used a completely randomized design with storage temperature factors and the duration of storage with three treatments and three replications. Observations were made on days 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 include TPC test, TVB, pH and organoleptic. The results showed that treatment of freezer, chiller, and ice storage were able to inhibit decay until the 40th day, 13th day, and day 2, repectivelly. Thus, the freezer storage (-20° C) provides more effective in inhibiting decay by TPC, TVB, pH and organoleptic.
A drug utilization study of antidepressant drugs in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Yerkade Vasundhara , Siddiqui Riyaz Ahmed
Published: May 2017

Background: In psychiatric practice, antidepressant drugs are widely used group of drugs. Number of drugs are available in this group with diverse type of mechanisms and efficacy/safety profile. The objective for the study was to identify the prescribing pattern of antidepressant drugs in psychiatric patients at a tertiary care hospital and to see the distribution of antidepressant drugs in the sociodemographic group.Methods: It was a record based descriptive study which was carried out at NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Nagpur. Case record files of all the patients suffering from depression and other psychiatric disorders and treated with antidepressant drugs during the period of from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015 by institutional psychiatrists were analyzed for prescription pattern of antidepressant drugs and their age and sex wise distribution.Results: A total no. of 300 patients received antidepressant drugs. The most commonly prescribed drug was escitalopram in 121 (40.3%) patients followed by fluoxetine in 61 (20.3%) and clomipramine in 30 (10%) patients. Other drugs that were prescribed were mirtazapine in 24 (8%), nortryptiline in 21 (7%), venlafaxine in 13 (4.3%), fluvoxamine in 12 (4%), amitryptiline in 9 (3%), dothiepin in 5 (1.6%) and duloxetine in 4 (1.3%) patients. Also patients in the age group of 31-40 yrs and 21-30 yrs received most number of antidepressants i.e. 129 (40.3%) and 83 (27.6%) patients respectively. Females have received more antidepressant drugs as compared to males.Conclusions: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed group of antidepressant drugs. Escitalopram followed by Fluoxetine were the most commonly prescribed drugs for the management of depression and other psychiatric disorders because of their better efficacy, safety, tolerability and less side effects as compared to TCAs. Females suffer more from depression and other psychiatric disorders as compared to males and the most vulnerable is 21 to 40 yrs of age.
Drug utilization study in patients of COPD in TB and Chest department in a tertiary care teaching hospital
Authors: Vyas Abhishek Y. , Dumra Gurusharan H. , Singh A. J.
Published: May 2017

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and further increase in its prevalence and mortality can be predicted in the coming decades. Many people die prematurely from it or its complications. Total deaths from COPD are projected to increase by more than 30% in the next 10 years unless urgent action is taken to reduce the underlying risk factors, especially tobacco use. Estimates show that in 2020 COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide. A wide range of drugs are prescribed for COPD but not strictly according to established guidelines.Methods: A prospective observational study of drugs prescribed in COPD was conducted in outdoor patients at TB and Chest department at Sheth L. G. General Hospital.Results: Total 90 prescriptions of COPD patient were collected and studied for drug utilization. The results revealed that the ratio of prevalence in males was higher than females, which was 73% and 27% respectively. Theophylline (93.3%) and chlorpheniramine (71.1%) were most prescribed drugs.Conclusions: According to the results, prevalence was higher in males than females and was higher in smokers than nonsmokers and most common prescribed class of drug was methylxanthine.
Pharmaceutical drug promotion: perception and attitude of medical interns towards drug company interactions in a tertiary care teaching hospital
Authors: N. G. Chandan , N. S. Shashikumar , H. Nagabushan
Published: May 2017

Background: Interactions of pharmaceutical industry with the physicians which are usually mediated through pharmaceutical representatives have a significant impact on physician decision-making. This interaction can start as early as medical school during their training and this is said to influence their prescribing behavior when they become physicians. Aims and objectives of the study was to evaluate the attitude of interns towards pharmaceutical companies interactions including accepting gifts, ethical issues and influence on clinical decisions and also to study perception of medical interns towards the accuracy of information provided by the medical representatives.Methods: This was a cross sectional questionnaire based study that was conducted among the medical interns of the teaching hospital attached to Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya. The study was carried out between July and August 2016. A preformed structured questionnaire was distributed to the interns consenting to participate in the study. Completed questionnaires were collected, compiled and data was analyzed.Results: A total of 93 questionnaires were distributed and 90 interns responded (response rate 96.7%). About 44.4% respondents felt that accepting gifts from Drug Company would influence their own decision making. Only 26.6% of them were of the opinion that it is ethical to accept pharmaceutical company gifts. Majority of them felt that Medical Representatives exaggerate the benefits of medicines and downplay the risks and contraindications of medicine. About 32.2% of them were of the opinion that they would prefer to prescribe the drug from the companies offering them with gifts over those without. Majority of the respondents felt that the doctors should be offered with gifts by drug companies whenever their drugs are prescribed.Conclusions: Attitude of Medical Interns towards Drug Company interactions as observed suggests for training the budding doctors on appropriate drug company interactions to prevent the risks associated with promotional efforts of pharmaceutical companies.
Primary intrathoracic goiter: a rare mediastinal tumor
Authors: Zribi Hazem , Abdelkbir Amina , Maazaoui Sarra , Bouacida Imen , Smadhi Hanen , Mestiri Tahar , Marghli Adel
Published: May 2017

Background: Substernal goiters are usually classified as secondary or primary intrathoracic goiters. Primary ones result from an abnormal embryologic migration of the thyroid and represents less than 1% of all goiters. Secondary substernal goiters develop from the descent of the thyroid into the mediastinum and represents 98-99% of goiters.Methods: This was a retrospective study which discuss the symptoms, the diagnosis and the treatment of 7 primary intrathoracic goiters.Results: Goiter was located in the anterior mediastinum in 5 cases, in the posterior mediastinum in 1 case and in the medium mediastinum in 1 case. The mass was located on the right in 5 cases cervical approach was performed in 3 cases. Two patients required a transthoracic approach, 1 required sternotomy and in 1 case video-thoracic surgery was sufficient. Only one patient had postoperative complication which was secondary pneumothorax. All tumors were benign.Conclusions: Mediastinal ectopic goitre is rare. However it should be discussed among the different etiologies of mediastinal masses.
A study to assess the effects of a single preoperative dose of steroid on thyroidectomy
Authors: Gamalial Jose , Thomas Jacob P. , Janardanan Sarosh
Published: May 2017

Background: On thyroidectomy, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, severe pain with local inflammation and voice impairment was very common. These effects can be manipulated by the use of steroids. Hence the present study, was conducted with the objective to evaluate the effects of a single preoperative dose of dexamethasone on thyroidectomy in terms of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), pain and voice improvement.Methods: The present study was conducted between October 2010 and March 2011 at the Department of General Surgery, Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India. A total of 72 patients were included in the study after meeting requirements of inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups. 37 were under Group C and received normal saline and remaining 35 served as Group D and received 8 mg/2 mL of dexamethasone preoperatively. Post-operative incidences of nausea and vomiting, pain scores, and the improvement of vocal function were compared in both groups.Results: Out of 72 patients, most of the patients participated were under the age group of 40-50 years (30.6%). Of them 9 were males and 63 were females. The incidence and severity of PONV and pain was significantly reduced in Group D compared to Group C with P values of 0.001 and 0.056 respectively. Significant protection of dexamethasone towards vocal function was not observed in the study (p =0.245).Conclusions: From the results obtained in the study, it was concluded that preoperative single dose administration of dexamethasone seemed to be safe in healthy patients undergoing thyroidectomy.
Lateral advancement flap for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus: reassessment study
Authors: Arora Bhavinder K. , Arora Rachit , Arora Akshit
Published: May 2017

Background: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease is treated better with various flaps and primary closure. This study was aimed to describe the lateral advancement flap in surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease in an effort to redefine the results of this technique. It is a fascio-adipo-cutaneous flap which is advanced from one buttock to opposite across the natal cleft and providing the off midline closure with cleft lift.Methods: The results of this technique were assessed in 65 patients. The technique consists of adequate excisions of sinus, tracts and surrounding inflamed tissue till depth of presacral fascia. The defect was covered with a thick lateral advancement flap and produce an off midline closure and cleft lift.Results: The sixty patients were hirsute males and five were hairless females. The maximum length and breadth covered was 7x5cm. The operative time taken was 40±10 minutes. The average hospital stay was 5 to 7 days. The surgical site infection in 4 patients and wound dehiscence occurred in one patient only. No recurrence was recorded in follow up period of one year.Conclusions: The lateral fascio-cutaneous advancement flap is gaining popularity for its ease of designing and harvesting. The short hospital stay, minimum postoperative complications, no recurrence and acceptable aesthetic results make this a uniformly acceptable technique for surgical primary closure of pilonidal sinus disease.
Quality of life assessment in stoma patients in a tertiary care hospital in South India: a cross- sectional study
Authors: Roshini A. P. , Sunny Ann , Rozario Anthony P.
Published: May 2017

Background: Quality of life (QOL) of patients is affected due to procedures done to treat the disease. A good QOL is essential to achieve a holistic approach in treating patients.Methods: We did a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital to describe, identify and compare the factors affecting the QOL of these patients.Results: 42.5% had a permanent stoma and a majority 32.5% were due to a malignancy. Major concerns were skin rash and irritation, depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. 62.5% of the total had not gone to work after creation of a stoma. Malignancy was found to be a significant predictor of having a low QOL score.Conclusions: Quality of life of stoma patients in present study was not ideal. There is a definite need to have support groups for these patients in all hospitals.
The role of laparoscopic approach in bilaterality assessment in patients with unilateral inguinal hernia
Authors: Marzouk Ahmed M. S. M. , Omar Haitham S. E. , Ali Heba O. E.
Published: May 2017

Background: Patients presented with unilateral inguinal hernia are at risk for the possibility of contra-lateral occult hernias; small early-developed hernias may be difficult to be elicited by clinical, imaging assessment and during open repair. This study to evaluate laparoscopic identification of contra-lateral occult hernia with regard to the pre-operative clinical and imaging study.Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients presented in the period of March to December 2015 with unilateral inguinal hernia for which medical and ultrasound imaging assessment were done. Laparoscopic trans abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) approach was done with intraoperative evaluation of the presence of contra-lateral occult hernias.Results: During the study period (27) patients (25 Males and 2 females) presented with unilateral inguinal hernia were clinically evaluated, 18 (66.6%) patients had right sided hernia, 9 (33.33%) had left sided, In all the studied patients routine ultrasound assessment was done and no documented cases of presence of contra-lateral hernia, Intraoperative abdominal exploration successfully Identifies bilateral inguinal hernias in 7 cases (25.9%) with mean age (44.14 years, SD 10.99) compared to (34.97 years, SD 10.51) in the Unilateral group, 3 cases on the left side (16.6% of total right side patients) and 4 cases on the right side (44.4% of total left side patients). operative time for unilateral repair was (Mean 85.8 minutes, SD 18.8), and for discovered bilateral cases (Mean 145.9 minutes, SD 46.8).Conclusions: The presence of occult inguinal hernia is a frequent finding specially in older age group of patients, also in our study we found the percentage of occult hernias are more in patients presented with left side disease. Laparoscopic (TAPP) approach is a useful tool for assessment of the presence of such hernias, and gives the privilege of simultaneous repair in same operation with the advantage of avoiding the patient’s later surgery together with the laparoscopic surgery benefits of less pain, rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay.
Right hepatic artery injury: an unusual complication of penetrated duodenal ulcer disease
Authors: Espitia Francisco Terrazas , Dávila David Molina , Chávez Alberto Manuel González , Gómez López José Manuel , De Giau Triulzi Louis Francois
Published: May 2017

Peptic ulcers generally appear in the stomach and the first segment of the duodenum as a result of mucosal erosion caused by pepsin and gastric acid secretion, with up to 70% of these occurring amongst patients aged 25-64. Currently, endoscopic procedures combined with proton pump inhibitors are considered the gold standard for managing complicated peptic ulcers, leaving surgical management as an option for endoscopic management failure or in scenarios such as incoercible bleeding, perforation, penetration and intestinal occlusion. Penetration of a gastric ulcer to adjacent organs is a rare complication; penetration to the liver and endoscopic diagnosis is even rarer. We have presented the case of a 54 year old diabetic male, who presented to the emergency room with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to a chronic duodenal ulcer, with haemodynamic instability, requiring surgical management, revealing penetration to the liver with rupture of the right hepatic artery. The patient successfully recovered after surgery and was discharged 7 days after surgical intervention. We did not find any similar case reports in the current literature
A refutação de Dworkin ao ceticismo quanto às pretensões juridicamente tuteladas
Authors: Verbicaro Loiane Prado , Rodrigues Isabelle De Assunção
Published: May 2017

O presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar o pragmatismo jurídico, especificamente as suas principais características acerca da atuação judicial, sob a ótica do autor e juiz norte-americano Richard Posner, bem como as críticas traçadas por Ronald Dworkin sobre alguns aspectos do pensamento de Posner, especialmente o ceticismo quanto às pretensões juridicamente tuteladas. Por intermédio de pesquisa teórica, analisa o pensamento destes dois autores e apresenta a solução elaborada por Dworkin, relativa ao direito como integridade, para as inconsistências do pragmatismo jurídico de Posner. Considera ao fim, que Dworkin não rejeita o pragmatismo jurídico como um todo. Na verdade, o direito como integridade extrai os melhores aspectos do pragmatismo a fim de chegar a uma solução mais coerente e completa para a prática jurídica.
Critérios de “indianidade” e propriedade: um breve balanço da história dos Guarani Kaiowá
Authors: Silva Janaina Nascimento
Published: May 2017

O presente trabalho tem por escopo analisar o direito de propriedade indígena no Brasil. Ao longo das três partes deste artigo se procurou estudar a definição dos critérios de identidade étnica e auto-determinação voltados para a identificação de povos indígenas, bem como, fazer um breve levantamento dos possíveis modelos de proteção, compensação ou reparação da violação do direito de propriedade indígena. Por fim, partindo-se da análise da identidade étnica e constatações quanto a propriedade indígena objetivou-se aplicar os conceitos apresentados aos povos da etnia Guarani Kaiowá, de modo a se verificar o comportamento, tanto legislativo, quanto jurídico, brasileiro em relação a essas comunidades quando o assunto em discussão é a proteção (ou violação) do direito de propriedade indígena.