bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic Studies of Cyclopentadienyl Ring-Slippage: A TRIR and DFT Study via Photolysis of (η1-C5Cl5)Mn(CO)5
Authors: Lomont Justin , Nguyen Son , Harris Charles
Published: August 2018

Ring slip is among the most widely invoked ligand distortions in organometallic chemistry, yet very few ring slipped geometries have been directly characterized. Here we investigate the ultrafast photochemistry of (η1-C5Cl5)Mn(CO)5 to characterize the “reverse ring-slip” processes that result upon ligand dissociation from this complex in polar and nonpolar solvents. (η1- C5Cl5)Mn(CO)5 readily undergoes dicarbonyl-loss upon photoexcitation across a range of UV-excitation wavelengths, and the fac- ile ejection of a second-CO during the reverse ring-slip process is shown to occur due to a mechanism that relies on the enthalpy released during the reverse ring-slip. This mechanistic paradigm is potentially widespread in organometallic reactions involving changes in ligand hapticity, carrying implications for the expansive range of Cp-ligated organometallic complexes. Experiments in CH2Cl2 solution observe formation of a solvent-coordinated product upon coordination of CH2Cl2 to the monocarbonyl-loss spe- cies. An energetic barrier to solvent coordination is present due to the need for rearrangement of the ring geometry from a three- center M-C-Cl coordination to η1 coordination to accommodate the incoming solvent molecule. Density functional theory calculations are used to investigate the structures of the experimentally observed intermediates, as well as to explore the relevance of these experiments to analogous complexes containing the more commonly encountered Cp (C5H5) and Cp* (C5Me5) cyclopentadienyl ligands.
Implementation of Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a SIM-MOF Through a Structural Rearrangement
Authors: Minguez Espallargas Guillermo , Castells-Gil Javier , Marti-Gastaldo Carlos , Baldovi Jose J.
Published: August 2018

Here we report the structural flexibility of a Dy-based Single-Ion Magnet MOF in which its magnetic properties can be modified through a ligand substitution process involving an increase of the charge density of the coordination environment.
Ligand Field Effects on the Ground and Excited States of the Catalytically Active FeO2+ Species
Authors: Kirkland Justin K. , Khan Shahriar N. , Casale Bryan , Miliordos Evangelos , Vogiatzis Konstantinos
Published: August 2018

We have performed high-level wave function theory calculations on bare FeO2+ and a series of non-heme Fe(IV)-oxo model complexes in order to elucidate the electronic properties and the ligand field effects on those channels. Our results suggest that a coordination environment formed by a weak field gives access to both competitive channels, yielding more reactive Fe(IV)-oxo sites. On the contrary, a strong ligand environment stabilizes only the σ-channel. Our concluding remarks will aid on the derivation of new structure-reactivity descriptors that can contribute on the development of the next generation of functional catalysts.
发展以“物联网+”为核心的智能经济
Authors: 孙 乐
Published: August 2018

随着经济社会的不断发展，物联网、智能制造及新能源等新事物、新理念、新方法出现在人们的视野中，并对中国经济社会的技术环境、产业环境、政策环境，都产生了巨大的影响。同时，人们在互联网的支持下，创建了全新的经济环境，经济市场的运行理念也产生了很大的变化。下面，论文对发展以“物联网+”为核心的智能经济方面展开相关论述。
论电视音乐节目的品牌传播作用 —— — 以《五粮液》品牌广告为例
Authors: 乔 中
Published: August 2018

论文研究的主要目的是明确新媒体衍生下，电视音乐节目改革的重要性，通过提出一些改革的策略来提升电视音乐节目的品牌传播的质量，进而的推动中国传媒事业的创新发展。通过论文的分析得知，电视音乐节目的改革应从品牌传播方式的创新、品牌传播内容特色、品牌传播的大众审美几方面入手，通过对当前电视音乐节目的品牌传播开展上述几点改革，能在一定程度上提升中国传媒行业的整体水平。
中职学前教育专业钢琴课游戏化教学法探索
Authors: 林 燕娜
Published: August 2018

在中职学前专业钢琴教学中运用游戏化教学法，改善教师教学态度，提高学生学习能力，培养学生的实践操作能力，提高钢琴教学有效性。
传统元素在现代建筑装饰艺术设计中的应用分析
Authors: 曹 余欢
Published: August 2018

传统元素是古代先辈留下来的宝藏，也是中华民族文化的传承。论文从斗拱、艾德莱斯绸图案等几方面分析中国传统元素，并探析艾德莱斯绸图案、书法等在现代建筑装饰艺术设计中的应用，最后以新疆大剧院为例，分析传统元素在现代建筑装饰艺术设计中的具体应用，旨在传承中国传统文化。
关于个人对于项目策划的论述
Authors: 尹 耀庭
Published: August 2018

上世纪八九十年代开始，在中国市场经济的大环境下，人们的生活水平有了很大的提高，对于物质条件的追求慢慢提高，相应于对于居住条件的改善也有了更高的要求，从那时起，在南方沿海区域开始有了专业的装饰装修公司，伴随着国家建筑市场的规范化，经过三十来年的发展，中国建筑市场越来越成熟，装饰装修行业涌现出很多标杆企业，例如苏州金螳螂、深圳广田、深圳亚泰等知名企业。国家对于建筑市场管理规范化的推进，市场自然就会带来优胜劣汰，使得部分跟不上时间脚步的企业慢慢消亡，使得部分管理好的企业越来越规范化，越做越大，企业管理者对于员工的素质要求更高，以前靠打游击的做法渐渐失去了市场。
大数据背景下基于实践能力提升的 人力资源管理实验教学体系构建
Authors: 孙 华
Published: August 2018

大数据时代的到来，给人力资源管理行业带来较大的影响，社会各界对人员实践能力的要求越来越高，这种环境下，建立人力资源管理实验教学体系，提升人员实践能力十分必要。基于此，论文从大数据时代对人力资源管理行业带来的影响入手，分析当前人力资源管理实验教学体系存在的问题，并积极探究构建人力资源管理实验教学体系、提升学生实践能力的措施，旨在提升人才培养的针对性，提升人才就业率。
BlueMark: sistema embebido para marketing bluetooth
Authors: Pineda Torres Franklin , Salazar Miguel Angel , Escobar Lozano Daniel
Published: August 2018

En la actualidad se buscan nuevas alternativas de publicidad, propuestas innovadoras que hagan más comerciales algunos productos, también para dar a conocer información importante a la sociedad, dejando atrás las vallas publicitarias o todo tipo de anuncios por medio de volantes. Marketing Bluetooth como una novedosa solución a los problemas tanto de comunicación como de anuncios publicitarios; propende facilitar la interacción de proveedores con la comunidad en general. Haciendo uso de la tecnología electrónica existente tal como bluetooth en los celulares y los microcontroladores se pretende mostrar la descripción, seguimiento y ventajas, que por medio de un desarrollo electrónico con programación e inventiva toma como producto resultante una tarjeta electrónica denominada BlueMark, ésta puede tener muchas aplicaciones, no solo en publicidad, en diferentes campos de nuestra vida diaria.
Aprendizajes que promueven los profesores en un enfoque curricular por competencia en educación superior
Authors: León Urquijo Ana Patricia , Risco del Valle Eduardo , Alarcón Salvo Cristina
Published: August 2018

Las instituciones de educación superior (ies) han adoptado el enfoque curricular por competencias, lo cual suscita el cuestionamiento de qué tipos de aprendizaje están promoviendo los profesores en sus estudiantes y si esos aprendizajes corresponden a este modelo curricular, por lo cual se hizo un estudio sobre tipificación de aprendizajes promovidos por los profesores en estudiantes de seis carreras de la Universidad de Los Lagos Campus Osorno, que implementó este enfoque. Para tal fin se adapta el cuestionario ‘Aprendizaje que promueven los profesores’, de Ospina, León y Ruiz (2009). La muestra corresponde a 215 estudiantes que respondieron 568 cuestionarios de los espacios académicos de 52 profesores. El enfoque de investigación es mixto y el diseño metodológico es transversal descriptivo. La información se procesa en el paquete estadístico spss versión 20.0. Se encuentra que más o menos la mitad de los profesores promueven aprendizajes constructivas y significativos en sus estudiantes, que se relacionan con el enfoque curricular por competencias; sin embargo, los estudiantes no encuentran aplicabilidad de estos aprendizajes a la vida práctica. Las estrategias didácticas que generan aprendizajes memorísticos y repetitivos aún persisten, muy pocos utilizan estrategias didácticas que generan aprendizajes conductuales. Las ies deben capacitar a todos los profesores antes de innovar con un enfoque curricular para lograr los propósitos educativos.
La función de la evaluación docente dentro del sistema complejo de la educación en México.
Authors: Díaz Díaz Inés , Ramírez Fernández Pedro , Valera Guerrero Jorge Antonio
Published: August 2018

Introducción. En este artículo se retoman aspectos que contextualizan la evaluación docente hacia la segunda década del siglo XX en México (en particular en el Estado de México) y se analiza este proceso como parte del sistema complejo de la educación. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio documental de diferentes fuentes enfocadas a la teoría de sistemas de Niklas Luhman para entender al sistema de la educación como parte de los sistemas sociales; así como el proceso que ha tenido la evaluación de la educación, la postura del SNTE en la reconstrucción de este proceso y estadísticas de participación de los profesores en la evaluación docente. Resultados. El análisis de la información recabada revela que la intención primordial de la evaluación docente es elevar la calidad de la educación en México; por otro lado que tiene un alto impacto en los profesores con respecto a la certeza laboral, también se identificó que el SNTE participa activamente para informar y acompañar a sus agremiados en el complejo camino de la evaluación. Discusión. En este estudio se plasma la necesidad de mejora en aspectos claves de la evaluación docente y se vislumbran otros que no se contemplaron en un inicio como medios de oportunidad para lograrlo; entonces se puede mencionar que la evaluación docente es un proceso necesario, sin embargo, aún falta puntualizar criterios de evaluación para cumplir con su intención. Se puede mencionar que este proceso a la fecha se encuentra inconcluso.
The Application of Ultra-Lightweight Proppants to Cryogenic Liquid Nitrogen as a Fracturing Fluid: A Research Protocol
Authors: Ahmed Amna , Majeed Amna , Zhu Teresa
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Hydraulic fracturing has rapidly gained popularity in the last decade, emerging as the leading method of natural gas extraction in the United States. The practice remains controversial, however, due to the release of green-house gases from burning shale gas as well as the contamination of freshwater used in fracturing fluids. Although wa-terless fracturing fluids have been developed, including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oil, and alcohol, their application has been limited due to either reduced fracturing power or safety, as well as environmental concerns. Recent research suggests that cryogenic liquid nitrogen may provide both a safe and environmentally-friendly alternative if a number of additional characteristics of its fracturing capabilities can be improved. Addition of ultra-lightweight proppants is a potential method of increasing the fracturing power of less viscous fluids. This research protocol aims to investigate the effect of ultra-lightweight proppant addition on the fracturing capabilities of liquid nitrogen. Methods: Three ultra-lightweight proppants will be combined at differing concentrations with liquid nitrogen and ap-plied to samples of shale rock under triaxial stress. A control trial will also apply liquid nitrogen without the addition of any proppant. Fracturing power, measured on the basis of fracture length, will be assessed following each trial. Results: The results of these triaxial stress tests will provide measures of fracturing power for each proppant type and concentration combination. Discussion: Analysis of these results will reveal whether the addition of ultra-lightweight proppants increases the frac-turing capabilities of liquid nitrogen as well as identify the proppant type and concentration combination that affords liquid nitrogen the greatest fracturing power. Conclusion: The effect of ultra-lightweight proppant addition on the fracturing capabilities of liquid nitrogen has yet to be explored. Implementation of this protocol will open more avenues of research into sustainable and efficient frac-turing using liquid nitrogen.
Bimbingan Awal Kewirausahaan pada Anak Usia Dini
Authors: Nurhafizah Nurhafizah
Published: August 2018

Entrepreneur education should be started in early-childhood start from introduction stages then be an entrepreneur agent. It is taught to children to be mentally an entrepreneur. Due to this activity which is design to support their business. The students began to comprehend themselves, control their emotion and stress, time management, flexible communication, and decision maker. Developing student's entrepreneur mentality increases the studentsâ€™ characteristic and behavior, responsibility towards an entrepreneur theoretical and practically, which is taken the long term period process.
The role of social identity and online social capital on psychosocial outcomes in MMO players
Authors: Kaye Linda Katherine , Kowert Rachel , Quinn Sally
Published: August 2018

Previous literature has found inconsistent relationships between online gaming engagement and psychosocial outcomes. To add clarity to this discussion, we explored these relationships though a multidimensional lens of gaming engagement. That is, we examined the role of gamer identity and online social capital as mediators of online gaming engagement and psychosocial outcomes (i.e. self-esteem, loneliness, social competence). We addressed this in a sample of Massively Multiplayer Online (MMOs) players (N = 708), via an online questionnaire to establish cross-sectional associations. Findings revealed positive relationships between MMO engagement (measured by a multidimensional measure), gamer identity, and online social capital. Additionally, gamer identity related positively to self-esteem and social competence, and negatively with loneliness. Differential outcomes were also found between social capital and loneliness. Specifically, loneliness was negatively related to online bonding, but positively with online bridging capital, highlighting the importance of exploring the constitution of gaming communities to assess their role in promoting varying dimensions of social capital and the associated psychological correlates. Taken together, we evidence the psychosocial benefits of MMO engagement, specifically in relation to the social value of identifying and connecting with others in MMOs. Additionally, we highlight the complexities surrounding the concept and measurement of gaming engagement
Exploring stereotypical perceptions of female players in digital gaming contexts
Authors: Kaye Linda Katherine , Gresty Claire E. , Stubbs-Ennis Natasha
Published: August 2018

Gender stereotypes are still reported to exist in digital gaming contexts, despite the fact that participation of females is relatively equal to that of males. The current research explored a number of factors and their impact upon stereotypical perceptions and attitudes towards female players. This included; avatar gender, gender identity by gaming context, as well as more general gender-role beliefs. We undertook two studies, each utilising an online questionnaire targeted towards online players. Study 1 recruited online gamers (N= 489), and compared competence perceptions of players which varied by player gender (male, female) and avatar gender (male, female), whereby four conditions were established. Overall, player competence was perceived to be highest when male avatars were used, specifically when female players were depicted in this way. Study 2 explored the relationships between male social identity and gender-role beliefs, with sexist attitudes in gaming, and whether this varied by gaming context (MMO vs FPS). Male online gamers (N = 193) were recruited, of which 112 were MMO players and 81 were FPS players. It was found that identifying as male social identity was not related to sexist attitudes in either gaming context. However, more general gender-role beliefs were related to sexist attitudes. The findings indicate that although certain stereotypes exist (e.g., competence perceptions), these are not necessarily harvested by players’ identities within communities but may derive through more operational functions such as avatar gender.
The effect of flow and context on in-vivo positive mood in digital gaming
Authors: Kaye Linda Katherine , Monk Rebecca , Wall Helen Joanne , Hamlin Iain , Qureshi Adam W
Published: August 2018

Although research extols the positive effects of social gaming, the dynamic processes underlying these effects remain unclear. In a hitherto unused approach in this field, we utilised a Smartphone App to model the effect of in-vivo flow and gaming context on positive mood. We also explored individual-level factors including demographic gaming variables (average hours per week playing, gamer-type, preferred type of play) and Big-5 personality traits. Data was obtained from 41 gamers producing a total of 2796 data-points. Multi-level modelling revealed positive mood was associated with in-vivo reports of flow in gameplay, current context and individual-level variance in the number of hours typically spent engaged in playing per week. Specifically, in-vivo positive mood was higher for players when playing online with friends (relative to those playing solo). Higher reports of flow were, nonetheless, associated with decreases in positive mood. Finally, players who indicated playing less frequently experienced higher positive mood, relative to those who played more. These findings support and extend previous work which explores the emotional affordances of gaming and highlight the importance of obtaining situated measures of experiences. They demonstrate that positive mood in gaming is not static, but changeable depending on one’s current gaming environment and flow.
The dynamical signature of anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder: Positive emotion dynamics, reactivity, and recovery
Authors: Heininga Vera Ellen , Dejonckheere Egon , Houben Marlies , obbels Jasmien , Sienaert Pascal , Leroy Bart , Van Roy Joris , Kuppens Peter
Published: August 2018

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. The cardinal features of MDD are depressed mood and anhedonia. Anhedonia is defined as a “markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities of the day”, yet has never been investigated in the daily life of patients diagnosed with MDD. We address this gap in knowledge by means of Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA). Methods: We sampled Positive Affect (PA) and reward experiences on 10 semi-random time points a day, for seven days in the daily lives of 47 MDD patients with anhedonia, and 40 controls. Results: Multilevel models showed that anhedonia was associated to low PA, but not to differences in PA dynamics, nor reward frequency in daily life. In reaction to rewards, MDD patients with anhedonia showed no difference in their increase in PA (i.e., PA reactivity), and showed no signs of a faster return to baseline thereafter (i.e., PA recovery). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the dynamical signature of anhedonia in MDD can be described best as a lower average level of PA, and “normal” in terms of PA dynamics, daily reward reactivity and reward recovery. Preregistration doi: 10.17605/osf.io/gjaze; Data and Materials: osf.io/8gxrw.
Practical Tools and Strategies for Researchers to Increase Replicability
Authors: Nuijten Michele B.
Published: August 2018

A growing body of evidence indicates that many published effects in multiple scientific fields may be overestimated or even false. These problems have gained a lot of attention in psychology, where researchers have even started to speak of a “replication crisis”. Luckily, many different solutions have already been proposed and implemented; some were inspired by practices in other scientific fields, and some might inspire other fields in return. Here, I would like to briefly review the problems in psychology and provide an overview of some practical tools and strategies that researchers can implement in their own workflow to increase replicability and the overall quality of science.
Preprint of: "Redefine or Justify? Comments on the alpha debate"
Authors: De Ruiter Jan Peter
Published: August 2018

Benjamin et al. (2017) proposed improving the reproducibility of findings in psychological research by lowering the alpha level of our conventional Null Hypothesis Significance Tests from .05 to .005, because findings with p-values close to .05 represent insufficient empirical evidence. They argued that findings with a p-value between 0.005 and 0.05 should still be published, but not called “significant” anymore.This proposal was criticized and rejected in a response by Lakens et al. (2018), who argued that instead of lowering the traditional alpha threshold to .005, we should stop using the term “statistically significant”, and require researchers to determine and justify their alpha levels before they collect data.In this contribution, I argue that the arguments presented by Lakens et al. against the proposal by Benjamin et al (2017) are not convincing. Thus, given that it is highly unlikely that our field will abandon the NHST paradigm any time soon, lowering our alpha level to .005 is at this moment the best way to combat the replication crisis in psychology.
Now you see it, now you don’t: On the (in)visibility of police stop and search in Northern Ireland
Authors: Topping John , Bradford Ben
Published: August 2018

Police stop and search practices have been subject to voluminous debate for over forty years in the United Kingdom. Yet critical debate related to the use of ‘everyday’ stop and search powers by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has, despite the hyper-accountable policing system of Northern Ireland, been marked by its absence. This paper presents the first ever analysis of PSNI’s use of PACE-type powers - currently used at a higher rate and with poorer outcomes compared to the rest of the U.K. While it can only be considered as an elusive power, about which detailed research evidence is markedly lacking, stop and search in Northern Ireland seems to serve as a classificatory tool for PSNI to control mainly young, socio-economically marginal male populations. The paper provides new theoretical insight into stop and search as a simultaneous overt and covert practice, and speaks to wider issues of mundane police power – and practice – within highly contested and politically fractured contexts.Keywords: stop and search; Police Service of Northern Ireland; police powers; social control
Effect of Disease Modifying Agent on Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kowsalya Ramprasad , Prabhu Ashok
Published: August 2018

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease and a leading cause of disability in people with advancing age. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs have become the mainstay of management in rheumatoid arthritis. Among these drugs, methotrexate the most frequently used agent has a proven anti-inflammatory action and is known to slow down the progression of the disease. Hence the present study is undertaken to evaluate the effect of methotrexate on the oxidant and antioxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate.Methods: A total of 40 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 40 controls were enrolled for the study. The rheumatoid arthritis patients were further divided into patients on methotrexate (group I) and patients without methotrexate (group II). The lipid peroxidation index -Malondialdehyde and total antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels were analyzed in all the participants.Results: A significant increase in total antioxidant activity (p = 0.048) and decrease in lipid peroxidation (p = 0.04) was found in methotrexate treated arthritis patients compared to patients without methotrexate. A significant negative correlation (p=0.01) was found between MDA and total antioxidant activity in both groups of patients whereas, the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was positively correlated with lipid peroxide levels. Conclusion: In conclusion low dose methotrexate seems to act as an effective anti-inflammatory drug and may also play an important role in minimizing the oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis. Serum total antioxidant activity is significantly raised in subjects with altered liver function profile.
Histopathological study of Uterine Leiomyoma in Hysterectomy Specimens
Authors: Bhatta Sushma , Bhandari Sunita , Osti Bidur Prasad
Published: August 2018

Background: Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign neoplasm in women of reproductive age group. Hysterectomy is a mode of therapy in uterine Leiomyoma. The objective of this study was to evaluate the histopathological changes in hysterectomy specimens with uterine leiomyomas.METHODS: This is a retrospective study of one hundred sixty eight patients who underwent hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma.Results: Uterine leiomyoma was most common in the age group of 41-50 years (54.76%). Most common location of leiomyoma was intramural (51.2%). Degenerative changes were seen in 10.72% cases. Hyaline degeneration was the most common type of degeneration (7.14%). Proliferative endometrium was the most common endometrial pattern (63.1%) in uterine leiomyoma. Associated malignant lesions were observed in 1.8 % cases of uterine leiomyoma.CONCLUSION: Uterine leiomyoma is associated with degenerative changes and coexistent benign and malignant patholologies. Histopathological examination of hysterectomy specimens should be done to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other pathologies, especially malignant lesions.
Pattern of Antibody Titer Against Salmonella Enterica in Apparently Healthy Individuals
Authors: Gupta Umesh Prasad , Jadhav Kapilesh , Shrestha Nischal , Baral Subash , Parajuli Amit Kumar , Adhikari Sandeep
Published: August 2018

Background: Enteric fever is a serious health problem in developing countries including Nepal. Widal test is the routinely used for diagnosis of enteric fever. This study aimed to determine the baseline antibody titers for Salmonella typhi and paratyphi A, B in healthy individuals of Western Region of Nepal.Methods: A total 150 blood samples were collected from the healthy individuals and pattern of antibody titer was measured using standard quantitative tube method.Results: Among 150 blood samples, 103 had shown significant antibody titers (≥ 1:20). The significant proportion (10.7%) of the individuals had anti-O titer ≥ 1:80. Similarly, 86 had anti-H titers of ≥ 1:20 to S. enteric serotype typhi, 23 had a titer of ≥1:80 and 4 had a titer of ≥1:160 respectively. We found 10% and 1.3% for paratyphi A and B, anti-H titers of ≥ 1:20respectivelyConclusion: This study concludes that, there should be need to change in the cutoff levels for antibody titer against S. typhi to > 1:80 for both anti-O and anti-H titers for Western Development Region of Nepal.
Does bronchoscopy help in resolving the etiology of Non-resolving Pneumonia? Experience in a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Ghimire Ram Hari
Published: August 2018

Background : Normal resolution time of pneumonia is variable. Non-resolving pneumonia is a challenging clinical problem. Etiological, patient and treatment-related factors affect outcomes. Bronchoscopy is initial diagnostic technique in evaluating these patients. The study explored the utility of bronchoscopy in diagnosing of non-resolving pneumonia.Material and Methods: Records of the patients diagnosed with non-resolving pneumonia who underwent bronchoscopy from 20th January 2017 to 19th January 2018 were analysed. The data analyzed included demographic characteristics, clinical profile, bronchoscopic findings, chest imaging, and hospital discharge status. Non-resolving pneumonia was defined as focal infiltrates with symptoms of acute pulmonary infection and lack of clinical and radiological improvement within 12 weeks despite a minimum of 10 days treatment. For analysis descriptive statistics like mean and percentage and tabular and graphical presentation were made.Results: Forty-five patients had non resolving Pneumonia. A total 75.0% were males with age range of 25 to 85 years and commons symptom were cough with fever (75.0%) followed by hemoptysis, chest pain, and breathlessness. Bronchoscopically multiple ulcerated lesions, inflamed tracheobronchial tree with mucopurulent secretions and mass lesions were common. Etiologically 66.6 % patients had TB, followed by lung cancer, bronchiectasis and pneumonia.Conclusion: Bronchoscopy has better utility and is the diagnostic modality of choice in establishing etiology of non-resolving pneumonia.  Journal of Nobel Medical CollegeVolume 7, Number 1, Issue 12, January-June 2018, page : 1-5
Effectiveness between two tooth brushing methods on removing dental plaque
Authors: Giri Dhirendra Kumar
Published: August 2018

Background: Biofilm usually is a group of micro-organisms in which bacterial cells adhere to each other. It may form on a living or non-living surfaces within a self-produced matrix of glycocalx. Recently, plaque has been identified as a biofilm, and its structure, microbiology and patho-physiology have been described. The effectiveness between modified bass technique and normal brushing technique has been compared in this study. Material & Methods: Sixty auxiliary workers working in Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Plaque accumulation was assessed on the index teeth using Silness and Loe plaque index. Both normal tooth brushing practices and modified Bass technique were asked to perform using a standard tooth brush and fluoridated dentifrices without label was used for all the subjects after the morning breakfast. The difference of the PI scores recorded in different examinations was assessed using ANCOVA test. Results: The mean PI score was found similar for normal brushing and modified bass technique at the base line examination (P<0.05). The modified Bass technique was more effective in removing plaque than normal tooth brushing (P<0.05) Conclusion: Tooth brushing is the most common, easy and effective method of plaque control. At the same time tooth brushing with correct technique reduces plaque effectively and maintains the integrity of tooth and surrounding periodontium. Modified Bass technique plays a vital role in prevention of plaque control, dental caries and periodontal disease. Journal of Nobel Medical College  Volume 7, Number 1, Issue 12, January-June 2018, Page: 26-29
The Impact of acne on the quality of life of the patients attending dermatology outpatient department at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital
Authors: Pradhan Manish , Jha Chandra Bhal , Rai Dipa
Published: August 2018

Background: Acne is a very common distressing skin condition that affects multiple aspects of quality of life of an individual. It has been illustrated that acne have tremendous effect on an individual’s self-image and impacts his or her quality of life. The extent of burden of the disease experienced by the patients seems to be underestimated by the whole medical fraternity. The aim of the study is to determine the health related quality of life impairment in acne patients using CADI and to identify various variables that increase the patients’ susceptibility for quality of life impairment. Subjects and Methods: This is a hospital based, cross sectional study conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital from Jan 2017 to December 2017.A total of 202 acne patients were evaluated with CADI. Clinical characteristics were recorded after history and clinical examination. Results: Out of total 202 patients enrolled, 56.4% of patient scored a CADI score of (5-9) indicating moderate quality of life impairment and 15.3% of patient scored a CADI score of 10 or more indicating severe quality of life impairment. The mean CADI score was 6.82 ± 2.75. There was positive correlation between the CADI score and impact on quality of life with grade of acne, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Acne is a common skin disease with tremendous adverse effect on the patient’s health related quality of life. Patients are affected both physically and mentally with this condition. Journal of Nobel Medical College Volume 7, Number 1, Issue 12, January-June 2018, Page: 45-49
Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy among in-patients Diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Study Conducted in Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar
Authors: Adhikari Bishwa Nath , Gautam Pramod Sharma , Bekoju Binod , Basnet Sadhana , Bhandari Himlal
Published: August 2018

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) being disease of modern world occurrence of Diabetic retinopathy (DR) has become more frequent. Knowledge on the prevalence and associated risk factors of diabetic retinopathy helps to detect the disease in its early course. The objective of the study was to establish the prevalence and to analyze the associated risk factors and help to screen the disease as early as possible so as to prevent and /or to delay the onset as well as progression of DR. Materials and Methods: A hospital based retrospective study conducted among 213 in-patients of Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar diagnosed with DM. Result: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 32.39% and prevalence of mild NPDR, moderate NPDR, severe NPDR, very severe NPDR, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and clinically significant macular edema was 12.7%, 8.9%, 6.1%, 5%, 1.9% & 2.3% respectively. There was statistically significant relation of diabetic retinopathy with duration of diabetes (p value 0.004) and the mean duration was 8.704 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among in-patients was 32.39%. Though there was no significant relation with occurrence of DR with type of diabetes, age, sex, alcoholism, smoking and drug intake history, the duration of diabetes and hyperlipidemia, poor hyperglycemic control were highly significantly associated with DR while high BP showed marginally insignificant relation with the same.   Journal of Nobel Medical College Volume 7, Number 1, Issue 12, January-June 2018, Page: 50-55
Oral Cancer: Awareness Among People of Biratnagar
Authors: Chaulagain Durga Devi , Parajuli Kamal Prasad , Khatiwada Bhumika
Published: August 2018

Background: Increased use of tobacco and tobacco products result into increment of patients with oral cancer. Many people are still unaware of the consequences of chewing tobacco. Approximately 19% of participants had adequate knowledge of awareness, large number of participants, i.e., 73% had moderate knowledge of awareness and 8% of the participants had inadequate level of awareness about oral cancer. Methods and materials: Analytical cross-sectional research design was used for the study. Samples were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Frequencies, mean and standard deviations were used to describe the socio-demographic variables. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA test were used to find the main difference of awareness scores by socio-demographic variables. Results: Among 90 participants, 18% had adequate level of awareness, 73% had moderate and 7.8% of participants had inadequate level of awareness regarding oral cancer. Conclusion: The study showed that awareness regarding oral cancer among the people of Biratnagar Metropolitan City is moderate. The study emphasizes that the effects must be made to make people aware of oral cancer.Journal of Nobel Medical CollegeVolume 7, Number 1, Issue 12, January-June 2018, Page: 60-64
Conversations with...Mona Siddiqui
Authors: Quartermaine Angela , Quartermaine Angela
Published: August 2018

The renowned Islamic theologian, Professor Mona Siddiqui OBE, is Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, the family moved to the UK in 1968 and she currently resides in Scotland. She earned her BA in Arabic and French at the University of Leeds, and her MA in Middle-Eastern Studies and PhD in Classical Islamic Law from the University of Manchester.  In addition to being the first Muslim woman to be appointed the Head of Theology and Religious Studies Department at University of Glasgow, her academic work includes texts on the Qur’an (2007), Islam (2010) and Islamic Law (2012a). Professor Siddiqui has also worked extensively on promoting interfaith relations, for which she was awarded an OBE in 2011. She currently holds a visiting professorship at the universities of Utrecht and Tilburg and is an associate scholar at Georgetown University’s Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace and World Affairs.
Global Environmental Liability: Multinational Corporations under Scrutiny
Authors: Namballa Vidyaranya Chakravarthy , Namballa Vidyaranya Chakravarthy
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this article is to analyse the extent of international rules that apply to multinational corporations (MNCs) regarding their environmentally degrading activities and quality control qua environmental impact. The first part of the article describes the ambiguous legal status of MNCs and examines the rules that international instruments and host state agreements impose on the activities of MNCs. The second part focuses on jurisdiction and choice of law issues of cross-border litigation and brings out its major shortcoming. Finally, the conclusion comments on the efficiency of international law in imposing environmental liability on MNCs.
Storytelling as a trigger for sharing conversations
Authors: Parfitt Emma Louise , Parfitt Emma Louise
Published: August 2018

This article explores whether traditional oral storytelling can be used to provide insights into the way in which young people of 12-14 years identify and understand the language of emotion and behaviour. Following the preliminary analysis, I propose that storytelling may trigger sharing conversations. My research attempts to extend the social and historical perspectives of Jack Zipes, on fairy tales, into a sociological analysis of young people’s lives today. I seek to investigate the extent that the storytelling space offers potential benefits as a safe place for young people to share emotions and experiences, and learn from one another. My research analysis involved NVivo coding of one hour storytelling and focus group sessions, held over five weeks. In total, there were six groups of four children, of mixed ethnicity, gender, ability, and socio-economic background, from three schools within Warwickshire. The results confirmed that the beneficial effects of the storytelling space include a safe area for sharing emotions and experiences, and in general for supporting young people outside formal learning settings.
Fiona, Phyllida and the ‘F’-Word: the theatrical practice(s) of women playing the male roles in Shakespeare
Authors: Tillotson Stephanie , Tillotson Stephanie A.
Published: August 2018

This article discusses the theatrical practice of women performing traditionally male roles in Shakespeare. Whilst historically the phenomenon is nothing new, since the 1970s the practice has been particularly associated with the politics of feminism. This article proposes to examine this connection in order to explore how far the convention of casting women in the male roles of Shakespeare has been influenced by changing social, political, and cultural discourses. It will do so by considering two specific manifestations of the theatrical practice: firstly, the National Theatre’s 1995/6 Richard II directed by Deborah Warner, in which Fiona Shaw played the eponymous male character and secondly the 2012/13 all-female Julius Caesar, directed by Phyllida Lloyd for the Donmar Warehouse. Moreover, it will locate these two productions, separated by seventeen years and the turn of a century, within their specific historical, theatrical, and theoretical contexts. Through an analysis of the material conditions that gave rise to the contemporary receptions of these two productions, the objective of this article is to draw conclusions concerning the differing ways in which, through casting women in the male roles of Shakespeare, theatre practitioners have created particular theatrical conversations with their audiences.
Mimicking Bone - Chemical and Physical Challenges
Authors: Cox Sophie C , Cox Sophie C.
Published: August 2018

It is known that chemical and physical features of bone contribute to its functionality, reactivity and mechanical performance. This fundamental rationale underpins the author’s research strategy. This paper presents a summary of efforts to fabricate a synthetic structure, referred to as a scaffold, that both chemically and physical emulates the intricate structure of bone. An understanding of key features of bone tissue that contribute to its remarkable properties is presented as a background to this work. Novel work aimed at improving the understanding of the synthesis of a ceramic biomaterial, namely hydroxyapatite, that is chemically similar to bone mineral is discussed. A case study involving the manufacture of porous scaffolds by 3D printing is also presented. In summary, this article highlights a number of on-going challenges that multidisciplinary tissue engineers aim to solve to get one step closer to mimicking bone, which clinically could improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.  Photo credit: By Doc. RNDr. Josef Reischig, CSc. (Author's archive) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Learners’ Perception on Security Issues in M-learning (Nigerian Universities Case Study)
Authors: Shonola Shaibu Adekunle , Joy Mike S , Shonola Shaibu Adekunle , Joy Mike S.
Published: August 2018

With the advent of modern technology, mobile phones and smartphones are used not only for calling and text messages but also for banking and social networking. Recent developments in technology have made the use of mobile devices feasible in other sectors such as education and government. While educators are using mobile devices as teaching aids, students are also using them as learning tools.  In some cases the developers of mobile learning in universities are making m-learning apps without serious consideration for security aspects whereas the handheld devices pose a serious threat to confidentiality, integrity and privacy of users including the learners. As a case study, this paper investigates the security concerns that students may have with the introduction of m-learning in higher education institutions in Nigeria and how this impacts on their learning. It examines the effects of security threats in m-learning on students and provides recommendations for alleviating these threats.Photo credit: "Sysop actions of la cabale camembière - croped" by PierreSelim - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sysop_actions_of_la_cabale_camembi%C3%A8re_-_croped.jpg#mediaviewer/
Fiction as a Medium of Social Communication in 19th Century France
Authors: Pstrocki-Sehovic Sabina , Pstrocki-Sehovic Sabina
Published: August 2018

This article will present the extent to which literature could be viewed as means of social communication – i.e. informing and influencing society – in 19thcentury France, by analysing the appearance of three authors at different points:  the beginning, the middle and the end of the century. The first is the case of Balzac at the beginning of the 19th Century who becomes the most successful novelist of the century in France and who, in his prolific expression and rich vocabulary, portrays society from various angles in a huge opus of almost 100 works, 93 of them making his Comédie humaine. The second is the case of Gustave Flaubert whose famous novel Madame Bovary, which depicts a female character in a realist but also in a psychologically conscious manner, around the mid-19th century reaches French courts together with Les Fleurs du Mal by Charles Baudelaire and is exposed as being socially judged for its alleged immorality. The last is the political affair of Dreyfus and its defender Emile Zola, the father of naturalism. This case confirms the establishment of more intense relations between writer and politics and builds a solid way for a more conscious and everyday political engagement in the literary world from the end of the 19th century onwards. These three are the most important cases which illustrate how fiction functioned in relation to society, state and readership in 19th century France.
21st-Century Theories of Literature: A Critical Reflection on an Interdisciplinary Event
Authors: Gaydon Philip , Selleri Andrea , Gaydon Phil , Selleri Andrea
Published: August 2018

The authors reflect upon the successes and difficulties of developing and running 21st-Century Theories of Literature: Essence, Fiction, and Value, an interdisciplinary conference held at the University of Warwick on 27-29 March 2014.The aim of the conference was to encourage a more sustained focus on the overlap between two disciplines which, prima facie, have a lot in common: philosophical aesthetics (and in particular its literary branch, the philosophy of literature) and  literary studies (of which literary theory may be considered a subdivision). Because both deal with literature and have an investment in the idea of theorisation, one might have thought that there was no need to encourage active dialogue and it would arise naturally from the needs of each field. However, in the current institutional state of affairs where philosophy departments and literature departments often have little overlap, ‘aesthetics’ and ‘literary theory’ are two very distinct entities, and interaction is underdeveloped even when room for it does exist. As such, we judged that there was a need for such a prompting. This piece presents the rationale for our conference, and describes its preparation, development and outcomes.Photo credit: Wittgenstein Vector, copyright eXegesis -  J. Robles, M.D. Rose-Steel, S. M. Steele, 2014.
Editorial
Authors: Simecek Karen , Cox Sophie , Oldham Joseph , Varriale Simone , Cox Sophie , Oldham Joseph , Simecek Karen , Varriale Simone
Published: August 2018

Editorial
Bill Maurer
Authors: Tooker Lauren , Tooker Lauren
Published: August 2018

Professor Bill Maurer is a renowned cultural anthropologist who conducts research on law, property, money and finance, focusing on the technological infrastructures and social relations of exchange and payment. Professor Maurer graduated from Stanford University in 1994 with a PhD in Anthropology. He moved to UC Irvine in 1996 as Assistant Professor, going on to become Chair of UC Irvine’s Department of Anthropology (2005-2011) and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the Social Sciences (2011-2013). In July 2013 he assumed his current role as Dean of UC Irvine’s School of Social Sciences. Professor Maurer has published on topics ranging from offshore financial services to mobile phone-enabled money transfers, Islamic finance, alternative currencies, and the future of money. He is founding director of the Institute for Money, Technology and Financial Inclusion, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and was the founding co-director of the Intel Science and Technology Center in Social Computing. He is the editor of six collections, as well as the author of Recharting the Caribbean: Land, Law and Citizenship in the British Virgin Islands (1997), Pious Property: Islamic Mortgages in the United States (2006), and Mutual Life, Limited: Islamic Banking, Alternative Currencies, Lateral Reason (2005). The latter received the Victor Turner Prize in 2005. Professor Maurer visited the University of Warwick in September 2014 under the auspices of Warwick’s Global Governance GRP.
Anne Fine
Authors: Gaydon Philip , Gaydon Phil
Published: August 2018

An interview with Anne Fine with an introduction and aside on the role of children’s literature in our lives and development, and our adult perceptions of the suitability of childhood reading material.Since graduating from Warwick in 1968 with a BA in Politics and History, Anne Fine has written over fifty books for children and eight for adults, won the Carnegie Medal twice (for Goggle-Eyes in 1989 and Flour Babies in 1992), been a highly commended runner-up three times (for Bill’s New Frock in 1989, The Tulip Touch in 1996, and Up on Cloud Nine in 2002), been shortlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award (the highest recognition available to a writer or illustrator of children’s books, 1998), undertaken the positon of Children’s Laureate (2001-2003), and been awarded an OBE for her services to literature (2003). Warwick presented Fine with an Honorary Doctorate in 2005.Philip Gaydon’s interview with Anne Fine was recorded as part of the ‘Voices of the University’ oral history project, co-ordinated by Warwick’s Institute of Advanced Study.