bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Their Beastly Manner”: Discourses of Non-Binary Gender and Sexuality in Shi’ite Safavid Persia
Authors: Rahbari Ladan
Published: January 2019

The Safavid dynasty ruled Persia between sixteenth and eighteenth centuries and is known as a turning period in the political, social and religious trajectories of Persian history. The ethnographic literature about the Safavid Persian culture written by Western travelers is an indication of the forming relations between the West and the Orient. The travelogues indicate that Safavid discourses of sexuality were different from their counterparts in the West. These non-binary discourses were not based only on gender and sexual orientation, but also on social factors such as age, class and status. Relations of these factors to different forms of “masculinities/femininities” were focal for gendered and sexual categorization. Nonbinary sexual/gendered identities and expressions were explicit, and a sexual continuum was prevalent. The fundamental differentiation of masculinity and femininity were not valid, and sexual relationships were not confined to heterosexuality. This study uses historical sources to explore the discourses of gender and sexuality during the Safavid era. Drawing on criticisms of Orientalism, implications of Western narratives on our understandings of sexuality and gender in the Safavid era are discussed.
The prevalence of neuropathy among type 1 diabetic adolescents in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vasigh Aminolah , Abdi Alireza , Borji Milad , Tarjoman Asma
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes, which causes many problems for diabetic patients. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of neuropathy among type 1 diabetic adolescents by systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials and methods

This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis, which reviewed articles published from 2001 to September 1, 2018. The search process was carried out in the Google Scholar search engine and domestic and international databases such as Magiran, SID, Iranmedex, IranDoc, Medlib, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, Ebsco and Cochrane using Persian and English keywords based on MESH conformity. All the research steps were carried out by two members of the research team who were familiar with systematic reviews and meta-analysis data, using the software CMA. Analysis of meta-regression and the use of a random effects model were introduced and analyzed.

Findings

When a systematic search was carried out on the reviewed articles, five of them were included in the meta-analysis phase. The sample size was 484, and the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 1 diabetic patients was 28.2% [confidence interval (CI) = 19.5–39.1]. The findings of the meta-regression analysis showed that the DPN prevalence rate decreased with increasing age (Q = 5.77 p = 0.016), and the results of more recent studies showed an increase in the DPN incidence rate (Q = 20.62, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings of the present study revealed that although the prevalence of neuropathy in diabetic adolescents was not high, the prevalence was significant. Considering the increasing prevalence of diabetes and its impact on the health status of patients, appropriate interventions should be conducted to prevent diabetes and subsequent diabetic neuropathy.
Numerical Study of the Dynamics of Particles Motion with Different Sizes from Coal-Based Thermal Power Plant
Authors: Issakhov Alibek , Bulgakov Ruslan , Zhandaulet Yeldos
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the propagation of particles with different sizes from a coal-based thermal power plant was investigated. It was found that the deterioration of the environment is due to the release of a large amount of SOx, NOx and the volatile particles of Suspended Particulate Matter and Respirable Suspended Particles matter, which cause human and animal diseases. This paper presents the numerical simulation results of air pollution by particles which having different sizes from thermal power plants in real sizes using a 3D model. For the adequacy of the mathematical model, a test problem was solved using different turbulent models. To assess the applicability of the mathematical model, the numerical algorithm and the choice of the optimal turbulent model, experimental data and numerical results of other authors were used. The obtained numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results and the numerical results of other authors. And to obtain more accurate numerical results for the experimental data for turbulent models (

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), there were certain corresponding boundary conditions for kinetic energy. Also, profiles of all flow characteristics were compared with and without particles and some effects of the particle on the flow were identified.
Developing Degree Programs in Emergency Management: Ghana’s Experience
Authors: Yakubu Mariama , Jensen Jessica
Published: January 2019

Training or Educating Emergency Management practitioners and academics are crucial to disaster risk reduction. However, not much is known about higher education program development, specifically, degree program development in Emergency Management. This paper seeks to find factors that help and or hinder Emergency Management higher education program development. An interpretive constructionist perspective method was used to analyze data collected through purposive and snowball sampling. Nineteen emergency management scholars and practitioners who have been involved with Ghana’s efforts, and additional six faculty members who have been involved with developing other new degree programs in four Ghanaian universities were also selected through snowball sampling for the purposes of comparison. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews. The results suggest six main factors explain why Ghana has not yet established an Emergency Management degree program. The factors include institutional support, partnership, advocacy, funding, program marketing, and cultural factors. In addition to laying theoretical foundation for studies in this area, the relative novelty of Disaster/Emergency Management degree programs, make findings of this study, a checklist for institutions looking into establishing Disaster or Emergency Management degree programs in future.
Long-term outcome of hyperthyroidism diagnosed in childhood and adolescence: a single-centre experience
Authors: Gill Daniel S. , Greening James E. , Howlett Trevor A. , Levy Miles J. , Shenoy Savitha D.
Published: January 2019

Background

The objective of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of paediatric-onset hyperthyroidism with follow-up into adulthood and to identify any early predictors of a need for definitive therapy (DT).

Methods

In a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism under the age of 18 years and at follow-up, a comparison was made by categorising them into those who underwent definitive therapy (DT group), i.e. thyroidectomy/radioactive iodine (RAI), those who remained on antithyroid drugs (ATD) (CBZ group) and those who had complete remission (RE group).

Results

Sixty-one (49 females, 12 males) patients with a median age of 15.1 years (range: 3.6–18) at diagnosis were studied. The duration of the first course of ATD varied from <1 year (7%), 1–2 years (26%), >2 years (46%) and ATD never discontinued (21%). Disease relapsed in 69% of patients with <1 year of ATD vs. 79% with >2 years of ATD. At follow-up, the median duration since diagnosis was 8.75 years (range 2.0–20.7 years) and the median age at follow-up was 23.2 years (8–36 years). Thirty-three percent (20/61) had undergone DT (DT group) – with 16.5% (n=10) on RAI and 16.5% (n=10) on surgery, 36% (22/61) were on ATD (CBZ group), whilst 32% (19/61) had undergone full remission (RE group). The comparison did not identify any statistically significant difference for predictor factors at diagnosis including age, T4 and free T4 levels, thyroid peroxidise antibody levels (TPO) and the duration of the first course of carbimazole (CBZ) treatment.

Conclusion

Long-term complete remission of paediatric-onset hyperthyroidism in our study was 31%. There were no predictors identified that could help predict the long-term outcome, especially into adulthood.
“Look me, hwε ha, ofainε kwεmɔ biε aha mi fioo!!”: Codeswitching at inter-ethnic traditional marriage ceremonies in southern Ghana
Authors: Nuworsu Anastasia , Diabah Grace , Amuzu Evershed Kwasi
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates the use of codeswitching at traditional inter-ethnic marriage ceremonies in the southern part of Ghana. The study site is Accra, the multilingual capital of Ghana which is located in the south of the country, and was selected due to the high frequency of inter-ethnic marriage ceremonies which take place there. The data analysed were audio-visual recordings of interactions at such ceremonies, collected, by (Nuworsu, Anastasia 2015: Language use in inter-ethnic marriage ceremonies in Greater Accra. MPhil. thesis, Department of Linguistics, University of Ghana, Legon.). They were complemented with observations made at the event grounds, as well as follow up interviews with key actors during and after the events. The theoretical framework employed is based on a combination of Giles’ Communication Accommodation Theory, Hymes’s Ethnography of Communication and Myers-Scotton‘s Markedness Model. It is found that bilinguals who speak on behalf of families participating in the ceremonies often use codeswitching in innovative ways to convey various social messages. Significant uses were: (i) speakers use codeswitching to converge toward the speech of their in-laws in a bid to decrease the social and linguistic distance between the two families and (ii) they use it as a divergence strategy to, for instance, increase the social and linguistic distance between them when they wish to accentuate an ideological, or any other, difference between them. Overall, the study contributes towards insights about inter-group language practices in multilingual African settings, especially in urban areas.
Foliar Application of Organic Compounds Stimulate Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) to Survive Late Sown Condition
Authors: Sabagh Ayman El , Omar Abdelhamid M. , Menshawi Mohamed El , Okkiah Samir El
Published: January 2019

Application of organic compounds in cotton balances its vegetative and reproductive growth, as well as to improve the seed cotton yield and lint quality properties. Field experiments were conducted with some organic compounds to determine their effects on cotton yield and quality properties of cotton under two sowing times.The experiment was conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Cotton Research Institute, Egypt in 2015 and 2016. In these studies, two sowing times viz. optimum and delay sowing and two levels (200 and 400 ppm) of organic compounds viz. ascorbic, ascobine and salicylic acids were used. The results indicated that the optimum sowing date gave the largest area of single leaf at 90 and 120 DAS, as well as it induced an increase in dry weight (g) of plant organs at 120 DAS, while, the late sowing significantly reduced the leaves dry weight both at 90 and 120 DAS. Both seed cotton yield and lint cotton yield (kentar feddan-1) were significantly increased in optimum sowing condition and sharply declined as delayed sowing date. The number of opened bolls plant-1 were also significantly reduced in late sowing. Lint percentage, seed index and seed cotton weight boll-1 were also significantly affected by sowing dates. Leaf pigment (total chlorophyll) was significantly affected by sowing date recorded at 90 and 120 DAS, while lower values of total chlorophyll was recorded in late sown plants. Also, sowing dates had no significant effect on both oil and protein seed content. This study has shown that timely sowing of cotton seed and foliar application of ascorbic acid, ascobine or salicylic acid with concentration of 200 or 400 ppm at flower initiation stage and peak of flowering stage had significant positive effects on seed cotton yield and lint quality properties. According to these results it can be suggested that usage of organic compounds to improve the yield and quality properties, especially in late sowing for ‘Giza 94' cotton cultivar at Kafr- Elsheikh district, Egypt.
Oval-sustainability in Entrepreneurship
Authors: Pashkevych Maryna , Kharchenko Maryna , Shishkova Nataliia
Published: January 2019

Although the sustainable development (SD) is associated with the triple balance of economic, social and environmental areas, we raised a question: whether it is an achievable goal for ordinary business units to develop sustainably. The theoretical research substantiates the contradictory essence of the SD in the context of entrepreneurship. Having employed the method of projection, we offered an advanced definition of the SD for an enterprise. Having applied the theory of the company life-cycle, we obtained stages of the enterprise’s SD. The method of typology analysis allowed distinguishing new types of the SD. By means of the cost-benefit analysis, the research reveals OVAL-sustainability as a function of two variables (cost and value).
Walking as Intelligent Enactment: A New Realist Approach
Authors: Lovasz Adam
Published: January 2019

Walking is an activity that always unfolds within a certain landscape. Tim Ingold has used the notion of “taskscape” to denote pragmatic uses of terrain. Whilst walking, we come to intersect with a variety of taskscapes. As Julia Tanney has highlighted, formal language can only get us so far when thinking about spontaneous, non-theoretical and non-representational activities. Borrowing Gilbert Ryle’s distinction between “knowing that” and knowing how”, I argue for a concept of walking that does not privilege intentions. When somebody walks, they melt into a taskscape not entirely of their own design. Mind is inherently ecological. It is enacted within a certain ecology, and is actually inseparable from its environment. Mind is the sum of intelligent enactments. According to the position I seek to advance in this article, walking may be approached in an object-oriented manner. Each form of behavior composes an enactment that meshes with a certain ecology, what W. Teed Rockwell has called a “behavioral field.” Mind is the inherently relational enactment of a set of behavioral dispositions which are always already enmeshed within a field. When these dispositions enter what, following Markus Gabriel, may be called “fields of sense”, mind and walking become independent objects in their own right.
Tailoring graphene reinforced thermoset and biothermoset composites
Authors: Thalib Nur Bazilah , Mustapha Siti Noor Hidayah , Feng Chong Kwok , Mustapha Rohani
Published: January 2019

The surge of knowledge among researchers pertaining to the excellent properties of graphene has led to the utilisation of graphene as a reinforced filler in polymer composites. Different methods of graphene preparation, either bottom-up or top-down methods, are important requirements of starting materials in producing reinforced properties in the composites. The starting graphene material produced is either further functionalised or directly used as a filler in thermoset polymer matrixes. An effective interaction between graphene and polymer matrixes is important and can be achieved by incorporating graphene into a thermoset polymer matrix through melt mixing, solution mixing or in situ polymerisation processes. In addition, by taking into consideration the importance of green and sustainable composites, the details of previous work on graphene reinforced bio-thermoset polymer matrixes is discussed. The resultant mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were associated to the chemical interaction between the graphene filler and a thermoset matrix. Exploration for further variations of graphene polymer composites are discussed by taking the reinforcement properties in graphene composite as a starting point.
Gamification of global climate change: an experimental analysis
Authors: Nastis Stefanos A. , Pagoni Eirini Grammatiki
Published: January 2019

The global climate system poses important challenges for the perception and understanding of its functioning from policymakers and the general public. The aim of the paper is to model through gamification, the evolution of understanding regarding the dynamics of climate change and climate change adaptation. Using a framework with repeated feedback loops, the impact of the rate of carbon dioxide absorption by natural ecosystems, the stochastic nature of economic systems and the stochastic and irreversible nature of global climate are analyzed, with the Dynamic Climate Change Simulator with Stochastic and Irreversible Climate Change. The simulator game models one control variable, carbon dioxide emissions and one stock variable, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. In addition, the rate of carbon dioxide absorption by natural ecosystems is modeled, with business cycle shocks and climate change tipping points. The ability to control carbon dioxide concentrations to a goal level is evaluated and policy insights are provided about how learning about the dynamics of the Earth’s climate through gamification can be advanced.
The effect of automated hemolysis index measurement on sample and test rejection rates
Authors: Atakan Erkal Fazıla , Aykal Güzin , Yalçınkaya Hayriye Melek , Aksoy Nihal , Özdemir Murat
Published: January 2019

Objective

Vast majority of laboratory errors occurs in preanalytical phase and in vitro hemolysis is the most common among preanalytical errors. Automated serum index measurement is being used in routine biochemical analysis in Antalya Public Health Care Laboratory, since June 2014. Our aim in this study is to reveal the impact of serum index usage on rejected samples and rejected test rates due to hemolysis.

Materials and methods

Hemolysis, icterus and lipemia (HIL) spectral interference reagent and program have been used in our laboratory since June 2014. In the current study, the number of samples and tests that were rejected due to hemolysis in June–August 2014 were compared with those rejected in the same period of 2013.

Results

In 2014, the sample rejection rate was 2.53% and the rejected test rate was 0.48%. In 2013, the sample rejection rate was 0.56% and the rejected test rate was 0.55%. When compared two periods, statistically significant increase in rejected sample number due to hemolysis in 2014 is result of, visually undetectable hemolyzed samples previously can be identified by HIL method (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Usage of hemolysis index program in automated systems for detecting hemolysis was evaluated as a method which is standardized, semi-quantitative, with high reproducibility and allows test based rejection.
Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from
Citrus aurantium
L zest against some pathogenic microorganisms
Authors: Teneva Desislava , Denkova-Kostova Rositsa , Goranov Bogdan , Hristova-Ivanova Yana , Slavchev Aleksandar , Denkova Zapryana , Kostov Georgi
Published: January 2019

This study aims to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of Citrus aurantium L zest essential oil. The identification of the chemical compounds was done using chromatography analysis. The antioxidant activity was studied by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Results showed that the main components of the essential oil were limonene (85.22%), β-myrcene (4.3%), and α-pinene (1.29%). Regarding the DPPH radical scavenging ability, the zest essential oil showed higher activity than limonene. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against pathogenic [Staphylococcus aureus NBIMCC 3703, Salmonella sp. (clinical isolate), Pseudomonas aeruginosa NBIMCC 1390, Bacillus subtilis NBIMCC 1208, Escherichia coli NBIMCC 3702] microorganisms by disc-diffusion method was examined. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the oil (inhibition zones being between 9 and 12.5 mm) and the minimum inhibitory concentration was more than 600 ppm; Gram-negative bacteria were less sensitive. The obtained essential oil displayed promising results for its application as a biopreservative agent.
A multi-enzyme cascade reaction for the production of 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid
Authors: Srinivasamurthy Vishnu S.T. , Böttcher Dominique , Bornscheuer Uwe T.
Published: January 2019

Multi-enzyme cascade reactions capture the essence of nature’s efficiency by increasing the productivity of a process. Here we describe one such three-enzyme cascade for the synthesis of 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid. Whole cells of Escherichia coli co-expressing an alcohol dehydrogenase and a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (CHMO) for internal cofactor regeneration were used without the supply of external NADPH or NADP+. The product inhibition caused by the ε-caprolactone formed by the CHMO was overcome by the use of lipase CAL-B for in situ conversion into 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid. A stirred tank reactor under fed-batch mode was chosen for efficient catalysis. By using this setup, a product titre of >20 g L−1 was achieved in a 500 mL scale with an isolated yield of 81% 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid.
Synthesis, Characterization and Corrosion Inhibition ofN′-Phenylbenzohydrazide Derivative Metal Complexes: Experimental and Quantum Chemical Studies
Authors: Mahross Mahmoud H. , Efil Kürşat , El-Nasr Tarek Ahmed Seaf , Abbas Osama A.
Published: January 2019

The main purpose of the present study is to determine anticorrosion properties in oilfield produced water of theN′-phenylbenzohydrazide and its metal complex derivatives by experimental studies and quantum chemical calculations as well as investigate the relationship between experimental and theoretical study results through a correlation study. The molecular structures ofN′-phenylbenzohydrazide and its metal complexes (Cu, Mn, Co) obtained characterized by using UV–Vis and FT–IR techniques. The electrochemical polarization measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used experimentally in the discovery of corrosion inhibition properties of the metal complexes in oilfield produced water. Some important quantum chemical parameters of the metal complexes were calculated using quantum chemical software, Gaussian 03 W. The electrochemical polarization measurements showed that the inhibition efficiencies of metal complexes were increased with an increase of concentration. The results showed that the metal complexes acted as anodic-type inhibitors. The experimental inhibition activities of studied metal complexes were found to be highly correlated with calculated some parameters, ET, ELUMO, EHOMOand EGap.
Interset Stretching vs. Traditional Strength Training: Effects on Muscle Strength and Size in Untrained Individuals
Authors: Evangelista Alexandre L. , De Souza Eduardo O. , Moreira Daniella C.B. , Alonso Angélica Castilho , Teixeira Cauê Vasquez La Scala , Wadhi Tanuj , Rauch Jacob , Bocalini Danilo S. , Pereira Paulo Eduardo De Assis , Greve Julia Maria D'Andréa
Published: January 2019

Evangelista, AL, De Souza, EO, Moreira, DCB, Alonso, AC, Teixeira, CVLS, Wadhi, T, Rauch, J, Bocalini, DS, Pereira, PEDA, and Greve, JMDA. Interset stretching vs. traditional strength training: effects on muscle strength and size in untrained individuals. J Strength Cond Res 33(7S): S159–S166, 2019—This study compared the effects of 8 weeks of traditional strength training (TST) and interset stretching (ISS) combined with TST on muscular adaptations. Twenty-nine sedentary, healthy adults were randomly assigned to either the TST (n = 17; 28.0 ± 6.4 years) or ISS (n = 12; 26.8 ± 6.1 years) group. Both groups performed 6 strength exercises encompassing the whole body (bench press, elbow extension, seated rows, biceps curl, knee extension, and knee flexion) performing 4 sets of 8–12 repetition maximum (RM) with a 90-second rest between sets. However, the ISS group performed static passive stretching, at maximum amplitude, for 30 seconds between sets. Both groups performed training sessions twice a week on nonconsecutive days. Muscle strength (i.e., 1RM) and hypertrophy (i.e., muscle thickness [MT] by ultrasonography) were measured at pre-test and after 8 weeks of training. Both groups increased 1RM bench press (p ≤ 0.0001): ISS (23.4%, CIdiff: 4.3 kg–11.1 kg) and TST (22.2%, CIdiff: 5.2 kg–10.9 kg) and 1RM knee extension (p ≤ 0.0001): ISS (25.5%, CIdiff: 5.6 kg–15.0 kg) and TST (20.6%, CIdiff: 4.4 kg–12.3 kg). Both groups increased MT of biceps brachii (BIMT), triceps brachii (TRMT), and rectus femoris (RFMT) (p ≤ 0.0001). BIMT: ISS (7.2%, CIdiff: 1.14–3.5 mm) and TST (4.7%, CIdiff: 0.5–2.5 mm), TRMT: ISS (12.3%, CIdiff: 1.1–4.4 mm) and TST (7.1%, CIdiff: 0.3–3.1 mm), and RFMT: ISS (12.4%, CIdiff: 1.1–2.9 mm) and TST (9.1%, CIdiff: 0.7–2.2 mm). For vastus lateralis muscle thickness (VLMT) and sum of the 4 muscle thickness sites (ΣMT), there was a significant group by time interaction (p ≤ 0.02) in which ISS increased VLMT and ΣMT to a greater extent than TST. Vastus lateralis muscle thickness: ISS (17.0%, CIdiff: 1.5–3.1 mm) and TST (7.3%, CIdiff: 0.7–2.1 mm), and ΣMT: ISS (10.5%, CIdiff: 6.5–9.0 mm) and TST (6.7%, CIdiff: 3.9–8.3 mm). Although our findings might suggest a benefit of adding ISS into TST for optimizing muscle hypertrophy, our data are not sufficient enough to conclude that ISS is superior to TST for inducing muscle hypertrophic adaptations. More studies are warranted to elucidate the effects of ISS compared with TST protocols on skeletal muscle. However, our findings support that adding ISS to regular TST regimens does not compromise muscular adaptations during the early phase of training (<8 weeks) in untrained individuals.
Transfer of Training: How Specific Should We Be?
Authors: Brearley Simon , Bishop Chris
Published: January 2019

A SPECTRUM OF APPROACHES EXISTS AMONG STRENGTH COACHES AS TO THE DEGREE OF SPECIFICITY REQUIRED TO OPTIMIZE TRAINING TRANSFER TO TARGETED ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE. THE “PROBLEM” WITH SPECIFICITY IS THAT IT IS IN CONFLICT WITH OVERLOAD. SOME GIVING PRECEDENCE TO SPECIFICITY FIND A SOLUTION IN APPLYING OVERLOAD THROUGH VARIATION, WHEREAS OTHERS SEEK TO TRADITIONALLY OVERLOAD 1 OR 2 ELEMENTS OF THE SPORTING MOVEMENT. ADVOCATES OF GENERAL TRAINING MORE READILY SACRIFICE SPECIFICITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPACITIES. IN APPLYING THESE CONTRASTING APPROACHES TO THE HYPOTHETICAL TARGET TASK OF ACCELERATIVE SPRINTING, THIS REVIEW COMBINES EVIDENCE- AND LOGIC-LED ARGUMENTS TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF EACH. AS SUCH, A SUMMARY OF LITERATURE IS PRESENTED. IN MOST CONTEXTS, A MIXED-METHODS APPROACH REMAINS RECOMMENDED AS DEGREE OF TRANSFER TO TARGETED ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE APPEARS AS DEPENDENT ON ATHLETE STATUS AS IT IS ON THE SPECIFICITY OF THE TRAINING TASK.
Cement Strength and Concrete Strength—An Apparition or a Dichotomy?
Authors: Gaynor RD
Published: January 2019

ASTM cement specifications rely on tests of the cement in standard mortars to control the strength-producing and air-entraining characteristics of the cement. The compressive strength of mortar is used by cement manufacturers to monitor the quality of their products. Concrete producers also use these mortar strengths to estimate the probable effect of the cement on concrete strength, especially when concrete strengths are lower than expected. However, cement manufacturers are reluctant to assume that these strengths bear any formal relationship to strength performance in concrete. Over the past 40 years, several researchers have studied the degree to which the results of the standard mortar tests correlate with cement performance in concrete. This paper reviews some of these studies and compares them to extensive data developed in the reference sample programs of the ASTM Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory.

The standard ASTM compressive strength and air content methods used to test cement are found to correlate quite well with cement performance in concrete if steps are taken to avoid the variability associated with reliance on tests of single batches.
Recycling of Post-Consumer PET Plastic Waste Bottles in Non-Cement Composites for Construction Applications
Authors: Solanki Pranshoo , Bhattarai Samikaran
Published: January 2019

This study focused on developing and evaluating non-cement composites for construction applications using post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. A total of two types of non-cement composites, namely, pervious PET composite (PPC) and PET soil composite (PSC), were developed. In addition, nine PPC mixes and five PSC mixes were designed using different PET and soil contents. Using the mix designs, cylindrical samples of PPC and PSC were produced in mold by compacting a mixture containing molten PET and heated soil or aggregates or both in accordance with proportions determined from mix design. Dry cylindrical samples of PPC were tested for indirect tensile strength and permeability in a unique manner. On the other hand, dry PSC samples were tested for compressive strength and moisture susceptibility tests. A PET content of 7.5 % PET was found to provide maximum tensile strength values among all PPC samples tested in this study. It was also found that using PET alone in PPC mix is not strong enough in binding aggregates and, therefore, 10 % soil was found to provide maximum strength. Permeability values of PPC mix decreased with an increase in both PET and soil content. The developed PSC mixes produced higher compressive strength values as compared to control samples containing up to 10 % cement; 25 % PET content provided strength of approximately 4,690 psi. Increase in PET content made PSC samples more ductile and moisture resistant. Overall, findings from this study indicate that PPC and PSC could potentially be used for construction applications and offer an effective technique for diverting a large amount of PET plastic from landfills and incinerators.
150 anos da Confederação: momento para refletir sobre redefinições identitárias canadenses em termos de inclusão e de articulação de “comunidades de memória”
Authors: Bernd Zilá
Published: January 2019

Resumo: As comemorações dos 150 anos da Confederação estimulam uma reflexão sobre as redefinições das identidades canadenses no momento atual. As mobilidades culturais apresentam-se como um desafio a levar nosso pensamento para além dos nacionalismos e até mesmo dos transnacionalismos (beyond translationalisms) e nos instigam a vislumbrar perspectivas transculturais capazes de nos guiar em direção a uma possível redefinição das questões identitárias sem cair nas situações perversas de exclusão. O objetivo do presente artigo é o de partir do conceito de Pierre Ouellet proposto no livro Testaments, le témoignage et le sacré, de 2012, ou seja, o de “comunidades de memória” que pode tornar-se um instrumento para a redefinição das identidades nos contextos canadense e quebequense. Ao invés de distinguir autóctones, povos fundadores e migrantes, podemos pensar as comunidades em termos de partilha de um stock memorial comum, comunidades reagrupadas com base no compartilhamento de formas semelhantes de organização dos imaginários coletivos e de seu desejo de pertença à América. Ouellet considera que, no contexto atual de constantes migrações, mais importante do que falar de identidades nacionais ou mesmo transnacionais, é falar de «communautés de mémoire», conceito que compreende, para além da memória dos povos fundadores, as culturas dos que acabam de chegar ao país, e que vão constituir - através das trocas - uma memória múltipla que o autor chama de comunidades de memória.
Raça e Gênero: contribuições para pesquisas nas ciências sociais e jurídicas
Authors: Dos Santos Gislene Aparecida
Published: January 2019

Partindo de uma amostra 39 casos do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo referentes à  discriminação por raça e cor praticadas por mulheres, esse artigo visa analisar elementos relevantes para a realização de pesquisas na área das ciências humanas e sociais cujo foco seja o de discutir as relações raciais. Os casos foram retirados da base de dados do GEPPIS, construída entre 2012-2014. Os dados informam que, quando se trata de ofensas racistas, mulheres da mesma classe social e faixa etária discriminam outras mulheres. Também foi possível observar que mulheres pardas discriminam mulheres negras. As discriminações objetivavam estabelecer uma diferenciação e uma hierarquia onde outros marcadores sociais (classe, idade, gênero) apontavam para a igualdade. Esses achados apontam para a importância de se considerar múltiplas formas de se mensurar e entender raça levando em conta cor da pele, gênero, classe, entre outros aspectos. Também revela a relevância de se considerar questões epistemológicas, horizontes de interpretação e lócus de enunciação para que se tenha uma compreensão aprofundada dos fenômenos complexos associados ao tema.
Expediente e sumário Vol 18 n. 3
Authors: Axt Gunter
Published: January 2019

Expediente e sumário Vol 18 n 3 da revista Interfaces Brasil Canada
Pancake Evolution: A Novel & Engaging Illustration of Natural Selection
Authors: Crain D. Andrew , Hale Matthew
Published: January 2019

Understanding the theory of natural selection is crucial for any student of biology, but many secondary and postsecondary students struggle with the concepts. We present a novel, engaging exercise to illustrate natural selection through making pancakes. After students make pancakes (representing offspring) with various ingredients (illustrating genetic diversity and allelic variation), other students (representing the environment) judge the pancakes on the basis of taste. Only the highest-ranking pancakes are made in a second generation (illustrating population change over time), and new ingredients are added. After several generations of pancakes, with each generation exposed to ever-changing “environments,” students understand the fundamental concepts associated with the theory of natural selection.
A Quantitative Simulation of Coevolution with Mutation Using Playing Cards
Authors: Hoagstrom Christopher W. , Xiang Lin , Lewis-Rogers Nicole , Connors Patrice K. , Sessions-Robinson Ami , Mull John F.
Published: January 2019

Active-learning approaches can improve understanding of core biological concepts. We describe a revised hands-on simulation for teaching evolution by natural selection, which focuses on prey–predator coevolution in escape/pursuit speed. It illustrates how selection pressure on individual speed increases average population speed through differential survival, while also reducing variation in speed among individuals. A simulated beneficial mutation helps differentiate the generation of individual traits from the process of natural selection and illustrates the effects of a beneficial mutation on immediate and subsequent generations. Overall, this exercise addresses several common misconceptions and allows students to collect and assess their own data, quantitatively. We report results from pre- and post-assessments in an introductory, undergraduate biology class, which indicate significantly improved understanding associated with the simulation.
Using the I2 Strategy to Help Students Think Like Biologists about Natural Selection
Authors: Lucci Karen , Cooper Robert A.
Published: January 2019

Many students have very robust misconceptions about natural selection, stemming from intuitive theories that form a child's earliest understandings of the natural world. For example, students often imagine that species evolve in response to environmental pressures that cause a need for change and that all individuals in the population simultaneously respond to this need by adapting in order to survive. While children's intuitive theories are essential for comprehending many events in their daily experience, they can make learning the counterintuitive theories of science, like natural selection, challenging. To help students develop an understanding of natural selection, teachers need to guide them through an evaluation of the intuitive theory and its well-established scientific counterpart so that they see the failure of the intuitive theory to adequately explain the evidence. In other words, it is critical for the learner to confront his or her misconceptions to break them down, rather than fail to address them. This can be done by presenting students with graphical illustrations of how natural selection works and providing the tools to interpret them. Here we illustrate how to use such a tool, the Identify and Interpret (I2) strategy.
Preferentna imena konstitucijskih jedinica koja se upotrebljavaju u imenima polimera na osnovi strukture (II. dio)
Authors: Jarm Vida
Published: January 2019

Načinjen je popis konstitucijskih jedinica, KJ, tablica 1, koje se u skladu s pravilima IUPAC-ovog imenovanja upotrebljavaju za tvorbu imena polimera. Popis sadržava KJ-e komercijalnih i dobro poznatih polimera kao i KJ-e pomoću kojih su imenovani polimeri u IUPAC-ovim dokumentima. Za svaku je konstitucijsku jedinicu dano preferentno ime. Popis sadržava i druga prihvatljiva imena te imena koja se zbog zastarjelosti ili netočnosti ne bi trebala upotrebljavati iako su u prošlosti ili u drugim okolnostima upotrebljavana kao točna. U tablici 2 navedena su imena najčešćih polimera i to na osnovi strukture, na osnovi podrijetla i zadržana uvriježena imena polimera kao i imena koja su zbog zastarjelosti i netočnosti neprihvatljiva. Obje tablice zamjenjuju slične tablice i imena, sadržane u prethodnim dokumentima. Pravila navedena u tim dokumentima i dalje vrijede, a imena konstitucijskih jedinica treba prilagoditi pravilima ovog dokumenta. Preferentna imena konstitucijskih jedinica navedena u tablici 1 treba upotrebljavati u imenovanju na osnovi strukture pravilnih i nepravilnih polimera.
The Role of miRNAs inDrosophila melanogasterMale Courtship Behavior
Authors: Iftikhar Hina , Johnson Nicholas L , Marlatt Matthew L , Carney Ginger E
Published: January 2019

The role of non-coding RNAs in the development and maintenance of sex-specific characteristics in Drosophila is not well understood. Iftikhar et al. present results of a genetic screen demonstrating...

Drosophila melanogaster courtship, although stereotypical, continually changes based on cues received from the courtship subject. Such adaptive responses are mediated via rapid and widespread transcriptomic reprogramming, a characteristic now widely attributed to microRNAs (miRNAs), along with other players. Here, we conducted a large-scale miRNA knockout screen to identify miRNAs that affect various parameters of male courtship behavior. Apart from identifying miRNAs that impact male–female courtship, we observed that miR-957 mutants performed significantly increased male–male courtship and “chaining” behavior, whereby groups of males court one another. We tested the effect of miR-957 reduction in specific neuronal cell clusters, identifying miR-957 activity in Doublesex (DSX)-expressing and mushroom body clusters as an important regulator of male–male courtship interactions. We further characterized the behavior of miR-957 mutants and found that these males court male subjects vigorously, but do not elicit courtship. Moreover, they fail to lower courtship efforts toward females with higher levels of antiaphrodisiac pheromones. At the level of individual pheromones, miR-957 males show a reduced inhibitory response to both 7-Tricosene (7-T) and cis-vaccenyl acetate, with the effect being more pronounced in the case of 7-T. Overall, our results indicate that a single miRNA can contribute to the regulation of complex behaviors, including detection or processing of chemicals that control important survival strategies such as chemical mate-guarding, and the maintenance of sex- and species-specific courtship barriers.
Developmental Perspective on Regenerative Medicine: An Update
Authors: Barr Satish W. , Rodger Michael J. , Kelly Stephen
Published: January 2019

Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field of research and clinical applications focused on the repair, replacement or regeneration of cells, tissues or organs to restore impaired function resulting from any cause, including congenital defects, disease, trauma and ageing. The main focus of regenerative medicine is the human cells. In order to achieve the purpose of regenerative medicine, several scientists and clinicians have been stimulated to focus on regenerative ideas when dealing with tissue failure due to rapid success seen with early tissue engineering. Recently, financial meltdown has choked biotech by devastating its already floundering inflow of investment funds. However, regenerative medicine is a hope for future medicine as big pharmaceutical corporations have been acquiring some of the most significant biotech, possibly marking a new era where regenerative medicine. This results in making the academic labs of universities and the small boundaries of SMEs opportunity for gainful applications in the marketplace. The quest for regeneration is one of the dreams of mankind, like flying and setting foot on the moon. Stem cells have been becoming the promising way for being induced to differentiate into different purpose cells even some thorny problems are still there. It can be predicted that it is the destiny of mankind to reach for its visions, and therefore regenerative medicine is bound to be the hope for future medicine.
Varikocelės gydymas naudojant mikrochirurginį metodą
Authors: Zotov Tigran , Šukys Deimantas
Published: January 2019

Tigran Zotov, Deimantas Šukys
Respublikinės Vilniaus universitetinės ligoninės Urologijos skyrius, Šiltnamių g. 29, LT-04130 Vilnius
El. paštas: deimasukys@gmail.com
Įvadas
Varikocelė yra gan dažna liga, nustatoma 10 proc. suaugusių vyrų, ir net 25 proc. tų vyrų, kurie tiriami dėl nevaisingumo. Varikocelė mažina sėklidžių apimtį, blogina spermos kokybę ir Leidigo ląstelių funkciją. Po varikocelės gydymo sėklidė padidėja, pagerėja spermos kokybė. Respublikinėje Vilniaus universitetinėje ligoninėje buvo pradėta naudoti mikrochirurginė varikocelės gydymo metodika.
Metodai
Nuo 2009 m. balandžio iki 2011 m. gegužės buvo atliktos septynios varikocelektomijos operacijos naudojant mikrochirurginę techniką.
Rezultatai
Intraoperacinių ar ankstyvųjų pooperacinių komplikacijų nebuvo. Iškvietus pakartotinio patikrinimo operuotus pacientus nerasta nė vieno varikocelės recidyvo.
Išvados
Varikocelė yra gan dažna liga, galinti lemti nevaisingumą. Dėl nevaisingumo besikreipiantiems vyrams, kuriems yra klinikinė varikocelės raiška ir nenormalius spermos tyrimas, indikuojamas operacinis gydymas. Jei yra galimybė pasinaudoti operaciniu mikroskopu, tikslinga atlikti mikrochirurginę varikocelektomiją, o jei tokios galimybės nėra, pirmučiausia alternatyva yra laparoskopinė varikocelektomija.
Reikšminiai žodžiai: varikocelė, chirurginis gydymas.
Varicocele treatment by the microsurgical method
Tigran Zotov, Deimantas Šukys
Republican Vilnius University Hospital, Department of Urology, Šiltnamių Str. 29, LT-04130 Vilnius, Lithuania
E-mail: deimasukys@gmail.com
Background
Varicocele is a rather frequent disease found in 10% of adult males and in 25% of infertile men. Varicocele reduces the testicular volume, declines sperm quality and the function of the Leydig cells. After varicocele treatment, the testicular volume increases and sperm quality improves. Varicocele treatment by the microsurgical method was started at the Republic Vilnius University Hospital.
Methods
Seven varicocelectomies by the microsurgical way were performed from April 2009 till May 2011.
Results
No intraoperative or early postoperative complications were observed. There was no varicocele recurrences found on postoperative control visits.
Conclusions
Varicocele is a rather frequent disease which can cause infertility. Its surgical treatment is indicated in cases of a clinically apparent varicocele and abnormal sperm analysis. If possible (where a surgical microscope is accessible), microsurgical varicocelectomy is the preferred way of treatment. Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is the method of choice if there is no possibility to perform a microsurgical procedure.
Key words: varicocele, surgical treatment
Klajoklio nervo krūtininės dalies neurilemoma: klinikinis atvejis
Authors: Aškinis Renatas , Krasauskas Arnoldas , Zaremba Sigitas , Cicėnas Saulius
Published: January 2019

Neurilemoma – periferinių nervų dangalų auglys, kuris auga lėtai ir jo pradžia dažniausiai būna besimptomė. Pasiekę kritinį dydį augliai, priklausomai nuo atsiradimo vietos, pasireiškia spaudimo į aplinkinius organus klinika. Neurilemomos dažniausiai atsiranda galūnėse 30–50-ais gyvenimo metais ir nuo lyties nepriklauso. Klajoklio nervo neurilemoma yra nedažna patologija, o krūtininės klajoklio nervo dalies neurilemoma pasitaiko itin retai. Diagnostikai svarbiausi yra radiologiniai tyrimo metodai. Gydymas – chirurginis auglio šalinimas. Pateikiame krūtininės klajoklio nervo dalies neurilemomos, nustatytos 39 metų moteriai, klinikinį atvejį. Auglys aptiktas radiologiniais tyrimais (krūtinės rentgeniniu, kompiuterinės tomografijos ir tarpuplaučio magnetinio branduolių rezonanso), pašalintas naudojant vaizdo torakoskopinę metodiką. Diagnozė galutinai patvirtinta histologiniu tyrimu. Aštuntą parą po operacijos ligonė išrašyta į namus.Reikšminiai žodžiai: neurilemoma, klajoklis nervas, operacija.Neurilemoma of intrathoracal vagal nerve: case report
Neurilemoma is a tumour of peripleurical nervous tissues. It grows slowly and has an asymptomatic manifestation. During tumour enlargement, depending on its localization, clinical symptoms appear due to the tumour pressure to surrounding tissues. Neurilemomas mostly appear in the extremities of patients aged 30–50 years. N. vagus neurilemoma is a very rare disease. The diagnosis is made using radiology. Its treatment is surgical removal. We present a clinical case of intrathoracal nervus vagus neurilemoma in a 39-y woman. The diagnosis was based on radiological findings (chest X-ray, chest CT, and mediastinum MRI). The removal of the tumour was made by the VATS method. The diagnosis was proven morphologically. After 8 days the patient was discharged from the hospital.Key words: neurilemoma, vagal nerve, operation.
Choledochoduodeninė fistulė: literatūros apžvalga ir klinikinio atvejo aprašymas
Authors: Krištopaitytė Giedrė , Kazėnaitė Edita , Sokolovas Vitalijus
Published: January 2019

Choledochoduodeninė fistulė (CDF) yra retas, dažniausiai atsitiktinis virškinimo trakto vaizdinių tyrimų ar intraoperacinis radinys, sudarantis apie 1–2 % visų bilioenterinių fistulių. Dažniausi etiologiniai veiksniai – opaligė (proksimalinės CDF) ir cholelitiazė(distalinės CDF). Simptominių fistulių gydymui taikomos endoskopinės procedūros – ERCP su PST ir stentavimu arba operuojama. Šiame straipsnyje pateikiama trumpa literatūros apie CDF etiologiją ir gydymo metodus apžvalga ir aprašomasklinikinis atvejis, kai ligonė tirta ir gydyta nuo simptominės distalinės II tipo (pagal Ikedos klasifikaciją) fistulės, kuri galėjo susidaryti cholelitiazės fone.Reikšminiai žodžiai: choledochoduodeninė fistulė (CDF), cholelitiazė, endoskopinė retrogradinė cholangiopankreatikografija (ERCP).Choledochoduodenal fistula: literature review and case report presentation
Choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF) is a rare nosological entity, commonly encountered as an accidental finding while exploring the upper gastrointestinal tract or during abdominal surgery. They account for 1–2% of all bilioenteric fistulas, the mostcommon etiological causes being peptic ulcer disease (proximal ones) or cholelithiasis (distal ones). For treating symptomatic cases, endoscopic procedures such as endoscopic retrogradic cholangiopancreaticography with papillosphincterotomy andstentation are applied, or the patient undergoes abdominal surgery. This article provides a short review based on this pathology, its etiological causes and treatment options. A clinical case of symptomatic distal choledochoduodenal fistula of type II(Ikeda) due to cholelithiasis is described.Keywords: choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF), cholelithiasis, endoscopic retrogradic cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP).