bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indicador de precios, gastos y poder adquisitivo nominal entorno a un consumo alimenticio saludable. Una propuesta desde el Observatorio de Economía y Sociedad de la Universidad Veracruzana
Authors: García Leyva Alberto
Published: August 2018

Se presenta la Sustracción Nominal Básica (SNB) un indicador capaz de medir el poder adquisitivo del salario mínimo frente al gasto que una persona tiene en un día en consumo de productos alimenticios saludables, con el objetivo de visualizar si con los niveles de ingresos mínimos una persona puede tener una vida digna en materia de alimentación, el cálculo de esta estimación se da por persona y en pesos mexicanos con el afán de ser de fácil comprensión, comparable y replicable. Se trata de un esfuerzo por generar información útil para los tomadores de decisiones, comunidad científica y público en general, en respuesta a una serie de problemáticas que se encuentran tanto en el sentir de las personas que integran la sociedad veracruzana y mexicana así como proponer un indicador, que tome el ingreso y gasto verídico que tienen las personas en su diario vivir para tener una vida digna. Palabras clave: Salario mínimo; gasto por persona; alimentación saludable; indicador; precios AbstractThe Basic Nominal Subtraction (SNB) is presented, an indicator capable of me­asuring the purchasing power of the minimum wage against the expense that a person has in a day in consumption of healthy food products, with the objective of visualizing if with mini­mum income levels a person can have a decent life in terms of food, the calculation of this es­timate is given per person and in Mexican pe­sos with the aim of being easy to understand, comparable and replicable. It is an effort to ge­nerate useful information for decision makers, the scientific community and the general pu­blic, in response to a series of problems that are both felt by the people who make up Veracruz and Mexican society and propose a indicator, that takes the income and true spending that people have in their daily lives to have a de­cent life.Keywords: Minimum salary; expenditure per person; healthy diet; indicator; prices
Los sismos intraplaca de septiembre de 2017: un breve análisis de su impacto en el territorio veracruzano
Authors: Córdoba Montiel Francisco , Sieron Katrin
Published: August 2018

El Servicio Sismológico Nacional (SSN) reportó un sismo el día 7 de septiembre de 2017 con Mw 8.2 a una profundidad de 59 km y otro con Mw 7.1 y profundidad de 57 km el 19 de septiembre, curiosamente a 32 años del sismo interplaca de 1985 (M 8.1). Ambos eventos presentaron similitudes en cuanto al tipo de fallamiento (normal), profundidad y la placa tectónica donde se originó la ruptura. Para estudiar lo que concierne al impacto de estos sismos en el estado de Veracruz, se obtuvieron los valores máximos observados de aceleración y velocidad (PGA y PGV) durante ambos sismos en cada una de las estaciones de la Red Sísmica de Banda Ancha de Veracruz (RSBAV) y dos estaciones de banda ancha del Servicio Sismológico Nacional (SSN). Estos fueron relacionados con algunos daños reportados en esta entidad (para Xalapa con apoyo de una encuesta vía web), permitieron observar la atenuación con la distancia y analizar el contenido de frecuencias dominantes a partir de los registros de aceleración.Palabras clave: Placas tectónicas; sismo intraplaca; magnitud; intensidad; aceleración AbstractThe National Seismological Ser­vice (SSN) reported one earthquake on 7 Sep­tember 2017 with Mw 8.2 at a depth of 59 km. Another earthquake, with Mw 7.1 and depth of 57 km, occurred on September 19, curiously 32 years after the interplate earthquake of 1985 (Mw 8.1). Both recent events presented similarities as to the fault type (normal), depth and the tectonic plate where the rupture origina­ted. We study the impact of these earthquakes in the state of Veracruz, by obtaining the peak ground acceleration and velocity (PGA and PGV) at stations of the Veracruz Broadband Seismic Network (RSBAV) and two broadband stations of the National Seismological Servi­ce (SSN) during both earthquakes. We relate them to some damages reported in the Vera­cruz state (for Xalapa city with the support of a web survey), observe the attenuation with distance, and analyze the content of dominant frequencies from the records of acceleratio.Keywords: Tectonic Plates; intraplate earth­quake; magnitude; intensity; acceleration
Parcelas permanentes en fincas cafetaleras: una oportunidad para observar la dinámica productiva de la región cafetalera de Coatepec
Authors: Cerdán Cabrera Carlos Roberto , Gómez Martínez Mario J. , Ortiz Ceballos Gustavo
Published: August 2018

El contar con observaciones de la realidad del heterogéneo manejo cafetalero se hace necesario para orientar la investigación del sector. Esta nota presenta cómo y por qué se establecieron 15 parcelas permanentes en cafetales de la región, por parte del Observatorio de la Cafeticultura Veracruzana. Desde 2015 se están tomando datos referentes a cafetos, árboles, suelos y manejo, permitiendo la realización de tesis de licenciatura y posgrado. Se propone mantener, sistematizar y divulgar las observaciones realizadas.Palabras clave: investigación agrícola, generación de información, sistemas agroforestales, docencia universitaria, manejo de fincas AbstractIn order to focus coffee research, it is a priority to have observations regarding the heteroge­neous management that coffee farmers do. This note reports how and why the Coffee Obser­vatory of Veracruz has stablished 15 coffee permanent plots. Since 2015 data regarding coffee plants, trees, soils and coffee management have been compiled to support undergraduate and graduate thesis. It is proposed to keep, systematize and publish these observations.Keywords: Agricultural research; knowledge information; agroforestry systems; university teaching; farm management
Usuarios del agua y su posible contribución a la contaminación por cadmio en fuentes naturales de la microcuenca del río Pixquiac
Authors: Menchaca Dávila Socorro , De Medina Salas Lorena , Ríos Fuentes Luis Manuel
Published: August 2018

Se analizan aspectos relativos a la degradación ambiental relacionada con las actividades de los usuarios del agua agrícola, pecuario y doméstico (factor antrópico), mismas que pueden estar contribuyendo a la contaminación del agua por cadmio en la microcuenca del río Pixquiac. La investigación muestra la importancia de evaluar tanto la calidad del recurso hídrico en cuerpos naturales, como las posibles causas antrópicas que los están contaminando, para identificar tanto el riesgo que tiene la población, como la relevancia de desarrollar estrategias de conservación de los ecosistemas acuáticos.Palabras clave: agua; medio ambiente; degradación; contaminación; cadmio AbstractThis paper analyzes aspects re­lative to environmental degradation related to the activities of agricultural, livestock and domestic water users (anthropic factor), which may be contributing to the pollution of water by cadmium in the Pixquiac River microbasin. The research shows the importance of evalua­ting both the quality of water resources in na­tural bodies, as well as the possible anthropic causes that are contaminating them, to iden­tify the risk for the population, and the rele­vance of developing strategies for the conser­vation of aquatic ecosystems.Keywords: Water; environment; degradation; pollution; cadmium
Mitigating flow induced vibration in heater radiant coil
Authors: Firmansyah Tommy , Rakib Mohammad Abdur , Karakaya Mustafa , Al Musharfy Mohamed , Suleiman Mabruk Issa
Published: August 2018

Vibration of process heater tubes in a fired heater can cause fretting-wear damage of the tubes at the locations of contact points with the supports. For the reboiler of a naphtha splitter in a naphtha hydrotreating unit, a scenario of fretting-wear damage was observed exactly at contact areas between the top return bends and the hanger supports, which likely indicated constant rubbing between them during vibration. A root-cause analysis of this tube vibration problem was carried out through a combined study of process simulation, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and vibration analysis. Results from CFD simulations revealed dual phase flow inducing pressure fluctuations inside the radiant tube. The predicted pressure fluctuations were further analyzed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to identify the dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations. Some of the resulting dominant frequencies were within 20% band of the estimated natural frequency of the tube, which could lead to resonance mode. This predicted resonant vibration matched with the locations of severe grooving, as reported in the heater inspection report. A scenario of mitigating this resonance mode has also been presented through decreasing feed flow rates to the radiant tube coils and installing additional support at the mid-height of the radiant tube coils.
Demographic Dividends: Emerging Challenges and Policy Implications
Authors: Almond Margot
Published: August 2018

Edited by Roberta Pace and Roberto Ham-ChandeNew York:  Springer, 2016ISBN  978-3-31932707-5Hardcover, US$99.99, 184 pages Edited by Roberta Pace and Roberto Ham-ChandeNew York:  Springer, 2016ISBN  978-3-31932707-5Hardcover, US$99.99, 184 pages
Agent-Based Modelling in Population Studies
Authors: Burch Thomas K.
Published: August 2018

Edited by André Grow and Jan Van BavelSpringer International Publishing 2017 ISBN: 978-3-319-32281-0Hardcover, $159.99 US, eBook, $119 US, 513 pp.
Editor's thanks and farewell
Authors: Trovato Frank
Published: August 2018

Editorial
Percepción ciudadana y análisis técnico-económico para la restauración y adecuación de la estación principal ferroviaria del Espinal - Tolima, Colombia
Authors: De Moya Abril Linda Stefany , Gómez Mahecha Mónica Johana , Acevedo Pérez Jhon Vladimir , Chaves Pabón Saiteh Baudilio
Published: August 2018

Debido al total abandono en el que encuentra la estación principal ferroviaria del Espinal, Tolima, surge la necesidad de realizar su restauración y adecuación, para esto se plantea un informe técnico que tiene como propósito fundamental proveer toda la información técnica constructiva para la intervención, revitalización y revaloración de la estación, para lo cual, además de las adecuaciones constructivas y estructurales, se adelanta un proceso paralelo de trabajo con la comunidad con el que se busca restablecer los valores y significados culturales y sociales de la estación ferroviaria, y de esta manera favorecer la gestión de iniciativas locales para salvaguardarla. Con el informe técnico se pretende aportar toda la información necesaria para la renovación o reconstrucción de cualquier elemento de la edificación. Este documento aporta una amplia gama de actividades quevan desde la limpieza de la fachada exterior hasta la consolidación de los cimientos, y otras importantes como modificaciones a las estructuras, fachadas y cornisas existentes para darles mayor resistencia frente a sismos, al movimiento o derrumbe del terreno o a la apertura de una falla.
A Decision Support Method for Designing Vegetation Layers with minimised Irrigation Need
Authors: Maschler Tobias , Stürmer-Stephan Bastian , Morhard Jörg , Stegmaier Thomas , Tilebein Meike , Griepentrog Hans W.
Published: August 2018

Selecting an optimal vegetation layer design with minimised irrigation need is essential for minimising construction and irrigation costs. This contribution showcases a decision support approach using weathering time series and soil water balances with example data for turf soccer fields in Stuttgart (southwest Germany), as well as in the much drier region around Bernburg (Saale), south of Magdeburg in eastern Germany. The approach relies on minimising the material and irrigiation costs by modifying soil layer design parameters, e.g. the layer height and therefore its water retention capacity.
Measuring Production Function and Technical Efficiency of Onion, Tomato, and Chillies Farms in Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Fateh M. Mari
Published: August 2018

Pakistan is blessed with vast agricultural resources on account of its fertile land, well-irrigated plains, huge irrigation system and infrastructure, variety of weathers, and centuries old experiences of farming. Agriculture is the single largest sector of the economy which contributes 20.9 percent in GDP and employees 43.4 percent of total work force. The estimated GDP of agricultural crops at current factor cost is Rs 1,608,522 million with major crops contributing Rs 579996 million and minor crops valued at Rs 191,835 million for the year 2006-07 [Pakistan (2007)]. The horticulture crops (fruits, vegetables and condiments) alone contribute Rs 116.645 billion, equivalent to US$ 2 billion, which is 26 percent of the total value of all crops and 81.8 percent of the total value of minor crops. Pakistan annually produces about 12.0 million tons of fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable export trade in Pakistan amounts to US$ 134 million (2003-04), of which fruits account for US$ 102.7 million (76.6 percent), vegetables US$ 25.7 million (19.2 percent) and fruit and vegetable preparations (mostly juices) US$ 5.6 million which is 4.2 percent [Pakistan (2004)] .
Willingness to Pay for the Quality of Drinking Water
Authors: Abdul Sattar
Published: August 2018

Willingness-to-Pay to avoid risks has long been recognised as an important response to perceived environmental and health hazards. Abdalla, et al. (1992) have documented the existence of consumer averting behaviour in response to potential water contamination, while Musser, et al. (1992) Smith and Desvouges (1986) and Courant and Porter (1998) were among the first to provide a theoretical framework for the averting behaviour in response to pollution. All these studies estimated that averting behaviour formed a lower bound willingness-to-pay for reduction in pollution under certain conditions. In developing countries willingness-to-pay and demand for the good quality drinking water is often low. The major causes are lack of awareness regarding the contamination of drinking water and low levels of household incomes. The objectives of this paper are (a) to estimate the effects of formal and informal awareness of households on the demand for the home purification methods and b) to estimate willingness to pay for the safe drinking water. To accomplish these objectives we develop a theoretical framework of households’ water purification behaviour by incorporating the wealth and awareness indicators of households.
Demographic Transition and Youth Employment in Pakistan
Authors: Arif G. M. , Chaudhry Nusrat
Published: August 2018

There is convincing evidence that Pakistan has entered the
demographic bonus phase; child dependency is declining and youth share
in the total population is rising. This paper has examined youth
employment in the context of demographic transition evidenced since the
early 1990s. Changes in the level of educational attainment have also
been analysed. The study has used the data from Pakistan Demographic
Surveys and Labour Force Surveys carried out between 1990 and 2005.
Findings of the study show that the benefits of demographic transition
in terms of rising share of youth in the total population has partially
been translated through development of their human capital and
productive absorption in the local labour market. While the pace of
human capital formation seems to be satisfactory in urban Pakistan, it
is dismal in rural areas, particularly for females. High levels of both
female inactivity across the education categories and unemployment for
males as well as females urge a strong youth employment policy in
Pakistan to reap the benefits of the ongoing demographic transition.
Youth are a source of development, and a high priority may be placed on
preparing them with the skills needed for their adjustment in the labour
market.
Assessing Labour Market Vulnerability among Young People
Authors: Sparreboom Theo , Shahnaz Lubna
Published: August 2018

Labour market performance in Pakistan has improved markedly in
recent years. This paper examines the extent to which young people have
benefited from this improvement, using the labour market vulnerability
framework that was recently introduced by the ILO. This framework can be
used to assess the difficulties young people face on the road to decent
employment, and may also serve as a basis for the development of
appropriate policies and interventions. Drawing on empirical evidence
from various surveys, in particular the Labour Force Survey, we conclude
that vulnerability among the youth has generally been reduced since
1999-2000. Vulnerability of women has been reduced through higher
enrolment rates in education, and unemployment among both men and women
has declined. Far less progress has been made in reducing vulnerability
among the employed, and youth still face numerous obstacles that hamper
the attainment of decent employment. The paper offers recommendations on
the role of labour market information in reducing youth vulnerability.
JEL classification: J40, J13 Keyword: Labour Market; Youth;
Pakistan
Pass-through of Change in Policy Interest Rate to Market Rates
Authors: M. Idrees Khawaja  , Sajawal Khan
Published: August 2018

Monetary policy has been aggressively used by the central Bank of Pakistan, in this decade, first to bolster growth and then to contain rampant inflation. Despite the sufficiently tight monetary policy that has remained in vogue in recent times, the inflation is still around 20 percent. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of monetary policy. One possible reason for the lesser effectiveness, if not failure, of monetary policy in taming inflation could be that in recent times, inflation was primarily supply driven and that the monetary tightening was in part offset by fiscal expansion, on the back of heavy bank borrowing by the government. However one cannot rule out the possibility that market imperfections might have also impeded the effectiveness of monetary policy in taming inflation to the desired extent. Incomplete and slow pass through of changes in policy interest rate to deposit rate and lending rate is a kind of imperfection that constrains the effectiveness of monetary policy. This study examines the pass through of policy interest rate to different market rates. Monetary theory predicts that the change in policy interest rate influences the cost capital which in turn influences consumption, savings, investments, and hence output. However if the impact of the change in policy rate on the cost of capital is less than one for one or if the change in policy rate fails to influence the cost capital immediately then the impact on output would become visible only with a certain lag and the impact would be less than one for one. This implies that if for example only 70 percent of the change in policy rate is passed on to cost of capital, then to manage an increase of 100 basis points in cost capital the policy rate should be raised by 143 basis points. This example serves to emphasise that for effective monetary management knowledge of the magnitude of passthrough of policy rate and the lag structure with which the policy rate influences cost of capital is important. Substantive empirical evidence confirms that changes in policy interest rate are transmitted to the output with a certain lag and that the pass-through of changes in policy rate to output or to other elements of the transmission channel may be less than one for one. Given the policy implications of the information, on the magnitude of pass through and the lag structure with which the policy rate influences different market rates, this Paper seeks to measure the pass-through of the changes in six month Treasury bill rate to six month KIBOR, six month weighted average deposit rate and weighted average lending rate. The study is focused on Pakistan.
State of International Development Uneven Progress, Shifting Policy Paradigms and Lessons for Pakistan (The Gustav Ranis Lecture)
Authors: Parvez Hasan
Published: August 2018

It is always a pleasure for me to participate in these annual meetings. The knowledge and the talent displayed are immense. The quality of discussion is high. I had never thought however that I would have the honor of delivering the Aalama Iqbal lecture. To prepare for this lecture I read extensively from Iqbal’s poetry. Of course I read in translation, but even so I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the ideas and the expression. My search for an apt couplet or set of lines for this paper was in vain. Iqbal was speaking to his people and although he was expansive in his view of society, it is still not meant for me to carry the word of Iqbal to you. Nevertheless I do display at the beginning of this paper three lines from Iqbal. He is clear on the importance of doing for oneself and for ones country. At least in the modern world ones efforts are so much more productive if government provides a favourable environment for individual effort. And he would embrace the brotherhood of mankind, leaving some potential for us to help each other. He was very clear that learning from the West was desirable, and he was very selective about that—science and technology in particular. My paper is about what government must do, and specifically the government of Pakistan must do, to create an environment in which not just a few gather dew but in which all people gather dew. As soon as ones concern encompasses the bulk of the population food security comes to the fore. My paper can be seen as addressing how all rural people can gather the dew. It has a prominent place for science and technology.
Trade Liberalisation Could Improve Producers Profitability in Agriculture: A Case of Basmati Rice.
Authors: Muhammad Zulfiqar  , Dilawar Khan  , Anwar F. Chishti  , Robina Karim
Published: August 2018

This peace of research has been conducted, as part of PhD research of the first author, with the objectives to (i) identify various protection policies and interventions exercised in Basmati rice economy in Pakistan (ii) estimate welfare effects associated with existing protection policies and (iii) to estimate implications of WTO’s trade liberalisation in domestic economy and foreign markets. The quantitative analysis of data reveals that Basmati rice crop hanged about ‘price tax-cum-export tax’ regime during the study period. Welfare analysis of such policy interventions estimated higher losses to producers (Pak Rs 657.95 million per year) than gains to consumers (Rs 448.76 million per year) during pre-WTO period. The same trend continued during post-WTO period but producers’ losses were comparatively smaller i.e., 649.48 million per year. In case of free trade, simulation results demonstrate greater gains to producers than losses to consumers. If world market was liberalised, supplementary gains in the range of Rs 276.65 million to Rs 451.60 million per year during earlier and Rs 333.45 million to Rs 637.40 million per year during the later period would have occurred at domestic level. In light of analytical results, the following recommendations are made. (i) Government needs to curtail interventions in Basmati rice economy. (ii) Besides, improving the pace of trade liberalisation at domestic level, Pakistan should pursue with other members in WTO’s negotiations for early implementation of WTO’s trade liberalisation on international level. (iii) Government of Pakistan should gear up its efforts as facilitator of trade in accordance with WTO agreements and increase investment in areas of research, development, and out-reach. JEL classification: Q17, Q18, Q28 Keywords: Basmati Rice, Government Intervention, Welfare Effect, Trade Liberalisation, WTO.
Investment, Inflation and Economic Growth Nexus
Authors: Nasir Iqbal  , Saima Nawaz
Published: August 2018

The paper has twofold objectives. Firstly, the impact of the inflation rate on economic growth with the possibility of two threshold levels for Pakistan using annual data from 1961 to 2008 is examined and secondly, nonlinear relationship between inflation and investment has been investigated. Inflation and growth models support the existence of a nonlinear relationship with two thresholds (6 percent and 11 percent). Inflation below the first threshold affects economic growth positively but insignificantly; at moderate rates of inflation, between the two threshold levels, the effect of inflation is significant and strongly negative and at high rates of inflation, above the second threshold, the marginal impact of additional inflation on economic growth diminishes but is still significantly negative. Investment is one of the possible channels through which inflation influences economic growth and the analysis indicates the nonlinear relationship between these two variables with only one threshold at 7 percent. Rate of inflation below the threshold level has positive but insignificant impact, while above the threshold it has strong negative and significant impact on the investment. Therefore, it is desirable to keep the inflation below 6 percent because it may be helpful for the achievement of robust economic growth and investment. JEL classification: E22, E31, O40 Keywords: Investment, Inflation, Economic Growth, Nonlinear, Pakistan.
An Analysis of Technology Adoption by Export-oriented Manufacturers in Pakistan.
Authors: Tariq Mahmood Ahmad
Published: August 2018

This paper analyses the issue of technology adoption by export-oriented enterprises based on survey data. Using the Rank Model of technology adoption, the paper explores the role of several firm level characteristics that can influence firm’s decision to adopt new technology. The results show that younger and bigger firms have a higher probability of technology adoption. Firms that have obtained certifications to product and process standards demonstrate a higher likelihood of technology adoption. Domestically-owned firms are found to have a higher probability of technology adoption as compared with foreign-owned firms. The empirical findings underscore the need for policy options to encourage export-oriented enterprises to adopt new technology including, for example, fiscal incentives to encourage research and development activities, and up-gradation of physical infrastructure for product testing to facilitate certifications. JEL classification: C25, L60, O14 Keywords: Manufacturing Industries, Probit Model, Technology Adoption.
Effect of cimetidine on cyclophosphamide-induced liver toxicity in albino rats
Authors: Adikwu Elias , Bokolo Bonsome
Published: August 2018

Background: The clinical use of cyclophosphamide (CP) has been characterised by liver toxicity.Aims and Objectives: This research assessed the effect of cimetidine against CP-induced liver toxicity in a rat model.Material and Methods: Forty eight albino rats divided into 8 groups (A-H) of 6 rats per group gage were used for this study. Group A (control) was administered with water while groups B-D were administered with 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day of cimetidine intraperitoneally (ip) for 5 days respectively. Group E was administered with 150 mg/kg of CP ip on the 5th day whereas groups F-H were administered with 5 10, and 20 mg/kg/day of cimetidine for 5 days and CP ip on the 5th day. Rats were subjected to an overnight fast and sacrificed on the sixth day. Serum was extracted from blood and liver function parameters were evaluated. Liver was excised and evaluated for biochemical parameters and histology.Results: CP treatment had no significant (P>0.05) effects on body and liver weights, but significant (P<0.05) increases in alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma, glatamyl transferase, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin and malondialdehyde levels were observed when compared to control. Furthermore, significant (P<0.05) decreases in liver superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidise were obtained in CP-administered rats when compared to control. The Liver of CP-treated rat shows hepatocyte necrosis around the central veins. However, CP-induced liver damage was significantly (P<0.05; 0.01) ameliorated in a dose-dependent manner in rats administered with cimetidine prior to the administration of CP.Conclusion: Cimetidine ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced liver toxicity in albino rats.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.9(5) 2018 50-56
Factors Affecting Brand Preference of Scooters among Women Consumers in Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Malla Riya
Published: August 2018

The trend of using scooters nowadays is a key to support consumer daily movement; the increasing number of sales of scooters shows a good sign for vehicle industry. The main objective of the research is to identify and analyze the factors that leads to brand preference of a scooter and which among them led to purchase of scooters. The findings of the study are based on the primary survey of 200 users of different brands, conducted within Kathmandu Valley. Correlation test is applied to test the relationship between the factors and the customer satisfaction. It is found that majority of the respondents considered comfort, mileage and design as the top three important factors that influence brand preference of scooters. The bottom three factors are colour variety, resale value and size of fuel tank. Factors such as price, mileage, comfort level, colour variety, design, size of fuel tank and spare parts supply have significant role in the brand preference of scooters, which means a favorable change in these factor can lead to brand preference of the customers. Whereas, resale value and durability are factors which have no significant relationship with brand preference of scooters among women consumers. From the result obtained, it is recommended that scooter brands should focus in developing more comfortable scooters because research shows that comfort level is the major factor that affects brand preference of scooter. In a city like Kathmandu valley, customers prefer scooter which has higher mileage potential. Although resale value and durability are the least influencing factors still the scooter brands should not neglect these factors because though not so significant but still few customers would prefer such factors while purchasing a scooter. The scooter brands should also focus of providing excellent reach of spare parts supply as majority of the customers agree that they will not purchase a brand of scooter if its spare parts are not easily available.

Journal of Business and Social Sciences Research, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 185-200
Recurrent desmoid-type fibromatosis associated with underlying neuromuscular choristoma
Authors: Stone Jonathan J. , Prasad Nikhil K. , Laumonerie Pierre , Howe B. Matthew , Amrami Kimberly K. , Carter Jodi M. , Jentoft Mark E. , Spinner Robert J.
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) presents a therapeutic dilemma. While lacking metastatic potential, it is a locally aggressive tumor with a strong propensity for occurrence near nerve(s) and recurrence following resection. In this study, the authors introduce the association of an occult neuromuscular choristoma (NMC) identified in patients with DTF.

METHODS

After experiencing a case of DTF found to have an occult NMC, the authors performed a retrospective database review of all other cases of biopsy-proven DTF involving the extremities or limb girdles in patients with available MRI data. Two musculoskeletal radiologists with expertise in peripheral nerve imaging reviewed the MRI studies of the eligible cases for evidence of previously unrecognized NMC.

RESULTS

The initial case of a patient with an occult sciatic NMC is described. The database review yielded 40 patients with DTF—18 (45%) in the upper limb and 22 (55%) in the lower limb. Two cases (5%) had MRI findings of NMC associated with the DTF, one in the proximal sciatic nerve and the other in the proximal tibial and sural nerves.

CONCLUSIONS

The coexistence of NMC may be under-recognized in a subset of patients with extremity DTF. This finding poses implications for DTF treatment and the likelihood of recurrence after resection or biopsy. Further study may reveal crucial links between the pathogenesis of NMC and DTF and offer novel therapeutic strategies.
Methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorder of the lumbar spine origin presenting with severe low-back pain: case report
Authors: Kikuchi Naoya , Uesugi Masafumi , Koda Masao , Shimizu Tomoaki , Murakami Kohei , Kono Mamoru , Tanaka Haruka , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: August 2018

The use of methotrexate (MTX) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is increasing. Recently, MTX-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD) has been frequently reported as lymphoma occurring during MTX therapy. The authors report their experience with a relatively rare case of MTX-LPD presenting in the lumbar spine. The patient, a 73-year-old woman who experienced low-back pain while receiving MTX therapy for RA, was suspected of having developed MTX-LPD based on her medical history, images of the L1 vertebra, and transpedicular biopsy results. One week after discontinuing MTX, the patient’s low-back pain reportedly improved. The woman was diagnosed with MTX-LPD based on histopathological findings. MTX discontinuation alone coincided with spontaneous tumor regression. Because MTX-LPD can occur in tissues other than lymph nodes, such as in bones and joints, it is a disease that should be considered when diagnosing spinal tumors in patients receiving MTX therapy.
Erkenntnisse aus der Trockenheit 2018 für die zukünftige Waldentwicklung
Authors: Rigling Andreas , Stähli Manfred
Published: August 2018

Erkenntnisse aus der Trockenheit 2018 für die zukünftige Waldentwicklung

Eine ausgeprägte Niederschlagsarmut im Sommer und Herbst des Jahres 2018 führte in grossen Teilen der Schweiz, insbesondere im nordöstlichen Mittelland, zu einer verbreiteten und lang anhaltenden Trockenheit. Die unmittelbaren und mittelfristigen Auswirkungen des trockenen Sommers 2018 auf Wachstum, Schädlingsund Krankheitsbefall und letztlich auf das Überleben vieler Bäume waren von bisher kaum beobachtetem Ausmass im Schweizer Wald. Nicht nur die Fichte, sondern auch die Buche und Mischwälder waren betroffen. Dabei wurden regionale und lokale Unterschiede festgestellt, die sich auch in der räumlichen Ausprägung des Niederschlags und der Bodentrockenheit manifestierten. Die teilweise massiven Auswirkungen führen vor Augen, dass Extremereignisse wie das Trockenjahr 2018 eine zentrale Rolle bei der klimabedingten Änderung der Waldzusammensetzung spielen können. Aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht gilt es daher, so viele Erkenntnisse und Lehren wie möglich aus diesen Extremereignissen zu ziehen, um adäquate, zukunftsgerichtete Waldbewirtschaftungskonzepte entwickeln zu können. Eine Forschungsinitiative der Eidgenössischen Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft wurde genau mit diesem Ziel sehr kurzfristig im Laufe des Sommers 2018 lanciert. Der vorliegende Beitrag fasst wichtige Erkenntnisse im Hinblick auf die zukünftige Waldentwicklung zusammen.
Reporting of adverse drug reactions in India: A review of the current scenario, obstacles and possible solutions
Authors: Mulchandani Rubina , Kakkar Ashish Kumar
Published: August 2018

Pharmacovigilance is a practice aimed to monitor drug safety in real life conditions and capture adverse drug events during the post marketing phase of drug’s life cycle. But under reporting of adverse reactions is a major cause of concern and a threat to the pharmacovigilance systems. The present article looks into the major obstacles affecting the spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in India and the possible solutions. As per available scientific literature, the major impediments to ADR reporting are inadequate knowledge and awareness among health professionals, clinicians’ perceptions towards reporting, problems with establishing reporting systems in hospitals and insufficient training to recognize ADRs. Measures to improve the situation include greater involvement of nurses, pharmacists as well as consumers in the reporting of ADRs, making the process simpler and faster through electronic means, introducing educational interventions and training programs for health care providers and spreading awareness about the reporting system amongst caregivers and receivers alike. Providing a momentum to the pharmacovigilance system and ensuring a robust reporting process is a challenge but proper planning, feasible solutions and focussed efforts can help bring about the change ensuring patient safety - the ultimate goal of pharmacovigilance.
Distopia e o afeto por Homero na República
Authors: Malta André
Published: August 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar como no Livro X da República o aspecto sedutor da poesia homérica aparece – no momento em que esta é banida da cidade ideal – como a razão de ser da sua existência e motivo para que seja trazida de volta do exílio. Com isso Platão sublinha, através do humor e da ironia socrática, o caráter ambivalente e distópico da proposta, e estabelece conexões com o que é apresentado em outro diálogo de aparente condenação da arte poética, o Íon.
Tragédia e antitragédia na Apologia de Sócrates: uma análise retórica
Authors: Severo Buarque de Holanda Luisa
Published: August 2018

Um dos assuntos mais caros a qualquer intérprete da Apologia de Sócrates de Platão é o problema da relação entre Sócrates e a arte retórica, que a personagem ao mesmo tempo emprega e censura. Quase todas as estratégias discursivas contidas na fala de Sócrates podem ser analisadas sob essa perspectiva. Neste artigo, dedico-me ao exame de uma dessas estratégias, que desempenha importante papel dentro da construção do discurso socrático: trata-se do exemplo de Aquiles que, no trecho da Ilíada citado na obra, vai deliberadamente ao encontro da morte para vingar Pátroclo. Comparando a sua própria situação à do herói e tomando como foco a pena de morte proposta por seus acusadores, o filósofo reflete acerca do risco a que se expõe naquela ocasião; justificando-se, ele relembra a situação do herói épico que preferiu evitar a desonra a evitar a morte. A partir de uma análise detalhada do trecho em questão, bem como de uma confrontação com o texto homérico ali citado, pretendo extrair as consequências que esse exemplo pode ter para a leitura do diálogo como um todo.
The Republic of Birds: the construction of the city and the citizenship according to Plato and Aristophanes
Authors: Costa Alexandre Da Silva
Published: August 2018

Carrying out a comparative analysis between its primary sources, this article is about the construction of the “ideal city” in the works of Plato and Aristophanes and their correlate conceptions of citizenship, proposing, specifically, that the foundation of the city, as exposed in the Republic, is in close dialogue and in intense confrontation with the creation of the city comically conceived by Aristophanes in The Birds.
O legado de Ḥunayn ibn Isḥāq
Authors: De Brito Rodrigo Pinto
Published: August 2018

Resenha do livro:

LAMOREAUX, J. C. (trad. & ed.). Ḥunayn ibn Isḥāq on His Galen Translations. A parallel English-Arabic text, with an appendix by Grigory Kessel. Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 2016.
Mito, tragédia e filosofia: Entrevista com JAA TORRANO
Authors: Franco Irley Fernandes , De Paoli Beatriz , Campos Antonio Queiros
Published: August 2018

José Antonio Alves Torrano, ou, como é mais conhecido, JAA Torrano, abreviatura com a qual tem desde sempre assinado sua produção acadêmica, é professor titular de língua e literatura grega no Departamento de Letras Clássicas e Vernáculas da Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas da Universidade de São Paulo (FFLCH-USP).
Aristóteles. Sobre as Ideias (ΠΕΡΙ ΙΔΕΩΝ). Excertos de Alexandre de Aphrodisias, em Aristotelis metaphysica commentaria.
Authors: Franco Irley Fernandes , Brandão Renato Matoso
Published: August 2018

Apresentamos aqui uma tradução bilíngue e completa dos fragmentos do Sobre as Ideias (ΠΕΡΙ ΙΔΕΩΝ) — livro em que Aristóteles teria exposto pela primeira vez uma crítica formal aos argumentos dos “platônicos” (dentre os quais ele mesmo se inclui) em favor da existência das ideias, e do qual resta-nos apenas o que foi (felizmente) preservado pelo filósofo peripatético Alexandre de Aphrodisias, em seu Comentário à Metafísica de Aristóteles.

 

Tradução, introdução e notas: Irley F. Franco e Renato Matoso Brandão.
AKUPRESUR EFEKTIF MENGATASI DISMENOREA
Authors: Zulia Abel , Esti Rahayu Heni Setyowati , - Rohmayanti
Published: August 2018

ABSTRAKTujuan penelitian: untuk membandingkan efektivitas antara aromaterapi lavender dan akupresur dalam mengatasi dismenorea. Metode: Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan adalah quasy experiment dengan two group pretest dan posttest design. Penelitian dilakukan di Fakultas Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang tanggal 14 Maret sampai 9 Mei 2015. Sampel sebanyak 44 responden dibagi menjadi dua kelompok, yaitu 22 orang sebagai kelompok aromaterapi lavender dan 22 orang sebagai kelompok terapi akupresur. Aromaterapi diberikan secara inhalasi selama 10 menit, dilakukan dua kali sehari selama 3 hari. Akupresur dilakukan pada LI 4 dan ST 36 selama 20 menit sebanyak dua kali sehari selama 3 hari. Instrumen untuk mengukur nyeri menggunakan numeric rating scale. Uji statistik yang digunakan adalah uji Mann Whitney. Hasil: Terdapat perbedaan antara aromaterapi lavender dan terapi akupresur dalam mengatasi dismenore dengan perbedaan penurunan intensitas nyeri terapi akupresur 1,95 lebih besar daripada aromaterapi lavender 1,46 dengan nilai p= 0,002. Diskusi: Terapi akupresur dengan pemijatan atau penekanan pada titik LI 4 dan ST 36 akan meningkatkan kadar endorfin sehingga lebih cepat menurunkan rasa nyeri, sedangkan aroma yang dihirup melalui proses pernapasan baru merangsang kinerja otak dan dipengaruhi oleh dalamnya pernapasan. Kesimpulan: Terapi akupresur lebih efektif dalam mengatasi dismenorea daripada aromaterapi lavender.Kata Kunci: dismenorea, aromaterapi lavender, akupresurEFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPRESSURE IN TREATING DYSMENORRHOEA ABSTRACTObjective: To compare the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy and acupressure in treating dysmenorrhea. Methods: This study is a quasi-experiment with two group pretest and posttest design. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Muhammadiyah University of Magelang on 14 March 2015 to 9 May 2015. Samples consisting of 44 respondents were divided into two groups, namely 22 in lavender aromatherapy group and 22 in acupressure therapy group. Aromatherapy was given through inhalation for 10 minutes, done twice a day for 3 days. Acupressure was performed on LI 4 and ST 36 for 20 minutes, twice a day for 3 days. Numerical rating scale was usedfor measuring pain. The statistical test usedMann-Whitney test. Results: There was a difference between lavender aromatherapy and acupressure therapy in treating dysmenorrhea with a decrease in the intensity ofpain of acupressure therapy by 1.95, which was greater than lavender aroma by 1.46 with p = 0.002. Discussion: Acupressure therapy with massage or pressure on the points of LI 4 and ST 36 would increase endorphin levels so that it would quickly relieve pain, while the inhaled scent through the breathing process only stimulated brain’sperformance and was affected by the depth of breathing. Conclusion: Acupressure therapy is more effective in treating dysmenorrhea than lavender aromatherapy.Keywords: dysmenorrhea, lavender aromatherapy, acupressure
Deduction of Surfactants Effect on Performance, Morphology, Thermal and Molecular Properties of Polymeric Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Based Ultrafiltration Membrane
Authors: Safari Nurul Hannan Mohd , Hassan Abdul Rahman , Che Wan Takwa Che Wan Insyirah , Rozali Sabariah
Published: August 2018

In membrane making, surfactant material is one of the effective strategies to produce membrane / thin film with optimal and specific properties. This paper addressed the effect of Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), Triton X-100 and Tween 80 as additives for the making of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. The fabricated membranes were analysed in the aspect of performance, morphological structures, thermal properties and molecular orientation. Analysis results showed that the surfactant additives enhanced the membrane performance and properties. Surprisingly, the addition of 2 wt% surfactant increased the permeate flux of bovine serum albumin (BSA) up to 78.14 L/m2h compared to membrane without surfactant with flux at only 2.74 L/m2h. In addition, the role of surfactants on membrane pores and pore properties of PVDF UF membranes were examined. The cross-sectional morphological structures showed that these surfactants led towards the formation of macro-voids and finger-like structures as well as a spongy layer. The surfactants additives also improved the membrane pores and pore properties which reflect to the protein rejection up to 85 % and 78 % of BSA and egg albumin (EA), respectively. Moreover, analysis on the thermal features found that SDS, Triton X-100 and Tween 80 promoted better thermal stability and significantly fine molecular alignment which provided the versatility for the membrane to be used for any applications.
Constitutionalism and Cultural Identity as Revolutionary Concepts in German Political Radicalism, 1806–1819: the Case of Karl Follen
Authors: Oergel Maike
Published: August 2018

The aim of this essay is to investigate the concepts of cultural identity and national sovereignty as they emerge in radical German nationalism after 1806 in relation to French revolutionary ideas and to reconstruct a radical revolutionary, i.e. a ‘French Revolution’, context for the idea of German national unity. Such a ‘French Revolution’ context questions the view that the ‘Teutomania’ emerging in the context of the Wars of Liberation and linked to German national liberation can only be interpreted as the precursor to chauvinist German nationalism of later periods. The investigation focuses on the political ideas and militancy of Karl Follen (1796–1840) as they found expression in his outline of an all-German constitution and his martial poetry. It delineates the overlap, and the differences, between Follen's constitutional outline and the French republican constitution of 1793, and asks whether the differences, which derive from a greater focus on cultural specificity in Follen's constitution, could be due to the German need for imaginative nation-building under conditions perceived as cultural and political oppression. The essay discusses this idea by exploring the pronounced similarity between the approaches to national liberation taken by Follen and Frantz Fanon. Both Follen and Fanon insist that a strong cultural identity linked to uncompromising militancy are necessary for national and social liberation to succeed.
A Comparative Analysis of Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction 2009 Certified Projects in Finland, Sweden, Turkey, and Spain
Authors: Pushkar Svetlana
Published: August 2018

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is currently intensively applied in several European countries. The aims of the present study were to compare the difference between (i) two countries from the same region (i.e., Finland vs. Sweden or Turkey vs. Spain) and (ii) two European regions (northern Europe [Finland and Sweden] vs. [Turkey and Spain]) when the LEED- New Construction (NC) 2009 Certified rating level certified projects were analyzed. We found that, in the northern and southern parts of Europe, LEED- NC 2009 credit achievements in terms of Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Materials and Resources (MR), and Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) were similar, whereas credit achievements in Energy and Atmosphere (EA) were different. High achievements were revealed in WE and SS, with values of 80–100% and 70–75%, respectively; intermediate achievements were revealed in EQ, with values of 40–60%; and low achievements were revealed in MR (20–40%). EA achievements were intermediate (60–65%) in northern Europe, while they were low in southern Europe (40%). This evidence can help recognize the categories that are performed with a high number of points and those that are performed with a low number of points.