bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FEMALE DEITIES IN BALINESE SOCIETY: LOCAL GENIOUS, INDIAN INFLUENCES, AND THEIR WORSHIP
Authors: Ardhana I Ketut
Published: October 2018

One of the main issues that has been discussed in Indonesia regarding the democracy process in a modern world is about the feminism and gender issues. On the one hand, women are considered to play limited roles, whilst on the other hand, the men have always been considered to play a significant role. This can be traced back in the long process of the Balinese history not only in terms of political aspect, but also in the context of socio cultural aspects. It is important to look at what has happened in the Balinese societies, since Bali is known as a Hindu mozaic in Southeast Asia. The Balinese society has its own culture based on local culture that is strongly influenced by the Indian or Indic culture. The Balinese society is a patrilineal system, in which a man has a higher position, but in fact it was even Bali had a woman princess, who was of mixed Javanese and Balinese heritage, a wife of King Udayana of Bali between the 10th and 11th century. Both of them were considered as the Balinese kings at the same time. In the era of these two kings they were successful in integrating between Hinduism and Buddhism. Until now, the Balinese believe the soul of Mahendradatta as Durga. The main questions that will be addressed in this paper are firstly: how do the Balinese interpret the female deities? Secondly, how do they worship them? Thirdly, what is the meaning of this worship in terms of religious and cultural aspects in the modern and postmodern time? By discussing these issues, it is expected that we will have a better understanding on how the Balinese worship the female deities in the prehistoric, classical, and modern times in the context of a global or universal culture
BUILDING CHILDREN’S CHARACTER THROUGH TRADITIONAL BALINESE GAME: MEGALA-GALAAN REVISITED
Authors: Yadnyawati Ida Ayu Gde
Published: October 2018

Character is the values of human behavior associated with God Almighty, self, fellow human, environment, and nationality embodied in thoughts, attitudes, feelings, words, and deeds based on religious norms, law, etiquette, culture, and customs. Character education, according to Thomas Lickona (1991), is the education to shape the personality of a person through character education, whose results that can be seen in the actual actions of a person that are considered good, honest, responsible, respectful of the rights of others, hard work, and others. Building the character of children can be done through a traditional Balinese game called megala-galaan. This game is often played with accompaniment of singing Goak Maling Taluh. The poem Goak Maling Taluh sound simple with rhythm or easy rhythm, and the author was still anonymous until now. Behind the simplicity of his poetry hides a deep philosophical meaning about the nature of karma phala. The megala-galaan game with the singing Goak Maling Taluh implementation of fun learning concepts, a traditional Balinese educational concept that emphasizes aspects of learning while playing, and playing while learning.
PANCASILA AND THE DIGNITY OF HUMANKIND
Authors: Sofjan Dicky
Published: October 2018

This article examines the correlation between Pancasila, which is Indonesia’s state ideology, and human dignity. Indonesians, since gaining independence in 1945, have established Pancasila as their state ideology and political philosophy, which encompasses the rights and responsibilities of its citizens without discrimination based on religion or creed, gender, race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status or whatsoever. Derived from Sankrit, the name “Pancasila” means ‘the five main principles’. The five principles are: 1) Belief in the Unity of Deities; 2) Just and civilized humanity; 3) Unity of Indonesia; 4) Democracy led by wisdom through deliberation of the elected representatives; 5) Social justice for all Indonesians. The article therefore discusses the five main principles that have governed the people of Indonesia for 75 years now, owing to the veracity of the universal message that Pancasila aspires to. The founding figures of the nation seemed mindful of the diversity of the people and their multitude of traditions and beliefs.
Enhancement of the Auditory Late Response (N1-P2) by Presentation of Stimuli From an Unexpected Location
Authors: Heacock Raquel M. , Pigeon Amanda , Chermak Gail , Musiek Frank , Weihing Jeffrey
Published: October 2018

Background:Passive electrophysiological protocols, such as the middle latency response and speech auditory brainstem response, are often advocated in the objective assessment of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). However, few established electrophysiological protocols
exist for CAPD assessment that have patients participate in active tasks which more closely approximate real-world listening. To this end, the present study used a discrimination task (i.e., oddball paradigm) to measure an enhancement of the auditory late response (N1-P2) that occurs when
participants direct their auditory attention toward speech arising from an unexpected spatial location.Purpose:To establish whether N1-P2 is enhanced when auditory attention is directed toward an unexpected location during a two-word discrimination task. In addition, it was also investigated
whether any enhancements in this response were contingent on the stimulus being counted as part of the oddball paradigm.Research Design:Prospective study with a repeated measures design.Study Sample:Ten normal hearing adults, with an age range of 18‐24 years.Data Collection
and Analysis:The N1 and P2 latencies and peak-to-peak amplitudes were recorded during a P300 paradigm. A series of repeated measures of analysis of variance and a correlation analysis was performed.Results:There was a significant effect of stimulus location, in which words arising
from the unexpected location showed a larger N1-P2 peak-to-peak amplitude and an earlier N1 latency. This effect was seen regardless of whether or not participants had to count the word total in memory.Conclusions:These findings suggest that spatial enhancement of the N1-P2 is a fairly
robust phenomenon in normal hearing adult listeners. Additional studies are needed to determine whether this enhancement is absent or reduced in patients with CAPD.
A Comparison of Metoclopramide and Ondansetron Efficacy for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting In Patients Suffered From Renal Colic
Authors: Jokar Abolfazl , Khademhosseini Peyman , Ahmadi Koroosh , Sistani Alireza , Amiri Mohammad , Sinaki Arash Gorji
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND: Renal stones are the third common disease of the urinary system after infections and diseases of the prostate. One of the most common manifestations of this disease after acute pain is nausea and vomiting.
AIM: To compare the efficacy of metoclopramide and ondansetron in improving nausea and vomiting in patients referred to the emergency department with a chief complaint of nausea and vomiting.
METHODS: This randomised double-blind clinical trial was conducted on patients referred to the emergency department of Vali-e Asr Hospital. Mg5 intravenous morphine and ketorolac ampoule were injected to control renal colic. Then, patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 90 subjects receiving 10 mg intravenous metoclopramide and group 2 including 90 subjects receiving 4 mg intravenous ondansetron. Vital signs were also measured and recorded.
RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of nausea in 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 minutes showed no significant difference between the two groups. Mean and standard deviation of vomiting at 0 minutes showed no significant difference between the two groups, but the remaining minutes, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120, exhibited significant difference as a comparison of two groups, indicating that vomiting in the metoclopramide group was higher than ondansetron group.
CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that ondansetron was more effective than metoclopramide in preventing and improving vomiting in patients referred to emergency renal colic, where can be used with more efficacy and more acceptable side effects to improve nausea and vomiting.
The Quality of EBM Sources Perceived By Belgian Family Physicians
Authors: De Fernelmont Laurence Laurence , Van Laere Sven , Devroey Dirk
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND: Belgian family physicians use several local and international sources for evidence-based medicine (EBM).
AIM: This study aims to investigate the quality of these EBM sources according to the Belgian family physicians.
METHODS: A sample of Belgian family physicians completed a digital survey on the quality of EBM sources.
RESULTS: Respondents evaluated the quality of the information for the major part of the local and international EBM sources good to excellent. More than 50% of the respondents found in the major part of the sources an answer to the question. More than half of the respondents found the necessary information in less than 5 minutes in most of the sources. Younger participants self-evaluated their search skills better than older participants.
CONCLUSION: The quality of most frequently used EBM sources in Belgium is evaluated as good and client-friendly. More than half of the respondents found an answer to their questions in most of the sources and this within 5 minutes.
Tolerability of Omalizumab in Asthma as a Major Compliance Factor: 10-Year Follow Up
Authors: Al-Ahmad Mona , Nurkic Jasmina , Maher Ahmed , Arifhodzic Nermina , Jusufovic Edin
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data related to real life, long-term safety, tolerability and compliance of omalizumab treatment in asthma patients beyond 6 years.
AIM: Study aimed to assess safety, tolerability, compliance and all reasons for treatment discontinuation during 10 years on omalizumab.
SUBJECT AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational study of uncontrolled asthma patients receiving omalizumab for the last 10 years. All data were collected from patients’ files (demographics, adverse events, comorbidities, compliance index, reasons for discontinuation of omalizumab). Reactions to omalizumab were classified as local and systemic, and their severity as mild, moderate or severe. Reactions were either immediate (minutes to hours after drug administration) or delayed (after days). Compliance to omalizumab, defined as Compliance index (CI), was calculated by comparing milligrams of given to milligrams of prescribed dose/ per year.
RESULTS: Out of 35 patients receiving omalizumab, 15 drop out at different time points mostly due to treatment efficacy or appearance of new comorbidities. Patients who continue for the next ten years had mild to moderate adverse events related to omalizumab. There was no increased risk of severe adverse events during 10 years on omalizumab. Patient’s treatment tolerability, despite mild to moderate adverse events, is in favour of compliance.
CONCLUSION: Compliance with omalizumab mildly decreased over 10 years but was not affected by severe adverse events of treatment or new comorbidities. Although, omalizumab is safe medicine appearance of new comorbidities has to be closely followed up.
The Effect of Treadmill Treatment on Oxidative Stress Markers and Endogenous Antioxidant Status in Obesity Mice
Authors: Susantiningsih Tiwuk , Perdani Roro Rukmi Windi , Berawi Khairunnisa , Hadi Sutopo
Published: October 2018

AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of treadmill treatment on oxidative stress markers and endogenous antioxidant status seen from MDA, GSH, MnSOD enzyme specific activity and blood catalase of obese mice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is experimental laboratory research using post-test control design group only. The study lasted for 28 days and was divided into 4 groups of study, i.e., group K (normal control), KP (obesity control), P1 (obesity mice with 1 x 10-minute treadmill treatment a day), and P2 (obesity mice with 2 x 10-minute treadmill treatment a day).
RESULTS: The treadmill treatment had an effect on the improvement of the oxidative status of mice with a decrease of MDA level of obesity mice blood (p ≤ 0.05) compared to KP control. An elevated endogenous antioxidant status of obesity mice was seen from elevated GSH levels, MnSOD specific activity and blood catalase of obesity mice (p ≤ 0.05) compared with KP controls. Treatment of 1 x 10-minute treadmill per day decreased blood MDA level, increased GSH enzyme and increased specific activity of MnSOD enzyme and blood catalase of obese mice.
CONCLUSIONS: The 2 x 10-minute daily treadmill did not differ significantly in improving the oxidative status and endogenous antioxidant status compared with the treadmill 1 x 10 minutes a day (p ≥ 0.05).
1988-2002 : chronique d’une guerre sans fin
Authors: El-Kadi Ihsane
Published: October 2018

Retour sur 14 années, toujours pas closes, de violences armées en Algérie et sur les mécanismes ainsi que les différentes étapes de cette guerre…
« Nos révélations sont vraies »
Authors: Rivoire Jean-Baptiste , Lamloum Olfa
Published: October 2018

Début novembre 2002, Canal plus 90 minutes , magazine d’investigation, diffuse la première enquête approfondie menée par deux journalistes français, Jean-Baptiste Rivoire et Romain Icard, sur les attentats perpétrés à Paris en 1995 et attribués au gia . Les conclusions d’« Attentats de Paris, enquête sur les commanditaires » 1 sont édifiantes. A l’issue d’un travail d’investigation de plus de deux ans et à travers une vingtaine d’entretiens inédits avec des acteurs algériens et français, les deux journalistes affirment que les « Groupes islamistes armés » sont depuis 1994 directement guidés par le Département de renseignement et de sécurité ( drs , l’ex-Sécurité militaire). Un film salutaire, dira Pierre Vidal-Naquet, «  qui n’est qu’une étape dans la recherche de la vérité  » 2 . Confluences a rencontré Jean-Baptiste Rivoire, journaliste et co-auteur de ce documentaire.
La révolte de Kabylie ou l’histoire d’un gachis
Authors: Temlali Yassin
Published: October 2018

Le 19 avril 2001, un jeune Algérien, Guermah Massinissa, mourait, atteint par une rafale de mitraillette dans les locaux de la gendarmerie à Beni Douala, en Grande-Kabylie. L’événement aurait pu n’être qu’un « fait divers » à inscrire au riche registre des bavures policières. Il n’en a pas été ainsi. La maladresse de la communication officielle aidant 1 , la mort de Guermah Massinissa a déclenché en Kabylie un tourbillon d’émeutes et de répression. Elle a fait déborder le vase d’une colère populaire dont une répétition miniature avait été les manifestations qui ont suivi l’assassinat du chanteur Matoub Lounès le 25 juin 1998. Partie de Beni Douala, la révolte s’est étendue à toute la Kabylie. Elle a eu aussitôt un puissant écho dans les autres régions, malgré une insidieuse propagande tendant à donner du massif kabyle l’image d’un éternel foyer sécessionniste.
Contre-performances économiques et fragilité institutionnelle
Authors: Byrd William C.
Published: October 2018

L’économie algérienne, malgré de réels atouts, connait un taux de croissance stagnant à un très faible niveau. A l’évidence, l’économie continue de souffrir des interférences politiques des pouvoirs, formel et informel, qui empêchent le fonctionnement et le développement des institutions indispensables à la création d’un environnement propice à la croissance hors secteur des hydrocarbures, afin de réduire le chômage et de combler les retards croissants avec les pays voisins…
Les réseaux au pouvoir
Authors: Benderra Omar
Published: October 2018

Depuis le coup d’Etat militaire du 11 janvier 1992, les centres de décisions effectifs en Algérie s’articulent exclusivement autour du haut commandement de l’armée et des services de sécurité. Le groupe restreint d’officiers supérieurs qui détient le pouvoir est constitué des responsables au plus haut niveau de l’armée et d’un nombre très réduit de généraux « à la retraite ». De fait, le coup d’Etat, en plaçant l’Algérie sous des lois d’exception, a asservi l’autorité civile – Président de la République, Assemblée, appareil judiciaire…– aux centres de décision militaires. Le contrôle de toute activité politique, économique ou sociale est exercé par des polices militaires, ne dépendant que des généraux qui les dirigent et de l’état-major de l’armée. Le rééchelonnement de la dette en 1994 a participé à la transformation de l’organisation du système politique algérien. En effet, la mise sous tutelle du fmi de l’économie marque l’abandon effectif et durable des prérogatives de puissance publique en termes de gestion économique, fiscale ou monétaire.
Libéralisation économique et privatisations
Authors: Abderrezak Adel
Published: October 2018

La période « socialiste » qui a, durant plus d’une décennie, conjugué industrialisation et populisme, n’est plus qu’un lointain souvenir. La bureaucratie dirigeante qui a construit son pouvoir et ses intérêts sur la politique du « tout Etat » est confrontée à une crise économique sans précédent doublée d’un déficit de légitimité croissant sur le plan politique. C’est dans ce contexte très instable et très confus qu’un noyau de réformateurs s’est cristallisé au sein des appareils d’Etat autour d’un projet économique et politique caractérisé essentiellement par le souci de mettre fin aux monopoles étatiques, de soustraire l’économique au pouvoir d’Etat et d’asseoir une démocratie pluraliste et un Etat de droit qui « libérerait » la société civile. Déroulement, enjeux et conséquences…
La vie associative
Authors: Rulleau Claudine
Published: October 2018

La vie associative en Algérie est assez jeune : c’est la constitution du 23 février 1989 qui ouvre la porte et avant même la parution des décrets d’application et de la loi du 4 décembre 1990 relative aux associations, c’est l’explosion sur un double plan : celui des « associations » - partis politiques et celui des associations au sens large du terme…
Et si cela n’était qu’un rêve ?
Authors: Zémor Michèle
Published: October 2018

Du 28 janvier au 3 février 2003 une douzaine d’éminentes personnalités françaises (Raymond Aubrac, Kenneth Brown, Suzanne et Mathieu de Brunhoff, Sacha Goldman, Stéphane et Christiane Hessel, Martin Hirsch, Jean-Jacques Salomon, Abraham Ségal, Gérard Toulouse, Annick Suzor-Weiner, Michèle Zémor) sont allées dans les territoires palestiniens et en Israël pour tenter de mieux comprendre la situation sur le terrain. Elles ont rencontré des responsables palestiniens et des militants israéliens du camp de la paix. A leur retour, à travers quelques interviews et une conférence organisée à Paris par l’association « Trop, c’est trop », elles ont raconté de ce qu’elles avaient vu sur place. Il nous a paru important de publier deux de ces témoignages.
Violences insupportables
Authors: de Brunhoff Suzanne
Published: October 2018

Autre témoignage d’un membre de ce groupe s’étant rendu dans les territoires occupés et en Israël…
Ni putes ni soumises
Authors: Orain Hélène , Dhoquois-Cohen Régine
Published: October 2018

Lorsque ce numéro de Confluences paraîtra, la « Marche des femmes des quartiers contre les ghettos et pour l’égalité », qui s’est déroulée en France du 1 er février au 8 mars 2OO3, sera terminée, mais pas leur combat ni celui des femmes et des hommes qui les soutiennent. Nous avons demandé à l’une des militantes de la Fédération des Maisons des potes, Hélène Orain, qui a participé aux Etats généraux et à l’organisation de la Marche de répondre à quelques questions à propos de ce mouvement.
Sahara occidental : l’enlisement du plan de paix
Authors: Callies de Salies Bruno
Published: October 2018

Après des années d’opérations militaires et de tractations diplomatiques, un plan de paix devant mettre un terme à l’affaire du Sahara occidental est adopté par le Conseil de sécurité de l’ onu le 29 avril 1991. Le plan de paix du Secrétaire général de l’ onu , Javier Perez de Cuellar, prévoit un cessez-le-feu, l’échange des prisonniers de guerre, la réduction de la présence militaire marocaine, la libération des détenus politiques, le rapatriement des Sahraouis réfugiés à l’étranger, enfin l’élaboration de listes électorales et l’organisation d’un référendum d’autodétermination sous l’autorité de l’ onu . Le 6 septembre 1991, le cessez-le-feu entre en vigueur, et la Mission des Nations unies pour le référendum au Sahara occidental (Minurso) se prépare à identifier les populations afin de constituer les listes électorales pour le référendum prévu en janvier 1992. Les autres opérations doivent s’effectuer pendant cette période. Le Maroc a accepté le référendum pour confirmer l’appartenance de ce territoire au royaume. Le Front Polisario a voulu cette consultation afin d’obtenir l’indépendance. Dix ans après, le référendum n’a toujours pas eu lieu et les listes éléctorales ne sont toujours pas bouclées.
Je ne parle pas la langue de mon père
Authors: Sebbar Leïla , Dana Catherine
Published: October 2018

Je ne parle pas la langue de mon père , titre du nouveau livre de Leïla Sebbar (Julliard, 2003) résonne comme un appel ; il est le point de départ d’une émouvante méditation sur les racines doublée d’un voyage dans le temps et l’espace qui veut faire la lumière sur un passé que le père n’a jamais voulu remuer. L’auteur raconte ici la longue naissance de ce livre.
Woord vooraf
Authors: Engelbrecht B.J.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Die vernaamste terme vir "Rykdom" in die ou testament en hulle betekenis-ontwikkeling
Authors: Van Wyk W.C.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Sendingperspektiewe in Gen. 1-11
Authors: Van Zyl F.J.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Sending en die ou testament
Authors: Van der Westhuizen H.G.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Rondom kerk en Israel
Authors: Mans C.J.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Israel uitwaarts?
Authors: Booysen D.J.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Die vermindering van die ledetal van die algemene kerk-vergadering
Authors: Pont A.D.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Christusprediking
Authors: De Wet J.I.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Is Christelike wetenskap moontlik?
Authors: Dreyer P.S.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Boekbesprekings
Authors: Dreyer A.J.G. , Steenkamp C.S.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Die skopus van die heilige skrif
Authors: Fürstenberg J. Du T.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Die inkleding van die boodskap van die heilige skrif
Authors: Janson Murray
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Oor die verhouding tussen teologiese sosiale etiek en sosiologie, met verwysing na die Kirchliche Dogmatik van Karl Barth
Authors: Krüger J.S.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Factors Related to Students’ Drop Out of a Distance Language Learning Programme
Authors: Budiman Rahmat
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a study that examined the reasons for dropping out of a distance language learning programmeoffered by an open university in Indonesia. A purposive sample of students who registered for online English writingcourses at the university was used. To gain a better understanding of the issues, the study also sought informationfrom online tutors. A longitudinal research design employing qualitative research method was used over four stagesof data collection. Open-ended question surveys were adopted to gain an understanding of underlying reasons forpersisting or discontinuing their studies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at each stage to obtain deeperinformation from the students and the online tutors. The data was analysed with NVivo version 10. The findings ofthe open-ended question surveys and the interviews indicated that the major reasons that led the students to drop outwere lack of basic skills in English, unmet expectations, feelings of isolation, and the inability to balance work,family, and study responsibilities. The study offers a theoretical framework to describe the factors related to studentdropout from a distance language learning programme. This study also offers models of interaction, teaching andlearning in distance language learning to minimise the dropout rate.
Physics Programs in Secondary Education from the Establishment of the Republic of Turkey to Present Day
Authors: Çirkinoğlu Şekercioğlu Ayşe Gül
Published: October 2018

‘Program development’ is a systematic process which includes steps such as determining general and specific goals ofteaching, choosing appropriate program materials, determining teaching methods, evaluation and assessment tools,designing formal outlines for every lesson, testing and finalizing the program, continual monitoring, evaluatingprogram, and lastly enhancing program. This study examines contents of Physics lessons in Turkey and what kind ofchanges has been made to the program throughout years. It also gives information concerning historical developmentof this process since1924, in which the law of Tevhid-i Tedrisad was passed, to present day. Any new program isinitially practiced at pilot schools and then extended to other schools in the country, which seems in accordance withthe principles of the program development process. However, these programs have been practiced for only one or twoyears at pilot schools, then directly extended to local schools throughout the country without making any necessaryimprovements or enhancements to the program. This practice, as the study findings suggest, creates a vicious cycle.When deficiencies in past programs became obvious even at other schools, the authorities immediately attempted todevelop a completely new program, which was again applied and abolished using same procedures. This is a primereason for why goals for education cannot be short-term. Additionally, study findings showed that experts who designPhysics programs in Turkey do not complete detailed unit analysis of Physics lessons, which in turn causes Physicsteachers at schools to face problems when planning effective lessons and setting goals for class.
An Innovative STEM Education Framework for a Changing Educational Landscape
Authors: Guerrero Shannon , Crites Terry , Hovermill Jeffrey , Beaudrie Brian
Published: October 2018

This article describes features of NAUTeach, a secondary mathematics teacher preparation program that is modeled onthe UTeach program at the University of Texas-Austin. NAUTeach is a research-based STEM program that developsthe next generation of mathematics and science teachers by engaging them in rigorous content and methodologycoursework specifically developed to provide a broad, cross-curricular framework of innovativeinstruction. NAUTeach has been specifically designed to serve the needs of preservice mathematics and scienceteachers as they embark on teaching a new generation of students in an ever changing world. The NAUTeachprogram focuses on the development of inquiry-based instructional methods, reflective practice, and peercollaboration through a carefully sequenced series of courses that consistently promote early and frequent field workand a learner-centered focus of teaching and learning. Though the NAUTeach program is a blended mathematics andscience teacher preparation program, this article will focus on the preparation of secondary mathematics teachers bydescribing the cross-curricular (mathematics & science) methodological sequence of courses, along with themathematics-specific pedagogical courses, that preservice mathematics teacher candidates take as part of this program.Connections between the NAUTeach program and guidelines for the content and pedagogical preparation of teacherswill be made with specific attention paid to the development of reflective, innovative, flexible, and reform-orientedmathematics teachers.
Macroeconomic Effects of Exogenous Oil Price Shock in Nigeria: Persistent or Transitory
Authors: Ukemenam Angela Ifeanyi , Opadeji Babatunde , Garbobiya Tuwe Soro , Ujunwa Augustine
Published: October 2018

This paper examines the macroeconomic effects of exogenous oil price shock in Nigeria. The paper additionally investigates the symmetric effects of oil price shock and the persistence and/or transitory nature of the shock. To achieve these objectives, the Generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH), Component generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (CGARCH) and Exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) were employed to estimate the various equations. The results showed that oil price volatility has significant positive effect on exchange rate, foreign external reserves, government revenue, and capital importation. The results also revealed symmetric and persistent effect of oil shock in Nigeria. Based on the results, the paper made recommendations for ameliorating and/or insulating Nigeria from the vulnerabilities of oil price shocks.
Assessment of Government Internal Control Systems on Financial Reporting Quality in Ghana: A Case Study of Ghana Revenue Authority
Authors: Agbenyo Wonder , Jiang Yuansheng , Cobblah Prince Komla
Published: October 2018

Internal control systems cannot be underestimated as it serves as the lifeblood of most institutions in terms of its imperative roles that it plays in both tangible and intangible assets of an organization. Internal control actions on quality financial report state positive goals more especially when all parties involved adhere to their duties; thus, making the quality of financial reporting comparable, understandable, relevant, and reliable. In this regard, this study investigated the impact of government internal control systems on financial reporting quality in Ghana using Ghana Revenue Authority as the case study. Specifically, the study examined the nature and quality of financial reporting and the impact of government internal control systems on financial reporting quality. Both quota and simple random sampling techniques were used to select fifty (50) persons as the sample size of the study. Questionnaires were used to obtain data. The correlation matrix was used to examine the relationship between government internal control systems and financial reporting quality. The study finds out that contrary to apriori expectation sign monitoring as an element of internal control system has a negative impact on the financial quality reporting but was however statistically significant. The study also revealed that with a unit increase in the collection performance, the financial reporting quality of GRA will improve. The study recommended that the government should ensure that the internal control systems are well monitored and regulated. 
The Impact of Poverty on the Environment: Surprising Findings from the Indian Case
Authors: Mitra Siddhartha , Paul Raadhika
Published: October 2018

In the 1980s a powerful school of thought, propagated by the Brundtland Commission Report and seconded by powerful think tanks, developed which asserted that poverty was a major cause for environmental degradation. This implied that significant alleviation of poverty would also substantially reduce environmental degradation. Some reasons were given for this view, prominent among these being the compulsion of poorer households to mine natural capital to meet their needs, sometimes in a dirty manner. In course of time, a less recognized counter-school emerged which pointed out the flaws in the Brundtland hypothesis: the greater gasoline consumption of richer households, their greater possession of consumer durables sourced from natural capital, and the higher power of the rich to mine limited and open access natural capital for commercial gain, among others. The debate needs to be obviously resolved through quantitative studies, hitherto lacking in the Indian case. Using results from NSSO data for 3 recent years and 4 sources of dirty fuel we show that there is a general tendency for the non-poor to consume more of these fuels than the poor. This is a surprising result and it shows that poverty alleviation, though desirable, is probably not even a partial cure for environmental degradation. Some explanations for this result, based on the relative magnitudes of clean fuel consumption by the non-poor and poor, are provided.
Attitude and Motives Towards Corporate Social Responsibility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Mohanna Rawan , Al-Kayed Lama
Published: October 2018

This paper explores the attitudes of large and small firms’ managers toward Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the motivations behind the implementation of such an initiative. The research revealed a gap in the minute number of studies exploring CSR practices the kingdom’s SMEs. There was a further gap in the managers’ motives towards CSR within the same region. As a way of responding to the four proposed research questions, the researchers surveyed 52 SME and large firms. Ideally, the results showed that large firms pursue traditional CSR practices and record their activities unlike SMEs, which follow a contemporary approach to CSR, with little regard to recording their activities. In addition, large firms significantly perceive CSR as an obligation, while SMEs rely on their board of management’s beliefs. This paper provides an insight for the policymakers to adopt different approaches for large and small firms in their implementation of CSR practices in pursuance of satisfactory reports.
Dispersive Liquid—Liquid Microextraction Based on Solidification of Floating Organic Drop Combined with High Performance Liquid Chromatography for Analysis of 15 Phthalates in Water
Authors: Yang Danni , Yang Yi , Li Yongxin , Yin Shuo , Chen Yaling , Wang Jiamin , Xiao Jiangyu , Sun Chengjun
Published: October 2018

Background: Consistent toxicological evidence indicate that phthalates can cause adverse effects on human health. The concern over phthalate pollution and exposure has been emphasized in recent years. Therefore, the sensitive, reliable, and rapid detection of phthalates in water is of great importance. Objective: In this study, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet (DLLME-SFO) combined with HPLC-UV detection was established and applied in the preconcentration and detection of 15 phthalates in drinking and river water samples. Methods: A mixture of acetonitrile (dispersant) and 1-dodecanol (extractant) was injected into water samples, which had been added with sodium chloride. The cloudy solution was formed by hand-shaking. After centrifugation, the sample solution was cooled in a refrigerator, and the solidified organic droplet was collected. It melted at room temperature and was injected into the HPLC system for analysis. The quantification was based on the working curves. Results: Under optimum conditions, this method showed good linearity in the range of 0.1–100 or 0.5–100 μg/L with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The method had the LODs ranging from 0.013 to 0.16 μg/L with the enrichment factors of 102–218. The recoveries of the method ranged from 86.8 to 119% with RSDs less than 12.6%. The interday and intraday RSDs were 6.35–13.5% and 3.00–13.7%, respectively. The established method has been successfully applied to the analysis of phthalates in drinking and river waters. Conclusions: The established method is rapid, sensitive, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. It can be applied to the analysis of 15 phthalates in drinking and river water samples. Highlights: A method of DLLME-SFO combined with HPLC-UV detection has been established for the analysis of 15 phthalates in drinking and river water samples. The established method was rapid, sensitive, accurate, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. The established method was successfully applied to the analysis of 15 phthalates in bottled, tap, and river water samples.
Oblique-Asymmetric 2D+T Model to Compute Hydrodynamic Forces and Moments in Coupled Sway, Roll, and Yaw Motions of Planing Hulls
Authors: Dashtimanesh Abbas , Enshaei Hossein , Tavakoli Sasan
Published: October 2018

In the present article, it has been tried to compute hydrodynamic forces and moments in coupled sway, roll, and yaw motions of planing hulls. For this purpose, wedge water entry has been considered in its generalized form with vertical, horizontal, and roll velocities. Using potential theory, new added mass formulas for coupled sway, roll, and yaw motion of planing hulls have been derived. Moreover, by introducing oblique-asymmetric 2D+T model and implementing momentum theory, sway force, roll moment, and yaw moment have been computed. The obtained hydrodynamic forces and moments have been compared against experimental results and previous empirical method. It has been observed that the method is accompanied with large errors and under-prediction, in the cases with zero and negative roll angle, especially at a yaw angle of 15°, which is a related limitation of the method. Better accuracy in prediction of sway force and yawing moment is observed at a trim angle of 6° and roll angles of 10° and 20°, especially for small yaw angles. The main sources of errors are found to be as follows. 1) Flow separation from the wedge apex in negative roll angle at large yaw angles, which results in under-prediction of sway force, rolling moment, and yawing moment 2) Tendency of the flow to move from starboard to port at a trim angle of 6° for the vessel with a deadrise angle of 30° at a negative roll angle and yaw angle of 15°, which cannot be simulated by the current method. 3) Reduction of contribution of hydrostatic pressure at a speed coefficient of 4.0, which is not well modeled by the proposed method and results in under-prediction of rolling moment. 4) Overprediction of center of pressure at a yaw angle of 10° and 15°, which results in under-prediction of yawing moment. 5) Prediction of nonzero values for chine wetted length at roll angles of 10° and 20° for the yawed vessel at a trim angle of 6°, which results in under-prediction of rolling moment. 6) Over-prediction of starboard wetted length at negative roll angle at a trim angle of 6°.
Gemcitabine exhibits a suppressive effect on pancreatic cancer cell growth by regulating processing of PVT1 to miR1207
Authors: You Lei , Wang Huanyu , Yang Gang , Zhao Fangyu , Zhang Jingcheng , Liu Ziwen , Zhang Taiping , Liang Zhiyong , Liu Changzheng , Zhao Yupei
Published: October 2018

Gemcitabine serves as a first‐line chemotherapy agent for advanced pancreatic cancer (PC). However, the molecular basis by which gemcitabine exerts its effects is not well‐established, and the targeted genetic pathways remain unclear. Pvt1 oncogene (non‐protein coding) (PVT1) has been reported to be an oncogenic long non‐coding RNA in tumorigenesis. In the present study, we show that the expression of PVT1 is correlated with gemcitabine efficacy in PC therapy. Inhibition of PVT1 led to decreased cell growth in PC cells treated with gemcitabine. We also demonstrate that gemcitabine treatment decreases PVT1 levels and increases its encoded miRNAs, such as the miR‐1207 pair (miR‐1207‐5p/3p). Overexpression of the miR‐1207 pair enhanced the chemosensitivity of cells to gemcitabine, whereas silencing of miR‐1207‐5p/3p to prevent its induction by gemcitabine treatment led to increased cell growth. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR‐1207‐5p and miR‐1207‐3p target the SRC proto‐oncogene (non‐receptor tyrosine kinase) and ras homolog family member A in PC cells, respectively. In particular, we observed that gemcitabine induced Drosha ribonuclease III (Drosha) and DGCR8 microprocessor complex subunit (DGCR8) upregulation and then triggered PVT1 processing. Suppression of Drosha and DGCR8 contributed to a dampened efficacy of gemcitabine, indicating that gemcitabine decreased PVT1 expression by promoting its processing into miRNAs, which in turn resulted in blunted oncogenic signaling in PC cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that gemcitabine chemoresistance was a result of decreased expression of Drosha and DGCR8 in AsPC‐1 cells and tumor cell‐engrafted models. Overall, our findings define a novel mechanism for understanding the efficacy of gemcitabine chemotherapy in PC.
Aqueous Two‐Phase Emulsion Bioink‐Enabled 3D Bioprinting of Porous Hydrogels
Authors: Ying Guo‐Liang , Jiang Nan , Maharjan Sushila , Yin Yi‐Xia , Chai Rong‐Rong , Cao Xia , Yang Jing‐Zhou , Miri Amir K. , Hassan Shabir , Zhang Yu Shrike
Published: October 2018

3D bioprinting technology provides programmable and customizable platforms to engineer cell‐laden constructs mimicking human tissues for a wide range of biomedical applications. However, the encapsulated cells are often restricted in spreading and proliferation by dense biomaterial networks from gelation of bioinks. Herein, a cell‐benign approach is reported to directly bioprint porous‐structured hydrogel constructs by using an aqueous two‐phase emulsion bioink. The bioink, which contains two immiscible aqueous phases of cell/gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) mixture and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), is photocrosslinked to fabricate predesigned cell‐laden hydrogel constructs by extrusion bioprinting or digital micromirror device‐based stereolithographic bioprinting. The porous structure of the 3D‐bioprinted hydrogel construct is formed by subsequently removing the PEO phase from the photocrosslinked GelMA hydrogel. Three different cell types (human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and NIH/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts) within the 3D‐bioprinted porous hydrogel patterns show enhanced cell viability, spreading, and proliferation compared to the standard (i.e., nonporous) hydrogel constructs. The 3D bioprinting strategy is believed to provide a robust and versatile platform to engineer porous‐structured tissue constructs and their models for a variety of applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug development, and personalized therapeutics.
An Elongation‐ and Ligation‐Based qPCR Amplification Method for the Radiolabeling‐Free Detection of Locus‐Specific N6‐Methyladenosine Modification
Authors: Xiao Yu , Wang Ye , Tang Qian , Wei Lianhuan , Zhang Xiao , Jia Guifang
Published: October 2018

The epitranscriptomic mark N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification in eukaryotic mRNA, but various limitations in currently available m6A detection methods have precluded routine identification of m6A marks at the single‐site level in mRNA transcripts. Herein, we report a single‐base elongation‐ and ligation‐based qPCR amplification method (termed “SELECT”) that exploits the ability of m6A to hinder 1) the single‐base elongation activity of DNA polymerases and 2) the nick ligation efficiency of ligases; SELECT employs qPCR for quantitation. Following optimization and validation, SELECT was applied on three highly relevant proof‐of‐concept cases: determining 1) if a putative m6A site is m6A‐modified in mRNAs and lncRNAs from biological samples, 2) the m6A fraction at biological sites, and 3) if a particular m6A modification enzyme functions on a specific target site. In summary, the rapid and flexible SELECT method facilitates the identification and verification of m6A marks with unprecedented ease.
Multifunctional Liposome: A Bright AIEgen–Lipid Conjugate with Strong Photosensitization
Authors: Cai Xiaolei , Mao Duo , Wang Can , Kong Deling , Cheng Xiamin , Liu Bin
Published: October 2018

Liposomes have been used as popular drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. However, it is difficult to track traditional liposome delivery systems in an efficient and stable fashion to assess their delivery efficacy and biodistribution after administration. Meanwhile, conventional fluorescent liposomes containing optical tracers face the challenge of aggregation‐caused quenching. Herein, we report a strategy for the integration of an aggregation‐induced emission fluorogen with a liposome to yield an AIEgen–lipid conjugate, termed “AIEsome”. The AIEsome exhibits bright red fluorescence along with great photostability and biocompatibility, and can be used for in vitro cancer cell labeling and in vivo tumor targeting. Meanwhile, benefiting from the excellent photosensitizing ability of the AIEgen and its good oxygen exposure in aqueous media, the AIEsome also performs well in efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) for both in vitro cancer cell ablation and in vivo antitumor therapy after white light illumination.
Triple Function of 4‐Mercaptophenylacetic Acid Promotes One‐Pot Multiple Peptide Ligation
Authors: Kamo Naoki , Hayashi Gosuke , Okamoto Akimitsu
Published: October 2018

One‐pot multiple peptide ligation is a key technology to improve the efficiency of chemical protein synthesis. One‐pot repetitive peptide ligation requires a cycle of three steps: peptide ligation, removal of a protecting group, and inactivation of the deprotection reagent. However, previous strategies are not sufficient because of harsh deprotection conditions, slow deprotection rates, and difficulty in quenching the deprotection reagent. To address these issues, we developed a rapid, efficient deprotection and subsequent quenching strategy using an allyloxycarbonyl group to protect the N‐terminal cysteine residue. 4‐Mercaptophenylacetic acid (MPAA), a thiol additive for native chemical ligation, functioned not only as a scavenger for π‐allyl palladium complexes, but also as a quencher of palladium(0) complexes. By utilizing the multifunctionality of MPAA, we carried out a one‐pot five‐segment ligation to afford histone H2AX (142 amino acids), which was isolated in 59 % yield.
Crystalline Carbon Nitride Semiconductors for Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Lin Lihua , Yu Zhiyang , Wang Xinchen
Published: October 2018

Conjugated carbon nitride (CN) is an emerging and promising semiconductor photocatalyst for water photolysis owing to its unique properties. However, the traditional thermally induced polymerization of N‐containing precursors typically produces melon‐based CN solids with amorphous or semi‐crystalline structures with only moderate photocatalytic performance. Many strategies have been developed to prepare crystalline CNs (CCNs), such as high‐temperature and high‐pressure routes, ionothermal synthesis, and microwave‐assisted synthesis. In this Minireview, we summarize the progress that has been made in the synthesis of CCNs and their application in photocatalytic water splitting reactions. Three kinds of CCNs are mainly discussed according to their polymeric subunits. Challenges associated with CCNs and their future development are also included.
A Generic Method for Preparing Hollow Mesoporous Silica Catalytic Nanoreactors with Metal Oxide Nanoparticles inside Their Cavities
Authors: Li Kaijie , Wei Jinxia , Yu Hongbo , Xu Pengyao , Wang Jiahua , Yin Hongfeng , Cohen Stuart Martien A. , Wang Junyou , Zhou Shenghu
Published: October 2018

We report a facile and generic method for the synthesis of hollow mesoporous silica nanoreactors (HMSNs) with small‐sized metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) inside their cavities. They were made by deposition of silica onto metal‐containing charge‐driven polymer micelles and subsequent calcination. The micelles consist of 1) negatively charged supramolecular polyelectrolyte chains of bis‐ligand‐bound metal ions, and 2) water‐soluble, neutral/positive diblock copolymers. Owing to the facile coordination between transition‐metal ion and the employed bidentate ligand, a series of HMSNs with <2 nm MxOy NPs inside cavities (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) were obtained by simply varying the metal ions inside the micelles. The developed method circumvents the pre‐ and post‐synthesis of metal oxide NPs; after calcination, hollow mesoporous nanostructures containing small‐sized metal oxide NPs inside their cavities are directly obtained. The CoxOy‐functionalized HMSNs catalyze the degradation of various dyes with H2O2.