bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indian Secularism and Religious Minorities: The Case of Muslims
Authors: Khalid Rahman  
Published: November 2017

A secular state is supposed to remain indifferent to individual beliefs and to ensure that every individual enjoys the religious freedom in personal life. But practically, the nature and character of secularism changes in different contexts. India being a predominantly Hindu and fundamentally religious society has its own flavor of secularism. The Constitution of India on one hand assures personal freedoms and declares the state as secular but on the other hand carries contradictory indications of anti-religious objectives and prominence of Hinduism. This confusion creates the room for using the cloak of secularism to promote Hindutva. As populism and exclusive nationalism seem to dominate the political front domestically in India and several other countries around the world, it seems improbable, if not impossible, for secularism to take over religion as the primary paradigm of life in India. And with the history of communal violence in India, this scenario is threatening not only for minorities as well as the vulnerable and moderate elements among Hindus but also has far-reaching effects for the region and the world at large. With this context in view, this paper has surveyed the treatment of Muslims in India who are the largest minority in the country and the third largest population of Muslims in a country.
The article was initially prepared for a presentation in a seminar held at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) on July 12, 2017 on the same topic. The author thankfully acknowledges the assistance provided by Nadeem Farhat and Asifa Tanvir in writing the paper.
La meta–evaluación en la agenda de la educación superior
Authors: Marcipar Katz Susana , Luciani María de las Mercedes 
Published: November 2017

En base a la influencia que ejerce la evaluación de los aprendizajes sobre los procesos educativos es que se torna relevante la idea de evaluar a las evaluaciones de los aprendizajes para rescatar a la evaluación como herramienta de cambio en la educación (Ravela, 2009). El artículo pretende difundir el diseño metodológico para aplicar una meta–evaluación a dos asignaturas, Inglés Técnico y Matemática Básica, correspondientes a la carrera de Contador Público Nacional de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral. El objetivo investigativo es evaluar a las evaluaciones de los aprendizajes, meta–evaluación, en las asignaturas mencionadasa fin de lograr dos cuestiones. Por una parte, identificar los refuerzos o cambios necesarios que mejoren la calidad de los procesos de evaluación de manera tal que se constituyan en evaluación como aprendizaje, evaluación para el aprendizaje y evaluación de los aprendizajes. Por otra parte, determinar las condiciones epistemológicas, didácticas, culturales y tecnológicas adecuadas para promover el mejoramiento de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje en dichas asignaturas. Todo el diseño metodológico responde a las características de una evaluación iluminativa (Parlett y Hamilton, 1972), que se asume como una investigación orientada al descubrimiento y orientada a la aplicación (Arnal et ál., 1992). El diseño presentado de meta–evaluación puede convertirse en una estrategia institucional para la toma de decisiones académicas con miras a la construcción permanente de una cultura de auto–reflexión de la calidad de los aprendizajes.
The family characteristics of juvenile delinquency in Turkey<p>Türkiye' de suça sürüklenen çocukların aile özellikleri
Authors: Kayma Güneş Derya , Gökler Rıza 
Published: November 2017

In this study, it is aimed to examine the family characteristics of juvenile driven into crime in Turkey. For this purpose, literature information focusing on juvenile delinquency has been examined and the importance of family in juvenile delinquency has been assessed. In the study, the research results about the subject were compared. Familial factors influencing the juvenile delinquency are discussed with crowded family, deterioration of integrity, socioeconomic and cultural level, family crime and child neglect/abuse, family relations.Extended English abstract is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetBu çalışmada Türkiye’de suça sürüklenen çocukların aile özelliklerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda çocuk suçluluğunu odak alan literatür bilgisi incelenmiş ve çocukların suça sürüklenmesinde ailenin önemi değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmada, konu ile ilgili yapılmış olan araştırma sonuçları karşılaştırılmıştır. Çocukların suça sürüklenmesinde etkili olan ailesel faktörler ailenin kalabalık olması, bütünlüğünün bozulması, sosyoekonomik ve kültürel düzeyi, ailede suç olgusu ve çocuk ihmal/istismarı, aile içi ilişkiler başlıkları ile ele alınmıştır.
Effects of Sparger and Internals Designs on the Local Hydrodynamics in Slurry Bubble Column Reactors Operating under Typical Fischer-Tropsch Process Conditions - I
Authors: Basha Omar M , Morsi Badie I 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Our rigorously validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model (Basha Omar, M., L. Weng, Z. Men, and I. Morsi Badie. 2016. “CFD Modeling with Experimental Validation of the Internal Hydrodynamics in a Pilot-Scale Slurry Bubble Column Reactor.” International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering 14(2):599–619), was used to predict the effects of spargers design and internals configuration on the local hydrodynamics and flow structure in a pilot-scale (0.3-m ID) and a large-scale (10-m ID) Slurry Bubble Column Reactors (SBCRs), operating under Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) process conditions. In the pilot-scale SBCR without internals, the 6-arms spider created small/fast liquid recirculations in the vicinity of the sparger and slow/large liquid recirculations at about 1.2 times reactor diameter, whereas, the 3-concentric-rings and perforated plate spargers created slow/large recirculations throughout the reactor. In the pilot-scale SBCR with internals, spargers with downward-pointing orifices created larger Sauter mean bubble diameters (ds), leading to more effective solids suspension when compared with those with upward-pointing orifices. Also, 3-concentric-rings spargers resulted in larger Sauter mean bubble diameter values when compared with those of 6-arms spiders. In the large-scale SBCR provided with a large 3-concentric-rings sparger, the effects of vertical parallel and bundled internals on the local hydrodynamics and flow structures were predicted. Bundled internals led to slower and smaller liquid recirculations, smoother radial gas holdup profiles, larger average gas bubbles size, and smaller local gas holdups, when compared those predicted when using parallel internals.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Hydrodynamics of a Thin Film Reactor (TFR) for the Decarboxylation of Anacardic Acid
Authors: Shrutee L. , Van Geel Tim , Rene Eldon R. , Raj Mohan B. , Dutta Abhishek 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
A newly designed laboratory scale thin film reactor (TFR) was tested for the decarboxylation of anacardic acid in Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and to investigate the fluid flow behaviour under the influence of temperature since the fluid properties like viscosity and density have strong dependence on temperature. The CNSL containing 60–65 % anacardic acid was decarboxylated to produce cardanol and CO2 at wall temperatures ranging between 393 K and 433 K, respectively. The characteristics of the CNSL, essentially a non-Newtonian fluid, was analysed at different temperatures and its rheological behaviour was studied using the well-known power law model. It was observed that CNSL follows a pseudoplastic behaviour and its viscosity, along with the liquid residence time, was found to decrease till 413 K, while a further increase in temperature resulted in product degradation due to charring, accompanied by an increase in viscosity and residence time. Using measured values for the viscosity, the film thickness was calculated for each wall temperature within the 393–433 K temperature range, showing an increase of the film thickness with temperature and viscosity. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies were carried out for the first time for this reactor configuration, using the volume of fluid (VOF) model for the reactive flow. The results obtained from these simulations were in concurrence with the experimental outcomes: velocity profiles along the length of the reactor show its highest values at a wall temperature of 413 K, while lower velocity values were observed when the temperatures were lower or greater than 413 K.
Spirulina Platensis Affects Factors Involved in Spermatogenesis and Increases Ghrelin Receptors in Testis Tissue of Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Esener O.B.B. , Gurel-Gurevin E. , Isbilen-Basok B. , Yigit F. , Bilal T. , Altiner A. , Yilmazer N. , Armutak E.I. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone which plays important role in maintaining growth hormone release and energy homeostasis in vertebrates. Spirulina platensis (SP) has antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects due to its ingredients. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of SP on the testicular structure and relation between ghrelin and testosterone in the testis of rats fed a high fat diet (HFD). Sixty four young adult male rats were used and divided to 8 equal groups. Experimental groups received addition of 10% cholesterol (CHL), 43% hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and 3% SP alone or in combination to basal diet while the control group received only basal diet. Serum ghrelin and testosterone levels were measured with ELISA. Receptors for ghrelin and androgen were detected with immunohistochemistry. For histomorphometric investigation, tubulus seminiferus, intertubular area, tubulus seminiferus lumen, Leydig cell nucleus, Sertoli cell nucleus, germ cell nucleus, spermatocyte nucleus and elongated spermatid volume densities were determined stereologically. Serum ghrelin level was increased especially in HVO and CHL combination group compared to the control while serum ghrelin levels were close to control levels in SP-received groups. Ghrelin receptor level was increased in tubulus seminiferus with HVO+CHL administration but this effect was, however, limited in HVO+CHL and SP challenged groups. HVO+CHL administration caused a significant decrease in Leydig cell nucleus volume density, as well as in all SP-received groups, compared to the control. Significantly increased spermatocyte nucleus volume density in cholesterol-receiving groups was decreased to control level with SP alone and its combinations.
Effects of melatonin implantation on the fertility potentials of Kivircik and Charollais ewes and rams during the non-breeding season
Authors: Cevik M. , Yilmazer C. , Kocyigit A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study examined the effect of melatonin implantation during the non-breeding season on the reproductive performance of ewes and the testicular dimensions of rams. In seasonally anestrus Kivircik and Charollais ewes and rams were subjected to melatonin. Estrus response was significantly higher in treated than control ewes of both breeds (p<0.001). The pregnancy rate was significantly lower (p<0.001) in the control than in the treated animals. The twinning rate was significantly lower in melatonin implanted Kivircik than Charollais ewes (p<0.05). The testicular dimensions after 42 days of melatonin treatment increased in both breeds. Scrotal length (SL) increased in Kivircik and Charollais rams (p<0.01). The increase in scrotal circumference (SC) was more marked in the Charollais (P<0.01) than in the Kivircik rams. There was a large increase in testicular volume (TV) in both Kivircik (p<0.01) and Charollais (p<0.001) rams. This study shows that melatonin implants can be applied to induce estrus in ewes approximately four months earlier than breeding season. Melatonin implantation in the non-breeding season significantly increased testicular dimensions in Kivircik and Charollais rams thus increasing their reproductive potential.
Beta-hydroxybutyrate in milk as screening test for subclinical ketosis in dairy cows
Authors: Ježek J. , Cincović M.R. , Nemec M. , Belić B. , Djoković R. , Klinkon M. , Starič J. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Ketosis is a very frequent metabolic disease in dairy cows, resulting in lower milk production, impaired fertility and increased frequency of other diseases. The course of the disease is often subclinical, so early detection is very important. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between the concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood and milk and to determine the cut-off value in milk for detection of subclinical ketosis. The study included 94 cows, which were in the first third of lactation. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations were measured in blood and milk serum using a biochemical analyser. The average concentration of BHB in the blood serum samples was 1.14 mmol/L while in the milk it was about ten times lower at 0.117 mmol/L. A statistically significant positive correlation between the concentration of BHB in blood and milk (r=0.705, p<0.001) was found. In cows with BHB in blood below 2.0 mmol/L a stronger correlation between blood and milk BHB was established (r=0.658, p<0.001) than in cows with blood BHB above 2.0 mmol/L (r=-0.292, p=0.206). Therefore, BHB in milk is a very suitable indicator in the diagnosis of subclinical ketosis as there is a good correlation between BHB in the blood and milk of cows with subclinical ketosis. The cut-off concentration of BHB in milk set at ≥0.080 mmol/L (AUC=0.91±0.03; p<0.001) is a significant indicator for subclinical ketosis in dairy cows. The sensitivity of the test was 94% and specificity 74%. Beta-hydroxybutyrate in milk is a good indicator of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows and can be measured accurately with a biochemical analyser.
Interactions between plant-derived oestrogenic substances and the mycoestrogen zearalenone in a bioassay with MCF-7 cells
Authors: Hessenberger Sabine , Botzi K. , Degrassi C. , Kovalsky P. , Schwab C. , Schatzmayr D. , Schatzmayr G. , Fink-Gremmels J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuman and animal diets may contain several non-steroidal oestrogenic compounds which originate either from plants (phytoestrogens) or from fungi that infect plants (mycoestrogens such as zearalenone (ZEN)). Phytoestrogens may compete with ZEN in binding to the oestrogen receptor β and thereby may counteract the oestrogenic activity of ZEN. Using a modified version of the E-screen assay, plant-derived oestrogenic substances were tested for their proliferative or anti-proliferative effect on oestrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells. The samples were additionally tested for their ability to influence the oestrogenic activity of ZEN (1 μM). Among the individual substances tested, 8-prenylnaringenin had the strongest effect, as cell proliferation was increased by 78% at the lowest concentration (0.23 μM), and by 167% at the highest concentration (29.4 μM). Coumestrol (5.83 μM) increased cell proliferation by 39%, and genistein (370 μM) by 61%, respectively. Xanthohumol and enterolactone did not stimulate cell proliferation significantly. In the co-incubation experiments with ZEN, none of the single substances was able to decrease the oestrogenic activity of ZEN. Only for 8-prenylnaringenin (14.7 and 29.4 μM) was a trend towards an increase in the ZEN-induced cell proliferation up to 72% observed. In conclusion, with the exception of 8-prenylnaringenin, no substantial interaction between phytoestrogens and the mycotoxin ZEN could be detected using a bioassays with MCF-7 cells.
Selection of reference genes for quantitative real-time RT-PCR on gene expression in Golden Pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)
Authors: Chen X.J. , Zhang X.Q. , Huang S. , Cao Z.J. , Qin Q.W. , Hu W.T. , Sun Y. , Zhou Y.C. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) is an important economically fish species. In this study, with an aim to identify reliable reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in golden pompano, we evaluated the expression stability of eight housekeeping genes in the presence and absence of poly I:C stimulation in eight tissues. The PCR data was analyzed by geNorm and NormFinder algorithms. The results showed that the expression of all the examined genes exhibited tissue-dependent variations. When under normal physiological condition, geNorm and NormFinder identified B2M and 18S as suitable genes. When studying gene expression under conditions of poly I:C stimulation, the selection of the internal controls should be selected on a tissue basis. At 12 h stimulation, geNorm ranked Actin/UBCE, Actin/B2M, UBCE/B2M, Actin/UBCE, RPL13/B2M, UBCE/GAPDH, B2M/RPL13, and UBCE/B2M, respectively, as the most stably expressed genes in liver, spleen, kidney, gill, intestine, heart, muscle, and brain. Comparable ranking orders were produced by NormFinder. Similar results were obtained at 48 h stimulation. Taken together, these results indicate that B2M and 18S are the most stable gene across tissue types under normal physiological conditions. However, during poly I:C stimulation, no single gene or single pair of genes in the examined set of housekeeping genes can serve as a universal reference across all tissue types. If one gene is preferred, B2M, B2M, UBCE, Actin, B2M/RPL13, B2M, B2M, and RPL13 may be used in spleen, kidney, liver, gill, intestine, brain, muscle, and heart of golden pompano, respectively.
Differentiation of infectious bronchitis virus vaccine strains Ma5 and 4/91 by TaqMan real-time PCR
Authors: Stenzel T. , Dziewulska D. , Śmiałek M. , Tykałowski B. , Kowalczyk J. , Koncicki A. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop rapid molecular assays for differentiating vaccine strains Ma5 and 4/91 of the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Specific primers and probes for S1 and N genes were designed based on the nucleotide sequences of both vaccine strains. Cross-reactivity was not observed. Assay sensitivity was 2.373 × 103 copies of the Ma5 strain, and 3.852 x 103 copies of the 4/91 strain. Samples belonging to a known genotype demonstrated that the designed assays supported rapid and sensitive detection of Ma5 and 4/91 vaccine strains of IBV.
A statistical method for analysing cospeciation in tritrophic ecology using electrical circuit theory
Authors: Nooney Colleen , Barber Stuart , Gusnanto Arief , Gilks Walter R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe introduce a new method to test efficiently for cospeciation in tritrophic systems. Our method utilises an analogy with electrical circuit theory to reduce higher order systems into bitrophic data sets that retain the information of the original system. We use a sophisticated permutation scheme that weights interactions between two trophic layers based on their connection to the third layer in the system. Our method has several advantages compared to the method of Mramba et al. [Mramba, L. K., S. Barber, K. Hommola, L. A. Dyer, J. S. Wilson, M. L. Forister and W. R. Gilks (2013): “Permutation tests for analyzing cospeciation in multiple phylogenies: applications in tri-trophic ecology,” Stat. Appl. Genet. Mol. Biol., 12, 679–701.]. We do not require triangular interactions to connect the three phylogenetic trees and an easily interpreted
Alpha Oscillations Reduce Temporal Long-Range Dependence in Spontaneous Human Brain Activity
Authors: Becker Robert , Van de Ville Dimitri , Kleinschmidt Andreas 
Published: November 2017

Ongoing neural dynamics comprise both frequency-specific oscillations and broadband-features, such as long-range dependence (LRD). Despite both being behaviorally relevant, little is known about their potential interactions. In humans, 8–12 Hz α oscillations constitute the strongest deviation from 1/f power-law scaling, the signature of LRD. We postulated that α oscillations, believed to exert active inhibitory gating, downmodulate the temporal width of LRD in slower ongoing brain activity. In two independent “resting-state” datasets (electroencephalography surface recordings and magnetoencephalography source reconstructions), both across space and dynamically over time, power of α activity covaried with the power slope <5 Hz (i.e., greater α activity shortened LRD). Causality of α activity dynamics was implied by its temporal precedence over changes of slope. A model where power-law fluctuations of the α envelope inhibit baseline activity closely replicated our results. Thus, α oscillations may provide an active control mechanism to adaptively regulate LRD of brain activity at slow temporal scales, thereby shaping internal states and cognitive processes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe two prominent features of ongoing brain activity are oscillations and temporal long-range dependence. Both shape behavioral performance, but little is known about their interaction. Here, we demonstrate such an interaction in EEG and MEG recordings of task-free human brain activity. Specifically, we show that spontaneous dynamics in alpha activity explain ensuing variations of dependence in the low and ultra-low-frequency range. In modeling, two features of alpha oscillations are critical to account for the observed effects on long-range dependence, scale-free properties of alpha oscillations themselves, and a modulation of baseline levels, presumably inhibitory. Both these properties have been observed empirically, and our study hence establishes alpha oscillations as a regulatory mechanism governing long-range dependence or “memory” in slow ongoing brain activity.
Dissociable Decoding of Spatial Attention and Working Memory from EEG Oscillations and Sustained Potentials
Authors: Bae Gi-Yeul , Luck Steven J. 
Published: November 2017

In human scalp EEG recordings, both sustained potentials and alpha-band oscillations are present during the delay period of working memory tasks and may therefore reflect the representation of information in working memory. However, these signals may instead reflect support mechanisms rather than the actual contents of memory. In particular, alpha-band oscillations have been tightly tied to spatial attention and may not reflect location-independent memory representations per se. To determine how sustained and oscillating EEG signals are related to attention and working memory, we attempted to decode which of 16 orientations was being held in working memory by human observers (both women and men). We found that sustained EEG activity could be used to decode the remembered orientation of a stimulus, even when the orientation of the stimulus varied independently of its location. Alpha-band oscillations also carried clear information about the location of the stimulus, but they provided little or no information about orientation independently of location. Thus, sustained potentials contain information about the object properties being maintained in working memory, consistent with previous evidence of a tight link between these potentials and working memory capacity. In contrast, alpha-band oscillations primarily carry location information, consistent with their link to spatial attention.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWorking memory plays a key role in cognition, and working memory is impaired in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Previous research has suggested that human scalp EEG recordings contain signals that reflect the neural representation of information in working memory. However, to conclude that a neural signal actually represents the object being remembered, it is necessary to show that the signal contains fine-grained information about that object. Here, we show that sustained voltages in human EEG recordings contain fine-grained information about the orientation of an object being held in memory, consistent with a memory storage signal.