This article questions the notion of ‘consociational democracy’. It argues that it rests on shaky ground, empirically and conceptually. As an empirical matter, a consociation is inherently unstable because it tends either to collapse into ethnoicracy (where the power is shared by the main ethnic groups so that citizens who do not belong to them are politically marginalized) or to become a non-consociational, liberal democracy. At the conceptual level ‘consociational democracy’ is an impossibility because a polity cannot be both consociational and democratic. This article argues that consociations can be at best demoicracies – that is, polities composed not of a single demos but of multiple demoi. Yet the problem of stability remains. The article concludes with the suggestion that the stability problem can be addressed by adopting a weak form of demoicracy – the ‘demoi-within-demos’ constellation – where a thin demos coexists with multiple demoi.
Abstract The emerging literature on migration and security is predominantly focused on the threats that migration movements may have to the security in destination countries. This article shifts the focus to a migrant’s sending country and explores different socio-economic factors that could be associated with the process of radicalisation and the development of violent extremism among youth there. We use survey data collected from a sample of 4,500 young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B.i.H.) by USAID MEASURE-B.i.H. An index of radicalisation is constructed and used as a dependent variable. It is based on Bhui et al. and measures sympathies for violent protest and terrorism. It is regressed on a set of demographic characteristics, migration experience and social behaviour. The model was estimated by ordinary least squares (O.L.S.) with the index as a continuous dependent variable. The findings suggest that a range of factors including demographic characteristics, location, employment status, income, practicing of religion, and civic and political activism are associated with a degree of sympathy for violent extremism among youth in B.i.H. These results should provide useful insights into the relationship between the drivers and extremism, which then should help institutions to design more effective preventative and countering measures.
ABSTRACT A new series of polyurea derivatives and its nanocomposites were synthesised by the solution polycondensation method through the interaction between 4(2-aminothiazol-4-ylbenzylidene)-4-(tert-butyl) cyclohexanone and diisocyanate compound in pyridine. The PU1–3 structure was confirmed using Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and characterised by solubility, viscometry, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. In addition, PU1–3 was evaluated by TGA. Polyurea–TiO2nanocomposites were synthesised using the same technique as that of PU1–3 by adding TiO2 as a nanofiller. The thermal properties of PU2TiO2a–d were evaluated by TGA. Moreover, the morphological properties of a selected sample were examined by SEM and TEM. In addition, PU1–3 and PU2TiO2a–d were examined for antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi. The PU1–3 showed antibacterial activity against some of the tested bacteria and fungi, as did PU2TiO2a–d, which increased with the increase in TiO2 content. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were displayed against all PU1–3 derivatives against two types of proteins. The results show that the increase in the strength of π–H interactions and H-donors contributed to improved binding of PU2 compared to PU1 andPU3. The docking of 1KZN against the tested polymers suggests an increase in the docking score of PU2, then PU1, and PU3, which is in agreement with the antibacterial study.
The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs): (hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH, β-HCH, δ–HCH), lindane, aldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, endosulfane I, endosulfane II, endosulfane sulfate, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dieldrin, endrin, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), methoxychlor and endrin ketone and 6 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 153, PCB 138 and PCB 180). The samples were taken from pancetta, dry pork neck (budiola), pork tenderloin and sausages produced in Rakitno (Bosnia and Herzegovina), smoked in both a traditional smokehouse and in an industrial chamber. Instrumental analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The reliability of the results, i.e., quality control is ensured by standard laboratory practice, which involves participation in proficiency test, the use of blank samples, reference materials and implementation of recommendations given by the relevant international organizations. The concentrations of α-HCH, lindane, PCB 28, PCB 52 and PCB 153 were detected and quantified. The concentrations of OCPs and PCBs did not significantly vary depending on product type and the conditions of production. All the examined samples were for human consumption.
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Movp) is an emerging pathogen that causes respiratory disease in small ruminants worldwide. It is considered to be difficult and time consuming to grow, which complicates diagnostic and control measures including isolation (an essential step required prior to the characterisation of strains), antimicrobial susceptibility testing and the development of vaccines. The objectives of this study were to analyse in vitro growth patterns of Movp strains, and the effects of different media used to support their growth. The study was conducted on 20 ovine and caprine Movp strains, isolated using Thiaucourt's medium. The rapid growth phase varied among the strains from 24 h to 72 h, although 60% of strains (12 of 20) reached a peak at 48 h. All strains were viable at 72 h after incubation, and declining viability was observed at 96 h (13 of 20 remained viable; 65%), 120 h (9 of 20; 45%) and 144 h (4 of 20; 20%). Growth was not detected at 168 h. All strains were able to grow in modified tryptone soy broth, while PH mycoplasma medium-Hayflick modified medium supported the growth of only two strains. Improved techniques of Movp cultivation require consideration of the growth variability among strains, the time of subculturing (during the first three days of incubation) and selection of appropriate media.
Abstract The objectives of this research were to establish somatotype and hand-grip strength between elite cadet male and female sambo athletes divided by weight categories. A total of 97 elite cadet sambo athletes, participants of the World Cadets Sambo Championships 2018 participated in the study. Male and female sambo athletes were divided by official weight categories. Anthropometrical variables were taken in order to calculate somatotypes and hand-grip strength. A one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests were used to compare group differences by weight categories. Results of this study provide the first description of somatotype and hand-grip strength of elite male and female cadet sambo athletes in relation to weight category. A typical somatotype in male sambo athletes was endomorphic mesomorphs with a predominance of musculoskeletal tissue, while female athletes differed concerning weight category. Overall, an increase in handgrip strength across weight categories was noted. Hand-grip strength increases linearly from the lightest to the heaviest weight category except in −66 and −84 kg in male athletes. Differences in handgrip strength of female athletes were detected between the lightest group and last six groups in all three variables in favor of last six as well as −44 and kg −48 kg compared with the heaviest. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first normative data of somatotype and hand-grip strength analyses in relation to age, gender, and weight categories of cadet sambo athletes. The anthropometric profile of sambo athletes changed according to their weight category. Mesomorphy was the most dominant somatotype component in male athletes, while female had three different types of somatotype component in relation to weight category. In conclusion, we found differences in hand-grip strength related to weight category, which can be linked to the muscle mass of athletes. Future studies should focus on somatotype and strength handgrip values of international compared to national level sambo athletes.
Summary Study aim: The body structure can play a determining role in the achievement of top judo performance, and it seems to influence the type of techniques applied. The aim of this study is to determine the somatotypes in male and female national level judokas across weight categories in order to observe possible differences among athletes. Material and methods: A total of 61 male judokas (23.2 ± 2.7 years old) and 37 female judokas (22.3 ± 3.3 years old) participated in this study. Anthropometric variables were used to calculate somatotypes. Somatotypes were determined according to the Heath-Carter method. Analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test were used to determine differences between weight categories and obtained effect sizes (η2) were presented as well. Results: Somatotype differences among weight categories in male and female judokas were observed. Generally, all categories could be classified in three somatotypes in male and female athletes. Conclusions: The lightest categories were recognized as mesomorphic ectomorphs in females with an exception in the –48 kg category, and ectomorphic mesomorphs in male athletes. The middle ones had the endomorphic mesomorph somatotype and the heaviest athletes presented somewhat more extreme cases of endomorphic mesomorphs, both in male and female judokas. According to the results obtained, judokas have a specific body composition in different weight categories. Therefore, coaches could create a specific training programme for athletes who belong to different somatotypes.
In spine deformity surgery, iatrogenic neurologic injuries might occur due to the mechanical force applied to the spinal cord from implants, instruments, and bony structures, or due to ischemic changes from vessel ligation during exposure and cord distraction/compression during corrective manoeuvres. Prompt reaction within the reversible phase (reducing of compressive/distractive forces) usually restores functionality of the spinal cord, but if those forces continue to persist, a permanent neurological deficit might be expected. With monitoring of sensory pathways (dorsal column–medial lemniscus) by somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs), such events are detected with a sensitivity of up to 92%, and a specificity of up to 100%. The monitoring of motor pathways by transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials (TceMEPs) has a sensitivity and a specificity of up to 100%, but it requires avoidance of halogenated anaesthetics and neuromuscular blockades. Different modalities of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM: SSEP, TceMEP, or combined) can be performed by the neurophysiologist, the technician or the surgeon. Combined SSEP/TceMEP performed by the neurophysiologist in the operating room is the preferable method of IONM, but it might be impractical or unaffordable in many institutions. Still, many spine deformity surgeries worldwide are performed without any type of IONM. Medicolegal aspects of IONM are different worldwide and in many cases some vagueness remains. The type of IONM that a spinal surgeon employs should be reliable, affordable, practical, and recognized by the medicolegal guidelines. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:9-16. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.180032
PURPOSE To compare the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision and the patient-reported outcome after ACL reconstruction with a concomitant non-surgically treated medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury with regard to 3 ACL graft choices; the use of semitendinosus (ST), the use of semitendinosus-gracilis (ST-G), and the use of patellar tendon (PT) autograft. It was hypothesized that the use of ST-G would be associated with a greater risk of ACL revision and poorer patient-reported knee function. METHODS Patients older than 15 years of age registered for a primary ACL reconstruction with a concomitant non-surgically treated MCL injury in the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry were assessed for eligibility. Three groups were created according to ACL autograft choice; the ST, the ST-G, and the PT group. The primary outcomes were ACL revision and the 1- and 2-year Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), including the KOOS patient acceptable symptom state (PASS). Cox regression analysis was applied to determine the proportional hazard ratio (HR) of primary ACL reconstruction survival. The KOOS was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS A total of 622 patients (mean age 29.7 years, 42.4% women) were included. There was no difference in the risk of ACL revision for either the ST group (HR 1.354; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.678-2.702 or the PT group (HR 0.837; 95% CI 0.334-2.100), compared with the ST-G group. The ST group reported a greater mean 2-year KOOS sports and recreation (68.5, standard deviation [SD] 28.5) than the ST-G group (57.4 [SD 27.6], P = .010) and the PT group (54.1 [SD 30.3], P = .006). The ST group was superior in terms of achieving PASS in sports and recreation (55.3%; 95% CI 44.1-66.1%) compared with both the ST-G (37.4%; 95% CI 29.8-45.5%; P = .014) and the PT group (33.9%; 95% CI 22.1-47.4%; P = .009). CONCLUSIONS The risk of ACL revision did not differ between HT and PT autografts in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with a non-surgically treated MCL injury. However, the use of ST-G was associated with poorer 2-year patient-reported knee function compared with the ST. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Retrospective comparative trial, Level III.
Background Neuroanatomists have long been fascinated by the complex topographic organization of the cerebrum. We examined historical and modern phylogenetic theories pertaining to microneurosurgical anatomy and intrinsic brain tumor development. Methods Literature and history related to the study of anatomy, evolution, and tumor predilection of the limbic and paralimbic regions were reviewed. We used vertebrate histological cross-sections, photographs from Albert Rhoton Jr.’s dissections, and original drawings to demonstrate the utility of evolutionary temporal causality in understanding anatomy. Results Phylogenetic neuroanatomy progressed from the substantial works of Alcmaeon, Herophilus, Galen, Vesalius, von Baer, Darwin, Felsenstein, Klingler, MacLean, and many others. We identified two major modern evolutionary theories: “triune brain” and topological phylogenetics. While the concept of “triune brain” is speculative and highly debated, it remains the most popular in the current neurosurgical literature. Phylogenetics inspired by mathematical topology utilizes computational, statistical, and embryological data to analyze the temporal transformations leading to three-dimensional topographic anatomy. These transformations have shaped well-defined surgical planes, which can be exploited by the neurosurgeon to access deep cerebral targets. The microsurgical anatomy of the cerebrum and the limbic system is redescribed by incorporating the dimension of temporal causality. Yasargil’s anatomical classification of glial tumors can be revisited in light of modern phylogenetic cortical categorization. Conclusion Historical and modern topological phylogenetic notions provide a deeper understanding of neurosurgical anatomy and approaches to the limbic and paralimbic regions. However, many questions remain unanswered and further research is needed to elucidate the anatomical pathology of intrinsic brain tumors.
Abstract Introduction Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of spontaneous hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is the most grievous complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to examine the risk factors that influence the onset of CVS that develops after endovascular coil embolization of a ruptured aneurysm. Materials and methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. The patients included in the study were 18 or more years of age, admitted within a period of 24 h of symptom onset, diagnosed and treated at a university medical center in Serbia during a 5-year period. Results Our study showed that the maximum recorded international normalized ratio (INR) values in patients who were not receiving anticoagulant therapy and the maximum recorded white blood cells (WBCs) were strongly associated with cerebrovascular spasm, increasing its chances 4.4 and 8.4 times with an increase of each integer of the INR value and 1,000 WBCs, respectively. Conclusions SAH after the rupture of cerebral aneurysms creates an endocranial inflammatory state whose intensity is probably directly related to the occurrence of vasospasm and its adverse consequences.
Abstract During radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer, up to 84% of patients exhibit some form of acute radiation toxicity (ART). The primary aim of this clinical study is to determine the impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, β-blockers and other risk factors such as the patient’s anatomical characteristics on ART emergence in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated by chemoradiotherapy. This is a combination of two nested case–control studies within the cohort of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer based on the analysis of potential risk factors for the onset of ART in patients treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and 2D conventional radiotherapy (2D-RT), prospectively followed up from January 2017 to September 2018 in a tertiary care hospital. The ACE inhibitors and bladder volume were identified as factors that significantly affect the occurrence of ART in patients treated with 3D-CRT. In patients treated with 2D-RT, the factors that significantly affect the occurrence of ART were ACE inhibitors, body mass index (BMI), brachytherapy rectal and bladder dose. This study has shown that BMI, radiation dose received by the bladder and rectum are of exceptional importance for the occurrence of the ART and also that therapy with ACE inhibitors was associated with the decreased chances of the ART.
Abstract The cold spray technique was employed in this study to produce pure nickel (Ni) and nickel-Inconel 718 powder deposits on duplex stainless steel substrates. High quality coatings were manufactured using nitrogen as the propellant gas. The coatings exhibited satisfactory Inconel 718 (In718) retention within the Ni matrix due to the highly ductile binder phase necessary for fabrication. The characterization of the coating microstructures was implemented by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and microhardness testing. In addition, the erosion resistance of both coatings was evaluated by performing cavitation erosion tests, with the analysis of the eroded surfaces revealing different erosion mechanisms for each coating. The results demonstrated the efficiency of the cold spray technique for use in the production of metal-metal matrix composite coatings and the potential of In718 use in applications which demand enhanced cavitation erosion resistance.
Nema pronađenih rezultata, molimo da izmjenite uslove pretrage i pokušate ponovo!
Ova stranica koristi kolačiće da bi vam pružila najbolje iskustvo
Saznaj više