Electric vehicles are slowly reinforcing their place in the global market, with 6.75 million units sold in 2021, accounting for 8.3% of the global automotive market, with expectations of this increasing to 33% by 2028. South Africa and Kenya, however, only contributed approximately 1559 and 350 units to this total, respectively. To accommodate the anticipated e-mobility growth in South Africa, and the rest of the continent, a sound understanding of the battery chemistry, developments and advances need to be explored and integrated with additional principles, such as project and risk management. The battery chemistry has a profound effect on cradle-to-grave assessments, and in exploring second-life applications, the battery utilisation can be increased before the need for recycling. Sound knowledge of the chemistry is also crucial in elucidating risks and providing a safe working environment, making risk-mitigation initiatives more transparent, improving the manufacturing process and providing opportunities for small start-ups to form, supporting the shift to a more electric-powered mindset. Adopting new technologies and integrating electric mobility can not only advance local efforts to advance electrochemistry research but also support sustainable development schemes in Africa.

Resumen: El esquema actual de fertilización con nitrógeno (N) para el trigo de primavera se desarrolló bajo una rotación dominante de cultivo-pastura. Después de 2002, este sistema se convirtió en un sistema de cultivo anual continuo con labranza cero, reduciendo progresivamente la capacidad de suministro de N del suelo. Además, el mayor rendimiento en grano de las nuevas variedades aumentó la demanda de N. El fertilizante nitrogenado adicional requerido se puede ajustar monitoreando el estado nutricional del cultivo. Nuestros objetivos fueron: i) determinar el estado óptimo de N en diferentes etapas fenológicas; ii) cuantificar la brecha de rendimiento del trigo explicada por el déficit de suministro de N, y iii) evaluar el valor crítico del índice de nutrición nitrogenada (INN) como predictor de respuesta al agregado de fertilizante nitrogenado en GS 3.3. Ajustamos la curva de dilución de nitrógeno (Nc=4,17MS-0,31), derivando un INN crítico en GS 3.3 (INN=1,24). Según la capacidad de suministro de N del suelo y el INN en GS 3.3, la brecha de rendimiento del trigo atribuida al déficit de suministro de N varió de 0 a 2,74 Mg ha-1, con un promedio de 0,76 Mg ha-1. El INN crítico propuesto en GS 3.3 fue efectivo para diagnosticar la demanda de N del cultivo y lograr el rendimiento alcanzable en diferentes escenarios.

Abstract: Current nitrogen (N) fertilization schedule for spring wheat was developed under a dominant crop-pasture rotation. After the year 2002, this cropping system was converted to continuous annual cropping systems under no-till, reducing soil N supply capacity progressively. Additionally, highest grain yield of new varieties increased N demand. The required additional N fertilizer can be adjusted by monitoring nutritional status of the crop. Our objectives were: i) to determine optimal N status at different phenological stages; ii) to quantify the wheat yield gap explained by N supply deficit, and iii) to assess the critical nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) value as a predictor of response to N fertilizer applied at GS 3.3. We adjusted the nitrogen dilution curve (Nc=4.17DM-0.31), deriving a critical NNI at GS 3.3 (NNI=1.24). Depending on soil N supply capacity and NNI at GS 3.3, wheat yield gap attributed to N supply deficit varied from 0 to 2.74 Mg ha-1, averaging 0.76 Mg ha-1. The critical NNI proposed at GS 3.3 was effective to diagnose the N crop demand to reach the attainable yield under different scenarios.

Resumo: O esquema atual de fertilização com nitrogênio (N) para o trigo de primavera foi desenvolvido sob uma rotação dominante de cultivo e pastagem. A partir de 2002, esse sistema passou a ser um sistema de cultivo anual contínuo com plantio direto, reduzindo progressivamente a capacidade de suprimento de N do solo. Além disso, o maior rendimento de grãos das novas variedades aumentou a demanda por N. O fertilizante de nitrogênio adicional necessário pode ser ajustado monitorando o estado nutricional da cultura. Nossos objetivos foram: i) determinar o estado ótimo do N em diferentes estágios fonológicos; ii) quantificar a lacuna de produtividade do trigo explicada pelo déficit de oferta de N e iii) avaliar o valor crítico do índice de nutrição de nitrogênio (INN) como preditor de resposta à adição de fertilizante nitrogenado no GS 3.3. Ajustamos a curva de diluição de nitrogênio (Nc=4,17MS-0,31), derivando um INN crítico em GS 3,3 (INN=1,24). De acordo com a capacidade de suprimento de N do solo e do INN no GS 3.3, a diferença de produtividade do trigo atribuída ao déficit de suprimento de N variou de 0 a 2,74 Mg ha-1, com média de 0,76 Mg ha-1. O INN crítico proposto em GS 3.3 foi eficaz para diagnosticar a demanda de N da cultura para atingir o rendimento alcançável em diferentes cenários.

Abstract Hyperhidrosis is a disorder consisting of excessive sweating through the different body sweat glands, which produces a negative impact socially and in work-related activities in those that suffer this condition. There are primary and secondary forms. The primary form is a benign condition with excessive sweating mainly in palms, soles of feet, axillae and face. It affects a 1% of the population, and its cause is unknown. Most medical treatments are unsuccessful, and at best, transitory. In patients who are very troubled by the condition, videoassisted bilateral thoracic sympathicotomy has become the elective treatment. In the period ranging from 1998 to 2018, 174 procedures were undertaken for primary hyperhidrosis, of which 102 satisfied the inclusion criteria. 72 patients were excluded. A 20.5% were males, and 79.5% were females, with an average age of 29.22 years at surgery. As to localization of sweating, a 50.9% was palmar-plantar-axillary, 23.5% axillary, 10.7% palmarplantar, 7.8% palmar, 6.8% palmar-axillary, and a 5.8% facial. Those patients with palmar sweating showed a 94.9% improvement, those with axillary sweating a 88.51%, with plantar a 46.25% and those with facial sweating a 84% improvement. The average admission time was 1.1 days. As an undesired effect, compensatory sweating occurred in 53 cases and postoperative complications in 18 cases. We conclude this is a safe technique, that diminishes sweating significantly, improving patient’s quality of life.

Resumen La hiperhidrosis es un trastorno caracterizado por la producción excesiva de sudor por las glándulas sudoríparas ecrinas que influye negativamente en las actividades sociales, laborales y fundamentalmente en la calidad de vida. Se divide en primaria o secundaria. La primaria es una enfermedad benigna caracterizada por una excesiva sudoración con mayor frecuencia en palmas, plantas, axilas y cara. Su incidencia es del 1% de la población y su causa es desconocida. La mayoría de los tratamientos médicos no logran un buen control sintomático y frecuentemente son transitorios. La simpaticotomía torácica bilateral videoasistida se ha vuelto el tratamiento de elección en pacientes muy sintomáticos. En el período de 1998 a 2018 se realizaron 174 simpaticotomias bilaterales videoasistidas por hiperhidrosis primaria, de las cuales 102 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Se excluyeron a 72 pacientes. El 20.5% fueron hombres y el 79.5% mujeres con una edad media de 29.22 años. En cuanto a la localización fue palmoplantar axilar en un 50.9%, axilar en un 23.5%, palmoplantar en un 10.7%, palmar en un 7.8%, palmoaxilar 6.8% y facial 5.8%. Los pacientes con sudoración palmar presentaron 94.9% de mejoría, axilar 84.51%, plantar 46.25% y facial 84% respectivamente. El post operatorio arrojó una media de internación de 1.1 días. Como efecto no deseado, se presentó sudoración compensatoria en 53 casos y complicaciones postoperatorias en 18 casos. Concluimos que es una técnica segura, que resuelve de manera significativa la sudoración, mejorando la calidad de vida.

Inconel 600™, an austenitic high nickel alloy, has relatively low corrosion properties and is used extensively for aerospace and nuclear engineering applications. Other applications include exposure of the material to caustic and acidic environments and possible use in prosthetic implants. Electrochemical techniques, which include potentiodynamic polarization and polarization resistance, provide a means to rapidly determine the corrosion rates and the suitability of the alloy in a specific corrosive environment. The results from these two techniques were used to determine the corrosion rates as well as other thermodynamic properties for the alloy exposed to various strong and weak acids, salt and Ringer's solution. The results showed slight differences in the corrosion rates determined by the two electrochemical techniques, with those from the polarization resistance technique being on average larger. The corrosion activation energies determined for the alloy in different solutions were indicative of the corrosion rates with some anomalies in values for results observed in the 10 % acetic acid solution. The microstructural composition of the alloy was also investigated by SEM-EDS and showed peculiar inclusions that can contribute to an acceleration of the corrosion rates.

RESUMO: A mastite é um problema sanitário importante em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês, ocasionando prejuízo ao produtor em virtude do descarte de matrizes e da queda no ganho de peso dos cordeiros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a saúde da glândula mamária de ovelhas da raça Santa Inês na secagem e no puerpério e pesquisar a eficácia da terapia intramamária com gentamicina na secagem. Sessenta e quatro ovelhas foram divididas em grupos controle (GC) e tratamento (GT), cada um contendo 32 animais, e a saúde da glândula mamária avaliada na secagem e no puerpério. As ovelhas do GT receberam 250mg de gentamicina (Gentocin® Mastite Vaca Seca/ Schering-Plough Veterinária, produto indicado pela empresa para utilização em vacas de leite) em cada metade mamária. Para o diagnóstico, foram realizados exame físico da glândula mamária, California Mastitis Test, contagem de células somáticas e cultura do leite. No GC, das 45 (70,3%) metades mamárias sadias na secagem, 12 desenvolveram mastite subclínica e nove mastite clínica no puerpério. No GT, das 51 (79,7%) metades mamárias sadias na secagem, seis desenvolveram mastite subclínica e 11 mastite clínica no puerpério. Não houve associação entre o tratamento e a ocorrência de mastite no puerpério. Das 19 (29,7%) metades mamárias do GC que apresentaram mastite subclínica na secagem, três permaneceram com mastite subclínica e cinco desenvolveram mastite clínica no puerpério. No GT, das 13 (20,3%) metades mamárias com mastite subclínica na secagem, quatro permaneceram com mastite subclínica e quatro desenvolveram mastite clínica. Não houve associação entre o tratamento e a cura ou persistência da mastite no puerpério. Os principais micro-organismos isolados, na secagem e puerpério, de animais com mastite subclínica ou clínica foram Staphylococcus spp., com predominância de Staphylococcus Coagulase Negativa (SCN). No puerpério, ocorreram 29 casos de mastite clínica, sendo 19 com isolamento, 10 com SCN e seis com S. aureus. Mannheimia haemolytica foi isolado em um caso de mastite subclínica e um caso de mastite clínica. Novos protocolos e diferentes formas de manejo na secagem e no puerpério devem ser pesquisados

ABSTRACT: Mastitis represents an important health problem for Santa Inês breed, causing losses to the producer, due to loss of ewes or the decrease in weight gain of lambs. The aim of this work was to assess the health of the mammary gland of Santa Inês ewes at the drying and puerperium and to investigate the efficacy of a dry-off therapy with gentamicin. In this study, 64 ewes were divided in a control group (GC) and treatment group (GT), and the health of the mammary gland was assessed at the drying and puerperium. The GT ewes received 250mg of gentamicin (Gentocin® DryCow/Schering-Plough, product indicated for use in dairy cows) in each mammary half. For diagnosis, clinical examination, California Mastitis Test, somatic cell count and milk culture was performed. In the GC, of the 45 (70.3%) healthy mammary halves at the drying, 12 developed subclinical mastitis and nine clinical mastitis at the puerperium. In the GT, among 51 (79.7%) healthy mammary halves at the drying, six developed subclinical mastitis and 11 clinical mastitis at the puerperium. No association was observed between treatment and the occurrence of mastitis at puerperium. Of the 19 (29.7%) mammary halves of the GC that presented subclinical mastitis at the drying, three remained with subclinical mastitis and five developed clinical mastitis at the puerperium. In the GT, of the 13 (20.3%) mammary halves that had subclinical mastitis at the drying, four remained with subclinical mastitis and four developed clinical mastitis. No association was observed between treatment and cure or persistence of mastitis at the puerperium. The main microorganisms isolated, at the drying and puerperium, from animals with subclinical or clinical mastitis were Staphylococcus spp., predominantly coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CSN). At the puerperium, 29 cases of clinical mastitis occurred, 19 with isolation, where 10 were CNS and six S. aureus. Mannheimia haemolytica was isolated in one case of subclinical mastitis and other of clinical mastitis. News protocols and different ways of handling at drying and at puerperium must be investigated.

Elymus scabrifolius and Thinopyron ponticum are two winter native and exotic, respectively, forage plants, which stand allomorphic sites. These species, through adequate management strategies, can propitiate the restoration and forage increase in zones with salinity stress. The objective of this work was to determine the seedling germination capacity and growth, under controlled laboratory conditions with increasing saline concentrations. Two varieties of E. scabrifolius from La Pampa (Argentina) and three commercial varieties of T. ponticum were evaluated. Twenty five seeds of each population were distributed in rectangular plastic trays, and the treatments consisted in applying 20 mL of NaCl solution with osmotic potentials (Èo) of 0; -0,5; -0,8; -1; -1,5 MPa. Afterwards, they were incubated in germination chamber (20-30 ºC) fulfilling light and darkness cycles. During the study the germination capacity, length of the aerial part and biomass were determined with regards to a control (0 MPa); besides, the root length: aerial part ratio was calculated. The results showed that T. ponticum was more tolerant than E. scabrifolius under salinity stress conditions in the seedling germination and growth stage; the latter is not adequate for environments with high salinity (more than -0,8 MPa). Differences were found among varieties within each species under the same saline conditions. It is concluded that the varieties can be used as forage plants for the restoration of zones with different salinity degree.

El agropiro criollo (Elymus scabrifolius) y el agropiro alargado (Thinopyron ponticum) son dos forrajeras invernales, nativa y exótica, respectivamente, que soportan sitios halomórficos. Estas especies, mediante estrategias adecuadas de manejo, pueden propiciar la restauración y el incremento de forraje en zonas con estrés salino. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la capacidad de germinación y el crecimiento de las plántulas de ambas especies, en condiciones controladas de laboratorio, con concentraciones salinas crecientes. Fueron evaluadas dos variedades de agropiro criollo procedentes de La Pampa (Argentina), y tres variedades de agropiro alargado de origen comercial. Se distribuyeron 25 semillas de cada población en bandejas rectangulares de plástico, y los tratamientos consistieron en aplicar 20 mL de solución de NaCl, con potenciales osmóticos (Èo) de 0; -0,5; -0,8; -1; y -1,5 MPa. Después se incubaron en cámara de germinación (20-30 ºC), con ciclos de luz y oscuridad. Se determinó la capacidad de germinación, la longitud de la parte aérea y la biomasa respecto a un testigo (0 MPa); además se calculó la relación longitud de la raíz-parte aérea. El agropiro alargado fue más tolerante que el criollo a condiciones de estrés salino en la etapa de germinación y crecimiento de las plántulas, y este último no es adecuado para ambientes con salinidad elevada (más de -0,8 MPa). Hubo diferencias entre variedades dentro de cada especie en una misma condición salina. Se concluye que estas variedades pueden utilizarse como forrajeras para la restauración de zonas con diferente grado de salinidad.

South Africa has a relatively large number of threatened freshwater fish species and limited resources to implement conservation programs. Enteromius motebensis was regionally prioritised for action because of its conservation status and flagship status in a nationally important aquatic ecosystem. Genetic diversity of E. motebensis in headwater refugia of the Groot Marico River Catchment was assessed to determine if genetic diversity is important for conservation planning for this species. The results of the genetic analysis indicate that some prioritisation was possible, with two populations showing evidence of recent isolation. CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS: We recommend that at least three populations be prioritised for conservation action to ensure maintenance of most of the remaining genetic diversity of the species.

Over the years, new synthesis routes of the cathode electrochemical active material for lithium-ion batteries have improved remarkably to optimize their capacity and cycle life performance. This review study focused on the use of some techniques to synthesize the common cathode materials (LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiFePO4). The most common and simplest synthesis method was the mixing of powders in their solid-state form and heating them at relatively high temperatures over long periods. Other methods included the formation of sol-gel products that could be either heat-treated more or could be used directly by means of a spray pyrolysis method producing the desired active material. The spray pyrolysis method showed that suitable cathode oxide materials formed in shorter periods, resulting in small homogenous particles with narrow particle size distribution. The spray pyrolysis method allowed for making doped or coated cathode materials easily of the various base forms LiCoO2, LiMn2O4 and LiFePO4, with doping elements such as Zr, Mn, Ni, Co, B or Mg. Coating of the particles could also be done with materials such as glassy lithium boride oxide, TiO2 or carbon. These additives to the cathode material improved the active material's physical morphology and electrochemical properties.

In the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, accidental spill of bile duct stones into the abdominal cavity can occur more frequently than in the conventional cholecystectomy. The incidence of this complication is estimated to range between 2 to 30%, but only 12% of them have shown thoracic involvement. Pleural effusion during the immediate postoperative period of upper abdominal surgery is common but usually minimal and self-limited. When it persists, a sample should be taken to study its cause. This report is about a patient who presented a pleural empyema three months after a programmed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. He underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication and was treated with antibiotics. The patient showed a good evolution. Our hypothesis is that the thoracic infection would be the result of the formation of a subphrenic abscess which ends draining through the diaphragm into the pleural cavity. Diagnostic thoracentesis of pleural effusion is essential to clarify its cause. We presented in this report an uncommon form of pleural empyema, which is a rare complication of abdominal surgery.

En la colecistectomía laparoscópica puede producirse el derrame accidental de litos biliares (LB) en la cavidad abdominal con más frecuencia que la colecistectomía convencional. La incidencia de derrame de LB se encuentra en un rango del 2 al 30% y de estos, sólo el 12% presenta compromiso torácico. El derrame pleural durante el postoperatorio inmediato de cirugía de abdomen superior es frecuente pero suele ser mínimo y de resolución espontánea. Cuando persiste, se debe tomar una muestra para estudiar su causa. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con una colecistectomía laparoscópica programada que presentó, a los tres meses posteriores, empiema pleural. Se le realizó decorticación por toracoscopía videoasistida y tratamiento antibiótico con buena evolución. Nuestra hipótesis es que la contaminación del tórax se habría iniciado con la formación de un absceso subfrénico que terminó drenando a través del diafragma a la cavidad pleural. La toracocentesis del derrame pleural es fundamental para aclarar la causa del mismo y descartar una infección. Se presenta este caso con el objetivo de revisar una forma poco frecuente de empiema pleural, como una infrecuente complicación de una cirugía abdominal frecuente.

A aplicação em solos agrícolas tem sido a principal alternativa para destinar o grande volume de dejetos líquidos suínos (DLS) gerados nos ambientes de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar possíveis modificações nos atributos físicos do solo decorrentes do sistema de manejo e aplicação de DLS. O estudo foi desenvolvido no município de Arapoti, PR, em agosto de 2012. Foram amostradas cinco áreas: floresta nativa, pastagem com adubação química e aplicação de DLS, plantio convencional com adubação química e aplicação de DLS, plantio direto com adubação química, plantio direto com adubação química e aplicação de DLS. Os atributos físicos do solo avaliados foram: densidade do solo (Ds), porosidade total (Pt), macroporosidade (Ma), razão macro e microporosidade (Ma/Mi) e resistência à penetração (RP). A adoção dos diferentes sistemas de manejo agrícola alterou a qualidade física do solo elevando a Ds e a RP e reduzindo o volume de poros. O solo manejado sob pastagem apresentou os maiores valores de RP. Não foram constatadas alterações nos atributos físicos do solo pela aplicação de DLS nos diferentes sistemas de manejo avaliados.

The application in agriculture has been the main alternative to allocate the large volume of pig slurry (PS) generated in production environments. The aim of this study was to assess possible changes in physical properties of soil resulting from the management system and PS application. Five areas were sampled: native forest, pasture with mineral fertilizer and PS application, conventional tillage with mineral fertilizer and PS application, no-tillage with mineral fertilizer, no-tillage with mineral fertilizer and PS application. The evaluated physical properties of soil were: bulk density (Bd), total porosity (Pt), macroporosity (Ma), macro and microporosity ratio (Ma/Mi) and penetration resistance (PR). The adoption of different agricultural management systems altered the physical conditions of the soil, increasing the Bd and the PR and reducing the pore volume. The soil managed under pasture showed the highest values of PR. No changes were found in physical properties of soil by the application of PS in evaluated tillage systems.

A mastite em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês apresenta-se como um problema de grande proporção e gravidade e é dificilmente tratada com sucesso. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos e etiológicos da mastite clínica em ovelhas de corte criadas no norte do Paraná. O presente estudo foi realizado entre os meses de outubro de 2009 a setembro de 2010 envolvendo 54 rebanhos de ovinos de corte de diferentes raças. Durante as visitas às propriedades, um questionário foi preenchido com a finalidade de caracterizar o problema. Setenta ovelhas com mastite clínica foram examinadas e amostras de secreção láctea foram colhidas para exame microbiológico. A mastite foi considerada um problema relevante em 39 propriedades (72,3%), com frequência média de 6,74%. Casos crônicos e agudos de mastite foram observados em 69% e 31% das ovelhas examinadas, respectivamente. Em ambos os casos, a mastite flegmonosa foi a forma mais encontrada (65,5% dos casos). O agente etiológico mais prevalente foi Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (54,5%), seguido por S. aureus e A. pyogenes (11,5% cada). Mannheimia haemolytica foi isolada em dois casos. Sistema de criação não extensivo e raça Santa Inês foram identificados como fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de mastite clínica. Secagem das fêmeas após 120 dias de lactação e separação de fêmeas doentes do rebanho foram associadas com menor ocorrência da doença. Recomenda-se a limpeza adequada das instalações e a secagem mais tardia, principalmente em rebanhos Santa Inês.

Mastits is infrequent in meat ewes. However Santa Ines ewes have a high incidence of this disease and it is severe and difficult to treat. The goal of this study was to characterize clinical, epidemiological and etiological aspects of clinical mastitis in meat ewes reared in the north of Parana, Brazil. Fifith four farms were visited from October 2009 to September 2010. The surveyed data included frequency, breeds of sheep affected, lamb mortality rates, main clinical signs, attempts and outcome of treatment, method and period of weaning and management features. Seventy ewes with clinical mastitis were fully examinated and samples of mammary secretion were asseptically taken for bacteriological culture. Mastitis was identified in 39 farms (72.3%) as a relevant problem (mean frequency was 6,74%). Chronic and acute mastitis were observed in 69% and 31% of the examinated ewes, respectively. In both cases, phlegmonous mastitis was the most prevalent form (65.5%). Coagulase negative Staphylococccus (CNS) was the main isolated microorganism (54.5%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (11.5%, each one). Mannheimia haemolytica was found in two cases. The risk factors for clinical mastitis were intensive management system and Santa Ines breed. Weaning after 120 days of lactation and isolation of affected ewes were associated with lower frequency of mastitis. Preventive measures recommended are daily cleaning of facilities and delayed weaning, mainly in Santa Ines flocks.

At first blush, the two concepts, democratisation and standardisation, seem to be in conflict if the objectives underlying the processes they describe are compared, in particular if they are applied to the field of language planning and politics, and especially within the context of the colonial history of Africa and further afield. It is in the nature of standardisation not to tolerate much variety, even in the language to be standardised (especially in the formal registers). The functional requirements of stylistic, sociolectal or geolectal variants in a language community, on the other hand, reflect a wide spectrum of varieties in a given language. Underlying the need for standardisation is the requirement for communication in the form of a unitary code (i.e. a language) which is understood and used by as many members of the community as possible, necessarily and usually in formal contexts. However, a standardised language, like all others, also has need of neutral and informal registers for which the appropriate vocabulary should be available. Such vocabulary originates in everyday speech, while "formal" terminology aimed at the higher functions of language is often compiled by bodies such as language commissions. The standardisation of language is often the result ofa political process, which is a corollary of conquest, colonialism, or (sometimes) democratic change. A standard language, once established, normally possesses a self-perpetuating force - those who have acquired it, do not easily relinquish the concomitant social and political power associated with it. This applies in particular to non-mother-tongue speakers of the standard language, who benefit from the social status and increased access to knowledge associated with it. The result is, predictably, discrimination on the basis of proficiency in the standard, and societal imbalances. Arguments in defence of the selection of a non-indigenous standard are the purportedly equal distribution of disadvantage, as well as the possible unifying force of such a medium. To understand the task facing those who wish to standardise an indigenous language, the four phases traditionally identified by Haugen could be recalled, i. e. selection (macro and micro), codification, acceptance and cultivation (elaboration of functions). This is possibly another reason why already established colonial languages seemed to be an attractive choice at the outset when considering the adoption of an indigenous language for the purposes of standardisation. However, when the intellectual and economic benefits of linguistic democracy are considered, the investment in the enhancement of access to knowledge for entire language communities is well spent. The advantages for the development of human capital in the short and long term for such communities have been proven in countless scientific studies. A common disincentive is the purported "unsuitability" of indigenous languages for use in technical and scientific contexts. However, similar techniques for the creation of terminology are applied by all languages where elaboration of functions takes place, i.e. relexification, use of international cognates, conceptual translation (calquing), the use of informal vocabulary in specialised applications, neologisms, etcetera. Examples of attempts at standardisation or restandardisation of nonstandard varieties, such as in Norway and Albania can be adduced. In Norway, Nynorsk was created to replace Bokmal, but there was a clear differentiation by the speakers between spoken and written requirements, so that the written language gravitated to Bokmal, and the spoken language to Nynorsk. In Albania, where Standard Albanian was based on Tosc, attempts were made at incorporating elements of North Albanian (Gegh) into the standardfor reasons of "justice". However, itfoundered as a result of resistance from intellectuals on the basis that "justice" in standardisation was "impossible". Some lessons from Norway, and also the Magreb (which is subsequently discussed), are that varieties in both Norwegian and Arabic are closely linked to rules of contextuality and register; and that, although there is a greater need for uniformity as regards the form of written standard, the written form ofinformally used items needs to be standardised as well, albeit in a different way. Finally, the use of the internet as agentfor both standardisation and democratisation is briefly investigated. It is apparent that informal standardisation (through codification) is taking place through the production of increased volumes of texts by common users. The production of electronic texts leads to the compilation of corpora, and standardisation of the lexicon takes place on the basis of frequency counts and the use of concordances by NGO's. Some examples of such standardisation (official and unofficial) in Africa are provided. The conclusions drawn from the overview are that: (a) Democratisation and standardisation do not have to represent conflicting objectives for indigenous languages in Africa; (b) Users of language determine the form that is standardised in the end; and (c) Speakers of African languages have the ability to determine not only which language(s) they prefer to use for which purpose, but also the form of such languages.

Dans cet article, la reconnaissance des langues autochtones dans la société africaine dans le contexte de l'existence d'un nombre restreint de langues standard dans les communautés multilingues est examinee. La standardisation des langues, vue sous tous ses angles, semble aller á l'encontre des objectifs de la democratisation de la société, car elle favorise tous ceux qui parlent une telle langue comme langue maternelle, mais au même temps elle montre de la discrimination contre ceux qui sont obligés á maïtriser la langue standard pour obtenir l'accès aux connaissances et á l'ascension dans l'échelle sociale. Au lieu de servir comme une force unificatrice, elle semble retirer les pouvoirs á certains, tandis que ceux qui sont nés dans le "bon" environnement linguistique en tirent profit excessivement. Ce déséquilibre apparent de la société est abordé de différentes manières, avec plus ou moins de succès, dans de différentes parties du monde. En comparant telles tentatives, á la fois officielles et officieuses, en Afrique et en Europe (en Norvège, en Albanie et en Afrique du Nord), il est également noté que l'avènement de la connectivité électronique dans le monde entier a introduit des manières et des niveaux différents de standardisation des langues autochtones en Afrique, puisque l'alphabétisation est devenue une condition préalable á la participation dans toutes les langues sur l'Internet. Il a également rendu possible la compilation des corpus textuels dans des langues qui étaient auparavant limités aux moyens informels de communication orale. L'inclusion des langues minoritaires autochtones et la codification concomitante du vocabulaire semble remplacer l'élément de conflit entre les deux forces opposées de la standardisation et la démocratisation de la langue, et répondre á la question posée dans le titre.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is used by biomedical journals to guarantee credibility and transparency of the scientific process. Conflict of interest disclosure, however, is not systematically nor consistently dealt with by journals. Recent joint editorial efforts paved the way towards the implementation of uniform vehicles for conflicts of interest disclosure. This paper provides a comprehensive editorial perspective on classical conflict of interest-related issues. New insights into current conflicts of interest policies and practices among European Society of Cardiology national cardiovascular journals, as derived from a cross-sectional survey using a standardized questionnaire, are discussed.

Las revistas biomédicas utilizan la declaración de posibles conflictos de intereses para garantizar la credibilidad y la transparencia del proceso científico. Sin embargo, las revistas no abordan la declaración de conflictos de intereses de manera sistemática ni uniforme. Recientes esfuerzos editoriales conjuntos han abierto el camino a la aplicación de herramientas uniformes para la declaración de conflictos de intereses. En este artículo se presenta una visión integral sobre cuestiones clásicas relacionadas con los conflictos de intereses desde un punto de vista editorial. Además, a partir de los datos de un estudio transversal basado en el empleo de un cuestionario estandarizado, se comentan nuevas apreciaciones sobre las políticas y los actuales procedimientos editoriales relativos a los conflictos de intereses en las diversas revistas cardiovasculares nacionales de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología.

When a conventional starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) lead acid battery is exposed to a high rate partial state of charge (HRPSoC) cycling, it would experience a build-up of irreversible PbSO4 on the negative plate, resulting in capacity loss and electrode damage. The addition of certain graphites to the negative paste mix has proven to be successful in reducing this effect. This study looked at using statistical design of experimental (DoE) principles to observe interactions between two graphite types and a nanocarbon together with other additives, such as BaSO4 and Vanisperse, to a negative paste mixture. The response factors considered were in relation to their effect on the battery's cold cranking ability (CCA) at -18 °C, the HRPSoC and its active material utilization. Typical flooded nominal 8 Ah test cells were assembled in a reverse ratio build,with three positive and two negative plates, with three types of added carbons (flake graphite, natural graphite and nanocarbon) added to the negative paste mixture at a two-level design. The study showed the usefulness of a statistical DoE approach in the effective use of additives that are included to the negative plate paste mixture, where there are interactions between the amounts of added carbon, BaSO4 and Vanisperse, with respect to the responses of CCA and HRPSoC, that do not necessarily act independently - based on their amounts - on the performance of the active material. The study also showed that there are correlations between certain response factors, such as the number of achievable cycles within a HRPSoC test sequence, and the type of added carbon.