bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical investigations of the multiple stars
Authors: Kiyaeva Olga V. , Zhuchkov Roman Ya.
Published: November 2017

Two multiple stars - the quadruple star - Bootis (ADS 9173) and the triple star T Taury were investigated. The visual double star - Bootiswas studied on the basis of the Pulkovo 26-inch refractor observations 1982-2013. An invisible satellite of the component A was discovered due to long-term uniform series of observations. Its orbital period is 20 ± 2 years. The known invisible satellite of the component B with near 5 years period was confirmed due to high precision CCD observations. The astrometric orbits of the both components were calculated. The orbits of inner and outer pairs of the pre-main sequence binary T Taury were calculated on the basis of high precision observations by the VLT and on the Keck II Telescope. This weakly hierarchical triple system is stable with probability more than 70%.
The Harmonization of Accounting
Authors: Hajnal Noémi
Published: November 2017

The development and configuration of the regulatory framework of the accounting systems in Romania and Hungary took place in different ways. Among the reasons for the diversities in these countries’ accounting systems, the following can be certainly mentioned: different purposes of taxation, legal structure, the accountancy’s connection with the corporate law and family law, diversification on corporate financing policy, and cultural heterogeneity. Both countries quickly caught up with the international accounting harmonization standards. The adaptation of the international accounting standards has many advantages and disadvantages; these have been discussed in several previous researches. This paper aims at comparing the Romanian and Hungarian states’ accounting regulations from the early 1990s, which were implemented in order to harmonize the states’ accountancy regulations with the international standards, and their impact on the economy, based on secondary analysis.
Counterproductive Work Behaviors: a Socio-Demographic Characteristic-Based Study among Employees in the Nigerian Maritime Sector
Authors: Uche Ignatius Ikechukwu , George Olusoji , Abiola Wuraola
Published: November 2017

The prevalence of counterproductive work behavior (CWB) does not only differ across industries but also varies significantly according to socio-demographic characteristics. This study examines CWB and socio-demographic characteristics among selected employees in the Nigerian maritime industry. Causal research design was adopted to survey 1,000 employees selected through multistage sampling approach in three selected parastatals (Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and Nigerian Shippers Council). The data obtained were analyzed with ANOVA and t-test. Based on the analysis carried out, CWB was found to be significantly related to gender, age, marital status, employee cadre, and income, while employees’ level of educational attainment is not significantly related to CWB. Based on the abovementioned findings, the study concludes that the level of education is not significantly connected to the employees’ propensity towards CWB, while other socio-demographic variables are strongly associated to CWB in the workplace. The study recommends that management should develop a mechanism for identifying and selecting their potential employees as a guide against poor organizational fit of employees and that of the organization. Likewise, effort should be intensified to develop and improve organizational culture that will propel citizenship behavior in the workplace.
Analysis of Anthropic Pressure Indices in the Metropolitan Area of Braşov, Processed/Highlighted by Means of GIS
Authors: Alexandru Unucok Atilla
Published: November 2017

Metropolitan areas represent large urban centers, made up of a metropolis and adjacent areas of influence. In general, one or several cities are polarizing centers which inspire a name to the metropolitan area as the most important component of the city. The human pressure may be analyzed using anthropic pressure indices. They are calculated according to the relation between the surfaces with different types of occupation and the number of population overlapping such occupied areas. The data used in calculations may be found in official statistics and in international environmental monitoring programs. Such program is Copernicus which provides the Corine Land Cover data relating to use of land in Europe. To calculate and analyze anthropic pressure indices one may use GIS applications which process the Corine Land Cover data and create maps that expose changes occurred at visual level.
Emerging Rural Centers, Territorial Projects, Regional Development Players and Prospects. The Case of the Province of Zagora (Morocco)
Authors: El-Araby Abdelaaziz , Faleh Ali
Published: November 2017

The articulation between the national, regional and local levels is one of the main thrusts that decision-makers and stakeholders are increasingly involved in when designing and implementing development visions and strategies. Indeed, the descending approach gives way gradually to the ascending approach; the revision of legislation relating to the management of public affairs (municipal charter, law on the region...), the creation of a number of support institutions (development agencies) and the project of “advanced regionalization”, are aspects of these evolutions. On the other hand, if these efforts are aimed at reducing dysfunctions between regional and intra-regional areas, the reality is that the national territory still suffers from an imbalance between the favored and other disadvantaged regions. In addition, rural exodus and urban growth have profoundly modified territorial relations: social inequalities are widening and imbalances between the rural and the urban are increasing. The present communication seeks to raise some avenues that will ensure a good structuring of the territory of a fragile zone such as the province of Zagora. This is a case study of the role of the Emerging Rural Centers, as intermediate spaces, in the articulation, revitalization and territorial development of the Drâa Tafilalet region. In fact, this new less studied terminology has been the subject of a theoretical framing concerning its definition as well as an outline of criteria for the identification and ranking of the Emerging Rural Centers applicable to the other territories. The roles of the actors in rural development and the place assigned to the CRE for the articulation of the territory of the province of Zagora.
Evapotranspiration Distribution and Variation of Pakistan (1931-2015)
Authors: Khan Saifullah , Ul Hasan Mahmood
Published: November 2017

Evapotranspiration is the main element of aridity and desertification and to balance the natural hydrological processes. Pakistan has a high degree of evapotranspiration, as it is in subtropical belt, with long sunshine duration and low cloudiness in summers. June is the warmest month, when the evapotranspiration exceeds 7mm (0.28inches), whereas, January is the coldest month, when evapotranspiration of the country falls to 1mm (0.04inches). The maximum evapotranspiration has been recorded at the southern latitudes of the country (Hyderabad and Jacobabad), while it decreases towards northwest (mountainous region) and Gilgit-Baltistan (Astore and Skardu). This variation in evapotranspiration is due to fluctuation in temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, wind speed, relative humidity, physical relief and latitudinal as well as altitudinal extend of the country. The average evapotranspiration of Pakistan is 4.5mm with an increase of 1.0mm during 1931-2015. In winter and summer season, the lower Indus basin, has recorded high evapotranspiration as compared to the northern mountainous region. The average evapotranspiration of Pakistan during winter season is 2.7mm, while in summer it is 6.3mm. This variation is due to the variation in the length of day and night, humidity, precipitation, surface pressure, wind speed, and topography of the land. During cold season the average evapotranspiration of the country is 13.7mm, pre-monsoon season 17.1mm, monsoon season 15.8mm and post monsoon season 8mm. Obviously, the highest evapotranspiration of Pakistan has recorded during pre-monsoon season with extreme temperature, scarce precipitation, long sunshine duration, lowest relative humidity, low pressure, and calm winds and chilly condition. Furthermore, during cold (0.1mm), pre-monsoon (3.5mm), and monsoon season (2.2mm) the evapotranspiration shows an increase, where as it reveals a negative deviation of -5.6mm in post monsoon season due to increase in the precipitation from reversible monsoon lows at the southern latitudes of the country. Generally, the evapotranspiration of Pakistan increases from northwest to southeast and a main agent of delimitation of the arid region of the country. The main factors that cause variation in the evapotranspiration of the country from south towards north are temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, relative humidity, surface pressure, wind speed, fogs, cloudiness, topography, latitudinal and altitudinal extend of the country that required further research.
Effectiveness of Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 on young plants of Vitis vinifera L.
Authors: Bartolini Susanna , Carrozza Gian Pietro , Scalabrelli Giancarlo , Toffanin Annita
Published: November 2017

Information about the influence of the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 on the development of grapevine plants could be promoted to enhance sustainable agricultural practices for globally important fruit crops such as grapes. Thus, this study was initiated to evaluate the potential influence of A. brasilense Sp245 on two separate experimental trials, A) potted young grape plants: cv. ‘Colorino’ grafted onto two rootstocks 420A and 157/11 which received a fixed volume of inoculum at different times of vegetative cycle; B) hardwood cuttings from rootstock mother-plants of 420A and 775P inoculated during the phase of hydration, before bench-grafting in a specialized nursery. Overall, our results revealed that A. brasilense Sp245 has considerable potential to enhance the root apparatus and vegetative development in grapevines. Potted plants inoculated with A. brasilense Sp245 showed an improved development. Repeated supply was revealed to be more effective, inducing a greater accumulation of dry mass. Interesting findings were obtained in nursery experiments resulting from a considerable enhancement of the final quality of roots. The stimulating effect of A. brasilense Sp245 on vegetative development of rootstocks and vines may indeed improve sustainability in viticulture, through the promotion of healthy growth and a reduced dependence on fertilizers and other chemicals.
Enhanced Cooperation, EMU Reforms and Their Implications for Differentiation in the European Union
Authors: Kubin Tomasz
Published: November 2017

Initially, before the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty, differences in integration between members of the European Communities (EC; later the European Union) were relatively few and usually temporary in nature. The Schengen Agreement, the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Amsterdam, and the possibility of establishing enhanced cooperation meant that the problem was becoming more and more important in the functioning of the EU—both in theory and in practice.

The objective of the paper is to show that for several years, along with the stagnation in the deepening of integration between all the EU Member States, differentiation of integration in the EU is progressing very rapidly. The progressing differentiation in the EU is a consequence of mainly two processes: the development of enhanced cooperation and reforms in the eurozone, which are strengthened by the widening of the EU.

The article covers the issue of the categorization of differentiation of European Union integration, which constitutes the theoretical framework for further considerations. Specified processes which contribute to increasing the differentiation of the EU are discussed, showing the development of enhanced cooperation in the EU and presenting the reforms of the eurozone. The article concludes with the identification and the consequences of differentiated integration, both those that have already occurred and those that may occur in the future.
Regional Disparities in Education Attainment Level in the European Union: A Spatial Approach
Authors: Chocholatá Michaela , Furková Andrea
Published: November 2017

This article deals with the analysis of education attainment level across the 252 NUTS 2 regions of the European Union (EU) with consideration of the spatial aspect. Since the individual EU regions cannot be seen as isolated, the main aim of this article is to assess the impact of location on the education attainment level (percentage of population aged 25–64 with at least upper secondary education) during the period 2007–2015, as well as to investigate the impact of regional growth 2014/2007 on the education attainment level in 2015. The spatial analysis proved the existence of positive spatial autocorrelation and persistence of disparities in education attainment level across EU regions during the analysed period. The results of econometric analysis confirmed the expected positive impact of economic growth on education attainment level as well as the necessity to incorporate the spatial dimension into the model.
Mitterrand and the Great European Design—From the Cold War to the European Union
Authors: Troitiño David Ramiro , Färber Karoline , Boiro Anni
Published: November 2017

François Mitterrand had a leading role in directing the course for the European integration process. While he orchestrated the economic integration of Europe, he remained deeply opposed to further political integration within the Communities. This article researches Mitterrand’s rationale for his clear focus on economic affairs and develops his vision for the institutional setting of the European Union (EU). The focus of the article is allocated to four different perspectives that reflect the four pillars of Mitterrand’s European policy: the common currency, the establishment of a closely integrated and small Western European based EU, the development of the Social Europe and of a free trade area between Europe and Africa. It is argued that although EU institutions have been established based on Mitterrand’s design, today’s reality deviates from the conditions on which his plan was based. For Mitterrand, the ideal EU involved a deep-rooted Western Europe with France at its core and a loose association with Central and Eastern Europe. His perception resembles the current discussions of multi-speed Europe and the determination of France and Germany to proceed to the next stage of the integration process. Importantly, Mitterrand’s print can still be recognised in the EU’s social policy included in the treaties, yet still far from being implemented. Notably, like all of the French Presidents, Mitterrand developed a design for Africa in which an extensive free trade area between Europe and former French colonies were to be established. In this proposal, Germany was to be assigned the part of the economic engine behind the actualisation of the proposal, while France was to carry out the role of a required middle man of the transactions. To further assure France’s political predominance over the Communities, Mitterrand designed a common currency for a small number of homogenous Western-European states.
Could marine animal conservation laws be responsible for the decline or extirpation of macroalgal populations in Bermuda over the past century?
Authors: Schneider Craig W. , Flook Christopher T.
Published: November 2017

Using over 10,000 archival herbarium specimens from Bermuda, we compared the presence or absence of seaweeds from a century ago with our more than 5000 collections from the last 30 years. Populations of parrotfish, important herbivores of macroalgae in the tropics, have increased since the 1993 amendment to the Bermuda 1978 Fisheries (Protected Species) Order. A fish pot ban for Bermuda was put into effect in 1990 to protect a variety of fish including parrotfish and several species of grouper, important predators of parrotfish that were rarely seen in island waters at the time. Intertidal grazing West Indian top shells were reintroduced in 1982 to Bermuda, and since then, along with the rise in parrotfish populations, inshore populations of many macroalgae have dramatically changed. We suggest that several large and abundant Bermuda macroalgal species recorded in the early 20th century appear to have been extirpated or are greatly diminished in sizes of individuals as well as population abundance, and propose that marine animal protections over the past 35 years are a possible reason for the changes we are presently observing.
Is irisin the new player in exercise-induced adaptations or not? A 2017 update
Authors: Fatouros Ioannis G.
Published: November 2017

Irisin is produced by a proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) and has emerged as a potential mediator of exercise-induced energy metabolism. The purpose of this study was to review the results of studies that investigated irisin responses to acute and chronic exercise and provide an update. A comprehensive search in the databases of MEDLINE was performed (74 exercise studies). The focus of the analysis was on data concerning FNDC5 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle and circulating irisin concentration relatively to exercise mode, intensity, frequency and duration and the characteristics of the sample used. Circulating irisin levels may either not relate to FNDC5 transcription or expression of the later precedes irisin rise in the blood. Acute speed/strength and endurance exercise protocols represent potent stimuli for irisin release if they are characterized by adequate intensity and/or duration. There are no reports regarding irisin responses to field sport activities. Although animal studies suggest that irisin may also respond to systematic exercise training, the majority of human studies has produced contradictory results. Certain methodological issues need to be considered here such as the analytical assays used to measure irisin concentration in the circulation. Results may also be affected by subjects’ age, conditioning status and exercise intensity. The role of irisin as a moderator of energy metabolism during exercise remains to be seen.
Determinants of the Policy Impact of Analytical Communities in Russian Regions: Cases of Karelia, Tatarstan and Saratov
Authors: Zaytsev Dmitry , Belyaeva Nina
Published: November 2017

This paper evaluates the policy impact of analytical communities in three Russian regions (Karelia, Tatarstan and Saratov). Based on the existing methods to assess the political power of think tanks, the authors develop a method to evaluate this impact. The authors test this method using the empirical data and findings from interviews, workshops with representatives of analytical communities of the three regions, and from observations and assessments of experts in regional politics. In conclusion, the authors argue that the capacity of analytical communities to impact policy change in a region depends on the level of political competition and pluralism and democratic institutions in the region; the level of consolidation of the analytical community, its autonomous political status and authority.
Olympic Diplomacy and the Emerging States: Striving for Influence in the Multipolar World
Authors: Luša Đana
Published: November 2017

The world of sports is a reflection of the world of politics. It is becoming increasingly multipolar with the emerging states hosting mega sporting events. Firstly, the article problematizes the concept of multipolarity and, secondly, globalisation by questioning whether the Olympic Games reinforce national identities and promote national interests by using Olympic diplomacy as a soft power tool. In doing so, the article explores the correlation between the changes in international affairs and the hosting of and participation at the Olympic Games by emerging states such as Brazil, China and Russia. The analysis distinguishes globalisation from the role of the nation-state, by highlighting the evident differences between emerging states in terms of hosting the Games, but also takes into consideration geopolitical and geo-economic parameters.
Learning by Doing: The EU’s Transformative Power and Conflicts in the Western Balkans
Authors: Bazerkoska Julija Brsakoska , Dokmanović Mišo
Published: November 2017

The paper analyzes the European Community/ European Union experience in the Western Balkans in the period from 1990 onwards in different context in order to assess different mechanisms which the European Union has gained with building the Common Foreign and Security Policy and within the Enlargement Policy in the process of conflict prevention and conflict resolution. Additionally, the paper makes an assessment of the EU’s involvement in the conflict prevention and conflict resolution in the Balkans after the Stabilization and Association Process was launched in 1999. The authors argue that in the case of the military conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, when the European Community was confronted with serious and hard security issues at the very beginning of creating its Common Foreign and Security Policy and in a period of time when the region was not part of the enlargement process, the Community and the Union afterwards proved to be extremely ineffective. In the second part, through three case studies, the paper demonstrate that with the combined use of CFSP mechanisms and SAP, positive examples of the EU acting as a provider of peaceful dispute settlement in the Western Balkans have been established.
The connection of an old geodetic datum with a new one using Least Squares Collocation: The Greek case
Authors: Ampatzidis Dimitrios , Melachroinos Stavros
Published: November 2017

In the present paper we are dealing with the problem of the connection of two local geodetic datums in which the classical transformation procedures fail to give sufficient solution. Thereafter, we additionally implemented Least Squares Collocation in order to model the remaining residuals of the initial transformation. We tested this methodology in an area located in Northern Greece and we found significant improvement of the transformation results. The implementation of Least Squares Collocation refines the statistical behaviour of the inconsistencies regarding their extreme values (minimum and maximum) from almost 70 to 23 cm, while the standard deviation is reduced from the level of 27 to 10 cm.
Calculation of temperature distribution and rheological properties of the lithosphere along Profile 1 passing through Aswan
Authors: Radwan Anwar H. , Dérerová Jana , Bielik Miroslav , Šimonová Barbora , Kohút Igor
Published: November 2017

The 2D integrated geophysical modelling approach has been used to determine the temperature distribution in the lithosphere along the profile passing through Aswan. Based on the temperature model and the rheological parameters, we have calculated strength distribution in the lithosphere for the studied profile. The strength envelopes have been calculated for both compressional and extensional regimes. Our results indicate that the strength is constant along the whole length of the profile passing through the Nubia plain. The largest strength can be observed within the upper crust which allows us to assume rigid deformation in this part of the lithosphere, with compressional processes predominant. Towards the lower crust and upper mantle, strength values rapidly decrease for both regimes, suggesting ductile deformations in the lower part of the lithosphere.
Toeplitz operators and Wiener-Hopf factorisation: an introduction
Authors: Câmara M. Cristina
Published: November 2017

Wiener-Hopf factorisation plays an important role in the theory of Toeplitz operators. We consider here Toeplitz operators in the Hardy spaces Hp of the upper half-plane and we review how their Fredholm properties can be studied in terms of a Wiener-Hopf factorisation of their symbols, obtaining necessary and sufficient conditions for the operator to be Fredholm or invertible, as well as formulae for their inverses or one-sided inverses when these exist. The results are applied to a class of singular integral equations in L−1(ℝ)
New copulas based on general partitions-of-unity and their applications to risk management (part II)
Authors: Pfeifer Dietmar , Mändle Andreas , Ragulina Olena
Published: November 2017

We present a constructive and self-contained approach to data driven infinite partition-of-unity copulas that were recently introduced in the literature. In particular, we consider negative binomial and Poisson copulas and present a solution to the problem of fitting such copulas to highly asymmetric data in arbitrary dimensions.
Analysis of Microstrip Line Fed Patch Antenna for Wireless Communications
Authors: Singh Ashish , Aneesh Mohammad ,   Kamakshi, Ansari J. A.
Published: November 2017

In this paper, theoretical analysis of microstrip line fed rectangular patch antenna loaded with parasitic element and split-ring resonator is presented. The proposed antenna shows that the dualband operation depends on gap between parasitic element, split-ring resonator, length and width of microstrip line. It is found that antenna resonates at two distinct resonating modes i.e., 0.9 GHz and 1.8 GHz for lower and upper resonance frequencies respectively. The antenna shows dual frequency nature with frequency ratio 2.0. The characteristics of microstrip line fed rectangular patch antenna loaded with parasitic element and split-ring resonator antenna is compared with other prototype microstrip line fed antennas. Further, the theoretical results are compared with simulated and reported experimental results, they are in close agreement.
PEMFC for aeronautic applications: A review on the durability aspects
Authors: Dyantyi Noluntu , Parsons Adrian , Sita Cordellia , Pasupathi Sivakumar
Published: November 2017

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) not only offer more efficient electrical energy conversion, relative to on-ground/backup turbines but generate by-products useful in aircraft such as heat for ice prevention, deoxygenated air for fire retardation and drinkable water for use on-board. Consequently, several projects (e.g. DLR-H2 Antares and RAPID2000) have successfully tested PEMFC-powered auxiliary unit (APU) for manned/unmanned aircraft. Despite the progress from flying PEMFC-powered small aircraft with 20 kW power output as high as 1 000 m at 100 km/h to 33 kW at 2 558 m, 176 km/h [1, 2, 3], durability and reliability remain key challenges. This review reports on the inadequate understanding of behaviour of PEMFC under aeronautic conditions and the lack of predictive methods conducive for aircraft that provide real-time information on the State of Health of PEMFCs.

Highlights: The main research findings are

–

To minimize performance loss due to high altitude and inclination by adjusting cathode stoichiometric ratio.

–

To improve quality of oxygen-depleted air by controlling operating temperature and stoichiometric ratio.

–

Need to devise real time prediction methods conducive for determining PEMFC SoH in aircraft.
The assessment of Bosnian EFL learners’ knowledge by two different measures: test and writing assignment
Authors: Tankosić Ana , Dubravac Vildana
Published: November 2017

English is taught as a foreign language in elementary and high schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). However, since the number of English classes per week is very limited they should be utilized in the best possible way to produce proficient users of English. Nowadays, when language proficiency is viewed as one’s ability to speak and write in the target language and not about it, the need for the proficiency evaluation in schools arises. The present study attempts to shed a spot of light on this issue, investigating two very common ways of assessing students’ knowledge in schools, namely tests and writing assignments. Hence, through the interviews with English teachers and the analysis of students’ tests and writing assignments, the current paper explores the ways in which these two measures are realized, the tasks they consist of, the type of linguistic knowledge they are used to evaluate, their levels of difficulty, and the type of corrective feedback teachers provide on both of them. The results suggest that teachers on both measure rather students’ explicit than their implicit knowledge, focusing much more on accuracy than fluency development.
„Von einer alten Mamsell Storch b. Henschel.“Zu Herkunft und Textkonstitution von KHM 36
Authors: Ehrhardt Holger
Published: November 2017

Durch die Sichtung des Nachlasses der Kasseler Industriellenfamilie Henschel ist es erstmals gelungen, die Identität einer bisher nur als „Mamsell Storch“ bekannten KHM-Beiträgerin festzustellen: Eleonore Storch (1750–1828) war die Schwägerin von Carl Henschel, dem Gründer der Firma „Henschel und Sohn“. Der Beitrag erhellt ihre familiären und sozialen Hintergründe und verortet sie im Kasseler Netzwerk der Brüder Grimm. Textvergleiche des von ihr beigetragenen
Red as a Pomegranate. Jewish North African versions of Snow White
Authors: Raufman Ravit
Published: November 2017

The article presents and discusses oral Jewish North African versions of Snow White, preserved in the Israeli Folktale Archive. Unlike previous interpretations that suggested viewing the relatively active heroine in these tales as reflecting maidens' ability to choose their own destiny, this article suggests viewing them as warning tales, aimed at guiding young maidens on how to manage their sexuality in Arab-Jewish society. The versions in which the father (rather than the mother) decrees the daughter's murder, due to suspected promiscuity or cases in which the heroine is an incest victim, serve to support this idea.
The Power of the Tongue:A Medieval Hebrew Story from Midrashic Literature
Authors: Drori Itamar
Published: November 2017

The Hebrew tale
A Version of the Comparative Denial in the Manuscript ‘Aqd al-Gahwar
Authors: Le Quellec Jean-Loïc
Published: November 2017

a recently published Arabic manuscript from the eighteenth century, provides a new version of
Das Motiv Verkleidung/Verstellung, speziell mit erotischer Motivation und klerikalem Hintergrund, in repräsentativen Belegen von Boccaccio bis Madame d'Aulnoy
Authors: Reinhardt Udo
Published: November 2017

Der Beitrag gilt einer als Erzähltyp oder Einzelmotiv nur schwer fixierbaren Motivkombination. Dazu werden verschiedene Renaissancenovellen eingehend behandelt (Boccaccio,
Milchzauber und Verwandtes in sumerischen Texten
Authors: Ceccarelli Manuel
Published: November 2017

Der weit verbreitete Glaube an Milchhexen findet eine Parallele in dem sumerischen literarischen Text
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. field-grown and propagated in vitro
Authors: Andrys Dominika , Kulpa Danuta , Grzeszczuk Monika , Bihun Magdalena , Dobrowolska Agnieszka
Published: November 2017

In the study, micropropagation of three varieties of Lavandula angustifolia was developed, and the appearance of trichomes, antioxidant activity of extracts and antimicrobial activity of essential oils isolated from plants growing in field conditions and in vitro cultures were compared. The study evaluated the number of shoots, and the height and weight of the plants grown on media with additions of BAP, KIN and 2iP. The greatest height was attained by the lavenders growing on MS medium with the addition of 1 mg dm-3 2iP - ‘Ellagance Purple’. The greatest number of shoots was developed by the ‘Ellagance Purple’ and ‘Munstead’ plants growing on the medium with 2 mg dm-3 BAP. The highest weight was attained by the plants growing on the medium with the highest concentration of BAP - 3 and 5 mg dm-3. Moreover, the present study determined the influence of media with the addition of different concentrations of IBA and media with a variable mineral composition (½, ¼, and complete composition of MS medium) and with the addition of IBA or NAA for rooting. The majority of the media used had a positive influence on the development of the root system. The longest root system was observed in ‘Ellagance Purple’ growing on the medium composed of ¼ MS with 0.2 mg dm-3 NAA. All the examined oils exhibited activity towards S. aureus, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and C. albicans. The majority of the essential oils isolated from the plants propagated in vitro exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than the field-grown plants. The plants propagated under in vitro conditions demonstrated considerably higher antioxidant activity as compared with the field-grown plants, which was determined using the DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assay.
Preoperative breast MRI-examination for all patients with histologically proven breast cancer? A concept for a prospective multicenter trial
Authors: Kaiser Christina , Kehrer Christina , Keyver-Paik Mignon-Denise , Hecking Thomas , Ayub Tiyasha Hosne , Leutner Claudia , Schild Hans , Kuhn Walther
Published: November 2017

Background

A published retrospective data of our study group demonstrated that premenopausal women, patients with lobular invasive breast cancer or patients with high breast density [American College of Radiology (ACR) classification 3+4] significantly benefit from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) leading to additional detection of malignant foci of 20.2% in the index and 2.5% in the contralateral breast, which would otherwise not be detected by routine imaging. Critics of preoperative MRI focus on higher false-positive rates leading to unnecessary surgical procedures and mastectomies. Therefore, MRI in preoperative imaging remains controversial.

Methods

To validate our retrospective data we initiate a prospective one-armed multicenter trial for patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer performing routine imaging by ultrasound and mammography followed by MRI imaging based on menopause status, histologic subtype, ACR and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS)-classification. Primary endpoint is the rate of additional findings and change of treatment strategy, secondary endpoints are local recurrence-free, distant recurrence-free and overall survival. Additional MRI findings are calculated to be above 10% with a number of 100 patients recruited and a power of 80%.

Conclusion

MRI is detecting more tumor foci than conventional imaging but remains controversial in primary breast cancer for preoperative imaging because of the fear of over-diagnosis and the increased morbidity of additional potentially unnecessary surgical procedures. This planned one-armed prospective multicenter trial is designed to confirm our retrospectively revealed data defining subgroups with significant benefit of preoperative MRI to come to a consensus avoiding over-diagnosis and false-positive results leading to clinically beneficial and cost-effective use of preoperative MRI.
Anti-invasive and antiproliferative effects of Pleurotus ostreatus extract on acute leukemia cell lines
Authors: Ebrahimi Alireza , Atashi Amir , Soleimani Masoud , Mashhadikhan Maedeh , Barahimi Ahmadreza , Maghari Amirhossein
Published: November 2017

Background:

Currently, mushrooms have been used in traditional and folk medicines for their therapeutic activities, such as antibiotic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antileukemic and immunomodulatory actions. This investigation evaluates the anti-invasive, antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of Pleurotus ostreatus (Pleurotaceae) on leukemia cell lines.

Methods:

The proliferation of KG-1 cells was measured by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after treatment with gradient dilutions of P. ostreatus extract. Then, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was determined. Moreover, the proliferation of Jurkat cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), a cancerous cell line and normal body cells, respectively, was considered. The apoptotic morphology of treated KG-1 cells was evaluated with Giemsa staining. The invasion and migration of cells were evaluated using transwell invasion assay. Thereafter, the rates of apoptosis and necrosis were measured by using flow cytometry, and BAX and MMP-9 gene expression were evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction as apoptotic and metastatic genes, respectively.

Results:

The MIC of the extract was determined to be 1 mg/mL after 48 h. According to the results, the extract decreased the proliferation of leukemia cell lines (KG-1 and Jurkat cells) but had no antiproliferative effects on BMSCs. Moreover, KG-1 cell migration and MMP-9 gene expression decreased after the treatment, and the rate of apoptosis and BAX gene expression increased significantly.

Conclusions:

According to the efficient therapeutic properties of P. ostreatus on leukemia cell lines, this mushroom could be introduced as a natural medicine to cure leukemic patients who suffer from the harmful side effects and enormous costs of chemotherapy.
On Pedagogy for Urban Design - Some Observations
Authors: Lukovich Tamas
Published: November 2017

In the absence of any legal, political and institutional legitimacy, what can urban design do and how should future urban designers be educated? There appear to be as many questions in the subject as possible answers. However, in the last couple of decades a rather robust theoretical direction has been emerging, upon which a more responsive design practice and professional education can be placed. There is also an increasing international interest for urban design education.in the developed and rapidly developing world. The aims of the paper are to inform, to illuminate and to provoke, including the interrogation of our own values, practices and preferences.
Finding Elizabeth: Construing memory inElizabeth Is Missingby Emma Healey
Authors: Harrison Chloe
Published: November 2017

Elizabeth Is Missingby Emma Healey was published in 2014 and won the Costa Award for best first novel. Both humorous and sad, it has been categorised as literary fiction, detective fiction and a psychological thriller, and is thus a “hybrid” genre novel that is difficult to categorise neatly. The novel’s chief protagonist and narrator is Maud, who has dementia. As a narrator Maud is extremely unreliable and often forgets facts and events even as they are unfolding around her. Maud’s memories, however, have a much higher degree of specificity than her present day narratives: they are richer, more detailed, and therefore much more reliable, than the narrative of her current life. Consequently, the novel is characterised by a stylistic contrast between the vague and the specific, the remembered and the forgotten. In order to investigate this contrast, this paper argues that a stylistic account of Cognitive Grammar can shed further light on how Maud’s cognitive habits are represented in the novel, and are represented in the novel, and how these in turn impact upon text-world representation. The analysis draws upon Cognitive Grammar’s construal processes, in particular, to explore the fictive illustration of mind style – and of memory – in this literary context. Finally, this paper considers how one of the particular experiences of reading the narrative is dependent on the “layered construal” prevalent in the text, whereby a reader’s experience of the fictional world is continually contrasted with that of the narrator.
Gearing up for Catalan Intellectual History: JOCIH’s Twist
Authors: Casanovas Pompeu , Monserrat Josep , Simon Wendy R.
Published: November 2017

This article can be read as an Editorial for the first issue of theJournal of Catalan Intellectual History(JOCIH) in its new stage at de Gruyter Open. It offers, first, a methodical review of the concept, roles, and trends of intellectual history in the 20th century. Next, it looks into the particular Catalan tradition, historiography, and cultural analysis to position the aim and the role of the Journal with regard to similar initiatives. It tries to give an answer to the crisis of intellectual history as a discipline, at the end of the past century. The third part of the article describes some of the available resources. The fourth section introduces the contents of the present issue, focussing on the construction of a collective identity and the literary engagement of Catalan writers between 1920 and 1980, either in their country or in exile. The Notes of the present issue highlight the importance of technology, natural language processing, and Semantic Web developments in carrying out contemporary research in this field.
The Censorship of Essays Written by Maria Aurèlia Capmany (1968–1978)
Authors: Boreu Francesc Foguet i
Published: November 2017

General Franco’s censorship apparatus was quick to pounce on the intellectual dissent in the essays written by Maria Aurèlia Capmany from 1968 to 1978. Based on censorship records, this article analyses the ideological way that those in charge of issuing the reports read her essays. The essays that suffered the most in the hands of the censors were La joventut és una nova classe? (1969), Pedra de toc (1970), El feminismo ibérico (1970) and El feminisme a Catalunya (1973).
Digital Humanities on the Semantic Web: Accessing Historical and Musical Linked Data
Authors: Meroño-Peñuela Albert
Published: November 2017

Key fields in the humanities, such as history, art and language, are central to a major transformation that is changing scholarly practice in these fields: the so-called Digital Humanities (DH). A fundamental question in DH is how humanities datasets can be represented digitally, in such a way that machines can process them, understand their meaning, facilitate their inquiry, and exchange them on the Web. In this paper, we survey current efforts within the Semantic Web and Linked Data, a family of Webcompatible knowledge representation formalisms and standards, to represent DH objects in quantitative history and symbolic music. We also argue that the technological gap between the Semantic Web and Linked Data, and DH data owners is currently too wide for effective access and consumption of these semantically enabled humanities data. To this end, we proposegrlc, a thin middleware that leverages currently existing queries on the Web (expressed in, e.g., SPARQL) to transparently build standard Web APIs that facilitate access to any Linked Data.
Seasonality of runoff and precipitation regimes along transects in Peru and Austria
Authors: Gaudry Maria M. Cárdenas , Gutknecht Dieter , Parajka Juraj , Perdigão Rui A.P. , Blöschl Günter
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study is to understand the seasonalities of runoff and precipitation and their controls along two transects in Peru and one transect in Austria. The analysis is based on daily precipitation data at 111 and 61 stations in Peru and Austria, respectively, and daily discharge data at 51 and 110 stations. The maximum Pardé coefficient is used to quantify the strength of the seasonalities of monthly precipitation and runoff. Circular statistics are used to quantify the seasonalities of annual maximum daily precipitation and annual maximum daily runoff. The results suggest that much larger spatial variation in seasonality in Peru is because of the large diversity in climate and topography. In the dry Peruvian lowlands of the North, the strength of the monthly runoff seasonality is smaller than that of precipitation due to a relatively short rainy period from January to March, catchment storage and the effect of upstream runoff contributions that are more uniform within the year. In the Peruvian highlands in the South, the strength of the monthly runoff seasonality is greater than that of precipitation, or similar, due to relatively little annual precipitation and rather uniform evaporation within the year. In the Austrian transect, the strength of the runoff seasonality is greater than that of precipitation due to the influence of snowmelt in April to June. The strength of monthly regime of precipitation and runoff controls the concentration of floods and extreme precipitation in Peruvian transects. The regions with strong monthly seasonality of runoff have also extreme events concentrated along the same time of the year and the occurrence of floods is mainly controlled by the seasonality of precipitation. In Austria, the monthly runoff maxima and floods occur in the same season in the Alps. In the lowlands, the flood seasonality is controlled mainly by summer extreme precipitation and its interplay with larger soil moisture. The analyses of precipitation and runoff data along topographic gradients in Peru and Austria showed that, overall, in Peru the spatial variation in seasonality is much larger than in Austria. This is because of the larger diversity in climate and topography.
Analysis of in situ water velocity distributions in the lowland river floodplain covered by grassland and reed marsh habitats - a case study of the bypass channel of Warta River (Western Poland)
Authors: Laks Ireneusz , Szoszkiewicz Krzysztof , Kałuża Tomasz
Published: November 2017

The analysis of in situ measurements of velocity distribution in the floodplain of the lowland river has been carried out. The survey area was located on a bypass channel of the Warta River (West of Poland) which is filled with water only in case of flood waves. The floodplain is covered by grassland and reed marsh habitats. The velocity measurements were performed with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) in a cross-section with a bed reinforced with concrete slabs. The measured velocities have reflected the differentiated impact of various vegetation types on the loss of water flow energy. The statistical analyses have proven a relationship between the local velocities and the type of plant communities.
Temporal changes in soil water erosion on sloping vineyards in the Ruwer- Mosel Valley. The impact of age and plantation works in young and old vines
Authors: Rodrigo-Comino Jesús , Brings Christine , Iserloh Thomas , Casper Markus C. , Seeger Manuel , Senciales José M. , Brevik Eric C. , Ruiz-Sinoga José D. , Ries Johannes B.
Published: November 2017

It is well known that rainfall causes soil erosion in sloping German vineyards, but little is known about the effect of age of plantation on soil erosion, which is relevant to understand and design sustainable management systems. In the Ruwer-Mosel valley, young (1- to 4-years) and old (35- to 38-years after the plantation) vineyards were selected to assess soil and water losses by using two-paired Gerlach troughs over three years (2013-2015). In the young vineyard, the overland flow was 107 L m-1 and soil loss 1000 g m-1 in the year of the plantation, and decreased drastically over the two subsequent years (19 L m-1; 428 g m-1). In the old vineyard, soil (from 1081 g m-1 to 1308 g m-1) and water (from 67 L m-1 to 102 L m-1) losses were 1.2 and 1.63 times higher, respectively, than in the young vineyard.