bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of OIC in the Social Policies of Its Members
Authors: Bölükbaş Sema
Published: April 2016

The fragmented structure of Muslim countries and the lack of political will to solve their problems with a real collaboration prevent Muslim societies to form an active union. Although most of the documents of OIC are in line with the universal human right principles and there is some organs within the organization to carry out the decisions, the deep clash of interests between the Muslim countries and the fact that the implementation of the provisions in these documents are up to the member countries' initiatives and there is no sanction about the implementation of these provisions are the main reasons of the failure and ineffectiveness of the organization. As the organization is unable to protect even the basic human rights of the Muslims in the member states, inefficacy about social policies, except for some humanitarian aids, is not surprising. As all of the intellectuals agree, the political will should be consolidated among member states, lack of which seems to be the main reason behind the organization's failure.
Lorenz Curve, Gini Coefficient and the Income Inequality in Turkey in the Last 13 Years
Authors: Bölükbaş Sema
Published: April 2016

Today income inequality and poverty are among highly disputed issues all over the world. It has been well understood that this problem can not be solved only with economic growth. Some social policy implementations conducive to redistribute the national income are essential to create a decrease in social and eceonomic inequalities. This is also true for Turkey. In last decade Turkey has managed high growth rates, budget discipline and improved some basic public services. As a result, absolute poverty rates decreased considerably. Although Turkey's welfare regime is going through a serious transformation process with effect of EU accession process, these policies have not been able to reduce relative poverty rates and income inequalities. Consequently Turkey's last decade is marked by high gini coefficients and income inequalities. It is obvious that there is a great need to develop a welfare regime which is able to establish a more fair income distribution.
A Review of Turkey's Economic Progress in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mohammed Umar
Published: April 2016

Africa is one of the fastest growing regions on the globe and is home to seven of the ten fastest growing markets in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular has many natural resources which has made it a hub for international trade. Turkey's search for alternative market to accelerate the development of its emerging markets has led to its economic engagement in sub-Saharan Africa. However, much has not been written on Turkey's inroads in that part of the continent. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the progress of Turkey's trade and investment in sub Saharan Africa. It indicates that Turkey in the past didn't have much economic relationships with Sub Saharan Africa as compared to Northern Africa. Whilst the volume of Turkey's trade and investment in Sub- Saharan Africa keeps uprising, there are some limitations and difficulties to this partnership such as informational gap on both sides.
The Viability of Establishing Capital Market in Developing Countries
Authors: Ali Abdu Seid
Published: April 2016

The outlook concerning worthiness and significance of establishment of stock market to nations in general, to developing nations in particular, have assorted to a great extent over time. Developing countries are trying towards improving and stepping up financial systems, by way of amplifying their security markets in order to perk up their ability to bring together resources to economy and fruitfully allot them to highly productive segments of the economy. This paper attempts to examine the feasibility of launching a stock market in Ethiopia. Regulatory framework, financial sector development and privatization and private sector development have been covered to analyze practicability of organizing “capital market”. The regulatory framework at hand is not adequate to establish a stock market and despite the boom in privatization, the country's huge companies still remain under control of the state. Nonetheless, it has been jeopardized by deficiency of financial liberalization and dominance of state banks.
Understanding the Psychology of Persuasive Violent Extremist Online Platforms
Authors: Neo Loo Seng , Dillon Leevia , Shi Priscilla , Tan Jethro , Wang Yingmin , Gomes Danielle
Published: April 2016

Exploiting the benefits afforded by the Internet, violent extremists have created and utilised a myriad of online platforms (e.g., websites, forums, blogs, social media) that have abetted and enhanced their recruitment campaigns across the world. While the idea of countering violent extremists' online presence is a matter of considerable security interest, the paucity of research analysing the persuasiveness of their online platforms to certain target audiences impedes law enforcement agencies' capability to deal with them. There is a need to understand why their online platforms are so persuasive to certain target audiences. Focusing on these online platforms, this chapter will examine the features of these platforms that enhance the appeal of violent extremist messages.
Getting out of the Armchair
Authors: Saifudeen Omer Ali
Published: April 2016

This chapter will explore possible factors (both online and real world) that can ‘tip' an ‘armchair jihadi' towards real world extremism. This entails examining social psychological research on tipping points that can be translated to the process of radicalisation. Prominent cases of jihadists will then be examined to illustrate the physiognomies behind their tipping points and the applicability of such theories. Finally, strategies to incorporate tipping point mechanisms towards countering violent extremism will be discussed. This chapter emphasises how the key to understanding tipping points in extremism lies in understanding the cognitive, social and emotive barriers to extremist thinking and action. There is thus an imperative need for more research and experimentation on persuasion tactics and in particular tipping points. Extremist counter-narratives can only be successful if they incorporate the energies of youth and other key individuals at the grassroots towards crafting, spreading and adding credibility to counter-narratives.
Psychological Effects of the Threat of ISIS
Authors: Hu Weiying
Published: April 2016

The threat of violent extremism has been considerably influenced by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), its inhumane brutal killings in Iraq and Syria, and exploitation of social media to recruit large numbers of foreign fighters in a scale never seen before. This development has serious implications for Singapore's security landscape. This aggressive promotion of fighting in Syria has resonated with a handful of Singaporeans, who were radicalised by radical online propaganda. In this psychological study of the Singapore cases, there are five psychological drivers that have contributed to the radicalisation process of these cases. They are: (1) justifying violence, (2) romanticising the notion of a utopian state, (3) desire to be a ‘good' Muslim, (4) escaping the ‘unbearable present' world, and (5) existential anxiety in relation to End Times prophecies. The preliminary findings further indicate that most of these radicalised individuals have engaged in negative activism.
Western Female Migrants to ISIS
Authors: Saltman Erin Marie
Published: April 2016

Women have long been a blind spot for security, academic and think tank sectors in relation to the growing threat of global extremism. The recent spike in female recruitment to the terrorist organisation, Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), is a strong indicator of this dangerous trend. While often assumed to be passive agents, women continue to play strong roles in online and offline recruitment to violent extremist organisations. However, women can also act as strong counter-extremism agents in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism. Looking at the issue of gender, there is a new ability through online research to retrieve valuable insight into terrorist strategies around recruitment of women from online propaganda. This chapter aims to address questions of gender within current radicalisation trends through an analysis of online data, and through tracking Western females who are migrating to territories under the control of ISIS.
A Supplementary Intervention to Deradicalisation
Authors: Shi Priscilla
Published: April 2016

With today's technological advancements, common online platforms, such as Gmail, forum, websites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, are used by millions to communicate and share information in the form of text, image or both with varying synchronicity. In a similar way, violent extremists are also bringing their radical agenda online. As more individuals become radicalised by online violent extremist propaganda, the need to counter such propaganda and manage existing threats, such as incarcerated detainees who are more technology-savvy, becomes increasingly urgent. This chapter propounds the idea of online deradicalisation. First, the online milieu and its concomitant social phenomena will be discussed. Second, an overview of existing elements of deradicalisation and its target audience will be covered. Third, the chapter will delve into online psychotherapy and its potential applicability to deradicalisation. Last, the chapter will conclude with relevant implications and future research directions.
Death by Hacking
Authors: Wang Penelope
Published: April 2016

Innovation and technological advancements have seen many devices and systems being linked up on to the Internet. Such devices and systems include personal medical devices like insulin pumps and pacemakers, cars, as well as critical infrastructure like power grids and traffic light systems. However, recent research by cyber security experts has revealed that these critical devices and systems are highly vulnerable to being hacked into and manipulated. Should such an attack be carried out successfully by bad actors, like violent extremists, this could result in physical injury or even death. Hence, this chapter aims to bring awareness on the kinetic cyber threat by highlighting various forms of kinetic cyber, and the vulnerabilities that make these devices and systems susceptible. In addition, this chapter introduces the motivations and characteristics of violent extremists who might engage in kinetic cyber, and ends off by proposing some recommended directions to counter this threat.
What Model Best Describes Initial Choices in a Cournot Duopoly Experiment?
Authors: Runco Mariano Gabriel
Published: April 2016

This paper tests empirically four models of bounded rationality using data from first responses in a Cournot duopoly experiment. Specifically, the models considered are Level-k, Quantal Response Equilibrium, Noisy Introspection and Logit Cognitive Hierarchy. It is found that the Level-k model (with proportions of Level-0, Level-1 and Level-8 given by 68.5%, 13.2% and 18.3% respectively) provides the best fit in terms of Log-Likelihood and BIC. Moreover, the robustness of our findings is corroborated analyzing subsets of the original data.
How Can Agile Methodologies Be Used to Enhance the Success of Information Technology Projects?
Authors: Truong Dothang , Jitbaipoon Thawatchai
Published: April 2016

Dynamic and unpredictable business environments in the information technology (IT) sector have led to a rapid growth of agile methodologies. Organizations claim that using agile methodologies can enhance the success of IT projects in such environments. However, fluctuating patterns of successful and failed agile IT projects recently raise a question about a path to successful IT projects using agile methodologies. The purpose of this research is to examine agile driven factors and relationships between them and IT project success. Data collected from a pilot survey of agile practitioners were used to confirm important agile driven factors: Agile Team Capability, IT Development Agility, and Agile Culture. The research also tested a structural model that examined indirect impacts of IT development agility and agile culture on project success via a mediation of agile team capability. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Team Interactions for Successful Project Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Pons Dirk , Haefele Steffen
Published: April 2016

Team interactions are recognised as important factors in successful project management. Even so the concept of ‘teams' is not developed to any great detail within the project management literature. This project sought to determine the actual practices of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in regard to their management of teams within project management (PM). The specific area of interest was engineering organisations, and the focus area was New Zealand (NZ). Data were collected by means of a survey, which was advertised through various PM chapters and other organisations. Results show that there is an overwhelming appreciation for the importance of team work in projects, but a low awareness and usage of team models, and a large proportion (37%) of team processes that do not work well. Team building is the team process that is strongest associated with project success. Curiously, the results also suggest the existence of an asymmetrical relationship between teamwork and project success: that effective teamwork IS a factor in project success, but the lack thereof IS NOT a failure factor. Instead the major causes of project failure are identified as primarily poor planning and poor communication. Implications are identified for future developments of a more comprehensive understanding of how team variables affect project success.
A Discriminant Model for Classifying Software Project Performance
Authors: Thomas Sam , Bhasi M.
Published: April 2016

Project managers are concerned about completing the projects on time and cost. IT projects across the globe are notorious for their time and cost overruns. This paper presents output from a comprehensive study on software development risk and project outcome with respect to the projects executed by software companies in India. Based on the data collected from over 300 projects, the authors developed a discriminant model for predicting the project outcome category based on risk scores of a project. The discriminant models developed are seen to possess adequate prediction accuracy to be used in practice. The models can help the project managers in early detection of likely project failures and hence to initiate appropriate counter strategies.
The Impact of Social Relationships on Online Word-of-Mouth and Knowledge Sharing in Social Network Sites
Authors: Abou-Warda Sherein Hamed
Published: April 2016

This study provides insight into how social relationships perspective influence on online Word-of-Mouth and knowledge sharing on social networking sites (SNSs). By using the sample from 385 Egyptian college students - who spend more time on SNSs, this study investigates the relationship among the use of SNSs, users' social Relationships, online Word-of-Mouth, and knowledge sharing. Partial Least Square (PLS) was utilized to examine the hypotheses through a questionnaire designed on the Likert seven-point scale. The results indicated that the intensity of usage of SNSs is a positively related with social relationship factors which has a positive effect on online WOM; in addition, online WOM has positively significant influence on knowledge sharing. The results also indicated that male students are found to have more social relationship than female counterparts do. Male students feel more strongly about knowledge sharing when they perceive that online WOM communication is good.
Position Paper
Authors: Tolu Hüseyin
Published: April 2016

Today's burgeoning software profoundly sells hardware; and is crucially definable between Free Livre/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) and Proprietary Close Source Software (PCSS). Therefore, this paper argues how and why Turkey has locked-in PCSS, and particularly investigates outcomes and reasons for not using FLOSS in Turkey's state apparatus in order to demonstrate techno-politics of Turkey. The study used secondary sources of data obtained from Turkey's public reports, in particular parliamentary written questions and responses reports generated between 2004 and 2013, and studied by Critical Discourse Analysis. Although Ministries in Turkey have repeatedly declared that there is no obligatory protocol(s) and agreement(s) with PCSS and that there is no vendor lock-in issue as criticized in the media and parliament, the evidence, particularly pragmatic techno-sociological perspective has steered State-Scapegoatism that builds-in Obsolescence and indicates that there is techno-politically protected PCSS's hegemony, particularly Windows monopoly.
Movie Analytics for Effective Recommendation System using Pig with Hadoop
Authors: Jain Arushi , Bhatnagar Vishal
Published: April 2016

Movies have been a great source of entertainment for the people ever since their inception in the late 18th century. The term movie is very broad and its definition contains language and genres such as drama, comedy, science fiction and action. The data about movies over the years is very vast and to analyze it, there is a need to break away from the traditional analytics techniques and adopt big data analytics. In this paper the authors have taken the data set on movies and analyzed it against various queries to uncover real nuggets from the dataset for effective recommendation system and ratings for the upcoming movies.
Public Transportation and Private Car
Authors: Bajracharya Arun
Published: April 2016

While there is a general agreement that the use of public transportation should be encouraged, it has also been reported that the willingness and tendency to use the public transportation is dominated by the propensity of private car use. Consequently, the persistent increase in the modal share of private car has been a matter of concern in the context of growing cities. This research starts with the understanding that the entire state of the modal share in a city would be the collective reflection of the mode choice behaviour of individuals who populate the large population mass in the city. A causal feedback loop model is developed to study the individual mode choice behaviour in the context of a city. The model is then translated into a system dynamics simulation model. The context of Dubai has been considered in order to operationalise the simulation model. The simulation experiments revealed that it would be challenging to motivate individuals in using the public transportation in the city where private car has already been a dominant mode. It is also found that the very desire of individuals to own and use private car is one of the key points that should be addressed properly if the mode choice is to be influenced.
Standard Deviation Method Based PSO
Authors: Majumder Arindam , Majumder Abhishek
Published: April 2016

Nowadays, optimization of process parameters in manufacturing process deals with a number of objectives. However, the optimization of such process becomes more complex if selected attributes are conflicting in nature. Therefore, to overcome this problem in this study a SDM based PSO algorithm is proposed for optimizing the manufacturing process having multi attribute. In this proposed approach the SDM is used to convert multi attributes into single attribute, named as multi performance index, while the optimal value of this multi performance index is predicted by PSO. Finally, three instances related to optimization of advanced manufacturing process parameters are solved by the proposed approach and are compared with the results of the other established optimization techniques such as Desirability based RSM, SDM-GA and SDM-CACO. From the comparison it has been revealed that the proposed approach performs better as compare to the existing approaches.
Hybrid BFO and PSO Swarm Intelligence Approach for Biometric Feature Optimization
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Singh Sanjay Kumar
Published: April 2016

Nature-inspired novel swarm intelligence algorithms have gained more proliferation due to a variety of applications and uses in optimization of complex problems and selection of discriminatory sets of features to classify huge datasets during the past few decades. Feature selection is an efficient and useful pre-processing technique for solving classification problems in computer vision, data mining and pattern recognition. The major challenges of solving the feature selection problems lay in swarm intelligence algorithms which are capable of handling the vast number of feature sets from involved databases. In biometric based recognition systems, face recognition is a non-intrusive approach to identify individuals based on their discriminatory sets of facial feature vectors. In this paper, the authors tend to propose a unique novel hybrid based on Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO) and Particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach for the selection of best facial feature vectors that enhance the identification accuracy of the individual recognition because concerned facial info will contain useless and redundant face expression. The proposed hybrid approach mitigates irrelevant facial features in the feature space and selects the relevant set of features from the facial feature space. The proposed feature selection approach presents promising experimental results with respect to the number of facial feature subsets. The identification accuracies are superior to other approaches from the literature.
A Rotary Compression Process for Producing Titanium Alloy Ti6Al4V Shafts
Authors: Tomczak Janusz , Pater Zbigniew , Bulzak Tomasz
Published: April 2016

The paper reports selected results of the research on a rotary compression method for producing a hollow driving shaft used in a helicopter’s rear gear. The tests were performed on two types of material: steel grade 42CrMo4 (Polish Standard: 40 HM) and titanium alloy Ti6Al4V. The first part of the research involved performing a numerical analysis by the finite element method to determine an optimal range of parameters of the rotary compression process. The numerical results were then verified in experimental tests using a machine designed by the authors of this paper. The preliminary experimental results confirm that hollow parts made of steel and titanium alloys can be formed by rotary compression. The results also offer prospects for further research on this problem.
The Structure and Shape Memory of the Hot Extruded NiTi Alloy
Authors: Goryczka Tomasz , Lekston Zdzisław , Dybich Jerzy , Zubko Maciej , Wierzchoń Tadeusz , Stróż Danuta , Lelątko Józef
Published: April 2016

The paper presents results of structural studies of hot extruded NiTi shape memory alloy that is in the B2 phase at room temperature. Texture of the alloy was determined from the X-ray diffraction measurements. It was found that in result of 60 % sample reduction (at a cross-section of a bar formed by hot extrusion) weak axial texture - type <110>B2 was formed. The volume of the grains oriented in this way was approx. 20 %. Basing on metallographic observations it was also found that the size of the grains formed as a result of the thermomechanical treatment was uniform with the average area of 1700 μm2. This information is significant from the point of view of functional properties. Hot extruded alloy revealed presence of the reversible martensitic transformation. Its characteristic temperatures were slight higher than in as-cast alloy. Moreover, the extruded NiTi alloy showed 100 % of the shape recovery.
Analysis of SCM Sill Beam Reinforced with Steel or Titanium Profile
Authors: Pomada Marta , Adamus Janina , Boruszewski Artur
Published: April 2016

Minimization of the demand for energy which is needed to heat a building is an important issue of a sustainable development policy, therefore mutual exchange of heat between the interior of the building and its external environment through a window as well as its mounting parts is one of the most important issues of energy calculations.In the paper, the SCM (Quick Warm Mounting) sill beam used as a support for a window installed in a thermal insulation layer is analyzed. Due to the fact that titanium has a more favorable specific strength, lower coefficient of thermal conductivity and much higher resistance to corrosion than steel, the currently used steel reinforcement of the SCM beam was replaced by a titanium one. Numerical calculations were performed using the ADINA System, which is based on the finite element method (FEM). The process of heat exchange between the interior with the constant temperature of 20°C and the external environment with the constant temperature of -20°C is analysed. The temperature distribution in the wall, the dew point temperature as well as corrosion and economical aspects associated with the use of titanium profiles are discussed.
Structure and Martensitic Transformation in Ti50Ni(50-X)NbX  (X=5; 10) Alloy Produced by Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Goryczka Tomasz , Piżuch Kinga , Dworak Michał
Published: April 2016

The TiNiNb alloys with nominal composition containing 5at.% and 10at.% of niobium, substituted for nickel, were produced using a powder metallurgy. Alloys were produced from the initial powders of titanium, nickel and niobium with purity about 99.7%. Mixed powders were sintered at vacuum furnace at various sintering condition. Alloys showed the presence of the reversible martensitic transformation occurring between the B2 phase and the monoclinic martensite B19'. Apart from the presence of the transformable phases, also the non-transformable phase Ti2Ni was identified. Moreover, in sintered alloy (shorter sintering time), some amount of the niobium was stated. Increase of the niobium content also increased characteristic temperatures of the martensitic transformation.
Presentación
Authors: Caro Isaac , Jiles Susana
Published: April 2016

Presentación
El hombre medieval somos nosotros* Aspectos medievales de la esfera internacional contemporánea
Authors: Aranda Bustamante Gilberto
Published: April 2016

Este ensayo recupera la recurrente semejanza entre la Edad Media y determinados aspectos del mundo contemporáneo. Lejos de sostener la re-edición de un tiempo histórico pretérito que constituyó una civilización en sí misma, sobre la base de autores provenientes de la filosofía, semiología y el internacionalismo, se plantea la tesis de un neomedievalismo político específicamente en lo concerniente a la multiplicación de unidades políticas sobrepuestas no exclusivamente estatales. Concluye que la naturaleza transicional del sistema de posguerra fría refuerza la comparación con la transición fundante del Medioevo
En torno de las conversaciones de 1950. La política hacia Bolivia de Gabriel González Videla: 1946-1952
Authors: Cortés Díaz Milton
Published: April 2016

En 1950 los gobiernos de Chile y Bolivia publicaron dos notas diplomáticas en la cual anunciaban sus intenciones de iniciar conversaciones sobre las aspiraciones marítimas de Bolivia. Aunque esta iniciativa nunca se concretó debido a la oposición interna y externa, se convirtió en un hito en las relaciones chileno- bolivianas. Para explicar este acercamiento, en esta investigación haremos uso de documentación inédita del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, que revelan como elemento central el cambio en la estrategia internacional de González Videla, que vio en el acercamiento diplomático e ideológico con Bolivia una necesidad para el mantenimiento de la seguridad de Chile y su sistema democrático, en peligro por lo que concebía como amenazas totalitarias
CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL DATA OF ADULT THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS (TM) WITH MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE COMPLICATIONS (MEC) VERSUS TM PATIENTS WITH NORMAL ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE LONG-TERM STUDY (40 YEARS) IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN ITALY
Authors: De Sanctis Vincenzo , Elsedfy Heba
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Introduction: It is well known that the older generation of adult TM patients has a higher incidence of morbidities and co-morbidities. At present, little information is available on adult TM patients with multiple endocrine complications (MEC). The main objectives of this longitudinal retrospective survey were: 1) to establish the incidence and progression of MEC (3 or more) in TM patients; 2) to compare the clinical, laboratory and imaging data to a sex and age-matched group of TM patients without MEC; 3) to assess the influence of iron overload represented by serum ferritin (peak and mean annual value at the last endocrine observation).Patients and Methods: The study was started in January 1974 and was completed by the same physician at the end of December 2015. The registry database of the regularly followed TM patients from diagnosis included 145 adults (> 18 years). All TM patients were of Italian ethnic origin. Eleven out of 145 patients (7.5 %) developed MEC. Twenty-four other patients (12 females and 12 males) had a normal endocrine function (16.5 %) and served as controls.Results: In our survey, four important, relevant aspects emerged in the MEC group. These included the late age at the start of chelation therapy with desferrioxamine mesylate (DFO); the higher serum ferritin peak (8521.8 ± 5958.9 vs 3575.2± 1801.4 ng/ml ); the higher percentage of splenectomized (81.8 % vs. 28.5%) patients and poor compliance registered mainly during the peripubertal and pubertal age (72.7 % vs.16.6 %) in TM patients developing MEC versus those without endocrine complications. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed in all TM patients between LIC and final height (r: -0.424; p= 0.031).Conclusions: Our study supports the view that simultaneous involvement of more than one endocrine gland is not uncommon (7.5 %). It mainly occurred in TM patients who started chelation therapy with DFO late in life and who had irregular/poor compliance to treatment. Therefore, prevention of the endocrine complications through adopting early and regular chelation therapy appears mandatory for improving the quality of life and psychological outcome of these patients. When diagnosing and managing patients with MEC, it is of paramount importance that the multidisciplinary team have excellent knowledge relating to these complications. In ideal circumstances an endocrinologist with experience of TM will form part of the regular multidisciplinary team caring for such patients.
Sertoliform Endometrioid Tumor of Ovary Presenting as Torsion
Authors: Pai Prathiksha , Jadhav Meena N , Patil Rashmi K , Kittur Shreekant K
Published: April 2016

Sertoliform endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary (SEC) is an uncommon variant that bears histologic similarity to sertoli and sertoli-leydig cell tumors. We report an interesting case of SEC in a 55-year-old female with a left ovarian mass with torsion. Histology revealed an SEC, featuring foci of typical endometrioid carcinoma, and areas composed of uniform, small, hollow tubules lined by columnar cells with apical cytoplasm. Tumor cells were strongly immunoreactive for EMA and cytokeratin but negative for inhibin; thus, confirming the diagnosis of SEC ovary. Recognition of this tumor is important as it is a well-differentiated, low-grade malignancy that displays good prognosis when confined to the ovary.
Sharma’s Python Sign: A New Tubal Sign in Female Genital Tuberculosis
Authors: Sharma Jai Bhagwan
Published: April 2016

Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is an important cause of infertility in developing countries. Various type of TB salpingitis can be endosalpingitis, exosalpingitis, interstitial TB salpingitis, and salpingitis isthmica nodosa. The fallopian tubes are thickened enlarged and tortuous. Unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx or pyosalpinx may be formed. A new sign python sign is presented in which fallopian tube looks like a blue python on dye testing in FGTB.
Craniofacial trauma in pediatric patients following winnowing blade injury-review of literature
Authors: Huliyappa Harsha , Ojha Balakrishna , Chandra Anil , Singh Sunil , Srivastava Chhitij
Published: April 2016

In developing countries, during the harvest season, winnower blade injuries occur very frequently in children and results in lifelong disability. Nine children were managed during 1 month, all resulting due to winnower blade induced craniofacial trauma. PubMed search for “fan blade injury” showed two case series and three case reports. In our study, 88% had compound depressed fracture; brain matter leak in 56%, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak alone in 22%. 66.7% had injury involving the frontal bone. Two patients had eye injury with visual loss. Seven underwent debridement craniectomy, five augmentation duroplasty and three contusectomy. All had vegetable material, sand particles. Complications in 66.6% with two cases of CSF leak settled with lumbar drain, one case of CSF otorrohea, 22.2% of wound infection, 44.4% wound dehiscence requiring redebridement and suturing in five patients. Two patients had postoperative seizures, two patients had hemiparesis both improved. Two low Glasgow Coma Scale remained so on postoperative period. One case of subdural empyema needed debridement and duroplasty with glue. No mortality noted. These findings were consistent with previous reports. Follow-up at 1.5 months showed good functional recovery. Early surgery debridement, steps to minimize postoperative infections, identifying putative risk factors early in the management are the principles of a successful treatment regimen.
Frontal mucocele mimicking a frontal subcutaneous tumor
Authors: Bijith Ellath , Mathew Shaju , Mahadevan Krishnaswamy
Published: April 2016

Mucoceles are chronic, expanding, mucosa lined pathology of the paranasal sinuses. Frontal mucocele usually presents with the visual complaints such as diplopia, diminution of vision, visual field defect, ptosis, orbital swelling, retro-orbital pain, displacement of eye globe, and proptosis. Very rarely, it can be present as a subcutaneous swelling. This article presents a 58-year-old male patient presenting with an asymptomatic periorbital swelling and a painless forehead mass of 3 years duration. There was a partial ptosis, and an elongated, soft, subcutaneous mass over the forehead. Surgical excision of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of a mucocele. Postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic. A subcutaneous soft-tissue mass may be the presenting complaint of a frontal mucocele. Careful examination of the surrounding skin may suggest the diagnosis of sinus-related disease and thus direct appropriate investigations.
Severity of anemia and hemostatic parameters are strong predictors of outcome in postoperative neurosurgical patients
Authors: Kotru Mrinalini , Munjal Satya , Mutreja Deepti , Kumar Guresh , Singh Manmohan , Seth Tullika , Pati Hara
Published: April 2016

Objective: Post-operative neurosurgical patients are commonly associated with haemostatic derangements; many a times leading to development of overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and eventually death in some of them. The present study has analysed the factors that would predict the outcome in post operative neurosurgical patients with deranged haemostatic parameters. Methods: This is a prospective, descriptive study over a period of 15 months on 115 post operative neurosurgical patients who were clinically suspected to have DIC and investigated for the haemostatic parameters. Patients with at least one parameter abnormal were included in the study and complete data was available in 85 patients was analysed. Results: Majority of deaths (22/33, 66.7%) were related to bleeding and end organ failure attributed to DIC. The most common haemostatic abnormalities found were thrombocytopenia with prolonged Prothrombin time (PT) in 48/115 (42.7%) patients. The parameters found significantly different between those who survived and those died were age, post-operative development of chest infections, severe anemia, and renal function abnormalities. Also, patient outcome correlated strongly with marked prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) and Partial thromboplastin time (PTT). However, presence of ≥3 coagulation abnormalities, presence of significant drop in haemoglobin post operatively and /or development of chest infection predicted death in postoperative neurosurgical patients with accuracy of 80.4% and this was highly significant (P = 0.000). Conclusion: Presence of ≥3 coagulation abnormalities, significant drop in hemoglobin post operatively and /or development of chest infection post-operatively were strong predictors of death in postoperative neurosurgical patients.
Genetic associations of intracranial aneurysm formation and sub-arachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Theodotou Christian , Snelling Brian , Sur Samir , Haussen Diogo , Peterson Eric , Elhammady Mohamed
Published: April 2016

Risk factors for cerebral aneurysms typically include age, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol usage. However, the possible connection of aneurysms with genetic conditions such as Marfan's syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, and neurofibromatosis raises the question of possible genetic risk factors for aneurysm, and additionally, genetic risk factors for rupture. We conducted a literature review using the PubMed database for studies regarding genetic correlation with cerebral aneurysm formation as well as rupture from December 2008 to Jun 2015. Twenty-one studies related to IA formation and 10 concerning IA rupture that met our criteria were found and tabulated. The most studied gene and the strongest association was 9p21/CDKN2, which is involved in vessel wall remodelling. Other possible genes that may contribute to IA formation include EDNRA and SOX17; however, these factors were not studied as robustly as CDKN2. Multiple factors contribute to aneurysm formation and rupture and the contributions of blood flow dynamics and comorbidities as mentioned previously, cannot be ignored. While these elements are important to development and rupture of aneurysms, genetic influence may predispose certain patients to formation of aneurysms and eventual rupture.
Eigenvalues of −Δp − Δq Under Neumann Boundary Condition
Authors: Mihăilescu Mihai , Moroşanu Gheorghe
Published: April 2016

The eigenvalue problem −Δpu − Δqu = λ|u|q−2u with p ∊ (1,∞), q ∊ (2,∞), p ≠ q subject to the corresponding homogeneous Neumann boundary condition is investigated on a bounded open set with smooth boundary from ℝN with N ≥ 2. A careful analysis of this problem leads us to a complete description of the set of eigenvalues as being a precise interval (λ1, ∞) plus an isolated point λ = 0. This comprehensive result is strongly related to our framework, which is complementary to the well-known case p = q ≠ 2 for which a full description of the set of eigenvalues is still unavailable.
La reconstrucción de la Frauenkirche de Dresde
Authors: Vegas López-Manzanares Fernando
Published: April 2016

La complejidad y el conjunto de múltiples factores que rodean al caso de la reconstrucción de la iglesia de la Frauenkirche descarta de entrada los juicios precipitados y las etiquetas prestablecidas y merece una reflexión más profunda. Este artículo pretende indagar en la polisemia del templo partiendo de las circunstancias de su origen y su historia y dejar patente su singularidad arquitectónica, para pasar a ponderar posteriormente las consideraciones técnicas, urbanísticas y teóricas que incumben a esta reconstrucción y proporcionan elementos de juicio para estimar la bondad de la intervención.
La vía Trajana
Authors: Salierno Luigi
Published: April 2016

El patrimonio histórico incluye también en su significado aquel que incumbe a un ámbito geográfico extenso, vertebrado por características comunes, por un substrato cultural común o por una ruta histórica. Éste es el caso de la Vía Trajana en el sur de Italia, que ha sido objeto de estudio para su recuperación histórica y cultural, y ha conseguido aunar esfuerzos de diversos organismos y vincular los hitos de la calzada romana dentro de un proyecto de gran coherencia estructural para el territorio.
Conservación y Restauración de ornamentos Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas
Authors: Rallo Gruss Carmen
Published: April 2016

La intervención en un edificio tan complejo y rico en ornamentaciones como el Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas exige una atención espcial a la restauración de todos los elementos singulares, exteriores e interiores, a los diversos acabados y bienes muebles. Dentro de esta metodología de restauración integral cabe destacar las obras de consolidación y limpieza de la emblemática portada de alabastro, la restauración de pinturas y el tratamiento de las diversas colecciones de azulejos.
Forests on drained agricultural peatland are potentially large sources of greenhouse gases – insights from a full rotation period simulation
Authors: He Hongxing , Jansson Per-Erik , Svensson Magnus , Björklund Jesper , Tarvainen Lasse , Klemedtsson Leif , Kasimir Åsa
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The CoupModel was used to simulate a Norway spruce forest on fertile drained peat over 60 years, from planting in 1951 until 2011, describing abiotic, biotic and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (CO2 and N2O). By calibrating the model against tree ring data a “vegetation fitted” model was obtained by which we were able to describe the fluxes and controlling factors over the 60 years. We discuss some conceptual issues relevant to improving the model in order to better understand peat soil simulations. However, the present model was able to describe the most important ecosystem dynamics such as the plant biomass development and GHG emissions. The GHG fluxes are composed of two important quantities, the spruce forest carbon (C) uptake, 413 g C m−2 yr−1 and the decomposition of peat soil, 399 g C m−2 yr−1. N2O emissions contribute to the GHG emissions by up to 0.7 g N m−2 yr−1, corresponding to 76 g C m−2 yr−1. The 60-year old spruce forest has an accumulated biomass of 16.0 kg C m−2 (corresponding to 60 kg CO2 m−2). However, over this period, 26.4 kg C m−2 (97 kg CO2eq m−2) has been added to the atmosphere, as both CO2 and N2O originating from the peat soil and, indirectly, from forest thinning products, which we assume have a short lifetime. We conclude that after harvest at an age of 80 years, most of the stored biomass carbon is liable to be released, the system having captured C only temporarily and with a cost of disappeared peat, adding CO2 to the atmosphere.
Interannual variability of the atmospheric CO2 growth rate: roles of precipitation and temperature
Authors: Wang Jun , Zeng Ning , Wang Meirong
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The interannual variability (IAV) in atmospheric CO2 growth rate (CGR) is closely connected with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. However, sensitivities of CGR to temperature and precipitation remain largely uncertain. This paper analyzed the relationship between Mauna Loa CGR and tropical land climatic elements. We find that Mauna Loa CGR lags precipitation by 4 months with a correlation coefficient of −0.63, leads temperature by 1 month (0.77), and correlates with soil moisture (−0.65) with zero lag. Additionally, precipitation and temperature are highly correlated (−0.66), with precipitation leading by 4–5 months. Regression analysis shows that sensitivities of Mauna Loa CGR to temperature and precipitation are 2.92 ± 0.20 PgC yr−1 K−1 and −0.46 ± 0.07 PgC yr−1 100 mm−1, respectively. Unlike some recent suggestions, these empirical relationships favor neither temperature nor precipitation as the dominant factor of CGR IAV. We further analyzed seven terrestrial carbon cycle models, from the TRENDY project, to study the processes underlying CGR IAV. All models capture well the IAV of tropical land–atmosphere carbon flux (CFTA). Sensitivities of the ensemble mean CFTA to temperature and precipitation are 3.18 ± 0.11 PgC yr−1 K−1 and −0.67 ± 0.04 PgC yr−1 100 mm−1, close to Mauna Loa CGR. Importantly, the models consistently show the variability in net primary productivity (NPP) dominates CGR, rather than heterotrophic respiration. Because previous studies have proved that NPP is largely driven by precipitation in tropics, it suggests a key role of precipitation in CGR IAV despite the higher CGR correlation with temperature. Understanding the relative contribution of CO2 sensitivity to precipitation and temperature has important implications for future carbon-climate feedback using such ''emergent constraint''.
The import and export of organic nitrogen species at a Scottish ombrotrophic peatland
Authors: McKenzie Rebecca M. , Özel Mustafa Z. , Cape J. Neil , Drewer Julia , Dinsmore Kerry J. , Nemitz Eiko , Tang Y. Sim , van Dijk Netty , Anderson Margaret , Hamilton Jacqueline F. , Sutton Mark A. , Gallagher Martin W. , Skiba Ute
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) contributes significantly to the overall nitrogen budget, but is not routinely measured in precipitation or stream water. In order to investigate the contribution of DON to the deposition and export of N, precipitation, stream and soil water samples were collected from an ombrotrophic peatland and analysed for DON over a 2-year period. In wet-only deposition DON contributed up to 10 % of the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and was the most dominant fraction in soil water (99 %) and stream water (75 %). NH4+ was the most dominate form of N in precipitation, with NO3− contributing the least to precipitation, soil water and stream water. Precipitation and stream DON were qualitatively analysed by a two-dimensional gas chromatograph coupled to a nitrogen chemiluminescence detector (GC × GC-NCD) after trapping onto C18 solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Ten unique compounds were detected and five identified as pyrrole, benzonitrile, dodecylamine, N-nitrosodipropylamine and decylamine. Five compounds were present in both precipitation and stream samples: pyrrole, benzonitrile and three unidentified compounds. The SPE-extraction efficiency for DON was very low (11 %), but with improvements DON speciation could become a valuable tool to provide information on its sources and pathways and inform chemical transport models.
Seasonal and interannual variability of coccolithophore blooms in the North East-Atlantic Ocean from a 18-year time-series of satellite water-leaving radiance
Authors: Perrot Laurie , Gohin Francis , Ruiz-Pino Diana , Lampert Luis
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Evaluate the impact of anthropogenic CO2 uptake and acidification on the most abundant calcareous phytoplankton, coccolithophores, requires a better knowledge of the temporal and spatial evolution of their blooms. Here we determine, from satellite radiance, the seasonal and interannual variability of coccolithophore blooms for 18 years (1998 to 2015) across the North-East Atlantic region covering the Bay of Biscay and the Celtic Sea. The identification of coccolithophores is carried out using a modified version of the fuzzy method developed by Moore (2009) applied to a time series of SeaWiFS (1998–2003) and MODIS (2003–2015) spectral radiance. After identification of the coccolith pixels, the abundance of coccoliths is assessed from a data base of non-algal Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), a product initially developed for estimating the content of mineral particles, mainly due to resuspension effects, in coastal waters. The results, in terms of identification and quantification, are consistent with in situ observations in the area and with those of algorithms addressing coccolithophore blooms at global scale (CALCITE and PHYSAT). Although a regular pattern in the phenology of the blooms is observed, starting south in April in Biscay and moving northwards until July near Ireland, there is a high seasonal and interannual variability in the extent of the blooms. Year 2014 shows very low concentrations of coccoliths from space (twice less than average) and anomalies point out the maximum level for 2001. The cause of the seasonal and interannual variability of the coccolithophores blooms in this Atlantic region remains an open question.