bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Companies Withdrawal from Lithuania: Problematics and Alternative Solutions
Authors: Tauraitė Viktorija
Published: July 2017

The main attention in this article is focused on the problematic of international companies’ withdrawal from Lithuania and presentation of alternative solutions of this problem. The macro(Sweden, Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland) level analysis and micro (“Coca-Cola”, “Nordea” and DNB, “Orkla”) level analysis showed that competitiveness, business conditions, employment relations, institutional environment and innovation should be improved and the corruption should be reduced in Lithuania. It is advisable that current Lithuanian Labour Code should be revised in order to increase the efficiency of labour relations. It is found out that the significance of “Coca-Cola”company is the highest in the context of the withdrawing companies from Lithuania. It is assumed that the most rational solution for each company is to move from Lithuania to another country.
The international trade pattern of Lithuanian metalworking sector
Authors: Orlavičienė Gintarė , Vilys Mantas
Published: July 2017

Many international trade theories have been created until nowadays. However, not so much of real life cases were analysed in order to check their validity. The goal of this paper is to analyse Lithuanian metalworking sector in order to define whether any of international trade theories explain its international trade’s pattern. In order to reach the goal scientific literature analysis was made to gain knowledge about different international trade theories. The analysis of other author’s works in this field was made as well as statistical data of Lithuania’s metalworking sector analyzed. The findings show that the metalworking sector follows some of the modern as well as classical international trade theories.
Comparative Analysis of Investment Decision Models
Authors: Kekytė Ieva , Stasytytė Viktorija
Published: July 2017

Rapid development of financial markets resulted new challenges for both investors and investment issues. This increased demand for innovative, modern investment and portfolio management decisions adequate for market conditions. Financial market receives special attention, creating new models, includes financial risk management and investment decision support systems.Researchers recognize the need to deal with financial problems using models consistent with the reality and based on sophisticated quantitative analysis technique. Thus, role mathematical modeling in finance becomes important. This article deals with various investments decision-making models, which include forecasting, optimization, stochatic processes, artificial intelligence, etc., and become useful tools for investment decisions.
Įmonių personalo kokybės kompleksinis vertinimas
Authors: Parfionova Liudmila Julija , Ginevičius Romualdas
Published: July 2017

Šiame straipsnyje analizuojamos personalo vertinimo sąvokos, subjektai ir principais, kuriais vadovaujamasi
parenkant personalo vertinimo kriterijus. Darbe taip pat nagrinėjamos šiuo metu taikomos įmonių personalo kokybės metodikos.
Didėjant kriterijų, kuriuos reikia objektyviai įvertinti, skaičiui, ši tema tampa vis aktualesnė. Tyrimo metu buvo
išsiaiškinta, kad nagrinėtose įmonėse vadovai nėra patenkinti dabartine vertinimo sistema; vertinimo metodikos visiškai
neatitinka įmonių strateginių tikslų; vadovų vizijos arba vertinimai atliekami labai subjektyviai, dažniausiai vertina tiesioginis
vadovas. Atliktos literatūros analizės ir anketinės įmonių vadovų apklausos rezultatai leidžia suformuoti personalo kokybės
kompleksinio vertinimo modelį, objektyviai įvertinti darbuotoją. Siūlomas modelis yra paprastas, tikslus ir universalus.
Taikant siūlomą metodiką galima bus įvertinti ir pavienius darbuotojus, ir didesnes grupes bei palyginti juos tarpusavyje.
X-Ray Bolometric Corrections for Compton-thick Active Galactic Nuclei
Authors: Brightman M. , Baloković M. , Ballantyne D. R. , Bauer F. E. , Boorman P. , Buchner J. , Brandt W. N. , Comastri A. , Moro A. Del , Farrah D. , Gandhi P. , Harrison F. A. , Koss M. , Lanz L. , Masini A. , Ricci C. , Stern D. , Vasudevan R. , Walton D. J.
Published: July 2017

We present X-ray bolometric correction factors,

(≡

/

), for Compton-thick (CT) active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with the aim of testing AGN torus models, probing orientation effects, and estimating the bolometric output of the most obscured AGNs. We adopt bolometric luminosities,

, from literature infrared (IR) torus modeling and compile published intrinsic 2–10 keV X-ray luminosities,

, from X-ray torus modeling of NuSTAR data. Our sample consists of 10 local CT AGNs, where both of these estimates are available. We test for systematic differences in

values produced when using two widely used IR torus models and two widely used X-ray torus models, finding consistency within the uncertainties. We find that the mean

of our sample in the range of

is log10

 = 1.44 ± 0.12 with an intrinsic scatter of ∼0.2 dex, and that our derived

values are consistent with previously established relationships between

and

and

and Eddington ratio (

). We investigate if

is dependent on

by comparing our results on CT AGNs to published results on less-obscured AGNs, finding no significant dependence. Since many of our sample are megamaser AGNs, known to be viewed edge-on, and furthermore under the assumptions of AGN unification whereby unobscured AGNs are viewed face-on, our result implies that the X-ray emitting corona is not strongly anisotropic. Finally, we present

values for CT AGNs identified in X-ray surveys as a function of their observed

, where an estimate of their intrinsic

is not available, and redshift, useful for estimating the bolometric output of the most obscured AGNs across cosmic time.
NuSTAR and XMM-Newton Observations of the 2015 Outburst Decay of GX 339-4
Authors: Stiele H. , Kong A. K. H.
Published: July 2017

The extent of the accretion disk in the low/hard state of stellar mass black hole X-ray binaries remains an open question. There is some evidence suggesting that the inner accretion disk is truncated and replaced by a hot flow, while the detection of relativistic broadened iron emission lines seems to require an accretion disk extending fully to the innermost stable circular orbit. We present comprehensive spectral and timing analyses of six Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array and XMM-Newton observations of GX 339–4 taken during outburst decay in the autumn of 2015. Using a spectral model consisting of a thermal accretion disk, Comptonized emission, and a relativistic reflection component, we obtain a decreasing photon index, consistent with an X-ray binary during outburst decay. Although we observe a discrepancy in the inner radius of the accretion disk and that of the reflector, which can be attributed to the different underlying assumptions in each model, both model components indicate a truncated accretion disk that resiles with decreasing luminosity. The evolution of the characteristic frequency in Fourier power spectra and their missing energy dependence support the interpretation of a truncated and evolving disk in the hard state. The XMM-Newton data set allowed us to study, for the first time, the evolution of the covariance spectra and ratio during outburst decay. The covariance ratio increases and steeps during outburst decay, consistent with increased disk instabilities.
Line Ratios for Solar Wind Charge Exchange with Comets
Authors: Mullen P. D. , Cumbee R. S. , Lyons D. , Gu L. , Kaastra J. , Shelton R. L. , Stancil P. C.
Published: July 2017

Charge exchange (CX) has emerged in X-ray emission modeling as a significant process that must be considered in many astrophysical environments—particularly comets. Comets host an interaction between solar wind ions and cometary neutrals to promote solar wind charge exchange (SWCX). X-ray observatories provide astronomers and astrophysicists with data for many X-ray emitting comets that are impossible to accurately model without reliable CX data. Here, we utilize a streamlined set of computer programs that incorporate the multi-channel Landau–Zener theory and a cascade model for X-ray emission to generate cross sections and X-ray line ratios for a variety of bare and non-bare ion single electron capture (SEC) collisions. Namely, we consider collisions between the solar wind constituent bare and H-like ions of C, N, O, Ne, Na, Mg, Al, and Si and the cometary neutrals H2O, CO, CO2, OH, and O. To exemplify the application of this data, we model the X-ray emission of Comet C/2000 WM1 (linear) using the CX package in SPEX and find excellent agreement with observations made with the XMM-Newton RGS detector. Our analyses show that the X-ray intensity is dominated by SWCX with H, while H2O plays a secondary role. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that CX cross sections have been implemented into a X-ray spectral fitting package to determine the H to H2O ratio in cometary atmospheres. The CX data sets are incorporated into the modeling packages SPEX and Kronos.
Inner Warm Disk of ESO Hα 279a Revealed by NA i and CO Overtone Emission Lines
Authors: Lyo A-Ran , Kim Jongsoo , Lee Jae-Joon , Kim Kyoung-Hee , Kang Jihyun , Byun Do-Young , Mace Gregory , Sokal Kimberly R. , Park Chan , Chun Moo-Young , Oh Heeyoung , Yu Young Sam , Oh Jae Sok , Jeong Ueejeong , Kim Hwihyun , Pak Soojong , Hwang Narae , Park Byeong-Gon , Lee Sungho , Kaplan Kyle , Lee Hye-In , Le Huynh Anh Nguyen , Jaffe Daniel ,   (The Friends of AASTeX Collaboration)
Published: July 2017

We present an analysis of near-infrared, high-resolution spectroscopy toward the flat-spectrum young stellar object (YSO) ESO Hα 279a (∼1.5M
⊙) in the Serpens star-forming region at a distance of 429 pc. Using the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrometer (IGRINS; R ≈ 45,000), we detect emission lines originating from the accretion channel flow, jet, and inner disk. Specifically, we identify hydrogen Brackett series recombination, [Fe ii], [Fe iii], [Fe iv], Ca i, Na i, H2, H2O, and CO overtone emission lines. By modeling five bands of CO overtone emission lines and the symmetric double-peaked line profile for Na i emission lines, we find that ESO Hα 279a has an actively accreting Keplerian disk. From our Keplerian disk model, we find that Na i emission lines originate between 0.04 and 1.00 au, while the CO overtone emission lines are from the outer part of the disk, in the range between 0.22 and 3.00 au. The model reveals that the neutral atomic Na gas is a good tracer of the innermost region of the actively accreting disk. We derive a mass accretion rate of

M
⊙ yr−1 from the measured Brγ emission luminosity of 1.78(±0.31) × 1031 erg s−1.
Three-dimensional Oscillatory Magnetic Reconnection
Authors: Thurgood Jonathan O. , Pontin David I. , McLaughlin James A.
Published: July 2017

Here we detail the dynamic evolution of localized reconnection regions about 3D magnetic null points using numerical simulation. We demonstrate for the first time that reconnection triggered by the localized collapse of a 3D null point that is due to an external magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave involves a self-generated oscillation, whereby the current sheet and outflow jets undergo a reconnection reversal process during which back-pressure formation at the jet heads acts to prise open the collapsed field before overshooting the equilibrium into an opposite-polarity configuration. The discovery that reconnection at fully 3D nulls can proceed naturally in a time-dependent and periodic fashion suggests that oscillatory reconnection mechanisms may play a role in explaining periodicity in astrophysical phenomena associated with magnetic reconnection, such as the observed quasi-periodicity of solar and stellar flare emission. Furthermore, we find that a consequence of oscillatory reconnection is the generation of a plethora of freely propagating MHD waves that escape the vicinity of the reconnection region.
Responses of Terrestrial Herpetofauna to Persistent, Novel Ecosystems Resulting from Mountaintop Removal Mining
Authors: Williams Jennifer M. , Brown Donald J. , Wood Petra B.
Published: July 2017

Mountaintop removal mining is a large-scale surface mining technique that removes entire floral and faunal communities, along with soil horizons located above coal seams. In West Virginia, the majority of this mining occurs on forested mountaintops. However, after mining ceases the land is typically reclaimed to grasslands and shrublands, resulting in novel ecosystems. In this study, we examined responses of herpetofauna to these novel ecosystems 10–28 y postreclamation. We quantified differences in species-specific habitat associations, (sub)order-level abundances, and habitat characteristics in four habitat types: reclaimed grassland, reclaimed shrubland, forest fragments in mined areas, and nonmined intact forest. Habitat type accounted for 33.2% of the variation in species-specific captures. With few exceptions, forest specialists were associated with intact forest and fragmented forest sites, while habitat generalists were either associated with grassland and shrubland sites or were distributed among all habitat types. At the (sub)order level, salamander (Order Urodela) captures were highest at fragmented and intact forest sites, frog and toad (Order Anura) captures were lowest at intact forest sites, and snake (Suborder Serpentes) captures were highest at shrubland sites. Habitat type was a strong predictor for estimated total abundance of urodeles, but not for anurans or snakes. Tree stem densities in grasslands differed from the other three habitat types, and large trees (>38 cm diameter at breast height) were only present at forest sites. Overstory vegetation cover was greater in forested than in reclaimed habitat types. Ground cover in reclaimed grasslands was distinct from forest treatments with generally less woody debris and litter cover and more vegetative cover. It is important to consider the distributions of habitat specialists of conservation concern when delineating potential mountaintop mine sites, as these sites will likely contain unsuitable habitat for forest specialists for decades or centuries when reclaimed to grassland or shrubland.
AN ASSISTIVE DEVICE FOR QUADRIPLEGIC PATIENTS USING NI-MyRIO
Authors: Tarunkumar S. , Raghul S. S. P. , Karthik Raj V. , Pon Vetrivel
Published: July 2017

One of the primary neural disorders is Paralysis, which causes loss of motion in one or more parts of the body muscles. Quadriplegia is a condition, where both the arms and the legs are paralyzed; as a result, the person is entirely dependent on the caretakers. To help them overcome their difficulties, we proposed a system which can control the house appliances, to communicate, monitor and alert the caregivers or the doctors in the case of an emergency by using his/her eye movements. These eye movements can be recorded using Electrooculography (EOG) that can be used to perform these simple tasks. EOG is the measurement of the corneo-retinal standing potential of the eye. This paper describes how the acquisition of EOG signals is made which can be used to control the home appliances. Also, a communication method for the quadriplegic patients to interact with the caregivers and the designing of a monitoring system which can be used for monitoring the quadriplegic patients and an alarm with pop-up message that can be used to alert the caretakers. The proposed work also describes the electrode placements so as to reduce the artifacts, the types of electrodes used, simple circuits and the programming that are used to control the house appliances using EOG signals. The picked up EOG signal from the subject is given to the processing block which suitably provides an output which can be utilized as an input to the NI MyRIO where the programming is done to control the household appliances and for communication.
DRY ELECTRODE MATERIAL TESTING AND GAIN ANALYSIS FOR SINGLE ARM ECG SYSTEM
Authors: Karthik Raj V. , Abdul Kader Naseem J. , Devapriya S. , Gautham A. , Uthvag S. , Sultana Parveen , Anand S. , Hari Krishna M. , Ghosh Sara , Srivishnuprasath K.
Published: July 2017

Electrocardiography (ECG) is a medical diagnostic procedure used to record the electrical activity of the heart and display it as a waveform. For picking the ECG waveform, wet and dry electrodes can be utilized. Lots of dry electrode related studies have been carried out in different parts of the world. This paper focuses on the acquisition of ECG from the left arm and right arm separately and comparing the waveforms and gain required for the system. In addition to that, different dry electrode materials and dimensions are used to check the acquisition of ECG waveform from the single arm. Dry electrodes employed in this study include copper, brass, phosphor bronze and nickel silver. The various dimensions used in this study are 3[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]mm, 2.5[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2.7[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]mm, 2.5[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2.5[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]mm, 2[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]mm, 2[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]mm and 1[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]mm. A total of five healthy subjects are used in this study for the acquisition of ECG. The results are very much promising in that the gain required for the left arm ECG system is less than that needed for the right arm ECG system and moreover a clear ECG is obtained from the left arm compared to the right arm ECG waveform. All the dry electrodes used in the study can pick the ECG except for the dimension 1[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]mm. Copper and brass provide stable output compared to nickel silver and phosphor bronze.
Testing of External Cylindrical Surfaces of Car Parts after Wide Burnishing Processing
Authors: Grigoriev Sergey N. , Bobrovskij N.M. , Bobrovskij I.N. , Lukyanov Aleksey A. , Seitkulov Abdumalik Rakhimovich
Published: July 2017

The hyper productive surface plastic deformation processing technology called as wide burnishing (WB) was developed in Russian Federation. The mechanics of new WB technology is different from the classic SPD technologies (rolling or burnishing). For example applied force during processing of burnishing is 150-300 N, of WB is 2500-5000 N due to condition of process implementation in mass production with limited processing time (3-4 turnovers of workpiece). WB also has a high degree of deformation due to a multiple deformation passes. The requirement to develop the methodology for testing “Gland neck parts of the car LADA processed by various methods” was caused by the fact that the previously carried out bench tests do not reproduce the real surface of necks shafts working in pair with lip seals. As well there was no methodology for measuring the value of the gland neck wear and the maximum value of the wear grooves was defined of 1.0 mm. Specimens reproducing gland neck in two of the most critical parts were tested: flange of cardan shaft mounting to the drive shaft of the gear box made of steel 40 and crankshaft made of high-strength cast iron 75-50-03 of LADA car. Test results of specimens made of steel 40 presented the surface roughness parameter Ra = 0.06 microns after burnishing and Ra = 0.28 microns after polishing. The test results were measured on profilograph and were obtained the following data: the width of the grooves wear was 936 microns with burnishing and 1152 microns with polishing, depth was 2.16 and 4.94 microns respectively. Size of cross-sectional area of specimen’s groove wear with burnishing - 1090 um2, with polishing - 2848 um2.
Ti-Al-Nb Material for High-Temperature Applications: Combustion Synthesis from Oxide Raw Materials
Authors: Andreev D.E. , Yukhvid V.I. , Ikornikov Denis M. , Sanin Vladimir N.
Published: July 2017

This work is focused on preparation of Nb-doped Ti–Al material (Ti–29.3Al–17.6Nb wt %) by centrifugal SHS. Results of studying of combustion and synthesis regularities of intermetallic material on γ-TiAl base from oxide materials under high gravity are presented in the article. For the first time is used a reduction mixture on Al/Ca base which markedly increases the yield of Ti–Al–Nb and decreases the amount of non-metallic impurities (oxygen, nitrogen, carbon) in target product.
Сomputer-Aided Engineering of the Process of Injection Molding Articles Made of Composite Materials
Authors: Khaimovich Irina Nikolaevna , Khaimovich Alexander I.
Published: July 2017

This article investigates the process of filling the stator vanes of the compressor of short-fiber polymer composite material PEEK with 40% of the reinforcing carbon fiber. The article defines the conditions of filling, depending on process parameters. The technique of optimization of process parameters of injection molding articles of complex geometry made of short-fiber polymer composites (stator blade) is tried out. The technique is based on the analysis of numerical simulation of the filling process and the orientation of the reinforcing fibers by the finite element method from the field of rational modes of casting with the use of 3-layer radial basis neural network. In the end, it is established that the desired orientation of carbon fiber (the maximum value of the orientation tensor) to the greatest extent depends on the speed of injection of the melt, for which the minimum temperature of the mold, ensuring complete filling of the form, should be maximized.
Steel and PVA Fibres Reinforced UHPC Exposed to High Temperatures - Analysis of Residual Properties
Authors: Fořt Jan , Citek David , Pavlíková Milena , Pokorný Jaroslav , Záleská Martina , Pavlík Zbyšek , Černý Robert
Published: July 2017

Residual parameters of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) exposed to high temperatures were experimentally accessed. The UHPC was provided by hybrid fibre reinforcement based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and steel fibres. Among the studied material properties, bulk density, matrix density, total open porosity, pore size distribution, water vapour transmission and liquid water transport properties were examined. The UHPC samples were exposed to the temperatures 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C respectively. For comparative purposes, the reference UHPC samples cured at laboratory temperature were tested as well. Based on the obtained results, correlation between concrete structural changes and tested parameters was found out. The applied temperature load highly affected the concrete porosity, pore size, and thus both liquid and gaseous moisture transport parameters. Disintegration of concrete structure, colour change, cracking, damage of steel fibres (melting), and failure of their cohesion was apparent from optical microscopy analysis.
Utilization of Waste Plastics in Stone Mastic Asphalt for Infrastructural Applications
Authors: Wong S.F. , Htwe A.A. , Oh S.H. , Leo T.Y. , Cheng J. , Tay B.K.
Published: July 2017

This paper reports an experimental study on the use of waste plastics in stone mastic asphalt (SMA) for infrastructural applications (e.g. roads, carparks and underground construction). The binders investigated were conventional bitumen, target bitumen (polymer modified bitumen) and waste plastics (recycled low-density polyethylene LDPE of 5 wt% and 10 wt% blends). The properties of bitumen were assessed based on its penetration value and softening point; while the performance of asphalt premix (or asphalt mixture) was evaluated based on its Marshall stability, flow and quotient. The asphalt mixture incorporating waste plastics (10 wt% LDPE blend) as polymer modifier could be a promising material for use in SMA for infrastructural applications.
The Carbonation of Cement-Based Materials with Different Aggregate Content
Authors: Shen Qi Zhen , Pan Gang Hua
Published: July 2017

The aggregate occupies most of the volume of the concrete; it significantly affects the diffusion of CO2 in the concrete. In this study, we adopted the accelerated carbonation test to investigate the effect of the aggregate content and paste thickness on the carbonation resistance of cement-based materials. Results showed that for the mortar specimens, 44% was the critical percolation sand volume. Within the critical volume, the dilution and tortuosity effects were in the dominant position; while over the critical volume, the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and percolation effects were in the dominant position. For the concrete specimens, the paste thickness had good correlation with the concrete carbonation depth: the paste thickness increased and the carbonation depth showed a decrease tend; otherwise, the paste thickness decrease and the carbonation depth showed an increase tend.
Thermal reliability of SiC device with Cu sintering die-attach processed at 250°C in N2 gas
Authors: Nagao Shijo , Yoshikawa Hiroki , Fujita Hirofumi , Shimoyama Akio , Seki Shinya , Zhang Hao , Suganuma Katsuaki
Published: July 2017

Thermostable die-attach method alternative to soldering with Pb content is urgently required for utilizing wide-bandgap power semiconductors like SiC or GaN with a high maximum junction temperature TJ. Ag nano-or micro particle paste sintering attracts wide attention for this purpose, but Cu paste has also being developed mainly because of the cost pressure. Recently Cu sub-micron particle paste dispersed polyethylene Glycol solvent has demonstrated low temperature sintering at 250°C in N2 gas, resulting in high strength of die-attach. In the present study, the developed Cu paste die-attach has accepted to SiC Schottky barrier diode in TO-247 standard packaging with highly thermostable mold materials. The produced sample devices are subjected to high temperature storage tests at 250°C and thermal cycling tests between −50°C and 250°C. The device including the novel die-attach structure exhibited excellent thermal stability. Furthermore, power cycling tests has been conducted, and the results appear prospective for long life time and high reliability with high TJ exceeding 250°C. The presented study thus conclude that Cu submicron paste sintering is a promising candidate of power device die-attach usable for heavy industrial applications.
Intermetallic connections for high temperature applications
Authors: Novikov A. , Nowottnick M.
Published: July 2017

New technology based on mixing of standard alloy SnCu in form of solder paste with copper paste was presented. This technology allows the production of solder joints with higher stand-off consisting of intermetallic compounds. Such solder joints were qualified for the high temperature applications by investigation of thermal stability of overlapped solder joints. For this purpose a special test bench for the investigation of remelting temperature up to 300 °C was developed.
A retrospective record review and assessment of cost of quetiapine use in a community psychiatric setting in the Sedibeng district of Gauteng
Authors: Robertson Lesley J. , Miot Jacqui K. , Janse van Rensburg Bernard
Published: July 2017

Background: With the revision of the National Essential Medicines List in South Africa, quetiapine is only available at the discretion of individual institutions in the public health sector. However, quetiapine is effective in managing all aspects of bipolar disorder, including preventative treatment of depressive episodes, and may be a cost-effective option in severe illness.Aim: To present the first retrospective review of quetiapine use in a peri-urban health district of South Africa, describing the patient profile, clinical response and prescribing patterns.Methods: The clinical files of all patients in Sedibeng District who received quetiapine over a defined 3-year period (2011–2013) were reviewed. A positive clinical response was defined as both symptomatic and functional improvement. Demographic and clinical characteristics of responders were compared with that of non-responders. Pre- and post-quetiapine scripts of the responders were audited and costed.Results: Patients who received quetiapine (n = 40) had chronic disabling illness, often with multiple medication trials and hospitalisations prior to quetiapine use. Bipolar II disorder (followed by bipolar I disorder) was the most common primary psychiatric diagnosis documented. Other than improvement in functioning (p < 0.0001), responders differed significantly from non-responders in terms of a higher level of polypharmacy and a significant reduction in median number of medications from pre- to post-quetiapine (p = 0.0057).Conclusion: Quetiapine use was associated with a highly significant improvement in functioning; however, it came at a 52% increase in medicine cost. Pre-quetiapine treatments, though, did not achieve an optimal level of functioning, and overall costs may be reduced by more rational prescribing habits.
Achievements hitherto and a new editorial team for the South African Journal of Psychiatry
Authors: Van Staden Werdie C.W.
Published: July 2017

No abstract available.
Continuing medical education in the developing world: Timely need for better structure and regulation as a quality issue
Authors: Beshyah Salem , Saadi Hussein , Sherif Ibrahim
Published: July 2017

Continuing medical education (CME) generally aims to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. CME covers the body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the provision of health care to the public. CME credit hours are generally earned through events approved by the recognized CME Committees. Physicians earn credit based upon the number of learning contact hours. Most licensing bodies require a set number of these credit hours for renewal of license (maintenance of certification). In the developing world, medical registration may not be subject to an updating (revalidation) process and may simply mean having obtained a medical qualification and paid renewal fees for the “Doctor's Syndicate”. We propose that, for the sake of patients' safety and other benefits, doctors should earn a minimum number of CME hours as a prerequisite of their maintenance of medical certification. In the development phase, voluntary scheme may be adopted. To encourage provision of such programs, the accreditation process, should initially be simple and may get progressively stricter at later stages. To avoid pharmaceutical bias the accrediting body could come up with a list of clinical topics that are of high relevance and importance to the practice, and recent translational research findings. This could be done in collaboration with scientific societies and postgraduate academic institutions. We think maintaining a list of “credible providers” is more relevant than imposing a complicated application process with each event. Using “paperless” online application and accreditation processes should save time and effort.
Hypercalcemia: Uncovering a rare case of skeletal muscle non-hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Waness Abdelkarim , Al-Shieban Saeed , Harakati Mohammed
Published: July 2017

We report a case of an 80-year man who presented with a two-week history of confusion and poor oral intake. He was found to be dehydrated with acute kidney injury, hypercalcemia, and pancytopenia. A previously undetected right leg mass was discovered. Radiologic studies of the right knee found a fibula shaft fracture. MRI confirmed this finding and showed the presence of a heterogeneous mass involving most of the calf muscles. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a rare musculoskeletal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the right leg. A brief discussion to this type of pathology follows this rare presentation.
Subacute thyroiditis complicated by extra-thyroidal abscess: A very rare presentation of tuberculous thyroiditis
Authors: Beshyah Salem , Khalil Ali , Roberts Ronald , Noshi Mohamed
Published: July 2017

Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland is a very rare condition. We report a case of tuberculous thyroiditis in a young woman who presented with a right-side solitary thyroid nodule associated with features of subacute inflammation of a short duration. Diagnosis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with positive Ziehl Neelsen staining for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient was treated medically with satisfactory resolution of the infection and regression of the nodule.
Conclusion: FNAC provides a confident non-operative diagnosis of thyroid tuberculosis, obviating the need for unnecessary surgical removal of a thyroid nodule readily treated medically.
A letter from libya: An urgent need for trauma-informed system of care
Authors: Reda Omar
Published: July 2017

The spread of “Arab Spring” revolutions throughout the region has resulted in atrocities and the rising of psychiatric problems. In Libya, there is no clear infrastructure for medical or mental care. A fullfledged war was waged to achieve the liberation of the country. The above makes Libya a country which presents a wonderful opportunity for improving the provision and delivery of medical and mental services. The “First National Conference on Mental Health” post-revolution took place July 2012 in Misrata, Libya under the theme “The Future of Mental Health in Libya”. The author reviews the current state of mental health in Libya and reflects on the recommendations of the conference.
Tuberculous pyloric stenosis; successful medical therapy may obviate surgery
Authors: Badawi Muhammad , Yousef Jamshed , Nasser Wafa , Younis Muhammad
Published: July 2017

Gastroduodenal involvement occurs in only 0.3 to 2.3% of patients with tuberculosis (TB). Clinically, it may resemble peptic ulcer disease or malignancy. We present a 36 year old man with gastric outlet obstruction proven to be pyloric stricture due to primary pyloric tuberculosis. Diagnosis was established endoscopically and patient was successfully managed by standard anti-tuberculous therapy. Although rare, tuberculous involvement of the stomach should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric outlet obstruction especially in regions where tuberculosis is endemic. This case also emphasizes that medical management with anti-TB medications can be tried solely as the first line therapy for strictured pyloric stenosis. However, surgical intervention is required more often than none in cases where gastrointestinal obstruction is the main clinical problem.
Role of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) inhibition in the renal continuum
Authors: Bashier Alaaeldin , Al Hadari Amna
Published: July 2017

Renal involvement in patients with type 2 diabetes carries a risk of increased cardiovascular mortality. This is particularly true in the presence of microalbuminuria being an early marker of endothelial dysfunction. The use of Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) blockers has been found beneficial in improving endothelial dysfunction as well as preventing development of microalbuminuria and its progression to macroalbuminuria. This class of drugs has been proved effective in delaying the development of end stage renal disease. However; in patients with established end stage renal disease, it becomes controversial whether using these drugs may still be beneficial. Indeed, some studies have shown that they may even be harmful if used in late stages of chronic kidney disease. In this article, we will review firstly, the renovascular changes in health and disease and secondly appraise the different trial data pertaining to the assessment of the use of various RAAS inhibitors at different stages of the renal continuum. We hope the review will help put together a physiologicallybased fundamental knowledge and a trial-derived evidence base for to help inform day to day decision-making in clinical practice.
Role of absolute eosinopenia as marker of enteric fever: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Lokhandwala Aliasgar , Athar Syed , Turrin Nicolas
Published: July 2017

Background: Involvement of bone marrow is common in salmonella infections. Enteric fever is a cause of morbidity and mortality world wide. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 51 blood cultures or widal positive salmonella patients who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Medical records and laboratory information system were used to collect the data. Results: The result established that significant eosinopenia was present in all enteric fever patients and eosinophil count of zero was almost diagnostic of enteric fever in the right clinical setting. Conclusion: Absolute eosinopenia is an important finding that should help timely diagnosis and early treatment initiation of enteric fever.
Excellence in diabetes and endocrinology 2012; September 6-8, 2012, Rocco Forte Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Authors: Beshyah Salem , Deeb Asma
Published: July 2017

This conference is the second of the series of “Excellence in Diabetes and Endocrinology” organized jointly by the adult and pediatric departments of endocrinology at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Mafraq Hospitals in Abu Dhai, United Arab Emirates. The organizers are building on the great success of the first meeting held in 2010. The importance of adult and pediatric endocrine physicians is particularly relevant in this part of the world where the transfer of care from pediatrics to adults clinic may occur as early 13 years of age. Practicing adult physicians may find themselves faced by situations they may not have met during their formal training. Several international, regional and national speakers participated in the conference to address most topical issues in diabetes and endocrinology covering global and regional epidemiology, diagnostic strategies, and the latest good clinical care guidelines. The abstracts are grouped under the sub-headings of their respective sessions. We hope by publishing these abstracts we extend the education cause of the conference.
An experience with dengue in Pakistan: An expanding problem
Authors: Hakim Shazia , Tayyab Syed , Qasmi Shams , Nadeem Sayyada
Published: July 2017

Introduction: Emerging infectious diseases pose threats to the general human population including recipients of blood transfusions and health care workers. Dengue is an expanding problem in tropical and subtropical regions. It is now the most frequent arboviral disease in the world, with an estimated 100 million cases of dengue fever annually, 250,000 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, and 25,000 deaths per year (1). Materials & Methods: A total of 459 blood serum samples were collected from suspected patients of dengue fever, aged 10 to 65 years, from different parts of the city, at two different Pathological Laboratories of the city and were subjected to hematological, biochemical and serological analysis using standard laboratory procedures including Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of Dengue specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Results: Out of 459 blood samples 289 (63%) were confirmed as having significant dengue IgM antibody titer and dengue IgG antibody titer in 193 (42%) patients. Conclusion: This paper discusses the need of an appropriate framework for approaching the environmental control of Dengue virus/Dengue Fever/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever with reference to the current situation of the flooding and flood related disasters in a resource limited country such as Pakistan. This is the time to evoke a sense of moral indignation at unnecessary suffering and for the leadership to mobilize human will power and resources to take on the task of controlling emerging infectious diseases like malaria and dengue.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging utilization for optimal pacemaker placement in stented baffle in transposition of great arteries
Authors: Houmsse Mahmoud , Mentzer Gina , Winner Marshall , Adams Craig , Love Charles
Published: July 2017

In dextro-transposition of great arteries (d-TGA), especially in an adult who has undergone both Mustard operation and superior vena cava (SVC) baffle stenting, permanent pacemaker lead placement can prove to be challenging. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be utilized for procedural planning and locating optimal anatomical sites for lead placement. In this report, we demonstrate dualchamber permanent pacemaker (PPM) lead placement through a stented SVC baffle to the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV). This was done after an MRI demonstrated stent patency and anatomical locations within the LA for potential pacing. Knowledge of SVC patency and less-thanoptimal anatomy of adults with congenital heart defects are imperative in PPM.
Superlinear, Noncoercive Asymmetric Robin Problems with Indefinite, Unbounded Potential
Authors: Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: July 2017

We consider a semilinear Robin problem driven by the Laplacian plus an indefinite and unbounded potential. The reaction term exhibits an asymmetric behavior, namely it is superlinear in the positive direction but without satisfying the Ambrosetti–Rabinowitz condition and it is sublinear but noncoercive in the negative direction. Using variational methods together with suitable truncation and perturbation techniques and Morse theory (critical groups), we prove a multiplicity theorem producing three nontrivial smooth solutions two of which have constant sign (one positive and the other negative).
Museo para la Fundación Iberê Camargo en Porto Alegre. Brasil
Authors: Álvaro Siza Vieira Arquitecto
Published: July 2017

La Fundación Iberê Camargo pretendía construir un edificio para archivo y exposición de su colección. El terreno disponible limitaba por el norte con la Avenida Padre Cacique y por el Sur con una ladera que varía entre las cotas 5m y 24m de altura.

El programa propuesto incluía áreas de exposición, almacenes, archivos, biblioteca y videoteca, librería, cafetería, un pequeño auditorio y áreas de administración y de ofi cinas artísticas.
Vivienda unifamiliar en La Moraleja, Madrid
Authors: Vicens + Ramos Estudio de arquitectura
Published: July 2017

En forma de L, abrigando la entrada a una cota superior, esta vivienda se desarrolla en dos plantas sobre rasante, y una bajo rasante destinada a garaje. El volumen planteado se asienta sobre el terreno definiendo claramente dos cotas principales: la de acceso, sobre el Camino de la Huerta, y una cota superior donde se realiza la entrada a la vivienda, jerarquizándola mediante esta diferencia de nivel.
Casa Bianna en Mas Llistosella. Vall de Bianya, La Garrotxa. Gerona
Authors: Hidalgo·Hartmann Arquitectos
Published: July 2017

Situada en un valle de carácter agrícola rodeado de montañas, la casa se somete al protagonismo de su entorno natural con respeto, integrándose en sus tierras y abriéndose a las vistas con aperturas precisas que enmarcan el paisaje.

Con sus perfiles alargados, y de poca altura, esta vivienda funciona como nexo de unión entre los diferentes rasgos de su entorno que quedan atrapados en su interior mediante los porches y patios bajo la cubierta continua que los engloba.
Carmen en Ciudad Real
Authors: Bernalte-León y asociados Estudio de arquitectura
Published: July 2017

En una de las áreas de expansión de la ciudad, rodeada de promociones de viviendas unifamiliares al uso, nos encontramos con una parcela en esquina, felizmente liberada del proceso especulativo. La proximidad de la carretera nacional hacia Extremadura incita más a la negación que a las aperturas. De ahí que partiendo de las inquietudes de nuestros clientes, de generar un jardín privado, nos planteamos un CARMEN en La Mancha, con todas las implicaciones del término. La cerca, como envolvente de ese jardín, será el trazo generador del espacio, propiciando las relaciones “dentro-fuera” o viceversa. La casa se apropia del jardín a través de ésta, que fluye desde el exterior al interior, delimitando todos los ámbitos funcionales. 
La infraestructura espacial de Yona Friedman. La utopía dibujada
Authors: Peña Pernandez-Serrano Martino
Published: July 2017

La Infraestructura espacial pertenece a las utopías dibujadas generadas por los grupos de vanguardia de los años sesenta del siglo xx a los que pertenece Yona Friedman como integrante del GEAM. En el presente artículo se expondrá, de forma gráfica y escrita, como aparece el prototipo desde sus denominaciones iniciales como gran contenedor hasta el término de megaestructura, que lo relaciona directamente con otros grupos de vanguardia como Archigram o los Metabolistas japoneses. La arquitectura de Yona Friedman queda como dibujada ya que nunca llega a materializarse, algo que tiene en común con la realizada por muchos de los grupos de vanguardia, pero se ha trasmitido como proyecto arquitectónico debido a su contenido teórico y gráfico.
Conversando con... Juhani Pallasmaa
Authors: Martínez-Díaz Enrique
Published: July 2017

El pasado 15 de Septiembre de 2016 nos reunimos en el estudio de Juhani Pallasmaa en Helsinki, un poco nerviosos por contactar con una de los grandes pensadores de nuestra época, se nos pasó inmediatamente al recibirnos tan cordialmente, manteniendo así una conversación que duró varia horas en una sala repleta de libros de todo tipo, que aseguró que había leído; aprovechamos para preguntarle por varios temas relacionados con la arquitectura, sus proyectos, escritos, teorías, el dibujo, las nuevas tecnologías y que nos diera su visión acerca de la enseñanza de la profesión en la actualidad.
A racionalização da notícia: uma consequência não premeditada da internet
Authors: Bertolini Jeferson
Published: July 2017

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1806-5023.2016v13n1p220Este artigo aborda o conceito de racionalização de Max Weber (1864-1920) para pensar a produção da notícia na internet. O texto indica que a notícia tem se afastado da função clássica de informar e se convertido em mera produção e reprodução de conteúdo com fins mercadológicos. O manuscrito, baseado em levantamento bibliográfico e observação, emprega técnica interdisciplinar para associar temas do Jornalismo e da Sociologia. O artigo conclui que, além de inverter a função da notícia, a racionalização impacta nas rotinas do jornalista, na relação dele com as fontes e nos conteúdos que produz.
Política das artes e arte da pesquisa: entrevista com Francisco Alambert
Authors: Di Carlo Josnei
Published: July 2017

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1806-5023.2016v13n1p243Nesta entrevista de Francisco Alambert, do Departamento de História da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), concedida a Josnei Di Carlo, doutorando em Sociologia Política da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), as falas versam sobre elementos analíticos que permitem a triangulação crítica entre história, política e o campo das artes. Tendo como eixo a história das bienais de São Paulo, Alambert dialoga com abordagens políticas que tangenciam o espectro da modernidade no Brasil. Orbitando sobre diferentes temáticas no campo das artes, cultura e literatura, a entrevista permite uma reflexão acerca da imprensa enquanto fonte e objeto de pesquisa além das artes e suas articulações com a política.