bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Are Agents Related to Their Actions? The Existentialist Response
Authors: Iorio Marco
Published: December 2016

This paper discusses the claim found in several existentialist philosophers according to which agents are identical with their actions. First, I clarify the claim by pointing to some possible misunderstandings. Secondly, some consequences of this claim are spelled out which are important not only for existentialism but for contemporary theory of action. This discussion brings to light a severe inconsistency in the existentialist project. I argue that the claim can nevertheless serve as a starting point for an independent theory of action.
How Can an Agent Rationally Guide His Actions?
Authors: Betzler Monika
Published: December 2016

In this paper, I examine how an agent can cause and rationally guide his actions. A common approach explains an action by the agent's motives which cause and rationalize it. Given the fact that an agent does not always identify with the motives that propel him to action, the common approach does not account for an agent's autonomy in his acting. Consequently, I focus on the question whether an agent can rationally guide his action such that he controls his action by his own causal powers without being just moved to it. In this endeavour, Harry Frankfurt's more recent work in which he tries to specify recalcitrant dispositions like "caring" as conditions of autonomy, and hence as conditions of an action's rational guidance, will serve me as a case in point.
Why Definite Descriptions Really are Referring Terms
Authors: Kuczynski John-Michael
Published: December 2016

According to Russell, '... the phi ...' means: 'exactly one object has phi and ... that object ...'. Strawson pointed out that, if somebody asked how many kings of France there were, it would be deeply inappropriate to respond by saying '... the king of France ...': the respondent appears to be presupposing the very thing that, under the circumstances, he ought to be asserting. But it would seem that if Russell's theory were correct, the respondent would be asserting exactly what he was asked to assert. So Russell's theory wrongly predicts that the respondent's answer will be appropriate. Russellians deal with this by saying that this anti-Russellian intuition embodies our reaction not to what is semantically encoded in the respondent's words, but to what is pragmatically imparted by them. So Russell's theory is correct: the fact that it appears wrong is due to the distorting effects of pragmatics. In this paper I show that pragmatic phenomena cannot possibly be responsible for the just mentioned anti-Russellian intuition. No matter how hard we try to put the blame on pragmatics, Russell's theory still falls short. It follows that defi nite descriptions really are what they appear to be: referring expressions. I argue that defi nite descriptions are complex demonstratives; and, within that framework, I deal with cases where defi nite descriptions appear to be functioning non-referentially. I also solve Frege's puzzle within the framework defi ned by my treatment of defi nite descriptions taken in conjunction with Kripke-Kaplan semantics.
Carnap's Conventionalism: The Problem with P-Rules
Authors: Oberdan Thomas
Published: December 2016

Rudolf Carnap's 'Principle of Tolerance' was undoubtedly one of the most infl uential precepts in 20th Century philosophy. Introduced in, Carnap's Principle suffered from ambiguities which aroused important philosophical questions from Moritz Schlick (in 1935) and Alberto Coffa (1991). Specifi cally, their questions arise from the application of the Principle to the matter of including extra-logical transformation rules (so-called 'physical rules' or 'P-rules') in the defi nition of a language, which Carnap regarded as an important difference between his own conventionalist philosophy of logic and the 'absolutist' conception of Wittgenstein's. Yet both Schlick and Coffa suggested that applying the Tolerance precept to this matter exceeds the limits of its legitimate deployment. Upon considering their objections, as well as the criticism of Wittgenstein which evoked them, it is argued that the philosophical signifi cance of the Principle of Tolerance requires its strict limitation to matters pertaining to the determination of meaning.
Wittgenstein on Understanding Other Cultures
Authors: Saari Heikki
Published: December 2016

In this article I discuss Wittgenstein's view of what is involved in understanding other cultures. I show that he is not committed to cultural relativism, as some of his critics argue. As he sees it, the real differences between cultures do not involve any fundamental conceptual, epistemic or other barriers that would make it impossible for us to understand and criticise other cultures. Shared forms of life and man's natural history provide a foothold for us when we attempt to understand other cultures.
Moore's Paradox and First-Person Authority
Authors: Schroeder Severin
Published: December 2016

This paper explores Wittgenstein's attempts to explain the peculiarities of the first-person use of 'believe' that manifest themselves in Moore's paradox, discussed in , Part II, section x. An utterance of the form 'p and I do not believe that p' is a kind of contradiction, for the second conjunct is not, as it might appear, just a description of my mental state, but an expression of my belief that not-p, contradicting the preceding expression of my belief that p. Thus, 'I believe that p' is just a stylistic variant of 'p'; the word 'believe' doesn't seem to have a substantial role to play in such an utterance. Following Wittgenstein, I discuss why there could not be a first-person present-tense use of the word that was more akin to its use in the third person: why it is impossible to describe one's own current beliefs in a detached manner without thereby expressing them. In the final section, I try to develop Wittgenstein's suggestion that the non-epistemic authority we have regarding the contents of our beliefs can be clarified by considering its link with intention and action.
How to Get a Non-intensionalist, Propositional, Moderately Realist Truthconditional Account Of Internal Metafictional Sentences
Authors: Voltolini Alberto
Published: December 2016

In what follows, I will first try to show that both anti-realist and realist intensionalist truthconditional accounts of internal metafictional sentences (i.e., sentences of the form "in the story S, p") are unsatisfactory. Moreover, I will claim that this does not mean that propositional truthconditional accounts of those sentences are to be dispensed with; simply, one has to provide a non-intensionalist propositional truthconditional account of those sentences. Finally, I will show that this account is fully compatible with a realist interpretation of those sentences' truthconditions according to which at least some of those sentences commit one to fictional entities.
Fictional Propositions and the Unprovability of Consistency
Authors: Martino Enrico
Published: December 2016

We introduce an epistemic version of validity and completeness of first order logic, based on the notions of and . We then show how the perspective here considered may help to solve an epistemic puzzle arising from Gödel's second incompleteness theorem.
Die Einheit der Intentionalitätskonzeption bei Brentano
Authors: Sauer Werner
Published: December 2016

The objective of this paper is to refute the widely held view that in the wake of his so-called reistic turn Brentano subjected his notion of intentionality to a deep-going revision, viz., that he turned from an ontological account of the intentional object by way of identifying it with the thought-of-thing, i.e., the intentional correlate, or by way of attributing to it a peculiar sort of existence, to a non-ontological account thereof. It will be shown that neither the pre-reistic Brentano espoused anything of an ontological account of the intentional object in that he both distinguished it sharply from the intentional correlate and definitely rejected the idea of there being different sorts of existence, and it will be argued that the apparently ineradicable inclination to ascribe to the pre-reistic Brentano an ontological account of the intentional object stems from ignoring the Aristotelian background of Brentano's thinking about relations.
Lost on the Way from Frege to Carnap: How the Philosophy of Science Forgot the Applicability Problem
Authors: Wilholt Torsten
Published: December 2016

This paper offers an explanation of how philosophy of science in the second half of the 20 century came to be so conspicuously silent on the problem of how to explain the applicability of mathematics. It examines the idea of the early logicists that the analyticity of mathematics accounts for its applicability, and how this idea was transformed during Carnap's efforts to establish a consistent and substantial philosophy of mathematics within the larger framework of Logical Empiricism. I argue that at the end point of this development, philosophical discussion of the applicability problem was terminated although important aspects of the logicists' original response to the applicability problem had had to be sacrificed along the way.
Not too Proud to Beg (the Question): Why Inferentialism Cannot Account for the a Priori
Authors: Veber Michael
Published: December 2016

The inferentialist account of the a priori says that basic logical beliefs can be justified by way of rule circular inference. I argue that this account of the a priori fails to skirt the charge of begging the question, that the reasons offered in support of it are weak and that it makes justifying logical beliefs too easy. I also argue that recent modifications to inferentialism spell doom for it as a general theory of a priori justification.
So-Far Incompatibilism and the So-Far Consequence Argument
Authors: Hetherington Stephen
Published: December 2016

The consequence argument is at the core of contemporary incompatibilism about causal determinism and freedom of action. Yet Helen Beebee and Alfred Mele have shown how, on a Humean conception of laws of nature, the consequence argument is unsound. Nonetheless, this paper describés how, by generalising their main idea, we may restore the essential point and force (whatever that might turn out to be) of the consequence argument. A modified incompatibilist argument — which will be called the consequence argument — may thus be derived.
Meta-Emotions
Authors: Jäger Christoph , Bartsch Anne
Published: December 2016

This paper explores the phenomenon of meta-emotions. Meta-emotions are emotions people have about their own emotions. We analyze the intentional structure of meta-emotions and show how psychological findings support our account. Acknowledgement of meta-emotions can elucidate a number of important issues in the philosophy of mind and, more specifically, the philosophy and psychology of emotions. Among them are (allegedly) ambivalent or paradoxical emotions, emotional communication, emotional self-regulation, privileged access failure for repressed emotions, and survivor guilt.
Alternative Frameworks and Counterpossibles
Authors: Sendłak Maciej
Published: December 2016

To solve the problem of counterpossibles (i.e., counterfactuals with necessarily false antecedents), many philosophers have been arguing that one needs to invoke impossible worlds. This extension of the semantics of modality should save the analysis of counterfactuals from being insensitive to the problem of counterpossibles. The aim of this paper is to show why the theories of impossible worlds do not fully solve the problem of counterpossibles, but merely shift it. Moreover, by distinguishing two types of languages, we will show that some expectations about a proper theory of counterfactuals might be too great.
Education and Agency in The Miseries of Mavillia
Authors: Quoss-Moore Rebecca M.
Published: December 2016

In Nicholas Breton’s 1599Miseries of Mavillia, women’s education is examined as a social good that can be transferred across classes. In the text, education helps to define the title character as a gentlewoman, but that education is gained from a laundress rather than from any fellow member of the upper class. For the less-educated characters, Breton allows the value they place on learning to also serve as a marker of worth. For the better-educated characters, worth is more explicitly coded by a combination of endorsed social status, clear reward, and moral stability. Although the titular Mavillia endures many miseries despite her attainments and status, education acts as (variously) safeguard, surety, and salvation throughout her story. Moreover, Mavillia is able to use her education to create a “gentlewoman” out of the stubborn daughter of shepherds. In showing Mavillia’s successful transference of that education and its benefits to a woman not born to either, Breton challenges the established social order of restrictive class immobility and emphasizes the potential impact of education on the lives of middle-class and gentry women. Ultimately, Breton’s text argues for education as a potential source of comfort and moral fortitude for women of all backgrounds.
An Analytic Description of the Structure and Evolution of Growing Deep Cumulus Updrafts
Authors: Morrison Hugh
Published: December 2016

New theoretical analytic expressions are derived for the evolution of a passive scalar, buoyancy, and vertical velocity in growing, entraining moist deep convective updrafts. These expressions are a function of updraft radius, height, convective available potential energy (CAPE), and environmental relative humidity RH. They are quantitatively consistent with idealized three-dimensional moist updraft simulations with varying updraft sizes and in environments with differing RH. In particular, the analytic expressions capture the rapid decrease of buoyancy with height due to entrainment for narrow updrafts in a dry environment despite large CAPE. In contrast to the standard entraining-plume model, the theoretical expressions also describe the effects of engulfment of environmental air between the level of free convection (LFC) and height of maximum buoyancy (HMB) required by mass continuity to balance upward acceleration of updraft air (i.e., dynamic entrainment). This organized inflow sharpens horizontal gradients, thereby enhancing smaller-scale lateral turbulent mixing below the HMB. For narrow updrafts in a dry environment, this enhanced mixing leads to a negatively buoyant region between the LFC and HMB, effectively cutting off the region of positive buoyancy at the HMB from below so that the updraft structure resembles a rising thermal rather than a plume. Thus, it is proposed that a transition from plume-like to thermal-like structure is driven by dynamic entrainment and depends on updraft width (relative to height) and environmental RH. These results help to bridge the entraining-plume and rising-thermal conceptual models of moist convection.
The Use of Reanalyses and Gridded Observations as Weather Input Data for a Hydrological Model: Comparison of Performances of Simulated River Flows Based on the Density of Weather Stations
Authors: Essou Gilles R. C. , Brissette François , Lucas-Picher Philippe
Published: December 2016

Precipitation forcing is critical for hydrological modeling as it has a strong impact on the accuracy of simulated river flows. In general, precipitation data used in hydrological modeling are provided by weather stations. However, in regions with sparse weather station coverage, the spatial interpolation of the individual weather stations provides a rough approximation of the real precipitation fields. In such regions, precipitation from interpolated weather stations is generally considered unreliable for hydrological modeling. Precipitation estimates from reanalyses could represent an interesting alternative in regions where the weather station density is low. This article compares the performances of river flows simulated by a watershed model using precipitation and temperature estimates from reanalyses and gridded observations. The comparison was carried out based on the density of surface weather stations for 316 Canadian watersheds located in three climatic regions. Three state-of-the-art atmospheric reanalyses—ERA-Interim, CFSR, and MERRA—and one gridded observations database over Canada—Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)—were used. Results showed that the Nash–Sutcliffe values of simulated river flows using precipitation and temperature data from CFSR and NRCan were generally equivalent regardless of the weather station density. ERA-Interim and MERRA performed significantly better than NRCan for watersheds with weather station densities of less than 1 station per 1000 km2 in the mountainous region. Overall, these results indicate that for hydrological modeling in regions with high spatial variability of precipitation such as mountainous regions, reanalyses perform better than gridded observations when the weather station density is low.
Bragg Scatter Detection by the WSR-88D. Part II: Assessment of ZDR Bias Estimation
Authors: Richardson Lindsey M. , Zittel W. David , Lee Robert R. , Melnikov Valery M. , Ice Richard L. , Cunningham Jeffrey G.
Published: December 2016

Clear-air Bragg scatter (CABS) is a refractivity gradient return generated by turbulent eddies that operational Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) systems can detect. The randomly oriented nature of the eddies results in a differential reflectivity (ZDR) value near 0 dB, and thus CABS can be used as an assessment of ZDR calibration in the absence of excessive contamination from precipitation or biota. An automated algorithm to estimate ZDR bias from CABS was developed by the Radar Operations Center and can be used to assess the calibration quality of the dual-polarized WSR-88D fleet. This technique supplements existing ZDR bias assessment tools, especially the use of other external targets, such as light rain and dry snow.

The estimates of ZDR bias from CABS using a 1700–1900 UTC time window were compared to estimates from the light rain and dry snow methods. Output from the automated CABS algorithm had approximately the same amount of bias reported as the light rain and dry snow estimates (within ±0.1 dB). As the 1700–1900 UTC time window appeared too restrictive, a modified version of the algorithm was tested to detect CABS diurnally on a volume-by-volume basis (continuous monitoring). Continuous monitoring resulted in a two- to fourfold increase in the number of days with CABS detections. Results suggest estimates from CABS are viable for many sites throughout the year and provide an important addition to existing bias estimation techniques.
To Act or Not To Act? Factors Influencing the General Public’s Decision about Whether to Take Protective Action against Severe Weather
Authors: Kox Thomas , Thieken Annegret H.
Published: December 2016

Research suggests that providing weather forecast end users with additional information about the forecast uncertainty of a possible event can enhance the preparation of mitigation measures. But not all users have the same threshold for taking action. This paper focuses on the question of whether there are influencing factors that determine decision thresholds for numerical weather forecast information beginning at which the general public would start to take protective action.

In spring 2014, 1342 residents of Berlin, Germany participated in a survey. Questions related to the following topics: perception of and prior experience with severe weather, trustworthiness of forecasters and confidence in weather forecasts, and sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Within the questionnaire a scenario was created in order to determine individual decision thresholds and see whether subgroups of the sample lead to different thresholds.

Results show that people’s willingness to act tends to be higher and decision thresholds tend to be lower if the expected weather event is more severe or the property at risk is of higher value. Several influencing factors of risk perception have significant effects such as education, housing status, and ability to act, whereas classic sociodemographic determinants alone are often not sufficient to fully grasp risk perception and protection behavior.
Borrower’s default and self-disclosure of social media information in P2P lending
Authors: Ge Ruyi , Feng Juan , Gu Bin
Published: December 2016

Background

We examine the signaling effect of borrowers’ social media behavior, especially self-disclosure behavior, on the default probability of money borrowers on a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending site.

Method

We use a unique dataset that combines loan data from a large P2P lending site with the borrower’s social media presence data from a popular social media site.

Results

Through a natural experiment enabled by an instrument variable, we identify two forms of social media information that act as signals of borrowers’ creditworthiness: (1) borrowers’ choice to self-disclose their social media account to the P2P lending site, and (2) borrowers’ social media behavior, such as their social network scope and social media engagement.

Conclusion

This study offers new insights for screening borrowers in P2P lending and a novel usage of social media information.
Frontline Science: HIV infection of Kupffer cells results in an amplified proinflammatory response to LPS
Authors: Mosoian Arevik , Zhang Lumin , Hong Feng , Cunyat Francesc , Rahman Adeeb , Bhalla Riti , Panchal Ankur , Saiman Yedidya , Fiel M Isabel , Florman Sander , Roayaie Sasan , Schwartz Myron , Branch Andrea , Stevenson Mario , Bansal Meena B
Published: December 2016

End-stage liver disease is a common cause of non-AIDS-related mortality in HIV+ patients, despite effective anti-retroviral therapies (ARTs). HIV-1 infection causes gut CD4 depletion and is thought to contribute to increased gut permeability, bacterial translocation, and immune activation. Microbial products drain from the gut into the liver via the portal vein where Kupffer cells (KCs), the resident liver macrophage, clear translocated microbial products. As bacterial translocation is implicated in fibrogenesis in HIV patients through unclear mechanisms, we tested the hypothesis that HIV infection of KCs alters their response to LPS in a TLR4-dependent manner. We showed that HIV-1 productively infected KCs, enhanced cell-surface TLR4 and CD14 expression, and increased IL-6 and TNF-α expression, which was blocked by a small molecule TLR4 inhibitor. Our study demonstrated that HIV infection sensitizes KCs to the proinflammatory effects of LPS in a TLR4-dependent manner. These findings suggest that HIV-1-infected KCs and their dysregulated innate immune response to LPS may play a role in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and represent a novel target for therapy.
Succinylcholine for Emergency Airway Rescue in Class B Ambulatory Facilities: The Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia Position Statement
Authors: Joshi Girish P. , Desai Meena S. , Gayer Steven , Vila Hector
Published: December 2016

Procedures in class B ambulatory facilities are performed exclusively with oral or IV sedative-hypnotics and/or analgesics. These facilities typically do not stock dantrolene because no known triggers of malignant hyperthermia (ie, inhaled anesthetics and succinylcholine) are available. This article argues that, in the absence of succinylcholine, the morbidity and mortality from laryngospasm can be significant, indeed, higher than the unlikely scenario of succinylcholine-triggered malignant hyperthermia. The Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) position statement for the use of succinylcholine for emergency airway management is presented.
Physical Compatibility of Propofol–Sufentanil Mixtures
Authors: Zbytovská Jarmila , Gallusová Jana , Vidlářová Lucie , Procházková Kamila , Šimek Jan , Štěpánek František
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND:

Combined infusions of propofol and sufentanil preparations are frequently used in clinical practice to induce anesthesia and analgesia. However, the stability of propofol emulsions can be affected by dilution with another preparation, sometimes leading to particle coalescence and enlargement. Such unwanted effects can lead to fat embolism syndrome after intravenous application. This study describes the physical stability of 5 commercially available propofol preparations mixed with sufentanil citrate solutions.

METHODS:

Two common markers of emulsion stability were used in this study; namely, the zeta potential and size distribution of the emulsion droplets. Both were measured using dynamic light scattering. The data for the pure propofol preparations and their mixtures with sufentanil citrate solution were compared.

RESULTS:

The absolute value of zeta potential decreased in 4 of the 5 propofol preparations after they had been mixed with sufentanil citrate. This effect indicates a lowering of repulsive interactions between the emulsion droplets. Although this phenomenon tends to cause agglomeration, none of the studied mixtures displayed a substantial increase in droplet size within 24 hours of blending. However, our long-term stability study revealed the instability of some of the propofol–sufentanil samples. Two of the 5 studied mixtures displayed a continual increase in particle size. The same 2 preparations showed the greatest reductions in the absolute value of zeta potential, thereby confirming the correlation of both measurement methods. The increase in particle size was more distinct in the samples stored at higher temperatures and with higher sufentanil concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS:

To ensure the microbial stability of an emulsion infusion preparation, clinical regulations require that such preparations should be applied to patients within 12 hours of opening. In this respect, we can confirm that during this period, none of the studied propofol–sufentanil mixtures displayed any physical instability that could lead to particle enlargement; thus, fat embolism should not be a risk after their intravenous application. However, our long-term stability study revealed differences between commercially available preparations containing the same active ingredient; some of the mixtures showed an increase in particle size and polydispersity over a longer period. Although our results should not be generalized beyond the particular propofol–sufentanil preparations and concentrations studied here, they do suggest that, as a general principle, a compatibility study should be performed for any preparation before the first intravenous application to exclude the risk of droplet aggregation.
Intraperitoneal Instillation of Lidocaine Improves Postoperative Analgesia at Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Patel Ruchira , Carvalho Jose C. A. , Downey Kristi , Kanczuk Marcelo , Bernstein Paul , Siddiqui Naveed
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND:

Cesarean delivery is a commonly performed procedure worldwide. Despite improvements in balanced multimodal analgesia, there remains a proportion of women for whom postoperative pain relief and patient satisfaction are still inadequate. Intraperitoneal instillation of local anesthetic has been shown to be effective in reducing postoperative pain after abdominal surgery. We sought to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal instillation of lidocaine on postcesarean delivery pain as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen.

METHODS:

We studied women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia was performed with 0.75% hyperbaric bupivacaine, fentanyl, and morphine. At the end of the cesarean delivery, immediately before parietal peritoneum or fascia closure, patients were randomized to receive either lidocaine (20 mL 2% lidocaine with epinephrine) or placebo (20 mL normal saline) instilled into the peritoneal cavity. The primary outcome was pain score on movement at 24 hours. Secondary outcomes were pain score at rest and on movement at 2, 24, and 48 hours; maternal satisfaction score; analgesic consumption; incidence of nausea, vomiting, and itching; and return of bowel function.

RESULTS:

Two hundred four women were recruited. Baseline characteristics were similar between the lidocaine and placebo groups. Pain scores at 24 hours postcesarean delivery on movement (parameter estimate 0.02 [95% confidence interval {CI} −0.14 to 0.18]; P = .823) and at rest (parameter estimate 0.00 [95% CI −0.32 to 0.33]; P = .986) were similar in both groups. Pain scores at 2 hours postcesarean delivery on movement (parameter estimate −0.58 [95% CI −0.90 to −0.26]; P = .001) and at rest (parameter estimate −1.00 [95% CI −1.57 to −0.43]; P = .001) were lower in the lidocaine group. Subgroup analysis of patients with peritoneum closure revealed significantly lower pain scores at 24 hours on movement (parameter estimate −0.33 [95% CI −0.64 to −0.03]; P = .032) in the lidocaine group. The number of women requesting postoperative opioids for breakthrough pain was significantly lower in the lidocaine group compared with that of the placebo (40 [40%] vs 61 [65%], respectively, relative risk 0.59 [95% CI 0.43–0.81]; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of intraperitoneal instillation of lidocaine improves early postoperative pain management after cesarean delivery. Furthermore, it reduces the number of women requesting systemic opioids in the immediate postpartum period. Women undergoing peritoneal closure may particularly benefit from this intervention.
The Flaw Detection of Composite Superstructure for Passenger Hydrofoil by the NDT Acoustic Methods
Authors: Францев  , Frantsev Mikhail
Published: December 2016

Introduction. Results of examination of a pilot model of hydrofoil passenger craft topside made of polymer composite materials for delamination-type defects are presented. Defects area is measured and compared with the rated values.

Method. To ensure flaw detection, use was made of a two-level test arrangement using an acoustic impedance method, free oscillations acoustic method, and DAMI-C composite materials multipurpose inspection unit. The exact location of the defect was determined by point-to-point testing. Threshold testing using a sonic scanner produces full image of the object defective area to allow subsequent measurement of the defect areas and comparing them with those of the acceptability requirements.

Results. The amount of inspection is 100% of the topside both on the outside and inside, scanning depth - up to the light medium layer. To select optimum operation mode of the inspection unit, use was made of sample pieces with dummy defects.

Conclusions. It was confirmed that using the selected reinforcing and bonding materials was appropriate to create composite material for the hydrofoil passenger craft topside. It was also confirmed that the designed structural layout of the product and its manufacturing technology were correct. No technological defects in the places of possible generation of delamination-type defects during operation have been revealed. The examination also confirmed high efficiency of the DAMI-C inspection unit equipped with RS-1 transmit-receive transducer and a sonic scanner to carry out detection of flaws in composite body shell structures including those made in the form of a sandwich, to ensure their testing for technological internal defects of the delamination (starved spot) type.
Composite Material Mechanical Properties Evaluation Using a Dynamic Indentation Method
Authors: Кашапова  , Kashapova Irina , Ильинский  , Ilinskiy Aleksandr , Степанова  , Stepanova Kseniya , Протасеня  , Pratasenia Tatyana
Published: December 2016

Introduction. Dynamic indentation method is considered promising in testing mechanical properties of composite materials. Today, composite materials are widely used in the aviation and aerospace industries. That’s why, testing of mechanical properties of composite materials is so vital.

Method. To register the current velocity of the indenter penetration into the tested composite material, use is made of a device that enables a contactless measurement of the indenter penetration velocity after the indenter strikes the tested product.

The data obtained is digitized and sent to a PC for further processing.

Results. The experiment produced "contact force – penetration depth" diagrams for three test zones in the prepared samples. The analysis showed that the non-uniformity of mechanical properties in the rod’s butt end and side surface is stipulated by pores and microcracks, and this is confirmed by computer tomography. It is shown that dilaminations, microcracks and local non-uniformity zones in the structure tell on the elasticity modulus measurements.

Conclusions. The dynamic indentation method allows one to test composites at the micro- and macrostructural level, as well as compute their integral mechanical properties.
The Vehicle Routing Problem with Transhipment Facilities
Authors: Baldacci Roberto , Ngueveu Sandra Ulrich , Calvo Roberto Wolfler
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes an exact method for solving an optimization problem arising in several distribution networks where customers can be served directly, using vehicle routes from a central depot, or through transhipment facilities. The problem consists of optimizing the following inter-dependent decisions: selecting transhipment facilities, allocating customers to these facilities, and designing vehicle routes emanating from a central depot to minimize the total distribution cost. This problem is called the Vehicle Routing Problem with Transhipment Facilities (vrptf). The paper describes two integer-programming formulations for the vrptf, i.e., an edge-flow based formulation and a Set Partitioning (SP) based formulation. The LP-relaxation of the two formulations are further strengthened by the addition of different valid inequalities. We also describe two new route relaxations used by dual ascent heuristics to find near-optimal dual solutions of LP-relaxation of the SP model. The valid inequalities and the route relaxations are used in a branch-and-cut-and-price approach to solve the problem to optimality. The proposed method is tested on a large family of instances, including real-world examples. The computational results obtained indicate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
miRNA assays in the clinical laboratory: workflow, detection technologies and automation aspects
Authors: Kappel Andreas , Keller Andreas
Published: December 2016

microRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. Their differential abundance is indicative or even causative for a variety of pathological processes including cancer or cardiovascular disorders. Due to their important biological function, miRNAs represent a promising class of novel biomarkers that may be used to diagnose life-threatening diseases, and to monitor disease progression. Further, they may guide treatment selection or dosage of drugs. miRNAs from blood or derived fractions are particularly interesting candidates for routine laboratory applications, as they can be measured in most clinical laboratories already today. This assures a good accessibility of respective tests. Albeit their great potential, miRNA-based diagnostic tests have not made their way yet into the clinical routine, and hence no standardized workflows have been established to measure miRNAs for patients’ benefit. In this review we summarize the detection technologies and workflow options that exist to measure miRNAs, and we describe the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options. Moreover, we also provide a perspective on data analysis aspects that are vital for translation of raw data into actionable diagnostic test results.
Core Principles of European Expropriation Law
Authors: Sluysmans J.A.M.A. , Waring E.J.L.
Published: December 2016

This article stems from on an international collaboration and the publication of a book investigating and identifying the existence of core principles of European expropriation law in 15 different countries. Despite a long tradition of expropriation, surprisingly little thought appears to have been paid to justifying expropriation. Grotius’ work still provides the theoretical underpinning by recognising society’s superior right or ‘a dominium eminens’ over individual property rights. Despite varying backgrounds across the surveyed European countries, there are some basic common European rules on expropriation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these include the need for expropriation to take place in the ‘public interest’ and the article notes the complexities caused by this requirement across jurisdictions.

The article argues that a recurring problem across Europe, historically and today, is the level of acceptable private party involvement in expropriation proceedings and suggests that this is an area which merits further attention. Additionally, the article notes the core requirement of judicial involvement in expropriation proceedings, both in hearings and sometimes in setting levels of appropriate compensation. The judicial role is an important safeguard in expropriation proceedings and has to be balanced against competing interests of legislative supremacy and constitutional limits. The right to financial compensation is another core feature of expropriation law across Europe. Whilst compensation is vital, the level at which it is awarded provides a valuable snapshot of the different societal approaches taken to property rights across Europe. The relative roles of experts and the judiciary in calculating compensation is also noted as being of interest. Additionally, the article argues that there are common challenges including, complex legislation, the varying impact of expropriation on owners, and the possible restitution of property no longer needed for expropriation purposes. The article concludes that there are core principles of European expropriation law, and that whilst these may seem unsurprising their continued existence across so many varied legal systems is an achievement in itself.
Revising the Procedure for Expropriations in South Africa: 2015 Bill and 1975 Act compared
Authors: Mostert Hanri
Published: December 2016

This article comments on the procedural novations in South Africa’s latest Expropriation Bill (2015), which is awaiting presidential signature. It questions the need for a revision of the scale envisaged by the Bill and concludes that the motivation for introducing a new generation of expropriation law is not primarily because the existing law is “of preconstitutional vintage” but rather because of far-reaching changes envisioned in government’s policies on land and agricultural reform. The analysis includes a comparison of the structure and content of the 2015 Bill and the existing Expropriation Act of 1975. It focuses particularly on the process envisaged by the Bill, and scrutinises the additional steps in the process added for accountability in the pre-expropriation phase: investigation, state consultation and notification. In conclusion the analysis is critical of the poor attempts at involving the expropriatee as a key stakeholder in consultations which should be formative of the decision to expropriate.
Expropriations in South Africa: Dramatis Personae of the envisioned Expropriation Law
Authors: Young Cheri
Published: December 2016

The Expropriation Act 63 of 1975 governs the process of expropriations in South Africa, though it is expected to be replaced by the Expropriation Bill [B4D-2015] (“Bill”). The Bill, if approved, will substantially overhaul the processes, roleplayers and stakeholders involved in, and impacted by, the expropriation process. The purpose of this paper is to set out the various roleplayers and stakeholders who play a role in the completion of the expropriation process. This includes parties who are necessarily involved and directly impacted, such as the expropriating authority and the expropriated property owner or holder. It also includes the secondary parties who, depending on the circumstances, may be expected to play a role, such as the valuer-general, appointed inspector, the courts and relevant organs of state. In addition, this paper will highlight some of the major amendments that the Expropriation Bill makes to the legal framework governing expropriations, particularly in respect of the stakeholders involved in the process
Foreign Direct Investment, Aggregate Demand Conditions and Exchange Rate Nexus: A Panel Data Analysis of BRICS Economies
Authors: Nasir Muhammad Ali , Ahmad Ferhan , Ahmad Mushtaq
Published: December 2016

In this study, we attempt to provide underlying theoretical and empirical explanations for exchange rate appreciation due to foreign capital influx and aggregate demand conditions in the BRICS economies. The empirical analysis is based on a panel dataset of BRICS countries over the time period 1992–2013 to substantiate our theoretical findings. For panel co-integration, Pedroni and Johansen-Fisher panel co-integration tests are conducted to compare co-integration among panel countries. We also analyze the results from Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test among variables and use Granger Causality to test for the causal patterns in each of the individual countries. Our findings showed that the exchange rate volatility is directly affected by the flows of FDI, GDP per capita, Capital formulation and House hold consumption. The results have profound implications in terms of exchange rate stability in the BRICS countries and associated risks.
Effects of waste eggshells and SiC addition in the synthesis of aluminum hybrid green metal matrix composite
Authors: Dwivedi Shashi Prakash , Sharma Satpal , Mishra Raghvendra Kumar
Published: December 2016

The mechanical behavior, physical behavior, microstructural characteristics, and corrosion behavior of AA2014/silicon carbide (SiC)/carbonized eggshell hybrid green metal matrix composites (MMCs) were investigated. Twenty-five samples of hybrid composite with different combinations of SiC and carbonized eggshell particles in AA2014 matrix alloy were prepared. Microstructure presents that the reinforcement particles (SiC and eggshells) are uniformly distributed in the matrix AA2014 alloy. Transmission electron microscope image shows proper wettability between SiC, carbonized eggshell, and AA2014 aluminum alloy. The tensile strength and the fatigue strength for the composites containing 2.5 wt.% SiC up to 7.5 wt.% carbonized eggshell were observed to be higher than that of the other selected composites. The hardness values for the composites containing 12.5 wt.% SiC and 2.5 wt.% carbonized eggshell were in all cases higher than that of the other composites. The results show that toughness decreases with the increase in the weight ratio of SiC and carbonized eggshell in the composites. The results reveal that the sample of AA2014/2.5% SiC/12.5% carbonized eggshell shows minimum corrosion rate among all the selected samples. Density, porosity, and overall cost of hybrid metal matrix composites were also calculated to see the effects of carbonized eggshell and SiC addition in AA2014 matrix alloy.
Pyrolysis Products Characterization and Dynamic Behaviors of Hydrothermally Treated Lignite
Authors: Si Chongdian , Wu Jianjun , Miao Zhenyong , Wang Yong , Zhang Yixin , Liu Guangjun
Published: December 2016

This paper describes the effect of hydrothermal dewatering of lignite on pyrolysis products characterization and dynamic behaviors. The effects of different hydrothermal temperature (200 °C, 250 °C, 300 °C) on pyrolysis products were tested. The pyrolysis of hydrothermal dewatering lignite (300 °C) resulted in the solid yields of up to 77.98 %, and gaseous product by 11.73 % yield. Analysis showed that all the hydrothermal dewatering promoted the solid products yields and the reducing of the gaseous and solid products yields. The chemicals in the pyrolysis gas from lignite with and without hydrothermal dewatering were mainly H2, O2, N2, CH4, CO, and CO2. The quality of pyrolysis gas of hydrothermal dewatering lignite was obviously higher than that of raw lignite. The effect of hydrothermal dewatering on the characteristics of pyrolysis carbocoal was explored by MIP, and TG analyses. The pore volume for the lignite treated in hydrothermal dewatering processing conditions is in the macropore size region. The gasification reactivity and ignition temperature of pyrolysis carbocoal of hydrothermal dewatering lignite were reduced, respectively. Kinetic parameters were obtained by Coats–Redfern method and used to model the TG curve. The average activation energy was increased with the increase of hydrothermal temperature. The obtained activation energy for first stage (400–500 °C) pyrolysis was comparably higher than that for the second stage (500–600 °C). The experiments results help to understand and predict the pyrolysis behaviors and propose pre-treatment technology for low rank coals.
Supporting professional development needs for early childhood teachers: an exploratory analysis of teacher perceptions of stress and challenging behavior
Authors: Stormont Melissa , Young-Walker Laine
Published: December 2016

Early childhood teachers are a unique population of teachers and it is important to determine amendable factors that contribute to their stress. According to available research, challenging child behavior is associated with teacher stress and burnout in school-aged teachers. Given the lack of formal and coordinated in-service education and varied qualifications, early childhood teachers are particularly vulnerable to stress. Further, young children are more likely to have challenging behavior given their social-emotional developmental levels. The purpose of this study was to explore teacher characteristics and perceptions related to their stress, commitment, support, and challenging child behavior in their classrooms. Participants included 100 early childhood professionals. A teacher survey was utilized to determine their perceptions related to key variables. Regression analyses documented teacher commitment and challenging behavior in the classroom uniquely predicted variance in teacher ratings of stress and burnout. Commitment to their job was also a significant predictor to their perceptions of challenging behavior. However, only teacher stress/burnout predicted ratings of challenging behavior; thus, relationships among variables may be more complex. Teachers’ years of experience and education level were not related to other variables. For exploratory purposes, teacher professional development perceptions were also surveyed and results indicated that the vast majority of early childhood educators felt professional development was a good use of their time and that they wished more opportunities were available; however, most also indicated they felt training covered information they already knew.
Why cryptography should not rely on physical attack complexity
Authors: Krämer Juliane
Published: December 2016

This work presents two implementation attacks against cryptographic algorithms. Based on these two presented attacks, this
thesis shows that the assessment of physical attack complexity is error-prone. Hence, cryptography should not rely on
it. Cryptographic technologies have to be protected against all implementation attacks, have they already been realized or
not. The development of countermeasures does not require the successful execution of an attack but can already be carried
out as soon as the principle of a side channel or a fault attack is understood.