bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and some virulence genes of Escherichia coli O157 isolated from chicken meats and giblets
Authors: Guran Husnu Sahan , Vural Aydın , Erkan Mehmet Emin , Durmusoglu Halil
Published: November 2016

Escherichia coli O157 related foodborne illnesses continue to be one of the most important global public health problems in the world. This study aims to determine E. coli O157 prevalence in 375 chicken meat parts and giblets. The samples were collected randomly from several supermarkets and butchers in Diyarbakir, a city in southeast Turkey. They were analyzed and confirmed using the immunomagnetic separation (IMS), Vitek® 2 microbial identification system and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. This study also aims to detect the presence of fliCH7, eaeA, stx1, stx2 and hlyA genes by using PCR. The overall E. coli O157 prevalence in chicken meat parts and giblets was 1.3%. All of the E. coli O157 isolates carried rfbEO157 and eaeA genes; but not any fliCH7 and hlyA genes. The E. coli O157 isolates obtained from drumstick and breast meat carried either stx1 or stx2 genes, which were related to important virulence factors of the disease.
Dietary supplementation of probiotics in poultry exposed to heat stress – a review
Authors: Sugiharto Sugiharto , Yudiarti Turrini , Isroli Isroli , Widiastuti Endang , Kusumanti Endang
Published: November 2016

Heat-related stress has become a serious problem in poultry industry along with the global temperatures rise. Heat stress causes detrimental effects on physiology, immunology and microbiology resulting in abnormalities and impaired performances of birds. Several nutritional strategies have been conducted to counteract the detrimental effects of heat stress in poultry, including dietary supplementation of probiotics. This strategy has been proposed to ameliorate the intestinal ecosystem, physiological conditions and immune system, leading to the improved performance and health of birds subjected to heat stress. This review presents the potential benefits of probiotics against heat stress in poultry from the viewpoint of intestinal microbial ecology, morphology and structure, physiological conditions, immune system and production performances. The possible mechanisms through which probiotics may give beneficial impacts on heat-stressed birds are also discussed along with the data reporting the possible drawbacks of using probiotics in heat-stressed poultry.
Modeling of imaging fiber bundles and adapted signal processing for fringe projection
Authors: Matthias Steffen , Kästner Markus , Reithmeier Eduard
Published: November 2016

Fringe projection profilometry is an established technique for capturing three-dimensional (3-D)-geometry data with high-point densities in short time. By combining fringe projection with endoscopy techniques, it is possible to perform inline inspection of industrial manufacturing processes. A new fringe projection system is presented, which uses flexible image fiber bundles to achieve versatile positioning of a compact sensor head. When measuring specimens with highly varying reflectivity, such as technical surfaces on tool geometries, measurement errors increase especially due to the crosstalk between individual fibers in the bundle. A detailed analysis of the transmission properties of the utilized fiber bundles is presented. It is shown that aliasing is avoided due to the non-regular grid structure of a bundle. Different techniques are demonstrated to reduce the effect of crosstalk on the phase evaluation. Measurements of highly reflective technical surfaces with different geometrical properties are shown.
Abstraction and Diagrammatic Reasoning in Aristotle’s Philosophy of Geometry
Authors: Humphreys Justin
Published: November 2016

Aristotle’s philosophy of geometry is widely interpreted as a reaction against a Platonic realist conception of mathematics. Here I argue to the contrary that Aristotle is concerned primarily with the methodological question of how universal inferences are warranted by particular geometrical constructions. His answer hinges on the concept of abstraction, an operation of “taking away” certain features of material particulars that makes perspicuous universal relations among magnitudes. On my reading, abstraction is a diagrammatic procedure for Aristotle, and it is through imagined variation of diagrams that one can universalize spatial inferences. In order to shift the discussion of Aristotle’s work on geometry from ontological to methodological questions, I argue in the first section that geometrical properties for Aristotle are necessary accidents of the particulars, canonically diagrams, in which they inhere. I then consider a line of research that shows how diagrams in ancient geometry are not illustrations of the textual proof but are in part constitutive of geometrical inference, an insight I claim can shed light on Aristotle’s philosophical project. Next I substantiate this assertion by giving an alternative interpretation of abstraction according to which it is a diagrammatic procedure that allows a part of a particular diagram to stand in for a universal. In the last section, I consider Aristotle’s account of mathematical cognition, arguing that there is evidence for the view that imagination is necessary both for the construction of figures, and for their presentation as abstractions subject to universal inference.
The political roots of intermediated lobbying: evidence from Russian enterprises and business associations
Authors: Govorun Andrei , Marques Israel , Pyle William
Published: November 2016

A business enterprise interested in influencing the design, adoption or enforcement of a particular law, rule or regulation often confronts a choice. Does it lobby officials directly? Or does it do so indirectly, using a collective action group as an intermediary? We draw on data from a large, 2010 survey of enterprises across the Russian Federation to demonstrate that the propensity to engage in intermediated lobbying increases with region-level political competition. Our explanation builds on recent evidence confirming Mancur Olson's claim (1982) that less encompassing actors tend to lobby for more distortionary policies. We hypothesize that with greater political competition government officials become more responsive to encompassing voices (i.e. associations of businesses as opposed to single firms), since the electoral costs of being captured by narrower interests becomes greater. Evidence from a complementary survey of regional business association managers points in the same direction; the relative attention paid by officials to lobbying efforts by encompassing associations increases with political competition.
Finite Volume Scheme and Renormalized Solutions for a Noncoercive Elliptic Problem with
L
1 Data
Authors: Leclavier Sarah
Published: November 2016

The paper proves the convergence of the finite volume approximate solution
of a convection-diffusion equation with an

L
1

${L^{1}}$

right-hand side to the unique renormalized solution. The main difficulties are to handle the noncoercive character of the operator and the

L
1

${L^{1}}$

data. Mixing the techniques of renormalized solutions and the finite volume method allows one to derive estimates for the discrete solutions and in particular a discrete version of the decay of the truncated energy.
Indeed, as in the continuous case, the decay of the truncated energy is crucial to show that the limit of the approximate solution is the renormalized solution.
Extensometric observation of Earth tides and local tectonic processes at the Vyhne station, Slovakia
Authors: Brimich Ladislav , Bednárik Martin , Bezák Vladimír , Kohút Igor , Bán Dóra , Eper-Pápai Ildikó , Mentes Gyula
Published: November 2016

The Vyhne Tidal Station of the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is located in the former mining gallery of St. Anthony of Padua in the Vyhne valley, Štiavnické vrchy Mts., Central Slovakia. It is equipped with a 20.5 metre long quartz-tube extensometer measuring Earth’s tides, and long-term tectonic deformations of the Earth’s crust. Data between 2001 and 2015 with some diverse gaps were digitally collected, processed and analysed. The effects of the local conditions, such as structure of the observatory, cavity effect, topography and geological features of the surrounding rocks, were investigated in detail and these effects were taken into consideration during the interpretation of the results of the data analysis. Tidal analysis of the extensometric data between 2005 and 2015 revealed that the measured tidal amplitudes are close to the theoretical values. The tidal transfer of the observatory was also investigated by coherence analysis between the theoretical and the measured extensometric data. The coherence is better than 0.9 both in the diurnal and semidiurnal band. The effect of the free core nutation resonance was also investigated in the case of the K1 and P1 tidal components. Since the K1/O1 ratio was about the theoretical value 0.8, than the P1/O1 was between 1.0 and 1.15 instead of the theoretical value of 0.9. The rate of the long-term strain rate was also investigated and the obtained −0.05 μstr/y shows a good agreement with the strain rate inferred from GPS measurements in the Central European GPS Reference Network.
Tectonic classification of vertical crustal motions – a case study for New Zealand
Authors: Tenzer Robert , Fadil Ali
Published: November 2016

We investigate the relationship between vertical crustal motion and tectonic block configuration. The study is conducted along the active tectonic margin between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates in New Zealand with a well-defined tectonic block configuration. For this purpose, the rates of vertical crustal motions relative to the ITRF2008 reference frame are estimated based on processing the GPS data (provided by the GeoNET project) collected at 123 continuous and semi-continuous GPS sites. The numerical results confirmed the uplift of the central Southern Alps at the current rate of 4.5 mm/yr. This tectonic uplift is coupled in the South Island by the subsidence on both sides of the Southern Alps. The detected rates of subsidence in the eastern South Island are typically less than 1 mm/yr. The subsidence in the Buller Region (in the northwest South Island) is 1.4–1.5 mm/yr. Except for the Taupo Volcanic Zone and the upper Raukumara Block (in the central and northeast North Island), the subsidence is prevailing in the North Island. The systematic subsidence up to 9 mm/yr is detected along the Dextral Fault Belt (in the lower North Island). The largest localized vertical displacements (between −10 and 17 mm/yr) in the Taupo Volcanic Zone are attributed to active tectonics, volcanisms and geothermal processes in this region. A classification of these vertical tectonic motions with respect to the tectonic block configuration reveals that most of tectonic blocks are systematically uplifted, subsided or tilted, except for regions characterized by a complex pattern of vertical motions attributed to active geothermal and volcanic processes.
Enhanced perversities
Authors: D’Agnolo Andrea , Kashiwara Masaki
Published: November 2016

On a complex manifold, the Riemann–Hilbert correspondence embeds the triangulated category of (not necessarily regular) holonomic

𝒟

{\mathcal{D}}

-modules into the triangulated category of

ℝ

{\mathbb{R}}

-constructible enhanced ind-sheaves. The source category has a standard t-structure. Here, we provide the target category with a middle perversity t-structure, and prove that the embedding is exact.

In the paper, we also discuss general perversities in the framework of

ℝ

{\mathbb{R}}

-constructible enhanced ind-sheaves on bordered subanalytic spaces.
Synthesis of Cu-BTC, from Cu and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3BTC), by a green electrochemical method
Authors: Phuong Nguyen Thu , Buess-Herman Claudine , Thom Nguyen Thi , Nam Pham Thi , Lam Tran Dai , Thanh Dinh Thi Mai
Published: November 2016

A metal organic framework (MOF) material based on Cu-BTC, which is formed from Cu and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H
CFD Analysis of Coffee Packaging in Capsules using Gas Flushing Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Authors: Spanu Simone , Mosna David , Vignali Giuseppe
Published: November 2016

The aim of this work is to analyze, by means of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), the gas flow in a packaging machine used to fill polymeric capsules with coffee. The final goal is to optimize the geometric shape of some mechanical components in the machine’s sealing station in order to reduce the inert gas consumption achieving an O2 residual which is constantly equal or below 1 % by mass in the center of the capsule. The fluid domain has been obtained starting from the 3D CAD model of the sealing station of the packaging machine. The CAD software SolidWorks has been used to design the system, while Ansys CFX 14.5 software has been used for the CFD analysis. The CFD model has been validated by comparing its results with those obtained by experimental tests. The modified solution allows reducing the average O2 residual from about 3 % to less than 1 %.
Ground penetrating radar for underground sensing in agriculture: a review
Authors: Liu Xiuwei , Dong Xuejun , Leskovar Daniel I.
Published: November 2016

Belowground properties strongly affect agricultural productivity. Traditional methods for quantifying belowground properties are destructive, labor-intensive and pointbased. Ground penetrating radar can provide non-invasive, areal, and repeatable underground measurements. This article reviews the application of ground penetrating radar for soil and root measurements and discusses potential approaches to overcome challenges facing ground penetrating radar-based sensing in agriculture, especially for soil physical characteristics and crop root measurements. Though advanced data-analysis has been developed for ground penetrating radar-based sensing of soil moisture and soil clay content in civil engineering and geosciences, it has not been used widely in agricultural research. Also, past studies using ground penetrating radar in root research have been focused mainly on coarse root measurement. Currently, it is difficult to measure individual crop roots directly using ground penetrating radar, but it is possible to sense root cohorts within a soil volume grid as a functional constituent modifying bulk soil dielectric permittivity. Alternatively, ground penetrating radarbased sensing of soil water content, soil nutrition and texture can be utilized to inversely estimate root development by coupling soil water flow modeling with the seasonality of plant root growth patterns. Further benefits of ground penetrating radar applications in agriculture rely on the knowledge, discovery, and integration among differing disciplines adapted to research in agricultural management.
Assessment of N2O emissions from rapeseed cultivation in Poland by various approaches
Authors: Syp Alina , Faber Antoni , Kozak Małgorzata
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study was to compare four tools for calculation of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions under the renewable energy directive. All the tools follow the methodology of the international panel on climate change. The first calculations of N2O fluxes were based on the Tier 1 method using the BioGrace tool. The second and the third ones followed the Tier 2 methodology, applying the global nitrous oxide calculator and the Lesschen emission factors, respectively. The last assessment was performed in accordance with the Tier 3 approach by using the denitrification- decomposition model. The N2O fluxes were calculated for rapeseed cultivation in a 4-year crop rotation in Poland. The same input data were applied in all methods. The average of N2O emissions varied in the range of 1.99-3.78 kg N2O ha-1 y-1, depending on the approach used (Lesschen emission factors > denitrificationdecomposition > global nitrous oxide calculator > BioGrace). This paper illustrates that, at country level, the Lesschen emission factors method worked as well as the denitrification-decomposition model for Poland. The advantage of this approach is the simplicity of collecting the necessary data, in contrast to process-based modelling. Moreover, the Tier 2 method provides mitigation measures similar to the denitrification-decomposition model, related to crop type, climatic conditions, and management practices.
Screening of the aerodynamic and biophysical properties of barley malt
Authors: Ghodsvali Alireza , Farzaneh Vahid , Bakhshabadi Hamid , Zare Zahra , Karami Zahra , Mokhtarian Mohsen , Carvalho Isabel. S.
Published: November 2016

An understanding of the aerodynamic and biophysical properties of barley malt is necessary for the appropriate design of equipment for the handling, shipping, dehydration, grading, sorting and warehousing of this strategic crop. Malting is a complex biotechnological process that includes steeping; germination and finally, the dehydration of cereal grains under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. In this investigation, the biophysical properties of barley malt were predicted using two models of artificial neural networks as well as response surface methodology. Stepping time and germination time were selected as the independent variables and 1 000 kernel weight, kernel density and terminal velocity were selected as the dependent variables (responses). The obtained outcomes showed that the artificial neural network model, with a logarithmic sigmoid activation function, presents more precise results than the response surface model in the prediction of the aerodynamic and biophysical properties of produced barley malt. This model presented the best result with 8 nodes in the hidden layer and significant correlation coefficient values of 0.783, 0.767 and 0.991 were obtained for responses one thousand kernel weight, kernel density, and terminal velocity, respectively. The outcomes indicated that this novel technique could be successfully applied in quantitative and qualitative monitoring within the malting process.
Effects of altered thyroid states on oxidative stress parameters in rats
Authors: Oktay Sehkar , Uslu Lebriz , Emekli Nesrin
Published: November 2016

Background:

Thyroid hormones are effective on oxidant-antioxidant balance by leading basal metabolic rate. In this study, the effects of altered thyroid states on low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and oxidative stress parameters were investigated in an experimental animal model.

Methods:

Thirty female Wistar Albino rats were equally divided into 3 groups as follows: control group; hypothyroid group (methimazole (75 mg/100 g was added to diet); hyperthyroid group [L-thyroxine (0.4 mg/100 g was added to diet)]. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) levels, thyroid, and lipid parameters were determined in serum. Also lipid peroxidation (LPO), sialic acid (SA) and glutathione levels (GSH), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined in tissue samples.

Results:

A significant increase in lipid parameters was observed in hypothyroid group, whereas these parameters were decreased in hyperthyroid group compared to control group. For ox-LDL levels, a significant increase was observed both in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid groups. In brain, liver and kidney tissues, LPO and SA levels were increased, whereas GSH levels were decreased both in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid groups. The SOD and CAT activities were significantly decreased in hypothyroid group, however, they were increased in hyperthyroid group compared to control group. Both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions modify the oxidant-antioxidant state in serum and tissues.

Conclusions:

Increased SOD and CAT activities in hyperthyroid group suggest that elevated thyroid hormones can reduce oxidative stress by maintaining antioxidant defense and they might have a protective effect on some tissues against oxidants.
Methanol extract of Nymphaea lotus ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver injury in rats via inhibition of oxidative stress
Authors: Oyeyemi Ifeoluwa T. , Akanni Olubukola O. , Adaramoye Oluwatosin A. , Bakare Adekunle A.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Nymphaea lotus (NL) is an aquatic perennial plant used traditionally in the management of various liver diseases. In this study, the protective effect of methanol extract of NL against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats were assigned into six groups of five rats each. Group I received corn oil (0.5 mL p.o.) and served as control, group II received CCl4 (1 mL/kg i.p., 1:3 in corn oil), group III received NL (200 mg/kg), and groups IV, V, and VI received CCl4+NL (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) for 6 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure, rats were bled and killed.

Results:

The activities of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and levels of total bilirubin (TB) in the serum, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) in the liver, and histopathology of the liver were determined using standard procedures. NL significantly (p<0.05) lowered the levels of ALT, AST, and TB and exhibited antioxidant potentials in rats exposed to CCl4 relative to the control values. Specifically, NL at 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) increased CCl4-induced decrease in hepatic GSH and GPx and also decreased the level of hepatic TBARS in CCl4-intoxicated rats. Histopathological findings revealed cellular infiltration and fibrosis in rats that received CCl4 only, which were ameliorated in rats that received NL+CCl4.

Conclusions:

The data suggest that NL exhibited hepatoprotective effects in CCl4-intoxicated rats via antioxidative mechanism.
A Fatal Case of Community Acquired Cupriavidus Pauculus Pneumonia
Authors: Almasy Emoke , Szederjesi Janos , Rad Paul , Georgescu Anca
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Cupriavidus pauculus is a rarely isolated non-fermentative, aerobic bacillus, which occasionally causes severe human infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Strains have been isolated from various clinical and environmental sources.

Case presentation: A 67-year-old man was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with acute respiratory failure. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, pulmonary sepsis and underwent invasive mechanical ventilation. Examination revealed diminished bilateral vesicular breath sounds, fever, intense yellow tracheal secretions, a respiratory rate of 24/minute, a heart rate of 123/minute, and blood pressure of 75/55 mmHg. Vasoactive treatment was initiated. Investigations revealed elevated lactate and C-reactive protein levels. A chest X-ray showed bilateral infiltration. Parenteral ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone were administered. Tracheal aspirate culture and blood culture showed bacterial growth of Cupriavidus pauculus. Colistin was added to the treatment. There was a poor clinical response despite repeated blood culture showing negative results. The diagnosis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by C. pauculus was made. The patient died eleven days after admission.

Conclusions: Clinical improvement cannot always be expected in spite of targeted antibiotic therapy. This pathogen should be considered responsible for infections that usually develop in immunocompromised patients.
Reflections from teachers and students on speaking anxiety in an EFL classroom
Authors: Akkakoson Songyut
Published: November 2016

This paper reports on part of the research project in which instructor perspectives on the role of anxiety in an EFL speaking classroom and anxiety-coping strategies students employ when speaking English have been investigated. The existence of students’ speaking anxiety was revealed via a teacher interview. A total of 88 students from the intact classes also responded to an interview form for an analysis of anxiety-coping strategies they utilised when speaking English in class. The qualitative data from both instruments was analysed using the content analysis. The findings of the teacher interview data put forward that students of this study have experienced speaking-in-class anxiety. This anxiety may influence their grades, to some extent. Three factors that may hinder students’ development of oral skills emerge, including their lack of self-confidence, having poor English background and having neither intrinsic nor extrinsic motivation to use English. Using the target language as the medium of communication in class is viewed by the teachers as a must in theory, but flexibility is allowed in practice. Moreover, the results of the student interview data show a wide range of strategies employed to deal with anxiety (ie social, affective, meta-cognitive, compensatory, cognitive and memory-related strategies). Social strategies are the most frequently-used techniques. Suggestions for improvement in the overall oral English (ie vocabulary focus, audiovisual focus, self-practice, social focus, auditory focus, meta-cognitive focus, compensatory focus and affective focus) have also been given by the student participants. An increased repertoire of vocabulary is viewed as the most effective tool for such improvement.
The relationship between language learning motivation and foreign language achievement as mediated by perfectionism: the case of high school EFL learners
Authors: Dashtizadeh Parisa , Farvardin Mohammad Taghi
Published: November 2016

This study examined the mediating effect of perfectionism on the relationship between language learning and foreign language achievement of high school EFL learners. To this end, 400 eleventh grade high school students were recruited through cluster random sampling. They were selected from eight high schools in four cities of Iran (i.e., Tehran, Ahvaz, Semnan, and Kerman). Afterwards, two questionnaires were administered to the participants. The first questionnaire was the shortened form of Gardner’s Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) for EFL learners, and the second one was Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R) measuring the level of perfectionism among respondents. Moreover, the participants’ scores on the English final exam held by Iran’s Ministry of Education was considered as the indicator of foreign language achievement. The obtained data were analyzed through Pearson correlations and bootstrap resampling statistical method. The results indicated a positive correlation between all variables. Furthermore, it was revealed that language achievement and language learning motivation were partially mediated by perfectionism.
Romantic imagination in a comparative perspective: English and Slovak Romantic literature
Authors: Pokrivčák Anton , Pokrivčáková Silvia
Published: November 2016

The paper discusses Romantic imagination in two, relatively distant, national literatures. The first part is concerned with the problems comparative literature has faced in recent decades. In the second part, the work of two Slovak Romantic writers, Ján Kollár and Janko Kráľ, is compared to the poetry of Lord Gordon Byron and William Wordsworth. By identifying certain affinities between the discussed literary works, the authors point to the importance of the concept of national literature which has not lost its role even in contemporary literary studies.
A case of 46,XX dysgenesis and marked tall stature; the need for caution in interpreting array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)
Authors: Narayanan Vidya Kanamkote , Kharbanda Mira , Donaldson Malcolm
Published: November 2016

Background:

Gonadal dysgenesis with an apparently normal 46,XX karyotype is a rare cause of hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. Tall stature is not a widely recognized association.

Case report:

A 15-year-old girl presented with primary amenorrhoea. Examination showed a non-dysmorphic girl of normal intellect with no breast development (Tanner stage B1P4A1) who was tall compared with her parents: height standard deviation score (SDS) +1.56 vs. midparental height of +0.23 SDS, and slim build (weight −0.13 SDS). Investigations showed a 46,XX karyotype, elevated gonadotropins (FSH 119 and LH 33.7 IU/L), serum estradiol <5 pmol/L, uterine length 3.75 cm with cylindrical shape, and absent ovaries on ultrasound. Initially, a 364055-bp deletion on Xp21.2 was reported on array CGH. However, repeat analysis using BlueGnome CytoChip ISCA 4x180k v2.0 array was normal. With oral ethinyl estradiol induction puberty progressed to B4P4A2 but aged 18.4 years, the patient was remarkably tall with height SDS +2.88, weight SDS +0.97.

Conclusions:

Caution is needed in interpreting small changes with array CGH, particularly with the older assays. We postulate that the genetic change causing 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis in our patient may have also resulted in unsuppressed somatic growth. More critical height assessment, including parental height measurement, of future patients with 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis is recommended in order to determine whether or not a true association with tall stature may be present in certain cases.
‘Kingdom of Ends’ as Economic Model: Whether Transition is Possible?
Authors: Trotsak Alexey
Published: November 2016

The article considers the connection between ethics, in particular Kant’s practical philosophy, and economics. The author examines historical reasons for Kant’s ethic not to have become part of the economic discourse and interprets modern business processes from Kant’s perspective. The article aims to demonstrate the possibilities of applying the philosophical instruments of Kant’s morals to concrete economic issues.
Regional specializationand geographic concentration: experiences from Slovak industry
Authors: Lehocký Filip , Rusnák Jaroslav
Published: November 2016

This paper attempts to indicate changes in industry during the period of economic restructuring and European integration in Slovakia in the regional and sectoral contexts. The concepts of geographic concentration and regional specialization are used in order to achieve the envisaged aims. Based on the relationship between the change in the specialization index and the change in the number of companies in three size categories, the main aim is to show the strategies used in the transformation of the regional industrial structure. It is expected that the largest category of industrial companies, those with 250 or more employees, will be a significant factor in explaining the changes in regional specialization. The main output will be a graphic model of transformation strategies and the identification of regional industrial types.
Energy security: between markets and sovereign politics
Authors: Dudau Radu , Nedelcu Alexandra Catalina
Published: November 2016

Energy security is a constant presence in the energy-related political discourse all over the world. States strive to secure steady inflows of needed energy supplies, as well as the price affordability of those supplies. However, what are deemed to be the best means to meet such goals depends on one’s theoretical vantage point. On the one hand, economically-minded theorists maintain that energy security is only a matter of market rules and interactions. Thus, they call upon energy markets to deliver both steady supplies and competitive prices. On the other hand, politically-minded scholars emphasize the political and hard-power nature of international energy trades, especially in a global context market by the emergence of state-centered, authoritarian regimes that use large national energy companies as foreign policy instruments. These two positions delineate competing approaches to how energy security risks ought to be managed. The former approaches energy security risks by means similar to portfolio management, requiring diversification of investments in order to insulate them from market shocks. The latter approaches energy security as a matter of foreign policy, by which states envisage interest coordination and favorable alignments within countervailing alliances against the agent of energy security risk. The present paper goes beyond the uncontentious point that these two dimensions are complementary. It argues that, depending on the international context, a more market-driven or a more-politically driven behavior may be adequate.
Synthesis of new dithia[3.3]parapara- and metapara-cyclophane based tectons: toward an universal surface-confined 2D/3D molecular binding motif
Authors: Zaborova Elena , Six Alice , Amokrane Hanane , Charra Fabrice , Mathevet Fabrice , Attias André-Jean , Kreher David
Published: November 2016

A series of new paraphenylene-based 2D and 3D tectons has been designed for supramolecular self-assembly on both HOPG and Au. Several versatile chemical strategies have been developed to reach the target tectons, bearing either metaparacyclophane or paraparacyclophane cores, functionalized or not, allowing the obtention soon of more complex 3D tectons bearing functional unit such as chromophores. Moreover, preliminary STM results show that these compounds can successfully self-assemble both on HOPG and Au(111) substrates at liquid-solid interface, encouraging us in finding an universal surface-confined 2D/3D molecular binding motif. This feature combined with the preliminary results of the self-assembly on the plasmonic substrate Au(111) open-up opportunities in the field of Nanoscience.
Allozymic Variation and Relationships within Viola sect. Viola (Violaceae) in Iran
Authors: Mehrvarz Shahryar Saeidi , Yeganeh Tahereh
Published: November 2016

Genetic variation and differentiation in taxa of the genus Viola L. sect. Viola, subsections Viola and Rostratae (Kupffer) W. Becker, were studied from natural populations occurring in Iran. Two isoenzyme systems, Phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) and Aconitase (ACO), encoding four putative loci, were employed to detect interspecific and intraspecific genetic variation. Considering the patterns of isoenzyme variation in the studied taxa, it is evident that V. caspia (Rupr.) Freyn subsp. caspia and V. capia subsp. sylvestroides Marcussen are closely related. The species V. alba Bess. subsp. alba and V. sintenisii W. Becker are isoenzymatically well characterized as distinct genetic entities.
Only Cheap Talk after All? New Experimental Psychological Findings on the Role of Verbal Proficiency in Mate Choice
Authors: Lange Benjamin P. , Hennighausen Christine , Brill Michael , Schwab Frank
Published: November 2016

Recent evolutionary experimental psychological research found that high verbal proficiency (VP) increased the perceived attractiveness of individuals (more so for males than females), especially in the context of a long-term relationship. Our study had the objective of replicating and extending this research. Similar to previous studies, audio files in which speakers performed scripted self-presentations that had equal content but varied on VP were used as stimuli for opposite-sex participants. VP was found to increase attractiveness ratings. The effects were mostly small for numerous variables relating to short-term mating, whereas they were moderate to large for long-term mating. Our participants attributed more future income, but not more total number of mates to speakers with higher VP. Female menstrual cycle effects on attractiveness ratings were not found. Contrary to former research, being more verbally proficient was not found to be more beneficial for one sex over the other.
An Experimental Approach to Basic Word Order in Turkish Intransitives
Authors: Arik Engin
Published: November 2016

This study offers an experimental perspective to investigate the word order and animacy effects of intransitives in Turkish, an agglutinative language with a canonical, flexible Subject-Object-Verb order. Four experiments were conducted to investigate a total of 528 Turkish speakers’ acceptability judgments using rating scales (Experiments 1 and 3; 7-point Likert scales) and forced choice tasks (Experiments 2 and 4; choosing one of two sentences) for various orders of linguistic forms in a simple intransitive sentence. Results from scalar acceptability judgments showed that there were significant main effects of order and subject, indicating that participants gave significantly higher ratings to SV sentences than VS sentences and that their ratings changed significantly according to the animacy of the subjects. Results from the forced choice tasks showed that participants preferred SV sentences to VS sentences. These findings suggest that Turkish speakers prefer SV order over VS order even though both are readily available.
Hybrid biocomposites from agricultural residues: mechanical, water absorption and tribological behaviors
Authors: Prithivirajan Rajaram , Jayabal Subbaian , Sundaram Subramanian Kalyana , Sangeetha Venkatalu
Published: November 2016

As south India is abundant with agricultural residues such as coir pith, rice husk and groundnut shell, this investigation is focused on using these residues as particle reinforcement for epoxy composites. The properties of coir pith, rice husk and groundnut shell particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Moreover, particle sizes of residues were confirmed with a particle size analyzer. The particles were hybridized with different combinations and reinforced in epoxy matrix by means of the compression molding technique. The weight fraction of hybrid particles in the composites was varied in different proportions (7.5 wt%, 15 wt%, 22.5 wt% and 30 wt%) and their effects on mechanical, wear and water absorption properties were studied. The fracture mechanisms of the composites were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result showed that the addition of rice husk with coir pith and groundnut particles improved the mechanical and water retention properties of the composites, whereas addition of groundnut particles with coir pith improved the wear behavior of the composites.
Ablation and thermo-mechanical tailoring of EPDM rubber using carbon fibers
Authors: Asghar Muhammad , Iqbal Nadeem , Iqbal Sadia Sagar , Farooq Mohsin , Jamil Tahir
Published: November 2016

Carbon fibers (CFs) are incorporated into ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber to fabricate charring elastomeric ablative composites for ultrahigh temperature applications. Ablation characteristics of the ablative composites were evaluated using ASTM E285-08. Variant content incorporation of short CFs in the basic composite formulation reduced the backface temperature acclivity and the ablation rate rose up to 48% and 78%, correspondingly. Thermal stability and endothermic capability were improved with increasing short fiber contents in the rubber matrix. Experimental thermal conductivity measurement results elucidate that thermal conductivity reduces 60% at 473 K with 6 wt% addition of the fibers. A remarkable improvement was scrutinized in the tensile strength and rubber hardness with increasing fiber to matrix ratio. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of the composite specimens revealed the uniform dispersion of CFs within the host matrix, formation of voids during ablation, char-reinforcement interaction and composition of the charred ablators and the impregnated fibers.
Polite like an Egyptian? Case Studies of Politeness in the Late Ramesside Letters
Authors: Ridealgh Kim
Published: November 2016

The Late Ramesside Letters, a corpus of over 70 personal communications written in Late Egyptian, form one of the most complete letter collections from ancient Egypt (c. 1099–1069 BCE). A key feature of ancient Egyptian letter writing is the adherence to the social positions of, and relationships between, the interlocutors, allowing scholars to reconstruct the hierarchical network of individuals directly and indirectly included in the corpus. From this understanding, how can modern scholars discern what was considered to be ‘polite’ communicative behaviour within these relationships and how can developments in historical politeness help us do this? This article will explore three case studies surrounding different aspects of politeness research: first-order politeness, facework, and discernment politeness in order to explore the phenomenon of ‘politeness’ in Late Egyptian and reflect on the suitability of current politeness frameworks for the analysis of the Late Ramesside Letters.
Removal of thorium(IV) from aqueous solutions by natural sepiolite
Authors: Esen Erden Kadriye , Donat Ramazan
Published: November 2016

Natural sepiolite has been tested as a potential sorbent for the removal of Th(IV) from aqueous solutions by batch technique. Effects of various parameters on the adsorption process have been investigated. Under optimum conditions, Th(IV) was adsorbed with high adsorption efficiency. The results indicated that sorption of Th(IV) on sepiolite was strongly affected by pH values and temperature. The adsorption patterns of thorium on the sepiolite adsorbent followed the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The thermodynamic data (ΔH°, ΔS°, ΔG°) are calculated from the temperature-dependent sorption isotherms. The results suggest that sorption process of Th(IV) on sepiolite is spontaneous and endothermic.
Liquid chromatographic studies on the behaviour of Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) on a RP stationary phase in presence of α-Hydroxyisobutyric acid as a chelating agent
Authors: Jaison P.G. , Kumar Pranaw , Telmore Vijay M.
Published: November 2016

Since plutonium possesses multiple oxidation states which can coexist in solution, a method for the identification of these oxidation states is important to understand its chemical processes. Liquid chromatographic studies were carried out to compare the chromatographic behaviour of different oxidation states of Pu in presence of the eluent, α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA). The three oxidation states of Pu viz. Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) were separated under optimised conditions. It was seen that the presence of the complexing agent influences the equilibrium of Pu(III)/(IV) as well as Pu(IV)/(VI) systems. Pu(III) to Pu(IV) conversion was found to be enhanced by high pH and concentration of HIBA whereas a relatively low pH and high concentration of HIBA promotes the conversion of Pu(VI) to Pu(IV).
Hafnium(IV) complexation with oxalate at variable temperatures
Authors: Friend Mitchell T. , Wall Nathalie A.
Published: November 2016

Appropriate management of fission products in the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is crucial in developing advanced reprocessing schemes. The addition of aqueous phase complexing agents can prevent the co-extraction of these fission products. A solvent extraction technique was used to study the complexation of Hf(IV) – an analog to fission product Zr(IV) – with oxalate at 15, 25, and 35°C in 1 M HClO4 utilizing a 175+181Hf radiotracer. The mechanism of the solvent extraction system of 10−5 M Hf(IV) in 1 M HClO4 to thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) in toluene demonstrated a 4th-power dependence in both TTA and H+, with Hf(TTA)4 the only extractable species. The equilibrium constant for the extraction of Hf(TTA)4 was determined to be log K
ex=7.67±0.07 (25±1°C, 1 M HClO4). The addition of oxalate to the aqueous phase decreased the distribution ratio, indicating aqueous Hf(IV)-oxalate complex formation. Polynomial fits to the distribution data identified the formation of Hf(ox)2+ and Hf(ox)2 (aq) and their stability constants were measured at 15, 25, and 35°C in 1 M HClO4. van’t Hoff analysis was used to calculate Δr
G, Δr
H, and Δr
S for these species. Stability constants were observed to increase at higher temperature, an indication that Hf(IV)-oxalate complexation is endothermic and driven by entropy.
Stent-assisted coiling of large common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm following coronary artery catheterization: an uncommon and novel approach
Authors: Mahjoob Mohammad Parsa , Khaheshi Isa , Naderian Mohammadreza
Published: November 2016

The femoral artery pseudoaneurysm is a disturbing groin complication associated with the femoral arterial access site used for invasive cardiovascular interventions. We present a 39 year old man who developed a huge right common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, following diagnostic coronary artery catheterization, which was successfully managed with stent-assisted coiling, an emerging and narrative option in invasive percutaneous approaches to femoral artery pseudoaneurysm.
Olfactometric assessment - where do we stand today?
Authors: Melinte Violeta , Sarafoleanu Codrut
Published: November 2016

Having an enormous importance not only in one’s quality of life, but also in one’s health and personal safety, the olfactory function assessment has begun to gain more and more interest amongst the ENT practitioners. However, at the moment, there is no worldwide accepted evaluation protocol available despite the fact that studies regarding smell disorders and their evaluation have been published all over the world.

The purpose of this article is to present the olfactory assessment methods practiced today not only in different clinics from Europe and the USA, but also in Romania, because we have recently started to study the olfactory function disturbances. Three of the most interesting clinical cases, assessed in our ENT Department of the “Sfanta Maria” Clinical Hospital between 2015 and 2016, will be discussed in the current paper.
Legal aspects in patients with complications and sequelae after rhinological surgery
Authors: Savu Manuela-Andra , Sarafoleanu Codrut
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND. In time, the field of surgery has developed, introducing new techniques for old diseases. Along with this evolution, postoperative complications occurred and patients denounced doctors for insufficient medical care or inappropriate surgical approach. We observed an increased number of reclamations from patients who underwent rhinological surgery. All of those patients considered that medical care and the surgical act were improper, with poor outcome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. The purpose of our presentation is to sum all the causes that motivate the patients to formulate claims and to start the legal prosecution, in order to obtain financial compensation and the doctor’s conviction. We included all the patients who referred to our clinic (even if they were first treated by us or another surgical team), complaining of postoperative: persistent purulent rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, crusts, cacosmia or anosmia, epistaxis, epiphora, unaesthetic nasal aspect. Some of these patients, before or after receiving our care, denounced the initial caregiver.

RESULTS. Their main complaints involved poor preoperative notifications regarding the surgical method, risks and potential complications, extensive surgery, wrong surgical indication, inexperienced surgical team, poor postoperative care. Even if they were first treated in our clinic or not, these patients received medical and surgical care to correct all the negative post operatory outcomes. Some of the patients still pursued the legal pathway, engaging all the resources to prove doctor’s medical guilt.

CONCLUSION. To avoid medico-legal situations, guidelines need to be established for the ENT surgeons, in order to confer a healthier work environment with minimum risks and complications.