bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Rhinotora (Diptera, Heleomyzidae) with description of a new species and key to all known heleomyzid species from Brazil
Authors: CALHAU JULIA , COELHO LÍVIA AGUIAR , KAWADA RICARDO , LIMA FELIPE VARUSSA DE OLIVEIRA , GUILLERMO-FERREIRA RHAINER
Published: July 2016

Rhinotora Schiner, 1868, are a rare group of flies, previously including seven species distributed in the Americas, six of them occurring in Brazil. This work aims to provide a taxonomic review for Rhinotora Schiner, with addition of two species in the genus: Rhinotora fonsecai, which is transferred back to its original genus, and R. paschoali sp. nov. New distributional records are presented for R. lopesi and R. travassosi. A key to the all known heleomyzid species recorded from Brazil is provided.
The Mexican Acromegaly Registry: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics at Diagnosis and Therapeutic Outcomes
Authors: Portocarrero-Ortiz Lesly A. , Vergara-Lopez Alma , Vidrio-Velazquez Maricela , Uribe-Diaz Ana María , García-Dominguez Avril , Reza-Albarrán Alfredo Adolfo , Cuevas-Ramos Daniel , Melgar Virgilio , Talavera Juan , Rivera-Hernandez Aleida de Jesus , Valencia-Méndez Carla Valentina , Mercado Moisés ,   on behalf of the Mexican Acromegaly Registry Group
Published: July 2016

Context:

Acromegaly is a systemic disorder caused by a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma. As with other rare diseases, acromegaly registries developed in various European countries have provided us with important information.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, and therapeutic data from the Mexican Acromegaly Registry (MAR).

Setting:

The setting of the study was a nationwide patient registry.

Design and Methodology:

The MAR was created in 2009. It gathers data from 24 participating centers belonging to three different institutions using a specifically designed on-line platform. Only patients diagnosed after 1990 were included in the program.

Results:

A total of 2057 patients (51% female, mean age at diagnosis 41.1 ± 24.5 y) have been registered for an estimated prevalence of 18 cases per 1 million inhabitants. Hypertension, glucose intolerance, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were present in 27%, 18.4%, 30%, and 24% of the patients, respectively. The IGF-1 level at diagnosis and the concomitant presence of hypertension were significantly associated with the development of diabetes. Transsphenoidal surgery was the primary treatment in 72% of the patients. Pharmacological treatment, mostly with somatostatin analogs, was administered primarily and adjunctively in 26% and 54% of the patients, respectively. Treatment choice varied among the three participating institutions, with the predominance of pharmacological therapy in two of them and of radiation therapy in the third. Therapeutic outcomes were similar to those reported in the European registries.

Conclusions:

The MAR is the largest and first non-European registry of the disease. Our findings highlight important within-country differences in treatment choice due to variations in the availability of resources.
Dietary Sodium Restriction Increases the Risk of Misinterpreting Mild Cases of Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Baudrand Rene , Guarda Francisco J. , Torrey Jasmine , Williams Gordon , Vaidya Anand
Published: July 2016

Context:

The aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) is recommended to screen for primary aldosteronism (PA).

Objective:

To evaluate whether dietary sodium restriction results in misinterpretation of PA screening.

Participants:

Untreated hypertensives with ARR more than 20 on a high dietary sodium intake (HS) were also evaluated on a low dietary sodium intake (LS) (n = 241). Positive screening for PA was defined as: plasma renin activity (PRA) less than or equal to 1.0 ng/mL · h with serum aldosterone more than or equal to 6 ng/dL. PA was confirmed by a 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion more than or equal to 12 mcg with urinary sodium more than 200 mmol.

Results:

Only 33% (79/241) of participants with an ARR more than 20 had a positive PA screen on HS. On LS, 56% (44/79) of these participants no longer met criteria for positive PA screening. When compared with participants with positive PA screening on both diets, participants with a positive screen on HS but negative on LS exhibited a significantly higher PRA on both diets. Remarkably, of the 48/79 participants who had PA confirmed, 52% had negative PA screening on LS. The distinguishing feature of these participants with “discordant” screening results was a larger rise in PRA on LS resulting in normalization of the ARR and higher Caucasian race prevalence.

Conclusions:

Sodium restriction is recommended in hypertension; however, it can significantly raise PRA, normalize the ARR, and result in false interpretation of PA screening. Milder phenotypes of PA, where PRA is not as suppressed, are most susceptible to dietary sodium influences on renin and ARR. Optimal screening for PA should occur under conditions of HS.
Should Online Content Providers Be Allowed To Subsidize Content?—An Economic Analysis
Authors: Cho Soohyun , Qiu Liangfei , Bandyopadhyay Subhajyoti
Published: July 2016

Internet service providers (ISPs) are experimenting with a business model that allows content providers (CPs) to subsidize Internet access for end consumers. In this study, we develop a game-theoretical model to analyze the effects of this sponsorship of consumer data usage. We find that the ISP’s optimal network management choice of data sponsorship crucially depends on market conditions, such as the revenue rates of CPs and the fit cost of consumers. If the fit cost is low, the ISP will either allow both CPs to subsidize consumers’ Internet access, or will allow only the more competitive CP to subsidize, depending on the per-consumer revenue generation rates of CPs. If the fit cost is high, it is in the ISPs interest not to allow any subsidization. We also identify conditions under which the ISP’s network management choices of data sponsorship deviate from social optimum. These results should be of interest to the telecom industry as it searches additional revenue models, and to online CPs competing for customer loyalty. It should also be of interest to policymakers investigating into this issue.
THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE REGGIO EMILIA PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Foerch Daniela Fenu , Iuspa Flavia
Published: July 2016

This article presents the history and framework of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, an educational approach to early childhood education that places children as the main participants and protagonists of the curriculum. It also showcases the growing influence of the Reggio Emilia philosophy around the world, through key regional and national organizations. The association of the Emilia fundamental values of the Reggio Emilia with the globally competent soft skills helps this philosophy to overcome the growing need worldwide. Ultimately, the internationalization of this approach has inspired teaching practices all over the world. Within different nations, organizations that advocate the application of Reggio Emilia principles in various schools has grown, prompting a need to educate children to that they will develop emotionally and cognitively, in making thinking visible.
Adolescência, Escolha Profissional e Identificação: Uma Revisão Sistemática
Authors: Andrade Mirian Marques , Maranhão Thércia Lucena Grangeiro , Barbosa Janilda Dos Santos , Batista Hermes Melo Teixeira , Santana Andreza Oliveira
Published: July 2016

O presente artigo tem como objetivos investigar quais fatores exercem influência na escolha profissional do adolescente; pretende-se também estudar as transformações sócias históricas da Orientação Profissional; compreender a adolescência e suas motivações e apresentar o conceito de identificação e sua relação com a escolha profissional, à luz da psicanálise. A pesquisa foi delineada por meio da revisão sistemática por metassintese onde foram selecionados artigos nas bases de dados acadêmicos Scielo e Google acadêmico, publicados no período de 2005 a 2014, utilizando-se os descritores: Orientação Profissional, escolha profissional e adolescência. Os fatores elencados como influentes foram: políticos, sociais, culturais, tecnológicos, econômicos, educacionais, individuais, psicológicos e familiares.
Desempenho das Exportações do Pólo Petrolina- Juazeiro: Análise dos Resultados da Balança Comercial
Authors: Ferreira Liliane Caraciolo , Souza Henrique Bruno Barros de , Santana Joelma Patricia Pimenta de
Published: July 2016

Este artigo objetivou a realização de uma análise comparativa dos resultados obtidos pela balança comercial do pólo Petrolina-Juazeiro no período compreendido entre 2000 a 2015. Localizado no submédio do São Francisco, tendo a fruticultura irrigada como principal fonte de atividade econômica, transformou-se no maior exportador de frutas do Brasil. A procura pelas frutas produzidas na região, principalmente uvas e mangas, vem crescendo a cada ano, tornando a exportação uma estratégia de geração de riquezas e rendas. Foram realizadas, também,  abordagens teóricas sobre exportação, importação e balança comercial. Com base nos resultados obtidos através de dados do MDIC, foi evidenciado o crescimento econômico nos últimos 15 anos no referido pólo e sua devida importância para a balança comercial e, por conseguinte, para o desenvolvimento do pólo.
Conforto na acessibilidade do espaço urbano
Authors: De Pinho Barroso Mg. Arq. Celina , Dias Lay Dra. Arq. Maria Cristina
Published: July 2016

Este artigo investiga fatores que afetam a percepção de conforto de distintos grupos de usuários na acessibilidade em espaços urbanos. O estudo foi realizado através da avaliação pós–ocupação de espaços abertos públicos localizados no centro histórico de Pelotas, RS. Métodos qualitativos e quantitativos foram utili-zados em duas etapas. A primeira permitiu delimitar a área de estudo, por meio da aplicação de entrevistas e mapas mentais a usuários com diferentes condições de mobilidade. A segunda teve como objetivo investigar os fatores de conforto/desconforto através de um levantamento físico detalhado da área e aplicação de questionários. Juntamente com cada questionário, foi disponibilizado um mapa do centro da cidade para possibilitar a identificação dos trechos percebidos pelo respondente como mais confortáveis e desconfortáveis. As informações obtidas pelos questionários foram analisadas quantitativamente por meio de frequências e testes não paramétricos. Os resultados revelam que alguns elementos e características físicas proporcionam graus semelhantes de conforto aos diferentes tipos de usuários, mesmo não sendo considerados pelas normas e outros estudos. Por outro lado, ao contrário do que constam em normas e outros estudos, algumas características físicas introduzidas no espaço urbano para promover acessibilidade podem causar conforto para uns usuários, mas desconforto para outros, tais como as rampas e pisos táteis.

Palabras clave

Conforto; Acessibilidade; Desenho universal; Centros urbanos; Percepção do usuário
Edifícios altos
Authors: Bugs Antocheviz Mg. Arq. Fabiana , Da Luz Reis Dr. Arq. Antônio Tarcísio
Published: July 2016

ste artigo tem como objetivo investigar os impactos causados por edifícios altos em seus contextos urbanos, através da avaliação de simulações de diferentes implantações com edifícios de distintas alturas, por moradores de edifícios altos residenciais e por pessoas que trabalham em edifícios altos comerciais. Ainda, é avaliado o impacto dos edifícios altos no contexto urbano em que os respondentes moram ou trabalham. Como procedimento metodológico foi realizado um estudo de caso Porto Alegre, RS, uma das cidades brasileiras que vêm vivenciando importantes transformações no seu espaço urbano através da expansão da construção de edifícios altos. Os dados foram coletados através de questionários aplicados via internet para moradores de edifícios altos residenciais e para pessoas que trabalham em edifícios altos comerciais. A análise dos dados foi realizada através de testes estatísticos não paramétricos, tais como tabulação cruzada, Kruskal Wallis, Kendall e Mann Whitney. Destacam–se os resultados relativos à preferência por edifícios altos com dez e doze pavimentos situados no perímetro do quarteirão. Ainda, os resultados desta investigação podem contribuir para a elaboração de legislações urbanísticas que regulamentem a altura e a implantação de edifícios nas cidades de maneira a qualificar as áreas urbanas.

Palabras clave

Edifícios altos; Avaliação de impacto urbano; Verticalização das cidades
Democracy and Education: perché?
Authors: Bellatalla Luciana
Published: July 2016

The paper is a specific revision of Dewey’s Democracy and Education so to point out the supremacy of educational dimension on the political one in Dewey’s thought and to individuate the central elements of Deweyan legacy for them who, at present, are taking into account educational questions and their referring science.
The Reception of John Dewey’s Democratic Concept of School in Different Countries of the World
Authors: Rogacheva Yelena
Published: July 2016

The paper deals with John Dewey’s democratic concept of school and its international significance. The man of the XX century, John Dewey (1859-1952) has made great impact on the development of world pedagogy. The masterwork «Democracy and Education» published in 1916 by American scholar and educational reformer is in the focus of attention too. The main elements of John Dewey’s concept of child-oriented school are given along with the following three conditions: «democracy», «growth» and «experience». The author explains the reasons of Dewey’s influence on educational thought and practice in the XXth century. The experience of old European countries such as Great Britain, France, Turkey, as well as Japan, Russia and Latin America is touched upon in the paper. It is stressed that cultural interpretations of Dewey’s ideas and practices in different countries served as the instrument of modernization of the state and school reform stimulator. John Dewey’s democratic ideas brought him international reputation of an outstanding philosopher and the best educator of the XXth century alongside with the other three: George Kershensteiner, Maria Montessori and Anton Makarenko.
John Dewey in Italia. L’operazione de La Nuova Italia Editrice: tra traduzione, interpretazione e diffusione
Authors: Cambi Franco
Published: July 2016

The essay reconstructs the various phases of the discovery of John Dewey’s ideas on Education and the spread of their influence throughout Italian pedagogical circles from the end of the Second World War to the 1970s. Several Italian intellectual pioneers discerned within Dewey’s theories significant overtones of democratic political activism, and the potential for developing innovative practices by which the obsolete education system of the day could be modernized, and the demands for better schooling being put forward by many could be met. In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, one such pioneer was Ernesto Codignola, a shrewd educational theorist who used the journal «Scuola e Città» (Schooling and the City), published by La Nuova Italia publishing house, as a mouthpiece for his ideas. Once the American philosopher’s ideas had been rediscovered, his most significant works were quickly translated and published, and then subjected to a flurry of detailed critical analysis and interpretation. During the 1960s and ‘70s, much of the research into Dewey’s theories was carried out in Florence, in particular by Lamberto Borghi, who interpreted them as the blueprint for a secular, democratic system of education that could be applied across the Italian peninsula.
The Reception of John Dewey in Hungary
Authors: Fenyő Imre
Published: July 2016

The 20th century is the century of discontinuity in Hungary. Therefore, the image of the reception of John Dewey’s work can be a mosaic only and sometimes incomplete, where the gaps are no less meaningful than in other cases the elements abundance. Despite this fragmentation is still worth to keep tracking of the formations in which a science constantly re-evaluates and re-interprets its own classics, as sources of legitimacy. In this paper we would like to demonstrate the dual (political and scientific) determinism of Dewey’s Hungarian reception, with presenting Dewey’s works published in Hungary, respectively present the scientific publications related to his work and at times to his person. We do not want to provide a mere register of the Hungarian Dewey-literature, but we would like to outline the effects that determined the scientific opinions which have helped or discouraged propagate of Dewey’s ideals in Hungary.
A contribuição de John Dewey ao ensino da arte no Brasil
Authors: Andrade Erika Natacha Fernandes de , Cunha Marcus Vinicius da
Published: July 2016

This work highlights the important contribution of John Dewey’s theses on aesthetics and art, consolidated in the book Art as Experience, to the current discussion on art teaching in the context of children’s education in Brazil. The focus of such discussion is the issue of formal certification of teachers, rather than reflection on matters related to the training of art teachers, such as, for instance, how to design and implement a teaching method for art and education. Even though Dewey himself does not lay down methodological guidelines, this paper traces the associations between his philosophical principles and educational theses. By conceiving art as both experience and a form of language, and by stressing the value of rhythmic experience in everyday life, Dewey advances his notion of reflexive thought. This notion is at the core of his proposed reform of pedagogical ideas and practices to promote a democratic way of life. The bringing together of his aesthetic and artistic theses and educational proposals is characterized in this work as rhetorical pedagogy. In this framework, education is aimed at building a radical democracy, by creating individuals who are able to compose and express the power of their personal inclinations, to the benefit not only of their individual lives, but also of a collective well-being.
Preparation junctions for all-ceramic CAD/CAM crown and bridge restorations
Authors: Vlahova Angelina
Published: July 2016

Background: The preparation junction type is determined by a number of factors that need to be taken in consideration with CAD/CAM Fixed Prosthodontics: the used material; the condition of the retainer teeth, their periodontium and the occlusion; the design software and the type of drills; the working protocol; the cement and the method of cementation. The aim of this article is to describe the optimal preparation junctions for CAD/CAM crown and bridge restorations made by ceramics based on zirconium dioxide and the basic factors that affect them. Materials and methods: Chamfer and radial shoulder preparation junctions are suitable (width 1 - 1, 5 mm). Trimming of 1, 5-2 mm dental tissues is necessary on the occlusal surface. The homothetic tooth reduction is optimal. The surface has to be smooth and the edges rounded. Results: The preparation width depends on the size and vitality of the tooth. In stained teeth the removal of more tissues provides a greater volume needed for masking the dark color. Vestibular preparation under the level of the gingiva is preferable to ensure optimal aesthetics. The preparation junction is determined also by the CAD/CAM software abilities, the type of drills and protocol of impression taking (classical or digital). The creation of a working model with an intraoral scanner is greatly facilitated by preparations above the gingival margin. Conclusions: Knowledge about the criteria for selection of preparation junctions is essential for fabrication of accurate and aesthetic CAD/CAM restorations.
Energy-Efficient Shaping of Contemporary Buildings and Their Surroundings as an Essential Element of Modernization of Built-Up Areas
Authors: Bocheński Stanisław , Bocheńska-Skałecka Anna , Kuczyński Tadeusz
Published: July 2016

A comprehensive design of a building along with the development of a surrounding land may counterbalance the tendency of housing estates comprising houses built on the basis of “ready-made projects” - which have no references to the existing urban tissue and which do not create a new one. In the first place, the energy intensity of buildings using the so-called passive methods should be lowered, and only then active systems should be applied, considering economic balance. The problem should be considered from two different perspectives i.e. for intensively and for less urbanised areas. The article results in the formulation of guidelines for energy-efficient modernization of contemporary buildings and their surroundings.
Eutrophication of the Strzeszyńskie Lake: Sources, Consequences and Remedies
Authors: Zawadzki Paweł , Murat-Błażejewska Sadżide , Błażejewski Ryszard
Published: July 2016

The paper presents history and recent review of investigations on ecological status of the Strzeszyńskie Lake, located within borders of town Poznań. The lake is a popular rest place, also for bathing and angling, therefore its state concerns many institutions and inhabitants. Recently, a deterioration of its ecological state has been observed due to pollution from a tributary catchment (Row Złotnicki), lake’s direct catchment, precipitation and fallen leaves. Phosphorus balance for an average year was estimated. A review of applied remedies was provided but an assessment of their effectiveness was unfeasible due to simultaneity and relatively short duration of their application.
Optimized Potential of Utilization Efficiency and Productivity in Wheat by Integrated Chemical Nitrogen Fertilization and Stimulative Compounds
Authors: Gharib H. , Hafez E. , Sabagh A. El
Published: July 2016

Foliar sprays application is an important crop management strategy, which could help to maximize yield and other beneficial substances. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Kafrelsheikh University research farm, Egypt, to study the effect of stimulating compounds (control, salicylic acid and ascobien) and nitrogen levels (0, 57.5, 115, 172.5 and 230 kg N ha-1) on yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of wheat. Results indicated that spraying of ascobien and increasing nitrogen level had significant effect on yield traits. Interaction between stimulating compounds and nitrogen were achieved progressive increases in all yield traits, furthermore, the magnitude of increments was much more pronounced in response to salicylic acid and control treatments in both seasons. It was observed no statistically significant difference between 172.5 and 230 kg N ha-1 in both seasons. A significant interactive effect were observed on grain N uptake, whole plant N uptake, nitrogen harvest index (NHI), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by using foliar spraying combined with N fertilizer. Grain N uptake and whole plant N uptake were closely correlated with nitrogen under stimulating compounds, whereas ascobien with 172.5 kg N ha-1 was more effective than salicylic acid in both seasons. Interestingly, foliar spraying of ascobien and N level of 172.5 kg ha-1 was the optimal and could be a useful to improve the efficiency of N-fertilizer and it can be saved 57.5 kg N ha-1. Consequently, could be the key to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and decrease the cost of production.
Tilings of amenable groups
Authors: Downarowicz Tomasz , Huczek Dawid , Zhang Guohua
Published: July 2016

We prove that for any infinite countable amenable group G, any

ε
>
0

{\varepsilon>0}

and any finite subset

K
⊂
G

{K\subset G}

, there exists a tiling (partition of G into finite “tiles” using only finitely many “shapes”), where all the tiles are

(
K
,
ε
)

{(K,\varepsilon)}

-invariant. Moreover, our tiling has topological entropy zero (i.e., subexponential complexity of patterns). As an application, we construct a free action of G (in the sense that the mappings, associated to elements of G other than the unit, have no fixed points) on a zero-dimensional space, such that the topological entropy of this action is zero.
Economic Effects Real Estate Tax
Authors: Tadić Milan
Published: July 2016

The real estate tax is usually a fiscal instrument which performs the property tax. When it comes to real property or immovable this term include: apartments, houses, land, cottages, excess housing landscape and more. The real estate tax as a form of the fiscal charges ownership or use of certain forms of real estate, and the revenue from this tax is levied on the area where the property is located regardless of the place of residence of its owner. The tax base for the calculation of this tax usually consists of the market, estimated or annuity value of certain real estate. This form of taxation in the Republic of Serbian applies from 1.1.2012., and its introduction has been replaced by former property taxes. The differences between the two concepts mentioned taxes are numerous and significant. Among the more important are: subject to taxation under the new concept of the real estate rather than law, a taxpayer is any property owner rather than the holder of rights to immovable property tax base is the market value of real estate which is replaced by the payment of taxes per square meter of usable area, the rate of property tax is determined local government, which can not be lower than 0.05% of the estimated value of the real estate nor higher than 0.5% of the appraised value of real estate. The last change, ie. The new law on Property Tax from 5.11.2015. was determined by the tax rate to 20%. The fact that local governments each of them determines the tax rate on real estate which range from high to low rates of multiple, makes this tax is progressive. Progression is particularly expressed in the distinction applied tax rates of developed and undeveloped municipalities, where we have a case that less developed tolerate a higher tax burden, which leads to negative economic effects. However, real estate tax has its own economic and social characteristics which must be aligned with the objectives of tax policy. This means that the real estate tax should be considered from the standpoint of the entire tax system and not from the standpoint of individual income tax forms.
Rural Policy of the European Union - Experiences and Lessons for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Lukić Miodrag
Published: July 2016

According to the criteria applied in the EU for the rural areas, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a predominantly rural country. About three-quarters of its territory consists of rural expanses where about half the population lives. One of the biggest structural and development problems of the BiH society today is a rapid decreasing of the rural population (depopulation of villages). Population policy in rural areas should be based on appropriate economic, agricultural, regional, development and cultural policy-bit different from the previous one which squeezed young people out of the village, agriculture and other activities that are successfully developed in the rural areas of developed countries. Since the unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina climbed to an unacceptably high rate of 42,8% and that the largest number of unemployed are recruited directly or indirectly from rural areas, it is necessary to seek solutions to fully reversed process created and encouraged by many countries, especially those that want to maintain or achieve rapid economic growth.
Remedies to Fraud in Documentary Letters of Credit: A Comparative Perspective / Opravné Opatrenia Pri Podvodoch S Dokumentárnymi Akreditívami: Komparatívna Perspektíva
Authors: Alavi Hamed
Published: July 2016

Article 4 of the Unified Customs and Practices of Documentary Letters of Credit establishes the notion of autonomy principle by separating credit from underlying contract between account party and beneficiary. Article 5 by recognizing the autonomy principle confirms that effectuate the payment under credit, banks only deal with documents and not with goods. As a result, while documentary letters of credit are meant to facilitate the process of international trade, their sole dependency on compliance of presented documents to bank by beneficiary to actualize the payment will increase the risk of fraud and forgery in the course of their operation. Interestingly, UCP (currently UCP600) takes a silent status regarding the problem of fraud in international LC operation and leaves the ground open for national laws to provide remedies to affected parties by fraudulent beneficiary. National Laws have different approaches to the problem of fraud in general and fraud in international LC operation in particular which makes the access of affected parties to possible remedies complicated and difficult. Current paper tries to find answer to the questions of (i) what available remedies are provided to affected parties in international LC fraud by different legal systems? (ii) And what are conditions for benefiting from such remedies under different legal systems? In achieving its objective, paper will be divided in two main parts to study remedies provided by intentional legal frameworks as well as the ones offered by national laws. Part one will study the position of UCP and UNCITRAL Convention on Independent Guarantees and Standby Letters of Credit (UNCITRAL Convention) and remedies, which they provide to LC fraud in international trade. Part two in contrary will study available remedies to LC fraud and condition for access them under English and American legal system.
Variability of energy woodchips and their economic effects
Authors: Gendek Arkadiusz , Nurek Tomasz
Published: July 2016

The main aim of the work is to assess physical parameters of forest woodchips and their impact on the prices achieved by the supplier in transactions with a power plant. During fragmentation of logging residue, high content of green matter and contaminants negatively impacts the quality parameters that serve as basis for settlements. The analysis concerns data on the main parameters - water content, fuel value, sulphur and ash content - from 252 days of deliveries of forest chips to a power plant. The deliveries were realised from forested areas on an average about 340 km from the plant. Average water content and the resultant fuel value of forest chips was within 27-47% and 8.7-12.9 GJ×Mg-1 (appropriately), respectively. They depend on the month in which they are delivered to the power plant. The threshold values for the above-mentioned parameters are set by the plant at a real level and the suppliers have no problems with meeting them. The parameter that is most frequently exceeded is ash content (11.5% of cases). The settlement system does not differentiate on the basis of the transport distance but gives possibility to lower the settlement price when the quality parameters are not met but provides no reward for deliveries with parameters better than the average ones. On the basis of results obtained, it was calculated that average annual settlement price is lower than the contract price by about 0.20 PLN×GJ-1, which in case of the analysed company may translate into an average daily loss of about 700 PLN.
Reduction of population numbers of Melolontha spp. adults – a review of methods
Authors: Woreta Danuta
Published: July 2016

The article provides information about control of Melolontha spp. adults, the methods used in the past, chemical pest control as well as treatments applied today. In old times, cockchafer populations were reduced mechanically, by manual collection during the swarming period or by covering soil surfaces to prevent egg lying by females. Chemical pest control methods were introduced in the fifties of the 1900s, and in subsequent 50 years, they were improved to be less and less environmentally threatening. In many countries, including Poland, there have recently been introduced progressive restrictions on the use of insecticides in forestry. Banning chemical treatments against cockchafers resulted in going back to traditional methods and seeking alternate solutions, e.g. biological control agents. In the 1990s, polyethylene nets were used to prevent egg laying in the soil by cockchafer females. At the same time, there was tested possible usefulness of a botanical insecticide derived from neem (Azadirachta indica) to combat cockchafer adults. The net, which needs to be spread flat on the ground, can be effective in orchards, however, in forested areas, the success of this method was limited due to the specific structure of forest land. In general, both methods stimulated no interest on the part of forestry on account of technical obstacles and too high cost of the botanical insecticide. Neglecting treatments toward reduction of cockchafer excessive numbers during their ongoing outbreak can bring about adverse changes in the forest structure.
Design, synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of novel (E)-3-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1-(pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-ones as anticancer agents
Authors: Alam Raquib , Alam Md. Aftab , Panda Amulya K. , Uddin Rahis
Published: July 2016

(E)-3-(3-Aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1-(pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-ones 4a–i have been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of three human cancer cell lines Caco-2, MIA PaCa-2, MCF-7 and a normal NIH-3T3 cell line. Compound 4g is cytotoxic with the IC50 value of 15.32±0.62 μm against the Caco-2 cell line.
Culture-Laden Imports: International Market Entry and Cultural Taboos
Authors: Brice William David , Chu Edward , Jones Wayne
Published: July 2016

This empirical study investigates American market responses to a Spanish product that is strongly culture-laden and may violate cultural taboos. Surveys were conducted in two contrasting US universities in Arkansas and California. Contrasting student majors were also chosen: Art and Business. The product is a life-sized baby doll, designed to be breast-fed rather than bottle-fed, which highlights the benefits and normality of breast-feeding babies. Although this product is popular in its original European market, US media accounts suggested strongly negative morality-based American reactions. This study found a strong overall non-acceptance of this product in all groups, but with significant differences between groups. Results quantify the market reaction and illuminate its cultural basis by comparing responses between two culturally different regions, two contrasting college majors, different genders, and different ethnicities. In doing so, this study helps to break new ground in the international marketing of culture-laden products.
Intercultural competence of first year students of English at the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University: a report of research
Authors: Zerzová Jana
Published: July 2016

The article presents the initial stage of research conducted at the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University in Brno. The aim of the research is to examine the departmental students’ intercultural competence (IC) at the beginning of their studies (autumn 2011), compare it with their level of IC at the end of their studies (autumn 2016) and investigate the influences that played a role in their IC development. In this paper, only the initial stage of the research is presented, i.e. examining the students’ IC at the beginning of the studies. The Intercultural Development Inventory®, version 3, was used for the purposes of the research. Since this instrument is not currently being used for academic or corporate purposes in the Czech (or Slovak) Republic, a secondary aim of the article is to introduce it to the wider academic community. The results indicate that students tend to overestimate their level of IC, and find themselves in ethnocentric stages of intercultural development at the beginning of their university studies.
The Exotic Other: Representations of Latina tropicalism in U.S. popular culture
Authors: Martynuska Małgorzata
Published: July 2016

U.S. Latina/o identity is a complex and panethnic construction. One of the most enduring tropes surrounding Latina women in US culture is that of tropicalism, which by erasing ethnic specificity helps construct homogenous stereotypes such as bright colours, rhythmic music, and brown skin that are represented in visual texts. Tropicalization helps position the Latina body as oversexed as well as sexually available; all that is identified with seductive clothing, curvaceous hips and breasts, long brunette hair or extravagant jewellery. The article concerns Latina images in US media and popular culture and focuses on such stars as Jennifer Lopez and Salma Hayek in order to explore the gendered signifiers surrounding Latinidad and Latina iconicity. The female ethnicity is depicted as other through its categorization and marginalization in relation to dominant constructions of Whiteness and femininity. The article bridges the approaches of gender studies and Latina/o studies with recent research on hybridity and transnational identities.
System of Optoelectronic Sensors for Breath Analysis
Authors: Mikołajczyk Janusz , Wojtas Jacek , Bielecki Zbigniew , Stacewicz Tadeusz , Szabra Dariusz , Magryta Paweł , Prokopiuk Artur , Tkacz Arkadiusz , Panek Małgorzata
Published: July 2016

The paper describes an integrated laser absorption system as a potential tool for breath analysis for clinical diagnostics, online therapy monitoring and metabolic disorder control. The sensors operate basing on cavity enhanced spectroscopy and multi-pass spectroscopy supported by wavelength modulation spectroscopy. The aspects concerning selection of operational spectral range and minimization of interference are also discussed. Tests results of the constructed devices collected with reference samples of biomarkers are also presented. The obtained data provide an opportunity to analyse applicability of optoelectronic sensors in medical screening.
A System for Acoustic Field Measurement Employing Cartesian Robot
Authors: Szczodrak Maciej , Kurowski Adam , Kotus Józef , Czyżewski Andrzej , Kostek Bożena
Published: July 2016

A system setup for measurements of acoustic field, together with the results of 3D visualisations of acoustic energy flow are presented in the paper. Spatial sampling of the field is performed by a Cartesian robot. Automatization of the measurement process is achieved with the use of a specialized control system. The method is based on measuring the sound pressure (scalar) and particle velocity(vector) quantities. The aim of the system is to collect data with a high precision and repeatability. The system is employed for measurements of acoustic energy flow in the proximity of an artificial head in an anechoic chamber. In the measurement setup an algorithm for generation of the probe movement path is included. The algorithm finds the optimum path of the robot movement, taking into account a given 3D object shape present in the measurement space. The results are presented for two cases, first without any obstacle and the other - with an artificial head in the sound field.
Comments on “A New Transient Attack on the Kish Key Distribution System”
Authors: Kish Laszlo B. , Granqvist Claes G.
Published: July 2016

A recent IEEE Access Paper by Gunn, Allison and Abbott (GAA) proposed a new transient attack against the Kirchhoff-law-Johnson-noise (KLJN) secure key exchange system. The attack is valid, but it is easy to build a defense for the KLJN system. Here we note that GAA’s paper contains several invalid statements regarding security measures and the continuity of functions in classical physics. These deficiencies are clarified in our present paper, wherein we also emphasize that a new version of the KLJN system is immune against all existing attacks, including the one by GAA.
Dupuytren’s Disease in an Adolescent – Case Report
Authors: Żyluk Andrzej , Walaszek Ireneusz
Published: July 2016

Dupuytren’s disease is typically observed in adults, in children and adolescents being rarely diagnosed. Only several cases were reported in children under the age of 10 years, including two infants under one year. There were no such reports in Polish literature. We presented a case of Dupuytren’s disease in a 17 year-old adolescent, in whom the first signs of the disease were observed in early childhood.
Anonymity in Peer-assisted CDNs: Inference Attacks and Mitigation
Authors: Jia Yaoqi , Bai Guangdong , Saxena Prateek , Liang Zhenkai
Published: July 2016

The peer-assisted CDN is a new content distribution paradigm supported by CDNs (e.g., Akamai), which enables clients to cache and distribute web content on behalf of a website. Peer-assisted CDNs bring significant bandwidth savings to website operators and reduce network latency for users. In this work, we show that the current designs of peer-assisted CDNs expose clients to privacy-invasive attacks, enabling one client to infer the set of browsed resources of another client. To alleviate this, we propose an anonymous peer-assisted CDN (APAC), which employs content delivery while providing initiator anonymity (i.e., hiding who sends the resource request) and responder anonymity (i.e., hiding who responds to the request) for peers. APAC can be a web service, compatible with current browsers and requiring no client-side changes. Our anonymity analysis shows that our APAC design can preserve a higher level of anonymity than state-of-the-art peer-assisted CDNs. In addition, our evaluation demonstrates that APAC can achieve desired performance gains.
Goal directed behavior and dyslexia
Authors: Chiarenza Giuseppe Augusto
Published: July 2016

Goal directed behavior is explained by two approaches: the first, which can be named as cybertetic (behavior is wieved as homeostatic and reflexive), and second, as cognitive approach, a learned response, (skills developed by whaching the behavior of another individual).

The aim of the paper is to present a noninvasive method described as an interaction of human beings with environment, recording the electrical activity of the brain from the human scalp.

Obtained results are in agreement of psychological theories that place at determined levels of age the acquisition of the capacities of abstract thinking and with the functional neuroanatomic studies according to which biological maturation is necessary for learning processes to develop. An acquired level of learning is in close relationship with the maturation level of the cerebral structures.
Chronic kidney disease – pediatric risk factors
Authors: Tasic Velibor , Janchevska Aleksandra , Emini Nora , Sahpazova Emilija , Gucev Zoran , Polenakovic Momir
Published: July 2016

The knowledge about the progression of chronic kidney disease is an important issue for every pediatric nephrologist and pediatrician in order to implement appropriate measures to prevent wasting of renal function and the final consequence – end stage renal disease with the need for the dialysis and transplantation. Therefore it is important to know, treat or ameliorate the standard risk factors such as hypertension, proteinuria, anemia, hyperparathyroidism etc. In this review devoted to the World Kidney Day 2016 we will pay attention to the low birth parameters, obesity, hyperuricemia and smoking which emerged as particularly important risk factors for children and adolescent with chronic kidney disease.
Severe Sepsis – Clinical Manifestations and Pharmaco-Economic Analysis in an Intensive Care Unit in Latvia
Authors: Brīdiņa Linda , Krūmiņa Angelika , Šuba Oļegs , Cauce Vinita , Vanags Indulis , Vīksna Ludmila
Published: July 2016

Sepsis is widespread among hospitalised patients worldwide. In fact, severe sepsis and septic shock is a major cause of patient admission and mortality in intensive care units and the difficulty in diagnosing the initial stage of the disease is a major obstacle to the reduction of mortality from sepsis. Retrospective analysis of medical records of 72 patients was carried out within the framework of the study. The study included patients of both sexes and all ages, who were hospitalised at the stationary “Gaiļezers” of the Rīga East Clinical University Hospital from 2011 to 2014. The study aim was to determine the clinical course of treated septic patients and conduct a pharmaco-economic analysis. In the course of the disease, almost half of the patients - 34 (48.6%) showed development of septic shock. Mortality in these patients exceeded a half (60.0%; 21 patients). Artificial lung ventilation during hospitalisation was received by 43 (59.7%) of patients. Artificial lung ventilation had been required in a significantly larger number of cases in the dead patient group (75%, p = 0.01). The average costs per one patient day (including bed-day price and manipulation costs) was 383 euros. Septic shock was associated with high mortality. Severe sepsis is an expensive diagnosis, as the average cost of one patient exceeds costs of other departments by 4.5 times.
Risk Factors that Determine Less Favourable Hospitalisation Course and Outcome in Patients with ESBL Producing Enterobacteriaceae Infection: Preliminary Results / Riska Faktori, Kas Nosaka Sliktāku Hospitalizācijas Gaitu Un Iznākumu Pacientiem Ar Esbl Producējošu Enterobacteriaceae Dzimtas Baktēriju Infekciju: Sākotnējie Rezultāti
Authors: Skuja Vita , Pekarska Katrīna , Caune Una , Piekuse Linda , Kempa Inga , Rudzīte Dace , Kigitoviča Dana , Derovs Aleksejs , Vīksna Ludmila , Lejnieks Aivars , Krūmiča Angelika
Published: July 2016

Hospitalisation course and outcome for patients with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae infection is less favourable due to extensive antibacterial resistance. This study was conducted to identify possible risk factors that could influence the hospitalisation course and outcome in these patients. The study protocol included demographic, clinical, hospitalisation, bacteriological and plasmid genetic data. The preliminary study results showed that hospitalisation course and outcome was less favourable for internal medicine profile patients with ESBL producing bacteria, TEM gene presence in the bacterial plasmid genome, patient age < 65 years and patients with infectious and musculoskeletal diseases. The study includes preliminary data only and further studies should be carried out to verify the suggested risk factors.
Using smartphones and tablets in higher education contexts: an exploratory study within a teacher education programme
Authors: Parmigiani Davide , Giusto Marta
Published: July 2016

This study aimed to analyse and explore the potential opportunities offered by mobile devices to improve the higher education scenario. In particular, the study was conducted within a teacher education programme. The students attended a course called Educational Technology, which focussed on the use of mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) inside and outside the classroom. We examined the impact of mobile learning on students’ university activities and the changes in the organisation of their studying activity, their learning strategies and their interaction/cooperation levels. After the course, we administered a questionnaire that highlighted some findings concerning the differences between smartphones and tablets in supporting these aspects. We found that both types of devices improved the interaction/collaboration among students and the search for information, which was useful for studying. However, the organisation of studying and the learning strategies were supported only by tablets and for specific aspects of learning. This exploratory research suggests, on the one hand, some possible solutions to improve the quality of university activities, and on the other, it underlines some difficulties that will be analysed more thoroughly in further studies.