bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On commutativity of rings and Banach algebras with generalized derivations
Authors: Ashraf Mohammad , Wani Bilal Ahmad
Published: April 2018

In the present paper, it is shown that if a prime ringRadmits a generalized derivationfassociated with a nonzero derivationdsuch that either

f([x^{m},y^{n}])+[x^{m},y^{n}]\in Z(R)\quad\text{for all }x,y\in R

or

f([x^{m},y^{n}])-[x^{m},y^{n}]\in Z(R)\quad\text{for all }x,y\in R,

thenRis commutative. We apply this purely ring theoretic result to obtain commutativity of Banach algebras and prove that ifAis a prime Banach algebra which admits a continuous linear generalized derivationfassociated with a nonzero continuous linear derivationdsuch that either{f([x^{m},y^{n}])-[x^{m},y^{n}]\in Z(A)}or{f([x^{m},y^{n}])+[x^{m},y^{n}]\in Z(A)}for an integer{m=m(x,y)>1}and sufficiently many{x,y}inA, thenAis commutative. A similar result is obtained for a unital prime Banach algebraAwhich admits a nonzero continuous linear generalized derivationfassociated with a continuous linear derivationdsuch that{d(Z(A))\neq 0}satisfying either{f((xy)^{m})-x^{m}y^{m}\in Z(A)}or{f((xy)^{m})-y^{m}x^{m}\in Z(A)}for each{x\in G_{1}}and{y\in G_{2}}, where{G_{1},G_{2}}are open sets inAand{m=m(x,y)>1}is an integer: thenAis commutative.
Dīn as Torah: “Jewish Religion” in the Kuzari?
Authors: Boyarin Daniel
Published: April 2018

The book known in Hebrew as the Kuzari from twelfth-century Sefardic Spain and one of its iconic texts was written by Rabbi Yehuda Halevi and is called in Arabic, ‏כתאב אלרד ואלדליל פי אלדין אלד'ליל‏‎‎, usually translated with the English “religion,” as “The Book of Refutation and Proof of the Despised Religion.” Modern Hebrew translators give ‏דת‏‎‎ dat for Arabic ‏דין‏‎‎ dīn, just as English translators give “religion,” presupposing that which has to be interrogated and shown, to wit what did the author of the Kuzari and his contemporaneous translator, Rabbi Yehuda Ibn Tibbon (1120 – 1190) mean when they used the Arabic term dīn or Hebrew dat, or better put, how did they use those words? We dare not read back from modern usages to interpret these medieval texts without risking simply burying their linguistic-cultural world under the rubble of a modern one, the very contrary of an archaeology. My hypothesis to be developed in the rest of this paper is that Judeo-Arabic (at least) dīn corresponds best to nomos as used by Josephus and (with a very important mutatis mutandis qualification) to Torah as well. Some powerful evidence for this claim comes from ibn Tibbon’s translation of Halevi’s Arabic into Hebrew.1

For ibn Tibbon’s Hebrew, I have used Yehudah HaLevi, The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith, newly translated and annotated by N. Daniel Korobkin (Jerusalem; Nanuet, NY: Feldheim Publishers, 2009); Judah ha-Levi, trans., Hartwig Hirschfeld, Judah Hallevi’s Kitab al Khazari, The Semitic Series (London: G. Routledge, 1905). For the Arabic, I have consulted Yehudah Halevi, Sefer Hakuzari: Maqor Wetargum, ed. and trans. Yosef ben David Qafih (Kiryat Ono: Mekhon Mishnat ha-Rambam, 1996). I have also had the great privilege of being able to consult the (as yet unpublished) translation of the Arabic by Prof. Barry S. Kogan, for which privilege I thank him. My translations given here of the Arabic text follow Kogan’s renderings except for when I feel that he has used terminology that is anachronistic, such as “religion,” which is, of course, the whole novellum of my research here.
Everlasting Doubt: Uncertainty in Islamic Representations of the Past
Authors: Bashir Shahzad
Published: April 2018

Utilizing treatments of uncertainty regarding history in four major Arabic and Persian works (Ṭabarī, Bīrūnī, Badāʾūnī, and Abū l-Fażl), this article treats Islam as an ever-changing set of arguments rather than a panoply of beliefs and practices. ‘Islamic history’ is internally varied, without necessary universality or internal cohesion. The Islamic case underscores the methodological point that the interrelationship between religion and history is a multichannel and multidirectional affair whose valences differ in treatments of history of Islam versus that of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and so on. Each of these histories has its distinctive history as a subject, with attendant fields of possibility and impossibility. An overarching history of religions must then be a vast, ever-expanding matrix not reducible to generalizations except in thematic treatments conceptualized with self-conscious attention to categories of analysis.
Creating Religious Identity: Rabbinic Interpretations of the Exodus
Authors: Stemberger Günter
Published: April 2018

According to the rabbis, only those belong to Israel who have lived through the central events of biblical history, above all the Exodus and the Babylonian Exile. This is demonstrated on the basis of three texts, the Haggadah of Pesaḥ, the Mekhilta, and the interpretation of the Exodus story in the Babylonian Talmud Sotah. Every Jew is expected to re-enact these events in their own lives: “In every generation man is bound to look upon himself as if he had come forth from Egypt.” Converts may also opt into this history and consider themselves as if they, too, had stood on Mount Sinai. Biblical history remains an active force beyond the limits of time; the consciousness of this ever present history is part of the rabbinic understanding of one’s own present and thus essential for one’s Jewish identity.
Moses: Creating a Founding Figure
Authors: Kratz Reinhard G.
Published: April 2018

Creating religions by historiography covers also creating narratives on founding figures of religion. One striking example is the figure of Moses in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish and Christian traditions. The creation of the narrative of Moses as the founding figure of Judaism took place on two different levels: in the biblical (and parabiblical) tradition and in the scholarly discussion. This paper is describing and analyzing both narratives and, finally, is presenting an historical explanation how the narrative on Moses as founding figure in the biblical tradition, followed by the scholarly discussion, most probably came into being.
Historiography as Anti-History: Reading Nag Hammadi Codex II
Authors: Gilhus Ingvild Sælid
Published: April 2018

Nag Hammadi Codex II was found in Upper Egypt together with twelve other codices. It was buried in the fourth or fifth century and contains seven Christian texts which were not part of the Christian canon, as it now stands. In the codex, the world is seen as a place of birth, desire, change and death, and, because of that, as seriously flawed. The challenge is to explain why it is flawed and how to remedy it. The goal is to return to the beginning and to reach a sort of supra-biological life, characterized by non-change and permanence. In this context, the writing of history takes the character of anti-history. The article raises two questions: What sort of historical narrations do the texts in Nag Hammadi Codex II present? And: What characterizes the historiography in these texts and what purpose did it fulfill?
Worshipping Hades: Myth and Cult in Elis and Triphylia
Authors: Burton Diana
Published: April 2018

Why offer cult to Hades? The cult of Hades at Elis (Pausanias 6.25.2) makes an interesting starting point for an exploration of Hades and his worshippers: how they saw their god, and what he and they expected of each other. Although Pausanias describes the Eleans as the only people to worship Hades, he nevertheless mentions statues and altars to the god elsewhere. At Elis, as in other cults of Hades hidden behind euphemistic names such as ‘Klymenos’ or ‘Zeus Chthonios’, the deadly nature of the god is to the fore, as opposed to the perception elsewhere of Hades-Plouton as a giver of fertility, a god who carries a cornucopia and is connected with Demeter and Kore. Yet these are very much two sides of the same coin: Hades’ wealth lies not only in fertility but also in lament. The restrictive form of worship at Elis is also in contrast to Hades’ vulnerability in the myth associated with this cult, in which he is wounded by Herakles’ arrows. This paper will use Pausanias’ description as a starting point for a discussion of the worshippers’ perception of Hades at Elis and elsewhere, taking into account the nature of our sources, as well as regional variation in the god’s cult, iconography, and myth.
Implications of Deceptive Practices of Poultry Input Suppliers on Poultry Production in Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Ayanda Ibrahim Folorunsho , Oyekunle Olalekan , Akangbe Jones Adebola , Komolafe Sola Emmanuel
Published: April 2018

Deceptive practices of poultry input suppliers are partly responsible for inability to meet the consumption of recommended animal protein (35g/person/day). The study examined the prevailing deceptive practices and effects on poultry production in Nigeria. Proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 70 small scale poultry farmers used as respondents. Data were analyzed using percentages and means. The respondents (68.6 %) had a minimum of secondary school education and spent averagely 15.7 years in poultry production. The findings showed that deceptive practices include adulteration of feed ingredients, marketing of under-weighed feeds, lack of proximate analysis of nutrient composition of feeds and use of old bags for packaging. The respondents (81.3 %) agreed that deceptive practices delayed the start of growing period of the fowls. Similarly, 79.5 % and 61 % experienced low meat and egg production, respectively, resulting in expensive animal protein, increased production overheads (83.4 %), lowered returns on investment (90.1 %). The result of hypothesis indicated a positive significant relationship between the level of educational attainment of respondents and ability to identify deceptive practices in poultry production (R = 0.214, P ≤ 0.05) among respondents. Nigerian Institute of Animal Science and other relevant regulatory agencies should have a structure to regulate and award penalties to culpable individuals in these deceptive practices. Extension organizations should educate poultry producers on the concept of deceptive practices and its consequences.
Suitability of Universal Soil Loss Erodibility, Inter-rill and Rill Erodibility Models for Selected Tropical Soils
Authors: Oshunsanya Suarau Odutola , Nwosu Nkem Joseph
Published: April 2018

The universal soil loss equation (USLE) and water erosion prediction project (WEPP) (inter-rill and rill) erodibility factors are important indicators for land degradation assessment all over the world, which were primarily developed for the United States of America (USA). However, information on suitability of USLE and WEPP for tropical environment is scarce. Therefore, studies were carried out to investigate the suitability of USLE and WEPP for selected tropical soils of Southwestern Nigeria. Four pedons classified based on USDA soil taxonomy as Plinthic Petraquept (Adio series), Kanhaplic Haplaustalf (Oyo series), Typic Plinthustalf (Temidire series) and Typic Haplaustalf (Owutu series) were used for the study. Soil erodibility factor was determined using USLE and WEPP models. Origin-Pro. 8.1 software was employed to compare USLE and WEPP models for conformity and suitability. The results showed perfect agreement (R2= 1.0;P< 0.001) between the two WEPP (inter-rill and rill) erodibility models in all the four soil types investigated. In addition, WEPP models (inter-rill and rill erodibility) significantly (R2= 0.82;P< 0.001) related to USLE (El-Swaify and Dangler, 1977) erodibility model. There was a poor relationship (R2= 0.46;P< 0.06) between USLE (Wischmeier and Mannering, 1968) and the WEPP erodibility factors. The WEPP erodibility models with a perfect relationship with soil properties of the four soil types are more suitable than USLE models for predicting soil erodibility of the identified soil types in tropical environments.
Disturbance observer-based visual servoing for multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Xie Hui , He Zhen , Veitch Darryl
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a disturbance observer based input saturated visual servoing law for a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The controller regulates the 4D relative pose, i. e., 3D translational and yaw motion, between the vehicle and a planar horizontal visual target in an environment with external disturbances. A feedforward control is used to compensate the lumped disturbance consisting of both system uncertainties and external disturbances. The feedback control part is based on a nested saturation control, which is used to bound the orientation of the UAV and therefore helps to keep the visual target in the camera’s field of view. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate controller performance.
Visualization of the human eye
Authors: Sochocka Anna , Leś Liwia , Starypan Rafał
Published: April 2018

Simulators designed to simulate real organs or activities can be valuable tools in the process of medical training. The main purpose of screen-based computer simulators is to train and assess knowledge and decision-making in medical practice. The presented application is in the form of an educational game, which is a subcategory of serious games. The game is supposed to help learn the anatomy of a normal and a pathological human eye. It is dedicated mainly to high school students in biology classes and medical professionals. The interaction mode is a single player. Users have three main ways of learning the eye anatomy: the Anatomical Model, the Quiz, and the Disorder Catalogue. The Anatomical Model presents the elements of the normal anatomy of the visual system as well as its detailed description. In the “Quiz” mode, users can check their own knowledge of the eye anatomy in the question and answer mode. The “Disorder Catalogue” contains a description of the selected eye defects and models displaying vision before and after correction.
Zur Einführung: Fachportale, Fachinformationsdienste, Wissenschaftsnetzwerke – Merkmale webbasierter, wissenschaftlicher Informations- und Kommunikationssysteme
Authors: Riehm Ulrich , Hommrich Dirk
Published: April 2018

Der Schwerpunkt dieses Heftes umfasst Beiträge eines Workshops zum Thema „Fachportale, Fachinformationsdienste und Wissenschaftsnetzwerke“. Fachportale sind Webanwendungen, die heterogene Inhalte und Funktionen unter einer Weboberfläche zusammenfassen; Fachinformationsdienste erfüllen die bibliothekarische Aufgabe, den Spitzenbedarf wissenschaftlicher Publikationen zu befriedigen; bei Wissenschaftsnetzwerken stehen die personellen Mitglieder, ihre Arbeiten und kommunikativen Beziehungen im Mittelpunkt. Die auf dem Workshop dargestellten Systeme werden nach inhaltsbezogenen Merkmalen in drei Gruppen eingeteilt: inhaltsgenerierende, inhaltsaggregierende und Inhalte vernetzende Systeme.
H-Soz-Kult und Clio-online: Von der Mailingliste zur Online-Community
Authors: Meyer Thomas
Published: April 2018

Das Fachinformationsforum H-Soz-Kult zählt heute zu den populärsten und meistgenutzten Informationsdiensten in den Geschichtswissenschaften und darüber hinaus. Als „bottom-up“-Projekt durch einzelne Wissenschaftler gegründet, wird H-Soz-Kult heute durch den „Clio-online Historisches Fachinformationssystem e. V.“ getragen und bietet über Fachgrenzen hinaus den Zugriff auf gängige Fachinformationsangebote. Die Entwicklung des Projekts ist geprägt durch eine fachliche Verankerung, neue Technologien, vor allem aber die Orientierung an Informations- und Kommunikationsbedürfnissen und -verhalten in den Geschichtswissenschaften, welche den Wandel von einer Mailingliste zu einer Online-Community geprägt haben.
POLLUX – von der Bedarfsanalyse zur technischen Umsetzung
Authors: Schardelmann Tim , Otto Wolfgang
Published: April 2018

Wir stellen anhand unserer Erfahrungen im DFG-Projekt FID-Politikwissenschaft (POLLUX, pollux-fid.de) den prozesshaften Charakter einer Bedarfsanalyse dar. Wir zeigen hierbei, wie die Ergebnisse der Analyse fruchtbar eingesetzt werden können und wie die Rückbindung mit einer Fachcommunity während der Projektlaufzeit gewährleistet werden soll. Ziel ist es zu illustrieren, wie Methoden der quantitativen Erhebung des Ist-Zustands der Literaturversorgung, Telefoninterviews und Workshops mit Repräsentant/-innen aus der Zielgruppe, Beratungen durch den Beirat des Förderprojekts und projektbegleitende Online-Umfragen ineinander greifen können, um einen Fachinformationsdienst für die Politikwissenschaft bedarfsgerecht umzusetzen.
Normdaten und Datenanreicherung beim Fachportal openTA
Authors: Hommrich Dirk , Pasucha Beate , Razum Matthias , Riehm Ulrich
Published: April 2018

openTA ist ein webbasiertes Fachportal für das interdisziplinäre Forschungsfeld Technikfolgenabschätzung (TA). Der Beitrag geht zunächst auf die Vorgeschichte von openTA ein und stellt die wesentlichen Merkmale von openTA vor. Im Mittelpunkt steht die geplante Nutzung von Normdaten zur Anreicherung der Daten der openTA-Dienste und deren Verbreitung als Linked Open Data. Dabei sollen sowohl intellektuelle als auch (semi-)automatische Verfahren zum Einsatz kommen, um Entitäten wie Personen, Organisationen, Publikationen und Schlagworte eindeutig zu identifizieren.
Das Linguistik-Portal: Übergang von einer Virtuellen Fachbibliothek zu einem Fachinformationsdienst
Authors: Dimitrova Vanya , Renner-Westermann Heike
Published: April 2018

Das Linguistik-Portal bietet seit 2013 eine überregionale Plattform für wissenschaftliche Informationen zu allen Bereichen der Sprachwissenschaft. Ursprünglich konzipiert als Virtuelle Fachbibliothek, wird das Linguistik-Portal gegenwärtig zu einem Fachinformationsdienst ausgebaut. Dieser Artikel stellt die bisherige Entwicklung des Portals chronologisch vor und beschreibt detaillierter die anvisierte Erweiterung der Funktionalität und des Serviceangebots. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf fachspezifischen Ressourcentypen wie Sprachkorpora und der Anwendung innovativer Technologien im Bereich Linked Open Data.
Population dynamics and marriage payments: an analysis of the long run equilibrium in India
Authors: Maitra Sudeshna
Published: April 2018

Why do scarce Indian women pay dowry to secure grooms even as the sex-ratio of offspring is manipulated by parents? We develop a dynamic general equilibrium model of demographic and marriage market outcomes with endogenous gender preference. We find, that under a calibration of parameters suggested by Indian marriage market indicators, any long run steady state equilibrium must have both dowry and a masculine sex ratio. The key assumption that generates this result is the asymmetric marital preferences of men and women regarding own and spouse’s ideal age at marriage.
Der Integrierte Katalog der Mediathek der Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Basel
Authors: Lurk Tabea , Enge Jürgen
Published: April 2018

Der „integrierte Katalog“ der Mediathek der Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst (HGK) FHNW Basel versammelt die wichtigsten Informationsquellen der HGK und versucht, mithilfe von sinnstiftenden Daten-Layouts Informationskompetenz zu vermitteln. Im Folgenden werden Motivation und Hintergründe erläutert, da sich an der Oberfläche (Interface) die mediatheksseitigen Interessen und die nutzerseitigen Anforderungen und Recherchekonventionen treffen. Sie sind Bestandteil der fließenden künstlerischen, gestalterischen und wissenschaftlichen Kommunikation.
Open Access und Open Data – Wo stehen wir?
Authors: Dreßen Angela
Published: April 2018

Obschon Open Access längst im Bewusstsein und der Realität von Bibliotheken und Forschern Platz gefunden hat, sind die Akzeptanz und die Umsetzung Themen, die wiederholter Revision bedürfen. In diesem Beitrag werden deutsche Open-Access-Initiativen vor dem internationalen Hintergrund beleuchtet, damit Lösungen gefunden werden können, die dem einzelnen Forscher, den Bibliotheken und der Bildungs- und Wissenschaftspolitik dienlich sind.
An der Schwelle zur Transformation: „alte“ und „neue“ Lizenzmodelle im Überblick
Authors: Hillenkötter Kristine
Published: April 2018

An der Schwelle zur Transformation befindet sich die Lizenzierung elektronischer Materialien für wissenschaftliche Nutzer im Umbruch und steht vor neuen Herausforderungen. Die vorliegende systematische Darstellung „alter“ und „neuer“ Lizenzmodelle nutzt diese Zäsur für einen Rückblick auf die Ergebnisse bisheriger Praxiserfahrungen. Ausgehend von den Rahmenbedingungen und Parametern der Modellbildung für die Lizenzierung elektronischer Ressourcen in Deutschland werden etablierte und noch im experimentellen Stadium befindliche Lizenzmodelle aus der aktuellen Lizenzierungspraxis kontrastiert und zu den unterschiedlichen Lizenzierungskontexten in Beziehung gesetzt. Anhand des Modells „Transformationsvertrag“ werden abschließend Grenzen und Perspektiven der herkömmlichen Modellbildung für die Transformation wissenschaftlicher Inhalte in den Open Access und den damit einhergehenden Wandel des wissenschaftlichen Publikationssystems aufgezeigt.

Überarbeitete Fassung des Vortrags Hillenkötter (2017).
Vision und Strategieentwicklung der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek
Authors: Mayr Michaela
Published: April 2018

Die Strategie 2017–2021 der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek orientiert sich an ihrer Vision 2025, mit der 2012 erstmals die längerfristigen Zukunftsperspektiven der Bibliothek einer breiten Öffentlichkeit präsentiert wurden. Die Ausarbeitung der Strategie erfolgte durch thematische Arbeitsgruppen, die konkrete Ziele und Maßnahmen entwickelten. Sowohl der Prozess der Strategieentwicklung, als auch die daraus resultierenden Projekte werden ausführlich erläutert.
Aktuelle Entwicklungen an den österreichischen Bibliotheken 2016
Authors: Bauer Bruno
Published: April 2018

Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird über aktuelle Projekte und Trends im österreichischen Bibliothekswesen im Jahr 2016 berichtet. Vorgestellt werden Verbundprojekte und Kooperationsprojekte österreichischer Bibliotheken, aktuelle Projekte der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek und des Forums Universitätsbibliotheken Österreichs. Angesprochen werden auch Themen wie Forschungsdaten, Open Access, NS-Provenienzforschung, Bibliotheksausbildung, Tagungen und Publikationen der Vereinigung Österreichischer Bibliothekarinnen und Bibliothekare sowie Bibliotheks- und Informationspolitik in Österreich.
Neue Online-Aktivitäten der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek
Authors: Schmidt Alfred
Published: April 2018

Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über aktuelle Entwicklungen der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek (ÖNB) im Bereich der digitalen Bibliothek und der Online-Services. Folgende vier Themen werden vorgestellt: ein Zwischenbericht zum Projekt „Austrian Books Online“ (ABO), die digitale Präsentation des Prunksaals in Kooperation mit Google Arts & Culture, die neue Webseite der ÖNB und darin integriert der neue Forschungsblog der ÖNB.
Unterweisung in Vers und Prosa
Authors: Rupp Michael
Published: April 2018

The article discusses a number of Middle High German versions of Bertold of Regensburg's sermon on the mass as specifically vernacular adaptations of his Latin, authorised sermons. The adaptations in the miscellaneous manuscript Stadtbibliothek Mainz, HS I 221, Annaberg-Buchholz, St Anna 329 and in the fragment 221 of the StB Berlin are compared with the rendering in the corpus represented by the manuscript ÖNB Vienna, Codex 2829. The analysis of the textual variants and the different layout shows how the versions are adapted for specific use: as private reading matter, as instruction to meditate on the passion of Christ, or as rhymed catechetical lesson on the mass.
Gefahrensinn um 1500
Authors: Schmidt Christian
Published: April 2018

This article presents a manuscript that was transferred from the Hamburg Franciscan monastery to the Hamburg Beguin convent around the year 1500. The manuscript connects treatises, meditations and prayers of the late medieval Ars moriendi by using cross references, rubrics and intentionally arranged textgroups. The article contextualizes the Middle Low German treatises within the tradition of the ›Speculum artis bene moriendi‹, the ›Bilder Ars‹ and Jean Gersons ›Opus tripartitum‹. It reconstructs how the interplay of didactic and performative texts creates a sense of danger in the face of death while simultaneously providing strategies for securing salvation.
In vitro plant regeneration of Zenia insignis Chun
Authors: Yu-qing Zhou , Meng-jie Zhang , Deng Zhang , Jun-jie Zhang , Jing-jian Li , Xiao-yang Chen
Published: April 2018

Zenia insignisChun is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree. In this study, we successfully developed a reliable and efficient protocol for the regeneration of fertile plants via callus induction from leaf segments of young Z. insignis seedlings. The best results were obtained with a medium containing 11.00 μM 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), 1.20 μM indole-3-butytric acid (IBA), and 0.45 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), which yielded morphogenic callus within 2 weeks at a frequency of 62.23%. We tested the effect of IBA alone and in combination with 6-BA on the bud differentiation response of Z. insignis callus. Shoots differentiated normally when cultured on differentiation medium containing 6.00 μM 6-BA and 1.20 μM IBA. Regenerated buds elongated successfully in medium containing 1.20 μM gibberellic acid (GA3). The elongated shoots were then transferred to Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with various combinations of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for root induction; well-developed roots were achieved on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.01 μM NAA at a rooting rate of 89.23%. Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatised to a greenhouse at a survival rate exceeding 90.00%.
Runt-related transcription factor 3 promoter hypermethylation and gastric cancer risk: A meta-analysis
Authors: Lina Mei , Changan Wu , Qing Zhao
Published: April 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) gene promoter hypermethylation and gastric cancer risk by meta-analysis.

Methods

By searching Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Ovid and CNKI electronic databases, the open published studies about the association between RUNX3 gene promoter hypermethylation and gastric cancer risk were screened. The hypermethylation rate in cancer tissue and autologous control tissue (normal gastric tissue of gastric cancer patients) were extracted from each included study. The odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of RUNX3 gene promoter hypermethylation in cancer tissue versus autologous control tissue of gastric cancer patients were pooled with random or fixed effect models. The publication bias was evaluated by Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s line regression test.

Results

Finally, twenty three relevant studies were included in this meta-analysis. The hypermethylation rate in cancer tissue and autologous control tissue of gastric cancer patients were 0.56±0.16 and 0.18±0.22 respectively, which demonstrated a hypermethylation rate in cancer tissue significantly higher than that of autologous controls (P<0.05). A significant positive correlation of hypermethylation rate between cancer tissue and autologous control existed for the included 23 studies(rpearson=0.62, P<0.05). For significant heterogeneity across the studies, the OR was pooled by random effects model. The combined OR was 8.06 with the 95% CI of 5.73~11.32, which indicated the hypermethylation frequency in cancer tissue was higher than that of autologous controls.

Conclusion

The RUNX3 gene promoter hypermethylation rate was much higher in cancer tissue than that of normal gastric tissue in patients with gastric cancer, which indicates a close association between gastric cancer and RUNX3 gene promoter hypermethylation. Furthermore, RUNX3 gene promoter hypermethylation may be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer diagnosis.
IL-17 gene rs3748067 C>T polymorphism and gastric cancer risk: A meta-analysis
Authors: Ying Wang , Yingcong Yu , Liyi You , Liang Zheng
Published: April 2018

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between Interleukin 17 (IL-17) gene rs3748067 C>T polymorphism and gastric cancer risk through pooling the open published data.

Method

Case-control or cohort studies relevant to IL-17 gene rs3748067 C>T polymorphism and gastric cancer susceptibility were systematic searched for in the databases of CNKI, Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Web of science. The association between IL-17 gene rs3748067 C>T polymorphism and gastric cancer risk were expressed with an odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Statistical heterogeneity across the studies was evaluated by I2 test. Publication bias was evaluated by Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s line regression test.

Results

Finally, seven case-control studies were included in our present study. Because of the statistical heterogeneity among the included studies for the aspects of dominant (TT+CT vs CC), recessive (TT vs CT+CC) and homozygous genetic model (TT vs CC), the data was pooled by random effect model. The pooled ORs were OR=0.99 (95% CI: 0.65-1.52), OR =1.23 (95% CI: 0.73-2.06 ) and OR=1.14 (95% CI: 0.58-2.27) for dominant, recessive and homozygous genetic model respectively. The pooled data indicated no correlation between IL-17 gene rs3748067 C>T polymorphism and gastric cancer risk. Significant publication bias was found in the dominant genetic model (p<0.05), but not in recessive and homozygous genetic model (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the present evidence, there was no correlation between IL-17 gene rs3748067 C>T polymorphism and gastric cancer susceptibility in all genetic model. However, for the small sample size, significant heterogeneity and publication bias, the conclusion should be further evaluated through well designed case-control or cohort studies.
An ensemble method to predict target genes and pathways in uveal melanoma
Authors: Wei Chao , Wang Lei , Zhang Han
Published: April 2018

Objective

This work proposes to predict target genes and pathways for uveal melanoma (UM) based on an ensemble method and pathway analyses. Methods: The ensemble method integrated a correlation method (Pearson correlation coefficient, PCC), a causal inference method (IDA) and a regression method (Lasso) utilizing the Borda count election method. Subsequently, to validate the performance of PIL method, comparisons between confirmed database and predicted miRNA targets were performed. Ultimately, pathway enrichment analysis was conducted on target genes in top 1000 miRNA-mRNA interactions to identify target pathways for UM patients. Results: Thirty eight of the predicted interactions were matched with the confirmed interactions, indicating that the ensemble method was a suitable and feasible approach to predict miRNA targets. We obtained 50 seed miRNA-mRNA interactions of UM patients and extracted target genes from these interactions, such as ASPG, BSDC1 and C4BP. The 601 target genes in top 1,000 miRNA-mRNA interactions were enriched in 12 target pathways, of which Phototransduction was the most significant one. Conclusion: The target genes and pathways might provide a new way to reveal the molecular mechanism of UM and give hand for target treatments and preventions of this malignant tumor.
The peripheral cannulas in extracorporeal life support
Authors: Strunina Svitlana , Hozman Jiri , Ostadal Petr
Published: April 2018

Femoral cannulation is a minimally invasive method which is an alternative method for central cannulation. This review focuses on the parameters and features of the available peripheral cannulas. Nowadays there exist many peripheral cannulas in a variety of sizes, configurations and lengths to meet the specific needs of the patients. Modern cannulas are strong, thin-walled and one piece reinforced constructions. Furthermore, modern cannulas are manufactured from a biocompatible material and surface coatings are applied to the cannulas to reduce the activation of the clotting. When peripheral cannulas are applied, bleeding, thrombosis and hemolysis are the most common complications.
Numerical investigation of complete mandibular dentures stabilized by conventional or mini implants in patient individual models
Authors: Lohmann Anna , Keilig Ludger , Heinemann Friedhelm , Bourauel Christoph , Hasan Istabrak
Published: April 2018

Poor stability of a complete denture is a common problem due to bone atrophy of the edentulous ridge. The aim of the present study was to analyze denture stability after receiving implants and to study the biomechanical properties of denture implants and the bone bed using conventional or mini implants. Five models based on computed tomography (CT) data of edentulous patients were created. The overdentures’ connection to the implants was assured by means of ball head abutments and rubber rings. In three models, the denture was supported by two to four conventional implants and in two models, the overdenture was supported by three to five mini implants. The dentures were loaded according to the individual biting forces which was clinically measured by means of pressure sheets. After implantation, the biting forces and displacements of overdentures increased in comparison to complete dentures. Displacements and stresses were higher with mini implants than with conventional ones. Stress in the implants was markedly below the yield stress of titanium grade 5 (880 MPa). An increase in the stress in the bone around the implants was noticed as compared to the situation with complete dentures which was below the physiological range of bone loading (<4 MPa).
Force plates may be used for dynamic analyses of endoprostheses explantation procedures
Authors: Kohlhof Hendrik , Köhring Sebastian , Wirtz Dieter Christian , Witte Hartmut
Published: April 2018

The number of hip and knee arthroplasty replacement surgeries is increasing steadily. In combination with demographic aging and the number of periprosthetic complications, this development has lead to the phenomenon where the need for revision surgery is rising. The problem is, that, while implantation procedures of hip arthroplasties are more or less standardized, explantation is a non-standardized task for experienced specialists, due to the unpredictability of the adequate loosening method. The surgeon often only gets to decide on which tools and methods may be applied to detach the prosthesis, only after getting access to the operation site. The time taken to detach the prosthesis is hardly predictable and mainly depends on the surgeons’ skills. To gain objective data on the mechanics of explantation, new measurement methods are required. One technical base for studies on revision procedures are standard force plates, available in biomechanics laboratories.
Three-dimensional bioglass-collagen-phosphatidylserine scaffolds designed with functionally graded structure and mechanical features
Authors: Yang Chunrong , Wu Huazhong , Chen Shou , Kang Guangyu
Published: April 2018

The development of scaffolds featuring spatiotemporal controlled release of drugs is highly desirable. The goal of this study is to construct an inhomogeneous scaffold with gradient pore structure from top layer to bottom layer. The scaffolds were prepared using bioglass (BG), phosphatidylserine (PS) and steroidal saponins (SS) loaded collagen (COL) microparticles as the main components. The resulting scaffold constructs were characterized in terms of their morphology, drug release kinetics and mechanisms, as well as macroscopic form stability and mechanical properties. Pore interconnectivity and graded distribution were demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Such constructs have been further shown to be advantageous for temporal and spatial control of drug release and deposition in the scaffolds, with a potential to repair bone defect more precisely and effectively. Changes in the BG content resulted in distinct macroscopic form stability and mechanical properties to scaffolds. An increase in the BG content in scaffolds led to less volume swell as well as higher ultimate strength and compressive modulus, which makes the scaffolds mechanically adjustable according to certain structures and properties of different bone defect sites. The developed scaffolds may show promise for promoting bone tissue regeneration.
Einschätzung des Potenzials von fermentierten Milchprodukten mit ausgefallener Herstellungsweise in Österreich
Authors: Kapp Barbara , Pöchtrager Siegfried , Permoser Christoph
Published: April 2018

Fermentierte Milchprodukte wie Joghurt werden in ganz Europa, aber auch im eurasischen Raum, hergestellt und verzehrt. Je nach klimatischen Bedingungen unterscheiden sich die Mikroflora und dementsprechend auch das fertige Endprodukt. Neben Milchsäurebakterien können auch Hefen und Schimmelpilze zur Fermentation der Milch herangezogen werden. Am österreichischen Markt sind derzeit vor allem das Griechische Joghurt und High-Protein-Produkte wie das isländische Produkt Skyr gefragt. Da der Milchkonsum in Österreich jedoch stagniert, stellen Produktinnovationen für heimische Molkereien wichtige Umsatztreiber dar. Mithilfe dieser Studie soll geklärt werden, welche fermentierten Milchprodukte mit ausgefallener Herstellungsweise laut Experteneinschätzung das Potenzial für eine erfolgreiche Markteinführung in Österreich besitzen. Als Forschungsmethode dienten qualitative Expertenbefragungen. Um ein breites Spektrum abzudecken, wurden Vertreter aus der Forschung, dem Handel und der Produktion befragt.
Segmentierung der Kunden des Wiener Bio-Supermarktes „denn’s Biomarkt“ mithilfe einer Clusteranalyse
Authors: Sajovitz Pia , Pöchtrager Siegfried , Truffner Tobias , Auberger Verena
Published: April 2018

Obwohl der österreichische Bio-Fachhandel im Vergleich zum konventionellen Lebensmitteleinzelhandel nur einen geringen Anteil am Gesamtumsatz mit Bio-Lebensmitteln hat, nimmt die Anzahl der Bio-Fachhandelsgeschäfte konstant zu. Ziel der Arbeit war daher, die Kunden von Wiener Bio-Supermärkten (eine der Formen des Bio-Fachhandels) zu analysieren und auf Basis dieser Analyse Zielgruppen abzuleiten. Unter Verwendung eines standardisierten Fragebogens wurden 211 Kunden des Bio-Supermarktes „denn’s“ befragt. Im Rahmen der Befragung wurden soziodemografische, psychografische und kaufverhaltensbezogene Merkmale ermittelt. Die Zielgruppensegmentierung der Teilnehmer erfolgte mittels Clusteranalyse unter Verwendung zweier Clusterverfahren (Single-Linkage- und Ward-Verfahren). Die deskriptiven Ergebnisse dieser Erhebung zeigen, dass die Kunden des Wiener Bio-Supermarktes „denn’s“ vorwiegend weiblich sind. Allgemein sind die Kunden mittleren Alters und weisen ein vergleichsweise hohes Bildungs- und Einkommensniveau auf. Für die Befragten ist der Gesundheitsaspekt beim Bio-Lebensmitteleinkauf am relevantesten, gefolgt vom Umwelt- und Tierschutz. In Hinblick auf die Ernährungsgewohnheiten der Kunden sind über 60 % Vegetarier oder Veganer und rund 35 % achten auf eine gluten- oder laktosefreie Ernährung. Zudem sind die wesentlichsten Einkaufsmotive das Sortiment sowie Produktinformationen am Regal und eine deutliche Preiskennzeichnung. Mittels Clusteranalyse konnten zuvor vier unterschiedliche Kundenzielgruppen identifiziert werden.
Some results on discrete eigenvalues for the Stochastic Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation in fiber optics
Authors: Prati Laura , Barletti Luigi
Published: April 2018

We study a stochastic Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation (NLSE), with additive white Gaussian noise, by means of the Nonlinear Fourier Transform (NFT). In particular, we focus on the propagation of discrete eigenvalues along a focusing fiber. Since the stochastic NLSE is not exactly integrable by means of the NFT, then we use a perturbation approach, where we assume that the signal-to-noise ratio is high. The zeroth-order perturbation leads to the deterministic NLSE while the first-order perturbation allows to describe the statistics of the discrete eigenvalues. This is important to understand the properties of the channel for recently devised optical transmission techniques, where the information is encoded in the nonlinear Fourier spectrum.
Semi-Analytical method for the pricing of barrier options in case of time-dependent parameters (with Matlab® codes)
Authors: Guardasoni C.
Published: April 2018

A Semi-Analytical method for pricing of Barrier Options (SABO) is presented. The method is based on the foundations of Boundary Integral Methods which is recast here for the application to barrier option pricing in the Black-Scholes model with time-dependent interest rate, volatility and dividend yield. The validity of the numerical method is illustrated by several numerical examples and comparisons.
Cerebrospinal fluid free light chains as diagnostic biomarker in neuroborreliosis
Authors: Hegen Harald , Milosavljevic Dejan , Schnabl Christine , Manowiecka Andrea , Walde Janette , Deisenhammer Florian , Presslauer Stefan
Published: April 2018

Background:

Free light chains (FLC) have been proposed as diagnostic biomarker in patients with inflammatory central nervous system diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic utility of intrathecal κ- and λ-FLC synthesis in patients with neuroborreliosis.

Methods:

κ- and λ-FLC were measured by nephelometry under blinded conditions in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum sample pairs of 34 patients with neuroborreliosis and compared to a cohort of 420 control patients. κ-FLC index was calculated as [CSF κ-FLC/serum κ-FLC]/[CSF albumin/serum albumin], and λ-FLC index in analogy.

Results:

κ-FLC and λ-FLC index were significantly elevated in patients with neuroborreliosis compared to the control group. At a specificity level of 95%, κ-FLC and λ-FLC index showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.2% and 100%. In comparison, IgM and IgG synthesis according to Reiber formula, IgG index >0.7 and OCB status reached a sensitivity of 83.9%, 44.1%, 58.8% and 64.7%.

Conclusion:

These findings support the diagnostic value of intrathecal FLC synthesis in neuroborreliosis patients and demonstrate a valid, easy and rater-independent alternative for the detection of an intrathecal immunoglobulin production.
Comparison of oral bioavailability of acetaminophen tablets, capsules and effervescent dosage forms in healthy volunteers
Authors: Fathi Mona , Kazemi Sohrab , Zahedi Farbod , Shiran Mohamad Reza , Moghadamnia Ali Akbar
Published: April 2018

A wide variety of acetaminophen dosage forms have been administered to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever, so far. The purpose of this study was to compare the oral bioavailability in healthy volunteers, of three of these dosage forms. We included healthy volunteers in our study and divided replace with placed them into three groups: tablet, capsule and effervescent. Each dosage form contained 500 mg of acetaminophen as active material. Blood samples were taken at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8-hour intervals after receiving the dose. Acetaminophen blood levels were measured using HPLC method. Data were fit in a “one-compartment PK model”, using P-Pharm 1.5 software and analyzed under statistical tests. The maximum concentrations of acetaminophen in blood samples were measured at 1h after taking the drug (6.61±3.19 μg/ml, 11.29±3.94 μg/ml and 15.25±2.54 μg/ml in groups receiving capsule, tablet and effervescent, respectively). Pharmacokinetic (PK) data analysis & modeling from the three groups showed that the half-life of acetaminophen was 140.72 min in the tablet group, 140.29 min in capsule and 132.08 min in effervescent. The area under the blood levels curve were 47.04, 40.62 and 53.11 μgmin/ml, in tablet, capsule, and effervescent groups, respectively. Statistically significant differences in PK parameters were recorded as the study replace with we compared effervescent with tablets and capsule dosage forms (p < 0.05). According to the results, the effervescent form creates better PK parameters compared with tablet and capsule forms, therefore, it is suggested replace with we suggested that this form should be administer in cases of pain and fever to achieve quick drug efficacy.
Sever hepatitis induced by Epstein-Barr virus: case series
Authors: Roushan Mohammad Reza Hasanjani , Javanian Mostafa , Aliramaji Zahra , Ebrahimpour Soheil
Published: April 2018

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a causative agent of infectious mononucleosis syndrome. This infection often resolves over a period of several months without outcomes, but may occasionally be complicated by a great variety of neurologic, hepatic, hematologic and respiratory complications. In the current report, we present the case histories of three patients with acute hepatitis following EBV infection when previously healthy. The patients showed fever, nausea, weakness, as well as yellowing of the skin, and then in the course of examination, sore throat. They were managed supportively and their clinical condition improved. Liver function tests such as ALT, AST, ALP, were undertaken and bilirubin were elevated. The serological tests for EBV infection were consistent with the acute phase of infection. The monospot test was also positive. The patients were managed supportively, and their critical condition was improved.
Predicting voice alternation across academic Englishes
Authors: Hundt Marianne , Röthlisberger Melanie , Seoane Elena
Published: April 2018

Academic writing in the second half of the twentieth century witnesses a notable decrease in be-passives in British and American English (AmE). This trend is more advanced in the soft than in the hard sciences; with the exception of AmE, moreover, regional variation is not highly significant. This paper aims to discover whether the use of passives is conditioned by the same factors across seven different varieties of English (both as a first and as an institutionalized second language). For this purpose, we automatically retrieve central be-passives and active transitives from syntactically annotated International Corpus of English corpora and code for factors that are likely to play a role in the choice between active and passive (such as the semantics of the participant roles or the length of the constituents). Our results show that, while the same factors predict the choice of a passive over an active verb phrase across first- and second-language varieties, subtle differences are found in the effect size that some factors (animacy, givenness and length of passive subject) have, notably in Hong Kong and Philippine English. Some (but not all) of these find an explanation in substrate influence.
Mixed Schemes for Fourth-Order DIV Equations
Authors: Fan Ronghong , Liu Yanru , Zhang Shuo
Published: April 2018

In this paper,
stable mixed formulations are designed and analyzed for the quad div problems under two frameworks presented in [23] and [22], respectively. Analogue discretizations are given with respect to the mixed formulation, and optimal convergence rates are observed, which confirm the theoretical analysis.
An Optimal Embedded Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Second-Order Elliptic Problems
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Xie Xiaoping , Zhang Shiquan
Published: April 2018

The embedded discontinuous Galerkin (EDG) method by Cockburn, Gopalakrishnan and Lazarov [B. Cockburn, J. Gopalakrishnan and R. Lazarov,
Unified hybridization of discontinuous Galerkin, mixed, and continuous Galerkin methods for second-order elliptic problems,
SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 47 2009, 2, 1319–1365]
is obtained from the hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method by changing the space of the Lagrangian multiplier from discontinuous
functions to continuous ones, and adopts piecewise polynomials of equal degrees on simplex meshes for all variables.
In this paper, we analyze a new EDG method for second-order elliptic problems on polygonal/polyhedral meshes. By using piecewise polynomials of degrees

k
+
1

{k+1}

,

k
+
1

{k+1}

, k (

k
≥
0

{k\geq 0}

) to approximate the potential, numerical trace and flux, respectively, the new method is shown to yield optimal convergence rates for both the potential and flux approximations. Numerical experiments are provided to confirm the theoretical results.