bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial statistics detect clustering patterns of kidney diseases in south-eastern Romania
Authors: Ruben I. , Preda Cristina , Tuta Liliana Ana
Published: June 2016

Medical geography was conceptualized almost ten years ago due to its obvious usefulness in epidemiological research. Still, numerous diseases in many regions were neglected in these aspects of research, and the prevalence of kidney diseases in Eastern Europe is such an example. We evaluated the spatial patterns of main kidney diseases in south-eastern Romania, and highlighted the importance of spatial modeling in medical management in Romania. We found two statistically significant hotspots of kidney diseases prevalence. We also found differences in the spatial patterns between categories of diseases. We propose to speed up the process of creating a national database of records on kidney diseases. Offering the researchers access to a national database will allow further epidemiology studies in Romania and finally lead to a better management of medical services.
A real health problem of our days: Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ilie Mihaela , Nedelcu Cristina , Ulmeanu Victoria , Tuta Liliana , Scrinic Olesea , Muflic L. , Oanta M. , Gheorghita Raluca-Andreea , Nitu T.S.
Published: June 2016

Acute pancreatitis represents the acute inflammatory process of the pancreas which can remain localized in the gland or could extend in the tissues around the pancreas or retroperitoneal tissues and also at the organs from the pancreatic lodge.

The diagnosis is usually based on the increase in pancreas volume and on the changes in structure objected on the ultrasound examination. It is characterised by a “release” of enzymes out of the pancreatic ducts associated with oedema and necrosis in the parenchyma and in the retroperitoneal area.
Indian Principal-Agent Theory, Or, How Varuṇa Helps the King to be Just
Authors: Wiese Harald
Published: June 2016

Economic principal-agent theory deals with asymmetric information. It has two aspects. (i) If one person is better informed than another one, the former may outwit the latter. Kauṭilya, the Arthaśāstra’s author, and other artha or dharma authors had a very good understanding of outwitting. (ii) Economic theory teaches that the person in command of superior knowledge may not always be able to benefit from this knowledge. He may need the uninformed side to agree to some mutually beneficial venture. The very fact of asymmetric information may then harm also the informed side. Judging from the literature surveyed by the author, the artha and dharma literature had no explicit (openly expressed) understanding of this second aspect. In the author’s mind, this discussion is related to the “Varuṇa rule”. This rule (specified in the Manusmṛti) stipulates that the king is to throw confiscated property into water. We explain this apparent waste of resources as an implicit solution to the second aspect of principal-agent theory mentioned above.
Towards a Relative Chronology of Śaṅkara’s Works
Authors: Andrijanić Ivan
Published: June 2016

This article presents philological observations which may help to establish a relative chronology of some of the works attributed to Śaṅkara. Commentaries on the Upaniṣads ascribed to Śaṅkara are compared to his commentaries on those parts of Brahma-Sūtras that discuss the same Upaniṣadic passages. Closer investigation of some of these passages might lead to some conclusions about the chronology of these works. The article investigates examples from Taittirīya-Upaniṣad 2.1–5 and Bṛhadāraṇyaka-Upaniṣad 3.7 respectively discussed in Brahmasūtra-Bhāṣya 1.1.12–1.1.19 and 1.2.18–20, an example from Kaṭha-Upaniṣad 1.3.1 (3.1), which is presented both in Brahmasūtra-Bhāṣya 1.2.11–12 and in Kaṭhopaniṣad-Bhāṣya 1.3.1, together with some examples of interpretations of the same verses in different Upaniṣads, such as the verse which occurs as Muṇḍaka-Upaniṣad 2.2.10 and Kaṭha-Upaniṣad 2.2.15 (5.15) and two verses shared by Īśā-Upaniṣad, Kaṭha-Upaniṣad and Bṛhadāraṇyaka-Upaniṣad. These examples will reveal some textual parallels in these commentaries, which might provide some clues for establishing a chronology of these passages.
Après l’exil: l’ère du vide et de l’absence dans Khālī jagah de Geetanjali Shree
Authors: Pozza Nicola
Published: June 2016

Explosive as well as exploded, global as well as fragmented, the Hindi novel
Khālī jagah (2006, An Empty Space) of Geetanjali Shree fully belongs to the contemporary world. Thoroughly inscribed in the twenty-first century, it questions the classical pattern of exile by contrasting it with the postmodern notions of emptiness, fragmented identities and loss of values. In this era of terrorism, the loss resulting from the bomb and its effects is perceived as inexplicable and unspeakable, because it is first of all born from an unpredictable world, seemingly deprived of any rule and any root. It is argued in this paper that the “empty space”, which results from this loss and illustrates the questions and doubts of the narrator, invites us to consider contemporary history mainly as a history of absence, of emptiness and of the fundamental impossibility to belong to any place or homeland.
Authorship and Authority in the Sanskrit Literary Tradition of the Swaminarayana Movement: Śikṣāpatrī and Satsaṅgijīvanam
Authors: Jani Jaydev A. , Schreiner Peter
Published: June 2016

This paper presents what the Satsaṅgijīvanam, a text by Śatānanda-Muni about the life and teachings of Sahajānanda, the founder of the Swaminarayana Movement, in two different passages reports about the authorship of the Śikṣāpatrī. It would appear that Swaminarayana (the name by which the founder came to be known) wrote the Śikṣāpatrī well before Śatānanda produced the version included in the Satsaṅgijīvanam. What the Satsaṅgijīvanam tells us about the authorship and the process of transmission of the Satsaṅgijīvanam itself complicates the evaluation of the Satsaṅgijīvanam as a historical document. Yet, the fact that the text shows that Swaminarayana may not be the author of the currently known Śikṣāpatrī invites reflection about the function of texts in the traditional self-perception and in the history of the Swaminarayana Movement.
Urbanity in the Vernacular: Narrating the City in Modern South Asian Literatures
Authors: Harder Hans
Published: June 2016

This article explores some facets of literary urbanity in modern South Asian literatures such as Urdu, Bengali, Hindi and Marathi. Taking the proliferation of megacity research in present-day urban studies as my starting point, I intend to show that literatures in the regional languages of South Asia provide a rich archive of city representations and discourses about urbanity – an archive that is highly neglected particularly if compared to the corpus of English writings along these lines. Sections on genres such as the Urdu šahr āšob, Bengali nakˈśā, Marathi humourism, Bengali theatre and the Hindi and Bengali novel, among others, will provide ample glimpses and some analysis of this archive stretching from the eighteenth century to the present. One of the guiding lines of investigation will be the quest for an alternative urbanism in these non-English sources.
Condition d’exilée: rapt, mariage et mysticisme au féminin dans la littérature indienne
Authors: Castaing Anne
Published: June 2016

Au regard de trois corpus littéraires d’Inde du Nord, de langues, de genre et d’époques différents (Les Chants de Mira Bai; le roman Pinjar d’Amrita Pritam; le roman Sārā ākāś de Rajendra Yadav), cet article a pour ambition de montrer la façon dont l’exil féconde le discours et la représentation du féminin en Asie du Sud et dont, en conséquence, s’opère une sexuation de l’exil dont témoignèrent par exemple les violences genrées de la Partition de 1947. Il vise ainsi à mettre en évidence un déplacement imaginaire, nourri tant par les mythes que par leur interprétation, de l’exil et de la dépossession vers le domaine du féminin, qui justifie les déportations et les dépossessions réelles comme condition sociale des femmes.
Charming bouquet or wedding garland? The structures of the Jain heroine ‘novel’ in Prakrit From Kuvalayamālā (779) to Maṇoramā (1082)
Authors: Chojnacki Christine
Published: June 2016

It is undisputed that Bāṇa’s Kādambarī has marked a turning point in the history of Indian literature not only because it introduced an elegant prose form into the kāvya style, but also because it evinced a unitary and complex plot that was a complete innovation as compared to the juxtaposed structure of contemporary works like Daṇḍin’s Daśakumāracarita. As a much admired work, Kādambarī is known to have influenced many poets and playwrights in the following centuries throughout India. However, it is often ignored that with its romantic themes and narrative structures Bāṇa’s work has also inspired several Jain ‘novels’ named after a heroine in various forms and languages from the eighth to the eleventh century. The aim of the following paper is to concentrate on the Jain heroine ‘novels’ in Prakrit and to examine which aesthetic or religious reasons motivated the Jain monk-poets, to begin with Uddyotana, to deviate from the usual structure of a long Jain narrative, such as Haribhadra’s Samarāiccakahā, and to adopt for their heroine ‘novels’ in Prakrit a difficult and totally new model of narration.
New Light on Devabodha, the Earliest Extant Commentator on Mahābhārata
Authors: Leclere Basile
Published: June 2016

The name of Devabodha is well-known to specialists of Mahābhārata textual traditions: author of the Jñānadīpikā or “Lamp of Knowledge”, the earliest extant commentary on the Great Epic, he has been duly referred to by the critical editors of this text along with his successors such as Vimalabodha, Arjunamiśra and Nīlakaṇṭha. Yet Devabodha remains an almost complete mystery regarding the period or the place he lived in, or even the conditions that urged him to compose a commentary. Since he commented on a version of the Mahābhārata belonging to the Northern recension and was quoted by Vimalabodha between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, he has been approximately assigned to eleventh-century Northern India or Kashmir, but till now no positive evidence has been brought forth to validate this opinion. The purpose of the present paper is to shed some light on this important author by proving that, contrary to a prejudice rehearsed in every history of Indian literature, he is one and the same person with a medieval poet and dramatist called Devabodha or sometimes Devabodhi. Then follows a critical and synthetic account on what we can know about Devabodha’s life and career from all the available sources.
Max Ladner (1889–1963) und die frühe Rezeption des Buddhismus in der Schweiz
Authors: Frey Nina
Published: June 2016

Switzerland has been an important place in the reception of Buddhism since the nineteenth century. Especially during the Second World War and the 1950s, the Buddhist Community Zürich, with its founder Max Ladner (1898–1963), was one of the most prominent institutions in making Buddhist teachings available in Europe. Ladner wrote four books and several articles, which demonstrate his interpretation of a presumed “authentic” Buddhism (“Urbuddhismus”) preserved in the Pāli-canon. For Ladner, self-responsibility and independent thinking were of utmost importance. He saw these values represented in Theravāda Buddhism. His interpretation of Buddhism was at first formulated in a critique of Nietzsche’s interpretation of Buddhism. Ladner aimed at refuting Nietzsche’s portrayal of Buddhism as a pessimistic and nihilistic doctrine. With the foundation of the Buddhist Community Zürich in 1942, Ladner intended to bring together like-minded people and thus to refine his own understanding of Buddhism. Besides that, he corresponded with Buddhists and intellectuals all over the world, which was a major factor in spreading Buddhist ideas and connecting Buddhists in Europe.
A Note on the Analysis of Two Early Rājasthānī Dādūpanthī Manuscripts
Authors: Strnad Jaroslav
Published: June 2016

The study of literary traditions of medieval India is, to a large extent, dependent on the analysis of extant manuscripts as primary sources of information. Knowledge of their absolute and relative chronology, together with the development of their internal structure and format, can throw more light on their uses and roles in the process of the formation of the communities that produced them. Possible methodological approaches and tools for acquiring and evaluating the desired sets of data are here demonstrated on a small sample of text, a collection of sākhīs or couplets attributed to the sant Kabīr (ca. 1440–1518) and included in manuscript textual corpora compiled by members of the communtity of Dādūpanth in seventeenth century Rājasthān. A comparison of the internal structure of two kindred sākhī collections, namely a so far unedited Dādūpanthī manuscript and the existing edition of the Kabīr granthāvalī of Śyāmasundaradāsa

A note on the transliteration of Devanāgarī: the IAST system of transliteration has been used throughout, with two exceptions: vocalic ŗ is transliterated (in the absence of the letter r with subscript ring in the Unicode) with cedilla, to distinguish it from the retroflex ṛ, where the subscript dot properly belongs. Superscript dot used indiscriminately in the old Hindī manuscripts for both vowel nasalizations and homorganic nasals has been transliterated in all its occurrences by ṁ with superscript dot.

(1928), combined with data in the colophons of the former, and along with other circumstantial information, allows us to postulate their relationship to other preexisting models that bring us to the very beginnings of the scriptural traditions of Dādūpanth. The gradual accumulation and internal rearrangement of the material that is evident in the manuscript copy under study reveals the emergence of the idea of a pañc-vāṇī, or a compendium of texts by the five most revered sants, in the later history of Dādūpanth considered to be canonical.
Characterisation and OSL dating of modern fluvial sediments in the lower Vistula River: testing the zeroing assumption
Authors: Przegiętka Krzysztof , Molewski Paweł , Juśkiewicz Włodzimierz , Palczewski Piotr , Chabowski Marek
Published: June 2016

In this study modern sediments of the lower Vistula River were investigated to determine the relationship between the structure and texture (grain size, rounding and frosting) of the deposits and the possibility of their zeroing. The samples of modern fluvial deposits were collected from the lower Vistula River at two sites in Toruń and Ciechocinek. Sand bars newly emerged from the river were selected for testing. The coarse quartz grains were separated for OSL measurements. The single-aliquot regenerative (SAR) technique was applied for measuring equivalent doses from multigrain aliquots. The obtained dose estimates were found to be very low, proving the reliability of the OSL zeroing assumption. The dose rates were estimated by gamma-ray spectrometry, demonstrating homogeneity of the radiation field. Analysis did not show significant relationships between the examined sediments’ capacity to zeroing and their structural and textural characteristics, or the sampling site. The obtained OSL ages of the studied sediments date back hundreds of years and are probably overestimated. The results related to fossil sediments of bars of the age of thousands of years confirm their suitability for the OSL dating method.
Affording Utopia: The Economic Viability of “A Capitalist Road to Communism”
Authors: Major Aaron
Published: June 2016

Thirty years ago
The Impact of Delayed Hepatitis C Viral Load Suppression on Patient Risk: Historical Evidence from the Veterans Administration
Authors: Matsuda Tara , McCombs Jeffrey S. , Tonnu-Mihara Ivy , McGinnis Justin , Fox D. Steven
Published: June 2016

Background:

The high cost of new hepatitis C (HCV) treatments has resulted in “watchful waiting” strategies being developed to safely delay treatment, which will in turn delay viral load suppression (VLS).

Objective:

To document if delayed VLS adversely impacted patient risk for adverse events and death.

Methods:

187,860 patients were selected from the Veterans Administration’s (VA) clinical registry (CCR), a longitudinal compilation of electronic medical records (EMR) data for 1999–2010. Inclusion criteria required at least 6 months of CCR/EMR data prior to their HCV diagnosis and sufficient data post-diagnosis to calculate one or more FIB-4 scores. Primary outcome measures were time-to-death and time-to-a composite of liver-related clinical events. Cox proportional hazards models were estimated separately using three critical FIB-4 levels to define early and late viral response.

Results:

Achieving an undetectable viral load before the patient’s FIB-4 level exceed pre-specified critical values (1.00, 1.45 and 3.25) effectively reduced the risk of an adverse clinical events by 33–35% and death by 21–26%. However, achieving VLS after FIB-4 exceeds 3.25 significantly reduced the benefit of viral response.

Conclusions:

Delaying VLS until FIB-4 >3.25 reduces the benefits of VLS in reducing patient risk.
Spatio-temporal dependencies between hospital beds, physicians and health expenditure using visual variables and data classification in statistical table
Authors: Medyńska-Gulij Beata , Cybulski Paweł
Published: June 2016

This paper analyses the use of table visual variables of statistical data of hospital beds as an important tool for revealing spatio-temporal dependencies. It is argued that some of conclusions from the data about public health and public expenditure on health have a spatio-temporal reference. Different from previous studies, this article adopts combination of cartographic pragmatics and spatial visualization with previous conclusions made in public health literature. While the significant conclusions about health care and economic factors has been highlighted in research papers, this article is the first to apply visual analysis to statistical table together with maps which is called previsualisation.
Neural networks for the generation of sea bed models using airborne lidar bathymetry data
Authors: Kogut Tomasz , Niemeyer Joachim , Bujakiewicz Aleksandra
Published: June 2016

Various sectors of the economy such as transport and renewable energy have shown great interest in sea bed models. The required measurements are usually carried out by ship-based echo sounding, but this method is quite expensive. A relatively new alternative is data obtained by airborne lidar bathymetry. This study investigates the accuracy of these data, which was obtained in the context of the project ‘Investigation on the use of airborne laser bathymetry in hydrographic surveying’. A comparison to multi-beam echo sounding data shows only small differences in the depths values of the data sets. The IHO requirements of the total horizontal and vertical uncertainty for laser data are met. The second goal of this paper is to compare three spatial interpolation methods, namely Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Delaunay Triangulation (TIN), and supervised Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), for the generation of sea bed models. The focus of our investigation is on the amount of required sampling points. This is analyzed by manually reducing the data sets. We found that the three techniques have a similar performance almost independently of the amount of sampling data in our test area. However, ANN are more stable when using a very small subset of points.
Mitigating Ventilation Air Methane Cost-Effectively from a Colliery in Australia
Authors: Holmes R. I.
Published: June 2016

Methane has been controlled in collieries in the past only for safety and statutory compliance reasons; however concerns over greenhouse gas emissions mean that this is now changing. About 65% of greenhouse emissions associated with underground coal mining come from ventilation air methane (VAM). The machinery to mitigate these fugitive emissions once the VAM exits the mine fans is expensive, has safety concerns and is not widely used at present. Consider these factors; more collieries are mining lower seams, methane content increases with depth, VAM mitigation plants are not widely used, most mine emissions are VAM, and widespread concern over greenhouse gases mean that it is desirable to lower VAM emissions now. One solution would be a method to prevent more methane from entering the mine airstream and becoming VAM in the first place. Recently, in a colliery in the Hunter Valley, this mitigation method underwent a 12-month trial, and involved six different measures. Measurements were taken to assess the emissions mitigation which was achieved, and the cost of the works; all the results are detailed herein. A reduction in fugitive emissions of 80,307 t/CO2-e below that which was projected for the next 12-month period was quantified, at an average cost of A$1.28c t/CO2-e. The mitigation measure outlined here represent a first attempt to the author’s knowledge, in an operating mine, to lower a collieries’ environmental footprint by preventing methane from entering the mine airstream and becoming VAM gas by the deliberate use of mitigation measures.
It’s About Connections – How the Economic Network of the German Federal Government Affects the Top Earners’ Average Income Tax Rate
Authors: Scharfenkamp Katrin
Published: June 2016

Building on arguments to political incomes, career concerns and elitist networks, this study assumes that an increasing percentage of highly incentivized former executive board members within the German Federal Government (1957–2012) will decrease the top earners’ average income tax rate during the subsequent year. Conversely, the percentage of lower incentivized former supervisory board members is assumed to increase the top earners’ average income tax rate. Both effects are assumed to be enforced if the ruling parties have strong support in the German Bundestag. The empirical results significantly confirm the unconditional effect for former executive board members and the conditional effect for former supervisory board members.

Corresponding to sociological findings (see Hartmann 2002, Der Mythos von den Leistungseliten. Frankfurt a.M., Campus) and building on Barro’s (1973, The Control of Politicians: An Economic Model. Public Choice 14(1): 19–42) approach to the selfish maximization of political income and arguments regarding career concerns from principal agent theory (see, e. g. Fama 1980, Agency Problems and the Theory of the Firm. Journal of Political Economy 88, 288–307), this study assumes a strong incentive for former executive board members in the German Federal Government (1957–2012) to maximize their political income by lowering the top earners’ average income tax rate (1958–2013) due to their social elitist homogeneity and career concerns in terms of future job opportunities in business corporations. Conversely, former supervisory board members are assumed to increase the top earners’ average income tax rate due to their differing social backgrounds. Despite possible career concerns, they are assumed to increase the top earners’ average income tax rate in order not to lose their previously gained ideological credibility. Both effects are assumed to be enforced if the ruling parties have more than or equal to 55 % of seats in the German Bundestag. By running OLS and Tobit regressions, the empirical results confirm an unconditional decreasing effect of a higher percentage of previous executive board members and a conditional increasing effect of a higher percentage of previous supervisory board members on the top earners’ average income tax rate.
On the Hurwitz action in finite Coxeter groups
Authors: Baumeister Barbara , Gobet Thomas , Roberts Kieran , Wegener Patrick
Published: June 2016

We provide a necessary and sufficient condition on an element of a finite Coxeter group to ensure the transitivity of the Hurwitz action on its set of reduced decompositions into products of reflections. We show that this action is transitive
if and only if the element is a parabolic quasi-Coxeter element. We call an element of the Coxeter group parabolic quasi-Coxeter element if it has a factorization
into a product of reflections that generate a parabolic subgroup. We give an unusual definition of a parabolic subgroup that we show to be equivalent to the classical one for finite Coxeter groups.
Serum Level of HMGB1 Protein and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Secondary Peritonitis: Time Course and the Association with Clinical Status
Authors: Milić Ljiljana , Grigorov Ilijana , Krstić Slobodan , Ćeranić Miljan S. , Jovanović Bojan , Stevanović Jelena , Peško Predrag
Published: June 2016

Background:Intra-abdominal infection in secondary peritonitis drives as excessive production of inflammatory mediators and the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. Finding a specific marker to distinguish SIRS from sepsis would be of immense clinical importance for the therapeutic approach. It is assumed that high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) could be such a marker. In this study, we examined the time course changes in the blood levels of HMGB1, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with secondary peritonitis who developed SIRS or sepsis.

Methods:In our study, we evaluated 100 patients with diffuse secondary peritonitis who developed SIRS or sepsis (SIRS and SEPSIS group) and 30 patients with inguinal hernia as a control group. Serum levels of HMGB1, CRP, PCT, and SAA were determined on admission in all the patients, and monitored daily in patients with peritonitis until discharge from hospital.

Results:Preoperative HMGB1, CRP, PCT and SAA levels were statistically highly significantly increased in patients with peritonitis compared to patients with inguinal hernia, and significantly higher in patients with sepsis compared to those with SIRS. All four inflammatory markers changed significantly during the follow-up. It is interesting that the patterns of change of HMGB1 and SAA over time were distinctive for SIRS and SEPSIS groups.

Conclusions:HMGB1 and SAA temporal patterns might be useful in distinguishing sepsis from noninfectious SIRS in secondary peritonitis.
The Effect of Thermal Environment on Daily Milk Yield of Dairy Cows
Authors: Trajchev Metodija , Nakov Dimitar , Andonov Sreten
Published: June 2016

The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of environmental air temperatures on the milk production of dairy cows. Therefore, the experiment was carried out at the height of summer (from 15th of June to 15th of September) in three small family dairy farms and one commercial dairy farm. In total, 51 dairy cows from the black-white breed were subjected to the study. The season of research was divided into three periods: the period before the hot season, the period of the hot season and the period after the hot season. In each period there were three test days selected that were used for recording the air temperature inside and outside the barns and cow’s daily milk yield. Unvaried associations between the test day milk yield of cows and independent environmental and cow factors were done using the linear mixed model for repeated measurements. The statistical model showed that the farm management system and the hot season of the year had significant influence on daily milk yield per cow at the level of p<0.001. The test day per periods of the season when milk control was performed and the average test day environmental temperature showed statistically significant influence on daily milk yield per cow at level p<0.01. The present results revealed that environmental air temperatures contributes to considerable loss in the milk production of dairy cows.
The Educational Experience of Afro-Caribbean Student Immigrants
Authors: Desmore Keiana , Vazquez-Montilla Elia , Greene Jackie
Published: June 2016

The following article summarizes a research study which involved an investigation of the educational experiences of Afro-Caribbean student immigrants who were academically successful in the United States (U.S.). Although immigrants of African descent experience barriers such as immigrant status and racial minority status which leads to a double disadvantage in educational institutions, this group is more likely to persist and achieve academic excellence. This narrative ethnographical case study’s aim was to understand the influences for Afro-Caribbean immigrant students motivating them to pursue the attainment of a higher education degree. The data for this study was collected through in-person interviews of Afro-Caribbean immigrants who were graduates of a mid-sized state university located in Southwest Florida. The subjects were selected through purposeful sampling. There were similar cultural impacts identified which may have influenced the study participants to perform with high academic achievement. A cross-case analysis was used as a qualitative data analysis technique to discover themes such as familial support, values learned from private school attendance, and language barriers which emerged through the interview responses.
From Smart Metering to Smart Grid
Authors: Kukuča Peter , Chrapčiak Igor
Published: June 2016

The paper deals with evaluation of measurements in electrical distribution systems aimed at better use of data provided by Smart Metering systems. The influence of individual components of apparent power on the power loss is calculated and results of measurements under real conditions are presented. The significance of difference between the traditional and the complex evaluation of the electricity consumption efficiency by means of different definitions of the power factor is illustrated.
Crystal structure of 5-(3-fluorobenzylidene)-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione; C13H11FN2O3
Authors: Barakat Assem , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Al-Qahtani Bandar M. , Ali M. , Mohammed Al-Majid Abdullah
Published: June 2016

C13H11FN2O3, triclinic, P1̅, a = 5.7471(4) Å, b = 7.8734(6) Å, c = 13.3112(11) Å, α = 75.546(3)°, β = 78.183(3)°, γ = 77.540(3)°, V = 562.22(7) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt
(F) = 0.0444, wR
ref
(F
2) = 0.1234, T = 100 K.
Global South and North: Why Informality Matters
Authors: Hodder Rupert
Published: June 2016

Informality in the global south thought to matter because it is a threat, or a stage on the road, to (or embedded in) formality; or because it is a permanent condition acceptable on its own terms and has the potential to keep formal bureaucratic organizations running and in touch with citizens. These understandings of informality also share an assertion: that the quality of informality is different – almost genetically so – from formality. The purpose of my remarks here is to point this discussion in another direction. I argue that the difference between informality and formality is only conceptual. The supposition that there exists in fact an informal-formal dichotomy, dualism or dialectic, and its use as an analytical lens, produces apparent features which it cannot easily account for. I illustrate these features and then go on to sketch out another approach and its implications.
A novel approach to the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles: the use of agro-wastes, enzymes, and pigments
Authors: Adelere Isiaka A. , Lateef Agbaje
Published: June 2016

The green synthesis of nanoparticles has received great attention in recent times owing to its advantages such as cost effectiveness, simplicity, eco-friendliness, biocompatibility, and wide applications over the conventional chemical and physical methods. Various kinds of biomolecules from microorganisms and plants have been successfully utilized for the synthesis of metallic and nonmetallic nanoparticles, and these have been well documented. However, the recent increase in the fabrication of metallic nanoparticles using agro-wastes, enzymes and microbial and plant-derived pigments and their respective areas of applications have not been compiled as a review article. Therefore, the present efforts have been aimed at compilation of reports on the use of these novel bio-resources for the green synthesis of nanoparticles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review article on the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using diverse agro-wastes, enzymes, and pigments of biological origin. It is envisaged that the compendium will bring to the fore the emerging importance of these bio-resources for nanobiotechnological applications.
Nanostructured targets for TNSA laser ion acceleration
Authors: Torrisi Lorenzo , Calcagno Lucia , Cutroneo Mariapompea , Badziak Jan , Rosinski Marcin , Zaras-Szydlowska Agnieszka , Torrisi Alfio
Published: June 2016

Nanostructured targets, based on hydrogenated polymers with embedded nanostructures, were prepared as thin micrometric foils for high-intensity laser irradiation in TNSA regime to produce high-ion acceleration. Experiments were performed at the PALS facility, in Prague, by using 1315 nm wavelength, 300 ps pulse duration and an intensity of 1016 W/cm2 and at the IPPLM, in Warsaw, by using 800 nm wavelength, 40 fs pulse duration, and an intensity of 1019 W/cm2. Forward plasma diagnostic mainly uses SiC detectors and ion collectors in time of flight (TOF) configuration. At these intensities, ions can be accelerated at energies above 1 MeV per nucleon. In presence of Au nanoparticles, and/or under particular irradiation conditions, effects of resonant absorption can induce ion acceleration enhancement up to values of the order of 4 MeV per nucleon.
Studies of plasma interactions with tungsten targets in PF-1000U facility
Authors: Ladygina Maryna S. , Skladnik-Sadowska Elzbieta , Zaloga Dobromil R. , Sadowski Marek J. , Kubkowska Monika , Kowalska-Strzeciwilk Ewa , Krawczyk Natalia , Paduch Marian , Miklaszewski Ryszard , Garkusha Igor E.
Published: June 2016

This paper presents results of experimental studies of tungsten samples of 99.95% purity, which were irradiated by intense plasma-ion streams. The behaviour of tungsten, and particularly its structural change induced by high plasma loads, is of great importance for fusion technology. The reported measurements were performed within a modified PF-1000U plasma-focus facility operated at the IFPiLM in Warsaw, Poland. The working gas was pure deuterium. In order to determine the main plasma parameters and to study the behaviour of impurities at different instants of the plasma discharge, the optical emission spectroscopy was used. The dependence of plasma parameters on the initial charging voltage (16, 19 and 21 kV) was studied. Detailed optical measurements were performed during interactions of a plasma stream with the tungsten samples placed at the z-axis of the facility, at a distance of 6 cm from the electrode outlets. The recorded spectra showed distinct WI and WII spectral lines. Investigation of a target surface morphology, after its irradiation by intense plasma streams, was performed by means of an optical microscope. The observations revealed that some amounts of the electrodes material (mainly copper) were deposited upon the irradiated sample surface. In all the cases, melted zones were observed upon the irradiated target surface, and in experiments performed at the highest charging voltage there were formed some cracks.
Microwave plasma for hydrogen production from liquids
Authors: Czylkowski Dariusz , Hrycak Bartosz , Miotk Robert , Jasiński Mariusz , Mizeraczyk Jerzy , Dors Mirosław
Published: June 2016

The hydrogen production by conversion of liquid compounds containing hydrogen was investigated experimentally. The waveguide-supplied metal cylinder-based microwave plasma source (MPS) operated at frequency of 915 MHz at atmospheric pressure was used. The decomposition of ethanol, isopropanol and kerosene was performed employing plasma dry reforming process. The liquid was introduced into the plasma in the form of vapour. The amount of vapour ranged from 0.4 to 2.4 kg/h. Carbon dioxide with the flow rate ranged from 1200 to 2700 NL/h was used as a working gas. The absorbed microwave power was up to 6 kW. The effect of absorbed microwave power, liquid composition, liquid flow rate and working gas fl ow rate was analysed. All these parameters have a clear influence on the hydrogen production efficiency, which was described with such parameters as the hydrogen production rate [NL(H2)/h] and the energy yield of hydrogen production [NL(H2)/kWh]. The best achieved experimental results showed that the hydrogen production rate was up to 1116 NL(H2)/h and the energy yield was 223 NL(H2) per kWh of absorbed microwave energy. The results were obtained in the case of isopropanol dry reforming. The presented catalyst-free microwave plasma method can be adapted for hydrogen production not only from ethanol, isopropanol and kerosene, but also from different other liquid compounds containing hydrogen, like gasoline, heavy oils and biofuels.
The role of magnetic energy on plasma localization during the glow discharge under reduced pressure
Authors: Chodun Rafal , Nowakowska-Langier Katarzyna , Zdunek Krzysztof , Okrasa Sebastian
Published: June 2016

In this work, we present the first results of our research on the synergy of fields, electric and magnetic, in the initiation and development of glow discharge under reduced pressure. In the two-electrode system under reduced pressure, the breakdown voltage characterizes a minimum energy input of the electric field to initiate and sustain the glow discharge. The glow discharge enhanced by the magnetic field applied just above the surface of the cathode influences the breakdown voltage decreasing its value. The idea of the experiment was to verify whether the contribution of potential energy of the magnetic field applied around the cathode is sufficiently effective to locate the plasma of glow discharge to the grounded cathode, which, in fact, is the part of a vacuum chamber wall (the anode is positively biased in this case). In our studies, we used the grounded magnetron unit with positively biased anode in order to achieve favorable conditions for the deposition of thin films on fibrous substrates such as fabrics for metallization, assuming that locally applied magnetic field can effectively locate plasma. The results of our studies (Paschen curve with the participation of the magnetic field) seem to confirm the validity of the research assumption. What is the most spectacular - the glow discharge was initiated between introduced into the chamber anode and the grounded cathode of magnetron ‘assisted’ by the magnetic field (discharge did not include the area of the anode, which is a part of the magnetron construction).
Advanced laboratory for testing plasma thrusters and Hall thruster measurement campaign
Authors: Szelecka Agnieszka
Published: June 2016

Plasma engines are used for space propulsion as an alternative to chemical thrusters. Due to the high exhaust velocity of the propellant, they are more efficient for long-distance interplanetary space missions than their conventional counterparts. An advanced laboratory of plasma space propulsion (PlaNS) at the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM) specializes in designing and testing various electric propulsion devices. Inside of a special vacuum chamber with three performance pumps, an environment similar to the one that prevails in space is created. An innovative Micro Pulsed Plasma Thruster (LμPPT) with liquid propellant was built at the laboratory. Now it is used to test the second prototype of Hall effect thruster (HET) operating on krypton propellant. Meantime, an improved prototype of krypton Hall thruster is constructed.
The Effect of Coaching Practices on Psychological Contract Fulfillment of Student-Athletes
Authors: Rezania Davar , Gurney Robert
Published: June 2016

We examine the relationships between coaching practices, psychological contract fulfillment and the impact it has on satisfaction and in-role behavior of student-athletes. We surveyed a total of 183 student-athletes in Canada. Utilizing Partial Least Squares path modeling algorithm, the results confirm that the extent of psychological contract fulfillment is positively related to satisfaction and role-behavior. In addition, practices of compensation, information sharing, and security (i.e. ensuring continuation of position on the team) are related to fulfillment of psychological contracts. However, the data does not provide support for the idea that training is related to the fulfillment of psychological contracts. The results suggest that universities can manage students-athletes’ expectations by institutionalizing coaching practices that signal commitments for compensation, information sharing, and provide assurance of position on the team. Such practices have potential to improve the athlete’s performance.
Affective States and Performance Outcomes – The Findings of Preliminary Research Involving Pentathletes
Authors: Samełko Aleksandra , Guszkowska Monika
Published: June 2016

Introduction. The aim of this article is to discuss the relationship between affective states experienced by athletes and the outcome of their performance. The article presents the findings of a pilot study which made it possible to determine the relationship between the emotional states, mood, and level of stress of a group of pentathletes and the outcomes they achieved in a sports competition. Material and methods. The study involved 12 senior modern pentathletes, including 7 male and 5 female athletes. The following standard psychology questionnaires were used in the study: the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Profile of Mood State (POMS). Performance was assessed based on the number of points achieved by the pentathletes in particular events in the pentathlon, which are held according to the rules set by the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM). Results. The findings of the study confirmed that there was a correlation between the athletes’ mood and emotions and the outcome of their performance. The level of stress strongly negatively correlated with both the outcome they expected to achieve and the one they actually achieved for the combined event (running and shooting). For this event a relationship was also found between the athletes’ affective states and their outcomes: in running and shooting there was a positive and statistically significant correlation between the level of positive emotions and anger and the results achieved. However, friendliness, one of the other affective state variables that were measured, correlated negatively with the outcomes of the athletes’ performance. Conclusions. In the group of pentathletes who participated in the study, a high level of anger was associated with better outcomes, and a high level of friendliness had an adverse effect on the results achieved. The findings of the current study confirm that there is a relationship between affective states and performance outcomes, but the findings do not correspond with Morgan’s iceberg profile.
Effect of the matrix plasticization behavior on mechanical properties of PVC/ABS blends
Authors: Liu Baijun , Wang Yinglin , Gao Yuan , Zhong Rui , Zhang Fucai , Zhang Mingyao , Zhang Huixuan
Published: June 2016

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) grafted copolymer prepared by emulsion polymerization was used to modify different molecular weight poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) resins. The effects of the molecular weight of the PVC resins on dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) of PVC/ABS blends and matrix plasticizing behavior on the impact mechanical properties and the morphology were investigated. The tan δ peaks of PVC/ABS blends occurred at the same temperature obtained by DMA, indicating that miscibility of PVC/ABS blends was independent of the molecular weight of PVC. The notched Izod impact test results indicated that the amount of polybutadiene (PB) rubber needed for the brittle-ductile transition (BDT) increases together with the molecular weight of PVC when milled at 165°C. Increasing the operation temperature and adding the plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP) could change the matrix plasticizing extent and the BDT. At a milling temperature of 165°C, the BDT was reached only with 3.6 wt% PB when DOP was added, in contrast to the addition of 7.2 wt% PB in the absence of DOP. The morphology of different plasticized degree of PVC/ABS blends was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showing that the PVC-1/ABS blends milled at 165°C showed a larger unstained area than the other series of PVC blends.
Waterborne epoxy-modified polyurethane-acrylate dispersions with nano-sized core-shell structure particles: synthesis, characterization, and their coating film properties
Authors: Sun Jing , Fang Huagao , Wang Haili , Yang Shanzhong , Xiao Shengrong , Ding Yunsheng
Published: June 2016

Waterborne epoxy-modified polyurethane-acrylate (EPUA) dispersions with nano-sized core-shell structure particles, with polyacrylate (PA) as core and epoxy-modified polyurethane (EPU) as shell, were successfully prepared via a two-step procedure. The waterborne EPU dispersions were first synthesized to serve as seeds, and then the butyl acrylate (BA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers were introduced into EPU particles to form polymeric core by radical polymerization under the assistance of ultrasonic treatment. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed that the epoxy and PA components were successfully incorporated onto the chain of the PU and EPU to form EPU and EPUA, respectively. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photograph demonstrated that the EPUA particles have the core-shell structure. The as-prepared EPUA coating films exhibited good thermo-stability and mechanical properties, as revealed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile testing, respectively. The results of potentiodynamic polarization curves and immersion corrosion testing in 5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution both demonstrated that the anticorrosive properties of EPUA mainly depended on the mass content of PA, with the optimized value of 30 wt%.
Manufacturing of amber particles suitable for composite fibre melt spinning
Authors: Ļašenko Inga Ļ , Gaidukovs Sergejs , Rombovska Jūlija
Published: June 2016

Polyamide fibre containing amber particles was fabricated. The amber particles were obtained by grinding technology using planetary ball-mills. Scanning electron microscopy and granulometry testing were used to characterise the structure and the size of prepared amber particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyse the chemical structure of the amber particles. The amber particles were characterised with average size up to 3 μm. The chemical composition of amber before and after the grinding remained unchanged. The amber particles were melt-extruded using polyamide 6 as the matrix. Melt spinning processing was used to fabricate polyamide-amber filaments. Pre-oriented yarns and fully drawn yarns were obtained after hotdrawing experiments. Reported experimental findings of amber composite fibre could be important for textile applications.
Diagnostic value of tumour markers Ca-125 and CEA in the diagnostics of malignant pleural fluids
Authors: Žentiņa Dace , Stuķēna Inga , Grīnberga Sarma , Krams Alvils , Lejnieks Aivars
Published: June 2016

The significance of carbohydrate (cancer) antigen 125 (Ca-125) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tumour markers levels in differential diagnostics of malignant and benign pleural effusion was studied. Within this prospective study, 121 patients with fluids of various aetiology in the pleural cavity were analysed. Malignant pleural effusion was detected in 55 patients, parapneumonic effusion in 28 patients, transudative effusion of cardiac origin in 31 patients, pancreatitis in one patient and tuberculous pleurisy in five patients. The highest accuracy in diagnosis of malignancy was observed for Ca-125 and CEA levels in the pleural fluid: 75.2% at cut-off value ≥1452 U/mL and 76.9% at cut-off value ≥6.58 ng/mL, respectively. We conclude that the level of tumour markers in pleural fluid has additional diagnostic significance in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign pleural effusions.