bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statically-Indeterminate SFRC Columns under Cyclic Loads
Authors: Abbas Ali A. , Mohsin Sharifah M. Syed , Cotsovos Demetrios M. , Ruiz-Teran Ana M.
Published: September 2014

The present study is aimed at examining the structural response of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) columns under reversed-cyclic loading, which were investigated by means of non-linear finite-element analysis (NLFEA). The focus was on investigating the potential of steel fibres in compensating for reduction in conventional transverse reinforcement [and thus the spacing between shear links was increased by 50% and 100% while the fibre volume fraction ( V f) was increased to 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%]. This is useful in situations where the latter is required in significant amounts (e.g. in seismic design) leading to congestion and practical difficulties in placing the links. The critical factor in the seismic response is the cyclic nature of the load, which is examined in the present research work. An interesting feature of the present research work is the consideration of statically-indeterminate SFRC columns, information on which is rare as previous research studies have focused on simply-supported beams. To address this, both indeterminacy and axial loads were considered in the present investigation. Calibration work was carried out using existing experimental data and good correlation was established between numerical and test results. Subsequently, parametric studies were carried out using the practical range of fibre dosages, which provided insight into how the steel fibres can help reduce the amount of conventional shear links.
Restoring Force Model of a Cast-In-Situ Recycled Aggregate Concrete Frame
Authors: Wang Changqing , Xiao Jianzhuang , Pham Loan , Ding Tao
Published: September 2014

The hysteresis behavior of a cast-in-situ recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) frame was analyzed based on shaking table tests on a one-fourth scaled model of a two-bay, two-span and 6-storey RAC frame. Then feature points and the stiffness degradation were defined and the deteriorating four-line-typed restoring force model was put forward. In the hysteresis model, the monotonic behavior is described by a four-line-typed skeleton curve which accounts for concrete cracking, yielding of reinforcing bars, maximum and ultimate point of the RAC frame model. The hysteresis behavior is described through a number of rules for unloading and reloading. Therefore, the restoring force model proposed in this study can capture the hysteresis response of the frame under seismic actions. Moreover, the displacement ductility of the RAC frame structure is evaluated based on the proposed restoring force model. It can be concluded from this investigation that the RAC frame structure with proper design and construction has favorable load-carrying capacity, deformation capacity, energy dissipation ability and seismic performance, and can be applied and popularized in the area with the requirement of aseismic fortification intensity.
Drift Performance of Point Fixed Glass Façade Systems
Authors: Sivanerupan S. , Wilson J.L. , Gad E.F. , Lam N.T.K.
Published: September 2014

Glass façade systems in buildings are subject to racking actions caused by inter storey drifts from earthquakes and wind action. The performance of façade systems is dependent on the amount of imposed drift and the interaction of the glass panels with the façade structural support frames. There are two major concerns related to the glass façade system performance during and immediately after a seismic event; hazards to people from falling glass and the cost associated with building down time and repair. It was observed that earthquake damage to glass façade systems resulting from in-plane racking actions is increasingly common and yet there has been limited research published in this field. The research completed to date has mainly focused on traditional framed glass façade systems; however, the racking performance of point fixed glass façade system (PFGFS) is likely to be quite different. Therefore, the aim of the research presented in this paper is to assess the in-plane racking performance of PFGFS which is a façade system gaining popularity worldwide.

Two unique full scale in-plane racking laboratory tests on typical PFGFS with different types of connections were conducted and specific racking mechanisms were identified. Sophisticated non-linear finite element models (FE models) were developed and benchmarked against experimental results with excellent correlation. Further detailed FE analyses were conducted to evaluate the individual drift contributions of each racking mechanism such as rigid body translation of the glass panels at the oversize holes for construction tolerance, spider arm rotation and spider arm deformation. It was found that most of the drift capacity is attributed to the rigid body translation at the oversize holes. In this paper, the laboratory test setup and the experimental results are discussed together with the confirmatory FE analysis results to assess the in-plane racking performance of the PFGFS.
Discrete Optimum Design of Truss Structures by an Improved Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Baghlani A. , Makiabadi M.H. , Sarcheshmehpour M.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents an improved firefly algorithm (FA) for fast optimization of truss structures with discrete variables. The enhanced accelerated firefly algorithm (AFA) is a simple, but very effective modification of FA. In order to investigate the performance and robustness of the proposed algorithm, some benchmark (structural optimization) problems are solved and the results are compared with FA and other algorithms. The results show that in some test cases, AFA not only finds lighter structures compared to other algorithms, but also converges faster. In the rest test cases, the optimal solutions are found with very less computational effort. The study also shows that the proposed AFA remarkably improves stability of the firefly algorithm in discrete design of truss structures.
A Study of Explosion Effects Prior to Collapse of WTC Towers
Authors: Szuladziński Gregory
Published: September 2014

In the analyses of the WTC collapse carried out so far the kinetic energy of fuel of the impacting aircraft was accounted for, but the chemical energy content was not. This paper addresses the problem by means of analysis as well as well as Finite Element simulation. The effect of fuel detonation is evaluated with only 10% of fuel acting in this manner. The fuel in the model was distributed in the impact area according to what is known from the official reports. The extensive damage resulting from this, as demonstrated below, appears to be a strong contributing factor to what happened afterwards. The attention of the reader was drawn to the fact that at present the official reports are unable to explain the mechanism of collapse, when attributing those to the fires burning after the impact.
Teste da Hipótese “Size-Grain”: Influência da Rugosidade do Ambiente sobre Formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Martins Luciano , Chevalier Leandro Xavier Teixeira , Almeida Fábio Souto
Published: September 2014

Este trabalho objetivou testar a hipótese de que formigas com menor tamanho corporal têm maior sucesso em explorar os interstícios do ambiente, enquanto que ambientes menos rugosos favorecem formigas com tamanho maior. O experimento foi realizado em uma floresta secundária situada no distrito de Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis-RJ (23º11’01’’S, 44º 11’44’’W). Foram escolhidos ao acaso 14 locais distantes 10 metros entre si. Em cada local foram demarcadas três parcelas de 50cm x 50cm com espaçamento de 10cm entre si. A serapilheira foi removida das parcelas e aplicou-se tratamentos que simularam ambientes com diferentes níveis de rugosidade: baixo (sem serapilheira); médio (somente folhas de bambu); e alto (com serapilheira). Iscas de sardinha e solução de água com açúcar foram colocadas no centro de cada parcela e a primeira formiga que alcançou as iscas foi coletada. O comprimento total do corpo das formigas coletadas foi significativamente menor no tratamento com maior nível de rugosidade (Teste de Tukey, p < 0,05). Os resultados confirmaram a hipótese de que formigas menores são favorecidas em ambientes com alto nível de rugosidade.

Testing the Size-grain Hypothesis: Influence of the Environmental Rugosity on Ants

(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that smaller ants are more successful in exploring environmental interstices than larger ants, whereas environments with less rugosity are better for larger ants. The experiment was conducted in a secondary forest located in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro State (23 11’00’’S, 44 11’44’’O). Fourteen sites were randomly selected and in each site three plots (50cm x 50cm) were demarcated. The leaf litter was removed from the plots and were applied treatments that simulated environments with different rugosity levels: low (no leaf litter), medium (only bamboo leaves) and high (with leaf litter). Food baits were exposed in the center of the plots and the first ant that access the baits was collected. The total length of the ants was significantly lower in the treatment with higher level of rugosity (Tukey, p <0.05). The results confirmed the hypothesis that environments with high levels of rugosity favours smaller ants.
Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera e Trichoptera em corredeiras de riachos do Parque Estadual Intervales, Estado de São Paulo.
Authors: Paciencia Gabriel de Paula , Yokoyama Elisa , Bispo Pitágoras Conceição , Crisci-Bispo Vera Lúcia , Takebe Igor Vinicius
Published: September 2014

A fauna de Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera e Trichoptera (EPT) do Parque Estadual Intervales tem sido levantada desde a década de 1990. Como resultado desse esforço de coleta, no presente trabalho, apresenta-se a lista de gêneros de EPT em corredeiras de riachos do Parque Estadual Intervales, Estado de São Paulo.

Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera in Riffles from Streams of Intervales State Park , São Paulo State.

Abstract. The fauna of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) from Intervales State Park has been recorded since the 1990s. As a result of these sampling efforts, we present in this study a list of EPT genera in riffles from streams of Intervales State Park, São Paulo State.
New records of Apoica pallida (Olivier, 1792) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini) in Bahia State.
Authors: Silva Neto Alberto Moreira , Andena Sergio Ricardo
Published: September 2014

In this paper we record the occurrence of Apoica pallida (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini) in state of Bahia, including taxonomic notes.Novos Registros de Apoica pallida (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini) no Estado da BahiaResumo. Nesse trabalho registramos a ocorrência de Apoica pallida (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini) para o estado da Bahia, incluindo notas taxonômicas.
Occurrence of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Agudo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Batistella Pasini Mauricio Paulo , Link Dionísio
Published: September 2014

This work has the first record of Zaprionus indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) found in the rural area of Agudo in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The adults were first found in plums (Prunus salicina Lindl). Subsequently it was found in mature figs (Ficus carica L.) in two orchards. In the first orchard about 80% of the collected figs were infested by Z. indianus. In the second orchard, 50% of the figs cv. “Pingo de mel” and 80% of the figs of cv. “Roxo de Valinhos” were infested. On these collected figs a total of 1364 adult insects emerged. Figs of cultivar “Roxo de Valinhos” had higher adult emergence number. Besides being present in residues of the figs, Z. indianus was observed flying over debris from Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham), Cucumis melo L., Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. and Vitis vinifera L., associated with other Drosophilidae. These findings indicate that measures for monitoring and pest control should be adopted in the county to ensure high quality figs.

Ocorrência de Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) em Agudo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Resumo. Este trabalho faz menção ao primeiro registro de Zaprionus indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) encontrado na zona rural do município de Agudo, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os adultos da mosca foram encontrados primeiramente em frutos de ameixa (Prunus salicina Lindl) posteriormente em figos maduros (Ficus carica L.) em dois pomares. No primeiro pomar cerca de 80% dos figos coletados apresentaram ataque de Z. indianus e, no segundo pomar 50% dos figos da cv. “Pingo de mel” e 80% da variedade “Roxo de Valinhos” foram infestados. No período correspondente a emergência dos adultos, coletou-se um total de 1364 indivíduos. Os figos da cv “Roxo de Valinhos” apresentaram maior emergência de adultos. Além de estar presente em restos culturais de figo, Z. indianus foi visualizada sobrevoando restos culturais de Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.), Cucumis melo L., Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. e Vitis vinifera L., associada a outros drosofilídeos. Ressalta-se que medidas de monitoramento e controle da praga deverão ser adotadas no município para garantir figos de alta qualidade e sadios.
First record of Aspergillus flavus as a fungal pathogen of reduviid predator, Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Sahayaraj Kitherian , Borgio Jesu Alexander Francis , Kumar Subramanian Muthu
Published: September 2014

An entomopathogenic fungus, Aspergillus flavus Raper and Fennell is recorded as a pathogen of reduviid predator, Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in natural agro-ecosystems of Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu for the first time.

Primeiro registro de Aspergillus flavus como patôgeno de reduviídeo predador 

Rhynocoris marginatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Resumo.  O fungo entomófago, Aspergillus flavus  

Raper and Fennell é registrado como um patógeno do reduviídeo predador  

Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), em agroecossistema natural  do distrito de Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu pela primeira vez.
The Impact of Business Cycles on the Foreign Direct Investment Inflows to Poland
Authors: Warżała Rafał
Published: September 2014

The core of this article is to study the impact of the last world economic crisis and world foreign direct investment fluctuations in the same period. The empirical study was based on data published by UNCTAD in annual reports, called World Investment Report. The research concerning the Polish economy was based on data of Polish National Bank. For measuring the relation between studied phenomena, the analysis of correlation was used, as well as the structure rate and the rate of growth. For the evolution of GDP fluctuations in Poland in the years 1990-2012, both the method of statistical analysis and the descriptive method were used. In the latest World Investment Report (WIR 2012) one can find the current world financial crisis involved in the drop of foreign direct investment flows. That was characteristic for the Polish economy, too. The main reasons for that are the descending investment capability of corporations, because of poorer profits level and higher costs of bank credits. The important argument for corporation investment slump is that the prospects of world economic growth are unfavourable.
Granting State Aid in the Context of Sustainable Development Principles
Authors: Bartniczak Bartosz
Published: September 2014

Implementation of the concept of sustainable development requires the use of a variety of instruments. These instruments may be legal or financial. One of the financial instruments to support sustainable development might be state aid. However, not all aid is beneficial from the point of view of sustainable development. Therefore, an important task is to identify the types of aid that have a positive impact on sustainable development, and on the other hand to show aid which is harmful from the point of sustainable development view. The purpose of this article is to group the principles of sustainable development, in the context of individual order creating sustainable development. The article will also specify the objectives to be achieved by providing different types of support. Then an attempt will be made to answer the question how different types of aid contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
Case Article—Production Scheduling at Falcon Die Casting: A Comprehensive Example on the Application of Linear Programming and Its Extensions
Authors: Rao B. Madhu , Beliën Jeroen
Published: September 2014

A comprehensive case study to introduce students to several concepts from linear, integer, and goal programming in an integrative manner is presented. Starting with a relatively simple production planning decision problem, the case progressively incorporates generalizations to introduce various modeling principles. Each variation to the case enables the teacher to engage in insightful discussion into the nature of the optimal solutions; the effect on the optimum solution of changes to the objective function or to key constraints. The case article also describes several ways in which the case can be used, ranging from a comprehensive introduction to a concluding capstone case in an undergraduate or graduate course in linear programming.

Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Positioning on a Multiattribute Landscape
Authors: Adner Ron , Csaszar Felipe A. , Zemsky Peter B.
Published: September 2014

Competitive positioning is a central, yet understudied, topic in strategy. Understanding positioning requires understanding two distinct mappings: how underlying policies are transformed into positions, and how positions are transformed into market performance. A complete treatment of positioning requires incorporating organizational design in the presence of policy interdependence; consumer choice in the presence of trade-offs among multiple product attributes; and competitive interactions among firms. We develop a model that integrates these elements. We show that in a multiattribute setting, trade-offs have critical, nonmonotonic effects on a range of strategy questions including the relationship between positions that are operationally efficient and those that remain viable in the face of competition as well as the concentration of market share in the industry. Of particular interest are implications for firm heterogeneity. We show that increases in business policy interdependence can decrease positioning heterogeneity among firms in an industry, depending on the nature of trade-offs. We also show that the relationship between strategy heterogeneity and positioning heterogeneity is moderated by the extent of policy interdependence.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Category Signaling and Reputation
Authors: Negro Giacomo , Hannan Michael T. , Fassiotto Magali
Published: September 2014

We propose that category membership can operate as a collective market signal for quality when low-quality producers face higher costs of gaining membership. The strength of membership as a collective signal increases with the sharpness of the category boundary, that is, contrast. Our empirical study focuses on biodynamic and organic viticulture in Alsace.
A Study on Total Sugar Content in Chinese and Flour-Based Foods and Desserts among Take-out Korean Food
Authors: Lee Jin-Won , Hwang Jin-Bong , Nahmgung Bae , Park Jang-Woo
Published: September 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the total sugar content in take-out foods by using HPLC analysis. Samples of take-out food were collected from six regions in Korea (Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Gangwon- do, Jeolla-do, Gyeongsang-do). The samples consisted of 30 main dishes (12 Chinese dishes and 18 flour-based dishes) and 19 desserts (11 rice cakes and 8 breads). In case of Chinese food, the maximum total sugar content of Tangsuyuk, Ganjajang, Jajangmyeon, and Gun-mandu was 10.346 g/100 g, 2.409 g/100 g, 1.589 g/100 g, and 1.988 g/ 100 g respectively. The total sugar content in seasoned Chinese food with sauces was higher than that of the other Chinese food. In case of flour-based food as a main dish, flour-based food seasoned with red pepper paste and many sauces such as Tteokbokki, Naengmyeon, and Guksue had a higher total sugar content than Mandutguk, Tteokmanduguk, and Udong. In particular, Hoe-naengmyeon had the highest total sugar content of 7.194 g/100 g. Also, desserts (rice cakes and breads), except for Garaetteok, had a high total sugar content with the highest in Glutinous doughnut and Glutinous rice tteok with red bean paste, which among all the regions analyzed had a maximum total sugar content of 19.602 g/100 g from Gyeongsang-do and 30.339 g/100 g from Seoul respectively.
Development of a Vertical Embryo-Retaining Polished Rice Producing System with Abrasive and Friction Rollers
Authors: Lim Ki Taek , Kim Jangho , Chung Jong Hoon
Published: September 2014

This research was conducted to enhance a vertical mill producing embryo-retaining polished rice in the 15% moisture content range. A vertical embryo-retaining polished rice producing system with a 1 ton/h capacity was designed and developed. The vertical miller system composed of two vertical millers with abrasive and friction rollers. The effects of the moisture content and shaft speed of the mill on germ (embryo) adherence ratio, whiteness, broken rice ratio, and cracked rice ratio were scrutinized. The influences on germ-adherence ratio and rice quality when processing with a roller type and abrasive stone in the vertical miller were also reported. The prototype miller system could be improved with optimal conditions: shaft revolution speed of 780 rpm and 960 rpm, processing capacity of 600 kg/h, zero outlet resistance, and rice moisture content of 15.2%. The results were as follows. First, the germadherence ratio in the processing of a miller was significantly affected by the moisture content of brown rice. When brown rice with a moisture content of 15.2% was milled by the prototype with sample inputs of 600 kg/h, the germadherence ratio of the milled rice increased by 70%. Secondly, a whiteness test of embryo-retaining polished rice also improved by 35 to 37% when milled with a shaft speed of 960 rpm and 780 rpm and emery stones of mesh No. 38, respectively. Furthermore, the broken rice rate was less than 1% in this system. The optimal milling conditions of the vertical mill were found to be a shaft speed of 780 rpm and 960 rpm, emery stones of mesh No. 38, zero outlet resistance and a milling rate of 600 kg h-1 considering the embryo-adherence ratio, broken rice ratio, and whiteness of the milled rice, thereby producing an energy-saving of 30%.
Surgical training is undermined by inadequate provision of laparoscopic surgical simulators
Authors: Brennan PM , Loan JJM , Hughes MA , Hennessey IAM , Partridge RW
Published: September 2014

In parallel with the introduction of working time regulations that have led to changes in working patterns, surgical trainees are taking longer to achieve operative competencies and logging fewer surgical cases. 1–3 The existing style of surgical training appears to provide insufficient operative exposure in limited working hours.
Police and military forces in Timor-Leste: Are they a source of peace or conflict?
Authors: Cierco Teresa
Published: September 2014

Security sector reform (SSR) aims to create a secure environment that is conducive to development, poverty reduction, good governance, and in particular the growth of democratic states and institutions based on the rule of law. This relies on the ability of the state to mitigate its people’s vulnerabilities through development and to use a range of policy instruments to prevent or address security threats that affect society’s wellbeing. Timor-Leste is currently relatively stable compared to the 2006–08 crisis period, but it is still seen as a fragile state. In the security sector, this fragility highlights the conflictual relationship between the armed forces (FALINTIL – Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste, F-FDTL) and the police (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) as the most significant threat to national stability. This article examines the United Nations’ efforts in Timor-Leste as an important case for the study of SSR in post-conflict countries and tries to answer the following questions: how has SSR evolved in Timor-Leste? What has the role of the military and police forces been in the country’s stabilization and reconstruction? Are they contributing to peace or are they a source of potential conflict?
Das Nord-Süd-Verhältnis zu Beginn der neunziger Jahre: Neue Strukturen eines alten Konflikts?
Authors: Diefanbacher Hans , Ratsch Ulrich
Published: September 2014

The paper of Hans Diejenbacher and Ulrich Ratschstrats from the thesis that although the eighties have been a lost decade for the developing countries, the structures of the conflict between the North and the South have changed drastically. Those changes are exemplified by six different problern areas: the danger of an irreversible global climate change, the deterioration of the terms of trade for the developing countries, the impoverishment of the least development countries, the relationship between foreign debts and inflation, the crisis of development policy, and the effects of the changing east-west-conflict. The description of those conflict areas Ieads to the question how it could be possible to overcome the discrepancy between the knowledge about these problems on the one hand and the willingness to initiate political change on the other band.
Die internationale Verschuldung der Entwicklungsländer – Ursachen und Interessen, Gewinner und Verlierer
Authors: Kunanayakam Tarnara
Published: September 2014

By explaining the ermergence of the international indebtedness of the developing countries, Tarnara Kunanayakam shows how the fate of indebted countries is entangled in the economic policy of the creditor countries. This entanglement has developed via the structures of the international finance and credit markets according to the wants of the rieb countries. The desaster of the export oriented development strategy has led to a new, in the meanwhile even financial dependency from the industrial countries ofthe North. A discussion of alternative strategies for solving the debt problern results in the thesis, that this crisis can only be approached politically, by promoting a development strategy that strives for social justice and that is accompanied by a democratization of political structures.
Wirtschaft vor der Herausforderung der Umweltkrise
Authors: Korff Wilhelm
Published: September 2014

There is no way of an alliance between economy and ecology without conflict. As in the relation between both a principle conflict is programmed, the ethical claim is only conflict-minimizing. This is the thesis of the study of Wilhelm Korff about the economy-ecology-problematic. Korff works out a set of moral criterions for economic acting, which put pretentious moral standards on responsible action. It is especially considered if people are able to act according to these claims. In this way Korff takes into consideration the anthropological assumptions, which underlie human action: the antagonism of limited and unlimited potentialities of human existing.
Strukturen verantwortlichen Lebens
Authors: Huber Wolfgang
Published: September 2014

The article describes »structures ofresponsible life« in Tödt's theological thinking. (1) As a professor Tödt taught an ethos of matureself responsibility. (2) He was led from exegesis to social ethics by the task of interpreting the gospel in our present time. Tödt explores analogies and differences between options of our present time and the fundamental directions ofChristian faith, especially through such topics as peace and human rights. (3) In a world characterized by modern science and technology, human beings are themselves responsible for the norms of their actions in the sense of a cooperatio hominis cum deo that responds to God. (4) Tödt's ethical heory of moral reasoning tends to an ethic of action. (5) As an historian, the theologian is also accountable for hisfundamental world view. For Tödt, in his research of the Bonhoeffer-Dohnanyi circle's resistance, taking sides with the victims was central.
Ethische Theologie
Authors: Anselm Reiner
Published: September 2014

Tutz Rendtorff develops his ethical theory in tradition ofFriedrich Schleiermacherand Ernst Troeltsch as Ethical Theology. Ethics is understood not simply as catalogue of moral rules, but from the ethical perspective theological issues come into sight. This article's purpose is to demonstrate this. The three basic elements of the ethical realities of life according to Trutz Rendtorff: givenness of life, giving of life, reflection on life, can be interpreted referring to the three main issues of traditional dogmatics: creation, reconciliation, and redemption.
»Suum cuique«. Gerechtigkeit als sozialethischer und theologischer Grundbegriff
Authors: Härle Wilfried
Published: September 2014

The autor directs attention to a basic distinction for the method of treatment of understanding the term »justice«. The theological notion of justice is accuracy to differentiate from the ethical notion. The author points out this distinction at the example of one of principles of justice: »suum cuique« (Ulpian). In a strict theological perspective »justice« tends towards »agape« -in an ethical perspective »justice« tends towards the regulation of right and legal procedure
Genomic biomarkers related to drug response in Venezuelan populations
Authors: Chiurillo Miguel Angel
Published: September 2014

Pharmacogenetics is being applied to develop individual specific therapies considering different ethnic groups and mixed populations. The Venezuelan population is very heterogeneous as a result of the admixture process that occurred between Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans through five centuries. This review provides a summary of the literature concerning gene variants within drug-metabolizing enzymes, drug targets, and drug receptors (CYP2C19, CYP2D6, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, NAT2, MTHFR, LEP, LEPR, LTC4S, and ADRβ2 genes) evaluated in the Venezuelan population. In particular, most of the studies were conducted with relatively low numbers of individuals. Some of these studies included analyses of genetic polymorphisms in native groups living in this country. Although the recent studies represent a hopeful progress toward the inclusion of the Venezuelan population among those who will benefit from the implementation of pharmacogenetic principles and tools in drug therapy, there are not yet sufficient data concerning allelic frequencies of genomic biomarkers related to drug response for their implementation in clinical practice. Therefore, there is a critical need for more research in pharmacogenetics in Venezuela to increase data availability.
Global Market Evaluation: A Longitudinal Efficiency Assessment Approach
Authors: Chao Gary H. , Hsu Maxwell K. , Haas David A.
Published: September 2014

Both experienced and novice international business practitioners may need to examine many country ranking reports on a frequent basis. Most of these reports focus on certain socio-economic variables and compute country rankings with a weighted average method, which does not distinguish between likely causes (i.e. inputs) and consequences (i.e. outputs). Through data envelopment window analysis (DEWA), the publicly accessible globalEDGE™ data were employed to compute the relative efficiency index for 22 countries from 2002 to 2009. Subsequently, the trend (averages) and the consistency (correlations) of relative country efficiency along the passage of years were examined to segment those countries into three groups: the “consistent performers,” the “sliding performers,” and the “improving performers” groups. This segmentation scheme may facilitate business practitioners when they develop their global expansion strategy. This paper introduces a complementary yet different longitudinal efficiency which could help multinational corporations’ top management teams and government decision makers evaluate the continuous performance of output/input efficiency.
Network Analysis of World Trade using the BACI-CEPII Dataset
Authors: De Benedictis Luca , Nenci Silvia , Santoni Gianluca , Tajoli Lucia , Vicarelli Claudio
Published: September 2014

In this paper we explore the BACI-CEPII database using Network Analysis. From the visualization of the World Trade Network, we define and describe its topology, both in its binary version and in its weighted version, by calculating and discussing a number of the commonly used network statistics. We finally discuss various specific topics that can be studied with Network Analysis and International Trade data, both at the aggregated and at the sectorial level. The analysis is carried out with multiple software (Stata, R and Pajek). The scripts to replicate part of the analysis are included in the appendix and can be used as a hands-on tutorial. Moreover, local and global centrality measures, based on the unweighted and the weighted version of the aggregated World Trade Network, have been calculated for each country (178 in total) and each year (from 1995 to 2010) and can be downloaded from the CEPII webpage.
Genetic and Molecular Approach to Verticillium dahliae Infecting Sunflower
Authors: García-Carneros A.B. , García-Ruiz R. , Molinero-Ruiz L.
Published: September 2014

Verticillium leaf mottle and wilt caused by the fungus
Graphoids over Counterfactuals
Authors: Pearl Judea
Published: September 2014

Augmenting the graphoid axioms with three additional rules enables us to handle independencies among observed as well as counterfactual variables. The augmented set of axioms facilitates the derivation of testable implications and ignorability conditions whenever modeling assumptions are articulated in the language of counterfactuals.
Synthesis of cyclopolyolefins via ruthenium catalyzed ring-expansion metathesis polymerization
Authors: Tuba Robert
Published: September 2014

Polymers exhibiting cyclic topology have attracted great interest over the past 30 years. Macrocycles or cyclopolymers with more than 20 repeating monomer units are considered exceptional candidates for thermoplastic engineering application due to unique properties in comparison to their linear analogues including large hydrodynamic radii and functional group density, heat resistance, good insulating ability and low intrinsic viscosity. Cyclic polymers are thus expected to exhibit improved physical and mechanical properties for certain applications due to the absence of end groups. Although synthetic challenges have historically limited research on cyclic polymers, recent developments in ruthenium catalyzed ring-expansion metathesis polymerization (REMP) have enabled the synthesis and the preliminary investigation of structure-property relationships of high molecular weight macrocycles. In REMP reactions the polymer formation is proposed to proceed through a transient macrocyclic complex in which both ends of the growing polymer chain remain attached to the Ru center. This article summarizes the recent discoveries on the field of REMP assisted cyclopolymer based material development.
Critical review and exergy analysis of formaldehyde production processes
Authors: Bahmanpour Ali Mohammad , Hoadley Andrew , Tanksale Akshat
Published: September 2014

Formaldehyde is one of the most important intermediate chemicals and has been produced industrially since 1889. Formaldehyde is a key feedstock in several industries like resins, polymers, adhesives, and paints, making it one of the most valuable chemicals in the world. However, not many studies have been dedicated to reviewing the production of this economically important product. In this review paper, we study the leading commercial processes for formaldehyde production and compare them with recent advancements in catalysis and novel processes. This paper compares, in extensive detail, the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of water ballast process (or BASF process), methanol ballast process, and Formox process. The thermodynamics of the reactions involved in the formaldehyde production process was investigated using HSC Chemistry™ software (Outotec Oyj, Espoo, Finland). Exergy analysis was carried out for the natural gas to methanol process and the methanol ballast process for formaldehyde production. The former process was simulated using Aspen HYSYS™ and the latter using Aspen Plus™ software (Aspen technology, Burlington, MA, USA). The yield and product specifications from the simulation results closely matched with published experimental data. The exergy efficiencies of the natural gas to synthesis gas
The behaviour of aluminium matrix composites under thermal stresses
Authors: Dash Khushbu , Sukumaran Suvin , Ray Bankim C.
Published: September 2014

The present review work elaborates the behaviour of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) under various kinds of thermal stresses. AMCs find a number of applications such as automobile brake systems, cryostats, microprocessor lids, space structures, rocket turbine housing, and fan exit guide vanes in gas turbine engines. These applications require operation at varying temperature conditions ranging from high to cryogenic temperatures. The main objective of this paper was to understand the behaviour of AMCs during thermal cycling, under induced thermal stresses and thermal fatigue. It also focuses on the various thermal properties of AMCs such as thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). CTE mismatch between the reinforcement phase and the aluminium matrix results in the generation of residual thermal stress by virtue of fabrication. These thermal stresses increase with increasing volume fraction of the reinforcement and decrease with increasing interparticle spacing. Thermal cycling enhances plasticity at the interface, resulting in deformation at stresses much lower than their yield stress. Low and stable CTE can be achieved by increasing the volume fraction of the reinforcement. The thermal fatigue resistance of AMC can be increased by increasing the reinforcement volume fraction and decreasing the particle size. The thermal conductivity of AMCs decreases with increase in reinforcement volume fraction and porosity.
Cannabinoid Transmission in the Prefrontal Cortex Bi-Phasically Controls Emotional Memory Formation via Functional Interactions with the Ventral Tegmental Area
Authors: Draycott Brittany , Loureiro Michael , Ahmad Tasha , Tan Huibing , Zunder Jordan , Laviolette Steven R.
Published: September 2014

Disturbances in cortical cannabinoid CB1 receptor signaling are well established correlates of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and schizophrenia. Importantly, the ability of cannabinoid transmission to modulate emotional processing is functionally linked to interactions with subcortical DA systems. While considerable evidence demonstrates that CB1 receptor-mediated modulation of emotional processing and related behaviors follows a biphasic functional curve, little is known regarding how CB1 signaling within cortical networks may interact with subcortical DAergic systems involved in emotional behavior regulation. Using a combination ofin vivoelectrophysiological recordings and behavioral pharmacology in rats, we investigated the relationship between mPFC cannabinoid transmission, fear memory formation, and subcortical DA neuron activity patterns. We report that direct intra-mPFC CB1 activation biphasically modulates spontaneous, subcortical VTA DA neuron activity in a dose-dependent fashion; while lower doses of a CB1 receptor agonist, WIN 55,212–2, significantly increased spontaneous firing and bursting rates of VTA DA neurons, higher doses strongly inhibited spontaneous DA neuron activity. Remarkably, this same dose-related functional difference was observed with the regulation of fear-related emotional memory formation. Thus, lower levels of CB1 activation potentiated the emotional salience of normally subthreshold fear memory, whereas higher levels completely blocked fear memory acquisition. Furthermore, while the potentiation of subthreshold fear memory salience was blocked by DA receptor antagonism, CB1-mediated blunting of suprathreshold fear memory was rescued by intra-VTA administration of a GABABreceptor antagonist, demonstrating that reversal of GABAergic inhibitory mechanisms in the VTA can reverse the inhibitory influence of intra-PFC CB1 transmission on mesolimbic DA activity.
Peptidergic Cell-Specific Synaptotagmins inDrosophila: Localization to Dense-Core Granules and Regulation by the bHLH Protein DIMMED
Authors: Park Dongkook , Li Peiyao , Dani Adish , Taghert Paul H.
Published: September 2014

Bioactive peptides are packaged in large dense-core secretory vesicles, which mediate regulated secretion by exocytosis. In a variety of tissues, the regulated release of neurotransmitters and hormones is dependent on calcium levels and controlled by vesicle-associated synaptotagmin (SYT) proteins.Drosophilaexpress seven SYT isoforms, of which two (SYT-α and SYT-β) were previously found to be enriched in neuroendocrine cells. Here we show that SYT-α and SYT-β tissue expression patterns are similar, though not identical. Furthermore, both display significant overlap with the bHLH transcription factor DIMM, a known neuroendocrine (NE) regulator. RNAi-mediated knockdown indicates that both SYT-α and SYT-β functions are essential in identified NE cells as these manipulations phenocopy loss-of-function states for the indicated peptide hormones. InDrosophilacell culture, both SYT-α and neuropeptide cargo form DIMM-dependent fluorescent puncta that are coassociated by super-resolution microscopy. DIMM is required to maintain SYT-α and SYT-β protein levels in DIMM-expressing cellsin vivo. In neurons normally lacking all three proteins (DIMM−/SYT-α−/SYT-β−), DIMM misexpression conferred accumulation of endogenous SYT-α and SYT-β proteins. Furthermore transgenic SYT-α does not appreciably accumulate in nonpeptidergic neuronsin vivobut does so if DIMM is comisexpressed. AmongDrosophila sytgenes, onlysyt-α andsyt-β RNA levels are upregulated by DIMM overexpression. Together, these data suggest that SYT-α and SYT-β are important for NE cell physiology, that one or both are integral membrane components of the large dense-core vesicles, and that they are closely regulated by DIMM at a post-transcriptional level.
Reactive Neurogenesis in Response to Naturally Occurring Apoptosis in an Adult Brain
Authors: Larson Tracy A. , Thatra Nivretta M. , Lee Brian H. , Brenowitz Eliot A.
Published: September 2014

Neuronal birth and death are tightly coordinated to establish and maintain properly functioning neural circuits. Disruption of the equilibrium between neuronal birth and death following brain injury or pharmacological insult often induces reactive, and in some cases regenerative, neurogenesis. Many neurodegenerative disorders are not injury-induced, however, so it is critical to determine if and how reactive neurogenesis occurs under noninjury-induced neurodegenerative conditions. Here, we used a model of naturally occurring neural degradation in a neural circuit that controls song behavior in Gambel's white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) and examined the temporal dynamics between neuronal birth and death. We found that during seasonal-like regression of the song, control nucleus HVC (proper name), caspase-mediated apoptosis increased within 2 d following transition from breeding to nonbreeding conditions and neural stem-cell proliferation in the nearby ventricular zone (VZ) increased shortly thereafter. We show that inhibiting caspase-mediated apoptosis in HVC decreased neural stem-cell proliferation in the VZ. In baseline conditions the extent of neural stem-cell proliferation correlated positively with the number of dying cells in HVC. We demonstrate that as apoptosis increased and the number of both recently born and pre-existing neurons in HVC decreased, the structure of song, a learned sensorimotor behavior, degraded. Our data illustrate that reactive neurogenesis is not limited to injury-induced neuronal death, but also can result from normally occurring degradation of a telencephalic neural circuit.
Crystal structure of di(N-lithiummethylamino)bis(dimethylamino)silane, Si(NLiCH3)2(N(CH3)2)2
Authors: Engering J. , Jansen M.
Published: September 2014

C12H36Li4N8Si2, monoclinic, C12/c1 (No. 15), a = 19.468(4) Å, b = 12.870(3) Å, c = 20.568(4) Å, β = 117.88(3)°, V = 4555.3Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.052, wRref(F2) = 0.148, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of tristrontium tetranitridochromate(VI), Sr3[CrN4]
Authors: Niewa R. , Zherebtsov D. A. , Höhn P.
Published: September 2014

CrN4Sr3, orthorhombic, Pbca (No. 61), a = 10.199(1) Å, b = 9.566(1) Å, c = 11.169(2) Å, V = 1089.6 Å3, Z = 8, R(P) = 0.082, R(I) = 0.053, T = 293 K.
Refinement of the crystal structure of dichloro-bis(pyridine-N)- copper(II), C10H10Cl2CuN2, at 100 K
Authors: Van Meervelt L. , Pacco A. , Binnemans K.
Published: September 2014

C10H10Cl2CuN2, monoclinic, P121/n1 (No. 14), a = 3.7911(2) Å, b = 8.5205(3) Å, c = 16.9910(7) Å, β = 91.973(3)°, V = 548.5 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.033, wRref(F2) = 0.086, T = 100 K.
Crystal structure of pyridynium pentachloro(pyridine)rhenate(IV), (C5H6N)(C5H5N)ReCl5
Authors: Kochel A.
Published: September 2014

C10H11Cl5N2Re, monoclinic, P121/m1 (No. 11), a = 7.193(1) Å b = 6.991(1) Å, c = 15.142(3) Å, β = 103.14(3)°, V = 741.5 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.041, wRref(F2) = 0.092, T = 100 K.
Crystal structure of bis(diaqua-dicinnamatocopper(II)), C36H36Cu2O12
Authors: Zhu H.-L. , Meng F.-J. , Liu Q.-X. , Fun H.-K.
Published: September 2014

C36H36Cu2O12, orthorhombic, Pbca (No. 61), a = 10.992(1) Å, b = 7.706(1) Å, c = 41.770(5) Å, V = 3538.0 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.109, wRref(F2) = 0.269, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of sodium strontium monogermanide, NaxSr1–xGe (x = 0.14)
Authors: Xie Q.-X. , Nesper R.
Published: September 2014

GeNa0.14Sr0.86, orthorhombic, Cmcm (No. 63), a = 4.828(1) Å, b = 11.309(3) Å, c = 4.124(1) Å, V = 225.2 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.049, wRref(F2) = 0.115, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of nitratodi(1,3-propanediamine)cobalt(II) mononitrate monohydrate, [Co(C3H10N2)2(NO3)]NO3 · H2O
Authors: Liu C.-Q. , Shi J.-M. , Wu C.-J.
Published: September 2014

C6H22CoN6O7, monoclinic, P121/c1 (No. 14), a = 8.76(1) Å, b = 10.22(1) Å, c = 15.83(2) Å, β = 93.45(2)°, V = 1414.3 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.053, wRref(F2) = 0.131, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of 1,2-diaminopropanesilver(I) 3,5-dinitrobenzoate — ammonia (1:1), Ag(C3H10N2)(C7H3N2O6) · NH3
Authors: Zhu H.-L. , Zhang X.-M. , Wang X.-J. , Wang D.-Q.
Published: September 2014

C10H16AgN5O6, triclinic, P1̅ (No. 2), a = 5.640(5)Å, b = 9.499(8)Å, c = 14.84(2) Å, α = 84.24(1)°, β = 79.05(2)°, ϒ = 2.731(8)°, V = 744.8 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.044, wRref(F2) = 0.111, T = 298 K.
Crystal structure of diaqua-di(2-methoxyacetato)copper(II), C6H14CuO8
Authors: Zhu H.-L. , Zeng Q.-F. , Xia D.-S. , Zhu X.-L. , Liu X. , Wang D.-Q.
Published: September 2014

C6H14CuO8, monoclinic, P121/n1 (No. 14), a = 6.955(1) Å, b = 10.123(2) Å, c = 7.226(1) Å, β = 96.57(1)°, V = 505.4 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.026, wRref(F2) = 0.069, T = 292 K.
Crystal structure of tetra-n-butylammonium (1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato)-( diethyldithiocarbamato-S,S')-nickelate(II), (C16H36N)(C8H10NNiS7)
Authors: Xu W. , Fang Q. , Xue G. , Yu W.-T.
Published: September 2014

C24H46N2NiS7, monoclinic, C1c1 (No. 9), a = 8.846(2) Å, b = 24.702(6) Å, c = 15.392(3) Å, β = 95.12(1)°, V = 3349.9Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.059, wRref(F2) = 0.166, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of diaqua-(2-carboxyethylene-8-hydroxyquinolinato)- copper(II) monohydrate, Cu(C12H9O3N)(H2O)2 · H2O
Authors: Tanaka J.-I. , Itoh K. , Setsune J.-I.
Published: September 2014

C12H15CuNO6, triclinic, P1̅ (No. 2), a = 7.363(2) Å, b = 8.985(2) Å, c = 10.349(2) Å, α = 97.438(4)°, β = 100.846(4)°, ϒ = 106.334(4)°, V = 633.1 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.029, wRobs(F2) = 0.073, T = 298 K