bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altruism, philantropy and humanism: The conceptual-historical aspects of solidarity
Authors: Kuljic Todor
Published: February 2017

This paper presents two main versions of altruism: the filantrophy and the
humanism, their most developed historical forms and ways of legitimation. It
is shown why private property, market and profite maximization are not
inconsinent with the philantrophy and why it is not in accordance with the
humanism. One should consider the role of philantrophy in the apology of
capitalism.The paper compares two clasical writings: Marx-Engels? ?Manifest
of the Communist Party? and Andrew Carnegies essay ?The Gospel of Wealth?. In
addition, it explores historical development, main features and the
limitations of solidarity both in humanism and in philantropy in religious
and in secular life as well as the types of philantrops and humanists and the
contemporary philantrocapitalism in USA and Germany. There are two kinds of
the philantropy criticism: (1) Non systemic one, which warns on the different
abuses of philantrops, but which doesn?t deny the system?s foundations, and
(2) Systemic one, which does?nt separate the criticism of philantropy from
the criticism of capitalism itself. Special attention is dedicated to the
usage of symbolic capital in the philantropy and to different doubts about
the sincerity of benefaction.There is difference between apstract humanism
which only comdemn the inhumanity, on the one side, and the theory of real
humanism, as the lever by means of which one should put down exploatation and
oppression of human beings. One is able to differentiate between ideological
explanations of charity, philantropic and humanistic attempts in the epochal
consciousnesses of the different historical ages from the antiquity to
neoliberalism. Humanism prevailed during the Cold War in socialism, whereas
philantropy has become hegemonic since the collapse of European socialism.
Humanism was rooted in critism of the private property, while philantropy
serves to promote and the bouergoies values. The conclusion is that the
philantrophy relieves misery on the level of distribution, while humanism
tries to annihilate the misery on the level of production.
Between latency and political mobilization: (Con)figurations of the ethno-national identification among the bureaucratic-political elite of Serbia
Authors: Jankovic Stefan , Kubicek Andrej
Published: February 2017

Paper illuminates ethno-national identifications of Serbia?s
bureaucratic-political elite, assuming its (con)figurative principles and
diverging forms oscillate between capacities for political mobilization while
simultaneously reflecting latency of social order(s). The analysis rests on
the data obtained in survey of Serbia?s political elite conducted in 2015, by
using Bourdieu?s concept of (political) field and locating these
(con)figurations of ethno-national identification as expression of particular
(dis)positions and social relations. Prior to the analysis, insufficiencies
contained in dominant conceptualizations of identity are exposed, followed by
reassessment of theories of nation and ethnicity by highlighting blurred line
discontinuity between ethnos/nation has, due to processes of historical (de)
politicization. The analysis first detects objective structure of Serbia?s
bureaucraticpolitical field. Through construction of scale of ethno-national
valence it is shown that detected divergent degrees of ethno-national
attachment correspond to structure of bureaucratic-political field,
conforming the particular positions of political groups. Divergent contents
of ethno-national identification among political groups are extensively
analyzed and interpreted as a reflection of fieldstructure and capacity for
political mobilization. In conclusion, it is noted that (con)figurations of
ethno-national identity among Serbian bureaucratic-political elite
differentiate around ethnic, but converge around etatist dimensions,
reflecting the opposing conceptions of ?valid? political community.
Rational choice theory and social research
Authors: Krstic Bojan , Krstic Milos
Published: February 2017

The paper is devoted to the analyses of methodological and metatheoretical
problems of rational choice theory. The methodological challenge is
associated with the questions: whether rational choice theory can be
appropriately empirically tested and whether RCT allows researchers to derive
interesting hypotheses with regard to substantive fields of application? The
answers to these questions have important implications for the rational
choice theory?s ambition to be appropriate basis for the implementation of
social research. In this paper, allso, we analyse the following
metatheoretical problems: how to deal with the apparent counterevidence that
stems from applied fields of sociological research: Is it possible to provide
explanations of this evidence within RCT by widening its core assumptions and
thereby broadening the set of allowed auxiliary assumptions? Or does RCT have
to be enriched (and if so, how?) by integrating concepts and mechanisms of
other sociological approaches for it to remain a reasonable workhorse and
starting point for sociological research?
Identification and ecological aspects of large-scale brownfields in the Republic of Srpska
Authors: Bijelic Branislav , Filipovic Dejan
Published: February 2017

Large-scale brownfield sites are the most apparent brownfield category in the
Republic of Srpska, and they are the most valuable asset when it comes to
explaining this spatial phenomenon. Transition and armed conflict in Bosnia
and Herzegovina have caused, among other things, brownfield formation; a
decline in industrial employment alongside a reduction in the size of the
armed forced have further increased the number and total area of brownfields
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska. Their ecological
characteristics, as in other transitional countries, are largely responsible
for the definition of brownfields, but they are not the most significant
barrier to the revitalization of largescale brownfield sites. The present
paper will provide the methodology of large-scale brownfield identification
as well as an accompanying distribution map of these sites in the Republic of
Srpska.
Participatory urban transformations in Savamala, Belgrade - capacities and limitations
Authors: Cvetinovic Marija , Maricic Tamara , Bolay Jean-Claude
Published: February 2017

This paper analyses the implications of participatory urban design in
Belgrade, namely of the series of recent unsolicited activities that has
contributed to setting up a specific micro environment in the neighbourhood
of Savamala. Its main aim is to promote bottom-up urban development, surpass
current profit-oriented trends, and benefit from sociospatial contradictions
as opportunities for creativity and participation. The Savamala neighbourhood
is among the most important landmarks in Belgrade. Endowed with rich
historical heritage and extraordinary spatial potential, Savamala is now a
traffic bottleneck with intense pollution, urban noise and socio-spatial
conflicts. In order to set up an engine for urban development, several
streams of participatory activities have been launched by NGOs and IOs, such
as: online campaigns and networking, informal research activities, pop-up
events and instant actions for societal progress and bottom-up economic
activities. The Actor-network theory (ANT) methodological approach
demystifies the circumstances of participation and the role of various actors
in building pathways of urban transformations in Savamala, while the
Multi-agent system (MAS) proposes the framework for tracing their behaviour
at the neighbourhood level. A complex post-socialist framework presents a
challenge for these participatory activities to provide opportunities for
urban transformations, based on social interest rather than on real estate
speculations. In the lack of official strategies and institutionalised
support, the MAS-ANT method involves estimating whether an economy of social
exchange could contribute to improving the quality of life and functionality
of urban systems.
Contemporary facades of multistorey residential buildings in Kiev: Videoecological aspect
Authors: Kozlova Nataliia
Published: February 2017

The article is devoted to one of the actual problems concerning the current
state of the facades on apartment buildings in residential districts in Kiev
- videoecology. The main purpose of the article is to determine the degree of
visual aggressiveness of multistorey residential buildings in Kiev. It also
investigates the problem of finding the optimal criteria for creating an
ecologically healthy and friendly inhabited environment in the capital city
of Ukraine. The modern visual environment in the capital is contaminated, not
only because of the increasing numbers of promotional billboards, but also
because of the contemporary architecture of high-rise buildings such as
office buildings, apartment buildings. Their composition is usually based on
a simple description of a rhythm. There are also repetitions of the end parts
of buildings in ?lowercase? buildings, which are high-rise buildings that
alternate with nine or identical apartment groups. It creates a sense of
oppressive monotony and leads to psychological and visual fatigue, especially
when these repetitions are the only pattern the eye perceives. In the article
a theoretical block of ecological-aesthetic criteria is defined, which must
be met by the modern architecture facades of multistorey residential houses
in Kiev.
Interior-exterior connection in architectural design based on the incorporation of spatial in between layers. Study of four architectural projects
Authors: Krstic Hristina , Trentin Annalisa , Jovanovic Goran
Published: February 2017

Different spatial layers in the architectural structure of a building can
create particular spatial relations and an architectural space that cannot be
defined as an inner space or as an outer space, but one which has the
characteristics of both. This space, which can be called ?in between space?,
appears as the result of a specific design concept in which the architectural
composition is created by gradual insertion of volumes one inside another,
like a box that is placed inside a box, inside of which is placed another
smaller box and so on. The incorporation of various layers in the spatial
arrangement of volumes in certain architectural compositions can be conceived
as a possible approach in connecting the interior and exterior. This kind of
conceptual design distinguishes itself from the common approach by its
specific architecture that offers richness, variety, complexity and unique
perception of space, thereby increasing its value. The paper investigates
this particular concept through the analysis of four residential houses
(Villa Le Lac by Le Corbusier, Solar House by Oswald Mathias Ungers, House N
by Sou Fujimoto and Guerrero House by Alberto Campo Baeza), and it strives to
find out the concept?s use and advantages, all with the aim of opening up new
possibilities in the design of buildings and enriching the design process.
Otoscope vs head mirror: A comparison of commonly used diagnostic tools
Authors: Bojanovic Mila , Lukic Stefan , Stamenkovic Bojana , Zivkovic-Marinkov Emilija , Bojanovic Mihajlo
Published: February 2017

nema
Efficacy and Safety of Metreleptin Therapy in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Vasandani Chandna , Clark Gregory O. , Adams-Huet Beverley , Quittner Claudia , Garg Abhimanyu
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy and safety of metreleptin therapy in patients with suboptimally controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

After a baseline period of 4 weeks, five female and three male patients with T1DM (mean age 33 years, BMI 23.8 kg/m2) received metreleptin (0.08 mg/kg/day in females and 0.04 mg/kg/day in males) subcutaneously twice daily for 20 weeks followed by an off-therapy period of 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Metreleptin therapy did not lower HbA1c significantly compared with the baseline value (mean difference −0.19% [−2.0 mmol/mol] and −0.04% [−0.5 mmol/mol] at 12 and 20 weeks, respectively). Mean body weight reduced significantly by 2.6 and 4.7 kg (P = 0.003) and daily insulin dose by 12.6% and 15.0% at week 12 and 20 (P = 0.006), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Metreleptin is safe but may not be efficacious in improving glycemic control in patients with T1DM, although it reduces body weight and daily insulin dose modestly.
Cardiac Effects of Sulfonylurea-Related Hypoglycemia
Authors: Middleton Timothy L. , Wong Jencia , Molyneaux Lynda , Brooks Belinda A. , Yue Dennis K. , Twigg Stephen M. , Wu Ted
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of sulfonylurea-related hypoglycemia on cardiac repolarization and ectopy in the setting of well-controlled type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Thirty subjects with sulfonylurea-treated type 2 diabetes underwent 48 h of concurrent continuous glucose monitoring and ambulatory electrocardiography. Ventricular repolarization (QTc) and QT dynamicity were analyzed during periods of hypoglycemia (<3.5 mmol/L for >20 min) and compared with periods of euglycemia and hyperglycemia combined. Cardiac ectopy rates during hypoglycemia were compared with ectopy rates when blood glucose was 4–10 mmol/L.

RESULTS

Mean HbA1c was 6.9% (52 mmol/mol). Hypoglycemia was detected in 9 of 30 subjects (30%); episodes were typically nocturnal (67%) and asymptomatic (73%). Hypoglycemia-associated QTc prolongation was seen in five of nine subjects with a large variation in individual response. Higher QT dynamicity, a poor prognostic factor in cardiac disease, was seen in subjects who experienced hypoglycemia compared with subjects who did not (0.193 vs. 0.159 for the nocturnal period; P = 0.01). This finding persisted after the hypoglycemic event. The rates of ventricular and supraventricular ectopy demonstrated a nonsignificant trend toward an increase during hypoglycemia (median rate ratio 1.58 and 1.33, respectively). Similar, nonsignificant results were observed in a separate insulin-treated cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoglycemia, often unrecognized, is a frequent finding in well-controlled sulfonylurea-treated type 2 diabetes. It is associated with the novel finding of increased QT dynamicity and QTc prolongation in some individuals. Our findings suggest sulfonylurea-related hypoglycemia can have detrimental cardiovascular sequelae. Similar effects are also seen in the setting of insulin therapy.
Hemoglobin A1c and Mortality in Older Adults With and Without Diabetes: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1988–2011)
Authors: Palta Priya , Huang Elbert S. , Kalyani Rita R. , Golden Sherita H. , Yeh Hsin-Chieh
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level has been associated with increased mortality in middle-aged populations. The optimal intensity of glucose control in older adults with diabetes remains uncertain. We sought to estimate the risk of mortality by HbA1c levels among older adults with and without diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed data from adults aged ≥65 years (n = 7,333) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) (1998–1994) and Continuous NHANES (1999–2004) and their linked mortality data (through December 2011). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationship of HbA1c with the risk of all-cause and cause-specific (cardiovascular disease [CVD], cancer, and non-CVD/noncancer) mortality, separately for adults with diabetes and without diabetes.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 8.9 years, 4,729 participants died (1,262 from CVD, 850 from cancer, and 2,617 from non-CVD/noncancer causes). Compared with those with diagnosed diabetes and an HbA1c <6.5%, the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was significantly greater for adults with diabetes with an HbA1c >8.0%. HRs were 1.6 (95% CI 1.02, 2.6) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.3, 2.6) for HbA1c 8.0–8.9% and ≥9.0%, respectively (P for trend <0.001). Participants with undiagnosed diabetes and HbA1c >6.5% had a 1.3 (95% CI 1.03, 1.8) times greater risk of all-cause mortality compared with participants without diabetes and HbA1c 5.0–5.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

An HbA1c >8.0% was associated with increased risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older adults with diabetes. Our results support the idea that better glycemic control is important for reducing mortality; however, in light of the conflicting evidence base, there is also a need for individualized glycemic targets for older adults with diabetes depending on their demographics, duration of diabetes, and existing comorbidities.
The Strategy to Improve the Competitiveness of Indonesian Seaweeds in Global Market
Authors: Damelia Delu , Soesilowati Etty
Published: February 2017

This research is aimed to know the position of Indonesian seaweeds exports’ competitiveness in global market, as well as the strategy to improve it. The research uses a quantitative approach, which specifically employs time series type that has been done within 10 years period (2003-2012). The data used are the data of seaweed product by the code product of HS 121220 Seaweeds and other algae (fresh or dried), HS 121221 Seaweeds fit for human consumption, HS 121229 Seaweeds and other algae unfit for human consumption. The data includes the value of Indonesian seaweeds exports commodity, the total of Indonesian exports, the value of seaweeds in global exports, the total of global exports, Indonesian seaweeds imports, Indonesian seaweeds production, and Indonesian seaweeds exports. The data is analyzed using Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Import Dependency Ratio (IDR), Specialized Trading Index (ISP), Commodity Concentration Index (CCI), alongside with Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The result shows that: (1) The RCA of seaweeds commodity though fluctuating but relatively increasing; (2) The Import Dependency Ratio of Indonesian seaweeds though fluctuating but relatively increasing, the fluctuation is due to their inability to produce plus value of ferments; (3) Index of Specialized trading appears to be positive; (4) Commodity Concentration Index of exports and imports though fluctuating but relatively increasing; (5) Indonesia can employ Rapid Growth Strategy. The result recommends Indonesian government to improve the quality of seaweeds products specifically using distribution improvements from farmers to consumer both in industrial scope and domestic consumer.
PENGARUH GLOBALISASI EKONOMI DAN HUKUM EKONOMI INTERNASIONAL DALAM PEMBANGUNAN HUKUM EKONOMI DI INDONESIA
Authors: PRABOWO M. SHIDQON
Published: February 2017

A developed country typically signed by transformation from manufacturing society to service society and it will influenced the role of law. Many problem will be faced in the third world such as education, cultural, welfare and law enforcement. Meanwhile, economic development depends on essensial items  such as predictability, procedural ability, codification against goals, balance of akomodation dan definition status. Indonesian economic development in new orde era that impressed an increasing level of prosperity continously makes lowfare society hopes a lot. But in the long term prospect, it will make an economic suffer in a sistemic way. This can be seen as a moneteric crisis in the 1998. Economic development in a country will never be happened without law policy whether in the domestic and foreign country as well as from rapid influence globalisation era. Through the progressive approach, law economic development analisis will be deeply studied for furthermore.Keyword : Economic development; Progressive ABSTRAKTipikal negara berkembang ditandai dengan adanya transformasi dari masyarakat buruh menjadi masyarakat madani dan hal ini berpengaruh pada peran hukum itu sendiri. Berbagai masalah akan timbul pada negara dunia ketiga seperti pendidikan, budaya, kesejahteraan dan hukum. Sementara itu, perkembangan ekonomi bergantung pada hal-hal esensial seperti prediktabilitas, kemampuan prosedural, codification against goals, keseimbangan akomodasi dan definisi status. Perjalanan pembangunan ekonomi Indonesia pada era Orde Baru yang mengesankan terjadinya peningkatan kesejahteraan secara berkelanjutan dan bertahap, telah menjadikan harapan bagi masyarakat menengah ke bawah. Akan tetapi, pada prospek jangka panjang justru menyisakan tangisan dan penderitaan ekonomi secara sistemik. Hal ini dapat dilihat dari krisis moneter yang bergejolak pada tahun 1998. Perkembangan Ekonomi di suatu negara tidak terlepas dari kebijakan hukum baik dalam negeri maupun luar negeri dan pengaruh arus deras globalisasi. Melalui pendekatan progresif inilah analisis pembangunan hukum ekonomi dikaji lebih mendalam.Kata Kunci:  Pembangunan Ekonomi; Progresif
LANGKAH-LANGKAH PENYUSUNAN BUKU PERSYARATAN SEBAGAI PRASYARAT PENDAFTARAN PRODUK INDIKASI GEOGRAFIS
Authors: Ramli Tatty A. , Sumiyati Yeti , Firmansyah Arif , Siska Frency
Published: February 2017

Registering and protecting Beras Pandanwangi CIANJUR aims to avoid counterfeit product. Protected Geographical Indications are a relevant and effective tool to showcase the quality of the products, protect their names and reputations, and develop profitable market. A Book of Specification of Geographical Indications as the main requirement of registration decribes the good and the production methods. the registration system is first to file. Inter professional organization of Beras Pandanwangi CIANJUR which bring together all kind of operators such farmers, processors and traders contribute all the information into the book, submit and manage the registration.  The result revealed that the Geographical Existing rules (Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 51 Tahun 2007 Tentang Indikasi Geografis) only determine standards of information. Due to technical constrains and lack of cultural documentation, it is need to set up a technical  standardization how to fiil in the information. The effort shall begin with strategic planning by local government by forming the Inter Professional organization (MPIG) of Beras Pandanwangi Cianjur and distributing task according to their competencies.Keyword: Book, Specification, Geographical Indications, Pandanwangi. ABSTRAKBelum terdaftarnya Beras Pandanwangi Cianjur di Dirjen HKI sebagai produk yang berkarakteristik Indikasi Geografis, mengakibatkan penegakkan hukum terhadap praktik-praktik pemalsuan produk tersebut sulit dilakukan. Kendala teknis dan kurangnya budaya pendokumentasian menyebabkan terhambatnya penyusunan Buku Persyaratan yang merupakan prasyarat Pendaftaran Hak Indikasi Geografis. Untuk itu, perlu ditemukan langkah-langkah penyusunan Buku Persyaratan melalui permasalahan apakah terdapat standarisasi dalam penyusunan Buku Persyaratan dan bagaimana langkah penyusunan Buku Persyaratan Beras Pandanwangi Cianjur. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode yuridis normatif dengan spesifikasi deskriptif analitis. Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 51 Tahun 2007 Tentang Indikasi Geografis baru mengatur standarisasi uraian yang harus dimuat dalam Buku Persyaratan sementara standarisasi teknisnya belum diatur. Langkah penyusunan Buku Persyaratan Indikasi Geografis diawali dengan penyusunan renstra oleh Pemerintah Kabupaten Cianjur dan dinas terkait untuk membentuk lembaga Masyarakat Perwakilan Indikasi Geografis (MPIG) dan distribusi tugas untuk mengisi uraian Buku Persyaratan sesuai kompetensinya.Kata Kunci: Buku, Persyaratan, Indikasi Geografis, Pandanwangi.
Towards Efficient Positional Inverted Index †
Authors: Procházka Petr , Holub Jan
Published: February 2017

We address the problem of positional indexing in the natural language domain. The positional inverted index contains the information of the word positions. Thus, it is able to recover the original text file, which implies that it is not necessary to store the original file. Our Positional Inverted Self-Index (PISI) stores the word position gaps encoded by variable byte code. Inverted lists of single terms are combined into one inverted list that represents the backbone of the text file since it stores the sequence of the indexed words of the original file. The inverted list is synchronized with a presentation layer that stores separators, stop words, as well as variants of the indexed words. The Huffman coding is used to encode the presentation layer. The space complexity of the PISI inverted list is O ( ( N − n ) ⌈ log 2 b N ⌉ + ( ⌊ N − n α ⌋ + n ) × ( ⌈ log 2 b n ⌉ + 1 ) ) where N is a number of stems, n is a number of unique stems, α is a step/period of the back pointers in the inverted list and b is the size of the word of computer memory given in bits. The space complexity of the presentation layer is O ( − ∑ i = 1 N ⌈ log 2 p i n ( i ) ⌉ − ∑ j = 1 N ′ ⌈ log 2 p j ′ ⌉ + N ) with respect to p i n ( i ) as a probability of a stem variant at position i, p j ′ as the probability of separator or stop word at position j and N ′ as the number of separators and stop words.
Achieving Sustainability: Insights from Biogas Ecosystems in India
Authors: Surie Gita
Published: February 2017

This paper focuses on how the use of renewable energy technologies such as biogas can help to achieve environmental and socio-economic sustainability. It combines research on sustainable consumption and production, natural and industrial ecosystems and renewable energy adoption to develop a framework for an industrial ecosystem for biogas for bottom-of-the-pyramid and rural populations. The framework suggests that three dimensions of industrial ecosystems and a meta-dimension can be embedded in the design of a new industrial ecosystem for biogas to facilitate environmental and socio-economic sustainability. Case studies of an organization engaged in using biogas to create a sustainable bioenergy ecosystem for rural populations and two organizations producing biogas in urban India provide support for the framework.
Bulgecin A: The Key to a Broad‐Spectrum Inhibitor That Targets Lytic Transglycosylases
Authors: Williams Allison , Wheeler Richard , Thiriau Constance , Haouz Ahmed , Taha Muhamed‐Kheir , Boneca Ivo
Published: February 2017

Lytic transglycosylases (Lts) are involved in recycling, cell division, and metabolism of the peptidoglycan. They have been understudied for their usefulness as potential antibacterial targets due to their high redundancy in Gram‐negative bacteria. Bulgecin A is an O‐sulphonated glycopeptide that targets primarily soluble lytic tranglycosylases (Slt). It has been shown that bulgecin A increases the efficacy of β‐lactams that target penicillin bindings proteins (PBPs). Here, we present the high‐resolution crystal structure of LtgA from Neisseria meningitidis strain MC58, a membrane bound homolog of Escherichia coli Slt, in complex with bulgecin A. The LtgA‐bulgecin A complex reveals the mechanism of inhibition by bulgecin A at near atomic resolution. We further demonstrate that bulgecin A is not only a potent inhibitor of LtgA, but most importantly, it restores the efficacy of β‐lactam antibiotics in strains of N. meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae that have reduced susceptibility to β‐lactams. This is particularly relevant for N. gonorrhoeae where no vaccines are available. This work illustrates how best to target dangerous pathogens using a multiple drug target approach, a new and alternative approach to fighting antibiotic resistance.
Erratum: A CMOS Multiplied Input Differential Difference Amplifier: A New Active Device and Its Applications. Applied Sciences 2017, 7, 106
Authors:   Applied Sciences Editorial Office
Published: February 2017

We wish to make the following correction to the published paper [...]
Modeling, Simulation, and Performance Analysis of Decoy State Enabled Quantum Key Distribution Systems
Authors: Mailloux Logan , Grimaila Michael , Hodson Douglas , Engle Ryan , McLaughlin Colin , Baumgartner Gerald
Published: February 2017

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems exploit the laws of quantum mechanics to generate secure keying material for cryptographic purposes. To date, several commercially viable decoy state enabled QKD systems have been successfully demonstrated and show promise for high-security applications such as banking, government, and military environments. In this work, a detailed performance analysis of decoy state enabled QKD systems is conducted through model and simulation of several common decoy state configurations. The results of this study uniquely demonstrate that the decoy state protocol can ensure Photon Number Splitting (PNS) attacks are detected with high confidence, while maximizing the system’s quantum throughput at no additional cost. Additionally, implementation security guidance is provided for QKD system developers and users.
Calculation of Rates of 4p–4d Transitions in Ar II
Authors: Hibbert Alan
Published: February 2017

Recent experimental work by Belmonte et al. (2014) has given rates for some 4p–4d transitions that are significantly at variance with the previous experimental work of Rudko and Tang (1967) recommended in the NIST tabulations. To date, there are no theoretical rates with which to compare. In this work, we provide such theoretical data. We have undertaken a substantial and systematic configuration interaction calculation, with an extrapolation process applied to ab initio mixing coefficients, which gives energy differences in agreement with experiment. The length and velocity forms give values that are within 10%–15% of each other. Our results are in sufficiently close agreement with those of Belmonte et al. that we can confidently recommend that their results are much more accurate than the early results of Rudko and Tang, and should be adopted in place of the latter.
Discrete Frames on Finite Dimensional Left Quaternion Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Khokulan M. , Thirulogasanthar K. , Srisatkunarajah S.
Published: February 2017

An introductory theory of frames on finite dimensional left quaternion Hilbert spaces is demonstrated along the lines of their complex counterpart.
Effect of Reduction of Redox Modifications of Cys-Residues in the Na,K-ATPase α1-Subunit on Its Activity
Authors: Dergousova Elena , Petrushanko Irina , Klimanova Elizaveta , Mitkevich Vladimir , Ziganshin Rustam , Lopina Olga , Makarov Alexander
Published: February 2017

Sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase) creates a gradient of sodium and potassium ions necessary for the viability of animal cells, and it is extremely sensitive to intracellular redox status. Earlier we found that regulatory glutathionylation determines Na,K-ATPase redox sensitivity but the role of basal glutathionylation and other redox modifications of cysteine residues is not clear. The purpose of this study was to detect oxidized, nitrosylated, or glutathionylated cysteine residues in Na,K-ATPase, evaluate the possibility of removing these modifications and assess their influence on the enzyme activity. To this aim, we have detected such modifications in the Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit purified from duck salt glands and tried to eliminate them by chemical reducing agents and the glutaredoxin1/glutathione reductase enzyme system. Detection of cysteine modifications was performed using mass spectrometry and Western blot analysis. We have found that purified Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit contains glutathionylated, nitrosylated, and oxidized cysteines. Chemical reducing agents partially eliminate these modifications that leads to the slight increase of the enzyme activity. Enzyme system glutaredoxin/glutathione reductase, unlike chemical reducing agents, produces significant increase of the enzyme activity. At the same time, the enzyme system deglutathionylates native Na,K-ATPase to a lesser degree than chemical reducing agents. This suggests that the enzymatic reducing system glutaredoxin/glutathione reductase specifically affects glutathionylation of the regulatory cysteine residues of Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit.
A Multi-Parametric Mathematical Approach on the Selection of Optimum Insulation Thicknesses in Buildings
Authors: Gelegenis John , Axaopoulos Petros
Published: February 2017

Detailed simulations have indicated optimum insulation thicknesses of walls’ insulation for a variety of cases. Simplified analytical relations have also been proposed to the same aim, allowing the extraction of more general results, with limited accuracy however, as imposed by mathematical simplicity requirements. In this sense, a variety of important parameters are ignored, such as: the existence of any glazing at the wall, the absorptance of the wall, the base temperature of the heated space which the referred to wall belongs to and its variation with insulation, the thermal characteristics (thermal capacitance, total heat losses coefficient) and the heat and solar gains of the heated space. An alternative analytical approach is consequently developed here, incorporating all above parameters and in this context accessing the wall as part of the whole heated space, instead of considering it solely as an isolated fabric element. The approach consists of a set of two implicit equations which are easily solved, and enables the investigation of the effects of all principal and secondary parameters on the optimum thickness. The ignorance even of the secondary of these parameters has proved to lead to significant errors.
Effect of CO Concentration on the α-Value of Plasma-Synthesized Co/C Catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
Authors: Aluha James , Hu Yongfeng , Abatzoglou Nicolas
Published: February 2017

A plasma-synthesized cobalt catalyst supported on carbon (Co/C) was tested for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) in a 3-phase continuously-stirred tank slurry reactor (3-φ-CSTSR) operated isothermally at 220 °C (493 K), and 2 MPa pressure. Initial syngas feed stream of H2:CO ratio = 2 with molar composition of 0.6 L/L (60 vol %) H2 and 0.3 L/L (30 vol %) CO, balanced in 0.1 L/L (10 vol %) Ar was used, flowing at hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 3600 cm3·h−1·g−1 of catalyst. Similarly, other syngas feed compositions of H2:CO ratio = 1.5 and 1.0 were used. Results showed ~40% CO conversion with early catalyst selectivity inclined towards formation of gasoline (C4–C12) and diesel (C13–C20) fractions. With prolonged time-on-stream (TOS), catalyst selectivity escalated towards the heavier molecular-weight fractions such as waxes (C21+). The catalyst’s α-value, which signifies the probability of the hydrocarbon chain growth was empirically determined to be in the range of 0.85–0.87 (at H2:CO ratio = 2), demonstrating prevalence of the hydrocarbon-chain propagation, with particular predisposition for wax production. The inhibiting CO effect towards FTS was noted at molar H2:CO ratio of 1.0 and 1.5, giving only ~10% and ~20% CO conversion respectively, although with a high α-value of 0.93 in both cases, which showed predominant production of the heavier molecular weight fractions.
Reliability and Robustness Analysis of the Masinga Dam under Uncertainty
Authors: Postle-Floyd Hayden , Erfani Tohid
Published: February 2017

Kenya’s water abstraction must meet the projected growth in municipal and irrigation demand by the end of 2030 in order to achieve the country’s industrial and economic development plan. The Masinga dam, on the Tana River, is the key to meeting this goal to satisfy the growing demands whilst also continuing to provide hydroelectric power generation. This study quantitatively assesses the reliability and robustness of the Masinga dam system under uncertain future supply and demand using probabilistic climate and population projections, and examines how long-term planning may improve the longevity of the dam. River flow and demand projections are used alongside each other as inputs to the dam system simulation model linked to an optimisation engine to maximise water availability. Water availability after demand satisfaction is assessed for future years, and the projected reliability of the system is calculated for selected years. The analysis shows that maximising power generation on a short-term year-by-year basis achieves 80%, 50% and 1% reliability by 2020, 2025 and 2030 onwards, respectively. Longer term optimal planning, however, has increased system reliability to up to 95% in 2020, 80% in 2025, and more than 40% in 2030 onwards. In addition, increasing the capacity of the reservoir by around 25% can significantly improve the robustness of the system for all future time periods. This study provides a platform for analysing the implication of different planning and management of Masinga dam and suggests that careful consideration should be given to account for growing municipal needs and irrigation schemes in both the immediate and the associated Tana River basin.
SnS Thin Film Solar Cells: Perspectives and Limitations
Authors: Di Mare Simone , Menossi Daniele , Salavei Andrei , Artegiani Elisa , Piccinelli Fabio , Kumar Arun , Mariotto Gino , Romeo Alessandro
Published: February 2017

Thin film solar cells have reached commercial maturity and extraordinarily high efficiency that make them competitive even with the cheaper Chinese crystalline silicon modules. However, some issues (connected with presence of toxic and/or rare elements) are still limiting their market diffusion. For this reason new thin film materials, such as Cu2ZnSnS4 or SnS, have been introduced so that expensive In and Te, and toxic elements Se and Cd, are substituted, respectively, in CuInGaSe2 and CdTe. To overcome the abundance limitation of Te and In, in recent times new thin film materials, such as Cu2ZnSnS4 or SnS, have been investigated. In this paper we analyze the limitations of SnS deposition in terms of reproducibility and reliability. SnS deposited by thermal evaporation is analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The raw material is also analyzed and a different composition is observed according to the different number of evaporation (runs). The sulfur loss represents one of the major challenges of SnS solar cell technology.
User-Centric Key Entropy: Study of Biometric Key Derivation Subject to Spoofing Attacks
Authors: Dinca Lavinia , Hancke Gerhard
Published: February 2017

Biometric data can be used as input for PKI key pair generation. The concept of not saving the private key is very appealing, but the implementation of such a system shouldn’t be rushed because it might prove less secure then current PKI infrastructure. One biometric characteristic can be easily spoofed, so it was believed that multi-modal biometrics would offer more security, because spoofing two or more biometrics would be very hard. This notion, of increased security of multi-modal biometric systems, was disproved for authentication and matching, studies showing that not only multi-modal biometric systems are not more secure, but they introduce additional vulnerabilities. This paper is a study on the implications of spoofing biometric data for retrieving the derived key. We demonstrate that spoofed biometrics can yield the same key, which in turn will lead an attacker to obtain the private key. A practical implementation is proposed using fingerprint and iris as biometrics and the fuzzy extractor for biometric key extraction. Our experiments show what happens when the biometric data is spoofed for both uni-modal systems and multi-modal. In case of multi-modal system tests were performed when spoofing one biometric or both. We provide detailed analysis of every scenario in regard to successful tests and overall key entropy. Our paper defines a biometric PKI scenario and an in depth security analysis for it. The analysis can be viewed as a blueprint for implementations of future similar systems, because it highlights the main security vulnerabilities for bioPKI. The analysis is not constrained to the biometric part of the system, but covers CA security, sensor security, communication interception, RSA encryption vulnerabilities regarding key entropy, and much more.
Using k-Mix-Neighborhood Subdigraphs to Compute Canonical Labelings of Digraphs
Authors: Hao Jianqiang , Gong Yunzhan , Wang Yawen , Tan Li , Sun Jianzhi
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a novel theory and method to calculate the canonical labelings of digraphs whose definition is entirely different from the traditional definition of Nauty. It indicates the mutual relationships that exist between the canonical labeling of a digraph and the canonical labeling of its complement graph. It systematically examines the link between computing the canonical labeling of a digraph and the k-neighborhood and k-mix-neighborhood subdigraphs. To facilitate the presentation, it introduces several concepts including mix diffusion outdegree sequence and entire mix diffusion outdegree sequences. For each node in a digraph G, it assigns an attribute m_NearestNode to enhance the accuracy of calculating canonical labeling. The four theorems proved here demonstrate how to determine the first nodes added into M a x Q ( G ) . Further, the other two theorems stated below deal with identifying the second nodes added into M a x Q ( G ) . When computing C m a x ( G ) , if M a x Q ( G ) already contains the first i vertices u 1 , u 2 , ⋯ , u i , Diffusion Theorem provides a guideline on how to choose the subsequent node of M a x Q ( G ) . Besides, the Mix Diffusion Theorem shows that the selection of the ( i + 1 ) th vertex of M a x Q ( G ) for computing C m a x ( G ) is from the open mix-neighborhood subdigraph N + + ( Q ) of the nodes set Q = { u 1 , u 2 , ⋯ , u i } . It also offers two theorems to calculate the C m a x ( G ) of the disconnected digraphs. The four algorithms implemented in it illustrate how to calculate M a x Q ( G ) of a digraph. Through software testing, the correctness of our algorithms is preliminarily verified. Our method can be utilized to mine the frequent subdigraph. We also guess that if there exists a vertex v ∈ S + ( G ) satisfying conditions C m a x ( G − v ) ⩽ C m a x ( G − w ) for each w ∈ S + ( G ) ∧ w ≠ v , then u 1 = v for M a x Q ( G ) .
Towards Operational Definition of Postictal Stage: Spectral Entropy as a Marker of Seizure Ending
Authors: Sanz-García Ancor , Vega-Zelaya Lorena , Pastor Jesús , Sola Rafael , Ortega Guillermo
Published: February 2017

The postictal period is characterized by several neurological alterations, but its exact limits are clinically or even electroencephalographically hard to determine in most cases. We aim to provide quantitative functions or conditions with a clearly distinguishable behavior during the ictal-postictal transition. Spectral methods were used to analyze foramen ovale electrodes (FOE) recordings during the ictal/postictal transition in 31 seizures of 15 patients with strictly unilateral drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. In particular, density of links, spectral entropy, and relative spectral power were analyzed. Partial simple seizures are accompanied by an ipsilateral increase in the relative Delta power and a decrease in synchronization in a 66% and 91% of the cases, respectively, after seizures offset. Complex partial seizures showed a decrease in the spectral entropy in 94% of cases, both ipsilateral and contralateral sides (100% and 73%, respectively) mainly due to an increase of relative Delta activity. Seizure offset is defined as the moment at which the “seizure termination mechanisms” actually end, which is quantified in the spectral entropy value. We propose as a definition for the postictal start the time when the ipsilateral SE reaches the first global minimum.
Breakdown Point of Robust Support Vector Machines
Authors: Kanamori Takafumi , Fujiwara Shuhei , Takeda Akiko
Published: February 2017

Support vector machine (SVM) is one of the most successful learning methods for solving classiﬁcation problems. Despite its popularity, SVM has the serious drawback that it is sensitive to outliers in training samples. The penalty on misclassiﬁcation is deﬁned by a convex loss called the hinge loss, and the unboundedness of the convex loss causes the sensitivity to outliers. To deal with outliers, robust SVMs have been proposed by replacing the convex loss with a non-convex bounded loss called the ramp loss. In this paper, we study the breakdown point of robust SVMs. The breakdown point is a robustness measure that is the largest amount of contamination such that the estimated classiﬁer still gives information about the non-contaminated data. The main contribution of this paper is to show an exact evaluation of the breakdown point of robust SVMs. For learning parameters such as the regularization parameter, we derive a simple formula that guarantees the robustness of the classiﬁer. When the learning parameters are determined with a grid search using cross-validation, our formula works to reduce the number of candidate search points. Furthermore, the theoretical ﬁndings are conﬁrmed in numerical experiments. We show that the statistical properties of robust SVMs are well explained by a theoretical analysis of the breakdown point.
Sequential Batch Design for Gaussian Processes Employing Marginalization †
Authors: Preuss Roland , Von Toussaint Udo
Published: February 2017

Within the Bayesian framework, we utilize Gaussian processes for parametric studies of long running computer codes. Since the simulations are expensive, it is necessary to exploit the computational budget in the best possible manner. Employing the sum over variances —being indicators for the quality of the fit—as the utility function, we establish an optimized and automated sequential parameter selection procedure. However, it is also often desirable to utilize the parallel running capabilities of present computer technology and abandon the sequential parameter selection for a faster overall turn-around time (wall-clock time). This paper proposes to achieve this by marginalizing over the expected outcomes at optimized test points in order to set up a pool of starting values for batch execution. For a one-dimensional test case, the numerical results are validated with the analytical solution. Eventually, a systematic convergence study demonstrates the advantage of the optimized approach over randomly chosen parameter settings.
The Influence of Micro-Oxygen Addition on Desulfurization Performance and Microbial Communities during Waste-Activated Sludge Digestion in a Rusty Scrap Iron-Loaded Anaerobic Digester
Authors: Ruan Renjun , Cao Jiashun , Li Chao , Zheng Di , Luo Jingyang
Published: February 2017

In this study, micro-oxygen was integrated into a rusty scrap iron (RSI)-loaded anaerobic digester. Under an optimal RSI dosage of 20 g/L, increasing O2 levels were added stepwise in seven stages in a semi-continuous experiment. Results showed the average methane yield was 306 mL/g COD (chemical oxygen demand), and the hydrogen sulphide (H2S) concentration was 1933 ppmv with RSI addition. O2 addition induced the microbial oxidation of sulphide by stimulating sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and chemical corrosion of iron, which promoted the generation of FeS and Fe2S3. In the 6th phase of the semi-continuous test, deep desulfurization was achieved without negatively impacting system performance. Average methane yield was 301.1 mL/g COD, and H2S concentration was 75 ppmv. Sulfur mass balance was described, with 84.0%, 11.90% and 0.21% of sulfur present in solid, liquid and gaseous phases, respectively. The Polymerase Chain Reaction-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis revealed that RSI addition could enrich the diversity of hydrogenotrophic methanogens and iron-reducing bacteria to benefit methanogenesis and organic mineralization, and impoverish the methanotroph (Methylocella silvestris) to reduce the consumption of methane. Micro-oxygen supplementation could enhance the diversity of iron-oxidizing bacteria arising from the improvement of Fe(II) release rate and enrich the sulphur-oxidising bacteria to achieved desulfurization. These results demonstrated that RSI addition in combination with micro-oxygenation represents a promising method for simultaneously controlling biogas H2S concentration and improving digestion performance.