bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostics of Gears and Compressors by Means of Advanced Automatic System
Authors: Tomaszewski Jerzy , Rysinski Jacek
Published: May 2015

In the present paper, the diagnostics problems of gears and air-compressors are discussed. The diagnostics has been performed by means of wireless system WiViD. This system is a unique design solution, in which several functions are divided and performer by two separate devices. The mentioned device functions are as follows: data handling, processing, their analysis and presentation. In the paper, own measurement procedures were created, checked and presented. The evaluation of technical conditions of some devices was done based upon the registered diagnostic symptoms, which were compared with the allowable limits.
Solving Nonlinear Thermal Problems of Friction by Using Method of Lines
Authors: Och Ewa
Published: May 2015

One-dimensional heat conduction problem of friction for two bodies (half spaces) made of thermosensitive materials was considered. Solution to the nonlinear boundary-value heat conduction problem was obtained in three stages. At the first stage a partial linearization of the problem was performed by using Kirchhoff transform. Next, the obtained boundary-values problem by using the method of lines was brought to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, relatively to Kirchhoff’s function values in the nodes of the grid on the spatial variable, where time is an independent variable. At the third stage, by using the Adams's method from DIFSUB package, a numerical solution was found to the above-mentioned differential equations. A comparative analysis was conducted (Och, 2014) using the results obtained with the proposed method and the method of successive approximations.
Automatization of Contact Pressure Measurement between Trunk Orthosis and Patient's Body Using a Matrix Tactile Sensor
Authors: Hudák Radovan , Rajťúková Viktória , Živčák Jozef
Published: May 2015

Trunk orthosis affects trunk by a corrective-pressure mode with an objective to correct deformities (e.g. scoliosis). The effectiveness of this function depends on various factors, i.e. correct orthosis manufacture, correct application to patients and regular pressure corrective effect control. All these factors can be monitored by a system for measurement and evaluation of the contact pressure between the instrument and trunk in a real time and also by a so called “off line” system data recording. Presented article describes the application of made-to-measure sensor system TACTILUS (Sensor Products, USA) in different regimes (ambulance - A, home - H, combined - HA and multi-sensory ambulance - MA regime), testing of chosen static and dynamic matrix tactile sensor (MTS) parameters and results of the testing application between orthosis and patients' trunks.
Potential of city break clubbing tourism in Wrocław
Authors: Iwanicki Grzegorz , Dłużewska Anna
Published: May 2015

Over the last decade Polish cities have become popular destinations of the foreign clubbing tourism. Interest of foreign tourists, however, is not reflected in the interest of scientists, because clubbing tourism-related issues have not been extensively studied in the literature regarding Polish cities. In this paper the authors have tried to fill this gap by analysing the potential of city break clubbing tourism in Wrocław, the city which has been selected the European Capital of Culture 2016. As part of the analysis, the following elements affecting the development of this type of tourism were examined: transport accessibility, clubbing infrastructure (discos, nightclubs and pubs), and other factors (accommodation facilities and selected tourist attractions). The transport accessibility data include only regular direct flights carried by low-cost carriers (LCC) in 2014 (number of connections, frequency of flights and ticket prices), as this type of transportation is crucial for city break tourism.
Density of lithium fluoride–lithium carbonate-based molten salts
Authors: Song Xiao-Wen , Deng Wen-Tao , Liu Zheng-Hao , Shi Zhong-Ning , Gao Bing-Liang , Hu Xian-Wei , Wang Zhao-Wen
Published: May 2015

The density of the LiF-Li
Application of polypyrrole nanowires for the development of a tyrosinase biosensor
Authors: Kochana Jolanta , Hnida Katarzyna , Sulka Grzegorz , Knihnicki Paweł , Kozak Joanna , Gilowska Agnieszka
Published: May 2015

Polypyrrole nanowires (PPyNWs) were fabricated and examined as a structural component of amperometric biosensor matrix. An enzyme, tyrosinase (TYR), was immobilized onto PPyNWs using glutaraldehyde (GA). Matrix composite morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical behavior of the prepared PPyNWs/GA/TYR biosensor towards catechol was studied and the assessment of its analytical characteristics was carried out taking into account linear range, sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility and operational stability.
Immobilisation of tyrosinase on siliceous cellular foams affording highly effective and stable biocatalysts
Authors: Labus Karolina , Szymańska Katarzyna , Bryjak Jolanta , Jarzębski Andrzej B.
Published: May 2015

Tyrosinase from Agaricus bisporus was immobilised covalently on mesostructured siliceous foam (MCF) and three mesoporous silicas of SBA-15 type of different pore sizes, regarded as the reference, to reveal that MCF was the superior enzyme support. All the carriers were functionalised using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and the enzyme was attached covalently via glutaraldehyde or by simple adsorption and it was also cross-linked with glutaraldehyde in selected samples. The experiments indicated that only tyrosinase attached covalently was highly active and that postimmobilisation cross-linking slightly reduced its activity with no improvement in stability. MCFbound tyrosinase was the best biocatalyst with monophenolase and diphenolase activities of 3627 U mL
Reaction kinetics of malachite in ammonium carbamate solution
Authors: Mao Ying-Bo , Deng Jiu-Shuai , Wen Shu-Ming , Fang Jian-Jun
Published: May 2015

The dissolution of malachite particles in ammonium carbamate (AC) solutions was investigated in a batch reactor, using the parameters of temperature, AC concentration, particle size, and stirring speed. The shrinking core model was evaluated for the dissolution rate increased by decreasing particle size and increasing the temperature and AC concentration. No important effect was observed for variations in stirring speed. Dissolution curves were evaluated in order to test shrinking core models for fluid-solid systems. The dissolution rate was determined as being controlled by surface chemical reaction. The activation energy of the leaching process was determined as 46.04 kJ mol
Polymorphism of the APEX nuclease 1 gene in keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
Authors: Wojcik Katarzyna A. , Synowiec Ewelina , Kaminska Anna , Izdebska Justyna , Polakowski Piotr , Pawlowska Elzbieta , Blasiak Janusz , Szaflik Jerzy , Szaflik Jacek P.
Published: May 2015

Human APEX nuclease 1 (APEX1) plays an important role in the repair of oxidative DNA lesions through base excision repair. It may influence the development of oxidative stress-related diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the genotypes of the c.444 T>G (rs1130409) and c.-468 T>G (rs1760944) polymorphisms in the APEX1 gene and the occurrence of two oxidative stress-related eye diseases: keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). The study involved 250 patients with KC, 209 patients with FECD, and 350 control subjects. All of the patients and control subjects underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. The polymorphisms were genotyped by mismatch polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (mismatch PCR-RFLP). We observed that the G/T and T/T genotypes of the c.-468 T>G polymorphism were respectively associated with a decreased occurrence of KC (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.95; p = 0.030) and an increased occurrence of KC (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.06-3.32; p = 0.032). None of these polymorphisms showed any association with FECD. Furthermore, no other association was observed, including haplotypes of the two polymorphisms. Our findings suggest that the c.-468 T>G polymorphism of the APEX1 gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of KC.
Biochemical evidence for Ca2+-independent functional activation of hPLSCR1 at low pH
Authors: Francis Vincent Gerard , Gummadi Sathyanarayana N.
Published: May 2015

Human phospholipid scramblase 1 (hPLSCR1) is a Ca
Study strategies for long non-coding RNAs and their roles in regulating gene expression
Authors: Qin Dan , Xu Cunshuan
Published: May 2015

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted considerable attention recently due to their involvement in numerous key cellular processes and in the development of various disorders. New high-throughput methods enable their study on a genome-wide scale. Numerous lncRNAs have been identified and characterized as important members of the biological regulatory network, with significant roles in regulating gene expression at the epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. This paper summarizes the diverse mechanisms of action of these lncRNAs and looks at the study strategies in this field. A major challenge in future study is to establish more effective bioinformatics and experimental methods to explore the functions, detailed mechanisms of action and structures deciding the functional diversity of lncRNAs, since the vast majority remain unresolved.
Investigating people’s news diets: How online users use offline news
Authors: Trilling Damian , Schoenbach Klaus
Published: May 2015

The question how offline media use is related to online media use has been heavily debated in the last decades. If they are functionally equivalent, then advantages like low costs, rapid publication cycles, and easy access to online news could lead to them displacing offline news. Data from a large-scale survey with detailed questions about media use in the Netherlands show that, interestingly, the functions that online and offline media are used for are often the same: Those who use online media to gain a broad overview of the news, for fast updates, or for background information use offline media for the same purpose. There are some differences, though: For many citizens, the need of a broad overview of the news seems to be fulfilled by repertoires consisting of several outlets of different types, while they seem to have favorite specific outlets for news updates or background information, respectively. This suggests that outlets can especially focus on the latter two functions to distinguish themselves.
Towards a theoretical model of social media surveillance in contemporary society
Authors: Fuchs Christian , Trottier Daniel
Published: May 2015

‘Social media’ like Facebook or Twitter have become tremendously popular in recent years. Their popularity provides new opportunities for data collection by state and private companies, which requires a critical and theoretical focus on social media surveillance. The task of this paper is to outline a theoretical framework for defining social media surveillance in the context of contemporary society, identifying its principal characteristics, and understanding its broader societal implications. Social media surveillance is a form of surveillance in which different forms of sociality and individuals different social roles converge, so that surveillance becomes a monitoring of different activities in different social roles with the help of profiles that hold a complex networked multitude of data about humans.
Classifier Ensembles Using Structural Features For Spammer Detection In Online Social Networks
Authors: Abulaish Muhammad , Bhat Sajid Y.
Published: May 2015

As the online social network technology is gaining all time high popularity and usage, the malicious behavior and attacks of spammers are getting smarter and difficult to track. The newer spamming approaches using the social engineering concepts are making traditional spam and spammer detection techniques obsolete. Especially, content-based filtering of spam messages and spammer profiles in online social networks is becoming difficult. Newer approaches for spammer detection using topological features are gaining attention. Further, the evaluation of ensemble classifiers for detection of spammers over social networking behavior-based features is still in its infancy. In this paper, we present an ensemble learning method for online social network security by evaluating the performance of some basic ensemble classifiers over novel community-based social networking features of legitimate users and spammers in online social networks. The proposed method aims to identify topological and community-based features from users’ interaction network and uses popular classifier ensembles – bagging and boosting to identify spammers in online social networks. Experimental evaluation of the proposed method is done over a real-world data set with artificial spammers that follow a behavior as reported in earlier literature. The experimental results reveal that the identified features are highly discriminative to identify spammers in online social networks.
On The Independence Number Of Some Strong Products Of Cycle-Powers
Authors: Jurkiewicz Marcin , Kubale Marek , Ocetkiewicz Krzysztof
Published: May 2015

In the paper we give some theoretical and computational results on the third strong power of cycle-powers, for example, we have found the independence numbers α((C
10
2)√3) = 30 and α((C
14
4)√3) = 14. A number of optimizations have been introduced to improve the running time of our exhaustive algorithm used to establish the independence number of the third strong power of cycle-powers. Moreover, our results establish new exact values and/or lower bounds on the Shannon capacity of noisy channels.
Data Sensitive Recommendation Based On Community Detection
Authors: Su Chang , Yu Yue , Xie Xianzhong , Wang Yukun
Published: May 2015

Collaborative filtering is one of the most successful and widely used recommendation systems. A hybrid collaborative filtering method called data sensitive recommendation based on community detection (DSRCD) is proposed as a solution to cold start and data sparsity problems in CF. Data sensitive similarity is combined with Pearson similarity to calculate the similarity between users. α is the control parameter. A predicted rating mechanism is used to solve data sparsity problem and to obtain more accurate recommendation. Both user-user similarity and item-item similarity are considered in predicted rating mechanism. β is the control parameter. Moreover, in the constructed K-nearest neighbour set, both user-community similarity and user-user similarity are considered. The target user is either in the community or has some correlation to the community. Calculating the user-community similarity can cope with cold start problem. To calculate the recommendation, movielens data sets are used in the experiments. First, parameters α and β are tested and DSRCD is compared with traditional collaborative filtering recommendation algorithm (TCF) and Zhao’s algorithm. DSRCD always has better results than TCF. When K = 30, we have better performance results than Zhao’s algorithm.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Taxation and Aggressive Tax Planning
Authors: Knuutinen Reijo
Published: May 2015

Society expects companies to take into account the economic, environmental, and social effects of their operations and activities. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the operations or actions of companies that are above or independent of the limits or minimum requirements set by legislation.

The economic purpose of a company and its responsibilities towards shareholders and debtors, first and foremost, is a natural starting point in reviewing the responsibilities. Also other stakeholders such as employers or public entities as tax collectors have economic requirements and expectations. Responsibility in the context of tax issues has become the topic of greater attention, with a number of stakeholder groups actively reviewing the approaches that companies take to their tax strategies and tax planning activities.

In this article CSR is reviewed especially in the context of taxation. Does CSR have any significance and importance in the context of tax law and especially income taxation? Does CSR set limits on the tax planning of companies, or is there an obligation to pay any more taxes than what has to be paid according to the law and the tax treaties? While the concept of CSR is not a legal one, neither is the approach for these questions in this article only a legal one.

Attitudes towards taxes are often contradictory. On the one hand, taxes are like any other costs for a company, but on the other hand, they are an economic contribution to the society in which the business is conducted.

The phrase “aggressive tax planning”, as opposed to regular or “acceptable” tax planning, has been used on several occasions recently. Taking a purely technical approach to tax planning is unlikely to protect companies from charges of irresponsibility and associated reputational damage. Aggressive tax planning can be characterized, for instance, by an intensive use of legal and financial tools, establishments in foreign tax havens, unbalanced capital structures and transfer prices, or a disingenuous use of tax treaties.

Still, aggressive tax planning is not a legal concept so there is no legal definition for it. Instead, the question is more or less about where to draw the line of moral acceptability, which runs on the inside of the tax planning area. From the CSR point of view, aggressive tax planning can be defined as actions taken by taxpayers which are in the line of requirements of tax law, but which do not meet the reasonable and justified expectations and requirements of the stakeholders.
Subjektafgrænsning i det fælleseuropæiske momssystem – En trist rejse fra FCE Bank til Crédit Lyonnais
Authors: Jensen Dennis Ramsdahl
Published: May 2015

The issue regarding output taxation, input deduction and determination of the place of taxation in VAT law is inextricably linked with a correct fact determination. This is also the case in relation to a delimitation of the individual tax subject including the question whether related subjects/units should be acknowledged as independent tax subjects, or whether they should qualify as one subject/ one unit in a legal VAT context instead. A coherent analysis of selected ECJ rulings of relevance for the delimitation of each tax subject shows that subject delimitation in national civil law also is the predominant basis in a legal VAT context unless the law contains explicit deviations from this or should be deviated from on the basis of either abuse of law or substance over form considerations. However, in this article it is proved that case C-388/11, Crédit Lyonnais breaks with this basic premise, as the ECJ in this case ignores the subject delimitation in civil law without a convincing argumentation for the fact that the law dictates this and without referring to abuse of law or substance over form.
Bastian, K. 2014. Omgørelse – Skatteforvaltningslovens § 29. 1st ed. København: Jurist- og Økonomforbundets Forlag
Authors: Pedersen Jan
Published: May 2015

Dansk skatteret har i årtier anerkendt, at skatteyderne - under nærmere angivne betingelser - har mulighed for såkaldt “omgørelse”. Herved har skatteyderne mulighed for at undgå en uforudset og uventet beskatning, som kunne være undgået ved at skatteyderne havde disponeret anderledes eller måske helt havde undladt at disponere. Den vigtigste form for omgørelse består af “dispositionsomgørelse”, hvorved skattemyndighederne anerkender, at parternes efterfølgende ændring af økonomiske vilkår og retligt indhold gives tilsvarende skatteretlige konsekvenser. Som eksempel kan nævnes, at skattemyndighederne med hjemmel i aktieavancebeskatningsloven tilsidesætter overdragelsessummen ved en aktiehandel mellem nært forbundne, idet afståelsessummen anses for kunstigt nedbragt. Dette indebærer en forhøjelse af overdragerens skattepligtige afståelsessum og en gavebeskatning hos erhververen af den modtagne fordel. Denne gavebeskatning kan undgås ved omgørelse, således at aktieoverdragelsen med tilbagevirkende kraft foretages til markedsværdien af aktierne. Et andet eksempel er, at en skatteyder, som efterfølgende ønsker at anvende de særlige regler for “skattefri virksomhedsomdannelse” ved omdannelse af en personligt ejet virksomhed til et selskab kan få tilladelse hertil ved en omgørelse. Virksomhedsejeren undgår herved eller får sin kapitalgevinstbeskatning reduceret.

Omgørelse er nu lovfæstet i skatteforvaltningslovens § 29, der omhandler de nærmere betingelser og fremgangsmåde.

Bogen: “Omgørelse - skatteforvaltningslovens § 29” indeholder en monografiom bestemmelsen, der indeholder en håndbog og en lærebog om omgørelse. Advokat Kaspar Bastian, som er skatteadvokat hos et af Danmarks førende advokatfirmaer, Bech-Bruun, har forfattet en monografiom såkaldt omgørelse, som den er hjemlet i skatteforvaltningslovens § 29. Omgørelse indebærer, at skattemyndighederne giver tilladelse til, at en efterfølgende ændring af eller ophævelse af en civilretlig disposition gives tilsvarende skatteretlige virkninger. Der udløses således en skattemæssig ændring med tilbagevirkende kraft. Omgørelse aktualiseres navnlig, når det konstateres, at en given aftale, disposition m.v. udløser en uventet og uforudset beskatning, som kunne have været undgået enten ved, at dispositionen fra begyndelsen af var givet et andet retligt indhold eller ved, at dispositionen slet ikke havde været gennemført.

Omgørelse indeholder således en skatteretlig “fortrydelsesregel” og sikrer navnlig mod urimelige konsekvenser af en kompleks og hastigt ændret skattelovgivning.

Kaspar Bastians bog, der både kan anvendes som håndbog for praktikeren og som lærebog på højeste akademiske niveau, omfatter 130 sider inkl. registre.

Bogen er disponeret i 6 kapitler :

Kapitel 1. Indledning, introduktion til skatteforvaltningslovens § 29, historie.

Kapitel 2. Området for omgørelse.

Kapitel 3. Betingelser for omgørelse.

Kapitel 4. Omgørelsens konsekvenser.

Kapitel 5. Formelle regler (ansøgningsprocedure, kompetenceforhold, klage m.v.).
Persson Österman, R. 2013. Förhandelsbesked i skattefrågor, 1st ed. Uppsala, Iustus Förlag Book Reviews
Authors: Kristoffersson Eleonor
Published: May 2015

Jag har fått uppdraget att recensera Roger Persson Östermans1 senaste verk. Redan inledningsvis vill jag framhålla att boken är välskriven och innehåller få redaktionella fel. Författaren ger klara uttryck för sin egen uppfattning, och därigenom blir boken särskilt läsvärd. Författaren är den förste sedan Sture Bergström (Förhandsbesked vid inkomsttaxering, Uppsala 1990) som tar ett större grepp om förhandsbeskedsfrågor.
Corporate income tax and the international challenge
Authors: Folkvord Benn , Jacobsen Michael Riis
Published: May 2015

Although globalization has contributed immensely to growth and prosperity around the world, it is a growing challenge for tax policy makers. Globalization and greater mobility of tax bases increase the relative importance of taxes in corporations’ investment decisions. The combination of highly mobile capital, inadequacies in existing tax laws and a total change of international business environment have led to the fundamental problem in international tax law labeled by the OECD as the problem of BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting), along with severe competition among countries to attract investments and business activities. These challenges are the topic for the 2014 seminar of the Nordic Tax Research Council. Based on the Nordic national reports we discuss these challenges
The international Challenges and Finnish Corporate Taxation
Authors: Lindgren Juha
Published: May 2015

One of the main trends in Finnish corporate taxation during the last ten years has been the lowering of the corporate tax rate. The decision to lower the corporate tax rate to 20% from the beginning of 2014 also changed the approach in reforming the corporate taxation as it was decided to stay on the grounds of a broad tax base and not to make loopholes in it with targeted exceptions.

The Finnish corporate taxation contains also some provisions that act as incentives for investment and the establishment of companies. However, the focus has been lately on the rules with purpose to protect the national tax base. Therefore, article handles both the specific anti avoidance rules and the application of the general anti avoidance rule on the cross-border transactions. Some particular challenges and the exchange of information are also taken into account before the conclusion with some ideas and aspects on future reforms.
Nasjonalrapport for Norge
Authors: Børresen Martin , Pilgaard Marius , Bjørneby Marie
Published: May 2015

Since the Tax Reform of 1992 Norway has had a tax system of relatively low tax rates and broad tax bases. Norway, along with other Nordic neighbours, did quite early substantially reduce its statutory corporate tax rate - reduced from 50.8 to 28 per cent as part of the 1992 Reform. After 1992 the rate has been constant at 28 until it was reduced marginally to 27 in 2014. Since 1992 the principal objective in designing the corporate tax system has been to ensure resource effectiveness. The role of the corporate (and capital) income tax is therefore to secure public revenue but at the same time minimising distortion. An important feature of the system is therefore that normal return on capital is taxed at the same rate, irrespective of whether it is earned as business income or not. The Report identifies three main challenges to the current corporate tax system. The first challenge discussed is the system’s effects on investments. It cannot be overlooked that the corporate tax rate in Norway is currently higher than the tax rate of many countries Norway is commonly compared with (e.g. other Nordic countries).

The Report suggests that this can contribute to a reduction in the level of investment in Norway.

The second identified challenge is the tax distortion between debt and equity finance. The Report briefly discusses neutrality in financing through equal tax treatment of debt and equity finance. The Report then discusses the implications and differences of an ACE and a CBIT model in this context.

The final challenge discussed is base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). Differences in countries’ tax rules create vast opportunities for tax planning, and largely for the benefit of multinational enterprises (MNEs), inter alia through transfer pricing. The Report suggests that BEPS over time may imply a serious threat in maintaining the revenue from the corporate tax base. The Report then acknowledges that a reduction in the formal tax rate may only to some extent address the problem; which indicates a need to consider other supplementing measures. One such measure is the interest deduction limitation rule, made effective from 2014. The rule was introduced to address profit shifting in MNEs. More generally the Report recognises that Norway cannot freely introduce measures against BEPS following international obligations.

Finally the Report mentions the appointment of a Tax Commission in 2013. The Commission’s mandate is to review the Norwegian corporate tax system in light of international developments. The Commission shall deliver its report in the autumn of 2014.
The Nordea Bank Denmark Case (C-48/13)
Authors: Laursen Anders Nørgaard
Published: May 2015

This paper reports on an investigation of a recent decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in case C-48/13, Nordea Bank Denmark, concerning the Danish rules for reincorporation of losses from permanent establishments situated in European Union/ European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member states other than Denmark. The article includes comments on various EU tax law aspects of the case - namely the restriction test applied by the ECJ, the justifications brought forward by the intervening governments and the question of proportionality - and examines the consequences of the Danish tax law going forward.
Profit ‘That is Condemned by the Word of God’: John Jewel’s Theological Method in His Opposition to Usury
Authors: Gazal André A.
Published: May 2015

John Jewel, regarded as the principal apologist and theologian for the Elizabethan Church, was also esteemed as one of England’s most important (if not the most important) authority on the subject of usury, and therefore was cited frequently by opponents of usury towards the end of the sixteenth century and throughout the seventeenth century. One of the most sustained interpretations of Jewel as a theologian on the subject of usury was by Christoph Jelinger, who observed that the late bishop of Sarum employed the same theological method in opposing usury as he did in defending the doctrines and practices of the Church of England against its Catholic opponents, that is, by appealing to the Scriptures, the Church Fathers, Church Councils, and the example of the primitive church. This article seeks to confirm the opinion of Jelinger, and in doing so show that Jewel’s opposition to usury stemmed primarily from the conviction that it was both a vice and heresy that eroded the unifying attribute of Christian society which was love.
Resultative and goal phrases in Polish and English: Interaction with aspect
Authors: Gulgowski Piotr
Published: May 2015

The article examines the interaction of resultative and goal phrases with aspect in Polish and English. The first research problem concerns the ability of resultative and goal phrases to aspectually delimit (telicize) an atelic predicate. Data from English shows that resultative and goal phrases systematically make an atelic predicate telic in non-progressive sentences, but they fail to do so in progressive constructions. In Polish, imperfective (atelic) constructions can never be aspectually delimited by such phrases. It is argued that resultative and goal phrases lose their telicizing potential when in the scope of an aspectual functional head Asp specified as [-telic]. This is the case in English progressive and Polish imperfective sentences. The Asp head is able to override the telicity specification established compositionally within VP. The Asp head in Polish is obligatory and the value of its telicity feature ([+telic] for perfective and [-telic] for imperfective) is responsible for the interpretation of the VP selected by Asp as a complement. In English such projection is optional. When it is absent, the telicity of a predicate can be computed from the default aspectual type of the lexical verb combined with other elements inside VP, including resultative and goal phrases. A related problem also addressed in the article concerns the meaning of progressive / imperfective resultative and goal constructions. The problem is presented as part of a larger task of finding a proper analysis for accomplishment predicates combined with a progressive / imperfective operator. The proposed solution is based on the notion of directionality. It is suggested that resultative and goal constructions denote a process of some entity changing in the ‘direction’ of a new state. When the process is understood as having a culmination, the ‘direction’ of the transition indicates a new state actually holding of the entity undergoing transition. When a progressive / imperfective operator is introduced, it can remove the culmination leaving just the directed-transition process. A formalization of this analysis is provided.
Diminutive affixes in the Number domain: A syntactic variation
Authors: Steriopolo Olga
Published: May 2015

This article investigates diminutive affixes in four unrelated languages: Maale, Walman, Kolyma Yukaghir, and Itelmen, with additional discussion of German, Breton, and Yiddish. The data show variation in the syntax of diminutives. Diminutives differ cross-linguistically in the manner and place of attachment in a syntactic tree. In terms of the manner of attachment, some diminutive affixes are shown to behave as syntactic heads, while others show a behaviour characteristic of syntactic modifiers. In terms of the place of attachment, some affixes attach in the number position, while others attach above it. This article contributes to a discussion of form-function correspondence between syntactic categories (Wiltschko, in press). It shows that although diminutives across languages have the same meaning (or function), they significantly differ in their syntactic structures (or form). Thus, there is no 1:1 correspondence between form and function of diminutives in terms of the attachment and ordering of morphemes.
Optimal scan time for evaluation of parathyroid adenoma with [18F]-fluorocholine PET/CT
Authors: Rep Sebastijan , Lezaic Luka , Kocjan Tomaz , Pfeifer Marija , Sever Mojca Jensterle , Simoncic Urban , Tomse Petra , Hocevar Marko
Published: May 2015

Background. Parathyroid adenomas, the most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism, are benign tumours which autonomously produce and secrete parathyroid hormone. [18F]-fluorocholine (FCH), PET marker of cellular proliferation, was recently demonstrated to accumulate in lesions representing enlarged parathyroid tissue; however, the optimal time to perform FCH PET/CT after FCH administration is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal scan time of FCH PET/CT in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Patients and methods. 43 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled in this study. A triple-phase PET/CT imaging was performed five minutes, one and two hours after the administration of FCH. Regions of interest (ROI) were placed in lesions representing enlarged parathyroid tissue and thyroid tissue. Standardized uptake value (SUVmean), retention index and lesion contrast for parathyroid and thyroid tissue were calculated.

Results. Accumulation of FCH was higher in lesions representing enlarged parathyroid tissue in comparison to the thyroid tissue with significantly higher SUVmean in the second and in the third phase (p < 0.0001). Average retention index decreased significantly between the first and the second phase and increased significantly between the second and the third phase in lesions representing enlarged parathyroid tissue and decreased significantly over all three phases in thyroid tissue (p< 0.0001). The lesion contrast of lesions representing enlarged parathyroid tissue and thyroid tissue was significantly better in the second and the third phase compared to the first phase (p < 0.05).

Conclusions. According to the results the optimal scan time of FCH PET/CT for localization of lesions representing enlarged parathyroid tissue is one hour after administration of the FCH.
The structural semiotics paradigm for marketing research: Theory, methodology, and case analysis
Authors: Oswald Laura R.
Published: May 2015

Brands are semiotic systems that create value in the marketplace by differentiating competitors in a category, forming emotional connections with consumers, and aligning the company’s symbolic equities with contemporary cultural trends. The author aims to expand the current state of semiotics for marketing beyond advertising research to the whole gamut of media and consumer touch points in contemporary marketing, from strategic communication to retail design and consumer behavior. The importance of this paper is not limited to marketing, but raises important issues about connections heretofore ignored between semiotics, business, and the production of value in the marketplace.
Semiotics and writing systems
Authors: Proskurin Sergey G.
Published: May 2015

This article deals with semiotic modeling in writing. The process of modeling is involved in the creation of new scripts and alphabets. The narrative describes the so called ABC-principle in action. Since the ABC code is also a text, the letters have meaningful collocations and the letter names have meaningful associations. The sequence of letters in an ABC is a meaningful syntagm within a ritual text. We shall attempt to prove that these parts of an ABC are meaningful micro-texts that constitute a model of the world as conceived in Indo-European culture. Together with rituals, alphabets have contributed to the formation of concepts of the physical world and cultural identities.
From words and sentences to interjections: The anatomy of exclamations in Peirce and Wittgenstein
Authors: Gorlée Dinda L.
Published: May 2015

Interjections are exclamatory signs fostering a realistic conception of the perils and uncertainties of human experience. Natural interjections are reactionary signs in degenerate pre-signs (preverbs or prenouns), unconnected to other syntactic forms of grammar. The simplicity of natural interjections are distinguished from the more complex occasional interjections, expressed in full pseudo-sentences with grammatical constructions. The prehistory of the natural interjections are first the simple cries of babies, and second the artificial construction of pidgin (creolization) of mixed languages. In interjections, literal language becomes transformed into figurative and metaphorical “language,” that is intermedial speech with vocalization and gestures. Peirce’s “syntax” (Charles Sanders Peirce 1839–1914) argues for the pragmatic interjections in the exclamations of spontaneous cries and shouts. In the framework of Peirce’s logical categories, interjections represent first of secondness. The degenerate form analyzes the vague or indeterminate meaning through pictures of diagrams. Wittgenstein’s social “grammar” (Ludwig Wittgenstein 1889–1951) of language-games is subject to cultural forms of life. Wittgenstein disagrees on accepting the “nonsensical” or meaningless interjections, but in his later writings he will agree to giving the interjections fuzzy meanings.
MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: The spectrum of haemostatic abnormalities in glucocorticoid excess and defect
Authors: Isidori Andrea M , Minnetti Marianna , Sbardella Emilia , Graziadio Chiara , Grossman Ashley B
Published: May 2015

Glucocorticoids (GCs) target several components of the integrated system that preserves vascular integrity and free blood flow. Cohort studies on Cushing's syndrome (CS) have revealed increased thromboembolism, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. Lessons from epidemiological data and post-treatment normalisation time suggest a bimodal action with a rapid and reversible effect on coagulation factors and an indirect sustained effect on the vessel wall. The redundancy of the steps that are potentially involved requires a systematic comparison of data from patients with endogenous or exogenous hypercortisolism in the context of either inflammatory or non-inflammatory disorders. A predominant alteration in the intrinsic pathway that includes a remarkable rise in factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels and a reduction in activated partial thromboplastin time appears in the majority of studies on endogenous CS. There may also be a rise in platelets, thromboxane B2, thrombin–antithrombin complexes and fibrinogen (FBG) levels and, above all, impaired fibrinolytic capacity. The increased activation of coagulation inhibitors seems to be compensatory in order to counteract disseminated coagulation, but there remains a net change towards an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Conversely, GC administered in the presence of inflammation lowers vWF and FBG, but fibrinolytic activity is also reduced. As a result, the overall risk of VTE is increased in long-term users. Finally, no studies have assessed haemostatic abnormalities in patients with Addison's disease, although these may present as a consequence of bilateral adrenal haemorrhage, especially in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies or anticoagulant treatments. The present review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the complex alterations produced by GCs in order to develop better screening and prevention strategies against bleeding and thrombosis.
A Trigger Tool to Detect Harm in Pediatric Inpatient Settings
Authors: Stockwell David C. , Bisarya Hema , Classen David C. , Kirkendall Eric S. , Landrigan Christopher P. , Lemon Valere , Tham Eric , Hyman Daniel , Lehman Samuel M. , Searles Elizabeth , Hall Matt , Muething Stephen E. , Schuster Mark A. , Sharek Paul J.
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVES:

An efficient and reliable process for measuring harm due to medical care is needed to advance pediatric patient safety. Several pediatric studies have assessed the use of trigger tools in varying inpatient environments. Using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s adult-focused Global Trigger Tool as a model, we developed and pilot tested a trigger tool that would identify the most common causes of harm in pediatric inpatient environments.

METHODS:

After formal training, 6 academic children’s hospitals used this novel pediatric trigger tool to review 100 randomly selected inpatient records per site from patients discharged during the month of February 2012.

RESULTS:

From the 600 patient charts evaluated, 240 harmful events (“harms”) were identified, resulting in a rate of 40 harms per 100 patients admitted and 54.9 harms per 1000 patient days across the 6 hospitals. At least 1 harm was identified in 146 patients (24.3% of patients). Of the 240 total events, 108 (45.0%) were assessed to have been potentially or definitely preventable. The most common patient harms were intravenous catheter infiltrations/burns, respiratory distress, constipation, pain, and surgical complications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Consistent with earlier rates of all-cause harm in adult hospitals, harm occurs at high rates in hospitalized children. Availability and use of an all-cause harm identification tool will establish the epidemiology of harm and will provide a consistent approach to assessing the effect of interventions on harms in hospitalized children.
Validity of Bronchiolitis Outcome Measures
Authors: Fernandes Ricardo M. , Plint Amy C. , Terwee Caroline B. , Sampaio Cristina , Klassen Terry P. , Offringa Martin , van der Lee Johanna H.
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND:

The Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) and Respiratory Assessment Change Score (RACS) are frequently used in bronchiolitis clinical trials, but evidence is limited on their measurement properties. We investigated their validity, reliability, and responsiveness.

METHODS:

We included data from up to 1765 infants with bronchiolitis enrolled in 2 studies conducted in pediatric emergency departments. We assessed RDAI construct validity by testing hypotheses of associations with physiologic measures (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation) and with constructs related to hospitalization, using correlation coefficients, and multivariable analysis. RDAI/RACS responsiveness was evaluated by using anchors of change based on these constructs; measures of responsiveness included the area under the curve. RDAI test-retest agreement and interrater reliability were evaluated by using limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients.

RESULTS:

Baseline RDAI scores were weakly correlated with respiratory rate (r = 0.38, P < .001), and scores increased in lower oxygen saturation categories (P < .001). Higher RDAI scores were associated with hospitalization (odds ratio: 1.36; 95% confidence interval: 1.26–1.47); scores differed between participants who were discharged, admitted, or stayed in the emergency department (P < .001). Our hypotheses were met, but the magnitude of associations was below our predefined thresholds. RDAI test-retest limits of agreement were −3.80 to 3.64 (20% of the range), whereas interrater reliability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93). Formulated hypotheses for responsiveness were confirmed, with moderate responsiveness (area under the curve: RDAI, 0.64–0.70; RACS, 0.72).

CONCLUSIONS:

RDAI has poor to moderate construct validity, with good discriminative properties but considerable test-retest measurement error. The RDAI and RACS are responsive measures of respiratory distress in bronchiolitis but do not encompass all determinants of disease severity.
El Sector Metalúrgico: Relaciones Sindicales, Motivación y Significados del Trabajo
Authors: Peixoto Tamara Palmieri , Borges Livia De Oliviera
Published: May 2015

En este estudio se describen las relaciones de trabajo en el sector metalúrgico brasileño, así como los significados y la motivación hacia el trabajo. Se desarrolló una investigación documental, aplicando la técnica de análisis de contenido categórica a boletines sindicales, acuerdos y convenciones colectivas (2009 a 2012) y a sitios electrónicos que abordan el contexto de trabajo de los metalúrgicos. Los resultados mostraron que la movilización de los trabajadores se ha realizado en torno a un amplio abanico de reivindicaciones, traspasando los ítems económicos. Se presentan hipótesis acerca de los significados y la motivación de los trabajadores y se expresan las tendencias de las relaciones de trabajo en este sector.
Intervenciones Placebo Para Incrementar el Rendimiento Deportivo: un Tema Revisitado
Authors: Larquin-Castillo Mildreth , González-Padrón Ángela , Rodríguez-Martín Boris Camilo
Published: May 2015

Las intervenciones psicológicas para incrementar el rendimiento de los deportistas han ganado gran popularidad. En este artículo se realizó una revisión de la utilización de intervenciones placebo para potenciar el rendimiento deportivo, a partir de la cual se concluyó que el contexto de aplicación, los rasgos de personalidad del deportista y el ritual de intervención han sido propuestos como los factores más relevantes a tomar en consideración. Se estima que, a pesar de las limitaciones, las intervenciones placebo constituyen alternativas eficaces que tienen distintos modos de aplicación. La utilización de vías conscientes y no-conscientes para activar el efecto placebo se materializa en el empleo de las potencialidades que brindan tanto la sugestión verbal como el priming.
Pessoas em Situação de Rua: das Trajetórias de Exclusão Social aos Processos Emancipatórios de Formação de Consciência, Identidade e Sentimento de Pertença
Authors: De Alcantara Stefania Carneiro , Pereira de Abreu Desirée , Araújo Farias Alessandra
Published: May 2015

O estudo busca compreender as trajetórias de exclusão social e as transformações nas identidades sociais a partir de categorias da Psicologia Social Comunitária como consciência, identidade e sentimento de pertença, em adultos em situação de rua atualmente abrigados, na cidade de Fortaleza, Brasil. A metodologia é qualitativa, com uso de entrevistas, histórias de vida e análise do discurso, e considera variáveis como o tempo de permanência na comunidade e a existência de contato familiar. Os resultados apontam que as trajetórias de exclusão social perpassam por ruptura nos vínculos laborais e sociofamiliares. Propõe-se o modelo de Grupo Vivencial Comunitário como intervenção psicossocial capaz de fortalecer a identidade e sentimento de pertença.
Estudios Sobre Cooperación en Perros Domésticos: una Revisión Crítica
Authors: Carballo Fabricio , Freidin Esteban , Bentosela Mariana
Published: May 2015

El análisis comparado de la cooperación contribuye al entendimiento tanto de sus orígenes evolutivos como de los mecanismos próximos involucrados en dicho fenómeno. Esta revisión se centra en estudios sobre cooperación en perros domésticos. Para ello se definieron conceptos relacionados con la cooperación, se describieron las razones filogenéticas y ontogenéticas que hacen del perro un buen modelo para el estudio de este fenómeno y se hizo una revisión crítica de los trabajos realizados en este campo. Fueron incluidas investigaciones sobre situaciones cooperativas y sobre las habilidades cognitivas involucradas. Se discuten hipótesis sobre los mecanismos próximos de esta habilidad que incluyen elementos emocionales, motivacionales y de aprendizaje asociativo.