bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessement of human factor management in the polish banking sector
Authors: Барбурски  , Barburski J.
Published: January 2014

The paper is devoted to the management evaluation of critically important development driver, i.e. human factor and specifically in the banking sector of Polish economy for the period of 1999—2011. The paper is composed of preamble, two parts and summary. Part I includes selective definitions of “human capital” and “intellectual capital” in the framework of organizational growth. Part II deals with examination and evaluation of data on employment, payroll costs and operational efficiency in the banking sector for the period of 1999—2011.
Researches of Biogas Composition on Landfill
Authors: Масликов  , Maslikov V. , Чусов  , Chusov A. , Молодцов  , Molodtsov D.
Published: January 2014

A practical experience related to execution of work on landfills in order to obtain information on spatial distribution of

biogas’s main components in different areas of waste disposal for landfill site zoning depending on biogas saturation

degree, for energy potential assessment and creation of degassing systems for justification of remediation has been

considered in this paper.
‘A family member suicide causes “broken heart syndrome” – two cases of the tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy’.
Authors: Salska Agata , Plesiewicz Izabela , Zielinska Marzenna , Chizynski Krzysztof
Published: January 2014

Tako tsubo cardiomyopathy is a reversible form of an acute cardiac dysfunction connected with severe emotional or physical stress. An impact of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression in the tako-tsubo patients is investigated, authors reported its’ significantly higher prevalence in this group in the comparison with an acute coronary syndrome group. The exact pathogenesis remains uncertain. It’s clinical presentation often mimics an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), without coronary artery obstruction in angiography. This case report presents two female patients hospitalized in the Intensive Cardiac Therapy Clinic, Medical University of Lodz, Poland, due to the tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. In both cases the stress trigger, preceding the onset of symptoms was a family member suicide.
Effect of metabolic abnormalities on cognitive performance and clinical symptoms in schizophrenia
Authors: Wysokiński Adam , Dzienniak Małgorzata , Kłoszewska Iwona
Published: January 2014

Aim of the study

The objective of this study is to determine whether and how metabolic abnormalities are associated with clinical symptoms and cognitive performance in schizophrenia.

Subject or material and methods

46 adult patients with schizophrenia taking first- or second generation antipsychotics were included in the study. The following data were collected: BMI, abdominal circumference, lipid panel and blood glucose, blood pressure and treatment of comorbidities. Clinical symptoms were assessed using PANSS, CDSS, CGI and SAS scales. Cognitive performance was assessed using CNS Vital Signs computerized battery of tests: Verbal Memory test, Visual Memory test, Finger Tapping Test, Symbol Digit Coding, Stroop Test, Shifting Attention Test, and Continuous Performance Test.

Results

Dyslipidemia, raised LDL and raised blood glucose levels were the best predictors of more severe clinical symptoms (PANSS, PANSS P, PANSS G, CGI) and lower neurocognitive index, worse cognitive flexibility, executive functions, complex attention composite memory, verbal memory, slower reaction time and worse performance in SAT, CPT, ST tests. Obesity was associated with worse results in VBM, VIM, FTT, SDC tests. Raised blood pressure was associated with improvements in all cognitive domains and better performance in SAT, CPT, ST tests.

Discussion

There are several weak associations between severity of clinical symptoms and metabolic abnormalities. Most of these were for blood glucose levels and raised blood glucose. Lipids and glucose abnormalities are the best predictors of deteriorated cognitive performance. Contrary to previous observations, raised blood pressure was associated with better results in cognitive tests.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that cognitive impairment and metabolic abnormalities may be linked in patients with schizophrenia.
Turismo de segunda residencia: Balance de un desarrollo en la costa Pacífico Sur de Nicaragua.
Authors: Matteucci Xavier
Published: January 2014

Estos últimos años, en regiones del Caribe y de América Central, se observa una proliferación de amplios proyectos residenciales, los cuales se inscriben dentro de programas turísticos con el fin de desarrollar territorios donde perduran problemas de pobreza. Sin embargo, el carácter inmobiliario de esta forma de alojamiento, tanto como el modo de consumo de los residentes temporales, nos advierten de los riesgos conllevados por las comunidades locales. Dentro de los primeros desequilibrios encontrados en la zona Sur Pacifico de Nicaragua, se señala la privatización y destrucción de espacios naturales así como las dudosas perspectivas económicas a favor de la población local. Este trabajo contribuye a arrojar algo más de claridad a la verdadera consecuencia de los desarrollos residenciales turísticos en economías en vías de desarrollo, y desde ahí, permite matizar toda política de desarrollo firmemente basada en las promesas de este sector.Attractive coastal regions of Central and South America have recently experienced a rapid growth of second home developments. While the benefits of tourism to regional economies are put forward by private investors, the contribution of the holiday home sector to sustainable development in peripheral areas is far from being established. This paper, which draws upon both primary and secondary qualitative data, examines the nature of the recent second home developments that have taken place on the South Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. The challenges of this segment to generate tourism activities and sustain local communities are also questioned. The main impacts identified consist of conflicts over land use and ownership, low-income employment generation, an increased burden of municipal budget to provide public infrastructure, and environmental degradation. It is argued that the second home tourism sector, strongly driven by private real estate investors, fails to induce the desired socio-economic benefits that would benefit local communities. In addition, this study indicates that municipalities concentrating on the second home tourism segment may deprive other forms of tourism activities access to resources.
On types of matrices and centralizers of matrices and permutations
Authors: Britnell John R. , Wildon Mark
Published: January 2014

It is known that the centralizer of a matrix
over a finite field depends, up to conjugacy, only on the type of the
matrix, in the sense defined by J. A. Green.
In this paper an analogue of the type invariant is defined that
in general captures more information; using this invariant the
result on centralizers is extended to arbitrary fields.
The converse is also proved: thus two matrices have conjugate centralizers
if and only if they have the same generalized type.
The paper ends with the analogous results for symmetric and alternating groups.
Reconstruction of interfaces using CGO solutions for the Maxwell equations
Authors: Kar Manas , Sini Mourad
Published: January 2014

We deal with the problem of reconstructing interfaces using complex geometrical optics solutions for the Maxwell system.
The contributions are twofold.
First, we justify the enclosure method for the impenetrable obstacle case avoiding any assumption on the directions of the phases
of the CGOs (or the curvature of obstacle's surface). In addition, we need only a Lipschitz regularity of this surface.
The analysis is based on some fine properties of the corresponding layer potentials in appropriate Sobolev spaces.
Second, we justify this method also for the penetrable case, where the interface is modeled by the jump (or the discontinuity)
of the magnetic permeability μ. A key point of the analysis is the global Lp
-estimates for the curl of the solutions of the Maxwell system with discontinuous
coefficients. These estimates are justified here for p near 2 generalizing to the Maxwell case the well-known Meyers's Lp
-estimates
of the gradient of the solution of scalar divergence form elliptic problems.
Identification of a constant coefficient in a quasi-linear elliptic equation
Authors: Lyubanova Anna S.
Published: January 2014

The identification of an unknown constant
coefficient in the main term of the second order differential
equation

-
k
M
(
|
u

|

p
-
2

u
)
+
g

(
x
)

u
=
f

(
x
)

${ - kM(|u|^{p-2} u) + g(x) u = f(x) }$

with Dirichlet boundary
condition is considered. The elliptic operator M is self-adjoint,

p
≥
2

${p \ge 2}$

.
The identification of k here is based on an
integral boundary data. The local existence and uniqueness theorems
for the inverse problem is proved in the class of the pairs
involving a function u such that

|
u
|

p
-
2

u
∈

W
2
2

(
Ω
)

${|u|^{p-2} u \in W^2_2 (\Omega )}$

and a positive real number k.
A data-smoothing approach to explore and test gene-environment interaction in case-parent trios
Authors: Shin Ji-Hyung , Infante-Rivard Claire , McNeney Brad , Graham Jinko
Published: January 2014

Complex traits result from an interplay between genes and environment. A better understanding of their joint effects can help refine understanding of the epidemiology of the trait. Various tests have been proposed to assess the statistical interaction between genes and the environment (
Offenses of Sex or Violence? Consent, Fraud, and HIV Transmission
Authors: Cowan Sharon
Published: January 2014

Given the current criminalization trend, the motivating question of this article is whether or not sexual transmission of HIV, without specific consent to the risk of such transmission, should be categorized as an assault or a sexual assault, and what difference that (re)categorization might make. In the argument that follows, the criminalization discourses in Canada and England and Wales that underpin and permeate the debates over HIV transmission will be explored. These jurisdictions have been chosen as examples of two regimes, at almost opposite ends of the criminalization spectrum, in which recent changes have set new benchmarks for criminal responsibility. One (England and Wales) has set rather narrow limits on the criminal law, whilst the other (Canada) has set far broader parameters, and lately has begun to include other sorts of cases (such as deception about the absence of birth control) as analogous to the HIV cases, drawing the boundaries of the criminal law even more widely. Beginning with a brief description of the law in each jurisdiction, this article analyzes the gendered and (hetero)normative role of consent in HIV nondisclosure offenses. Through a comparison with the law on sadomasochism, the article questions whether such offenses are rightly categorized as assaults or as sexual assaults. Following a critical engagement with the reasoning in recent Canadian jurisprudence in the area, the article will conclude by addressing the question of how future HIV transmission cases should be tackled. It is argued that in the absence of a policy that precludes criminalization of nondisclosure, the position in England and Wales is to be preferred.
The BAG Homology Domain of Snl1 Cures Yeast Prion [URE3] Through Regulation of Hsp70 Chaperones
Authors: Kumar Navinder , Gaur Deepika , Masison Daniel C , Sharma Deepak
Published: January 2014

The BAG family of proteins is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans and plants. In animals and plants, the BAG family possesses multiple members with overlapping and distinct functions that regulate many cellular processes, such as signaling, protein degradation, and stress response. The only BAG domain protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is Snl1, which is anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum through an amino-terminal transmembrane region. Snl1 is the only known membrane-associated nucleotide exchange factor for 70-kilodalton heat shock protein (Hsp70), and thus its role in regulating cytosolic Hsp70 functions is not clear. Here, we examine whether Snl1 regulates Hsp70 activity in the propagation of stable prion-like protein aggregates. We show that unlike other nucleotide exchange factors, Snl1 is not required for propagation of yeast prions [URE3] and [PSI+]. Overexpressing Snl1 derivative consisting of only the BAG domain (Snl1-S) cures [URE3]; however, elevated levels of the entire cytosolic domain of Snl1 (Snl1-M), which has nine additional amino-terminal residues, has no effect. Substituting the three lysine residues in this region of Snl1-M with alanine restores ability to cure [URE3]. [PSI+] is unaffected by overproduction of either Snl1-S or Snl1-M. The Snl1-S mutant engineered with weaker affinity to Hsp70 does not cure [URE3], indicating that curing of [URE3] by Snl1-S requires Hsp70. Our data suggest that Snl1 anchoring to endoplasmic reticulum or nuclear membrane restricts its ability to modulate cytosolic activities of Hsp70 proteins. Furthermore, the short amino-terminal extension of the BAG domain profoundly affects its function.
Effects of N2O addition on the properties of ZnO thin films grown using high-temperature H2O generated by catalytic reaction
Authors: Yamaguchi Naoya , Nagatomi Eichi , Kato Takahiro , Ohishi Koichiro , Tamayama Yasuhiro , Yasui Kanji
Published: January 2014

The effects of N2O gas addition on the properties of zinc oxide films grown on a-plane (11-20) sapphire (a-Al2O3) substrates were investigated, using a chemical vapor deposition method based on the reaction between dimethylzinc and high-energy H2O produced by a Pt-catalyzed H2-O2 reaction. By employing an optimal N2O gas pressure, both the film crystallinity and crystal orientation were improved. Subsequent to treatment with N2O, the electron mobility of films at room temperature increased from 207 to 234 cm2/Vs while the electron concentration decreased at low temperatures. In addition, the photoluminescence peak intensity of the nearband-edge emission was increased.
Land cover change interacts with drought severity to change fire regimes in Western Amazonia
Authors: Gutiérrez-Vélez Víctor H. , Uriarte María , DeFries Ruth , Pinedo-Vásquez Miguel , Fernandes Katia , Ceccato Pietro , Baethgen Walter , Padoch Christine
Published: January 2014

Fire is becoming a pervasive driver of environmental change in Amazonia and is expected to intensify, given projected reductions in precipitation and forest cover. Understanding of the influence of post‐deforestation land cover change on fires in Amazonia is limited, even though fires in cleared lands constitute a threat for ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. We used MODIS satellite data to map burned areas annually between 2001 and 2010. We then combined these maps with land cover and climate information to understand the influence of land cover change in cleared lands and dry‐season severity on fire occurrence and spread in a focus area in the Peruvian Amazon. Fire occurrence, quantified as the probability of burning of individual 232‐m spatial resolution MODIS pixels, was modeled as a function of the area of land cover types within each pixel, drought severity, and distance to roads. Fire spread, quantified as the number of pixels burned in 3 × 3 pixel windows around each focal burned pixel, was modeled as a function of land cover configuration and area, dry‐season severity, and distance to roads. We found that vegetation regrowth and oil palm expansion are significantly correlated with fire occurrence, but that the magnitude and sign of the correlation depend on drought severity, successional stage of regrowing vegetation, and oil palm age. Burning probability increased with the area of nondegraded pastures, fallow, and young oil palm and decreased with larger extents of degraded pastures, secondary forests, and adult oil palm plantations. Drought severity had the strongest influence on fire occurrence, overriding the effectiveness of secondary forests, but not of adult plantations, to reduce fire occurrence in severely dry years. Overall, irregular and scattered land cover patches reduced fire spread but irregular and dispersed fallows and secondary forests increased fire spread during dry years. Results underscore the importance of land cover management for reducing fire proliferation in this landscape. Incentives for promoting natural regeneration and perennial crops in cleared lands might help to reduce fire risk if those areas are protected against burning in early stages of development and during severely dry years.
Resilience and recovery potential of duneland vegetation in the southern Kalahari
Authors: Bhattachan Abinash , D'Odorico Paolo , Dintwe Kebonyethata , Okin Gregory S. , Collins Scott L.
Published: January 2014

Many dune fields around the world have undergone alternating periods of mobilization and stabilization in response to changes in wind power and rainfall. However, in modern times disturbances associated with land use are believed to be a dominant factor contributing to the activation of stabilized vegetated dunes in drylands, while the reduction in human activities such as grazing and farming may lead to stabilization of once active dune fields. The Kalahari region of southern Africa has recently begun to exhibit visible signs of dune mobilization, a process that could lead to an activation of aeolian transport in the region with important implications for the biogeochemistry of downwind terrestrial and marine ecosystems. It is still unclear whether the region is poised at a tipping point between its current state (i.e., vegetated fixed linear dunes), and a “degraded” state (i.e., barren and active dunes). Here we investigate the ability of the landscape to recover from the degraded state by assessing the resilience of duneland vegetation and evaluating the vegetation and soil characteristics. Using field observations and soil seed bank experiments, we show that palatable perennial grass cover is reduced while the seedbank is depleted on grazed dunefields. Conversely, the interdunes generally exhibit relatively rich seed banks. Soils from grazed and ungrazed sites show that plant available nutrient contents are not significantly different; therefore, soil nutrients are likely not a major factor limiting the recovery of perennial vegetation in this region. It is observed that the perennial grasses reestablish on the recovering dunes after grazers have been excluded, indicating that the landscape is still able to recover after years of denudation and that any irreversible shift to a stable degraded state is likely during extended periods of disturbance and/or climatic shifts that promote the degraded state. We also find that changes in grass cover, grass community composition, and seed bank can serve as indicators of whether the system has irreversibly shifted from a vegetated to a bare dune state.
Sodium-carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatite ceramics
Authors: Zyman Zoltan , Tkachenko Mykola
Published: January 2014

Powders of sodium-carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatite, having sodium
content in the range of 0.25-1.5 wt.% with a 0.25 wt.% step, were prepared by
a precipitation-solid state reaction route. Compacts of the powders were
sintered in a CO2 flow (4 mL/min) at 1100 ?C for 2 h. The sintered ceramics
contained sodium and carbonate ions in the ranges of 0-1.5 wt.% and 1.3-6
wt.%, respectively, which are typical impurity concentrations in biological
apatite. A relationship between sodium and carbonate contents and the type of
carbonate substitution was found. The total carbonate content progressively
increased with the sodium content. The obtained ceramics showed an AB-type
carbonate substitution. However, the substitution became more B-type as the
sodium content increased. As a result, the carbonation was almost B-type (94
%) for the highest sodium content (1.5 wt.%).
Influence of thermal treatment and combustible additives on properties of Latvian clay ceramics pellets
Authors: Dabare Liga , Svinka Ruta
Published: January 2014

Porous ceramic pellets for possible environmental application were produced
from different Latvian clays by sintering at different temperatures. Their
characteristics and influence of additives were analysed using X-ray
diffraction, mercury porosimetry and BET tests. The obtained ceramic pellets
from calcareous clays after immersion in distilled water change its pH value,
which affects their capability to adsorb ions or molecules on the surface.
The sorption capabilities are dependent on the pH level of water solution,
composition of clays, and used adsorbate. Porosity of the produced pellets is
mostly within range from 15 to 25 % throughout all sintering temperatures
with a slight decrease at 1050 ?C. The specific surface area has a wide range
up to 30 m2/g. The highest surface area has pellets sintered at lower
temperatures. The adsorption capability of pellets was evaluated using water
solutions with different ions. The most promising results were obtained with
iodine sorption. For most pellets the sorption capacity was 12.7 mg/g,
although for the pellets sintered at 1050 ?C it was lower.
Different conceptions of observation in sociology and anthropology
Authors: Ilic Vladimir
Published: January 2014

The paper contains introductory considerations regarding the observation such
as particular method and research procedure in social sciences. The
observation is greatly neglected in favor of so called qualitative research
methods or field work today. The observation is the strongest research
procedure due to it has the most direct approach to the examined phenomena.
In this text the different traditions of the observation in social sciences
(sociology, psychology, anthropology, pedagogy) are considered. Present
neglecting of observation is explained by the impact of epistemological as
well as social factors. Former ones are related to the growing division among
the philosophy of science and the methodologies of particular sciences.
Latter are conditioned by subversive potential of observation in comparison
to more fashioned methods and procedures.
The use of factor analysis in sociology: The example of value orientation analysis
Authors: Petrovic Irena
Published: January 2014

The widespread use of factor analysis in social research requires a detailed
review of epistemological and methodological aspects of its use. This is the
only way to overcome ?usual manner? of understanding factor analysis as a
statistical method. In methodological terms, it is necessary to provide not
only theoretical definition of the basic concepts and theoretical assumptions
related to use of factor analysis, but also adequate operational definition.
The importance of these theoretical prerequisites is being shown through two
types of factor analysis: exploratory vs. confirmatory factor analysis. In
addion, this paper gives particular attention to fulfill the basic
epistemological principles. In this paper an example of the use of
confirmatory factor analysis will be given. This will be done by carrying out
a confirmatory factor analysis on data from a study in the field of value
orientation. This type of factor analysis is used with the intention of
revealing and understanding latent constructs. In the context of value
orientation analysis, the concepts of authoritarian collectivism and
patriarchalism will ilustrate the concept of latent dimensions.
A novel method for feasibility testing urban sustainable development policies
Authors: O’Doherty Travis , Fitzgerald Brian , Moles Richard , O’Regan Bernadette
Published: January 2014

Policy making to promote more sustainable development is a complex task due
in part to the large number of both stakeholders and potential policies.
Policy feasibility testing provides a guide to the viability and practicality
of policy implementation and forms an important part of an evidence based
policy making process. An extensive literature review has identified no
standardized approach to feasibility testing. This paper addresses this
knowledge gap by describing a novel method using Multi-Criteria Decision
Analysis (MCDA) for feasibility testing of policies aimed at increasing the
sustainability of towns and villages in Ireland. Feasibility results are
provided for 40 frequently cited policy interventions tested for 18
settlements in Ireland. Policies were selected in the arenas of transport,
food, housing and urban form, energy, waste and water. Policies are
feasibility tested through analysis of operational evidence from both
quantitative and qualitative data sources. Following testing, policies are
ranked in terms of feasibility. This research examines the effectiveness of
local and national level policies and the importance of both local community
involvement and central government regulation in policy success. The
inter-settlement variation in feasibility testing scores prioritises policy
selection and aims to reduce cherry-picking of policies to support the
viewpoints of the decision maker. Although developed for an Irish urban
context the methods described here may have applicability elsewhere.
Rehabilitation of urban identity of cities in the Banja Luka region through urban form regulation
Authors: Simonovic Dijana
Published: January 2014

This paper points to the possibility of codification of urban planning and
application of physical regulation standards in urban form design to
establish such instruments of guidance as will ensure the recognition,
appreciation and development of local urban identity. The purpose of
establishing general principles and making quality recommendations that would
aim at urban form design regulation and be implemented as qualitative
criteria and regulation standards is to propose a methodology for the
rehabilitation of the City of Banja Luka?s identity applicable to similar
cities in the region, with due adjustments to allow for contextual
specificity, with the possibility of coordinated regional city development.
The discontinuity in the urban development of Banja Luka and other cities in
the region has jeopardised the inherent characteristics of their identities,
resulting in reduced recognisability and impaired integrity. This study
covers the period since the beginning of Banja Luka?s guided urban
development (Austro-Hungarian administration, 1878), which should allow a
review of its urban morphogenesis and an understanding of its key elements,
as well as identification of the general principles and rules of urban form
regulation as laid down in the local ordinance and planning legacy.
Active Noise Control with a Single Nonlinear Control Filter for a Vibrating Plate with Multiple Actuators
Authors: Mazur Krzysztof , Pawełczyk Marek
Published: January 2014

Vibrating plates can be used in Active Noise Control (ANC) applications as active barriers or as secondary sources replacing classical loudspeakers. The system with vibrating plates, especially when nonlinear MFC actuators are used, is nonlinear. The nonlinearity in the system reduces performance of classical feedforward ANC with linear control filters systems, because they cannot cope with harmonics generated by the nonlinearity. The performance of the ANC system can be improved by using nonlinear control filters, such as Artificial Neural Networks or Volterra filters. However, when multiple actuators are mounted on a single plate, which is a common practice to provide effective control of more vibration modes, each actuator should be driven by a dedicated nonlinear control filter. This significantly increases computational complexity of the control algorithm, because adaptation of nonlinear control filters is much more computationally demanding than adaptation of linear FIR filters. This paper presents an ANC system with multiple actuators, which are driven with a single nonlinear filter. To avoid destructive interference of vibrations generated by different actuators the control signal is filtered by appropriate separate linear filters. The control system is experimentally verified and obtained results are reported.
Technical Note. Influence of Material Used for the Regenerator on the Properties of a Thermoacoustic Heat Pump
Authors: Kruk Bartłomiej
Published: January 2014

Research in termoacoustics began with the observation of the heat transfer between gas and solids. Using this interaction the intense sound wave could be applied to create engines and heat pumps. The most important part of thermoacoustic devices is a regenerator, where press of conversion of sound energy into thermal or vice versa takes place. In a heat pump the acoustic wave produces the temperature difference at the two ends of the regenerator. The aim of the paper is to find the influence of the material used for the construction of a regenerator on the properties of a thermoacoustic heat pump. Modern technologies allow us to create new materials with physical properties necessary to increase the temperature gradient on the heat exchangers. The aim of this paper is to create a regenerator which strongly improves the efficiency of the heat pump.
Commonwealth Games and Their Impact on Scotland’s Future in or outside the United Kingdom
Authors: Ochman Katarzyna
Published: January 2014

It is more than probable that the Commonwealth Games in 2014 will be used by the Scottish government as a tool in the battle for independence. For the Scottish National Party (SNP), sport events constitute another opportunity to underline Scottish autonomy. During the last Olympic Games, SNP ministers refused to use the name “Team GB” in their message to the Scottish athletes. Nurturing Scottish pride during the Games has already begun, with the official mascot—the Clyde Thistle, which is Scotland’s national flower and emblem. The mascot of the Commonwealth Games has never waved the patriotic flag as it does now.
Decreasing the thresholds for electroporation by sensitizing cells with local cationic anesthetics and substances that decrease the surface negative electric charge
Authors: Grys Maciej , Madeja Zbigniew , Korohoda Włodzimierz
Published: January 2014

The recently described method of cell electroporation by flow of cell suspension through localized direct current electric fields (dcEFs) was applied to identify non-toxic substances that could sensitize cells to external electric fields. We found that local cationic anesthetics such as procaine, lidocaine and tetracaine greatly facilitated the electroporation of AT2 rat prostate carcinoma cells and human skin fibroblasts (HSF). This manifested as a 50% reduction in the strength of the electric field required to induce cell death by irreversible electroporation or to introduce fluorescent dyes such as calcein, carboxyfluorescein or Lucifer yellow into the cells. A similar decrease in the electric field thresholds for irreversible and reversible cell electroporation was observed when the cells were exposed to the electric field in the presence of the non-toxic cationic dyes 9-aminoacridine (9-AAA) or toluidine blue. Identifying non-toxic, reversibly acting cell sensitizers may facilitate cancer tissue ablation and help introduce therapeutic or diagnostic substances into the cells and tissues.
Kinetic analysis of cellulose pyrolysis: a short review
Authors: Şerbănescu Cristina
Published: January 2014

Since the 1950s, cellulose pyrolysis has been the subject of intense study, with kinetic analyses forming a major part of these studies. They represent useful tools for a better understanding of the physicochemical process and for the proper design of industrial pyrolysis units. Until recently, the methods most frequently used in these analyses were based on model-fitting, i.e. the fitting of the experimental data to a number of mathematical models. Nowadays, other methods, so-called “model-free” methods, are considered to be more suited. These are based on the principle that, at constant conversion, the reaction rate depends only on temperature. In its first part, this short review presents the particularities and drawbacks of the traditional model-fitting models. Subsequently, several main contributions in this field are listed and discussed. Finally, the more suited “model-free” (isoconversional) methods are explained and several main studies presented, as well as a comparison of this method with the model-fitting ones.
The influence of triggers geometry upon the stiffness of cylindrical thin walled tubes
Authors: Soica Adrian , Radu Gheorghe
Published: January 2014

Today’s automobile manufacturers are increasingly using lightweight materials to reduce weight; these include plastics, composites, aluminium, magnesium alloys, and also new types of high strength steels. Many of these materials have limited strength or ductility, therefore in many cases the rupture being serious consequences during crashes, underscore Picketta et al. in their studies.

Automotive structures must deform plastically in a short period of time, a few milliseconds, to absorb the crash energy in a controllable manner. It must be light and enable economically mass-production [1].

FE models rapidly gained acceptance among engineers. Many other factors facilitated the development of vehicle models by shell finite elements since most of the geometry of the structural surfaces was already on computer graphic files.

Kee Poong Kim and Hoon Huh emphasize that the crashworthiness of each vehicle part needs to be evaluated at the initial stage of design for good performance of an assembled vehicle. As the dynamic behaviour of structural members is different from the static one, the crashworthiness of the vehicle structures has to be assessed by impact analysis.

The paper analyzes the influence of trigger geometry upon the compression of thin-walled cylindrical tubes. Simulations performed on a simple model showed the dependence between triggers area and deformation times as well as the maximum deformations obtained for various speeds at which the simulations ware carried out. Likewise, the geometry of trigger leads to different results.
The effects of population density on the breeding performance of mountain hareLepus timidus
Authors: Knipe Annabel , Fowler Paul A. , Ramsay Scot , Haydon Daniel T. , McNeilly Alan S. , Thirgood Simon , Newey Scott
Published: January 2014

Feedback between population density and demographic parameters often plays a determining role in population dynamics, and it is particularly important in managing exploited or harvested populations. The mountain hareLepus timidusis a traditional game species, which is hunted in Scotland for sport and population control. However, information about how population parameters respond to changes in population density is lacking. To assess how reproduction and juvenile recruitment change in response to population density, we sampled 189 hares (88 females and 101 males) from 10 independent private hunting estates. We found a significant negative correlation between population density and the proportion of juveniles recruited into the breeding population, along with a significant interaction between population density and sex, which revealed that the proportion of juvenile females recruited decreases more rapidly with population density compared to the proportion of male juveniles. However, we found no evidence of density‐dependent fecundity. Our results suggest density‐dependent compensation in this species, acting on recruitment, not fecundity, with rates of juvenile recruitment differing between the sexes. We conclude that the significant correlation between population density and juvenile recruitment may provide harvested populations with the potential for compensatory juvenile recruitment, although harvesting rates need to be accurately estimated to avoid the risk of overharvesting.
Hungry grouse in a warming world: emerging risks from plant chemical defenses and climate change
Authors: Forbey Jennifer Sorensen , Wiggins Natasha L. , Frye Graham G. , Connelly John W.
Published: January 2014

Conservation and management of habitat is central to the conservation of grouse. Identifying thresholds of biotic and abiotic risks that may reduce habitat quality is therefore a component of habitat management of grouse. We propose that dietary phytochemicals, specifically plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), represent an ecological risk to grouse, which are not often considered in the management of grouse. Most species of grouse consume PSMs, which have negative consequences at some concentration. Moreover, several studies provide evidence that the risks posed by PSMs will likely increase under projected climate change scenarios. We discuss potential risks of PSMs for grouse and propose theoretical models, which can be used to test current and future physiological, behavioural and ecological risks of PSMs. We propose that dose‐response thresholds can be used to predict and monitor the synergistic risks of PSMs and climate change for grouse. We further suggest that identifying dose‐response thresholds to PSMs is needed in the management of vertebrate herbivores in general.
Pine martenMartes martesand red foxVulpes vulpessign indices in Scottish forests: population change and reliability of field identification of scats
Authors: Baines David , Aebischer Nicholas , Macleod Allan , Woods John
Published: January 2014

The range and abundance of the pine martenMartes martesand red foxVulpes vulpesare considered to have increased in the Scottish Highlands in recent decades. In 2009, we resurveyed 11 forests surveyed for predators in 1995, together with an additional five forests. Our survey techniques followed those used in 1995. In all, we used DNA analysis to identify 414 mammal scats, representing 30% of the scats collected and identified in the field as being from either fox or marten. Of these, 77% of scats had been identified correctly by two field observers, with no difference between the individual observers. However, of the scats incorrectly identified, there was a bias towards identifying marten scats as fox scats. We used DNA confirmation to obtain correction formulae for scats identified in the field as fox or martens. The corrected marten sign index had increased 3.9‐fold since 1995 and the fox sign index had increased 2.2‐fold in the 11 forests surveyed in both years.
Central Forest Library Acquisition List No. 60, May 2013
Authors: Editor The
Published: January 2014

Banko Janakari, Vol. 23, No. 1, Page 61-62 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/banko.v23i1.9469
The effect of annealing temperature on the corrosion behavior of silver alloyed 2205 duplex stainless steel
Authors: Lin Dong-Yih , Liu Yu-Feng , Chen Chun-Hung , Chen Yi-Chun , Huang Wei-Ping , Yang Sheng-Min , Wang Huei-Sen
Published: January 2014

Silver-containing 2205 duplex stainless steel is used as an anti-bacterial material in the food industry and hospitals. 2205 duplex stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and superior workability due to it having austenite (γ) and ferrite (δ). In this work, a quantitative analysis was carried out to estimate the effect of annealing temperature on the phase transformation of 0.1 wt.% Ag alloyed 2205 duplex stainless steel. Results show that the sigma (σ) phase was precipitated at the δ/γ interface and that the grain size increased with increasing heating temperature. The maximum volume fraction of σ phase was observed at 875 °C. The effects of the heat treatment induced constituent phases on the corrosion behavior of silver alloyed 2205 duplex stainless steel were also evaluated by means of electrochemical measurements.
Microstructure and residual stresses of laser remelted surfaces of a hot work tool steel
Authors: Preußner Johannes , Oeser Sabine , Pfeiffer Wulf , Temmler André , Willenborg Edgar
Published: January 2014

This paper deals with a systematic metallurgical analysis of laser remelted surfaces on the hot work tool steel 1.2343 (AISI: H11). There are novel techniques using laser remelting for polishing surfaces using a constant laser beam power or for structuring surfaces using a modulated laser power. Basic properties, e. g. residual stresses, retained austenite, micro-stresses, microstructure, chemical composition and micro-hardness of the remelted near-surface layers are analyzed for different sets of procedural parameters such as laser power, laser beam diameter and number of repetitions. A carbon depleted area was found close to the remelted zone. The surface residual stresses tend from tensile to compressive and the content of retained austenite is lower when increasing both laser beam diameter and laser power. The formation of surface residual stresses is explained by a combination of shrinkage stresses and transformation stresses. The residual stresses tend from tensile to compressive with increasing number of repetitions, which can be explained by a preheating effect. A linear correlation between the measured surface hardness and the peak half width acquired by X-ray diffraction was found.
Hemorrhagic complications of ventriculostomy: incidence and predictors in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Sussman Eric S. , Kellner Christopher P. , Nelson Eric , McDowell Michael M. , Bruce Samuel S. , Bruce Rachel A. , Zhuang Zong , Connolly E. Sander
Published: January 2014

Object

Ventriculostomy—the placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD)—is a common procedure performed in patients with acute neurological injury. Although generally considered a low-risk intervention, recent studies have cited higher rates of hemorrhagic complications than those previously reported. The authors sought to determine the rate of postventriculostomy hemorrhage in a cohort of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to identify predictors of hemorrhagic complications of EVD placement.

Methods

Patients with ICH who underwent EVD placement and had both pre- and postprocedural imaging available for analysis were included in this study. Relevant data were prospectively collected for each patient who satisfied inclusion criteria. Variables with a p < 0.20 on univariate analyses were included in a stepwise logistic regression model to identify predictors of postventriculostomy hemorrhage.

Results

Sixty-nine patients were eligible for this analysis. Postventriculostomy hemorrhage occurred in 31.9% of patients. Among all patients with intraparenchymal hemorrhage, the mean hemorrhage volume was 0.66 ± 1.06 cm3. Stratified according to ventricular catheter diameter, patients treated with smaller-diameter catheters had a significantly greater mean hemorrhage volume than patients treated with larger-diameter catheters (0.84 ± 1.2 cm3 vs 0.14 ± 0.12 cm3, p = 0.049). Postventriculostomy hemorrhage was clinically significant in only 1 patient (1.4%). Overall, postventriculostomy hemorrhage was not associated with functional outcome or mortality at either discharge or 90 days. In the multivariate model, an age > 75 years was the only independent predictor of EVD-associated hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Advanced age is predictive of EVD-related hemorrhage in patients with ICH. While postventriculostomy hemorrhage is common, it appears to be of minor clinical significance in the majority of patients.
Les fondements conceptuels de la fiducie française face au trust de la common law: entre droit des contrats et droit des biens
Authors: Emerich Yaëll
Published: January 2014

La nouvelle fiducie française peine à définir clairement son assise conceptuelle. Bien qu’indubitablement imprégnée du vocabulaire du droit des contrats, la fiducie française est mieux comprise comme étant située à la confluence du droit des contrats et du droit des biens. Définie à partir de l’idée d’un patrimoine autonome, séparé du patrimoine propre du fiduciaire, elle évoque le concept de patrimoine d’affectation que pourtant elle ne nomme pas. N’est pas non plus clairement identifiée la propriété fiduciaire, inspirée du trust anglo-saxon, qui est seulement sous-jacente dans le Code civil français. Par une analyse comparative, cet article tend à montrer que la fiducie française a consacré une propriété fiduciaire, qui peut être créée par contrat, mais dont plusieurs des effets sont réels et, plus précisément, fondés sur la propriété. La propriété fiduciaire peut ainsi être analysée comme une modalité de la propriété civiliste, inspirée de la common law.
Étude socio-légale de la résolution des conflits au Japon
Authors: Dubois Edouard
Published: January 2014

Les Japonais sont réticents à porter leurs conflits devant les prétoires. Le nombre de procès a toujours été et est encore bien inférieur à celui des autres pays développés. Les théories se sont succédé pour tenter d’expliquer cette singularité japonaise. Le professeur Kawashima y a vu une particularité culturelle, le signe d’un manque de conscience légale. Le professeur Haley a expliqué cette réticence par les nombreuses barrières institutionnelles qui ont fait du procès un processus long et coûteux. Tandis que pour le professeur Ramseyer, les décisions judiciaires sont aisément prévisibles au Japon et il est donc facile pour les Japonais de se concilier sur le résultat probable de leurs différends. Les Japonais sont-ils vraiment réticents à requérir les services du juge ? L’étude empirique de l’activité judiciaire du Japon depuis 1875 a permis de réaliser l’existence d’une relation anti-cyclique entre la situation économique et l’activité judiciaire du Japon. À chaque crise économique, le pays a connu des pics de contentieux, mais sur le long terme les Japonais restaient néanmoins réticents à recourir aux tribunaux. L’évolution récente semble par contre plus profonde. La société japonaise a commencé à se judiciariser et les Japonais n’hésitent plus à utiliser les tribunaux, soit pour défendre leurs droits et libertés, soit pour s’en servir comme tribune politique.
La mafia russe en Europe : mythe ou réalité ? (Aspects criminologiques)
Authors: M. Matskévitch Igor
Published: January 2014

Cet article traite de la pénétration et de l’assimilation des citoyens de la Russie en Europe. Ce processus a pris des traits de stabilité, et son caractère négatif devient de moins en moins prononcé. En même temps, suite au développement des contacts dans le domaine culturel et, surtout, dans le domaine entrepreneurial, ce sont les représentants du monde criminel qui viennent inévitablement s’implanter et qui cherchent également à élargir leur champ d’activité. Il est important de comprendre que la mafia «russe » existe, de même qu’existe la criminalité organisée des représentants russophones issus des pays de l’ancienne Union Soviétique. Ces organisations criminelles peuvent coopérer, mais aussi s’affronter. Ce sont deux types de criminalité organisée différents. La part des criminels issus de la Russie en Europe est considérable, mais ce ne sont pas eux qui occupent la première place. Il n’existe pas d’approche unique pour définir la criminalité russe organisée, bien que ce concept soit formalisé dans le Code pénal de la Fédération de Russie. Les particularités de la criminalité organisée russe sont notamment : sa composition internationale ; un regroupement selon le principe de compatriotisme. Les cadres des services chargés de l’ordre en Europe ont sous-estimé le caractère dangereux de la mafia «russe » et qu’ils ont été surpris par sa large prolifération. En conclusion la mafia «russe » est définie.