bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Descent and Inheritance in Zoroastrian and Shiʿite Law: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Macuch Maria
Published: November 2017

The Twelver Shiʿite law of inheritance constitutes one of the most distinctive features of the legal system in comparison with Sunni law. Although there are major and even irreconcilable divergences between the Sunnite law of succession according to all four legal schools on the one hand and Twelver Shiʿite law on the other, no convincing explanations for this striking development within Islamic law itself, leading to two fundamentally distinct systems, have hitherto been put forward. The aim of this preliminary study is to call attention to several remarkable correspondences between the complex Iranian (Zoroastrian) law of succession, conceived to support the specific needs of aristocratic descent groups in the Sasanian period, and Twelver Shiʿite regulations, reflecting a very similar underlying concept of family ties and descent groups as a whole. The question is, whether these congruencies are purely coincidental or based on age-old social and traditional norms, which continued to be practised in the regions of the former Sasanian empire after the Islamic conquest. As Sasanian norms remained operative in customary law (now documented by Pahlavi legal documents from 8th century Tabarestān) during the formative period of Islamic law and the Sunnite regulations, being based to a large extent on pre-Islamic tribal law in Arabia, contrast sharply with the Shiʿite concept, it would be consistent to assume that certain precepts in the pre-Islamic Iranian system had an important impact on the development of the Twelver Shiʿite law of inheritance.
The Dēnkard Against its Islamic Discourse
Authors: Rezania Kianoosh
Published: November 2017

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Avicenna’s Shifāʾ (Sufficientia): in Defense of Medieval Latin Translators
Authors: Saliba George
Published: November 2017

This article explores the reasons why medieval Latin translators used the term
Heirs of Chinghis Khan in the Age of Revolutions: An Unruly Crimean Prince in the Ottoman Empire and Beyond
Authors: Kırımlı Hakan , Yaycıoğlu Ali
Published: November 2017

Focusing on Cengiz Mehmed Geray, an idiosyncratic member of the ruling house of the Crimean Khanate, this article examines how a Crimean Prince became an active participant in the stormy politics of the Ottoman Empire and later of Europe, as a result of his distinguished Chinghisid pedigree, in the age of revolutions. The first section of this article discusses the place of the Geray and Chinghisid lineage within Ottoman imperial politics. The second section focuses on the period following the Gerays’ departure from Crimea. It illustrates how members of the family, although scattered throughout the Balkans, operated in the provincial and imperial politics of the Ottoman Empire in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The following section introduces Cengiz Geray and his turbulent life between the Ottoman and Russian Empires, and discusses how he became an actor in a revolutionary age. The last section is a short discussion on Chinghisid charisma in the early modern Europe, Russia and the Ottoman Empire.
Self-Assimilation for Solving Excessive Information Acquisition in Potential Learning
Authors: Kamimura Ryotaro , Kitago Tsubasa
Published: November 2017

The present paper aims to propose a new computational method for potential learning to improve generalization and interpretation. Potential learning has been proposed to simplify the computational procedures of information maximization and to specify which neurons should be fired. However, it is often the case that potential learning sometimes absorbs too much information content on input patterns in the early stage of learning, which tends to degrade generalization performance. This can be solved by making potential learning as slow as possible. Accordingly, we here propose a procedure called “self-assimilation” in which connection weights are accentuated by their characteristics observed in the specific learning step. This makes it possible to predict future connection weights in the early stage of learning. Thus, it is possible to improve generalization by slow learning and at the same time to improve the interpretation of connection weights via the enhanced characteristics of the connection weights. The method was applied to an artificial data set, as well as a real data set of counter services at a local government office in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The results show that improved generalization was observed by making learning as slow as possible. In addition, the number of strong connection weights became smaller for better interpretation by self-assimilation.
Using Particle Swarm Optimization to Accurately Identify Syntactic Phrases in Free Text
Authors: Tambouratzis George
Published: November 2017

The present article reviews the application of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms to optimize a phrasing model, which splits any text into linguistically-motivated phrases. In terms of its functionality, this phrasing model is equivalent to a shallow parser. The phrasing model combines attractive and repulsive forces between neighbouring words in a sentence to determine which segmentation points are required. The extrapolation of phrases in the specific application is aimed towards the automatic translation of unconstrained text from a source language to a target language via a phrase-based system, and thus the phrasing needs to be accurate and consistent to the training data.

Experimental results indicate that PSO is effective in optimising the weights of the proposed parser system, using two different variants, namely sPSO and AdPSO. These variants result in statistically significant improvements over earlier phrasing results. An analysis of the experimental results leads to a proposed modification in the PSO algorithm, to prevent the swarm from stagnation, by improving the handling of the velocity component of particles. This modification results in more effective training sequences where the search for new solutions is extended in comparison to the basic PSO algorithm. As a consequence, further improvements are achieved in the accuracy of the phrasing module.
Simulation and Experimental Evaluation of the EKF Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Algorithm on the Wifibot Mobile Robot
Authors: Ayadi Noura , Derbel Nabil , Morette Nicolas , Novales Cyril , Poisson Gérard
Published: November 2017

In recent years, autonomous navigation for mobile robots has been considered a highly active research field. Within this context, we are interested to apply the Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) approach for a wheeled mobile robot. The Extended Kalman Filter has been chosen to perform the SLAM algorithm. In this work, we explicit all steps of the approach. Performances of the developed algorithm have been assessed through simulation in the case of a small scale map. Then, we present several experiments on a real robot that are proceeded in order to exploit a programmed SLAM unit and to generate the navigation map. Based on experimental results, simulation of the SLAM method in the case of a large scale map is then realized. Obtained results are exploited in order to evaluate and compare the algorithm’s consistency and robustness for both cases.
The EU Gender Earnings Gap: Job Segregation and Working Time as Driving Factors
Authors: Boll Christina , Rossen Anja , Wolf André
Published: November 2017

This paper estimates size and impact factors of the gender pay gap in Europe. It adds to the literature in three aspects. First, we update existing figures on the gender pay gaps in the EU based on the Structure of Earnings Survey 2010 (SES). Second, we enrich the literature by undertaking comprehensive country comparisons of the gap components based on an Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition. Overall, we analyse 21 EU countries plus Norway, which clearly exceeds the scope of existing microdata studies. Third, we examine the sources of the unexplained gap. We find that about one third of the gap can be traced back to the role of the explanatory factors included in our analysis. Human capital related factors are of minor importance. Instead, the sectoral segregation of genders is identified as the most important barrier to gender pay equality in European countries. In addition, the fact that part-time positions are more frequent among women notably contributes to the gap. Furthermore, sector premiums are generally to men’s advantage, this might point to a less advanta-geous within-sector positional sorting for women compared to men. We conclude that policies aiming at closing the gender pay gap should focus more on the sector level than on the aggregate economy.
Case Report. Persistent Common Arterial Trunk in an Adult Presenting in the Emergency Room as Severely Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Szöke Zsuzsanna , Suciu András , Jeszenszky Géza , György Piroska
Published: November 2017

Truncus arteriosus (TA) or common arterial trunk is a rare malformation, accounting for 0.21 to 0.34% of congenital heart diseases, which, if left untreated, leads to increased mortality rates. The condition is characterized by the presence of a unique arterial trunk that overrides the interventricular septum. Despite an overall poor outcome, few subjects present in emergency settings with signs suggestive for pulmonary arterial hypoplasia and associated heart failure. We report the case of a 31-year-old female patient who had been previously diagnosed with pulmonary atresia and severe scoliosis as an infant, presenting in the emergency department with clinical sings of decompensated heart failure which were demonstrated to be attributable to the severe cyanogenic heart malformation and were reversible after initiation of appropriate therapeutic measures.
Prediction Method of Railway Freight Volume Based on Genetic Algorithm Improved General Regression Neural Network
Authors: Guo Zhi-da , Fu Jing-Yuan
Published: November 2017

Railway freight transportation is an important part of the national economy. The accurate forecast of railway freight volume is significant to the planning, construction, operation, and decision-making of railways. Railway freight volume forecasting methods are complex and nonlinear due to the imbalance of supply and demand in the railway freight market as well as the complicated and different influences of various factors on freight volume. The relation between some information is easily ignored when the traditional method of railway freight volume forecasting is used for prediction based on causality or time series. After analyzing the application status of the generalized regression neural network (GRNN) in the prediction method of railway freight volume, this paper improves the performance of this model using an improved neural network. In the improved method, genetic algorithm (GA) is adopted to search the optimal spread, which is the only factor of the GRNN, and then the optimal spread is used for forecasting in the GRNN. In the process of railway freight volume forecasting, through this method, the increments of data are taken in the calculation process and the goal values are obtained after calculation as the forecasted results. Compared to the results of the GRNN, higher prediction accuracy is obtained through the GA-improved GRNN. Finally, the railway freight volumes in the next 2 years are forecasted based on this method and this improved method can provide a new approach for predicting the railway freight volume.
A Million Fruit Trees for the Countryside
Authors: Hrdoušek Vít , Krška Boris , Kulíšek Petr , Lokoč Radim
Published: November 2017

Innovative programme of so-called functional planting of fruit trees in Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia in order to increase the resilience of the territory to climate change.
Optical Soliton Compression in Dispersion Decreasing Fibers with Relaxing Kerr Effect
Authors: Lima J.L.S. , Ferraz C.H.A.
Published: November 2017

Optical soliton compression in dispersion decreasing fibers with relaxing Kerr effect was investigated numerically. The results were compared with the instantaneous nonlinear response case. It was observed that, in general, the relaxing Kerr effect produces significantly worse results than the instantaneous nonlinear response. However, by the appropriate choice of fiber length, one can obtain a higher compression factor if the relaxation time is sufficiently short.
Numerical Simulation of Crustal Strain in Turkey from Continuous GNSS Measurements in the Interval 2009–2017
Authors: Ansari Kutubuddin , Corumluoglu Ozsen , Sharma Sunil Kumar
Published: November 2017

The present study investigates the crustal strain in Turkey by using data from the Turkish permanent GNSS network (TPGN) and international GNSS services (IGS) observations for a period of 9 years, 2009 t0 2017. The positional variation of GNSS sites is studied to understand the coordinate reliability, interseismic and coseismic effects and linear velocities as well as three dimensional principal strains across the country. The study of coordinate reliability shows that the horizontal and vertical residuals in 2013 and 2015 are of the order of 100 mm per coordinate or higher than those of 2009 and 2011 and 10 times higher than those of 2017. The changes in baseline length relative to an arbitrary zero-o_set for the selected period shows that the most of the sites have displacement in the interval −10 to 10 mm but some sites have larger variations. These displacements are mostly related to motion of the Turkish tectonic plate, regional crustal deformation and small amounts of errors inGNSS positioning. The most GNSS site velocities located all over Turkey give significant information for the study. The GNSS data shows that the Anatolian plate relative to the Eurasia is moving in a western direction in the central part of Turkey and starts to move in a south-westerly direction in the west part of the country. The westward motion of Anatolia increases gradually from 20 mm/yr in central Anatolia to 30 mm/yr in south-west Turkey. The numerical simulation of the crustal strain in the Aegean region shows a maximum 1.0446×10−6 compressional principal strain rate while the second principal strain rate is zero. The strain in Central Anatolia is evidently dominated by extensional deformations and the principal strain rate reaches to 0.9589×10−6 with maximum extension. The Marmara Region network is subject to an extensional principal strain (0.6608×10−6) which is also revealed in the Mediterranean Region with a 0.5682×10−6 extension. The present analysis of GNSS data over the region may complement towards the understanding of the stability of regional tectonics and long term aseismic strain inside the country.
Association of ’Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ with Cosmos bipinnatus phyllody disease in Iran
Authors: Nikooei Mehrnoosh , Hemmati Chamran , Bagheri Abdoolnabi
Published: November 2017

In 2017 growing season numerous examinations of Cosmos bipinnatus in Hormozgan province, Iran revealed the disease symptoms similar to those associated with phytoplasmas. Phytoplasmas were detected from all symptomatic plants by the specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) utilizing phytoplasma universal primer pairs. Amplification, sequencing and blast analysis of 16S rDNA fragment (ca. 1.2 kb) demonstrated that C. bipinnatus plants were infected by a phytoplasma belonging to the 16SrII group. This is the first report of association of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’-related strain with C. bipinnatus phyllody in Iran.
Role of metabolic enzymes in resistance to chlorpyrifos-methyl in the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora (Koch)
Authors: Mohammad Soliman Mokbel El-Sayed , Hassan Swelam Eman Saed , Mostafa Radwan Eman Mohamed , Abd-Elhady Kandil Mohammed
Published: November 2017

The cowpea aphid,Aphis craccivoramanagement relies mainly on chemical control. As a result extensive and repeated treatment of insecticides has led to the development of aphid resistance to commonly used insecticides. To investigate chlorpyrifos-methyl resistance inA. craccivora, a field strain was selected for 24-generations to achieve a resistance factor of 82.3 fold compared with a susceptible strain. In the resistant strain, malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin exhibited obvious cross-resistance; while fenvalerate and dinotefuran showed moderate cross-resistance. In contrast, slight or no cross-resistance was obtained with the other tested insecticides. To investigate metabolic resistance mechanisms, integration of biochemical and synergism assays was conducted. Results showed the key role of esterase (EST) and mixed function oxidases (MFO); however, glutathione-s-transferase (GST) contributed less to resistance. Cross-resistance studies showed the need for rotation with non-cross resistant insecticides as a resistance management tactic.
Systemic protection against pearl millet downy mildew disease induced by cell wall glucan elicitors from Trichoderma hamatum UOM 13
Authors: Lavanya Senapathyhally Nagaraju , Niranjan-Raj Sathyanarayana , Nayaka Siddaiah Chandra , Amruthesh Kestur Nagaraju
Published: November 2017

The obligate oomycete Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet, is the incitant of downy mildew disease, which is the main constraint in pearl millet production worldwide. Different elicitors from Trichoderma hamatum UOM 13, e.g. mycelial extract and cell wall glucans, were assessed for their resistance elicitation efficiency and the possible underlying mechanisms. Both mycelial extract and cell wall glucans of T. hamatum UOM 13 positively influenced seed quality parameters of pearl millet, significantly enhanced seed germination and seedling vigor in comparison to the untreated control. Seed priming with cell wall glucan elicitors of T. hamatum UOM 13 suppressed downy mildew on susceptible pearl millet seedlings under greenhouse conditions by induction of systemic host resistance. Of the different elicitor delivery methods tested, transplant root dip was more effective than seed treatment and foliar spray. A combination of transplant root dip + seed treatment + foliar spray was significantly more effective than the single delivery methods. The induced resistance corresponded to up regulation of genes of important defense proteins upon pathogen inoculation. Transcripts of genes of defense enzymes glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase were significantly increased due to the T. hamatum UOM elicitor effect. Expression of hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein genes, known to play an important role in cell wall cross-linking, were also up regulated in response to T. hamatum UOM cell wall glucan treatment. This study emphasizes the role of T. hamatum UOM as a potential elicitor of downy mildew resistance in pearl millet and presents novel insights into the involvement of important defense proteins mediating such as resistance trigger.
Wadi Bounamoussa’s waters quality in the north-east of Algeria: Statistical treatment of some physical and chemical parameters
Authors: Boussaha Soumaya , Laifa Aziz
Published: November 2017

Nowadays, problems with wastes constitute a danger increasingly important for the recipient environments. Indeed, the water is affected in an increasing way by mineral and organic materials from which some ones are pathogenic and thus dangerous for the ecosystem. It is in this context that the present study took place, it relates to the surface waters pollution of the Wadi Bounamoussa in the Algeria northeast. The study concerns the analysis of physical and chemical parameters of waters such as: temperature (T), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Cl-, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total absorbance colour (TAC), total hardness (TH), PO4 3-, total phosphorus (Ptot) along the wadi in one year long survey (October 2013 to July 2014). Waters were sampled at ten study sites with a quarterly sampling. In order to establish a relationship between various physical and chemical parameters and for a better assessment the anthropogenic effect on the Wadi Bounamoussa's water quality, we have processed a statistical treatment by means of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PCA has revealed two gradients. The first reflects the eutrophication caused by chemical fertilizers used in agriculture and the intensive livestock farming development, while the second describes the resulting water mineralization of high rates of the Cl- and EC. Moreover, PCA has allowed discriminating the stations according to their physical and chemical data. This study has allowed us also to reveal the influence of seasonal variations.
Impact of the forest succession on efficiency of the arable land production
Authors: Gniadek Jacek , Pijanowski Jacek M. , Śmigielski Mateusz
Published: November 2017

The paper presents the studies involving analysis of changes in shape of parcels of arable land under the influence of forest succession. The object of the research is the village Grębosze located in Świętokrzyskie voivodeship. The study material will cover all arable land existing in the studied village. The source of data were numerical registry maps from 1998 and 2013. The basic element of research, enabling comparison of changes in the efficiency of the production process are continuous parts of the parcels covered by one form of use. In the course of the output data processing and determination of the necessary technical parameters for the tested surface elements, the specialized tools and statistics were used. The studies were related to the evaluation of formation of these surface structures on the basis of their shape meter in the form of the so-called costs of cultivation. The obtained results make it possible to tell, to what extent the changes resulting from the consequences of the secondary forest succession influence the process of cultivation of neighbouring arable land.
The use of carbonate-silica rock (opoka) to remove iron, manganese and indicator bacteria from groundwater
Authors: Marzec Michał , Pieńko Agata , Gizińska-Górna Magdalena , Pytka Aneta , Jóźwiakowski Krzysztof , Sosnowska Bożena , Kamińska Agnieszka , Listosz Agnieszka
Published: November 2017

The study investigated the efficiency of removal of iron, manganese and indicator bacteria from potable groundwater by using carbonate-silica rock (opoka). The tests were performed in a laboratory in three filter columns supplied with water containing increased concentrations of iron and manganese. Two of the columns were filled with carbonate-silica rock with particle sizes of 2-5 mm; retention time for water in the columns was set at 1 h and 2 h. A third column was filled with 1-2 mm rock particles, with hydraulic retention time set at 1 h. High removal efficiencies were determined for iron, manganese and coliform bacteria and low removal efficiencies for psychro- and mesophilic bacteria. An increase in the alkalinity of the investigated water was also observed.
Il geroglifico cretese: nuovi metodi di lettura (con una nuova proposta di interpretazione del segno 044 i)
Authors: Ferrara Silvia , Cristiani Diego
Published: November 2017

In base a recenti analisi dei sigilli in pietra iscritti nel sistema di scrittura geroglifico cretese, ancora indecifrato, si puo proporre una nuova ipotesi di interpretazione della funzione di alcuni segni. Alcuni elementi che erano stati considerati come simboli decorativi sono stati re-interpretati, invece, come elementi semantici del repertorio geroglifico cretese. Nel valutare l’attendibilita di questa ipotesi a livello sistemico, proponiamo di attribuire ad alcuni segni del repertorio una funzione logografica, sottolineata dall’uso di filler decorativi che sembrano isolarne la posizione all’interno di una sequenza di sillabogrammi. Come esempio sotteso a questa metodologia, si e rivelata istruttiva una computazione statistica delle attestazioni del segno 044 i soprattutto per gli esempi integrati nelle sequenze ripetute fino ad oggi interpretate come ‘formule’. Alla luce di queste considerazioni, offriamo una nuova interpretazione dell’iconografia di questo segno. Dagli inizi degli studi sul geroglifico, il segno 044 i e stato associato alla rappresentazione di una ‘cazzuola’ (‘trowel’). Qui invece dimostriamo come sia piu plausibile e coerente associarlo alla raffigurazione del cosiddetto Petschaft, una forma funzionale e sofisticata di sigillo a una faccia, utilizzata in un periodo in cui il sistema amministrativo era basato sulla rendicontazione delle attivita attraverso l’uso di sigilli impressi su cretule d’argilla.
Mechanisms of degradation of organic coatings
Authors: Prošek T.
Published: November 2017

An overview of protection mechanisms of organic coatings for metallic constructions and products is given. The barrier effect of coatings and protection in local defects are discussed. Basic degradation mechanisms of organic coatings such as anodic and cathodic delamination in vicinity of defects, osmotic and cathodic blistering, mechanical stress assisted blistering, loss of adhesion and chalking are described. Appropriate laboratory tests are proposed for each degradation mode.
Cone beam computed tomography analysis in 3D position of maxillary denture
Authors: Jia Ying , Yang Hua , Li Ping , Xiong Jiangyan , Chen Bo
Published: November 2017

The dynamic correlation between teeth and denture morphology as well as the morphological positions needs to be explored.

Methodology

63 adult patients with skeletal class III malocclusions that met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and imaged with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data were collected. The torque angle and axial inclination were measured and analyzed for the corona, root, and entire body of every tooth on the maxilla.

Results

There is a statistically significant difference between the coronal axial inclination/coronal torque angle for the skeletal class III malocclusion cases and Andrew’s six keys of occlusion. On the sagittal plane of the maxillary denture (except that the secondary molar is inclined medial-distally), the remaining teeth are inclined towards the labia with slightly larger angles compared to the normal occlusion. In the coronal direction, the maxillary anterior teeth tend to have a corona that inclines medial-distally, whereas the posterior teeth have a buccal inclination compared to the normal occlusion.

Conclusion

Sagittal and transversal compensations prevail in maxillary dentures; for the camouflaged treatment design for skeletal class III, there is limited scope of sagittal and transversal movements on the maxillary denture.
The Fountain of Youth: A tale of parabiosis, stem cells, and rejuvenation
Authors: Conese Massimo , Carbone Annalucia , Beccia Elisa , Angiolillo Antonella
Published: November 2017

Transfusion (or drinking) of blood or of its components has been thought as a rejuvenation method since ancient times. Parabiosis, the procedure of joining two animals so that they share each others blood circulation, has revitalized the concept of blood as a putative drug. Since 2005, a number of papers have reported the anti-ageing effect of heterochronic parabiosis, which is joining an aged mouse to a young partner. The hallmark of aging is the decline of regenerative properties in most tissues, partially attributed to impaired function of stem and progenitor cells. In the parabiosis experiments, it was elegantly shown that factors derived from the young systemic environment are able to activate molecular signaling pathways in hepatic, muscle or neural stem cells of the old parabiont leading to increased tissue regeneration. Eventually, further studies have brought to identify some soluble factors in part responsible for these rejuvenating effects, including the chemokine CCL11, the growth differentiation factor 11, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, and oxytocin. The question about giving whole blood or specific factors in helping rejuvenation is open, as well as the mechanisms of action of these factors, deserving further studies to be translated into the life of (old) human beings.
Mapping urban agriculture in Portugal: Lessons from practice and their relevance for European post-crisis contexts
Authors: Delgado Cecília
Published: November 2017

A significant sample of twenty-nine Portuguese urban agriculture (UA) initiatives is analysed in this article. It argues that emerging initiatives are relevant for shifting from a post-crisis approach to one that is more developmental. This multi-level analysis finds that UA in Portugal: embraces allotment gardens, urban farms and short food chains; deals primarily with vegetables and fruit; takes place predominantly on public and institutional land; and is championed by municipalities and to a lesser extent by civil society initiatives. UA is predominantly a metropolitan phenomenon. Furthermore, activities are organised around three pillars: production of food; simple processing and distribution; and a significant set of capacity building and training activities. UA is recent phenomena in Portugal, and it has expanded quickly since the 2008 economic crisis. The paper explores in-depth four innovative short food chains from the sample of initiatives. They are led by young entrepreneurs, make positive use of social networks, are committed to social and economic values, and expanded successfully in generating jobs at the time of the crisis. These examples strongly suggest that UA social economy enterprises are a driving force behind integrated sustainable development approaches in European cities, if and when supported by public policies.
Business models in urban farming: A comparative analysis of case studies from Spain, Italy and Germany
Authors: Pölling Bernd , Prados María-José , Torquati Bianca Maria , Giacchè Giulia , Recasens Xavier , Paffarini Chiara , Alfranca Oscar , Lorleberg Wolf
Published: November 2017

The “Urban Agriculture Europe” EU COST-Action (2012–2016) has shown that the complexity of urban agriculture (UA) is hardly compressible into classic business management models and has proposed new management models, such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC). Business models of UA have to be different from rural ones. In particular, factors such as differentiation and diversification, but also low cost-oriented specialisation, are characteristic and necessary business models for UA to stay profitable in the long term under challenging city conditions. This paper aims to highlight how farm enterprises have to adjust to urban conditions by stepping into appropriate business models aiming to stay competitive and profitable, and how the BMC is useful to analyse their organisation and performance, both economically and socially. The paper offers an inter-regional analysis of UA enterprises located in Spain, Italy, and Germany, which are further subdivided into: local food, leisure, educational, social, therapeutic, agri-environmental, cultural heritage and experimental farms. The analysis demonstrates that UA is differentially adjusted to specific urban conditions and that the BMC is useful for analysing urban farming. Heterogeneous local food farms and the integration of local and organic food production in social farming business models are most frequent in our case studies.
Exploring urban agriculture as a component of multifunctional green infrastructure: Application of figure-ground plans as a spatial analysis tool
Authors: Tóth Attila , Timpe Axel
Published: November 2017

Using ‘Urban Atlas’ as a data source, the authors present and critically discuss in this paper the application of figure-ground plans in combination with complex land-use maps as a tool for spatial analysis of urban agriculture in European cities and their multifunctional green infrastructure. The selected cities and metropolitan areas (including Dublin, Ruhr Metropolis, Geneva and Sofia) represent different regions in Europe from the Northwest to the Southeast. Urban fabric, agriculture and non-agricultural open spaces have been analysed and compared as the main land-use components. Agricultural open spaces include arable land with annual crops and permanent crops, such as vineyards, fruit trees and olive groves; pastures; as well as complex and mixed cultivation patterns. The results reveal the scale and land-use diversity of metropolitan regions and different spatial patterns of urban agriculture at the regional level and in central urban areas.
Lichenometry and Schmidt hammer tests in the Kaunertal glacier foreland (Ötztal Alps) during the AMADEE-15 Mars Mission Simulation
Authors: Czempiński Jan , Dąbski Maciej
Published: November 2017

The aim of this article is to show the results of the lichenometrical and Schmidt hammer measurements performed in 2015 during the AMADEE-15 Mars Mission Simulation in the Ötztal Alps in order to test the capabilities of analogue astronauts and collect information on the geomorphic history of the study area since the Little Ice Age (LIA). The results obtained differ significantly from our expectations, which we attribute to differences in the field experience of participants and the astronauts’ technical limitations in terms of mobility. However, the experiments proved that these methods are within the range of the astronauts’ capabilities. Environmental factors, such as i) varied petrography, ii) varied number of thalli in test polygons, and iii) differences in topoclimatic conditions between the LIA moraine and the glacier front, further inhibited simple interpretation. The LIA maximum of the Kaunertal glacier occurred in AD 1850, and relative stabilization of the frontal part of the rock glacier occurred in AD 1711.
Some Aspects of Nephrotoxicity of Paracetamol and Ketoprofen in Patients with Rheumathoid Arthritis
Authors: Spasovski Dejan , Genadieva-Stavric Sonja , Sotirova Tatjana
Published: November 2017

Introduction. To determine the effect of initial therapy with Paracetamol and Ketoprofen on glomerular and tubular integrity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to quantify nephrotoxicity of these two drugs by measurement of enzymuria, which correlates with the damage of tubular epithelium. Microalbuminuria is used as a marker for glomerular damage, and urine excretion of N-Acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) as an indicator of proximal tubular damage.

Methods. Using colorimetric method for determination of NAG, and immunoturbidimetric method for microalbuminuria, samples of 70 participants were examined (35 RA patients treated with Paracetamol only, 35 RA patients treated with Ketoprofen). The follow-up was in 5 time-intervals in the course of 24 weeks.

Results. There was a moderate correlation between NAG and microalbuminuria (r=0.16) in the group of patients treated with Paracetamol only, and a moderate correlation (r=0.28) in the group of patients treated with Ketoprofen. NAG enzymuria in size, by number of patients Registered, and time of appearance, was greater and appeared earlier in the Ketoprofen group compared to the Paracetamol group.

Conclusions. Ketoprofen is more potent NAG inductor and provokes greater tubular enzymuria than Paracetamol. Results from our study confirm safety in use of Paracetamol and Ketoprofen in everyday clinical practice.
Subclinical Diastolic Dysfunction in Diabetic Population
Authors: Mitrovska Slavica
Published: November 2017

Introduction. Left ventricular dysfunction is very frequent in asymptomatic diabetic population. Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) is a new echocardiographic technique, able to record early changes of left ventricular dysfunction and to identify asymptomatic diabetic patients at high risk of developing heart failure.

Aim. To assess the role of TDI in early detection of diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic diabetic patients.

Methods. Cross-sectional study that involved a total number of 48 subjects. The target group consisted of 25 asymptomatic diabetic patients and control group was composed of 23 subjects without diabetes. All subjects underwent echocardiography (conventional 2D and Pulsed-Wave Doppler and contemporary-TDI) to analyze left ventricular function. We compared the results from both echo-techniques and analyzed the relation of echo-cardiographic parameters with risk factors.

Results. We found statistically significant difference between TDI and PW Doppler (E/E'vs E/A) in target (Z=−3.17, p<0.001) and control group (Z=−2.4, p<0.003). There was no significant difference in E/A between the groups (Z=0.0, p<1.0). TDI identified significantly lower E' (Z= 2.03, p<0.04) and higher E/E' (Z= −2.12, p<0.03) in target vs control group.

LVDD strongly correlated with duration of DM (p<0.00001), age (p<0.00001), female gender (p<0.0001) and obesity indices (BMI, BSA) (p<0.00001, p<0.00001) in both groups.

Conclusion. TDI unmasks the presence of subclinical LV dysfunction in asymptomatic diabetic patients and has a valuable prognostic importance.
Single Dose of Magnesium Sulfate as an Adjuvant to General Anesthesia Improves Pain Control, Discomfort and Quality of Sleep Postoperatively
Authors: Kuzmanovska Biljana , Tolevska Marija Donevska , Kartalov Andrijan , Srceva Marija Jovanovski , Shosholcheva Mirjana , Jankulovski Nikola
Published: November 2017

Introduction. As a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors antagonist, magnesium may play a role in prevention of pain. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of single dose magnesium sulfate preoperatively on postoperative pain scores, discomfort and quality of sleep.

Methods. Forty patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized in two groups. Group A received 20 mg/kg magnesium sulfate after the anesthesia induction, prior to surgical incision, and Group B was the control group. Assessment was made for pain at rest in both groups according to VAS (0-10), analgesic consumption, discomfort and quality of sleep during first 48 hours postoperatively.

Resultѕ. Compared to control group, magnesium-treated patients had lower postoperative pain at rest according to VAS score (p< 0.05) and consumed less analgesic drugs during the first 48 hours (p<0.05). The magnesium-treated group experienced less discomfort during the first and the second postoperative day. The magnesium-treated group reported no changes in sleeping pattern compared to preoperative sleeping pattern, while the control group showed an increase in insomnia during the first and the second postoperative night, compared to that preoperatively.

Conclusion. Perioperative use of magnesium sulfate as an adjuvant to general anesthesia is associated with lower postoperative pain, less analgesic consumption, less discomfort and better sleep in the postoperative period.
Annealing and Ni content effects on EPR and structural properties of Zn1–xNixO aerogel nanoparticles
Authors: Sayari A. , El Mir L.
Published: November 2017

Zn1-xNixO aerogel nanopowders with nickel concentration in the range of 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, were synthesized by the sol-gel processing technique and post-annealed in air at 500 °C. Structural, vibrational, thermal and magnetic properties of the as-prepared and annealed Zn1-xNixO powdered samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman scattering, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In addition to the ZnNiO phase, XRD analysis revealed the formation of a secondary NiO phase when the Ni content was greater than or equal to 10 %. The TEM images confirm that the particle size is in the range of 20 nm to 40 nm, in accordance with XRD results, and the particles are well dispersed. Raman scattering measurements confirm the wurtzite structure of the synthesized Zn1-xNixO nanopowders and show that intrinsic host-lattice defects are activated when Ni2+ions are substituted to the Zn sites. Room temperature ferromagnetic order was observed in all of the samples and was strongly dependent on the Ni content and thermal annealing. These results indicate that the observed room temperature ferromagnetism in ZnNiO may be attributed to the substitutional incorporation of Ni at Zn sites.
Preparation and spectroscopic analysis of zinc oxide nanorod thin films of different thicknesses
Authors: Mia Nasrul Haque , Rana Sardar Masud , Pervez Firoz , Rahman Mohammad Reefaz , Hossain Khalid , Mortuza Abdul Al , Basher Mohammad Khairul , Hoq Mahbubul
Published: November 2017

Zinc oxide thin films with different thicknesses were prepared on microscopic glass slides by sol-gel spin coating method, then hydrothermal process was applied to produce zinc oxide nanorod arrays. The nanorod thin films were characterized by various spectroscopic methods of analysis. From the images of field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), it was observed that for the film thickness up to 200 nm the formed nanorods with wurtzite hexagonal structure were uniformly distributed over the entire surface substrate. From X-ray diffraction analysis it was revealed that the thin films had good polycrystalline nature with highly preferred c-axis orientation along (0 0 2) plane. The optical characterization done by UV-Vis spectrometer showed that all the films had high transparency of 83 % to 96 % in the visible region and sharp cut off at ultraviolet region of electromagnetic spectrum. The band gap of the films decreased as their thickness increased. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed the presence of zinc and oxygen elements in the films and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed the chemical composition of ZnO in the film.
Crystal structure of aqua-bis{[2,6-dimethyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)aniline-κ2
N,N′]}zinc(II) triflate monohydrate [ZnC29H31N4O]CF3SO3⋅H2O
Authors: Njogu Eric M. , Omondi Bernard , Nyamori Vincent O.
Published: November 2017

Monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 13.8335(3) Å, b = 15.9222(3) Å, c = 17.3099(3) Å, β = 105.655(1)°, V = 3671.24(12) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0301, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0806, T = 100 K.
The crystal structure of 25,27-(2,2′-[(2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-diyl)disulfanediyl]diethanolate)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene — dichloromethane (1/1), C36H32Cl2O4S5
Authors: Liu Lian-Wei , Zhong Ji-Yan , Zhao Bang-Tun
Published: November 2017

C36H32Cl2O4S5, orthorhombic, Pccn (no. 56), a = 15.4426(11) Å, b = 17.4623(13) Å, c = 25.9153(19) Å, V = 6988.4(9) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0590, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1958, T = 291(2) K.
Crystal structure of 2-acetylpyrrole S-methylthiosemicarbazonium hydroiodide, C8H13IN4S
Authors: Wu Hao , Kou Kai , Liu Shu-Yang , Wang Yuan
Published: November 2017

C8H13IN4S, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 5.9563(4) Å, b = 12.8592(8) Å, c = 16.1795(10) Å, β = 99.450(1)°, V = 1222.42(14) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0228, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0535, T = 296 K.
Aspects of variations in Byzantine Greek Documents of the patriarchal chancellery of Constantinople (14th c.)
Authors: Gastgeber Christian
Published: November 2017

A unique collection of about 900 Greek documents, issued by the chancellery of the Patriarch of Constantinople in the 14
Some Remarks on Language Usage in Late Babylonian Letters
Authors: Schmidl Martina
Published: November 2017

This paper deals with language usage in private and institutional letters from the Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid periods. It analyses the usage of terms of address, greeting formulae and direct and indirect phrasing, drawing on notions of politeness developed by Brown and Levinson. Of particular interest are questions of usage within a temple hierarchy and its implications for professional relationships. For private letters, the case for the appellation of ‘lord’ for women as previously claimed by the author is further substantiated.
Dēnkard III Language Variation and the Defence of Socio-Religious Identity in the Context of Early-Islamic Iran
Authors: Terribili Gianfilippo
Published: November 2017

The aim of the present paper is to illustrate as a case study, the linguistic and stylistic peculiarities characterizing the third book of the Dēnkard, one of the most authoritative texts in Zoroastrian Pahlavi literature (9th-10th CE). The analysis will consider these features as part of a coherent system, styled to serve the dialectic strategies pursued by the Zoroastrian high priests in response to the pressures their own community was facing in the early Islamic period. In order to provide a more comprehensive overview on DkIII language distinctiveness, the research will underline the outward/inward dynamics, addressing both the relation of this theological dialectic with the surrounding socio-cultural environment and the leadingrole claims of a group within a politically subordinated community
The risk of hydrogen explosion in a submarine p. IV The implementation of high risk projects
Authors: Kłos Ryszard
Published: November 2017

This series of articles on high risk projects looks at the example of the modernisation of hydrogen incinerators on a submarine. The article describes problems connected with the management of such a project.
EFFECTS OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM ON BALANCE PERFORMANCE
Authors: Karagul Osman , Nalcakan Gulbin Rudarli , Dogru Yeliz , Tas Murat
Published: November 2017

Introduction. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of circadian rhythm on dynamic balance performance and to determine the role of physical activity level, body temperature, chronotype, and gender in this possible effect. Material and

methods. Forty-two young male and female subjects with different physical activity levels participated in the study. A dynamic equilibrium test, a Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), was conducted at 9:00, 13:00, and 17:00 on three different days with at least two days of interval between tests. The test scores were calculated by dividing the reaching distances by the leg length and multiplying the quotient by 100. The physical activity level and sleep state were evaluated using questionnaires. Before each test, body temperatures were measured orally. Results. The best SEBT scores were found at 13:00 and 17:00 in the male group and in the trained group. The body temperature changes increased parallel to SEBT scores. The scores for the non-dominant leg were found to be significantly different in posterior test directions, and those for the dominant leg were different in anterior directions. Chronotype did not affect the test results. Conclusions. Circadian rhythm was found to have an effect on dynamic balance performance. Body temperature, gender, and physical activity level were also found to play a role in this effect.
Metformin enhanced in vitro radiosensitivity associates with G2/M cell cycle arrest and elevated adenosine-5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase levels in glioblastoma
Authors: Adeberg Sebastian , Bernhardt Denise , Harrabi Semi B. , Nicolay Nils H. , Hörner-Rieber Juliane , König Laila , Repka Michael , Mohr Angela , Abdollahi Amir , Weber Klaus-Josef , Debus Juergen , Rieken Stefan
Published: November 2017

Background

It is hypothesized that metabolism plays a strong role in cancer cell regulation. We have recently demonstrated improved progression-free survival in patients with glioblastoma who received metformin as an antidiabetic substance during chemoradiation. Although metformin is well-established in clinical use the influence of metformin in glioblastoma is far from being understood especially in combination with other treatment modalities such as radiation and temozolomide.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we examined the influence of metformin in combinations with radiation and temozolomide on cell survival (clonogenic survival), cell cycle (routine flow cytometric analysis, FACScan), and phosphorylated Adenosine-5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (Phopho-AMPKalpha1 - ELISA) levels in glioblastoma cell lines LN18 and LN229.

Results

Metformin and temozolomide enhanced the effectiveness of photon irradiation in glioblastoma cells. Cell toxicity was more pronounced in O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter non-methylated LN18 cells. Induction of a G2/M phase cell cycle block through metformin and combined treatments was observed up to 72 h. These findings were associated with elevated levels of activated AMPK levels in LN229 cells but not in LN18 cells after irradiation, metformin, and temozolomide treatment.

Conclusions

Radiosensitizing effects of metformin on glioblastoma cells treated with irradiation and temozolomide in vitro coincided with G2/M arrest and changes in pAMPK levels.