bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tendenzen der Bonhoeffer-Rezeption in den letzten Jahrzehnten
Authors: Dinger Jörg
Published: September 2014

Der Beitrag verfolgt Tendenzen der deutschsprachigen Bonhoeffer-Rezeption von Bonhoeffers Tod 1945 bis zu den Gedenkjahren 2005/2006. Das Hauptinteresse liegt auf der Nachwirkung des Theologen Bonhoeffer einschließlich der politisch-ethischen Folgerungen, die die jeweiligen Interpreten aus seiner Theologie ableiteten. In einem Durchgang durch die Phasen der Bonhoeffer-Rezeption wird besonderes Augenmerk auf die Bonhoeffer-Begeisterung gerichtet, die in den 50er Jahren das Erscheinen von »Widerstand und Ergebung« auslöste. Ein zweiter Schwerpunkt sind die kontroversen Diskussionen um Bonhoeffers Theologie, Ethik und Religionsverständnis, die sich in den 80er und frühen 90er Jahren verdichteten.
»Märtyrer im vollen Sinne dieses Wortes«
Authors: Klein Michael
Published: September 2014

Die Analyse des ersten Vierteljahrhunderts Bonhoeffer-Gedenken im kirchlichen und politischen Raum zeigt die hiermit für die entsprechenden Kreise in Ost- und Westdeutschland verbundene Problematik auf. In den Westzonen und der Bundesrepublik wurde vor allem Bonhoeffers Beteiligung am politischen Widerstand im Zusammenhang der kontroversen Diskussion über den 20. Juli 1944 kritisch erörtert, während diese Tätigkeit in der Sowjetischen Besatzungszone zunächst mit der wohlwollenden Rezeption der Militäropposition gegen Hitler eine positive Einschätzung fand. In der Zeit der DDR-offiziellen Abgrenzung vom 20. Juli 1944 wurde stattdessen - nicht zuletzt durch die Aktivitäten der Ost-CDU - Bonhoeffer als Theologe der »Diesseitigkeit« bzw. der »mündigen Welt« vielfach zu Legitimationszwecken des sozialistischen Gesellschaftsmodells herangezogen
Ein Pastor gegen den Nationalsozialismus
Authors: Brissa Enrico
Published: September 2014

Der 1968 verstorbene Rostocker Professor für Systematische Theologie Heinrich Benckert ist manchem als Systematiker in Erinnerung geblieben. Nur wenige wissen jedoch, dass er als junger Mann an der Seite Pastor Martin Niemöllers einen couragierten Kampf gegen den Nationalsozialismus und die ihn stützenden kirchlichen Kräfte geführt hat. Anlässlich des 100. Geburtstages und 40. Todestages soll dieses frühen und entschiedenen Engagements im kirchlichen Widerstand der »Bekennenden Kirche« erinnert werden. Trotz der kriegsbedingten Verluste ließ sich den Archiven ein klares Bild dessen entnehmen, was der Kirchenkampf für diejenigen bedeutete, die sich früh und mutig dem Nationalsozialismus entgegenstellten. Für den Lebensweg Benckerts bedeutet dies, dass er seine vielversprechende akademische Karriere für viele Jahre ruhen ließ und stattdessen mit Mut und Ausdauer die Folgen seines im Glauben und Gewissen gegründeten Handelns trug. In concreto sind damit Denunziationen, Verleumdungen, persönliche Bedrohungen und tätliche Gewalt, Hausfriedensbruch, Verhaftungen, Anklagen und Ausweisungen gemeint.
Die Frage nach einer »Mitte« des Alten Testaments
Authors: Schmidt Werner H.
Published: September 2014

Die Exegese sucht in den biblischen Texten, im Reichtum ihrer Lebensäußerungen, eine innere Übereinstimmung. Diese Aufgabe heißt traditionell die Frage nach der »Mitte«. Verschiedene Ansätze von der Ablehnung einer »Mitte« bis zu ihrer unterschiedlichen Bestimmung werden dargestellt und erwogen. Die der Fragestellung inhärenten Aspekte werden entfaltet, auch die Nähe zur Frage nach dem »Wesen des Christentums« angedeutet.Wie kommt das Bekenntnis zur Identität Gottes sprachlich zum Ausdruck? Das Erste Gebot, in dem die Ausschließlichkeit des Glaubens zusammengefasst ist, erscheint in besonderer Weise als Bindeglied zum christlichen Glauben.
Geschichte(n) und Wahrheit Anmerkungen zum biblischen Wirklichkeitsverständnis
Authors: Wengst Klaus
Published: September 2014

Gegenüber dem griechischenWahrheitsverständnis und Gottesbild, wie es im Protest des Kelsos gegen Juden und Christen hervortritt, wird das biblische Zusammendenken von Gott und Geschichte an der historisch nicht identifizierbaren Geschichte vom Durchzug durchs Schilfmeer und ihrer jüdischen Rezeption gezeigt. Das lässt nach der Leistung vonWundergeschichten in jüdischer und neutestamentlicher Tradition fragen: Sie bestreiten der Realität die Totalität. Mit Hilfe einer rabbinischen Diskussion über Ez 37 wird das Zeugnis von der - historisch ebenfalls nicht identifizierbaren - Auferweckung Jesu und das Erzählen von ihr als »wirkliches Gleichnis« und »wahre Geschichte« verstanden und von daher ein Blick auf die Nutz- und Fruchtlosigkeit historischer Jesusforschung geworfen sowie auf die Bedeutung dessen, dass die Grundgeschichte des Neuen Testaments vierfach erzählt wird. Mit all dem möchteWengst in seiner Abschiedsvorlesung zeigen, was er in dieser Perspektive beim Lehren gelernt hat.
Jesusverehrung und die Frömmigkeit des Judentums zur Zeit des zweiten Tempels
Authors: Hurtado Larry W.
Published: September 2014

Schon in den Paulusbriefen wird Jesus als göttlich verehrt. Der Beitrag zeigt, dass diese Verehrung sich weder langsam aus allen möglichen religiösen Strömungen entwickelt hat, noch dass man sie auf Impulse heidnischer religiöser Vorstellungen und Riten zurückführen darf. Die Verehrung Jesu erfolgt vielmehr »explosionsartig« aus dem jüdischen Monotheismus zur Zeit des zweiten Tempels. In dieser neuen religiösen Praxis findet sich eine neue Art von Monotheismus, die sich in einer entsprechenden Frömmigkeitspraxis ausdrückt. Der neue Monotheismus bildet die Grundlage für die Entwicklung der Christologie und Trinitätslehre der darauf folgenden Jahrhunderte.
Das Erkennungszeichen der Kirche
Authors: Theißen Henning
Published: September 2014

Der Artikel handelt von dem Erkennungszeichen der Kirche. In Übereinstimmung mit Luthers und Melanchthons Lehre von den Erkennungszeichen der Kirche (notae ecclesiae) sind diese Zeichen der verborgenen Kirche (I.). Die paulinische Unterscheidung von der Vieldeutigkeit des Kreuzes und vom Wort vom Kreuz (II.) legt nahe, dass jedes Zeichen mehrdeutig bleibt, bis es durch das Wort ausgelegt wird: Das Kreuz als charakteristisches Zeichen der Kirche wird allein durch Jesus Christus gesetzt und ausgelegt. Die Situation der Kirche unter dem Kreuz kann demnach immer nur als (Kreuzes-) Nachfolge konstituiert werden. Diese konkrete Situation der Kirche wird abschließend unter Bezugnahme auf Bonhoeffers Konzept der Nachfolge dargestellt (III.).
Globalisierung
Authors: Welker Michael
Published: September 2014

Neuere kultur- und sozialwissenschaftliche Theorien der »Globalisierung« bestimmen diese als eine immer stärkere Kompression und immer dichtere Vernetzung der Welt - politisch, wirtschaftlich, wissenschaftlich, kulturell. Aus der konkreten Perspektive wissenschaftlicher Theologie, die aktiv an solchen globalen Vernetzungsprozessen arbeitet, zeigt der Beitrag, wie illusionsgesättigt die Vorstellung von einer Welt als »globalem Dorf« mit entsprechenden Kommunikationsmöglichkeiten ist. Im Blick auf ökonomische Globalisierungsprozesse veranlassen Sichtweisen, die von diffusen Ängsten und naivem Optimismus beherrscht sind, zur Frage: Welche Wertsysteme regieren heute die Globalisierungsprozesse? Der Beitrag argumentiert in theologischer Wahrnehmung, dass wir in einem Wertekonflikt zwischen dem jüdisch- christlichen Ethos der Gerechtigkeit und des Schutzes der Schwachen und einem olympischen Ethos der Durchsetzung des Stärkeren leben. In dieser Spannung können wir durch den von Luther im Frühkapitalismus wirksam aktivierten Dual »Gott oder Mammon« keine ausreichende Orientierung bieten. Der Beitrag plädiert für eine interdisziplinär und theologisch - auch biblisch-theologisch - gebildete Auseinandersetzung mit politisch-ökonomischen Prozessen und eine gemeindlich-zivilgesellschaftliche Unterstützung von verantwortlichem Enthüllungsjournalismus und Aktionen gezielter Konsumverweigerung.
Kulturanthropologie – ein Korrektiv der Kulturtheologie?
Authors: Theißen Gerd
Published: September 2014

Der Aufsatz zeigt drei Entwicklungen auf, die zur Aufwertung des Kulturbegriffs in der gegenwärtigen Theologie geführt haben: Am wichtigsten ist die Entstehung einer modernen Kulturtheologie, die nach Evidenzquellen des Glaubens außerhalb der Bibel in Kunst, Natur und Spiritualität sucht. Hinzu kommt die allgemeine »kulturelle Wende« in den Geisteswissenschaften, die auch die Religionswissenschaft erfasst hat, so dass sie sich heute als Kulturwissenschaft von der Theologie abgrenzt. Die kulturanthropologische Exegese bildet in dieser Situation ein notwendiges Korrektiv zur Kulturtheologie. Kulturanthropologische Exegese legt Seiten des Urchristentums frei, mit denen es schon in der antiken Welt ein Fremdkörper war. Erst recht erinnert sie heute an sperrige Erfahrungen, die nicht in die Kultur der Kulturtheologie passen.
Von der kriegerischen zur nativistischen Kultur
Authors: Lang Bernhard
Published: September 2014

Welche Ergebnisse eine an Sozial- und Kulturanthropologie orientierte Exegese erzielen kann, wird in zwei Skizzen gezeigt, die uns das ältere Israel als kriegerische Kultur und das klassische Israel der Propheten als nativistische Kultur verstehen lassen. Die geistige Welt des kriegerischen Israel wird an der Gestalt Simsons verdeutlicht (Ri 13-16). Die vergleichende Anthropologie von G. Dumézil lenkt den Blick auf die Auseinandersetzung traditioneller Kulturen mit dem gesellschaftlich isoliert agierenden Krieger, der sich den sozialen Normen verschließt. Mit drei exemplarischen Sünden gegen die Regeln von Wirtschaft, Kampf und Autorität verstoßend, schließt sich Simson von der Gesellschaft aus, so dass ihm nur der Tod bleibt. Die Religionsgeschichte des klassischen Israel folgt einem aus nativistischen Bewegungen bekannten Verlauf: In einer Situation der politischen Krise (Kolonialisierung Palästinas durch altorientalische Großmächte) kommt es zu einer prophetischen Umkehrbewegung, die durch Besinnung auf distinktive Werte der traditionellen Kultur (exklusive Verehrung des einen Gottes) eine große politische Wende erhofft. Faktisch tritt diese Wende nicht ein, doch eine neue Religion entsteht: das monotheistische Judentum.
Der Tod als Rahmenbedingung
Authors: Roser Traugott , Domenico Borasio Gian
Published: September 2014

Palliativmedizin arbeitet unter der Bedingung eines erwartbaren Todes. Sie konzentriert sich aber nicht primär auf die Bewältigung der praktischen Probleme, die der Tod mit sich bringt, sondern auf die Maximierung subjektiver Lebensqualität, um Leben bis zuletzt zu ermöglichen. Dies erfordert eine multiperspektivische Herangehensweise zur Lösung komplexer Probleme und zugleich die Entwicklung pragmatischer Regelverfahren in der Zusammenarbeit verschiedener Professionen. Am Beispiel der Seelsorge wird dies anhand empirischer Untersuchungen zu spiritueller Anamnese und Begleitung konkretisiert.
Kirche in Europa
Authors: Robbers Gerhard
Published: September 2014

Mit dem Vertrag über die Europäische Union, wie er nach Inkrafttreten des Lissabonner Vertrages an Stelle des gescheiterten Verfassungsvertrages gelten wird, bezieht sich die EU ausdrücklich auf das - den kulturellen und humanistischen Traditionen gleichrangige - religiöse Erbe Europas. Durch die Grundrechtscharta wird zugleich die individuelle, kollektive und korporative Religionsfreiheit sicher gestellt. Die unterschiedlichen religionsrechtlichen Traditionen der Einzelstaaten werden geachtet. Über die Vertretungen bei den europäischen Institutionen haben die Kirchen die Möglichkeit, ihre Anliegen und Interessen wirksam zu vertreten, so dass die gelegentlich zu beobachtende Ignoranz gegenüber der Religion auf europäischer Ebene einer freundlichen Offenheit und Kooperationsbereitschaft gewichen ist.
Christliche Existenz als Lebensstil
Authors: Moser Felix
Published: September 2014

Angesichts der Erosion volkskirchlicher, selbstverständlich christlicher Verhältnisse intensiviert sich die Frage nach einem spezifisch christlichen „Lebensstil“, der den Glauben im säkularen Alltag profiliert zum Ausdruck bringt, ohne zum starren Gesetz zu werden. Im Rückgriff auf die altkirchliche Schrift „An Diognet“ wird versucht, Grundsignaturen eines solchen Lebensstils zu markieren. Seine Wirklichkeitssicht ist wesentlich geprägt durch die Erfahrung des Gottesdienstes und durch eine Predigt, die die eigentümlichen Stilmittel des Evangeliums nutzt.
Europäische Erinnerungspolitik
Authors: Kübler Elisabeth
Published: September 2014

Seit Ende der 1990er Jahre beschäftigen sich europäische und internationale Organisationen mit der Erinnerung an den Holocaust. Am Beispiel des Straßburger Europarates verdeutlicht Elisabeth Kübler die inhaltlichen Schwerpunkte der Auseinandersetzung mit den nationalsozialistischen Massenverbrechen jenseits nationalstaatlicher Begrenzungen. Der in den Politikwissenschaften und der Europaforschung bislang wenig beachtete Europarat rückt somit in den Mittelpunkt einer umfassenden Untersuchung, die anhand relevanter Publikationen und Interviews mit Politikgestaltern Schlussfolgerungen zum Ort und Status von Holocausterinnerungspolitik im kosmopolitischen Europa ermöglicht.
Assessment of healthy lifestyle habits among Mosul university students
Authors: Younis Nasir
Published: September 2014

Background: A healthy lifestyle leaves you fit, energetic and at reduced risk for disease, based on the choices you make about your daily habits. Good nutrition, daily exercise and adequate sleep are the foundations for continuing good health. Managing stress in positive ways, instead of through smoking or drinking alcohol, reduces wear and tear on your body at the hormonal level. For a longer and more comfortable life, put together your plan for a healthy lifestyle and live up to it. Objectives: This study was aimed to assess of Healthy lifestyle habits among Mosul University Students and to examine relationship between the university student's characteristics and healthy lifestyles habits. Method: Cross-sectional survey design is applied to assess healthy lifestyle habit among Mosul University Students. Random sample consist of (400) students (Male and Female) were students in Mosul University from specialty difference (College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Fine Arts, College of Education , College of Basic Education and College of Law),From end stage in University. Period of data collection first December 2013 extended from end February 2014. An interview technique method was used for data collection. Data were analyzed through the application of the descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis. Results: The results of the study indicated that Mosul university students have a low score in the total healthy lifestyle habits, demonstrating that female are higher than that of male(56%). Conclusion: The study concluded that the results are accepted concerning healthy lifestyle habit among Mosul University. After completing this survey, the researcher found that a lot of university students had a big problem of their healthy lifestyle habits, especially eating habits such as they skip breakfast, eat snacks and drink tea a lot.   Keywords: Health, Lifestyle, Students, University.
Experimental investigation of enhanced remediation of contaminated soil using ultrasound effect
Authors: Adeyinka Adegbola , Dare A.A. , Popoola D.S. , Saka H.A. , Afolabi A.O.
Published: September 2014

In the development of an effective ground remediation method, there has been significant research focusing on the technique of enhancing soil-flushing method The soil flushing method enhanced by ultrasonic waves is a new technique that is potentially an effective method for in situ remediation of the ground contaminated by NAPL hydrocarbons. The research work investigated the effectiveness of sonication in the soil flushing method for a range of conditions involving treatment time, hydraulic gradient and the discharge velocity. The experimental investigation of the study was conducted using the inbuilt ultrasonic generator (NEE 555 timer stable multi-vibrator) and soil flushing apparatus to remove the contaminant from the soils. The test result indicated that the rate of the contaminant extraction increased considerably with increasing sonication time up to 120seconds with 34% contaminant removed without sonication and 64.05% contaminant removed with sonication and started decreasing at the level where cavitation occurred. Increasing the sonication time also increase the contaminant removal up to the level where cavitation occurs. The effectiveness of sonication decreases with hydraulic gradient but eventually becomes constant under higher flow rates and also is highly related with the discharge velocity. Results obtained showed that sonication can enhance pollutant removal. Keywords: Soil-Flushing Method, NAPL Hydrocarbons, Sonication, Soil Remediation, Cavitation.
Service oriented architecture and privacy preserving mashup of healthcare data
Authors: Vijayalakshmi R. , Duraipandian N.
Published: September 2014

Mashup of health care data from different medical sources must be privacy preserved since the data recipient and/or the data provider may not always be a trusted party. Raw medical data contains person specific sensitive information like ailment, surgery etc. and hence it is susceptible to certain privacy attacks such as attribute linkage and record linkage. There are different privacy models to thwart the privacy attacks. This paper illustrates how to vertically integrate the data from mental health clinic and National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and preserve privacy using the LKC privacy model. Keywords: Mashup, Linkage, Anonymize Utility, Diversity, Adversary, Interoperability.
One-year renal graft survival prediction using a weighted decision tree classifier
Authors: Atallah Dalia , Eldesoky Ali , H. Amira , Ghoneim Mohamed
Published: September 2014

This study introduces a weighted decision tree algorithm for prediction of graft survival in renal transplantation using preoperative patient's data. The objective was to identify the preoperative attributes that affect the graft survival. Between the years 2000-2009, renal allotransplantation was carried out for 889 patients at Urology and Nephrology Center which is the subject matter of this study. The ID3 algorithm was chosen to build up the decision tree using the weka machine learning software. A modification was made on ID3 to refine the results. A weighted vector was introduced. The element of such a vector represents the weight of each attribute which was obtained by trial and error. The results indicated that the weighted algorithm was successful in predicting the graft survival after one year and identifying the attributes affecting graft survival. Keywords: Decision Tree, Data Mining, ID3 Algorithm, Graft Survival, Kidney Transplantation.
Simulation of the flow inside an annular can combustor
Authors: Kadhim Wael , Alkhafagiy Dhirgham , Shires Andrew
Published: September 2014

In the gas turbine combustion system, the external flows in annuli play one of the key roles in controlling pressure loss, air flow distribution around the combustor liner, and the attendant effects on performance, durability, and stability. This paper describes a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the flow in the outer annulus of a can combustor. Validating this simulation was done with experimental results obtained from analyzing the flow inside a can combustor annulus that was used in a Babylon/Iraq gas turbine power station. Pitot static tubes were used to measure the velocity in ten stations in the annular region. By using the velocity profile for comparison, a good agreement between the CFD simulation and experimental work was observed. Nomenclature: R: radius of combustor (mm) r: local radius (mm) Pt: total pressure (Pascal) Ps: static pressure (Pascal) DG: damp gap (mm) X/Dc: axial distance is normalized with the diameter of the casing as the origin. A, B and L: station of measurement and investigated locations. u: local axial velocity U: mass average axial velocity at inlet Keywords: Annulus Flow, Can Combustor, CFD Simulation, Pitot Static Tube, Velocity Profile.
Performance analysis of landsat5 remote sensing data compression technique used for land use and land cover mapping
Authors: Rajamanickam Kousalyadevi , Suganthi J.
Published: September 2014

Multispectral band remote sensing imagery is used for environmental monitoring and land use and land cover mapping purposes. This image contains huge volume of data. Instead of using the entire data for land use land cove mapping, the spatially compressed images can also be used for mapping purposes. In this paper discrete wavelet transform is selected for compressing the Landsat5 image and the quality has been analysed using the parameters compression ratio, peak signal to noise ratio and digital number values. Using the digital number values the spectral signature graph is drawn. Finally only one wavelet is selected for land use and land cover mapping based on minimum cumulative error of the digital number values. Then the selected wavelet compressed image is classified using supervised classification technique and accuracy assessment is made by constructing the error matrix. Finally the selected wavelet compressed image is used for land use and land cover mapping. Keywords: Compression Ratio (CR), Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Digital Number (DN), Image Classification, Error Matrix, Spectral Signatures.
An application phase-modular rectifier applied to MMC with medium voltage based on wind turbine generator
Authors: Watanakul Narin
Published: September 2014

This paper proposes two stages of controller. First stage, direct power control (P-Q control) applied single-phase structure of multilevel modular converter (MMC) , multilevel cascaded H-Bridge inverter with 9-level SPWM injection to medium voltage (24kV) based on wind turbine generator (PMSG)rated capacity 25kVA. Second stage, three-phase PFC rectifier with phase-modular Y-rectifier, boosttype. The separate dc sources (DC-links) average voltage at 178V (Vdc1-Vdc12). This study is concerned with the application, operating, principle, and design example. The unity power factor operation of PMSG is realized by controlling of phase-modular Y-Rectifier system, and the current waveform distortion results increase of the lower harmonics distortion. The P-Q controller can make it possible of the grid line current phase by providing the direct instantaneous power control in the steady state under the active power and reactive power command. The data collected by PSIM and MATLAB simulation are used in comparison with the experimental tester of results. This provides guideline to further analyze and improvement energy efficiency and power quality in electrical system pertinent to wind turbine generator (PMSG). Keywords: Wind Turbine Generator, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG), Phase-Modular Y-Rectifier, Cascaded H-Bridges, Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), Power Quality, Unity Power Factor, Harmonics.
Decision making for stable inspection planning of deteriorating structures based on constraint reliability and uncertainties
Authors: Alsarraf Jalal , Swilem S.A.M. , Alawadhi Khaled
Published: September 2014

Life-time cost minimization is considered as the optimal criterion for planning of inspection, repair and maintenance of structures. However, most of the probabilities and the cost items related to the cost analysis generally contain inevitable uncertainties in actual cases. The appropriateness of inspection planning may be lost by several errors induced by such uncertainties. In this study, a cost minimization method with the constraint of reliability is developed in order to obtain stable inspection planning against the estimation errors of the parameters. In the analysis, the life-time cost optimization is carried out under the constraint that the failure probabilities of the members are controlled below the respective target values allowed for the members. First, initial target failure probabilities are assumed for each member. Then, the robustness of the inspection planning is investigated by adjusting the parameters within the range of uncertainties. The initial values of the target failure probabilities are altered until an acceptable result is obtained. The applicability of the proposed method is examined for a structure with several uncertain parameters. A sequential cost minimization method is employed to optimize the life-time cost. It is made clear that by using this approach, the stability of the life-time cost is maintained without losing the benefit of the cost minimization method. Keywords: Crack, Fatigue, Inspection, Numerical Model, Reliability, Structure.
Analysis of elastic buckling behavior of steel delta girders
Authors: Sahnehsaraei Mohammadali Jafari , Erfani Saeed
Published: September 2014

Given the widespread use of beam and plate in structures, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of girder behavior. According to buckling failure mode in plates, it is necessary to take measures in this regard. Delta stiffener is using this approach. Due to the lack of technical knowledge about these kinds of plate beam, it is necessary to find good geometric properties of the delta girder plates for both technically and economically optimization. Therefore, in this paper, by modeling and finite element analysis for simple girder (without Stiffener), beam hardening by longitudinal plate and beam using delta hardening behavior are examined under the effect of the bending moment. Finite element analysis of elastic buckling analysis is included. With the above analysis, the effect of longitudinal stiffener and Delta Girders in terms of economic considerations has been studied. Keywords: Elastic Buckling, Beam, Plate, Stiffener.
Harmonic aggregation techniques for power quality assessment a standard framework
Authors: Share Pasand Mohammad Mahdy , Rahmatian Zahra
Published: September 2014

A review on the existing methods for aggregation of harmonic currents including recommended method used in IEC 61000-3-6 standard is performed and different approaches are compared. Main advantages of each method are outlined and simulation studies are performed to assess each method. A simple technique is proposed to base future research and standardization on. The proposed technique is simple, reliable and realistic though requires experimental data to derive parameters. Keywords: Electromagnetic Compatibility; Harmonic Distortion; Harmonic Aggregation; Power Quality; Current Harmonics.
Factors influencing the choice of internal medicine as a career among undergraduate medical students
Authors: I. Elzain Yamin , Alawad Awad Ali Mohamed Ahmed , S. Khan Waleed , O. Khalil Hassan , M. Abdelrazig Yousif , B. Ahmed Omer , A. Adam Omeralfaroug
Published: September 2014

Background: Medical students are the future doctors in any country. The lack or surplus of medical school interest in specialties influences and affects the health services in a country. Objective: In our study we evaluated the interest of medical students in Internal Medicine at a University in Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2013 at Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST), Khartoum, Sudan. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 887 male and female students enrolled at UMST. Results: A total of 887 questionnaires were handed out, of these 647 questionnaires were returned (response rate of 73%). Of the returned questionnaires 604 were valid and considered. Table 1 shows the general characteristics of the valid responses. The majority of our respondents were females 371 (61.4%) and 233 students were males (38.6%). There were 142 students interested in internal medicine. Of them, 95(21.3%) were in pre-clinical years, 47(29.6%) clinical, 25.3% were male and 22.4% were female. Amongst the subspecialties within medicine, 33.1% of students chose Cardiology as their first choice subspecialty, followed by Internal Medicine (26.8%), Neurology (13.4%) and Dermatology (11.3%). Conclusion: Medicine is second most popular specialty selected by medical students. The highest selected sub-specialty was cardiology. The main reasons for selecting Medicine as a career is personal interest, followed by being helpful to the community, and lastly job opportunities. Keywords: Career Choice, Internal Medicine, Medical Students.
Impact of socio-economic determinants of demand for health for investment purpose
Authors: Frimpong Albert
Published: September 2014

Ill-health either results in reduced work capacity or loss of days worked and either of these, ipso facto, results in loss of productivity to firms and society and loss of income to employees. Occupational health and safety practice is about prevention of work related illnesses and protection of workers from physical injury and industrial accidents. However, much of the recent discussions have focused more on prevention of industrial accidents and injury with little attention given to prevention of illnesses related to work. This paper explores this gap. The paper examines the impact of socio-economic factors on the demand for preventive medical services by employees. Primary data was used for the study: Questionnaires were administered and interviews conducted for the collection of the data. Using the convenient sampling method, 400 employees in Kumasi, Ghana, were sampled from the private-formal and informal sectors. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out. Multivariate analysis using multinomial logistic regression model was employed to estimate the impact of socio-economic factors influencing employees decision to seek preventive medical services. The study found income, free, and convenient access to medical services statistically significant and impacted positively on the demand for preventive medical services. Stakeholders should pay more attention to these variables when designing and reviewing health programmes that have impact on employees health investment decisions. Keywords: Health Capital, Preventive Medical Services, Health Investment, Employees.
Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting primarily as ovarian metastasis in Egyptian woman: a case report and literature review
Authors: Abd El hafez Amal
Published: September 2014

Metastatic spread of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to the ovary is an extremely rare event especially if presented in absence of a known hepatic primary and/or in a living patient. Here, a case of metastatic HCC to the ovary is presented in 54-years living Egyptian female patient in whom the ovarian lesion was the primary presentation associated with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein level. Ultrasonography revealed 2 two focal hepatic lesions. The diagnosis was based on the simultaneous presence of ovarian and hepatic lesions, bilaterality, the trabecular growth pattern, cytological features, presence of bile and Periodic acid Sciff-positive, diastase-resistant cytoplasmic granules on microscopic examination and immuno-histochemistry. Metastatic HCC must be included in the differential diagnosis of hepatoid and oxyphil cell tumors of the ovary. Keywords: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Ovarian Metastasis, Hepatoid, Oxyphil, Immuno-histochemistry.
Pattern of developmental sex disorders in a tertiary hospital in Sudan
Authors: Ali Hussein Abdalla M. , Alawad Awad , Ali Abdelbassit S. , Abdalla Ahmed Abd Elrahman
Published: September 2014

Background: Disorders of sex development (DSD) comprise a group of congenital conditions characterized by atypical chromosomal, gonadal, and anatomic sex development. The birth of a child with these disorders considered a medical and psychosocial emergency. Objective: The aim of this study was to see the prevalence, etiological factors, management, and problems faced in handling these cases. Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study was conducted at Soba university hospital including all patients with proved DSD over a 6-year period. Results: One hundred thirty-six cases were seen, of which 40 were included in the study. The median age at presentation was 3 years. The most common cause of XX DSD was congenital adrenal hyperplasia (72.5%) and that of XY DSD was androgen insensitivity syndrome. Eleven patients (27.5 %) needed sex reassignment. There was a preference for the male sex. Conclusion: DSDs are not uncommon in Sudan. Because of lack of awareness and sociocultural reasons cases are referred late. Multidisciplinary teams have to be trained to make services accessible and affordable. Keywords: Children; Disorders of Sex Development; Sudan.
A Ferric-Air Battery base on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for Electrical Energy Storage
Authors: Luo Ting , Wang Shaorong , Shao Le , Qian Jiqing , Ye Xiaofeng , Zhan Zhongliang , Wen Tinglian
Published: September 2014

We report a ferric-air, solid oxide battery that consists of a tubular solid oxide cell with Ca(OH)2/CaO dispersed Fe/FeOx powders integrated as the redox-active materials in the fuel chamber. The key feature here is the use of Ca(OH)2 to prevent agglomeration and coarsening of Fe/FeOx powders, and more importantly to enable in situ production of H2/H2O as the electrochemical active redox couple in the fuel electrode. The proof-of-concept solid oxide battery exhibits an energy capacity of 144 Wh kg-1-Fe at a ferric utilization of 18.8% and excellent stability in ten discharge/charge cycles with a voltage efficiency of 83% that have great potential for improvement. These results showed encouraging promise of the ferric-air, solid oxide batteries for electrical energy storage applications.
Synthesis of Medium-temperature Protonic Conductor CsHSO4-Al2O3
Authors: Yang L.B. , Ning W.S. , Wang X.D. , Liu W. , Shen H.Y. , Huang Y.X. , Shu K.Y.
Published: September 2014

In this study, different methods are used to synthesize novel medium-temperature protonic conductors from CsHSO4 and mesoporous Al2O3. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms are performed to investigate the structures and properties of CsHSO4-Al2O3 conductors. Results show that the proton conductivities of the prepared CsHSO4-Al2O3 conductors increase as temperature increases from 100 °C to 200 °C. The optimum method involves mixing the equimolar CsHSO4 and Al2O3 with 5 ml ethanol and subsequently ball milling at a rotating speed of 200 rpm for 2 h. The highest proton conductivity obtained in this study is 1.06×10-6 S·cm–1 at 200 °C.
Economic Feasibility of a Mechanical Separation Process for Recycling Alkaline Batteries
Authors: Gasper Paul , Hines Joshua , Miralda Jean-Paul , Bonhomme Ricardo , Schaufeld Jerome , Apelian Diran , Wang Yan
Published: September 2014

Spent primary alkaline batteries present an unused source of secondary metals in Europe and the US, with at least 300,000 metric tons of batteries being landfilled each year. While battery recycling programs exist, current hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes are not profitable when used for dedicated alkaline battery recycling, so industry growth is difficult. A novel mechanical separation process consisting of shredding, baking, magnetic separation, and specific gravity separation was developed to recycle one metric ton per hour of alkaline batteries at lower cost than current methods, while being environmentally beneficial. Financial analysis was conducted using a Process-Based Cost Model to address the challenges of modeling a recycling process. At full capacity, the cost to recycle alkaline batteries via the developed process is $529 per metric ton, +/- 25%, not including transportation, with revenue of $383 per metric ton. This cost is lower than that of other reported processes, but is still not economically feasible. With supplemental revenue of $0.3 per kg, which could come from various sources, the return on investment can occur in just under 3 years. The low value of alkaline battery recovery material is identified as the most significant economic barrier for the recycling.
Literature in efL: Beyond language learning
Authors: Rincón Luis Jesús
Published: September 2014

This article presents the results of a qualitative research which looks into the field of literature in EFL. Seventh grade students of a private school in Bogota took part in the research. Data was collected by means of audio recordings of small group discussions, teacher´s journal, and responses to literature logs. The results show that the connections that EFL learners make with literary texts enrich their interpretations, analysis and value judgments of experiences and real life events. Furthermore, critical thinking skills are potentiated. In addition to this, literary texts bring up appealing and meaningful topics in the classroomenhancing students´ motivation and willingness to use the target language.
Autoethnography as a research method: Advantages, limitations and criticisms
Authors: Méndez Mariza G.
Published: September 2014

The aim of this article is to review the literature  on autoethnography as a research method. It will first describe what is meant by autoethnography, or evocative narratives, and consider the particular features of this type of method. The paper will go on to explore the advantages, limitations and criticisms this research method has endured since its emergence during the 1980s. Finally, the different approaches to the evaluation of autoethnography will be reviewed.
A Morphological Study of the Reduction of MoO2 by Hydrogen
Authors: Dang Jie , Zhang Guo-Hua , Chou Kuo-Chih
Published: September 2014

Influences of the reduction temperature, dew point and hydrogen content on the morphologies of produced Mo powders by reducing MoO
A Perspective on Fatigue Damage by Decoupling LCF and HCF Loads in a Type 316LN Stainless Steel
Authors: Sarkar Aritra , Nagesha A. , Sandhya R. , Mathew M.D.
Published: September 2014

Prior low cycle fatigue (LCF) deformation in a 316LN austenitic stainless steel reduced the remnant high cycle fatigue (HCF) life as a function of the amount of LCF exposure and the applied strain amplitude. A critical LCF pre-damage was found necessary for an effective LCF-HCF interaction to take place.
Rosmarinic acid inhibits DMH-induced cell proliferation in experimental rats
Authors: Karthikkumar Venkatachalam , Sivagami Gunasekaran , Viswanathan Periyasamy , Nalini Namasivayam
Published: September 2014

Background: Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women. The present study is an effort to unravel the anticarcinogenic effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rat colon carcinogenesis. Administration of DMH induces multiple tumors in the rat colon, which mimics human colon cancer.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups and fed a high-fat diet. Group 1 served as control, group 2 rats were given RA [5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)] orally every day for a total period of 30 weeks, and groups 3–6 were given weekly injections of DMH (20 mg/kg b.w. subcutaneous) once a week in the groin for the first 15 weeks. In addition to DMH, groups 4–6 received RA at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. during the initiation and postinitiation stages, and also throughout the entire study period. Colon tissues were examined histologically; further, the extent of oxidative stress was assessed by measuring lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in the colonic mucosa of rats.

Results: Macroscopic and microscopic tumors were identified in all the groups that received DMH. The results revealed that supplementation with RA significantly inhibited the tumor formation and tumor multiplicity in DMH-treated rats. RA supplementation to DMH-administered rats significantly reduced the cell proliferation markers, namely, argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions as well as proliferative cell nuclear antigen labeling index. In addition, RA supplementation reduces the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interlukin-6, and cyclooxygenase-2, and modulates the expression of p65.

Conclusions: The above findings clearly underline the chemopreventive efficacy of RA against DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis.
Reliability of pubertal maturation self-assessment in a school-based survey
Authors: Jaruratanasirikul Somchit , Kreetapirom Piyawut , Tassanakijpanich Nattaporn , Sriplung Hutcha
Published: September 2014

To assess the reliability of pubertal self-assessment of Thai adolescents.

Some 927 girls and 997 boys, aged 8–18 years, from nine schools in Hat-Yai municipality.

The adolescents evaluated their pubertal status after being shown a line drawing of the five Tanner stages with a short description. Girls assessed their breast and pubic hair development, and boys assessed their pubic hair development. The pubertal self-assessments were compared to pubertal assessments made by a pediatrician who examined the children after their self-assessment. Kappa coefficient and percent agreement were used for statistical analysis.

The percent agreement of breast and pubic hair development between the girl’s self-assessments and the assessments by the pediatrician were 60.8% and 78%, respectively. Kappa coefficient for breast assessment was 0.50 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.47–0.53) and for pubic hair 0.68 (95% CI 0.65–0.72). Nearly 30% of girls aged younger than 10 years overestimated their breast development status while 45% of girls aged over 14 years underestimated their breast development (p<0.001). For boys, the percent agreement of pubic hair development between the adolescents and the pediatrician was 76.4%, with a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.68 (95% CI 0.65–0.72).

Pubertal self-assessment using line drawings with a short description can be used as a reliable method to assess pubic hair maturation in boys and girls, but can be used with less reliability to assess the breast maturation in young girls.
Hepatoblastoma presenting as precocious puberty: a case report
Authors: Marino Silvia , Caruso Manuela , Magro Gaetano , D’Amico Salvatore , La Spina Milena , Moscheo Carla , Russo Giovanna , Di Cataldo Andrea
Published: September 2014

Hepatoblastoma (HB), a primary liver tumor in childhood, is often accompanied by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) secretion, and sometimes by β-human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (β-hCG) secretion, and this can cause peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). We describe a case of PPP associated with HB. Laboratory tests showed an increase in AFP, β-hCG and testosterone values, and suppression of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. After chemotherapy and surgery, AFP, β-hCG and testosterone levels normalized and signs of virilization did not progress further. The child did not show evidence for tumor recurrence after 16 months of follow-up. New therapeutic approaches and early diagnosis may ensure a better prognosis of virilizing HB, than reported in the past. Assessment of PPP should always take into account the possibility of a tumoral source.
The effect of body mass index on blood pressure varies by race among obese children
Authors: Hannon Tamara S. , Gupta Sandeep , Li Zhuokai , Eckert George , Carroll Aaron E. , Pratt J. Howard , Tu Wanzhu
Published: September 2014

Previous studies have shown that the effect of adiposity on blood pressure (BP) intensifies as children become increasingly obese. Black children tend to have greater body mass index (BMI) and higher BP than age-matched white children. It is unclear whether the BP effects of BMI are race-specific among black and white children, and data on obese Hispanic children are sparse. We compared the BP effect of BMI in obese white, black, and Hispanic children.

We examined the medical records of children enrolled in a pediatric obesity clinic. Height, weight, BP, and fasting insulin were assessed as part of routine clinical care. The concurrent effects of age and BMI on BP percentile values were examined using semiparametric regression, which allows the accommodation of nonlinear effects.

The study included 873 children (338 male; 354 black, 447 white, 72 Hispanic; 11.7±3.5 years, BMI 36.2±8.5 kg/m

Among children referred for treatment of obesity, black children and Hispanic children are at a greater risk for having elevated BP when compared to white children of similar age and BMI.
L-asparaginase induced hypoglycemia in a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a patient report
Authors: Misgar Raiz Ahmad , Laway Bashir Ahmad , Rahaman Sk Hammadur , Wani Arshad Iqbal , Bashir Mir Iftikhar , Bhat Javeed Rasool
Published: September 2014

L-asparaginase (L-Asp) is an essential component of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment protocols and its use has been associated with many adverse effects. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy with ALL who developed L-Asp induced hypoglycemia. To the best of our knowledge, only one such case has been reported previously.
Extracellular matrix modulates the biological effects of melatonin in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: He Fan , Liu Xiaozhen , Xiong Ke , Chen Sijin , Zhou Long , Cui Wenguo , Pan Guoqing , Luo Zong-Ping , Pei Ming , Gong Yihong
Published: September 2014

Both self-renewal and lineage-specific differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are triggered by theirin vivomicroenvironment including the extracellular matrix (ECM) and secreted hormones. The ECM may modulate the physiological functions of hormones by providing binding sites and by regulating downstream signaling pathways. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of adsorption of melatonin to a natural cell-deposited ECM and the effects of this interaction on the biological functions of melatonin in human bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). The fibrillar microstructure, matrix composition, and melatonin-binding affinity of decellularized ECM were characterized. The cell-deposited ECM improved melatonin-mediated cell proliferation by 31.4%, attenuated accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNA and protein expression. Interaction with ECM significantly enhanced the osteogenic effects of melatonin on BM-MSCs by increasing calcium deposition by 30.5%, up-regulating osteoblast-specific gene expression and down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. The underlying mechanisms of these changes in expression may involve intracellular antioxidant enzymes, because osteoblast-specific genes were down-regulated, whereas MMP expression was up-regulated, in the presence of SOD-specific inhibitors. Collectively, our findings indicate the importance of native ECM in modulating the osteoinductive and antioxidant effects of melatonin and provide a novel platform for studying the biological actions of growth factors or hormones in a physiologically relevant microenvironment. Moreover, a better understanding of the enhancement of MSC growth and osteogenic differentiation resulting from the combination of ECM and melatonin could improve the design of graft substitutes for skeletal tissue engineering.
High-Efficiency Genome Editing and Allele Replacement in Prototrophic and Wild Strains of Saccharomyces
Authors: Alexander William G , Doering Drew T , Hittinger Chris Todd
Published: September 2014

Current genome editing techniques available for Saccharomyces yeast species rely on auxotrophic markers, limiting their use in wild and industrial strains and species. Taking advantage of the ancient loss of thymidine kinase in the fungal kingdom, we have developed the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene as a selectable and counterselectable marker that forms the core of novel genome engineering tools called the Haploid Engineering and Replacement Protocol (HERP) cassettes. Here we show that these cassettes allow a researcher to rapidly generate heterogeneous populations of cells with thousands of independent chromosomal allele replacements using mixed PCR products. We further show that the high efficiency of this approach enables the simultaneous replacement of both alleles in diploid cells. Using these new techniques, many of the most powerful yeast genetic manipulation strategies are now available in wild, industrial, and other prototrophic strains from across the diverse Saccharomyces genus.