bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Prototyping on the Example of Selected Self-Propelled Mining Machines
Authors: Bołoz Łukasz
Published: August 2020

The changing requirements and needs of users as well as the demand for new mining machinery solutions pose a challenge for designers. Time spent on the design phase of a new machine is often reduced to a minimum. Small lot production and sometimes single piece production entails the necessity to frequently design and manufacture commercial copies, which are also prototypes. The only effective solution is to apply available CAD and CAE programs enabling digital prototyping. Their use allows for making a complete machine in a virtual environment. The virtual model is subjected to tests aimed at eliminating collisions, optimizing the construction as well as obtaining a lot of information concerning the load, kinematics, dynamics, stability and power demand. Digital prototyping enables avoiding the majority of errors whose detection and elimination in a real object is time-consuming and expensive. The article presents examples of the application of broadly understood computer aided designing of self-propelled mining machines, produced by Mine Master. The effects of applying the modelling, FEM strength analysis, static and dynamic simulations, modelling of drive systems have been demonstrated. The methods used to validate computer models and verify the parameters of finished machines have also been discussed.
Analysis of Methane Emissions From Air Shafts of the Jastrzębska Coal Mining Company in 2017-2019
Authors: Badura Henryk , Łukaszczyk Zygmunt
Published: August 2020

The paper presents formation of the amount of methane released from a coal deposit during coal mining. The total amount of released methane is composed of the amount separated directly into the ventilation air in mines (ventilation methane) and included in the demethanation system, isolated from the ventilation air. Methane from the demethanation system is only partially utilized. The unused part of methane is discharged into the atmosphere. The paper presents how the amount of methane released in individual mines of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. was shaped, with a division into methane released to the ventilation system and included in the demethanation system, taking into account the part used for economic purposes and the part discharged to atmosphere. The research material covers the years 2017-2019.
Social Utopias and Engineering Design
Authors: Czajkowski Waldemar
Published: August 2020

A paradox of our time is identified: on the one hand – the development of one global system (ecological, technological and social), on the other hand – the still increasing “balkanization” of science. The dynamics of this systems is a source of well-known numerous global problems. Its possibly effective solution needs adequate knowledge about the system. For this reason, counteraction to “balkanization” of science is of great practical importance. And this counteraction should comprise not only development of “transboundary” sciences (such as biochemistry or social psychology) but also establishing and developing links between very distant disciplines. This text is intended as a contribution to linking social and engineering sciences. The notion of design plays the central role in this text. Its meaning in the engineering sciences. The notion of utopia has been chosen as a partial counterpart to the term of engineering design. This notion was defined using a concept of possible world – taken from modal logic. It encompasses two ideas: this of design and that of prediction, It is claimed that we need many utopias and that their plurality is of fundamental importance for protecting us against the threats of utopianism. The paper suggests that social utopias can play a heuristic role in engineering design (particularly in the initial phase of defining technological problems), and – on the other hand – that the theory of engineering design can be supportive for, badly needed, development of methodology of utopias creation.
Examining the Interrelation Between Job Autonomy and Job Performance: A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Khoshnaw Saifaddin , Alavi Hamed
Published: August 2020

This paper aims at examining the role of job autonomy in organizations and its relation with employee performance. This will be achieved by providing a critical review of the subject matter in existing management literature. In recent years, the concept of job autonomy has gained an increasing importance in practice of Human Resource Management. Even some studies claimed that job autonomy directly affects job performance and some of its indicators including job satisfaction, motivation, job engagement and job commitment. As a result, current paper aims at studying the effect of job autonomy on employee performance by critically reviewing existing work of human resource scholars. Main research questions approached by authors include: Is there any meaningful relationship between job autonomy and employee’s job performance distinguished in existing literature? If yes, what impact can be expected from job autonomy on employee’s job performance?
Role of Antigen Determinants a and B of AB0 Blood Group System in Human Disease Development (Mini Review)
Authors: Gilmiyarova F.N. , Kuzmicheva V.I. , Kolotyeva N.A. , Kuznetsova O.Yu.
Published: August 2020

ABO blood group system discovery was an important step in development of such areas as transplantation and transfusion medicine. At the same time understanding of fundamental role of antigenic determinants in physiological functions maintenance and pathological conditions development remained unexplained for a long time. Today it is known that A and B antigens are widely represented not only on erythrocytes membrane but also on other cells and tissues: platelets, epithelial tissue, oral and spermal fluids. Earlier authors studied metabolic and coagulation profiles, as well as blood cells composition in clinically healthy individuals on more than 180,000 donations, thus revealing group-specific features for each blood group. The review provides synthesis of association of such pathological conditions as coronary heart disease, thromboembolic complications, tumors of various localizations, inflammatory and destructive oral diseases, psychiatric and some infectious diseases with the presence or absence of antigenic determinants A and B. 0 (I) blood group carriers are more resistant to development of diseases, excepting H. pylori-associated gastrointestinal diseases. Carriers of “antigenic” blood groups A (II), B (III), AB (IV) are more susceptible to infections, cardiovascular diseases, and oncological diseases. The data presented may contribute to a personalized patient approach formation, based on antigen-associated biological variability of various signs in norm and pathology.
Hydroelectric centrals’ impact on territorial sustainability: analysis in southern Colombia
Authors: Ramírez Duván , Velasco Luis Alfredo Muñoz
Published: August 2020

This study evaluates sustainability in the Huila Department in southern Colombia following the construction of two hydroelectric plants. This evaluation is based on the Sepúlveda (2008) sustainability analysis model, which is especially suited to Latin American rural territories. The importance of this evaluation of sustainability in the Huila region stems from the environmental crisis that, according to various regional stakeholders, has been caused by the construction of the two hydroelectric plants. The results of this investigation indicate that the sustainability of the region is at risk because of these hydroelectric projects.
The attitude of Polish youth towards migrants, and educational process planning in geography teaching Using the example of selected groups of students from Poznań and Warsaw
Authors: Awramiuk-Godun Alina , Górny Janusz
Published: August 2020

The political destabilization in the Middle East has caused such a significant wave of migration to European countries, that the situation has evolved into a migration crisis. Research on the awareness and opinions on mass migration conducted among a selected group of Polish youth show how differentiated attitudes are – from moderately positive to extremely negative. At the same time, almost everyone signaled that schools’ engagement in providing students with solid knowledge on migration was insufficient. In this context, this paper discusses the importance of taking account of students’ opinions in the planning of educational processes. If schools are to influence the attitudes of the young, they should create a space for dialogue and for students to express their opinions and values. Such activities, together with solid knowledge, will allow educational and pedagogical objectives to be reached.
Determination of the Lift-Off Speed in Foil Bearings Using Various Measurement Methods
Authors: Bagiński Paweł , Żywica Grzegorz
Published: August 2020

One of the most important parameters describing the operation of foil bearings is the speed at which—under certain load conditions—a lubricating film is created. Knowing the value of this parameter, one can determine the nature of the operation of a rotor that is supported by these bearings. The lift-off speed is usually determined during the run-up and coast down of the rotor using the measured moment of friction as a function of the rotational speed. In this article, this method has been compared with other measurement methods proposed by the authors. The first method consisted in recording the temperature of the bearing's top foil during its operation, while the second method was based on measuring the current-voltage characteristics of the electro-spindle used in the drive system. As a result of the conducted research, a simple method that allows determining the lift-off speed in foil bearings was proposed. This method can be applied to various types of high-speed machines, such as turbocompressors or microturbines.
Modernization of Centrifugal Chlorine Compressor
Authors: Kryłłowicz Władysław , Grapow Filip , Kantyka Krzysztof , Kozanecki Zbigniew
Published: August 2020

In this paper modernization of a three-stage chlorine centrifugal compressor, in which chlorine is pressurized has been described. Machine nominal mass flow has been increased by 20% and the pressure rise has remained almost unchanged. New construction concept has been chosen basing on analysis of different design variants. Calculations were conducted with one-dimensional method with usage of in-house developed code. Algorithms implemented to this program are based on empirical studies and wide experience in compressor modernization and design. Moreover, results of modified machine acceptance test results, which satisfies VDI norm 2045/ISO 5389 has been presented.
An Analysis of an Advanced Compressed Air Energy System (CAES) Using Turbomachinery for Energy Storage and Recovery and for Continuous On-Site Power Augmentation as an Air Brayton Cycle
Authors: Japikse David , Di Bella Francis A.
Published: August 2020

A thermodynamic analysis of an advanced CAES for Distributed Power Generation (DPG) is presented that utilizes turbomachinery for energy recovery, but also gives continuous power generation to augment on-site power. The advanced CAES uses renewable energy such as wind power and solar PV in the power range of 1500 to 2500 kW plus recuperation of waste heat from the existing on-site prime mover to improve the utility of the energy storage system. The proposed system also utilizes battery storage to maintain high energy density storage, preferably without the need for costly electrical rectifying and inversion systems to improve the stabilization of power generation. This proposed system may be thought of as a “cross-over” system that combines CAES technology with electric battery storage technology, particularly if the stored electric power is used directly as D.C. power at an industrial facility. The direct use of stored energy from a battery as heat input to the proposed “cross-over” system also may be considered in some limited applications. The ideal application of the proposed system is for isolated DPG systems perhaps in remote sites utilizing “power islands” of renewable energy augmented with on-site fossil fuel prime mover, power generation systems. The proposed “cross-over” system enables higher reliability, faster response to transient power loads, and the efficient use of renewable energy, as well as heat recovery from conventional prime mover systems that are on site.
Boundary Element Modeling of Pyroelectric Solids with Shell Inclusions
Authors: Sulym Heorhiy , Pasternak Iaroslav , Pasternak Viktoriya
Published: August 2020

The paper presents general boundary element approach for analysis of thermoelectroelastic (pyroelectric) solids containing shell-like electricity conducting permittive inclusions. The latter are modeled with opened surfaces with certain boundary conditions on their faces. Rigid displacement and rotation, along with constant electric potential of inclusions are accounted for in these boundary conditions. Formulated boundary value problem is reduced to a system of singular boundary integral equations, which is solved numerically by the boundary element method. Special attention is paid to the field singularity at the front line of a shell-like inclusion. Special shape functions are introduced, which account for this square-root singularity and allow accurate determination of field intensity factors. Numerical examples are presented.
Scientific Rationale for the Movable Pipeline Technology for Transporting CNG by Sea
Authors: Mandryk Oleh , Artym Volodymyr , Shtohry Mariana , Zaytsev Valerii
Published: August 2020

A new efficient CNG module design for the transportation of natural gas by sea is proposed and substantiated. A mathematical model for determining the technical and economic parameters of a movable pipeline module, which is designed for transporting natural gas in a compressed state and consists of a frame structure, the dimensions of which correspond to the 40-foot marine container size and a pipe coil is described. To facilitate construction, it is proposed that a large portion of the coil be made in the form of a two-layer composite construction. The inner layer consists of standard steel tubes or adapters, and the outer layer is fiberglass wound on them. On the basis of the mathematical model an algorithm and a program were compiled, which allowed to determine the technical and economic parameters of the movable pipeline module. The results obtained for the Caspian region are analyzed.
Evaluation the Stress-Strain State of Pumping Equipment in the Curvilinear Sections of the Wells
Authors: Dzhus Andriy , Rachkevych Ruslan , Andrusyak Andriy , Rachkevych Iryna , Hryhoruk Oleksandr , Kasatkin Serhii
Published: August 2020

The development of oil fields at a late stage is characterized by a number of complications that determine the features of the operation of downhole equipment in pumping units. The use of electric-centered pumps in wells with intervals of increased curvature intensity requires a preliminary analysis of the possibility of lowering and operating the equipment at design depths. The aim of research is development of a new approach to evaluation the stress-strain state of pumping equipment, taking into account the features of the inclinometry of the intervals of its location. The analysis of the results of previous studies of the influence of the well profile on the operation of pumping equipment and recommendations for ensuring its performance is carried out. Given the possibility of operating equipment with limited levels of deformation, a mechanism is proposed for evaluation its stress-strain state using software products based on the finite element method. The reliability of the results is confirmed by comparison with those obtained in the course of analytical studies performed according to a previously tested methodology. Application of the proposed approach will allow to assess the level of deformation of individual elements of the equipment installations, taking into account their design features and the results of inclinometry.
High-resolution Three-dimensional Surface Imaging Microscope Based on Digital Fringe Projection Technique
Authors: Liu Cheng-Yang , Yen Tzu-Ping , Chen Chien-Wen
Published: August 2020

The three-dimensional (3-D) micro-scale surface imaging system based on the digital fringe projection technique for the assessments of microfiber and metric screw is presented in this paper. The proposed system comprises a digital light processing (DLP) projector, a set of optical lenses, a microscope, and a charge coupled device (CCD). The digital seven-step fringe patterns from the DLP projector pass through a set of optical lenses before being focused on the target surface. A set of optical lenses is designed for adjustment and size coupling of fringe patterns. A high-resolution CCD camera is employed to picture these distorted fringe patterns. The wrapped phase map is calculated by seven-step phase-shifting calculation from these distorted fringe patterns. The unwrapping calculation with quality guided path is introduced to compute the absolute phase values. The dimensional calibration methods are used to acquire the transformation between real 3-D shape and the absolute phase value. The capability of complex surface measurement for our system is demonstrated by using ISO standard screw M1.6. The experimental results for microfiber with 3 μm diameter indicate that the spatial and vertical resolutions can reach about 3 μm in our system. The proposed system provides a fast digital imaging system to examine the surface features with high-resolution for automatic optical inspection industry.
Developments and Progress in Non-contact Eye Tonometer Calibration
Authors: Pavlásek Peter , Rybář Jan , Ďuriš Stanislav , Hučko Branislav , Chytil Miroslav , Furdová Alena , Ferková Sylvia Lea , Sekáč Juraj , Suchý Vítězslav , Grosinger Patrik
Published: August 2020

This paper focuses on the problematic of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, performed by non-invasive methods. More specifically, the devices that are connected with the presented finding are non-contact tonometers that use concentrated air stream and optical sensors to determine the IOP within a human’s eye. The paper analyzes various influential factors that have an effect on the determination of the IOP values originating from the patients themselves and from the non-contact tonometer devices. The paper furthermore elaborates on the lack of independent methods of calibration and control of these devices. In order to fill this gap a measurement standard device that is capable of calibrating and testing these devices with traceability to the basic SI unit is presented. A detailed characterization and the determination of the expected uncertainty of the device are provided. By introducing an independent and traceable calibration method and control of non-contact tonometers into the clinical practice, the reliability of the measured IOP that is the primary indicator of glaucoma can be improved.
Secure k-ish Nearest Neighbors Classifier
Authors: Shaul Hayim , Feldman Dan , Rus Daniela
Published: August 2020

The k-nearest neighbors (kNN) classifier predicts a class of a query, q, by taking the majority class of its k neighbors in an existing (already classified) database, S. In secure kNN, q and S are owned by two different parties and q is classified without sharing data. In this work we present a classifier based on kNN, that is more efficient to implement with homomorphic encryption (HE). The efficiency of our classifier comes from a relaxation we make to consider κ nearest neighbors for κ ≈k with probability that increases as the statistical distance between Gaussian and the distribution of the distances from q to S decreases. We call our classifier k-ish Nearest Neighbors (k-ish NN). For the implementation we introduce double-blinded coin-toss where the bias and output of the toss are encrypted. We use it to approximate the average and variance of the distances from q to S in a scalable circuit whose depth is independent of |S|. We believe these to be of independent interest. We implemented our classifier in an open source library based on HElib and tested it on a breast tumor database. Our classifier has accuracy and running time comparable to current state of the art (non-HE) MPC solution that have better running time but worse communication complexity. It also has communication complexity similar to naive HE implementation that have worse running time.
Mitigator: Privacy policy compliance using trusted hardware
Authors: Mazmudar Miti , Goldberg Ian
Published: August 2020

Through recent years, much research has been conducted into processing privacy policies and presenting them in ways that are easy for users to understand. However, understanding privacy policies has little utility if the website’s data processing code does not match the privacy policy. Although systems have been proposed to achieve compliance of internal software to access control policies, they assume a large trusted computing base and are not designed to provide a proof of compliance to an end user. We design Mitigator, a system to enforce compliance of a website’s source code with a privacy policy model that addresses these two drawbacks of previous work. We use trusted hardware platforms to provide a guarantee to an end user that their data is only handled by code that is compliant with the privacy policy. Such an end user only needs to trust a small module in the hardware of the remote back-end machine and related libraries but not the entire OS. We also provide a proof-of-concept implementation of Mitigator and evaluate it for its latency. We conclude that it incurs only a small overhead with respect to an unmodified system that does not provide a guarantee of privacy policy compliance to the end user.
A Privacy-Focused Systematic Analysis of Online Status Indicators
Authors: Cobb Camille , Simko Lucy , Kohno Tadayoshi , Hiniker Alexis
Published: August 2020

Online status indicators (or OSIs, i.e., interface elements that communicate whether a user is online) can leak potentially sensitive information about users. In this work, we analyze 184 mobile applications to systematically characterize the existing design space of OSIs. We identified 40 apps with OSIs across a variety of genres and conducted a design review of the OSIs in each, examining both Android and iOS versions of these apps. We found that OSI design decisions clustered into four major categories, namely: appearance, audience, settings, and fidelity to actual user behavior. Less than half of these apps allow users change the default settings for OSIs. Informed by our findings, we discuss: 1) how these design choices support adversarial behavior, 2) design guidelines for creating consistent, privacy-conscious OSIs, and 3) a set of novel design concepts for building future tools to augment users’ ability to control and understand the presence information they broadcast. By connecting the common design patterns we document to prior work on privacy in social technologies, we contribute an empirical understanding of the systematic ways in which OSIs can make users more or less vulnerable to unwanted information disclosure.
Publishing Community-Preserving Attributed Social Graphs with a Differential Privacy Guarantee
Authors: Chen Xihui , Mauw Sjouke , Ramírez-Cruz Yunior
Published: August 2020

We present a novel method for publishing differentially private synthetic attributed graphs. Our method allows, for the first time, to publish synthetic graphs simultaneously preserving structural properties, user attributes and the community structure of the original graph. Our proposal relies on CAGM, a new community-preserving generative model for attributed graphs. We equip CAGM with efficient methods for attributed graph sampling and parameter estimation. For the latter, we introduce differentially private computation methods, which allow us to release communitypreserving synthetic attributed social graphs with a strong formal privacy guarantee. Through comprehensive experiments, we show that our new model outperforms its most relevant counterparts in synthesising differentially private attributed social graphs that preserve the community structure of the original graph, as well as degree sequences and clustering coefficients.
Anonymous, Attribute Based, Decentralized, Secure, and Fair e-Donation
Authors: Biçer Osman , Küpçü Alptekin
Published: August 2020

E-cash and cryptocurrency schemes have been a focus of applied cryptography for a long time. However, we acknowledge the continuing need for a cryptographic protocol that provides global scale, decentralized, secure, and fair delivery of donations. Such a protocol would replace central trusted entities (e.g., charity organizations) and guarantee the privacy of the involved parties (i.e., donors and recipients of the donations). In this work, we target this online donation problem and propose a practical solution for it. First, we propose a novel decentralized e-donation framework, along with its operational components and security definitions. Our framework relies on a public ledger that can be realized via a distributed blockchain. Second, we instantiate our e-donation framework with a practical scheme employing privacy-preserving cryptocurrencies and attributebased signatures. Third, we provide implementation results showing that our operations have feasible computation and communication costs. Finally, we prove the security of our e-donation scheme via formal reductions to the security of the underlying primitives.
INFUSE: Invisible plausibly-deniable file system for NAND flash
Authors: Chen Chen , Chakraborti Anrin , Sion Radu
Published: August 2020

Protecting sensitive data stored on local storage devices e.g., laptops, tablets etc. is essential for privacy. When adversaries are powerful enough to coerce users to reveal encryption keys/passwords, encryption alone becomes insufficient for data protection. Additional mechanisms are required to hide the very presence of sensitive data.

Plausibly deniable storage systems (PDS) are designed to defend against such powerful adversaries. Plausible deniability allows a user to deny the existence of certain stored data even when an adversary has access to the storage medium. However, existing plausible deniability solutions leave users at the mercy of adversaries suspicious of their very use. Indeed, it may be difficult to justify the use of a plausible deniability system while claiming that no sensitive data is being hidden.

This work introduces INFUSE, a plausibly-deniable file system that hides not only contents but also the evidence that a particular system is being used to hide data. INFUSE is “invisible” (identical layout with standard file system), provides redundancy, handles overwrites, survives data loss, and is secure in the presence of multi-snapshot adversaries. INFUSE is efficient. Public data operations are orders of magnitude faster than existing multi-snapshot resilient PD systems, and only 15% slower than a standard non-PD baseline, and hidden data operations perform comparably to existing systems.
Reputable List Curation from Decentralized Voting
Authors: Crites Elizabeth C. , Maller Mary , Meiklejohn Sarah , Mercer Rebekah
Published: August 2020

Token-curated registries (TCRs) are a mechanism by which a set of users are able to jointly curate a reputable list about real-world information. Entries in the registry may have any form, so this primitive has been proposed for use—and deployed—in a variety of decentralized applications, ranging from the simple joint creation of lists to helping to prevent the spread of misinformation online. Despite this interest, the security of this primitive is not well understood, and indeed existing constructions do not achieve strong or provable notions of security or privacy. In this paper, we provide a formal cryptographic treatment of TCRs as well as a construction that provably hides the votes cast by individual curators. Along the way, we provide a model and proof of security for an underlying voting scheme, which may be of independent interest. We also demonstrate, via an implementation and evaluation, that our construction is practical enough to be deployed even on a constrained decentralized platform like Ethereum.
Sustainable spatial development – landscape identity as theoretical and practical challenge for spatial planning
Authors: Knaps Falco , Mölders Tanja , Herrmann Sylvia
Published: August 2020

This paper is based on the assumption that sustainable spatial development requires a relational perspective on space and a specific focus on conflict resolution. These general requests are applied to a specific spatial planning topic: landscape identities. The latter are defined as individual interpretations of specific landscape features referring to both physical environments and social place meanings. For an empirical assessment, landscape identities are operationalized as a variation of the ‘appropriated physical space’. Thus, our core interest is on spatial features used for subjective interpretations about landscape distinctiveness, for the formation of a sense of belonging and togetherness as well as for emotional attachments. Based on these so-called reference points, a determination of identity-relevant conflicts becomes possible, i.e. of opposing landscape identity interpretations. In a rural case study region, landscape identities are made visible using qualitative-reconstructive methods. The results of 28 semi-structured interviews indicate a diverse spectrum of reference points. These features were repeatedly discussed even though the individual meanings ascribed to them vary. Furthermore, our results show conflicting interpretations: the same features are regarded by some as identity-creating, but explicitly not by others. In face of the empirical results, the theoretical and methodological considerations are discussed and planning implications are suggested. A particular focus is on opportunities to deal with conflicting interpretations of landscape identities.
Anticoagulant protein S in COVID-19: low activity, and associated with outcome
Authors: Stoichitoiu Laura Elena , Pinte Larisa , Balea Marius Ioan , Nedelcu Valentin , Badea Camelia , Baicus Cristian
Published: August 2020

Introduction. COVID-19 disease was associated with both thrombo-embolic events and in-situ thrombi formation in small vessels. Antiphospholipidic antibodies were found in some studies.

Aim. Assessment of protein S activity in patients with COVID-19 as a cause of this prothrombotic state, and of the association of protein S activity with worse outcome.

Methods. All patients admitted for COVID-19 disease in a university hospital between 15th of May and 15th of July 2020 were prospectively enrolled into this cohort study. Patients treated with antivitamin K anticoagulants and with liver disease were excluded. All patients had protein S activity determined at admission. The main outcome was survival, while secondary outcomes were clinical severity and lung damage.

Results. 91 patients were included, of which 21 (23.3%) died. Protein S activity was decreased in 65% of the patients. Death was associated with lower activity of protein S (median 42% vs. 58%, p < 0.001), and the association remained after adjustment for age, inflammation markers and ALAT. There was a dose-response relationship between protein S activity and clinical severity (Kendall_tau coefficient = –0.320, p < 0.001; Jonckheere-Terpstra for trend: p < 0.001) or pulmonary damage on CT scan (Kendall_tau coefficient = –0.290, p < 0.001; Jonckheere-Terpstra for trend: p < 0.001). High neutrophil count was also independently associated with death (p = 0.002).

Conclusion. Protein S activity was lower in COVID-19 patients, and its level was associated with survival and disease severity, suggesting that it may have a role in the thrombotic manifestations of the disease.
Combining clinical features and MEST-C score in IgA nephropathy may be a better determinant of kidney survival
Authors: Yeter Hasan Haci , Gonul Ipek , Guz Gizem , Helvaci Ozant , Korucu Berfu , Akcay Omer Faruk , Derici Ulver , Arinsoy Turgay
Published: August 2020

Introduction. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a heterogeneous disease with highly variable clinical and histopathological features. We investigated the effects of Oxford classification and clinical features on renal survival in patients with IgAN.

Methods. This retrospective observational study conducted from 2013 to 2017. Ninety-seven patients who were followed up more than six months were examined.

Results. A total of 97 patients (68% male and median age 40 years) were enrolled in this study. 13% of patients developed end stage renal disease (ESRD) within the median of 37 months of follow-up. Need for renal replacement therapy at the time of diagnosis, serum creatinine level of higher than 1.97 mg/dl, serum albumin level less than 3.5 gr/dl, 24-hour urine protein level of higher than > 3.5 g/day, the percentage of glomerulosclerosis higher than 53%, T2 score and total MEST-C score higher than two were found to be significant predictors of development of ESRD. None of the clinical or histopathological features were found to be significant predictor of steroid treatment sensitivity except T1-2 scores.

Conclusion. We think that IgA nephropathy is a heterogeneous disease that requires clinical and histopathological features to be evaluated together, but not individually, to determine renal survival.

What is new. Iga nephropathy is a heterogeneous disease and modern pathologic classification systems is not enough to predict to prognosis. Histopathological features to be evaluated with clinical features, but not individually, to determine renal survival. Also glucocorticoid treatment response seems to be independent from clinical and histopathological features except T1-2 score.
The diagnosis of occupational asthma confirmed by serial peak expiratory flow rate monitoring
Authors: Rașcu Agripina , Naghi Eugenia , Handra Claudia Mariana , Arghir Ioan Anton , Mateș Dana , Moise Laura-Georgiana , Oțelea Marina Ruxandra
Published: August 2020

Occupational asthma, the most common occupational respiratory disease in industrialized societies, accounts for 5-10% of all cases of asthma diagnosed in the world. The number of cases is increasing given the development of the “consumer society”. We aim to discuss a case of occupational asthma that we have confirmed using internationally validated methods.
Caplan’s Syndrome (rheumatoid pneumoconiosis), a rare disease entity: case report
Authors: Diaconu Mircea-Constantin , Moise Laura-Georgiana , Rașcu Agripina
Published: August 2020

Caplan’s syndrome, known as rheumatoid pneumoconiosis, was first described by Anthony Caplan in 1953, who identified a rare lung disorder found in coal mine workers with rheumatoid arthritis. Although Caplan’s syndrome was found in patients with a variety of pneumoconioses, it mostly affects individuals with long exposure to crystalline silica. We present a case of Caplan’s syndrome in a patient with advanced stage of rheumatoid arthritis and silicosis.
Indications of the Caldwell-Luc procedure in the era of endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Bajan Andreea , Sarafoleanu Codrut , Melinte Violeta-Gabriela , Decuseara Roxana
Published: August 2020

Surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis is indicated after failure of correctly conducted maximal drug therapy or the occurrence of complications. Radical maxillary sinus surgery has been abandoned nowadays, to the detriment of endoscopic sinus surgery, for several reasons, such as: increased incidence of complications, decreased healing rate compared to the endoscopic technique. The literature cites many situations in which the Caldwell-Luc procedure is used as a first-line surgical technique: recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis, malignant tumors of the maxillary sinus extending to the lateral wall of the nasal fossa and the pterygomaxillary space, the cases where an extensive approach to the pterygopalatine fossa is required – for ligation of the internal maxillary artery or the approach of the vidian canal in vidian neurectomy.

The authors highlight the use of Caldwell-Luc procedure in endoscopic sinus surgery era, by reviewing the complications rates, indications and long-term effectiveness of the two surgical techniques.
The influence of sexual dimorphism on the phenotypical properties of poplar
Authors: Tsarev Anatoly
Published: August 2020

The influence of sexual dimorphism on commercial-biological traits of the most widespread poplar of the world Populus tremula L. in the Central forest-steppe of the European territory of Russia was studied. The analysis was made of the distribution of male and female clones in general, the effects of humidity, the richness of the soil, and surrounding vegetation on their productive capacity as well as core rot damage. The study presents survey results of 620 aspen plots spread out over an area of 823 hectares as well as more detailed data obtained from 3 pairs of test plots in which the indicators of male and female aspen stands were compared under identical or similar conditions. The study showed that the area of male aspen in the studied region is 4.5 times larger than that of females. The former prevail in drier and less fertile conditions while females gravitate towards more favorable growing conditions. The comparison of the productive capacity of male and female clones of the same age class, growing in identical or similar growing conditions showed that the height, diameter, and volume of the trunks were higher in male trees. Female aspen trees were less affected by core rot in the best conditions of growth, and male ones were more resistant at the worse ones.
Beneath the Black Robes of Ignatius and Mariana: Limited Liberty within an Interventionist Order
Authors: Edgar L. B.
Published: August 2020

The Society of Jesus sprang from the devout faith of a sidelined soldier who traded in his weapons to form a militant order of Catholic Reformers sworn to serve the Papacy as missionary soldiers of Christ. Specialization in education led Jesuits to roles as theologians of the 16th Century, including as members of the School of Salamanca, whose Jesuit members mostly took pro-market positions on free enterprise. One learned Jesuit in particular deviated from his order’s default position of papal dirigisme to become an enemy of the state.
Medical Mask Resellers Punished in Canada
Authors: Kiang Milton
Published: August 2020

In times of pandemics or natural catastrophes, prices of commodities, such as water, food and medicines, tend to shoot up, in response to a surge in demand and depleting supplies. The government, in its misguided efforts to maintain “price affordability”, imposes price controls and anti-price-gouging legislation and bans the reselling of food and medical supplies. These interventions in the free market are the exact opposite of what the government should do, if it wants to ensure that enough commodities go to people who need them, that people do not hoard all available goods on grocery shelves, and most importantly, that suppliers have the incentive to produce more goods to meet current and future demand at market prices.
A Review: Digital Archeology of the Modern American Libertarian Movement
Authors: Holmes Mike
Published: August 2020

The modern American libertarian movement began in the mid-1960s. The surviving written resources from this early era are vanishing, unless converted to digital format. This article provides background for the development of this movement and presents currently available online digital publication platforms. Along with some relevant publications in need of digital preservation.
Problems With the Notion of Freedom and Voluntariness in Right Libertarianism
Authors: Wysocki Igor
Published: August 2020

In this short paper, we investigate the problems with the employment of the notion of freedom and voluntariness in libertarianism. We pretend to demonstrate that these two, as conceived of by libertarians, figure in as the main issue when it comes to justifying its major institutions, say: bequeathing, gifts, transactions (or what they label as “voluntary transfer”). The difficulty here boils down to the fact that a purely rights-based idea of freedom and voluntariness, the pretentions of Nozick notwithstanding, cannot do alone, since it is the consideration whether we do something (e.g. bequeath, donate etc.) voluntarily (or freely) (in a non-moralized sense) that could account for the rights redistribution. Therefore, it seems that – at least sometimes – the notion of voluntariness (or freedom) is prior to the notion of rights.
The (RE)Production of Meritocracy: Challenges from the Romanian Higher Education System Under Neoliberalism
Authors: Gavriş Alexandru
Published: August 2020

The paper follows the institutionalization of meritocracy in the Romanian higher education. Using the Romanian experience, the study explores the setting of meritocracy, highlights the revised institutional genesis that led to the adoption of a so-called post-traditional approach, and it reviews the deployment of practices that steered higher education in Romania. In support to these, a reflective stance is employed alongside secondary sources to scrutinize the techniques of control and practices which inform institutional evolution. The research attempts to shed light on the increase of doctrinal entrenchment through which meritocracy justifies academic stratification in a pauper system aspiring to world-class recognition.
Estimate Attraction Rate for Shopping Centers
Authors: Asmael Noor Moutaz , Kadhim Noor
Published: August 2020

In developing countries like Baghdad, it has seen high growth of urbanization accompanied by the high trip rate, which conduces increased vehicle traffic and human traffic. One of the major problems is the increase in traffic congestion of unplanned development of various structures at various locations. Four-step demand models are important in planning and forecasting future demand. Trip generation is an important step when planning urban infrastructure. In this study, three shopping centers (AL Mansour mall, Babylon mall, and al Waha mall) were selected, trip attraction rates were calculated using two approaches (trip rate analysis method, and Regression analysis method). The number of persons entering and exiting the site for every 15-minute interval during peak hours is estimated. This research considers various physical characteristics of shopping centers, gross floor area (GFA), number of employees and the number of stores in the shopping center. From the data analysis, good relations exist between the dependent variable (trip rate) and various independent variables, and the developed trip rate per GFA per 1000 m2 is 133 person trips and various trip rates are presented through this study.
Logistics Audit in a Transport Company
Authors: Zmeškal Ekaterina , Majerčák Jozef , Šperka Adrián
Published: August 2020

Logistics audit is an effective tool of logistics management of a company, which serves to analyze and control the efficient and economic implementation of logistics activities. Today, more and more companies apply logistics audit in their practice, because it appears to be a very effective tool in today’s turbulent business environment. Such a tool assesses the state and performance of the management of the company’s logistics activities. The logistics audit determines changes and settings of individual processes that will lead to an increase in the quality and performance of the logistics system as a whole. Which means increasing the competitiveness of the company. The article focuses specifically on the application of logistics audit within the transport company. Because so far this tool has been applied mainly in the conditions of manufacturing companies and focused on optimizing the logistics of production processes. The article describes the procedure of performing a logistics audit and analyzes the main processes in a transport company.
Effects of Hematocrit on Blood Flow Through A Stenosed Human Carotid Artery
Authors: Onitilo Sefiu , Usman Mustapha , Daniel Deborah
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the effects of hematocrit of red blood cells on blood flow through a stenosed human carotid artery was considered by taking blood as a Newtonian fluid. The governing equations on blood flow were derived. The mathematical content involved in the equations are the variables of interest such as number of stenosis , percentage of hematocrit  of red blood cells in the blood, flow rate, wall shear stress, and viscosity of the blood. Guided by medical data collected on the constraint of blood flow in stenosed human carotid arteries, the governing equations were used to check the effects of pressure gradient, wall shear stress, velocity, and volumetric flow rate of blood in the human carotid arteries. Also, the one-dimensional equation for the steady and axially symmetric flow of blood through an artery was transformed using Einsteinâ€™s coefficient of viscosity and hematocrit of red blood cells with the help of the boundary conditions. The effects of hematocrit on the blood flow characteristics are shown graphically and discussed briefly. It was discovered that the resistance increases as the level of hematocrit increases. Also, the wall shear stress decreases with the increase in the hematocrit level of the red blood cells.
Irregular Migration and Its Impact on Refugee Rights
Authors: Mohammed Neamat M. S.
Published: August 2020

Migration is linked to its general concept and is closely related to the right of the person to freedom of movement and choice of residence inside the borders of each state and the right to leave any country and return to it, including the state. Human migratory movements have become more complex and have taken various forms and means.

At the same time, successive waves of refugee movements and their attempts to reach a safe haven away from the dangers that forced them to leave their countries and seek asylum. For this reason, international attention has been growing by international organizations and countries in following up the problems of irregular migration and confronting the negative consequences of it. The literature of the United Nations, in particular, organizations working in this regard and countries have adopted the term irregular migration because of its characters.

Addressing the problem of irregular migration with specific rules and clear international mechanisms contributes significantly to the protection of refugees and the promotion of their rights in transit countries or in the countries of destination in which they will settle, and to clarify it’s essential and important role in this regard with the provisions of the international conventions and declarations guaranteeing human rights and protecting them in such cases. In order to clarify such issues, we have chosen to explore the subject in three sections:

The first deals with the legal concept of immigration, the legal basis for its treatment and the rights enjoyed by the irregular migrant; The second section deals with the definition of asylum and its legal basis and the rights enjoyed by refugees in order to reach the most important aspects of discrimination between them; In the third section to prevent confusion between the status of migrants and refugee status, the effects of irregular migration on the asylum and refugee system and the international treatment of irregular migration and its impact on refugee rights.
Front Matter
Authors: Editor Jurnal Riset Kimia
Published: August 2020

Front Matter September, 2020