bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intermediation Efficiency of Banks in South-East Europe
Authors: Toci Valentin , Hashi Iraj
Published: March 2016

By employing non-parametric methods, namely Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist Index, this paper investigates efficiency of banks using a database of almost all banks in four countries in South-East Europe. The superior efficiency of foreignowned banks in intermediation is supported. It is argued that the improvement in efficiency of banks originated from the change in technology rather than scale and technical efficiency, and banks on average have not been able to catch-up with best-performers, thus widening the efficiency gap. The largest sources of inefficiency are found to be cost and scale inefficiencies and lending shortfalls. Because of its peculiarities, Kosovo banking sector is assessed relative to other economies. Findings suggest that despite some improvements, the banking system in Kosovo remained less efficient. A number of policy implications emanate from the findings, aiming at enhancing the intermediation efficiency of banks in the context of South-East European transition.
Interrelationships among Growth, Confidence and Governance in the Globalized World-An experiment of some selected countries
Authors: Das Ramesh , Das Utpal
Published: March 2016

The countries in the world in the globalized era have faced heterogeneity in challenges in managing their growth factors as well as the stake holders of such growth profiles. The political and economic turmoil of the last two decades around the world have opened the eyes of the consumers, business houses and the governments of different countries to read and follow the economic events. The paper has tried to study the causal relation and interrelationships among different growth factors like the confidence levels of the consumers and business houses, inflation, unemployment like economic factors and governance like non-economic factors over a selection of 17 countries across all continents for the period 1996-2010. Because of limited sources of data we have applied the pooled regression technique to justify our study. Confidence levels of both the consumers and business houses cause the growth rates whereas governance causes growth only under pooled data. But for individual country data we observe that in majority of the countries there are absences of causalities between the variables. It has been observed that pooled annual growth rates of GDP of the countries are significantly related to the business and consumer confidence indexes, unemployment rate, debt ratio and overall governance indicators that shows improvement over the individual country analysis where in majority of the cases there is no significant factor for growth and confidence. By segregating the entire data the study find a few countries where a few variables like BCI, stock prices and governance make significant impact upon growth rates. In majority of the countries BCI is explained by CCI, Stock prices and governance while CCI is explained by stock prices, governance and debt ratio.
Determinants of Non Performing Loans in Commercial Banks
Authors: Nadham Viswa , Nahid B
Published: March 2016

The study attempts to ascertain the determinants of nonperforming loans in National Bank of Commerce. Data was collected from 152 respondents. Tables, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze data. Data collection methods adopted for the study were interview, questionnaire and documentary evidence. Interest rate, GDP, concentration of lending activities, bank’s loan supervision capacity and economic condition were investigated, and the results suggest that interest rate, GDP, bank’s loan supervision capacity and economic condition influence the level of NPLs. However, the results did not suggest that concentration of lending activities increase the level of NPLs.   The study suggests that banks should put in place a vibrant credit process that ensures proper customer selection and risk identification, robust credit analysis, proactive monitoring and clear recovery strategies for bad loans, formulate clear policy framework that addresses issues of ethical standards and check and balance credit process, organizational capacity enhancement of banks, deliberate effort to develop credit culture for managing loans ,and ensure prudent policies that govern bank loans. Since the results for this study were encouraging, the researcher encourages replicating the study for other lending institutions. In order to extend the literature on non-performing loans, the researcher suggested incorporating models of Golem effect, Social loafing, Inverted pyramid effect, Pollyanna effect and High default culture effect.  Also, basing on the merits of the study, the researcher suggests determining relationship between non-performing loans and loan size, collateral, credit culture, and credit management information system.
Risk Pricing in Emerging Economies
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Yiannis , Abedi Milad
Published: March 2016

Iran’s banking industry as a developing country is comparatively very new to risk management practices. An inevitable predictive implication of this rapid growth is the growing concerns with regard to credit risk management which is the motivation of conducting this research. The paper focuses on the credit scoring aspect of credit risk management using both logit and probit regression approaches. Real data on corporate customers are available for conducting this research which is also a contribution to this area for all other developing countries. Our questions focus on how future customers can be classified in terms of credibility, which models and methods are more effective in better capturing risks. Findings suggest that probit approaches are more effective in capturing the significance of variables and goodness-of-fitness tests. Seven variables of the Ohlson O-Score model are used: CL_CA, INTWO, OENEG, TA_TL, SIZE, WCAP_TA, and ROA; two were found to be statistically significant in logit (ROA, TL_TA) and three were statistically significant in probit (ROA, TL_TA, SIZE). Also, CL_CA, ROA, and WCAP_TA were the three variables with an unexpected correlation to the probability of default. The prediction power with the cut-off point is set equal to 26% and 56.91% for defaulted customers in both logit and probit models. However, logit achieved 54.85% correct estimation of defaulted assets, 0.37% more than what probit estimated.
RESEÑAS BIBLIOGRÁFICAS
Authors: Administración Revista Barataria
Published: March 2016

Numero 20
PROCESS TECHNOLOGY OF FABRICATION NO2 GAS SENSOR DEVICES WITH ACTIVE LAYER In2O3
Authors: Widodo Slamet
Published: March 2016

This paper discuss the design and fabrication of NO2 gas sensor based on metal oxide using thick film technology was described. The design of gas sensor is consisted of components, i.e. heater, electrode (interdigital fingers) and sensitive layer from In2O3 material. This sensor has been designed as multilayers with heater and both electrodes in one surface, in accordance with miniaturisation aspect, heat distribution and less consumption of energy from the sensor device. The heater and electrode were fabricated on alumina substrate (aluminum oxide/Al2O3) with silver paste. The In2O3 layer provides\ resistance change when it is exposed by NO2 gas. It indicates that this sensor device has a potency to be used as NO2 detector.
BATCH INJECTION POTENTIOMETRY ASAM ASPARTAT, ASAM GLUTAMAT DAN ARGININ MENGGUNAKAN ELEKTRODA TUNGSTEN OKSIDA
Authors: Muflihah Yeni Maulidah , Masruroh Heny , Zulfikar Zulfikar
Published: March 2016

The presence of aspartic acid, glutamic acid and arginine in solution can be detected by potentiometric method using tungsten oxide electrode in a batch system. Characterization of tungsten oxide electrode used include linear range, limit of detection, sensitivity and reproducibility. Buffer type and concentration effect also studied to optimize the measurement results. Optimum conditions for detecting arginine was at pH 6.0 with a phosphate buffer concentration of 0.5 x 10-3 M. Correlation coefficient was obtained for 0.9864, the detection limit of 5.24 x 10-6 M, sensitivity 16.1 mV/decade with reproducibility 0 –7 %. Glutamic acid has a correlation coefficient of 0.9789, the detection limit of 3.80 x 10-6 M, the sensitivity of 9.2 mV/decade and reproducibility of 0 – 6 %. Aspartic acid has a correlation coefficient of 0.9949, the detection limit of 7.76 x 10-6 M, sensitivity of 13.4 mV/decade and reproducibility of 0 – 5 %.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF C-HEXYL CALIX[4]RESORCINARENA FROM RESORCINOL-HEPTANAL CONDENSATION
Authors: Handayani Desi Suci
Published: March 2016

Synthesis of C-hexyl calix[4]resorcinarene through condensation reaction between resorcinol and heptanal with HCl catalyst has been investigated. Synthesis conducted by the ratio of resorcinol: heptanal (1:1) using reflux for 6 hours in ethanol. Structural analysis of the product was done by FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, while the characterization was done by determining melting point. The product was golden brown powder with a yield 99.43% and melting point more than 300 °C. Structural analysis with FTIR and 1H-NMR known vibration and signals characteristic of calix[4]resorcinarena group,the vibrations of the CH bridge. Vibration of CH bridge appearance at wave number 1445 cm-1 and 1456 cm-1, while signal of CH bridge appearance at chemical shifts from 4.17 to 4.21 ppm.
PREPARATION MICRO-FILTRATION CERAMIC MEMBRANE FROM NATURAL ZEOLITE FOR PROCION RED MX8B AND METHYLENE BLUE FILTRATION
Authors: Choiriyah Dyah , Riandini Esfi , Wulandari Arinta
Published: March 2016

The study of ceramic membrane fabrication from natural zeolite and its utilization for filtration of procion red MX8B and methylene blue has been investigated. The purposes of this study are to determine the effect of pressure on membrane permeability and selectivity and utilize natural zeolite as ceramic membranes procion red MX8B and methylene blue filtration. The membrane was prepared by metide press pellets and then calcined at 850 oC. The membranes were characterized by mechanical test, flux and rejection of dye. The compression test of the membrane found the values of 1369.178 psi in dry conditions to 1388.933 psi in wet conditions. The flux test found that the higher the pressure applied, the flux was increase. However, the high pressure also decreased the selectivity. Rejection test found that the rejection of methylene blue filtration up to 70 %. Meanwhile, procion red MX8B filtration has rejectivity less than 20 %.
HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD VALIDATION OF α-MANGOSTIN ASSAY IN MANGOSTEEN (Garcinia mangostana L.) FRUIT RIND EXTRACT FORMULATED IN ORAL SOLUTION
Authors: Nurhidayati Liliek , Sofiah Siti , Sumarny Ros , Caesar Kevin
Published: March 2016

Mangosteen fruit rind extract contain a lot of antioxidants. α-Mangostin is a component in mangosteen fruit rind that has highest antioxidant effect. The oral solution containing mangosteen fruit rind extract is required an assay method for quality assessment. Determination of a very low concentration of analyte in sample with very complex matrix, such as α-mangostin in oral solution, needs a selective and sensitive method, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, α-mangostin assay was performed by reverse phase HPLC system using octadecylsilane (C18) as stationary phase,  methanol-water (90:10) as mobile phase, the flow rate is 1.0 mL/min, and the UV detector at 316 nm. The retention time of α-mangostin was 9.622 minutes. Peak of α-mangostin was well separated with resolution of 1.725. Linearity was in the range of 1.67-5.01 ppm with correlation coefficient of 0.9986. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.30 %, the recovery was in the range of 95.80-100.76 
STUDY PORE CHARACTERIZATION OF γ-ALUMINA – ACTIVATED CARBON COMPOSITE MADE OF CASSAVA PEELS (Manihot esculenta Cranz)
Authors: Hartini Hartini , Hidayat Yuniawan , Mudjijono Mudjijono
Published: March 2016

A composite of γ-alumina and activated carbon made of cassava peels was studied in terms of its pore structures and its properties. The objective of this study was to determine the interaction and structure, as well as the character and pore size of γ-alumina – activated carbon composite.

Carbon made of cassava peels was activated by H2SO4 and its activities were tested according to the Indonesian Industrial Standards (SII). The addition of activated carbon into γ-alumina made in variations of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % w/w, of the total weight of 10 grams. The composite of γ-alumina - activated carbon was characterized by FTIR, SAA (Surface Area Analyzer), XRD, and determination of Hysteresis Loop composites.
The greater addition of activated carbon to γ-alumina causes intermolecular interactions between –O-H groups form rehydrated hydrogen bonds in the composite is greater. The structure of γ-alumina in the composites remain intact although the percentage of activated carbon in composite is large. The total pore volume and surface area using the BET method of the composite decreases with increasing activated carbon percentage. The greater addition of activated carbon to γ-alumina causes size of mesoporous composites decreased with the characteristic of a composite formed is closer to the activated carbon.
REDUCTION ON THE LEVELS OF TANNINS FROM STEVIA REBAUDIANA EXTRACT USING ACTIVATED CARBON
Authors: Kusumaningsih Triana , Asrilya Nur Jannah , Wulandari Suci , Wardani Dewi Restu Tri , Fatihin Khoirul
Published: March 2016

Extraction of tannins from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana using ethanol 30% with a temperature variation of 30, 50, 70 and 100oC for 3 hours was performed. Reduction on the levels of tannins in stevia extract is done by using activated carbon.
               The results showed the greatest weight of the extract at 70oC is 1.008 g and extract relatively alkaline pH. Reduction on the levels of tannins on stevia extracts done by passing the extract of stevia in the burette containing activated carbon as much as 4 times the cycle. Tannin concentration was reduced by 39.74%.
BIODIESEL SYNTHESIS OF COTTON SEEDS OIL (CEIBA PENTANDRA) BY CHEMICALLY TRANSESTERIFICATION PROCESS AND ION FRAGMENTATION OF METHYL ESTER
Authors: Gunawan Erin Ryantin
Published: March 2016

Fossil fuel is Commercial energy sources in many communities where their abundance progressively reduced and the resulting environmental pollution. Biodiesel is one alternative fuel made from vegetable oils are suitable to replace the function of fossil fuels and environmentally friendly. Synthesis of biodiesel from cotton seeds oil was carried out by chemically transesterification process. Composition of methyl esters in biodiesel and was analyzed by GC-MS are methyl palmitate (16.71 %), methyl 8,11- octadecadienoic (46.45 %) and methyl linoleate (4.21 %). The highest biodiesel produced from the conversion of the cotton seeds oil amounted to 93.7 % in weight ratio of oil and methanol (1:1) with the catalyst KOH 1 % (w/w of oil). Chemical properties of biodiesel produced meets the standard SNI 04-7182-2006 include saponification value of 120.167  mg KOH / g, acid value of 0.28 mg KOH / g and iod value 55.84 g  iod/100g.
OJS
Authors: Contoh Sampel
Published: March 2016

OJS, jurnal sistem online
Dynamic Stabilization with Active Locking Plates Delivers Faster, Stronger, and More Symmetric Fracture-Healing
Authors: Bottlang Michael , Tsai Stanley , Bliven Emily K. , von Rechenberg Brigitte , Klein Karina , Augat Peter , Henschel Julia , Fitzpatrick Daniel C. , Madey Steven M.
Published: March 2016

Background:

Axial dynamization of fractures can promote healing, and overly stiff fixation can suppress healing. A novel technology, termed active plating, provides controlled axial dynamization by the elastic suspension of locking holes within the plate. This prospective, controlled animal study evaluated the effect of active plates on fracture-healing in an established ovine osteotomy model. We hypothesized that symmetric axial dynamization with active plates stimulates circumferential callus and delivers faster and stronger healing relative to standard locking plates.

Methods:

Twelve sheep were randomly assigned to receive a standard locking plate or an active locking plate for stabilization of a 3-mm tibial osteotomy gap. The only difference between plates was that locking holes of active plates were elastically suspended, allowing up to 1.5 mm of axial motion at the fracture. Fracture-healing was analyzed weekly on radiographs. After sacrifice at nine weeks postoperatively, callus volume and distribution were assessed by computed tomography. Finally, to determine their strength, healed tibiae and contralateral tibiae were tested in torsion until failure.

Results:

At each follow-up, the active locking plate group had more callus (p < 0.001) than the standard locking plate group. At postoperative week 6, all active locking plate group specimens had bridging callus at the three visible cortices. In standard locking plate group specimens, only 50% of these cortices had bridged. Computed tomography demonstrated that all active locking plate group specimens and one of the six standard locking plate group specimens had developed circumferential callus. Torsion tests after plate removal demonstrated that active locking plate group specimens recovered 81% of their native strength and were 399% stronger than standard locking plate group specimens (p < 0.001), which had recovered only 17% of their native strength. All active locking plate group specimens failed by spiral fracture outside the callus zone, but standard locking plate group specimens fractured through the osteotomy gap.

Conclusions:

Symmetric axial dynamization with active locking plates stimulates circumferential callus and yields faster and stronger healing than standard locking plates.

Clinical Relevance:

The stimulatory effect of controlled motion on fracture-healing by active locking plates has the potential to reduce healing complications and to shorten the time to return to function.
An evaluation framework for identifying the optimal raingauge network based on spatiotemporal variation in quantitative precipitation estimation
Authors: Chang Che-Hao , Wu Shiang-Jen , Hsu Chih-Tsung , Shen Jhih-Cyuan , Lien Ho-Cheng
Published: March 2016

This study proposes an evaluation framework to identify the optimal raingauge network in a watershed using grid-based quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) with high spatial and temporal resolution. The proposed evaluation framework is based on comparison of the spatial and temporal variation in rainfall characteristics (i.e. rainfall depth and storm pattern) from the gauged data compared with those from QPE. The proposed framework first utilizes cluster analysis to separate raingauges into various clusters based on the locations and rainfall characteristics. Then, a cross-validation algorithm is used to identify the influential raingauge in each cluster based on evaluating performance of fitting weighted spatiotemporal semivariograms of rainfall characteristics from the gauged rainfall to the QPE data. Thus, the influential raingauges for a specific cluster number form the representative network. The optimal raingauge network is the one corresponding to the best fitness performance among the representative networks considered. The study area and data set are the hourly rainfall from 26 raingauges and 1,336 QPE grids for 10 typhoons in the Wu River watershed located in central Taiwan. The proposed evaluation framework suggests that a 10-gauge network is the optimal and can describe a good spatial and temporal variation in the rain field similar to the grid-based QPE from two additional typhoon events.
Dynamics of cyanobacteria and cyanobacterial toxins and their correlation with environmental parameters in Tri An Reservoir, Vietnam
Authors: Dao Thanh-Son , Nimptsch Jorge , Wiegand Claudia
Published: March 2016

This study evaluates the water quality from Tri An Reservoir, a drinking water supply for several million people in southern Vietnam, in terms of cyanobacterial biomass and their potent toxins, microcystins (MCs). Cyanobacteria, their toxins and environmental parameters were monitored monthly for 1 year (April 2008–March 2009) at six stations covering a transect through the reservoir. Dynamics of cyanobacterial abundance in relation to cyanobacterial biomass, toxins and environmental factors were investigated. Environmental variables from Tri An Reservoir favored algal and cyanobacterial development. However, cyanobacterial biomass and proportion varied widely, influenced by physical conditions, available nutrients and nutrient competition among the phytoplankton groups. Cyanobacterial biomass correlated slightly positively to temperature, pH and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), but negatively to total inorganic nitrogen concentrations. During most of the sampling times, MC concentrations in the reservoir were quite low (≤0.07 μg L−1 MC-LR equivalent), and presented a slight positive correlation to BOD5, total nitrogen:total phosphorus ratio and cyanobacterial biomass. However, in cyanobacterial scum samples, which now and then occurred in the reservoir, MC concentrations reached up to 640 μg g−1 DW−1. The occurrence of MC in the reservoir poses a risk to local residents who use the water daily for domestic purposes.
Investigation of full-scale step-fed SBR under low dissolved oxygen: performance and microbial community response
Authors: Fernandes Heloísa , Antonio Regina Vasconcellos , da Costa Rejane Helena Ribeiro
Published: March 2016

A decentralized full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system for treating wastewater was operated to assess their feasibility and the response of bacterial population dynamic and nutrient removal performance. The reactor was operated under low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration (0.3–0.7 mgL−1) and an average applied organic load of 0.5 g COD L−1 d−1 (COD: chemical oxygen demand). Removal efficiencies were higher than 70% for both soluble chemical oxygen demand and ammonium, with average effluent concentration of 51 ± 15 mg COD L−1 and 16.0 mg NH4+ L−1. The mixed liquor volatile suspended solids/total suspended solids ratio was 0.9, and the average food/microorganism ratio was 0.3 g COD g VSS−1 d−1 (VSS: volatile suspended solids). The active biomass was composed of 94.9% heterotrophic and 5.1% autotrophic organisms. The most frequently identified were chemoorganoheterotrophic organisms affiliated with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, some of them with the capacity to denitrify and grow under low DO concentration. Temperature and sludge withdrawal were important factors in determining nitrification and phosphorus removal rates. The SBR was viable for domestic wastewater treatment and showed that the microbial community greatly influenced its performance. This work can also provide valuable insights into further applications in systems operated under low DO condition.
Assessment of groundwater quality in the Seraidi region (north-east of Algeria) using NSF-WQI
Authors: Benouara Nawel , Laraba Abdelaziz , Hachemi Rachedi Lamia
Published: March 2016

Scarcity of water, pollution load, political issues and rising population have drawn great attention for proper management of water resources such as groundwater in the 21st century. The evaluation of groundwater quality is a critical element in the assessment of water resources. The quality/potability of water that is consumed defines the baseline of protection against many diseases and infections. The present study aims to calculate the water quality index (WQI) by the analysis of seven physico-chemical parameters according to the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to assess the suitability of water for drinking, irrigation purposes and other human uses. In the present investigation, ten groundwater samples were collected from various parts of Seraidi municipality area located in the north-east of Algeria, Physico-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, nitrates, turbidity and fecal coliforms were analyzed. The overall WQI values for all the samples were found to be in the range of 68–86, which reveals the fact that the quality of all the samples is only medium to good and could be used for drinking and other domestic uses only after proper treatment.
Vortex-assisted surfactant-enhanced-emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction with solidification of floating organic droplet combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the fast determination of cadmium in water samples
Authors: Peng Guilong , Lu Ying , He Qiang , Mmereki Daniel , Tang Xiaohui , Zhong Zhihui , Zhao Xiaolong
Published: March 2016

A novel vortex-assisted surfactant-enhanced-emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction with solidification of floating organic droplet (VSLLME-SFO) was developed for the fast, simple and efficient determination of cadmium (Cd) in water samples followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the VSLLME-SFO process, the addition of surfactant (as an emulsifier), could enhance the mass transfer from the aqueous solution into the extraction solvent. The extraction solvent could be dispersed into the aqueous phase under vigorous shaking with the vortex. In this paper, we investigated the influences of analytical parameters, including pH, extraction solvent type and its volume, surfactant type and its volume, concentration of chelating agent, salt effect and vortex time, on the extraction efficiency of Cd. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection was 0.16 μg/L. The analyte enrichment factor was 37.68. The relative standard deviation was 3.2% (10 μg/L, n = 10) and the calibration graph was linear, ranging from 0.5 to 30 μg/L. The proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of ultra-trace Cd in river water and wastewater samples.
Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from the secondary effluent in tertiary denitrifying biofilters combined with micro-coagulation
Authors: Wei Nan , Shi Yunhong , Wu Guangxue , Hu Hongying , Guo Yumei , Wu Yihui , Wen Hui
Published: March 2016

Effective control of nitrogen and phosphorus in secondary effluent can reduce or avoid the eutrophication of receiving water bodies. Two denitrifying biofilters (DNBFs) packed with different sizes of quartz sands combined with micro-coagulation were operated for simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from the secondary effluent. The quartz sand size in one DNBF was 2–4 mm (DNBFS), and in the other was 4–6 mm (DNBFL). In both DNBFs, methanol was used as the electron donor and different organic carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios were applied. Under C/N ratios of 1.5, 1.25, and 0.75 g/g, the nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) removal percentages were 73%, 77%, and 50% in DNBFS, and 43%, 25%, and 21% in DNBFL; the effluent total phosphorus concentrations were 0.15, 0.14, and 0.18 mg/L in DNBFS, and 0.29, 0.35, and 0.24 mg/L in DNBFL. The performance of both biofilters was quite stable within a backwashing cycle. The NO3−-N reduction rates were 1.31, 1.10, and 0.48 mg/(L·min) in DNBFS, and 0.97, 0.27, and 0.10 mg/(L·min) in DNBFL. For biomass detached from both biofilters, their denitrifying activities were similar. Biofilm biomass in DNBFS was higher than that in DNBFL, inducing a high denitrification efficiency in DNBFS.
Application of annealed red mud to Mn2+ ion adsorption from aqueous solution
Authors: Chen Hongliang , Zheng Juan , Zhang Zhongqiong , Long Qian , Zhang Qiuyun
Published: March 2016

Physicochemical characteristics and Mn2+ adsorption of annealed red mud were investigated in this study. The annealing temperature (105–900 °C) changed the mineralogical components and the point of zero charge of red mud. By comparison, annealed red mud at 700 °C (ARM700) had a better adsorption effect than other annealed samples, associated with the activated components of available Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2 and Na5Al3(SiO4)3CO3 (natrodavyne). The removal efficiency of Mn2+ by ARM700 was dependent on initial pH, contact time, and initial Mn2+ concentration of aqueous solution and was ∼56.5% with initial Mn2+ concentration 385 mg/L at initial pH > 5. The kinetics process was predicted better by the pseudo-second-order model. The Langmuir isotherm displayed a better fitting model than the Freundlich isotherm and the Mn2+ maximum adsorption capacity of ARM700 was 88.3 mg/g. The competing effects of Cu2+ and Zn2+ on Mn2+ removal were most obvious. There was efficient Mn2+ removal at the application of ARM700 to the leachate of electrolytic manganese residue.
Relationship between traditional and contemporary elements in the architecture of Orthodox churches at the turn of the millennium
Authors: Manic Bozidar , Nikovic Ana , Maric Igor
Published: March 2016

The paper will present the contemporary practice of church architecture in
Bulgarian, Romanian, Russian and Greek orthodox churches, at the end of the
XX and the beginning of the XXI century, and analyse the relationship of
traditional and contemporary elements, with the aim of determining main
trends and development tendencies. Free development of sacred architecture
was interrupted by long reigns of authorities opposed to Orthodox
Christianity. After the downfall of Communist regimes, conditions were
created for the unobstructed construction of sacred buildings in all Orthodox
countries, while the issue of traditional church architecture re-emerged as
important. Further development of Orthodox church architecture may be
affected by some issues raised in relation to the structure and form of
liturgy, regarding the internal organisation of the temple. The freedom of
architectural creation is strongly supported by the richness of forms created
throughout history. Traditionalist approaches to the architectural shaping of
churches are dominant even nowadays, tradition being understood and
interpreted individually. At the same time, efforts to introduce contemporary
architectural expression into church architecture have been increasing and
gaining strength.
Changing Approaches to the Future in Swedish Forestry, 1850–2010
Authors: Mårald Erland , Westholm Erik
Published: March 2016

This article explores the changing construction of the future in Swedish forestry since 1850. The framework is based on three concepts: (1) knowability, addressing changing views of knowledge; (2) governability, addressing changing views of the ability to steer the future; and (3) temporality, referring to varying ways of relating to time. The results reveal that until the 1980s, trust in science-based forestry triggered other knowledge-based activities, such as education, surveys, and field trials. The future was seen as predictable and forecasts were expected to support increased forest production. In the 1970s, the environmental debate about the forest incorporated a pluralistic futures agenda. High-production forestry using intensive management methods was questioned. Futures studies shifted focus from predictions to scenarios, highlighting a less predictable future open to human agency. Paradoxically, with increased knowledge of forest ecology and forest markets with improved modeling techniques, the future horizon shifted to one of risks and uncertainties.
Hidden Climato-Economic Roots of Differentially Privileged Cultures
Authors: Van de Vliert Evert
Published: March 2016

This theory-based study tests the interactive impacts of the demands of thermal climate and wealth resources on variations in privileged culture represented by mental health, personal freedom, and political democracy. Multiple regression analysis of aggregated survey data covering 106 countries shows that cultures vary from minimally privileged in poor countries with demanding climates (e.g., Azerbaijan and Belarus) to maximally privileged in rich countries with demanding climates (e.g., Canada and Finland). In between those extremes, moderate degrees of privileged culture prevail in poor and rich countries with undemanding climates (e.g., Colombia and Singapore). Rival explanations and competing predictors, including degrees of agrarianism versus capitalism, latitude and longitude, and parasitic disease burden, could not account for these findings in support of the burgeoning climato-economic theory of culture.
Optimization of Minimum Quantity Lubricant Conditions and Cutting Parameters in Hard Milling of AISI H13 Steel
Authors: Do The-Vinh , Hsu Quang-Cherng
Published: March 2016

As a successful solution applied to hard machining, the minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) has already been established as an alternative to flood coolant processing. The optimization of MQL parameters and cutting parameters under MQL condition are essential and pressing. The study was divided into two parts. In the first part of this study, the Taguchi method was applied to find the optimal values of MQL condition in the hard milling of AISI H13 with consideration of reduced surface roughness. The L9 orthogonal array, the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to analyze the effect of the performance characteristics of MQL parameters (i.e., cutting fluid type, pressure, and fluid flow) on good surface finish. In the results section, lubricant and pressure of MQL condition are determined to be the most influential factors which give a statistically significant effect on machined surfaces. A verifiable experiment was conducted to demonstrate the reliability of the results. In the second section, the optimized MQL parameters were applied in a series of experiments to find out cutting parameters of hard milling. The Taguchi method was also used to optimize the cutting parameters in order to obtain the best surface roughness. The design of the experiment (DOE) was implemented by using the L27 orthogonal array. Based on an analysis of the signal-to-noise response and ANOVA, the optimal values of cutting parameters (i.e., cutting speed, feed rate, depth-of-cut and hardness of workpiece) were introduced. The results of the present work indicate feed rate is the factor having the most effect on surface roughness.
Characteristic of the Oxidative Stress in Blood of Patients in Dependence of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Severity
Authors: Muravlyova Larissa , Molotovâ€“Luchankiy Vilen , Bakirova Ryszhan , Klyuyev Dmitriy , Demidchik Ludmila , Lee Valentina
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: At the present time the alternation of the oxidative metabolism is considered as one of the leading pathogenic mechanisms in the development and progression of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However the nature and direction of the oxidative protein changes in CAP patientâ€™s blood had been almost unexplored.AIM: To define oxidative and modified proteins in erythrocytes and blood plasma of CAP patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood plasma and erythrocytes obtained from: 42 patients with moderate severity pneumonia, 12 patients with grave severity pneumonia and 32 healthy volunteers. Content of advanced oxidation protein products, malondialdehyde and reactive carbonyl derivatives were estimated as indicators of the oxidative stress and oxidative damage of proteins.RESULTS: In patients with grave severity the level of oxidative proteins and MDA in erythrocytes exceeded both: control values and similar meanings in CAP patients with moderate severity. The further growth of MDA in this group patientsâ€™ blood plasma was observed, but the level of oxidative proteins decreased in comparison with those in CAP patients with moderate severity. CONCLUSION: To sum up, our derived data show, that injury of erythrocytesâ€™ redox-status and blood plasma components plays an essential role in development and progression CAP.
Quel bilan et quel rôle pour les administrations déconcentrees de l’État ?
Authors: Gagneron Werner
Published: March 2016

Résumé Mise en place en 2009, la réforme de l’administration territoriale de l’État (RéATE) présente, six ans après, un bilan contrasté. Les objectifs d’une plus grande interministérialité dans la mise en œuvre des politiques publiques et de gains dans les fonctions support n’ont pas été atteints. Il convient désormais de redéfinir le rôle de l’État territorial, en se posant explicitement la question de sa mission et en instaurant des relations nouvelles avec les collectivités territoriales, mais aussi, si le choix des directions départementales interministérielles était maintenu, de leur donner les moyens de fonctionner en construisant de nouvelles filières professionnelles et en les dotant d’un véritable budget de fonctionnement.
Le Portugal, une régionalisation sans régions administratives ?
Authors: Alves Correia Fernando
Published: March 2016

Résumé  La régionalisation du territoire continental du Portugal a été repoussée par le corps électoral lors du référendum de novembre 1998. Il en a résulté une régionalisation sans région administrative pour ainsi dire. Les fonctions d’aménagement de territoire, d’équipement et de développement ont été confiées à des commissions régionales de développement, organes déconcentrés de l’État dans cinq régions administratives. Puis des structures intercommunales relativement vastes et dotées d’attributions dans les mêmes domaines ont été mises en place. Mais celles‑ci ne sont pas des collectivités locales, y compris pour les aires métropolitaines de Lisbonne et de Porto. De plus la législation les concernant a connu plusieurs réformes au cours des dernières années. En définitive, le Portugal demeure un État relativement centralisé. Un progrès de la décentralisation pourrait être envisagé par le transfert de compétences aux entités intercommunales.
La ville métropolitaine dans la reforme de l’organisation territoriale en Italie
Authors: Lucarelli Alberto
Published: March 2016

Résumé La mise en place des villes métropolitaines, prévue en Italie depuis 1990, a été véritablement engagée par la loi Del Rio de 2014. La réforme concerne neuf grandes agglomérations en dehors de Rome. Elle s’inscrit dans la réforme de l’État entreprise par le gouvernement Renzi et répond au demi‑échec des régions. Pyramide inversée, la ville métropolitaine s’appuie sur les communes et sa gouvernance mobilise diverses formes de démocratie et doit tirer son dynamisme du local. La ville métropolitaine est substituée au département dans les mêmes limites territoriales. Le maire métropolitain est de droit le maire de la commune chef‑lieu du département.
Le système de la péréquation entre les collectivités locales en Suède
Authors: Jonason Patricia
Published: March 2016

Résumé  Pour faire face aux disparités territoriales qui affectent les capacités financières des communes, la Suède a mis en place un système de péréquation qui comporte cinq volets : les deux principaux sont la péréquation des revenus et la péréquation des coûts. S’y ajoutent la dotation de structures, la dotation pour coûts d’entrée ainsi qu’un compte de régularisation. Chacune de ces composantes est divisée entre un système dédié aux communes et un système dédié aux comtés. Ce système permet de concilier une large autonomie locale et l’égal accès de tous les citoyens au même niveau de service.
Développement économique : la région, chef de file ?
Authors: Marcou Gérard
Published: March 2016

Résumé La loi relative à la nouvelle organisation territoriale de la République du 7 août 2015 a étendu les compétences des régions en matière de développement économique, dans le domaine de la planification des interventions économiques et dans le domaine des aides qu’elles peuvent accorder, et renforcé son rôle de chef de file, établi par la loi du 27 janvier 2014. Mais cette prééminence est disputée ; les métropoles s’annoncent comme des pouvoirs concurrents en matière économique et le poids des interventions économiques de l’État reste prépondérant. La coopération est donc nécessaire entre les régions et l’État et entre les régions et les autres collectivités.
L’archipel des Comores et son histoire ancienne. Essai de mise en perspective des chroniques, de la tradition orale et des typologies de céramiques locales et d’importation
Authors: Allibert Claude
Published: March 2016

Cet article ne traite ni de l’histoire moderne ni de l’histoire contemporaine de l’archipel des Comores, mais vise à étudier les époques anciennes en mettant en corrélation trois types de documents en les croisant, même si l’exercice s’en révèle délicat. L’archéologie peut informer sur l’origine des artefacts mais ne peut prétendre à renseigner sur leurs transporteurs. Il est impossible de dire si ceux qui apportèrent les objets sont ceux qui s’installèrent en ces lieux. D’autre part, les chroniques et la tradition orale, si elles peuvent aider, présentent aussi des pièges dus aux pratiques de manipulation opérées à leur avantage par leurs auteurs. Parfois, cependant, une lueur d’association et d’articulation pointe. On semble alors voir apparaître des correspondances entre mouvements commerciaux, culturels et matrimoniaux.
De Madagascar à Sumatra : une route négrière peu commune. Le voyage du navire Binnenwijzend de la VOC en 1732
Authors: Thiébaut Rafaël
Published: March 2016

En 1732, le Binnenwijzend, navire de la Compagnie néerlandaise des Indes orientales (VOC), fit une traite sur la côte nord-ouest de Madagascar afin de fournir les mines d’or de Sumatra en main-d’œuvre. Par le biais de documents inédits et uniques, nous retraçons le déroulement de ce voyage négrier peu commun, de son armement jusqu’à son retour à Batavia. Ce voyage nous apprend beaucoup sur la situation politique et économique du royaume sakalava du Boina, ainsi que sur les opérations de traite assurées par la VOC. Croisée avec d’autres données, cette expédition nous permet de mieux comprendre les interactions commerciales entre marchands néerlandais et souverains malgaches, à une époque encore peu étudiée, durant laquelle le commerce maritime avec les Européens se développait rapidement. Elle nous offre également des détails inédits sur les conditions subies par les esclaves lors d’un middle passage peu fréquent.
Anjouan (Comores), un nœud dans les réseaux de l’océan Indien. Émergence et rôle d’une société urbaine lettrée et marchande (XVIIe-XXe siècle)
Authors: Blanchy Sophie
Published: March 2016

Cet article traite du rôle spécifique joué par les makabaila de l’île d’Anjouan (archipel des Comores) dans les réseaux commerciaux de l’océan Indien. Musulmans lettrés urbains, marchands et grands propriétaires fonciers, ils sont en majorité composés de Bā ʿAlawī, des chérifs hadramis qui ont développé dès le xvie siècle des liens commerciaux intenses entre le Hadramaout et l’archipel de Lamu, et se sont établis à partir de la fin de ce siècle aux Comores. Les makabaila d’Anjouan ont fait de l’île une interface commerciale et maritime internationale grâce à une série de facteurs : la qualité des mouillages a favorisé l’enrichissement des villes portuaires et la transmission d’une culture lettrée maintenant l’idéologie élitaire. Malgré les domaines fonciers qu’ils contrôlaient, ils ont fait preuve d’un ethos déterritorialisé, de réseau, à la différence des autres populations comoriennes ritualisant leur lien au territoire. Leur adaptation à la colonisation française à la fin du xixe siècle éclaire les processus plus anciens. Grâce à l’éducation qu’ils avaient monopolisée, les makabaila ont conservé un statut dominant quand Anjouan est devenue un des grands sites mondiaux de production de plantes à parfum et, à l’indépendance, ils ont repris le contrôle de cette exportation, qui reste l’enjeu des dominations locales.
Resolvin D1 Polarizes Primary Human Macrophages toward a Proresolution Phenotype through GPR32
Authors: Schmid Mattia , Gemperle Claudio , Rimann Nicole , Hersberger Martin
Published: March 2016

Resolvin D1 (RvD1) was shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory and proresolution lipid mediator in several animal models of inflammation, but its mechanism of action in humans is not clear. We show that the RvD1 receptor GPR32 is present on resting, proinflammatory M(LPS) and alternatively activated primary human M(IL-4) macrophages, whereas TGF-β and IL-6 reduce its membrane expression. Accordingly, stimulation of resting primary human macrophages with 10 nM RvD1 for 48 h maximally reduced the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8; abolished chemotaxis to several chemoattractants like chemerin, fMLF, and MCP-1; and doubled the phagocytic activity of these macrophages toward microbial particles. In contrast, these functional changes were not accompanied by surface expression of markers specific for alternatively activated M(IL-4) macrophages. Similar proresolution effects of RvD1 were observed when proinflammatory M(LPS) macrophages were treated with RvD1. In addition, we show that these RvD1-mediated effects are GPR32 dependent because reduction of GPR32 expression by small interfering RNA, TGF-β, and IL-6 treatment ablated these proresolution effects in primary human macrophages. Taken together, our results indicate that in humans RvD1 triggers GPR32 to polarize and repolarize macrophages toward a proresolution phenotype, supporting the role of this mediator in the resolution of inflammation in humans.
Development and Validation of Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Determination of Metformin HCI and Glimepiride in Fixed-Dose Combination
Authors: Vaingankar Pradnya N. , Amin Purnima D.
Published: March 2016

A simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of Metformin hydrochloride (MET) and Glimepiride (GLM) in combination and estimation of their principal degradation products. The separation was achieved using JASCO Finepak SIL (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d. 5 μm) at ambient temperature. The optimized mobile phase composed of an aqueous phase (20 mM phosphate buffer, adjusted to pH 3.0) and an organic phase (methanoliacetonitrile; 62.5:37.5) in the ratio of 80:20. The flow rate was 1 mL/minute, and the analytes were detected at 230 nm. The developed method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, and sensitivity. The chromatographic analysis time was approximately six minutes with the complete resolution of MET (Rt = 2.75 minutes) and GLM (Rt = 5.87 minutes). The method exhibited good linearity over the range of 5-30 μg/mL for MET and 1-10 μg/mL for GLM. The drugs in combination were subjected to various stress degradation studies as per the International Conference Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Results obtained from the stress degradation studies revealed that the developed method is applicable for stability studies.
Autophagy and Apoptotic Crosstalk: Mechanism of Therapeutic Resistance in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Zambrano Joelle , Yeh Elizabeth S.
Published: March 2016

While breast cancer patients benefit from the use of HER2 inhibitors, many fail therapy and become resistant to treatment, indicating a critical need to prevent treatment failure. A number of studies have emerged that highlight the catabolic process of autophagy in breast cancer as a mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy and targeted inhibitors. Furthermore, recent research has begun to dissect how autophagy signaling crosstalks with apoptotic signaling. Thus, a possible strategy in fighting resistance is to couple targeting of apoptotic and autophagy signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss how cellular response by autophagy circumvents cell death to promote resistance of breast cancers to HER2 inhibitors, as well as the potential avenues of therapeutic intervention.