bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epistemological Parallels between the Nik?yas and the Upani?ads
Authors: Evans Stephen A.
Published: August 2013

What does it mean to ‘know’ in the Nik?yas such that simply ‘knowing’ certain things ‘as they really are’ has the power to liberate one from sa?s?ra? In an effort to characterize such ‘knowing’ while minimizing the pr ojection of modern-western pr esupp ositions, the pr esent paper expl ores parallels between concepts of transformational and liberating knowledge in the Nik?yas and the early Upani?ads in an effort to identify epistemological pr esupp ositions curr ent in ancient India. The characterization is contrasted with modern-western common sense notions of factual knowledge in order to highlight features that we may tend to miss or to overl ook. It is arg ued that for the authors of both sets of literature, ordinary opinion is deluded while genuine knowledge holds directly effective power, and that transformative knowledge is a reflexive mode of comportment towards the known, concerned as much with relations as with the entities related. This understanding help s to acc ount for the transformative power of ‘knowledge’ and may have impl ications for the ways we interpr et central doctrines.
Explicating the Buddha’s Final Illness in the Context of his Other Ailments: the Making and Unmaking of some J?taka Tales
Authors: Strong John S.
Published: August 2013

The Buddha’s final illness, brought on by his last meal prior to his death, was traditionally seen as one of a set of ailments suffered by him at various points during his lifetime. This paper looks at different Buddhist explications of the causes of these ailments and applies them to the episode of the Buddha’s final illness. In both instances, three explanatory strategies are detected: the first stresses the causative importance of the Buddha’s own negative karmic deeds in past lives; the second looks to the negative deeds and karma of others than the Buddha; the third offers non-karmic explanations. The first two engendered two rather different kinds of j?taka stories; the last did not involve any j?takas but highlighted various kinds of ‘natural’ explanations.
Not for the Achievement of a S?vaka or Paccekabuddha: The Motive behind the Bodhisatta’s Self-sacrifice in the Paññ?sa-J?taka
Authors: Unebe Toshiya
Published: August 2013

In the Paññ?sa-j?taka transmitted in central Thailand, there are as many as eight stories of self-sacrifice (ajjhatika-d?na), where a bodhisatta declares that he carried out his self-sacrifice not to get the achievement of a s?vaka or paccekabuddha but to attain omniscience. Such declaration is rare in the P?li Nik?yas and their commentaries. In the same way, parallel or similar kinds of stories in the av?d?nas or j?takas transmitted in Sanskrit and Chinese do not refer to the disengagement from the achievement of a s?vaka or paccekabuddha, with the exception of the story of K?ñcanas?ra. Since the direct source of the bodhisatta’s declarations including the reference to the achievement does not seem to exist in the P?li Nik?yas and their commentaries, there is a possibility that the bodhisatta’s declarations found in the Paññ?sa-j?taka are derived from a very old origin which is shared with the story of K?ñcanas?ra.
Reshaping the J?taka Stories: from J?takas to Avad?nas and Pra?idh?nas in Paintings at Kucha and Turfan
Authors: Zhu Tianshu
Published: August 2013

Kucha was the major Buddhist center on the Northern Route of the Silk Road, and well known for being dominated by the Sarv?stiv?da school for most of its history. Replacing the j?taka story, the avad?na story (story of causation) became the major theme depicted on the ceiling of the central-pillar caves in this area (fifth–seventh centuries). Turfan is another important cultural center in Central Asia where Buddhism once flourished. The pra?idh?na (or ‘vow’) painting, which was based on the Bhai?ajyavastu, a vinaya text of the Mulasarv?stiv?da school, was a unique subject normally appearing on the walls of Buddhist caves in Turfan (ninth twelfth centuries). Both the avad?na and pra?idh?na stories are derived from j?taka stories, with significant shifts of focus, as well as of the format of the narrative. In this paper, through studying the avad?na and vow paintings at Kucha and Turfan, and comparing them with j?takas in early Buddhist art, I attempt to show how j?taka stories were transformed for different doctrinal messages of Buddhist teaching in some late ‘H?nay?na’ schools, namely Sarv?stiv?da and Mulasarv?stiv?da, and how the visual representations mirror the narrative styles in Buddhist texts.
‘I’ without ‘I am’: On the Presence of Subjectivity in Early Buddhism, in the Light of Transcendental Phenomenology
Authors: Nizamis Khristos
Published: August 2013

Investigating the P?li suttas, compiled prior to the development of Abhidhamma, from a phenomenological perspective reveals an internally coherent and consistent doctrine/theory whose crucial theme is the intentionality and subjectivity of consciousness. Reductive interpretations tend to interpret the basic Buddhist principle of ‘non-self ’, and its correlative repudiation of the concept/conceit ‘I am’, as entailing a rejection of any genuine (phenomenological) meaningfulness for the term ‘I’ as a legitimate expression of subjectivity, intentionality, and consciousness. Indeed, it is occasionally even claimed that Buddhas and Arahants cannot possess subjective intentional consciousness at all. In the following reflections, then, a few key aspects of an alternative (phenomenological) perspective upon early P?li Buddhism are introduced and sketched out, whereby it is argued that the presence of subjective intentional consciousness, even in the case of Buddhas and Arahants, is not only presupposed by the suttas, and is not only quite unproblematic for early Buddhist doctrine/theory, but is also actually of fundamental importance for the very possibility of Buddhist truth and practice. Thus, early Buddhist doctrine/theory is not only non-reductive; it also eminently invites a deep dialogue with, and a serious and detailed interpretation from the perspective of, Transcendental Phenomenology.
The Gurudharmas in Taiwanese Buddhist Nunneries
Authors: Heirman Ann , Chiu Tzu-Lung
Published: August 2013

According to tradition, Mah?praj?pat?, the Buddha’s aunt and stepmother, when allowed to join the Buddhist monastic community, accepted eight ‘fundamental rules’ (gurudharmas) that made the nuns’ order dependent upon the monks’ order. This story has given rise to much debate, in the past as well as in the present. This article first shows how the eight rules became an integrated part of the vinaya (disciplinary texts), and more particularly of the Dharmaguptakavinaya, that forms the basis of monastic ordinations in East Asia. Against the background of a much debated attack on these gurudharmas by the Taiwanese nun Shih Chao-hwei, we have then analysed the viewpoints of contemporary Taiwanese nuns, focusing on some less studied, yet very influential, Taiwanese monastic institutes. This research has brought to light a diversity of opinions on the applicability of the rules, relying in each case on a clear vision on Buddhism and vinaya.
The formative platform of the Congress of Panama (1810-1826): the Pan-American conjecture revisited
Authors: De la Reza Germán A.
Published: August 2013

This article examines the formative platform of the Congress of Panama of 1826. It seeks to support the hypothesis that the nature and scope of the first test of integration in the Western Hemisphere depended critically on the platform created by Simón Bolívar and other Latin American Independence heroes from the Declaration of Independence of Venezuela in 1810 until the last bilateral agreement of 1826. In that respect, it corroborates the Latin American Identity of the initiative.
Theoretical and experimental analysis of RHS/CHS K gap joints
Authors: Mayor Iara Souto , Nunes Gabriel Vieira , Freitas Arlene M. S. , Requena João A. V. , Araújo Afonso H.
Published: August 2013

This work presents a study of welded K joints with gap, formed by a structural steel hot rolled hollow section, having rectangular hollow sections at the chords and circular hollow sections in the others members. The study developed theoretical and numerical analyses for the joints, experimental tests in full scale prototypes. Theoretical analyses were performed using code standards for K joints. The results in terms of behavior, ultimate load and collapse mode were analyzed and compared with numerical (finite elements) and theoretical models. The theoretical analysis was carried out from the code regulations. The joints tested indicated the failure mode of Plastic failure of the chord face (mode A). The results showed that the loads using code regulations and the ones from the numerical analysis had good agreement for the K joint.
Freeze-drying microscopy in mathematical modeling of a biomaterial freeze-drying
Authors: Borgognoni Camila Figueiredo , Bevilacqua Joyce da Silva , Pitombo Ronaldo Nogueira de Moraes
Published: August 2013

Transplantation brings hope for many patients. A multidisciplinary approach on this field aims at creating biologically functional tissues to be used as implants and prostheses. The freeze-drying process allows the fundamental properties of these materials to be preserved, making future manipulation and storage easier. Optimizing a freeze-drying cycle is of great importance since it aims at reducing process costs while increasing product quality of this time-and-energy-consuming process. Mathematical modeling comes as a tool to help a better understanding of the process variables behavior and consequently it helps optimization studies. Freeze-drying microscopy is a technique usually applied to determine critical temperatures of liquid formulations. It has been used in this work to determine the sublimation rates of a biological tissue freeze-drying. The sublimation rates were measured from the speed of the moving interface between the dried and the frozen layer under 21.33, 42.66 and 63.99 Pa. The studied variables were used in a theoretical model to simulate various temperature profiles of the freeze-drying process. Good agreement between the experimental and the simulated results was found.
Programmed delivery of verapamil hydrochloride from tablet in a capsule device
Authors: Sah Mukesh Lal , Juyal Vijay
Published: August 2013

The aim of the present work was to develop a programmed drug delivery system which would be able to release the drug after 6 h of lag time by use of hydrophilic polymers. The capsule body was made impermeable by use of formaldehyde vapor treatment, while the cap was untreated. The capsule was filled with two layered tablets (tablet-in-capsule), followed by a sodium bicarbonate:citric acid mixture (SBCM) and lactose as bulking agent. Sodium alginate, chitosan, HPMC K15 and chitosan:sodium alginate complex (CSAC) were used as the rate modulating layer. Through combined use of HPMC K15 and adjusting the ratio of CSAC, the desired lag time of 6 h was obtained. The effect of the bulking agents on the lag time were also studied and it was found that the lag time was decreased with higher amounts of lactose, and delayed dissolution and decreased lag time was observed at higher amount of effervescent mixture.
Formulation and evaluation of buccoadhesive quetiapine fumarate tablets
Authors: Potu Appa Rao , Pujari Naresh , Burra Shashidher , Veerareddy Prabhakar Reddy
Published: August 2013

The aim of present study was to develop and evaluate buccoadhesive Quetiapine Fumarate (QF) tablets, which is extensively metabolised by liver. Buccoadhesive tablets of QF were prepared using HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M and combination of carbopol and HPC as mucoadhesive polymers by direct compression method. Sodium deoxycholate was added to formulation to improve the permeation of drug. The formulations were tested for bioadhesion strength, ex vivo residence time, swelling time and in vitro dissolution studies and ex vivo permeation studies. Optimized formulation (F3) showed 92% in vitro release in 8 h and 67% permeation of drug through porcine buccal mucosa and followed fickian release mechanism with zero order kinetics. FTIR studies of optimized formulation showed no evidence of interaction between the drug and polymers. In vivo mucoadhesive behaviour of optimized formulation was performed and subjective parameters were evaluated.
The Slaves of the Church
Authors: González Prada Manuel , Carris Cathleen , Ward Thomas
Published: August 2013

Manuel GonzÁlez prada (1844-1918), like inca garcilaso de la vega, César vallejo, josé marÍa arguedas, and mario vargas llosa, ranks among the top Peruvian literary figures, but only in Peru, where his work is hotly debated by literati, social scientists, historians, politicians, and journalists. Outside Peru he rates no more than the inclusion in anthologies of one of his poems; his most famous essay, “Nuestros indios” (“Our Indians”); or the occasional critical article on his work. However, with the Cuban José Martí (1853-95), González Prada is a founder of Latin American modernism, a movement that critics generally accept as running roughly from the publication of Rubén Darío's Azul, in 1888, to Darío's death, in 1916. Gordon Brotherston notes that Darío coined the term modernismo the same year he published Azul (vii). There are many reasons there has been less interest in González Prada than in Martí and other modernists. To begin with, Darío, in an 1888 visit to Peru, met with Ricardo Palma but not González Prada (Castro). Palma, writing in a more traditional style—even though he invented a genre, tradiciones—was the establishment's literary darling, while González Prada, always the innovator in style and an agitator in subject matter, remained largely unknown outside his native land. Thus, it made perfect sense that the maker of literary movements would visit the internationally known Palma but not González Prada, who could not add to his fame and expanding literary networks. Furthermore, when Darío later went to New York he turned his epistolary relationship with Martí into a personal friendship (Henríquez Ureña 93). In the United States there is much more interest in Martí, who lived here, than in González Prada, who did not. Hispanic modernism is typically understood to include the like-minded people whom Darío knew personally, such as Martí, Julián del Casal (Cuba), Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera (Mexico), Ricardo Jaimes Freyre (Bolivia), and Juan Ramón Jiménez (Spain), and to exclude those whom he did not, such as Adela Zamudio (Bolivia) and González Prada. Finally, González Prada's anarchism, his feminism, and his tell-it-like-it-is essays did not endear him to many people.
Canal breach risk assessment for improved asset management
Authors: Dun Richard W. , Wicks Jon M.
Published: August 2013

Advances in inundation modelling software, computer hardware and national data sets mean that it is now practical to use full solutions of the two-dimensional (2D) shallow water equations (SWE) to undertake national-scale modelling of breach inundation. Such modelling enables much improved asset management activities, which lead to reduced risk to life, lower risk of damage to properties and a much better targeting of investment by asset owners. This paper describes how a 2D SWE inundation modelling system was designed and applied to the UK Canal and River Trust canal system as part of a quantitative high-level risk assessment framework. The framework includes a new approach for estimating breach probability and hydrographs in the canal system for potential embankment and culvert failures. An innovative automated model build-and-run process using Isis 2D software was applied to model inundation in urban areas. Predicted likely loss of life and property damage outputs were used to generate a risk chart to prioritise asset inspection and maintenance.
Optical‐Mechanical System for On‐Combine Segregation of Wheat by Grain Protein Concentration
Authors: Long D. S. , McCallum J. D. , Scharf P. A.
Published: August 2013

Grain segregation by grain protein concentration (GPC) may help growers maximize revenues in markets that offer protein premiums. Our objective was to develop an on‐combine system for automatically segregating wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) by GPC during harvest. A multispectral optical sensor scans the grain as it is conveyed by the combine’s grain bin‐filling auger. Light from the optical probe is transmitted through a fiber optic cable to a spectrometer, which determines the spectral characteristics of the grain. This information is processed by the instrument control software that is programmed to calculate GPC from a chemometric model. The continuous GPC output is simultaneously fed to a binary computer algorithm for triggering a logic circuit and operating a mechanical diverter valve that diverts the grain into either one of two bins. Field tests of the system were conducted during harvest of hard red spring wheat using a Case IH 1470 combine modified with front and rear bins. Front and rear bins were compared in terms of the mean and frequency distribution of the optically sensed GPC. In addition, the grain in each bin was manually sampled and tested in the laboratory for GPC. Results showed that it is possible to use the GPC measured by an optical sensor to effectively control a mechanical diverter valve for routing the grain into one of two bins on a combine. An advantage of this approach is that prior knowledge of harvesting zones is not required.
Clinical Factors and the Decision to Transfuse Chronic Dialysis Patients
Authors: Whitman Cynthia B. , Shreay Sanatan , Gitlin Matthew , van Oijen Martijn G. H. , Spiegel Brennan M. R.
Published: August 2013

Background and objectives

Red blood cell transfusion was previously the principle therapy for anemia in CKD but became less prevalent after the introduction of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. This study used adaptive choice-based conjoint analysis to identify preferences and predictors of transfusion decision-making in CKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

A computerized adaptive choice-based conjoint survey was administered between June and August of 2012 to nephrologists, internists, and hospitalists listed in the American Medical Association Masterfile. The survey quantified the relative importance of 10 patient attributes, including hemoglobin levels, age, occult blood in stool, severity of illness, eligibility for transplant, iron indices, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, cardiovascular disease, and functional status. Triggers of transfusions in common dialysis scenarios were studied, and based on adaptive choice-based conjoint-derived preferences, relative importance by performing multivariable regression to identify predictors of transfusion preferences was assessed.

Results

A total of 350 providers completed the survey (n=305 nephrologists; mean age=46 years; 21% women). Of 10 attributes assessed, absolute hemoglobin level was the most important driver of transfusions, accounting for 29% of decision-making, followed by functional status (16%) and cardiovascular comorbidities (12%); 92% of providers transfused when hemoglobin was 7.5 g/dl, independent of other factors. In multivariable regression, Veterans Administration providers were more likely to transfuse at 8.0 g/dl (odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 18.4). Although transplant eligibility explained only 5% of decision-making, nephrologists were five times more likely to value it as important compared with non-nephrologists (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.4 to11.1).

Conclusions

Adaptive choice-based conjoint analysis was useful in predicting influences on transfusion decisions. Hemoglobin level, functional status, and cardiovascular comorbidities most strongly influenced transfusion decision-making, but preference variations were observed among subgroups.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Cardiovascular Mortality after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Baia Leandro C. , Humalda Jelmer K. , Vervloet Marc G. , Navis Gerjan , Bakker Stephan J.L. , de Borst Martin H.
Published: August 2013

Background and objectives

Circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in CKD. Whether FGF23 predicts cardiovascular mortality after kidney transplantation, independent of measures of mineral metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors, is unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

The association between plasma C-terminal FGF23 and cardiovascular mortality was analyzed in a single-center prospective cohort of 593 stable kidney transplant recipients (mean age ± SD, 52±12 years; 54% male; estimated GFR, 47±16 ml/min per 1.73 m2), at a median of 6.1 (interquartile range, 2.7–11.7) years after transplantation. Multivariate Cox regression models were built, adjusting for measures of renal function and mineral metabolism; Framingham risk factors; the left ventricular wall strain markers midregional fragment of pro–A-type natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) and N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP); and copeptin, the stable C-terminal portion of the precursor of vasopressin.

Results

In multivariate linear regression analysis, MR-proANP (β=0.20, P<0.001), NT-proBNP (β=0.18, P<0.001), and copeptin (β=0.26, P<0.001) were independently associated with FGF23. During follow-up for 7.0 (interquartile range, 6.2–7.5) years, 128 patients (22%) died, of whom 66 (11%) died due to cardiovascular disease; 54 (9%) had graft failure. FGF23 was associated with an higher risk of cardiovascular mortality in a fully adjusted multivariate Cox regression model (hazard ratio [HR], 1.88 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11 to 3.19]; P=0.02). FGF23 was also independently associated with all-cause mortality (full model HR, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.27 to 2.73]; P=0.001). Net reclassification improved for both cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.14]; P<0.05) and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.05 to 0.18]; P<0.001).

Conclusions

Plasma FGF23 is independently associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality after kidney transplantation. The association remained significant after adjustment for measures of mineral metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors.
Effect of Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade on Soluble Klotho in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Systolic Hypertension, and Albuminuria
Authors: Karalliedde Janaka , Maltese Giuseppe , Hill Benjamin , Viberti Giancarlo , Gnudi Luigi
Published: August 2013

Background and objectives

Soluble Klotho is an anti-aging phosphaturic protein associated with vascular-renal protection. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade increases soluble Klotho levels. The effect of RAS blockers on soluble Klotho in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Plasma-soluble Klotho was measured in a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial performed at a single university hospital center (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT001715, from March 2003 to September 2006). Seventy-six patients with type 2 diabetes and DKD (all with albuminuria and serum creatinine <1.7 mg/dl) were studied at baseline and at 24 weeks (study end) after randomization to valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (n=37) or amlodipine (n=39) treatment. Aortic-pulse wave velocity by applanation tonometry and albuminuria (from three timed urine collections) were also measured at baseline and 24 weeks.

Results

Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide treatment significantly increased mean (± SD) soluble Klotho (from 432.7±179 to 506.4±226.8 pg/ml; P=0.01) and reduced serum phosphate (from 3.25±1.18 to 2.60±0.96 mg/dl; P=0.04) compared with amlodipine (from 430.1±145.8 to 411.9±157.6 pg/ml and from 2.94±0.56 to 2.69±1.52 mg/dl, respectively). There was a significant difference between treatment groups in soluble Klotho (mean 91.9 pg/ml; 95% confidence interval, 19.9 to 162) and serum phosphate levels (mean −0.68 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval, −0.15 to −1.33) with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide treatment (P=0.03 and P=0.04, respectively). Attained BP was similar in the two groups and levels of soluble Klotho were not associated with aortic-pulse wave velocity and albuminuria, variables that fell significantly only with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

Conclusions

Treatment with a RAS blocker, valsartan, is associated with an increase in soluble Klotho, which may contribute to the BP-independent cardiorenal benefits of these drugs in DKD.
Cardiorenal Syndrome
Authors: House Andrew A.
Published: August 2013

Cardiorenal syndromes (CRSs) with bidirectional heart-kidney signaling are increasingly being recognized for their association with increased morbidity and mortality. In acute CRS, recognition of the importance of worsening kidney function complicating management of acute decompensated heart failure has led to the examination of this specific outcome in the context of acute heart failure clinical trials. In particular, the role of fluid overload and venous congestion has focused interest in the most effective use of diuretic therapy to relieve symptoms of heart failure while at the same time preserving kidney function. Additionally, many novel vasoactive therapies have been studied in recent years with the hopes of augmenting cardiac function, improving symptoms and patient outcomes, while maintaining or improving kidney function. Similarly, recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic CRS have led to reanalysis of kidney outcomes in pivotal trials in chronic congestive heart failure, and newer trials are including changes in kidney function as well as kidney injury biomarkers as prospectively monitored and adjudicated outcomes. This paper provides an overview of some new developments in the pharmacologic management of acute and chronic CRS, examines several reports that illustrate a key management principle for each subtype, and discusses opportunities for future research.
Determinants and Changes Associated with Aldosterone Breakthrough after Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes with Overt Nephropathy
Authors: Moranne Olivier , Bakris George , Fafin Coraline , Favre Guillaume , Pradier Christian , Esnault Vincent L.M.
Published: August 2013

Background and objectives

Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system decreases proteinuria and slows estimated GFR decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with overt nephropathy. Serum aldosterone levels may increase during renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade. The determinants and consequences of this aldosterone breakthrough remain unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This study examined the incidence, determinants, and changes associated with aldosterone breakthrough in a posthoc analysis of a randomized study that compared the effect of two angiotensin II receptor blockers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with overt nephropathy.

Results

Of 567 of 860 participants included in this posthoc analysis, 28% of participants developed aldosterone breakthrough, which was defined by an increase greater than 10% over baseline values of serum aldosterone levels after 1 year of angiotensin II receptor blocker treatment. Factors independently associated with aldosterone breakthrough at 1 year were lower serum aldosterone and potassium levels at baseline, higher decreases in sodium intake, systolic BP, and estimated GFR from baseline to 1 year, and use of losartan versus telmisartan. Aldosterone breakthrough at 6 months was not sustained at 1 year in 69% of cases, and it did not predict estimated GFR decrease and proteinuria increase between 6 months and 1 year.

Conclusions

Aldosterone breakthrough is a frequent event 1 year after initiating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade, particularly in participants exposed to intensive lowering of BP with sodium depletion and short-acting angiotensin II receptor blockers. Short-term serum aldosterone level increases at 6 months are not associated with negative kidney outcomes between 6 months and 1 year.
Influence of prolonged sintering time on density and electrical properties of isothermally sintered cordierite-based ceramics
Authors: Peles A. , Djordjevic N. , Obradovic N. , Tadic N. , Pavlovic V.B.
Published: August 2013

Mechanical activation is a commonly used and relatively fast and inexpensive
procedure for sample preparation before the sintering process. Cordierite, a
stoichiometric mixture of three different oxides (2MgO?2Al2O3?5SiO2) is a
very attractive, widely used high-temperature ceramic material. The
mechanical activation of the starting mixtures with 5.00 mass% TiO2 was
performed in a high energy ball mill during 10-80 min. The applied compaction
pressure before the sintering process was 2t/cm2, based on our recent
investigation. The sintering process was performed at 1350oC for 2h and 4h in
air atmosphere. X-ray diffraction was used to analyze the phase composition
of non-activated and 80 min activated samples, sintered for 2 and 4h,
respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to analyze the
microstructure of both compacted and sintered samples. Atomic force
microscope was used to investigate the surface of the sintered samples. This
paper investigates the influence of prolonged sintering time on the densities
of the sintered samples, along with electrical properties.
Magnesia-zircon brick: Evolution of microstructure, properties and performance with increasing sintering temperature
Authors: Gao J. , Guo Z. , Wang L. , Jiang W.
Published: August 2013

Depending on phase components and densification, Magnesia-Zircon brick varies
in appearance from white to veined and then brown with increasing sintering
temperature. Properties including bulk density, apparent porosity and hot
modulus of rupture as well as performance embodied with creep resistance and
refractoriness continue to improve with sustaining enhancement of sintering
temperature. Exceptionally, cold crushing strength first increases then
decreases with rising sintering temperature and a peak exists at 1550oC.
Microstructural evolution suffers zircon decomposition companying by silica
escape, forsterite formation, matrix solidification and zirconia coagulation,
until a zirconia/forsterite composites belt tightly coating on magnesia
aggregates. Excessive coagulation of zirconia caused by oversintering
probably results in microcracks formation and defects enlargement thereby
degrades cold crushing strength.

 This article has been retracted. Link to the retraction 10.2298/SOS1303387E
Optoelectronic properties correlation to preparation of Au/La-oxide nanocomposite films
Authors: Dakhel A.A.
Published: August 2013

Gold nanoparticles were grown in La-oxide thin films deposited on quartz and
silicon substrates. These films were annealed in pure hydrogen gas atmosphere
at 300?C for different durations 15 min, 30 min, and 45 min and characterised
by the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction. The matrix La-oxide
remained amorphous up to 400?C. The fraction of Au in La-oxide host material
was 7 % molar with crystallite size of 6.8 nm. The Au NPs slightly grew by
annealing in H2 gas at 300 K. The samples were investigated by UV-Vis-NIR
absorption spectroscopy and dc-electrical measurements. They exhibit
conducting properties and with H2 gas annealing, they showed red shifting of
the bandgap with remarkable reduction of optical absorption coefficient by
~25 % and remarkable increase in electrical conductivity ~124 %. A global
study of the influence of low-temperature post annealing in H2 gas on the
electrical, structural, optical, and optoelectronic properties was conducted.
ZnTiO3 ceramic nanopowder microstructure changes during compaction
Authors: Labus N. , Krstic J. , Markovic S. , Vasiljevic-Radovic D. , Nikolic M.V. , Pavlovic V.
Published: August 2013

ZnTiO3 nanopowder as a constitutive component in compact production was
primarily characterized. Scanning electron micrographs of as received powder
were recorded. Mercury porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption were also
performed on loose powder. Particle size distribution in a water powder
suspension was determined with a laser particle size analyser. Compaction was
performed on different pressures in a range from 100 to 400 MPa using the
uniaxial double sided compaction technique without binder and lubricant.
Micrographs of compacted specimens were obtained using scanning electron
microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Pore size distribution was also
determined by mercury porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption. Results revealed
that with increasing pressure during compaction interagglomerate pores
diminish in size until they reach some critical diameter related to the
intra-agglomerate pore size.
Comparative analysis of different methods and obtained results for delineation of functional urban areas
Authors: Gajovic Vojkan
Published: August 2013

European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON) recognizes Potential
Urban Strategic Horizons (PUSH) and Potential Polycentric Integration Areas
(PIA) as territory of one or more neighboring Functional Urban Areas (FUA).
Delineation of FUA territory can be done by using general ESPON methodology,
based on a 45-minute car travel time from the center of respective FUAs. This
approach is based on network proximity by using shortest path in road network
between two nodes. Later, results are approximated on administrative or
statistical territorial units, so that PUSH areas are determined. However,
other methods for delineation of FUA territory can be used. This paper deals
with other methods that can be used for delineation of FUA territory. Some of
those methods are based on machine learning, a branch of artificial
intelligence which develops algorithms that take as input empirical data,
such as that from sensors or databases. Created algorithms identify complex
relationships thought to be features of the underlying mechanism that
generated the data, and engage these identified patterns to make predictions
based on new data. Clustering and artificial neural networks are some of
approaches that can be undoubtedly used for delineation of FUAs territory,
based on unsupervised learning and statistical data analysis. This is
statistical approach, which clusters administrative or statistical
territorial units based on statistical data, and not by network proximity.
Such methods involve usage of Self Organizing Maps (SOM) which implies usage
of neighborhood function to preserve the topological properties, or using
k-means clustering, which partition observations into clusters by dividing
space into Voronoi cells. Results obtained from both approaches will be
analyzed in order to define the most appropriate method for FUAs territory
delineation in Serbia.
Support of local entrepreneurship: An empirical investigation for Serres-Greece
Authors: Balomenou Chrysanthi , Maliari Marianthi
Published: August 2013

This paper is divided into two parts, one theoretical and one empirical. The
research deals with entrepreneurs that received loans from National Fund for
Entrepreneurship and Development (ETEAN in Greek language). ETEAN provided
enterprises with non interest or low interest loans based on state
guarantees. The main objective of this research is to examine the project\'s
effectiveness and its contribution into local development on Regional Unity
of Serres, Central Macedonia, Greece. The first part is divided into two
sections. A comparative analysis of guarantees to small and medium
enterprises (SME?s) is presented in the first part referring to the European
Union and in the second part to Greece. Particularly, in the first section of
our paper presented data concerning guarantees provided in the EU. At the
second section presented data which indicate the role of ETEAN?s programs
into the contribution of local development in Greece and the moral hazards
due to state provided guarantees. Furthermore, obstacles that entrepreneurs
face when they applied for guarantee loans are analyzed in this part. Our
data were extracted during the last three years by the extensive use of web
links on the internet. Most data were taken from the websites of above
mentioned ETEAN, the Pan-European Gateway to Business and Innovation
Financing, the Gateway to European Research and Development and B.I.S. At the
second part presented the results of our research based on 200 entrepreneurs
in Serres who receive loans from ETEAN. The results analyzed with the use of
descriptive statistical methods and correlations. It is noticeable that
businessmen?s answers are similar to those deduced from the results of the
researches that have been referred to in bibliography. In the final part of
this paper the main conclusion is pointed out and that is that those programs
which provide enterprises low interest or non interest loans support local
development.
The early warning application role in facing the environmental crisis and disasters: "Preliminarily risk management strategy for the greater city of Cairo"
Authors: Ghoneem Yousef , Elewa Ahmed
Published: August 2013

Natural disasters are inevitable and it is almost impossible to fully recoup
the damage caused by the disasters. But it is possible to minimize the
potential risk by developing disaster early warning strategies, methods using
the new technology applications which play a crucial role in efficient
mitigation and management of disasters. This paper describes the importance
of the remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) in evolving a
suitable strategy for disaster, crises and risk management using these
technologies. The main objective of this paper is to make a Preliminary risk
management plan (it is a logical and systematic method of identifying,
analyzing, treating and monitoring the risks involved in any activity or
process. This process helps Administrations to focus on priorities and in
decisions on deploying limited resources to deal with the highest risks)
using the Environmental risk map of the greater city of Cairo demonstrating
the most high-risk administrative areas in the city, supported by field
evidence and different sources of information. to reduce the loss of life and
property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters
and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a
risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness,
protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. This study has shown that how
can the early warning Applications can be useful in analyzing, Integrating
and managing different datasets for predicting the environmental crises and
disasters that may affect the urbanism inside the city and help in the
preparation of the Risk management plan.
Water management, environmental protection and spatial planning reconciliation: "Accommodating" the Danube and the Tisa river in Serbia
Authors: Pihler Vladimir , Zelenovic-Vasiljevic Tamara , Duncic Dragana
Published: August 2013

Water management in Serbia has been mostly operating in a framework of public
companies and institutions focused on strictly sectorial and technical
expertise on hydraulic engineering, environmental protection and navigable
traffic engineering within the highly autonomous legislative framework. On
the cross-point of spatial planning and water management there is a growing
debate on the important discourses of the policy domains. Seeing rivers as an
?accommodated? generator of opportunities is a statement which is opposing
the traditional consideration of strict separation of water from the land.
Spatial planning as a framework for regulating the land use has an important
function in integrating the water management and landscape more closely. In
Serbian spatial planning practice there is growing practice of area-specific
development planning (reflected through the Spatial plans for the
special-purpose areas) which are considered to accommodate new ideas on
spatiality better than the traditional, sectorial planning documents. The
question is placed as to how these practices could direct new spatial
arrangements of integrative collaborative spatial planning and not just
merely reflect the framework of the existing planning order. This paper seeks
the potential and actual role of spatial planning in addressing challenges
related to particular river environments on the Tisa and the Danube rivers.
The research is based on the analysis of two Spatial plans for the
special-purpose areas which are still in conceptual phase - The Cultural
landscape of Bac and Multifunctional ecological corridor of the Tisa river.
Digital spatial data as support for river basin management: The case of Sotla river basin
Authors: Prah Klemen , Lisec Andrej , Lisec Anka
Published: August 2013

Many real-world spatially related problems, including river-basin planning
and management, give rise to geographical information system based decision
making, since the performance of spatial policy alternatives were
traditionally and are still often represented by thematic maps. Advanced
technologies and approaches, such as geographical information systems (GIS),
offer a unique opportunity to tackle spatial problems traditionally
associated with more efficient and effective data collection, analysis, and
alternative evaluation. This paper discusses the advantages and challenges of
the use of digital spatial data and geographical information systems in river
basis management. Spatial data on social, environmental and other spatial
conditions for the study area of 451.77 km2, the Slovenian part of the Sotla
river basin, are used to study the GIS capabilities of supporting spatial
decisions in the framework of river basin management.
Architectural communication: Intra and extra activity of architecture
Authors: Stamatovic-Vuckovic Slavica
Published: August 2013

Apart from a brief overview of architectural communication viewed from the
standpoint of theory of information and semiotics, this paper contains two
forms of dualistically viewed architectural communication. The duality
denotation/connotation (?primary? and ?secondary? architectural
communication) is one of semiotic postulates taken from Umberto Eco who
viewed architectural communication as a semiotic phenomenon. In addition,
architectural communication can be viewed as an intra and an extra activity
of architecture where the overall activity of the edifice performed through
its spatial manifestation may be understood as an act of communication. In
that respect, the activity may be perceived as the ?behavior of
architecture?, which corresponds to Lefebvre?s production of space.
Experimental investigations with eco-friendly refrigerants using design of experiments technique-mathematical modeling and experimental validation
Authors: Mani Kolandavel , Selladurai Vellappan , Murugan Natarajan
Published: August 2013

In this paper mathematical models were developed using design of experiments
technique for the performance prediction of refrigeration system parameters
such as refrigerating capacity, power consumption and coefficient of
performance. The models developed were checked for their adequacy using
F-test. The performances of vapour compression refrigeration system with
different refrigerants R12, R134a and R290/R600a were compared. The
R290/R600a mixture showed 10.7-23.6% higher coefficient of performance than
that with R12 and R134a and it was found that the hydrocarbon mixture with
68% propane and 32% iso-butane could be used as a substitute for R12 and
R134a.
Experimental study of the convective heat transfer coefficient in a packed bed at low Reynolds numbers
Authors: Messai Souad , El Ganaoui , Sghaier Jalila , Belghith Ali
Published: August 2013

An experimental study to evaluate the convective heat transfer coefficient in
a cylindrical packed bed of spherical porous alumina particles is
investigated. The task consists in proposing a semi-empirical model to avoid
excessive instrumentation and time consumption. The measurement of the bed
temperature associated to a simple energy balances led to calculate the gas
to particle heat transfer coefficient using a logarithmic mean temperature
difference method. These experiments were performed at atmospheric pressure.
The operating fluid is humid air. The gas velocity and temperature ranged
from 1.7-3 m/s and 120-158?C, respectively. The data obtained was compared
with the correlations reported in the literature. It is shown that the
proposed model is in reasonable agreement with the correlation of Ranz and
Marshall. Despite, many researches on experimental investigations of heat
transfer coefficient in packed beds at low and average temperature are
proposed, few studies presented calculation of convective heat transfer
coefficient at high temperature (above 120?C). A possible application of the
proposed model is drying and combustion.
Woody biomass consumption in Montenegro and its contribution to the realization of the national 2020 renewable energy target
Authors: Glavonjic Branko , Krajnc Nike
Published: August 2013

This paper is the continuation of the presentation of results obtained in
comprehensive research of woody biomass consumption in Montenegro conducted
as a part of the FODEMO/MONSTAT project ?Wood fuels consumption in
Montenegro?. The previous paper (No.2, 2013) showed results of wood fuels
consumption for households heating and this paper shows their consumption for
the other energy purposes as well as its participation in total final energy
consumption in Montenegro. Total consumption of woody biomass for energy and
non-energy purposes in Montenegro in 2011 was 1.06 million m3, out of which
732.9 thousand m3 or 69.1% was in the form of firewood and 326.6 thousand m3
or 30.8% was in the form of industrial roundwood. Additionally, 251 m3 of
woody biomass in the form of wood residue were used for the needs of charcoal
producers and households. Apart from this, 423 tonnes of wood briquettes, 948
tonnes of wood pellets, 1039 tonnes of charcoal, 86,193 m3 of wood residue
from industry and 5,254 m3 of wood waste from construction industry were also
used for energy purposes. Total final consumption of wood energy, which
includes the consumption of all wood fuel categories, was 7,275.04 TJ or
173,761 toe (tonne of oil equivalent) in Montenegro in 2011, which is equal
to the value of 2,020,844,444 kWh. The size of energy values and significance
of wood energy is best shown by the fact that wood is the third most
important energy-generating product in final energy consumption in
Montenegro, just behind petroleum products and electricity. Compared to final
consumption of electricity of 12,290 TJ, value of wood energy in the amount
of 7,275.04 TJ is 59.2% of electricity consumption.
Effects of phosphatidyl serine on immune response in the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Yang Liubing , Pan Luqing
Published: August 2013

Phosphatidyl serine plays an important role in animal innate immunity. Given its important functions, numerous investigations have been carried out on its immunological function in many animals. However, studies of phosphatidyl serine in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, an economically important animal, are rare. In this paper, we demonstrated influences of injecting phosphatidyl serine (PS) on immune response including some parameters from pro-phenol oxidase activating system (pro-PO system) and hemocyanin-derived phenol oxidase activity (Hd-PO) along with antibacterial and bacteriolytic activities in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei with different PS concentrations (5, 10 and 20 μg mL−1). The results showed that PS could affect immune response of L. vannamei significantly (P<0.05), including total hemocyte counts (THC), PO activity from hemocyte, phenol oxidase (PO) activity from plasma, hemocyanin concentration, Hd-PO activity as well as antibacterial and bacteriolytic activities in the plasma. Among the lines, 20 μg mL−1 PS had the strongest effect on the above parameters, whereas 5 μg mL−1 had the least effect. The experimental results indicated that PS was able to activate exocytosis of pro-PO and formation of Hd-PO in white shrimp after injection, further regulating the immune process reflected by variation of antibacterial and bacteriolytic activities in a certain way.