bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Simulation of External Metal Mesh Screen Devices: A Case Study
Authors: Gourlis Georgios , Tahmasebi Farhang , Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: December 2016

Early design decisions with regard to building facade characteristics play a significant role in the resulting building's thermal performance. In this context, external metal mesh screens -used as a permanent second facade skin- are a rather new shading alternative, particularly in non-residential buildings. It has been suggested that such products can filter excessive incident solar radiation while maintaining the facade’s transparent quality. Given the multifaceted implications of this shading device for building energy performance, we undertook a detailed simulation-based study to evaluate the impact of metal mesh screens on annual energy demand for heating, cooling and electric lighting in different European climate zones. Possible design variations were considered in terms of mesh screen translucency, window to wall ratio and facade orientation. The feasibility of using such a shading strategy to provide passive cooling during summer was also explored, along with suitable ventilation scenarios. Toward this end, we examined a number of existing approaches to simulate metal mesh screens and identified their capabilities and limitations. A typical office space was tested in three European locations, taking local building construction standards into account. The results of this study can help planners in their choice of the appropriate shading strategy and provide recommendations for the application of metal mesh screens according to the climatic and architectural criteria.
The Effect of Boundary Conditions to Specify the Energy Performance of Buildings
Authors: Kubenková Kateřina , Hrubá Barbora , Jašek Marek
Published: December 2016

The overall energy performance of buildings is determined not only based on structural and material solutions of the building. Boundary conditions affect the results of evaluation of the energy performance too. This paper deals with buildings in the Czech Republic. The paper is devoted to the evaluation of energy performance of buildings under changing boundary conditions. This means the change of the intensity of ventilation, changes in the structures’ accumulation and influence of thermal connections.
Material Optimization of Wooden Window Structures to Increase their Thermal Properties
Authors: Flimel Marian
Published: December 2016

This contribution is dedicated to an alternative solution of wooden window structure in order to achieve better thermal properties. The proposed window with a sandwich material composition will conform to the requirement of the norm STN 730540 valid from the year 2016. Subsequently, production technology of the given structure will be described.
Examination of Mechanical Properties and Temperature Resistance of Epoxy Coatings Filled with Secondary Raw Materials
Authors: Hodul Jakub , Hodná Jana , Drochytka Rostislav
Published: December 2016

Epoxy coatings are used mainly in the construction especially where it is necessary to increase the resistance of concrete floors against mechanical wear, to increase chemical resistance, to prevent dusting and to ensure hygienically clean environment. Epoxy coating is a composite material that consists of epoxy resin cured mainly by polyamine hardener and filler. As a filler is currently used pure silica sand Dorsilit ground to below 0.063 mm and for more demanding applications fine glass flakes with a high proportion of SiO2. The aim of this work is to experimentally examine the possibility of using secondary raw materials as fillers into three types of polymer epoxy coatings, where it seems the most appropriate utilization is waste glass with a high content of SiO2. Based on the evaluation of the test results of tensile properties, Shore hardness and temperature resistance the possibility of replacing the commonly used filler by finely ground waste glass is assessed.
CFD Model of Thermal Plume Occuring above Hot Surface of Kitchen Appliance
Authors: Vojkůvková Petra , Šikula Ondřej , Weyr Jan
Published: December 2016

During the cooking process, pollutant fumes are released into the ambient air by the convection plumes. These convective plumes - thermal plumes – are generated above hot surfaces and they need to be efficiently and ecologically ventilated in order to achieve appropriate internal climate. Calculation method for determination of volume flow rate of rising convective plumes is described in German standard DIN 18869 [1]. This article focuses on study of thermal plumes using numerical model in software Ansys Fluent, determinates volume flow rate of rising air and compares the simulation results with the results from known computational relations.
Consideration of Operative Temperature in Design and Operation
Authors: Kerekes Attila , Zöld András
Published: December 2016

In order to provide appropriate thermal conditions current national regulations prescribe operative temperature as the base of design and operation. In simplified calculation procedure prescribed operative temperature can be provided using a corrected air temperature. Interrelation of operative and indoor air temperature has been investigated in function of overall heat loss coefficient and glazed ratio. Based on regression analysis necessary corrections in function of the above parameters are investigated, the consequences of neglected Mean Radiant Temperature are analysed. Operative temperature represents a control problem, too: disregarding the sensor itself its position in the room, the uneven distribution of radiant field in one room and in the rooms of a flat requires compromises. The possible solutions, their pros and cons are presented.
The Implications of Assumed Boundary Conditions for the Reliability of Indoor Illuminance Predictions: A Case Study
Authors: Etminan Ghazal , Vazifeh Ehsan , Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: December 2016

In order to model daylight availability and distribution in architectural spaces, simulation tools require reliable representations of boundary conditions – typically in terms of sky luminance distribution models. However, the impact of sky model errors on simulation-based indoor illuminance predictions is not well documented. There are different tools and methods to simulate indoor illuminance conditions and related daylight indicators. In the present study, we selected Radiance lighting simulation program. In order to generate sky scene description, Radiance contains two routines, namely, Gendaylit and Gensky. These routines require, as input, information on both direct and diffuse components of solar radiation. To explore the implications of the sky model selection on the fidelity of simulation results, we used Radiance to compute the indoor illuminance in an existing test space on the rooftop of a university building. Thereby, the aforementioned two sky models were considered. A third option (SC) was a sky model generated based on measured values obtained from a sky scanner. Simultaneously, the actual illuminance levels in this room were monitored under different outdoor conditions (clear, intermediate, overcast). The comparison of the measurement results with multiple model prediction results facilitates an empirically based evaluation of the reliability of indoor illuminance predictions in the face of different assumptions pertaining to the prevailing boundary conditions.
An Inquiry into the Current Practice of Building Product Data Handling by Different Stakeholders in Austria
Authors: Čović Melisa , Pont Ulrich , Ghiassi Neda , Taheri Mahnameh , Bräuer Rainer , Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: December 2016

The timely availability and quality of building product information is critical prerequisite for a successful building delivery process. However, little is known about the processes by which stakeholders acquire and use such data. This contribution documents the results of recent relevant surveys, addressing the building product data processing by planers, clients, and the industry. Web questionnaires and interviews with opinion leaders were conducted. Altogether, over 100 participants provided pertinent insights regarding strengths and weaknesses of the current data representation practices. A comparison of the obtained data with that of an earlier study allows for the documentation of the evolutionary trends in web-based data provision. Most importantly, the results facilitate the formulation of strategies for a more effective presentation and distribution of building product data.
Case Study of the Straw Bale House
Authors: Pitonak Anton , Lopusniak Martin , Bagona Miloslav
Published: December 2016

Straw is renewable material both from the ecological and environmental point of view. It is almost always available at construction sites. Straw is used mainly as filling thermal insulation in structures. This paper deals with design of a two-generation family house. The family house is located in the eastern Slovakia. There is the temperature zone -14 °C. The first goal of this project was to specify the optimal ratio between solid and glazed surfaces in distribution of the specific heat use for space heating. The second goal was to achieve the specific heat use for space heating lower than 15 kWh·m-2·a-1. The specific heat use for space heating has been calculated according to STN EN ISO 13 790 Energy performance of buildings. The project analysed forced ventilation with the heat recovery unit, orientation towards cardinal points, optimal ratio of glazed and solid surfaces of the designed house and their impact on energy performance of buildings. Individual parameters were mutually combined and required goal has been achieved. The specific heat use for space heating was less than 15 kWh·m-2·a-1 in 13 of the evaluated combinations.
Criteria and Indicators for Assessment of NZEB in Slovakia
Authors: Chmúrny Ivan
Published: December 2016

Building energy design is currently going through a period of major changes. One key factor of this is the adoption of nearly zero energy buildings as a long term goal for new buildings in most developed countries. To achieve this goal a lot of research is needed to accumulate knowledge and to utilize it in practical applications. Paper summarizes criteria and indicators prepared in law and technical documents in Slovakia.
Role of Localized Non-Equilibrium States in Nucleation of Plastic Deformation in Nanocrystalline Materials
Authors: Kryzhevich Dmitrij Sergeevich , Korchuganov Aleksandr Vyacheslavovich , Zolnikov Konstantin Petrovich , Psakhie Sergey Grigorievich
Published: December 2016

A molecular dynamics simulation of the behavior of nanocrystalline materials in the fields of external influences was carried out. Crystallites of the fcc copper and bcc iron under different schemes of mechanical loading were investigated. Revealed specific localized non-equilibrium states served as the mechanism of formation and evolution of partial dislocations in fcc materials and twin growth in bcc materials. These non-equilibrium states were realized on the basis of local transformation of the martensitic type when the nearest surrounding of atoms – the centers of local rearrangements – changed according to the A-B(C) scheme, where A, B and C are types of crystal lattice. The bcc-fcc-bcc local rearrangements during twin growth were typical for bcc iron. The fcc-bcc-hcp and hcp-bcc-fcc local rearrangements during the partial dislocation movement were typical for fcc copper.
Scales of Metal Fatigue Failures and Mechanisms for Origin of Subsurface Fracture Formation
Authors: Shanyavskiy Andrey
Published: December 2016

Three fatigue regimes in accordance with three scale levels are considered and mechanisms of fatigue crack origination subsurface discussed. Surface hardening procedure can be used for the transition area of the crack origination from surface to subsurface in High-Cycle-Fatigue (meso-scale level) regime. In this case subsurface cracking characterized the same fatigue curve that was constructed for the Very-High-Cycle-Fatigue (micro-scale level) regimes due to the same mechanism of metals cracking. This effect was considered for Al-and Fe-based alloys. Subsurface crack origination can be received because of introduction of residual compressive stresses in the bulk material in the Low-Cycle-Fatigue (macro-scale-level) regime. The unified or master fatigue curve can be constructed for all scale levels for metals if subsurface crack origination will be realized because of hardening procedures for meso-and macro-scale levels. Subsurface crack origination in Very-High-Cycle-Fatigue regime for Ti-based alloy in the case of torsion is also discussed and three scale levels for fatigue regimes are demonstrated.
Non-Schmid Phenomena in HCP Materials
Authors: Ostapovets Andriy , Vatazhuk Olena
Published: December 2016

The Schmid law says that yielding takes place when resolved shear stress on slip plane reaches the critical value. It is valid for wide variety of materials. However, it is well known that breaking of Schmid law takes place in bcc materials due to non-planar splitting of dislocation cores. The non-Schmid behavior is also possible for plastic deformation of fcc and hcp materials. Particularly, it is sometimes reported for deformation twinning. Present paper demonstrates the non-Schmid phenomena in hcp magnesium by means of computer simulations. We consider influence of non-glide stress components on motion of screw  dislocation as well as migration of twin boundaries.
A First-Principles Study of Phase Transition of Octahydro-1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-Tetrazocine (HMX) under Static Compression
Authors: Zhang Lei , Jiang Sheng Li , Chen Jun
Published: December 2016

The issue of HMX phase transition under hydrostatic compression is not clear and experiments show conflicting results. Effective solution via first-principles simulation is challenged by difficulty of accurate prediction of Van der Waals interaction, which exists ubiquitously and is crucial for determining the structure of molecules and condensed matter. We have contributed to this by constructing a set of pseudopotentials and pseudoatomic orbital basis, specialized for molecular systems with C/H/N/O elements. The reliability of the method is verified from the interaction energies of 45 complexes (comparing to the results of coupled cluster with singles and doubles (Triple) (CCSD)(T)) and the crystalline structures of 7 typical explosives (comparing to experiments). Using this method, we complete the phase diagram of HMX under static compression up to 50 GPa. We make it clear that no β→δ/ε→δ phase transition occurs at 27 GPa, which has long been a hot debate in experiments. A possible γ→β phase transition is found at around 2.10 GPa in the environment of vapour. We have also predicted the equation of states for α-, δ-, and γ-HMX, which are experimentally absent.
Histological Composition and Mechanical Properties of Cryopreserved Samples of Aortic and Pulmonary Valves
Authors: Kubíková Tereza , Kochová Petra , Fiala Radovan , Špatenka Jaroslav , Burkert Jan , Králíčková Milena , Tonar Zbyněk
Published: December 2016

Human cryopreserved allografts of pulmonary and aortic valves are routinely used as total valve replacement. For successful surgery it is needed to sufficiently preserve biomechanical properties and histological structures of allografts. However, it is not known how the mechanical properties of these allografts relate to their histological composition. The aim of our study was to compare the histological composition and mechanical properties of the valves. From allografts we prepared 2 valve cusps and samples of aorta or pulmonary trunk. In a previous study we had measured following parameters: ultimate stress, ultimate strain, Young’s moduli of elasticity, intima-media thickness, wall thickness, area fraction of elastin and area fraction of collagen in the whole wall. We found weak positive correlation between ultimate stress and Young’s modulus in small and large deformation with wall thickness in the valve cusps. In the arteries we found positive correlation between Young’s modulus in large deformation with intima-media thickness and ultimate strain with intima-media thickness and area fraction of collagen, and negative correlation between ultimate strain with area fraction of elastin. In our study we quantified also the other components of wall with mechanical significance, such as the fraction of smooth muscle cells and chondroitin sulfate, which belong to glycosaminoglycans. We did not find correlation between these components and mechanical properties of these valves. Therefore, it is recommended to perform both mechanical and histological analysis to further characterize cryopreserved allografts.
Oxidation of Experimental Ti-Si-Al Based Alloys
Authors: Tkachenko Serhii , Datskevich Oleg , Spotz Zdeněk , Dvořák Karel , Kulak Leonid , Čelko Ladislav
Published: December 2016

Despite the fact that conventional high temperature titanium alloys possess a good combination of low weight, high strength and good corrosion resistance, their operational temperatures do not exceed 540-600 °C, since at higher temperatures they suffer from extensive oxidation, scaling and formation of a brittle oxygen-reach diffusion layer on their surface, so-called ‘apha-case’. The alloying with silicon was regarded as a promising way to raise the working temperatures of titanium alloys, since silicon is known to improve oxidation resistance, oxide scale adherence and high temperature creep behavior of titanium without noticeable deterioration of its ductility. The present paper was focused on studying of the oxidation kinetics and the formation of oxide scale and alpha-case layers on a series of experimental Ti−Al−Si based alloys, additionally alloyed with zirconium and tin. The oxidation kinetics of the experimental alloys upon exposure in air at 700 °С for up to 240 hours was examined and compared with that of commercially available Ті−6242 alloy. The oxide scale thickness, its phase composition and crystal morphology were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the alpha-case layer was analyzed using SEM and microhardness measurements. According to the experimental findings, the experimental Ti−Al−Si based alloys demonstrated a good potential for their use at high temperatures.
Degradation of YSZ/EUCOR TBC Coating System during High Temperature Low Cycle Fatigue Tests
Authors: Šulák Ivo , Obrtlík Karel , Čelko Ladislav , Gejdoš Pavel
Published: December 2016

Thermal barrier coatings are widely used to protect the substrate from high temperature and extremely aggressive environments in gas engines. In the present article, authors have been studied degradation of complex thermal barrier coating system deposited on polycrystalline nickel superalloy IN 713LC. The substrate material was grit blasted with alumina (Al2O3) particles prior to air plasma deposition of CoNiCrAlY bond coat. Top coat consists of conventional zirconia (ZrO2) stabilized by yttria (Y2O3) -YSZ ceramic in combination with a eutectic nanocrystalline ceramic Eucor made of zirconia (ZrO2), alumina (Al2O3) and silicia (SiO2) –in the ratio of 50/50 in wt. %. The top coat was deposited using water stabilized plasma. Test specimens with the TBC coating system were fatigued under strain control condition in fully reversed symmetrical push-pull cycles at 900°C in air. The microstructure of TBC was characterized with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersion X-ray analysis. The coating hardness and thickness were measured. Fracture surface and polished sections parallel to the specimen axis were examined to study damage mechanisms in coatings under cyclic loading at high temperature. TBC delamination was observed at the top coat/bond coat interface after cyclic loading at high temperature. Fatigue crack initiation sites are documented. Majority of fatigue cracks start from the surface and top coat/bond coat interface.
Micro Mechanical Behaviors and Damage in Nickel Base Alloy and Steels during Very High Cycle Fatigue
Authors: Chai Guo Cai
Published: December 2016

Fatigue damage in a metallic material during very high cycle fatigue can strongly be correlated to the microstructure. This paper provides a review and a discussion on the micro damage behaviors in a nickel base alloy and three steels during very high cycle fatigue using micro plasticity and material mechanics. The results show that cyclic plastic deformation in these materials can occur very locally even with an applied stress that is much lower than the yield strength. The fatigue damage occurs mainly at grain or twin boundaries due to local impingement and interaction of slip bands and these boundaries. The crystallographic properties, Schmid factors and orientations of grain and boundaries have very important roles to the fatigue damage. Subsurface fatigue crack initiation in the matrix is one of the mechanisms for very high cycle fatigue. In the fine granular area, high plastic strain localization and cyclic plastic deformation can lead to dislocation annihilation and consequently formation of vacancies, or eventually nanopores at the subcell boundary that leads to fatigue crack initiation and propagation.
Criteria for Prediction the Interfacial Crack Growth in Concrete
Authors: Djoković Jelena M. , Nikolić Ružica R. , Bujňák Ján , Hadzima Branislav
Published: December 2016

To understand the mechanical behavior of the concrete structures, one must analyze deformation and fracture of the interfaces between the constituents of the material that the structure is made of. Criteria for predicting the crack growth along an interface, based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics concept, applied for the cement substrate/aggregate interface, are presented in this paper. The two possible directions of the interfacial crack growth – the crack propagation along the interface and the crack kinking away from the interface are considered, with the corresponding energy release rates. For the case of the crack approaching the interface from one of the materials – cement, the competition between the crack deflecting into the interface and the crack penetrating the interface is considered with the corresponding energy release rates.
High Cycle Fatigue Life of Ti6Al4V Alloy Produced by Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Authors: Konečná Radomila , Nicoletto Gianni , Bača Adrián , Kunz Ludvík
Published: December 2016

High cycle fatigue life of Ti6Al4V alloy specimens manufactured by Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) was experimentally determined. The DMLS fabrication process was characterized by a 400 W laser power and 50 μm layer melted thickness. Post-fabrication heat treatment consisted in stress relieving for 3 h at 720 °C in vacuum with subsequent cooling in argon atmosphere. Fatigue testing of specimens oriented in three different directions with respect to the material build direction was performed with the aim to examine the influence of the layered microstructure on the fatigue behavior. Results of measurement of surface roughness, metallographic examinations of the layered material and fractographic investigation of the fatigue fracture surfaces were employed in the discussion of fatigue crack initiation in DMLS fabricated Ti6Al4V alloy.
Microstructure-Based Assessment of the Corrosion Fatigue Behavior of the Creep-Resistant DieMag422 and AE42 Magnesium Alloys
Authors: Klein Martin , Buhr Patrick , Walther Frank
Published: December 2016

Magnesium alloys offer high potential for lightweight constructions, e.g. in automotive applications. However, their application range is limited due to their low corrosion resistance. In the present study, the influence of corrosion on the microstructure and the depending mechanical properties under cyclic loading were characterized for the creep-resistant DieMag422 (Mg4Al2Ba-2Ca) and AE42 magnesium alloys. In this context, fatigue properties in distilled water and sodium chloride solutions were assessed in constant amplitude tests. The results were correlated with corrosion properties of the alloys, which were evaluated by immersion tests. Corrosion-and deformation-induced microstructural changes were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), yielding a structure-property-relationship for a comprehensive understanding of mechanical and corrosive deterioration mechanisms.
Correlation between Dislocation Structures and Mechanical Fatigue Response of 316L Austenitic Steel Loaded with and without Mean Stress at High Temperature in Air and Water Environment
Authors: Heczko Milan , Spätig Philippe , Seifert Hans Peter , Kruml Tomáš
Published: December 2016

Load-controlled experiments were conducted to study the influence of mean stress on the fatigue behavior of 316L austenitic stainless steel at the temperature of 288°C in air and light water reactor (LWR) conditions. Water environment was characterized by high-purity, neutral water with 150 ppb dissolved hydrogen. The internal dislocation structures of the material were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation of dislocation structures for different loading conditions and different mean stresses was assessed and discussed in relation to the cyclic stress-strain response of the material as well as the effects of non-zero mean stress conditions. All findings were considered to discuss the fatigue softening/hardening behavior and the influence of mean stress on the fatigue life of material in the LWR environment.
Analysis of Selective Laser Melting Process Parameters Effect on Mechanical and Material Properties for Stainless Steel 316L
Authors: Trubačová Pavlína , Piska Miroslav , Horníková Jana , Šandera Pavel , Slámečka Karel
Published: December 2016

This paper deals with a testings of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process parameters on mechanical properties, material behavior, surface quality and on machinability of austenitic steel 316L. The SLM process conditions were changed to assess their effect on mechanical properties of the sintered material measured in tensile testing. The laser power, the scanning velocity of laser beam, the layer thickness and the laser focus plane were set to find the most appropriate set of process parameters to obtain the mechanical properties of parts.
Atomistic Model Analysis of Buckling Behavior of Compressed Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Umeno Yoshitaka , Sato Masanobu , Shima Hiroyuki , Sato Motohiro
Published: December 2016

We carried out the atomistic structural instability (ASI) analysis with an empirical interatomic potential for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under axial compression with the aim to reveal the mechanism of buckling. We investigated how ‘latent’ instability modes develop until one of them is activated at the structural instability. For pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), Euler-type buckling was found in relatively thin nanotubes, while buckling modes corresponding to change in the cross-sectional shape (radial buckling) were found in thick nanotubes. The crossover between the Euler-type buckling and radial buckling modes was clearly seen in the ASI analysis. While the reduction of Hessian eigenvalues in the pristine nanotubes and nanotubes with a vacancy is nearly linear until instability, rapid decrease of eigenvalues just before instability was found in models with Stone-Wales defects. This is due to localization of instability mode vectors around the defects that tends to arise before structural instability.
First-Principles Simulation on Thermoelectric Properties in Low-Dimensional Materials
Authors: Nakamura Koichi
Published: December 2016

Thermoelectric properties were simulated for low-dimensional atomistic model structures based on first-principles calculation. New methodology about the first-principles simulation on Seebeck coefficient at arbitrary temperature and carrier concentration is presented. Dependence of Seebeck coefficient on scale, temperature, and carrier concentration has been demonstrated for silicon and beta silicon carbide nanowire models. Compared with the corresponding bulk models, a significant increase of the absolute value of Seebeck coefficient can be observed owing to quantum confinement by dimensional reduction. By the simulation with considering the energy dependence of the relaxation time, the Seebeck coefficient from the viewpoint of first principles can be evaluated as a range determined by the scattering constants peculiar to particular scattering processes.
La regionalización precaria en la frontera dominico/haitiana
Authors: Dilla Alfonso Haroldo
Published: December 2016

La activación de los contactos en la franja fronteriza dominico/haitiana ha generado una nueva geografía insular, donde cobran importancia varios corredores transfronterizos por los que circulan cientos de millones de dólares de comercio de bienes y servicios (legal, ilegal, formal e informal), personas e informaciones. Estos corredores constituyen pasillos jerárquicamente ordenados que en algunos puntos de la franja se están transformando, sea de la mano de la economía o de la política, en regiones transfronterizas. Este artículo argumenta en torno a dos de estas experiencias ‒los binomios Dajabón/Ouanaminthe al norte y Elías Piña/Plateau Central en el centro‒, a partir de una discusión teórica preliminar sobre el significado de estas regiones transfronterizas en el capitalismo contemporáneo.
Relaciones transfronterizas en la historiografía latinoamericana sobre la segunda mitad del siglo XIX. Los casos del norte de México y del norte de Chile
Authors: Pérez Pérez Fabián
Published: December 2016

Durante la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, los Estados nacionales latinoamericanos se enfocaron en demarcar los límites de su soberanía territorial mediante la creación de líneas de fronteras. Debido a esto, con el paso del tiempo fueron emergiendo comunidades que se asentaron en los espacios fronterizos, teniendo un ritmo histórico y social distinto al resto del país, en donde las relaciones transfronterizas posibilitaron la creación de otras formas de sociabilidad y culturalidad. En este artículo se aborda, desde una revisión historiográfica, el caso de los ámbitos fronterizos del norte mexicano y del norte de Chile, en los que se dieron procesos convergentes y divergentes que marcaron el desarrollo de ambas sociedades.
La movilidad espacial del empleo agrario. Los trabajadores de la producción de papa y de la actividad forestal en la Argentina
Authors: Alberti Alfonsina , Martínez María José
Published: December 2016

El objetivo de este artículo es repasar las características que asumió la movilidad espacial del trabajo en la conformación de los mercados laborales agrícolas en América Latina, con especial referencia al caso argentino, y exponer las formas en que se abordó este fenómeno desde las ciencias sociales. Asimismo, se analizan dos casos de producciones agrarias argentinas en los que el fenómeno de la movilidad espacial de los trabajadores se encuentra vigente: el de los trabajadores forestales oriundos de Misiones y el de los trabajadores de la papa provenientes de Santiago del Estero
El enclaustramiento de Bolivia y el factor Argentina
Authors: Lacoste Pablo , Jiménez Cabrera Diego
Published: December 2016

Este artículo examina el papel que cupo a Argentina en el enclaustramiento de Bolivia. Se considera tanto su acción durante la Guerra del Pacífico, cuando Bolivia perdió su litoral, como frente a las propuestas chilenas de devolverle salida al mar, tanto en 1895 como en 1975. Se demuestra que Bolivia se acercó a Argentina, esperando obtener ventajas en sus conflictos contra Chile. A su vez, Argentina atrajo a Bolivia a su esfera de influencia para presionar a Chile, pero sin asumir compromisos fuertes con el país altiplánico. Posteriormente, Chile cedió frente a Argentina. Una vez alcanzados sus objetivos, Buenos Aires soltó la mano a Bolivia, que perdió las oportunidades de recuperar su salida al mar. El texto resulta de interés actual debido a la controversia en la Corte Internacional de Justicia (CIJ), organismo ante el cual Bolivia ha demandado a Chile por frustrar las expectativas generadas con las propuestas de salida al mar de 1895 y 1975
Adenomatoid Tumor of the Adrenal Gland in Young Woman: From Clinical and Radiological to Pathological Study
Authors: Krstevska Brankica , Mishevska Sasha Jovanovska , Jovanovic Rubens
Published: December 2016

Adenomatoid tumors are neoplasms of mesothelial origin, usually occurring in the male and female genital tracts. Extragenital localization sites such as adrenal glands are rare but have been reported. When found in the adrenals, they represent great clinical, radiological and pathological diagnostic challenge, with wide range of differential diagnoses to be considered. We present a case of a 30 years old female, with incidental ultrasound finding of unilateral tumor in the right adrenal gland. Multi slices CT scan was of value in localizing this tumor, but not in the precise diagnosis. The tumor ranged from 5.6 cm to 6.4 cm in greatest diameter. Clinical and hormonal examinations excluded Sy. Cushing, M. Conn and pheochromocytoma. The patient underwent laparoscopic right adrenalectomy. A large tumor (d: 8 × 7 × 3 cm) was removed showing no infiltration of the adrenal cortex or medulla, or extra-adrenal extension into the periadrenal adipose tissue. Histological examination showed numerous cystic spaces lined by flattened cubical epithelial cells. The small cystic spaces were separated by edematous fibrovascular stroma with rare epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical staining was positive with vimentin (+), S100 (+), MCA mesothelial Ag (+), CD 68 (+) and negative with acitin (-), CK7 (-), CD3 (-). Adenomatoid tumor is a rare benign neoplasm that should be added in the differential diagnosis of any adrenal tumor occurring in adrenal gland. The histological and immunohistochemical profiles of this adrenal adenomatoid tumor are very supportive in reaching the diagnosis of this benign tumor of a mesothelial cell origin, helping to avoid invasive treatment.
Non-Mucinous Lepidic Predominant Adenocarcinoma Presenting with Extensive Aerogenous Spread
Authors: Takanashi Yusuke , Tajima Shogo , Tsukui Masaru , Shinmura Kazuya , Hayakawa Takamitsu , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Neyatani Hiroshi , Funai Kazuhito
Published: December 2016

An extremely rare case of non-mucinous lepidic-predominant invasive adenocarcinoma (LPA) showing extensive aerogenous spread with a pneumonic presentation is reported. A 73-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of an infiltrative shadow on chest xray. Chest computed tomography revealed extensive ground glass opacities in the right lower lobe, which was accompanied by infiltrative shadow with a pneumonic presentation. Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma was presumed, and a partial resection of the right lower lobe was done. Histopathological examination revealed lepidic growth-predominant invasive adenocarcinoma with Clara type tumor cells, and there were innumerable aerogenous metastases also consisting of Clara cells. Because Alcian Blue and periodic acid-Schiff staining disclosed no mucus, the tumor was diagnosed as a non-mucinous LPA. The patient showed a poor response to 5 courses of pemetrexed, and she died one year after the diagnosis due to cancer progression. Nonmucinous LPA showed a rare presentation characterized by extensive aerogenous spread followed by a poor prognosis.
A spatial and temporal assessment of fire regimes on different vegetation types using MODIS burnt area products
Authors: Buthelezi Nokuphila L.S. , Mutanga Onisimo , Rouget Mathieu , Sibanda Mbulisi
Published: December 2016

Background: The role of fire in maintaining grassland diversity has been widely recognised; however, its effect in KwaZulu-Natal grasslands is still rudimentary. In that regard, understanding fire regimes of different vegetation types in KwaZulu-Natal is a critical step towards the development of effective management strategies that are specific to each vegetation type. Objective: To assess the effect of different vegetation types on fire regimes in KwaZulu-Natal using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) burnt fire products. Method: Ten years of fire data for four different vegetation types (Ngongoni Veld, KwaZuluNatal Sandstone Sourveld, Eastern Valley Bushveld and KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt) were extracted from the MODIS products and used as a basis to establish three parameters: annual burnt areas, fire season and fire frequency. The total burnt area within each vegetation type over the 10-year period was quantified. Results: The KZN Sandstone Sourveld had a high-burnt area of 80% in 2009 with KwaZuluNatal Coastal Belt having the least burnt area of less than 5%. Ngongoni Veld and the KwaZuluNatal Sandstone Sourveld had the highest fire frequency, while the coastal region had low fire frequencies. Results showed high fire prevalence during the late period of the dry season (which extends from June to August) across all the vegetation types. Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of remotely sensed data (MODIS burned area products) in providing a comprehensive view of fire patterns in different vegetation types
Impact of treatment protocol on outcome of localized Ewing’s sarcoma
Authors: Nasaka Srividya , Gundeti Sadashivudu , Ganta Ranga Raman , Arigela Ravi Sankar , Linga Vijay Gandhi , Maddali Lakshmi Srinivas
Published: December 2016

Background: The outcome of localized Ewing′s sarcoma has improved with multi-disciplinary approach. Survivals of Ewing′s sarcoma from the Asian countries differed between centers. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of newly diagnosed localized Ewing′s sarcoma patients from 2002 to 2012. The patients were analyzed in three groups; Group 1(2002-2004) who received non-ifosfomide based regimens, Group 2(2005-2008) who received VDC/IE for 12 cycles, and Group 3(2009-2012), who received VDC/IE for 17 cycles. The groups were compared for their baseline characteristics, treatment protocol and outcome. Results: Seventy three patients were included in the study. The median age of presentation was 15 years, with slight male predominance. Axial primary was seen in 62%. The median RFS of the three groups was 26.4, 31.4 and 36.8 months respectively (P = 0.0018). The median OS was 27.9, 35 and 43 months respectively (P = 0.0007). At a median follow-up of 35 months, the 3 year RFS and OS for the three treatment groups were 17%, 31%, 60% and 35%, 45% and 70% respectively. Larger tumor size, axial primary, high LDH were associated with poorer survival. Radiotherapy was associated with inferior local control and survival. Conclusions: We found that the survival of our ESFT patients improved over time with intensified multiagent chemotherapy and with lesser time to local therapy. But the results were still inferior to those reported in literature. We had majority of patients presenting in axial site and radiotherapy as the predominant mode of local control. The outcome may further improve with surgery as local control procedure.
Efficacy and toxicity profile of maintenance pemetrexed in patients with stage IV adenocarcinoma lung in Indian population
Authors: Pankaj Goyal , Ullas Batra , Doval Dinesh Chandra , Parveen Jain , Amitabh Upadhyay Kumar , Dash Prasanta Kumar , Akhil Jain , Mohit Agarwal , Rajat Bajaj
Published: December 2016

Context: Lung cancer has been the most common cancer in the world for several decades. Pemetrexed is recommended as an option for the maintenance treatment in metastatic adenocarcinoma lung, if disease has not progressed immediately following platinum-based chemotherapy. Aims: To study efficacy and toxicity profile of pemetrexed as a maintenance chemotherapeutic agent in patients with stage IV adenocarcinoma lung, not progressing after first line chemotherapy. Settings and Design: This was an observational, prospective. We enrolled patients with stage IV adenocarcinoma lung who has not progressed on first line chemotherapy, from September 2013 to August 2014 at a tertiary care cancer institute in North India. Materials and Methods: In all, 108 patients with stage IV adenocarcinoma lung were started on induction pemetrexed/platinum chemotherapy. 60 patients with no disease progression & ECOG PS 0-2 were started on Pemetrexed maintenance. Progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity profile were recorded. Results: The mean number of maintenance cycles was 8.3 (range 2-28). 13 (21.6%) patients took >10 maintenance cycles. Pemetrexed maintenance therapy resulted in progression free survival (PFS) of 5.4 months. PFS on pemetrexed was consistent for all patient subgroups, including induction response: complete/partial responders (n-31) and stable disease (n-29). 14 patients had grade III/IV adverse events with anemia being the most common in 3/60 patients (5%). 3 patients (5%) developed renal dysfunction out of which 1 was grade III. Conclusions: Pemetrexed continuation maintenance chemotherapy is active and well tolerated. Pemetrexed maintenance should be considered in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma lung patients who have not progressed on completion of induction chemotherapy.
BPcontrol
Authors: Carrera Adrián , Pifarré Marc , Vilaplana Jordi , Cuadrado Josep , Solsona Sara , Mateo Jordi , Solsona Francesc
Published: December 2016

Background Hypertension or high blood pressure is on the rise. Not only does it affect the elderly but is also increasingly spreading to younger sectors of the population. Treating this condition involves exhaustive monitoring of patients. The current mobile health services can be improved to perform this task more effectively.

Objective To develop a useful, user-friendly, robust and efficient app, to monitor hypertensive patients and adapted to the particular requirements of hypertension.

Methods This work presents BPcontrol, an Android and iOS app that allows hypertensive patients to communicate with their health-care centers, thus facilitating monitoring and diagnosis. Usability, robustness and efficiency factors for BPcontrol were evaluated for different devices and operating systems (Android, iOS and system-aware). Furthermore, its features were compared with other similar apps in the literature.

Results BPcontrol is robust and user-friendly. The respective start-up efficiency of the Android and iOS versions of BPcontrol were 2.4 and 8.8 times faster than a system-aware app. Similar values were obtained for the communication efficiency (7.25 and 11.75 times faster for the Android and iOS respectively). When comparing plotting performance, BPcontrol was on average 2.25 times faster in the Android case. Most of the apps in the literature have no communication with a server, thus making it impossible to compare their performance with BPcontrol.

Conclusions Its optimal design and the good behavior of its facilities make BPcontrol a very promising mobile app for monitoring hypertensive patients.

Citation: Carrera A, Pifarré M, Vilaplana J, Cuadrado J, Solsona S, Mateo J, Solsona F. BPcontrol: a mobile app to monitor hypertensive patients
A Management Maturity Model (MMM) for project-based organisational performance assessment
Authors: Langston Craig , Ghanbaripour Amir Naser
Published: December 2016

Common sense suggests that organisations are more likely to deliver successful projects if they have systems in place that reflect a mature project environment based on a culture of continuous improvement. This paper develops and discusses a Management Maturity Model (MMM) to assess the maturity of project management organisations through a customisable, systematic, strategic and practical methodology inspired from the seminal work of Darwin, Deming, Drucker and Daniel. The model presented is relevant to organisations, such as construction and engineering companies, that prefer to use the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK™ Guide) published by the Project Management Institute (PMI), but without the disadvantages of excessive time and cost commitments and a ‘one size fits all’ approach linked to rigid increments of maturity. It offers a game-changing advance in the application of project-based organisational performance assessment compared to existing market solutions that are unnecessarily complex. The feasibility of MMM is field-tested using a medium-sized data centre infrastructure firm in Tehran.
Ice nucleating particles over the Eastern Mediterranean measured by unmanned aircraft systems
Authors: Schrod Jann , Weber Daniel , Drücke Jaqueline , Keleshis Christos , Pikridas Micheal , Ebert Martin , Cvetkovic Bojan , Nickovic Slobodan , Marinou Eleni , Baars Holger , Vrekoussis Mihalis , Mihalopulos Nikos , Sciare Jean , Curtius Joachim , Bingemer Heinz G.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. During an intensive field campaign on aerosol, clouds and ice nucleation in the Eastern Mediterranean in April 2016, we have measured the abundance of ice nucleating particles (INP) in the lower troposphere from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Aerosol samples were collected by miniaturized electrostatic precipitators onboard the UAS at altitudes up to 2.5 km. The number of INP in these samples, which are active in the deposition and condensation modes at temperatures from −20 to −30 °C, were analyzed immediately after collection on site using the ice nucleus counter FRIDGE. During the one month campaign we encountered a series of Saharan dust plumes that traveled at several kilometers altitude. Here we present INP data from 42 individual flights, together with aerosol number concentrations, observations of lidar backscattering, dust concentrations derived by the dust transport model DREAM (Dust Regional Atmospheric Model), and results from scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the dust plumes is reflected by the coincidence of INP with the particulate mass (PM), the lidar signal and with the predicted dust mass of the model. This suggests that mineral dust or a constituent related to dust was a major contributor to the ice nucleating properties of the aerosol. Peak concentrations of above 100 INP std. l−1 were measured at −30 °C. The INP concentration in elevated plumes was on average a factor of 10 higher than at ground level. Since desert dust is transported for long distances over wide areas of the globe predominantly at several km altitude we conclude that INP measurements at ground level may be of limited significance for the situation at the level of cloud formation.