bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dryland Vegetation Functional Response to Altered Rainfall Amounts and Variability Derived from Satellite Time Series Data
Authors: Ratzmann Gregor , Gangkofner Ute , Tietjen Britta , Fensholt Rasmus
Published: December 2016

Vegetation productivity is an essential variable in ecosystem functioning. Vegetation dynamics of dryland ecosystems are most strongly determined by water availability and consequently by rainfall and there is a need to better understand how water limited ecosystems respond to altered rainfall amounts and variability. This response is partly determined by the vegetation functional response to rainfall (β) approximated by the unit change in annual vegetation productivity per unit change in annual rainfall. Here, we show how this functional response from 1983 to 2011 is affected by below and above average rainfall in two arid to semi-arid subtropical regions in West Africa (WA) and South West Africa (SWA) differing in interannual variability of annual rainfall (higher in SWA, lower in WA). We used a novel approach, shifting linear regression models (SLRs), to estimate gridded time series of β. The SLRs ingest annual satellite based rainfall as the explanatory variable and annual satellite-derived vegetation productivity proxies (NDVI) as the response variable. Gridded β values form unimodal curves along gradients of mean annual precipitation in both regions. β is higher in SWA during periods of below average rainfall (compared to above average) for mean annual precipitation <600 mm. In WA, β is hardly affected by above or below average rainfall conditions. Results suggest that this higher β variability in SWA is related to the higher rainfall variability in this region. Vegetation type-specific β follows observed responses for each region along rainfall gradients leading to region-specific responses for each vegetation type. We conclude that higher interannual rainfall variability might favour a more dynamic vegetation response to rainfall. This in turn may enhance the capability of vegetation productivity of arid and semi-arid regions to better cope with periods of below average rainfall conditions.
Tapered Polymer Fiber Sensors for Reinforced Concrete Beam Vibration Detection
Authors: Luo Dong , Ibrahim Zainah , Ma Jianxun , Ismail Zubaidah , Iseley David
Published: December 2016

In this study, tapered polymer fiber sensors (TPFSs) have been employed to detect the vibration of a reinforced concrete beam (RC beam). The sensing principle was based on transmission modes theory. The natural frequency of an RC beam was theoretically analyzed. Experiments were carried out with sensors mounted on the surface or embedded in the RC beam. Vibration detection results agreed well with Kistler accelerometers. The experimental results found that both the accelerometer and TPFS detected the natural frequency function of a vibrated RC beam well. The mode shapes of the RC beam were also found by using the TPFSs. The proposed vibration detection method provides a cost-comparable solution for a structural health monitoring (SHM) system in civil engineering.
Design of Frost Resistant Pavement Structure Based on Road Weather Stations (RWSs) Data
Authors: Vaitkus Audrius , Gražulytė Judita , Skrodenis Egidijus , Kravcovas Igoris
Published: December 2016

Frost is a decisive factor influencing pavement performance in cold countries. In the EU, millions of euros are spent annually on winter maintenance. About one-third of the maintenance budget is allocated to rehabilitation due to the negative impact of frost. The negative effect of frost is restricted by using non-frost-susceptible materials within the frost zone and regulating water accumulation. However, experience shows that the thickness of constructed pavement structure is often inadequate and that frost penetrates into the subgrade of frost-susceptible materials. The aim of this paper is to introduce the thickness calculation approach of the frost resistant pavement structure using road weather station (RWS) data. The subgrade susceptibility to frost and the number of equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) are considered as factors too. The calculated thickness of the frost resistant pavement structure is corrected according to the specific local conditions. After performing a statistical analysis of 2012–2014 data pertaining to 26 RWSs, Lithuania was divided into four regions according to the maximum frost depths, where the maximum values depending on RWS location varied from 110.4 cm to 179.1 cm.
A non-canonical peptide synthetase adenylates 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid for auriculamide biosynthesis
Authors: Braga Daniel , Hoffmeister Dirk , Nett Markus
Published: December 2016

Auriculamide is the first natural product known from the predatory bacterium Herpetosiphon aurantiacus. It is composed of three unusual building blocks, including the non-proteinogenic amino acid 3-chloro-L-tyrosine, the α-hydroxy acid L-isoleucic acid, and a methylmalonyl-CoA-derived ethane unit. A candidate genetic locus for auriculamide biosynthesis was identified and encodes four enzymes. Among them, the non-canonical 199 kDa four-domain nonribosomal peptide synthetase, AulA, is extraordinary in that it features two consecutive adenylation domains. Here, we describe the functional characterization of the recombinantly produced AulA. The observed activation of 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid by the enzyme supports the hypothesis that it participates in the biosynthesis of auriculamide. An artificially truncated version of AulA that lacks the first adenylation domain activated this substrate like the full-length enzyme which shows that the first adenylation domain is dispensable. Additionally, we provide evidence that the enzyme tolerates structural variation of the substrate. α-Carbon substituents significantly affected the substrate turnover. While all tested aliphatic α-keto acids were accepted by the enzyme and minor differences in chain size and branches did not interfere with the enzymatic activity, molecules with methylene α-carbons led to low turnover. Such enzymatic plasticity is an important attribute to help in the perpetual search for novel molecules and to access a greater structural diversity by mutasynthesis.
The Critical View on Innovation Activity in SME´s Sector in Slovakia
Authors: Lesáková Ľubica
Published: December 2016

Innovations are the drive of economic development advancing the possibilities of future competitiveness in
the form of new knowledge and increasing economy´s efficiency and performance, particularly through small and medium
enterprises (SME). To strengthen innovation activities is one of the main tasks of SME nowadays. The aim of
the article is to give the critical view on innovation activity in SME´s sector in Slovakia. Because of the need to use
a systemic approach the stress will be given to identifying main factors influencing innovation activity of Slovak
SME. Presented will be results of own empirical research devoted to identification of main barriers to develop innovation
activity identified among SME. Formulated will be presumptions and recommendations for relevant public institutions
as well as for SME to overcome the barriers. For the research purposes we will utilize evaluation of relevant
secondary data as well as results of own empirical research.
Predicting Which Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Will Have a Severe Disease Course: Results from the ReACCh-Out Cohort
Authors: Guzman Jaime , Henrey Andrew , Loughin Thomas , Berard Roberta A. , Shiff Natalie J. , Jurencak Roman , Benseler Susanne M. , Tucker Lori B.
Published: December 2016

Objective.

We studied an inception cohort of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to (1) identify distinct disease courses based on changes over 5 years in 5 variables prioritized by patients, parents, and clinicians; and (2) estimate the probability of a severe disease course for each child at diagnosis.

Methods.

Assessments of quality of life, pain, medication requirements, patient-reported side effects, and active joint counts were scheduled at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. Patients who attended at least 6 assessments were included. Multivariable cluster analysis, r2, and silhouette statistics were used to identify distinct disease courses. One hundred candidate prediction models were developed in random samples of 75% of the cohort; their reliability and accuracy were tested in the 25% not used in their development.

Results.

Four distinct courses were identified in 609 subjects. They differed in prioritized variables, disability scores, and probabilities of attaining inactive disease and remission. We named them Mild (43.8% of children), Moderate (35.6%), Severe Controlled (9%), and Severe Persisting (11.5%). A logistic regression model using JIA category, active joint count, and pattern of joint involvement at enrollment best predicted a severe disease course (Controlled + Persisting, c-index = 0.87); 91% of children in the highest decile of risk actually experienced a severe disease course, compared to 5% of those in the lowest decile.

Conclusion.

Children in this JIA cohort followed 1 of 4 disease courses and the probability of a severe disease course could be estimated with information available at diagnosis.
COLETA SELETIVA DE LIXO COMO QUESTÃO DE CIDADANIA: UMA PROPOSTA DE ABORDAGEM EDUCATIVA EM SALA DE AULA DE CIÊNCIAS
Authors: Vidotti Ana Paula
Published: December 2016

A escola desempenha efetiva contribuição social na formação humana, uma vez que a educação tem um papel importante na construção da cidadania. Dessa forma a proposta desta intervenção partiu do pressuposto de que a Educação Ambiental é, sobretudo, Educação e deve voltar-se mais para ações práticas de socialização dos indivíduos envolvidos na problemática. O trabalho desenvolveu-se, inicialmente, junto aos alunos da 5ª série do Ensino Fundamental da Escola Estadual Vila Rica do Espírito Santo, na cidade de Fênix, Paraná, com enfoque na Coleta Seletiva de Lixo e a Reciclagem, como lidar com a questão do lixo e a preservação do meio ambiente. Os alunos envolvidos neste trabalho pedagógico para conscientizar sobre a importância da preservação e sustentabilidade do meio ambiente na manutenção do equilíbrio sócio-ambiental, compreenderam o papel deles neste contexto e estenderam a prosposta a comunidade escolar e a comunidade local, por meio de informações, pesquisa escolar, sensibilização e ações educativas a respeito da conscientização ambiental e coleta seletiva de lixo como prática de cidadania.
Princípios básicos para testes de hipóteses com uso de experimentos manipulativos em ecologia: relato de um experimento de predador-presa
Authors: Granzotti Rafaela Vendrametto , Gomes Luiz Carlos
Published: December 2016

Experimentos manipulativos são formas de testar hipóteses em que se controla uma ou mais variáveis de interesse para obter-se uma resposta, determinando as relações de causa e efeito. Alguns pontos-chave dessa abordagem são: a similaridade das condições experimentais com as condições naturais dos organismos e o controle dessas variáveis nas unidades experimentais; a aclimatação dos organismos utilizados; e a condução de um experimento piloto. O objetivo desse trabalho é relatar a metodologia de um experimento manipulativo sobre a influência da complexidade de habitat no sucesso de predação de um predador, com especial atenção à importância da aclimatação adequada dos organismos utilizados no experimento e da condução de um experimento piloto para testar o delineamento experimental planejado.
New antibiotic development: barriers and opportunities
Authors: Concia Ercole , Mazzaferri Fulvia , Cordioli Maddalena
Published: December 2016

Antibiotic resistance represents a serious threat to public health worldwide, leading to increased healthcare costs, prolonged hospital stays, treatment failures and deaths. To address the emergency of multidrug-resistance, the major international societies of infectious diseases and public health have developed strategies and guidelines to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use as well as to incite the development of new antibiotics targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens. Even though pharmaceutical companies have been developing new antibiotics since 2010, the global situation is still worrisome. Indeed, the currently available data regarding new antibiotics are limited to microbiological activity and pharmacokinetic profile and their use for the treatment of life-threatening infections (i.e., sepsis) is often off-label. The aim of this article is to present the antibiotic molecules recently commercialized and with which clinicians will deal quite often in next years. We describe ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, eravacycline, plazomicin, dalbavancin, oritavancin and tedizolid in terms of mechanism of action, antimicrobial spectrum, trials behind the approval and possible indications for the future. In last few years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved many new antibiotic molecules but, unfortunately, they lack in biological innovation and in wide clinical indications. These agents show appealing properties for off-label use, as we propose in the article, but caution is still needed considering that high-quality clinical data are limited.
Reading and understanding an antibiogram
Authors: Tascini Carlo , Sozio Emanuela , Viaggi Bruno , Meini Simone
Published: December 2016

In recent years, we have been facing a significant increase in antimicrobial resistance and complex enzymatic mechanisms. The challenge of antibiotic resistance is becoming dramatic. Among gram-positive it is spreading resistance to glycopeptides, reducing the possibility to use these drugs empirically. Among gram-negative rods, beside the spreading of extended-spectrum β-lactamases, there is an increased diffusion of carbapenemases. In order to administer the correct antibiotic therapy, physicians need a rapid and correct interpretation with non-automated tests to implement appropriate therapeutic strategies. The automated reporting systems do not always provide complete and accurate information on antimicrobial resistance phenotype, making it difficult to interpret. Recently, the European Committee of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) has proposed a new breakpoint system to be adopted by European countries. An interpretative reading of an antibiogram aims to analyze the overall susceptibility pattern, not just the result for an individual antibiotic, and so to predict the underlying resistance mechanisms. The purpose of this work is to guide physicians in reading and understanding antibiograms through an attempt of phenotypic interpretation of resistance mechanism.
Cadmium affects osmotic phase and regulatory volume decrease in cultured human embryonic kidney cells
Authors: Morabito Rossana , Remigante Alessia , Costa Roberta , Dossena Silvia , La Spada Giuseppa , Marino Angela
Published: December 2016

The present investigation aims to verify whether cadmium (Cd2+), a metal possibly accumulated in body tissues from air and food, affects cell volume regulation capability in cultured human embryonic kidney (HEK 293 Phoenix) cells. The osmotic phase (OP), which is the expected cell swelling due to aquaporins involvement after hyposmotic challenge, and regulatory volume decrease (RVD), bringing cell volume back to control values through Ca2+-dependent ion efflux (K+ and Cl–), have been monitored in HEK 293 cells treated with Cd2+ (1-10-100 μM) for different time intervals (30 min, 3 h, overnight) and then submitted to 15 % hyposmotic shock. The results show that both 1 and 10 μM Cd2+ significantly reduced OP, whereas 100 μM impaired Cd2+ RVD mechanisms. The use of glutathione (GSH, 200 μM) confirmed that Cd2+ elicited its effect via oxidative damage, being RVD inhibition after Cd2+ treatment prevented by this antioxidant compound. Our findings show that: i) HEK 293 cells are a suitable model to assay the effect of xenobiotics on cell homeostasis; ii) Cd2+, depending on its concentration, affects cell homeostasis at different levels, i.e. water and ion permeability, responsible for, respectively, OP and RVD mechanism, adding thus more information to the knowledge of Cd2+ toxicology.
STATISTICAL ERRORS IN MEDICINE
Authors: Rocchi M.B.L.
Published: December 2016

In this paper we deal with the statistical errors in medicine, analyzing the way they should hide in several phases of experimental process; particularly, we underlined relevant errors in which the researchers can stumble in every steps of the experimental research.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Internal Medicine Residents: Are Future Physicians Becoming Deconditioned?
Authors: Daneshvar Farshid , Weinreich Michael , Daneshvar Danial , Sperling Michael , Salmane Chadi , Yacoub Harout , Gabriels James , McGinn Thomas , Smith Marianne C.
Published: December 2016

Background 

Previous studies have shown a falloff in physicians' physical activity from medical school to residency. Poor fitness may result in stress, increase resident burnout, and contribute to mortality from cardiovascular disease and other causes. Physicians with poor exercise habits are also less likely to counsel patients about exercise. Prior studies have reported resident physical activity but not cardiorespiratory fitness age.

Objective 

The study was conducted in 2 residency programs (3 hospitals) to assess internal medicine residents' exercise habits as well as their cardiorespiratory fitness age.

Methods 

Data regarding physical fitness levels and exercise habits were collected in an anonymous cross-sectional survey. Cardiopulmonary fitness age was determined using fitness calculator based on the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT).

Results 

Of 199 eligible physicians, 125 (63%) responded to the survey. Of respondents, 11 (9%) reported never having exercised prior to residency and 45 (36%) reported not exercising during residency (P < .001). In addition, 42 (34%) reported exercising every day prior to residency, while only 5 (4%) reported exercising daily during residency (P < .001), with 99 (79%) participants indicating residency obligations as their main barrier to exercise. We found residents' calculated mean fitness age to be 5.6 years higher than their mean chronological age (P < .001).

Conclusions 

Internal medicine residents reported significant decreases in physical activity and fitness. Residents attributed time constraints due to training as a key barrier to physical activity.
The Language of Appraisal in British Advertisements: The Construal of Attitudinal Judgement
Authors: Križan Agata
Published: December 2016

The article explores the occurrence and frequency of use of attitudinal judgement in British advertisement texts. Judgement, as one of the main attitudinal categories in the discourse-semantic appraisal model (Martin and White 2005), is concerned with the evaluation of human character and behaviour. The article focuses on the judgement categories of capability and propriety, as the research described concludes that they are the most frequently occurring of the judgement categories. Some typical instances encoding capability and propriety are discussed in terms of explicit and implicit manifestation. The article demonstrates that capability and propriety often participate in attitudinal double-coding due to the brevity of advertising texts and the creativity of advertising language. Capability and propriety are strongly socially motivated: they impose values upon the potential consumer, and hence upon society, and through them create social roles for the participants in the advertising interaction.
Demonstration of reticulin fibres in the epididymis of adult male wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Ukwenya V. , Ashaolu O. , Alese O. , Oluyemi K. , Ojo G. , Ashamu E.
Published: December 2016

Introduction: The epididymis is a tube of smooth muscle lined by a pseudostratified epithelium; the duct is lined by smooth muscle and the stroma is made up of connective tissue. Reticulin fibres are fine fibres that contain primarily collagen type III that are secreted by reticular cells and are traditionally thought to be present only in soft blood-forming tissues such as kidney, liver, bone marrow and organs of the lymphatic system such as thymus. Methods: This work demonstrates for the first time the presence of reticulin fibres in the epididymis of adult male Wistar rats using silver impregnation method. Results: The results show reticulin fibres around the peritubular ductal walls and in the connective tissue stroma. Conclusion: The presence of reticulin fibres within the epididymal connective tissue may have effect on contractility, assisting the movement of sperms from the caput portion of the duct to the caudal part.
Anatomical variation of the alveolar inferior nerve: a case report
Authors: Azeredo R. , Cesconetto L. , Torres L.
Published: December 2016

Introduction: The mandibular nerve is the third and inferior division of the trigeminal nerve. One of its branches, the inferior alveolar nerve, is one among the three branches of the posterior division of the mandibular nerve, it supplies the lower jaw and teeth. However, variations of the inferior alveolar nerve branches have been of major concern in the performance of surgical procedure and anesthesia in dental and maxillofacial practice. Method and Results: A variant branch arising from the alveolar inferior nerve before it enters in the mandibular foramen were discovered during a dissection routine. The branch can be described as a variation referring to inferior alveolar nerve as a recurrent branch towards superior, posterior and medial entering in the lateral pterygoid muscle, leaving inferior alveolar nerve before the nerve for mylohyoid muscle. The nerve were found in the in both infratemporal fossa. Conclusion: Knowledge of the variations of the mandibular nerve, its branches and communications are clinically important especially for dental surgeons to understand the effectiveness of the nerve block and complications following regional anesthesia.
Are rodlet cells reliable biomarkers in Fundulus heteroclitus (L.)?
Authors: Kramer C. , Hongach S. , Antonov K. , Qama E.
Published: December 2016

Two populations of killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) were studied, one from a high environmentally impacted site (Saw Mill Creek) exposed to pollutants, heavy metals and infected with parasites, the other from a habitat that was far less affected (Lemon Creek), on Staten Island, New York. The rodlet cell counts in the gills of each population were compared and correlated with the number of gill parasites. A comparison of rodlet cell numbers was also made between mature males and females within each population. Although the parasite infestation was significantly higher in the Saw Mill Creek population, the rodlet cell counts did not differ between the two groups. There was no statistical correlation between the parasite number and number of rodlet cells or between standard length and rodlet cells in each population. Also, the number of rodlet cells did not differ between males and females in either group. Furthermore, EM observations showed no difference in the activity of these cells. Our findings suggest that in F. heteroclitus, rodlet cells are not dependable biomarkers for evaluating the fish's response to parasites and environmental stressors. In addition, the sexual status of the fish does not appear to affect the number of rodlet cells.
The debate over ‘Thirlwall's law’: balance-of-payments-constrained growth reconsidered*
Authors: Blecker Robert A.
Published: December 2016

Several recent critiques have questioned the theoretical logic of standard models of balance-of-payments-constrained growth (BPCG) and the empirical support for ‘Thirlwall's law’. On the empirical side, critics charge that most econometric estimates of this model have effectively only tested whether exports and imports grow at similar rates in the long run. On the theoretical side, the criticisms have focused on the role of foreign income growth, capital accumulation, relative prices and country size in BPCG models. This article reviews the current state of the debate over these critiques and also offers a brief discussion and evaluation of three alternative models. The alternative models all highlight a significant role for the level of relative prices (or the real exchange rate) in determining long-run growth, which is consistent with recent empirical studies.
The levels, variation characteristics and sources of atmospheric non-methane
hydrocarbon compounds during wintertime in Beijing, China
Authors: Liu Chengtang , Mu Yujing , Liu Junfeng , Zhang Chenglong , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Hongxing
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Atmospheric non-methane hydrocarbon compounds (NMHCs) were measured at a sampling site in Beijing city from 15 December 2015 to 14 January 2016 to recognize their pollution levels, variation characteristics and sources. Fifty-three NMHCs were quantified and the proportions of alkanes, alkenes, acetylene and aromatics to the total NMHCs were 49.8 % ~ 55.8 %, 21.5 % ~ 24.7 %, 13.5 % ~ 15.9 % and 9.3 % ~ 10.7 %, respectively. The variation trends of the NMHCs concentrations were basically identical and exhibited remarkable fluctuation, which were mainly ascribed to the variation of meteorological conditions, especially wind speed. The diurnal variations of NMHCs in clear days exhibited two peaks during the morning and evening rush hours, whereas the rush hours' peaks diminished or even disappeared in the haze days, implying that the relative contribution of the vehicular emission to atmospheric NMHCs depended on the pollution status. Two evident peaks of the propane/propene ratios respectively appeared in the early morning before sun rise and at noontime in clear days, whereas only one peak occurred in the afternoon during the haze days, which were attributed to the relatively fast reactions of propene with OH, NO3 and O3. Based on the chemical kinetic equations, the daytime OH concentrations were calculated to be in the range of 3.47 × 105–1.04 × 106 molecules cm−3 in clear days and 6.42 × 105–2.35 × 106 molecules cm−3 in haze days, and the nighttime NO3 concentrations were calculated to be in the range of 2.82 × 109–4.86 × 109 molecules cm−3 in clear days. The correlation coefficients of typical hydrocarbons pairs (benzene/toluene, o-xylene/m,p-xylene, isopentane/n-pentane, etc.) revealed that vehicular emission and coal combustion were important sources for atmospheric NMHCs in Beijing during the wintertime. Five major emission sources for atmospheric NMHCs in Beijing during the wintertime were further identified by positive matrix factorization (PMF), including vehicular emission and gasoline evaporation, coal combustion, solvent usage, acetylene-related emission and consumer and household products. Coal combustion (probably domestic coal combustion) were found to make the greatest contribution (29.4 ~ 33.4 %) to atmospheric NMHCs during haze days.
Effect of ocean acidification on the structure and fatty acid composition of a natural plankton community in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Bermúdez Rafael , Winder Monika , Stuhr Annegret , Almén Anna-Karin , Engström-Öst Jonna , Riebesell Ulf
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is changing seawater chemistry towards reduced pH, which affects various properties of marine organisms. Coastal and brackish water communities are expected to be less affected by ocean acidification (OA) as these communities are typically adapted to high fluctuations in CO2 and pH. Here we investigate the response of a coastal brackish water plankton community to increasing CO2 levels as projected for the coming decades and the end of this century in terms of community and biochemical fatty acid (FA) composition. A Baltic Sea plankton community was enclosed in a set of offshore mesocosms and subjected to a CO2 gradient ranging from natural concentrations ( ∼  347 µatm fCO2) up to values projected for the year 2100 ( ∼  1333 µatm fCO2). We show that the phytoplankton community composition was resilient to CO2 and did not diverge between the treatments. Seston FA composition was influenced by community composition, which in turn was driven by silicate and phosphate limitation in the mesocosms and showed no difference between the CO2 treatments. These results suggest that CO2 effects are dampened in coastal communities that already experience high natural fluctuations in pCO2. Although this coastal plankton community was tolerant of high pCO2 levels, hypoxia and CO2 uptake by the sea can aggravate acidification and may lead to pH changes outside the currently experienced range for coastal organisms.
Identification of hydrological model parameter variation using ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Deng Chao , Liu Pan , Guo Shenglian , Li Zejun , Wang Dingbao
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Hydrological model parameters play an important role in the ability of model prediction. In a stationary context, parameters of hydrological models are treated as constants; however, model parameters may vary with time under climate change and anthropogenic activities. The technique of ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is proposed to identify the temporal variation of parameters for a two-parameter monthly water balance model (TWBM) by assimilating the runoff observations. Through a synthetic experiment, the proposed method is evaluated with time-invariant (i.e., constant) parameters and different types of parameter variations, including trend, abrupt change and periodicity. Various levels of observation uncertainty are designed to examine the performance of the EnKF. The results show that the EnKF can successfully capture the temporal variations of the model parameters. The application to the Wudinghe basin shows that the water storage capacity (SC) of the TWBM model has an apparent increasing trend during the period from 1958 to 2000. The identified temporal variation of SC is explained by land use and land cover changes due to soil and water conservation measures. In contrast, the application to the Tongtianhe basin shows that the estimated SC has no significant variation during the simulation period of 1982–2013, corresponding to the relatively stationary catchment properties. The evapotranspiration parameter (C) has temporal variations while no obvious change patterns exist. The proposed method provides an effective tool for quantifying the temporal variations of the model parameters, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of model simulations and forecasts.
Simmetrie metriche: due sonetti siciliani a confronto
Authors: Facini Laura
Published: December 2016

L’intervento analizza dal punto di vista metrico-stilistico una coppia di sonetti composti da due rimatori della Scuola Siciliana: Giacomo da Lentini (1.35: Diamante, né smiraldo, né zafino) e Mazzeo di Ricco (19.7: Chi conoscesse sì la sua falanza). Lo studio intende offrire uno sguardo dettagliato sulla scrittura lirica degli autori della Magna Curia in relazione all’inedita forma metrica del sonetto: nello specifico, sulle pratiche compositive peculiari dei due poeti indagati, convergenti o in opposizione tra loro, e, più in generale, sulle costanti sistemiche della versificazione assunta dalla cerchia siciliana.
Secularism, Islamism, and Sectarianism: The Inevitable Linkage
Authors: Susser Asher
Published: December 2016

Through the lens of three notable intellectuals, this article explores several different explanations for the limited success of secularism in the Middle East. The “Arab Spring” of recent years, far more than it has been a struggle between the forces of democracy and the forces of autocracy, as portrayed by so many, was in fact yet another clash between the forces of modernity and the traditionalists. Most Western scholars and observers failed to identify the centrality of the forces of tradition, ignoring the social and political undercurrents of Arab societies, especially the importance of religion as a critical marker of collective identity. Middle Eastern societies were “not just like us.” Culture mattered.
The Ethics of Deception in Biblical Narrative
Authors: Weiss Shira
Published: December 2016

Is it ever moral to lie or deceive? Despite biblical prohibitions against lying, the Bible rarely offers an evaluation of its characters or their conduct, thus leaving the moral ambiguity regarding the Bible's attitude toward the ethical nature of deception open to interpretation by the reader. This article uses contemporary moral debate to elucidate the ethical problems that arise from morally ambiguous biblical narratives depicting deception. Did Abram, and later Isaac, act ethically when they identified their wives as their sisters? Were Simeon and Levi morally justified in their deception and ambush of the inhabitants of Shechem? Philosophical analysis of the biblical stories, in light of arguments advanced by Immanuel Kant and Benjamin Constant, support different interpretations that contribute to an enhanced understanding of the biblical text and a more informed evaluation by its readers.
Whose Womb and Whose Ethics? Surrogacy in Israel and in Jewish Ethics
Authors: Raucher Michal
Published: December 2016

Through the comparison of Jewish ethical arguments about surrogacy and ethnographic data from surrogacy in Israel, this article argues that normative Jewish ethics does not respond to the contemporary lived experience of surrogacy. On the ground, some normative Jewish ethical concerns are resolved easily, and yet we will find that the lived experience raises issues not even addressed by Jewish ethicists. This article looks at questions of maternal identity and the exploitation of surrogates through the comparison of normative Jewish ethics with ethnographic data. In the conclusion it considers how to improve the methodology of Jewish ethics to better reflect the reality on the ground.
Além das aparências
Authors:   Pontificia Universidade Católica Argentina, Godinho Selediana de Souza
Published: December 2016

O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a importância da aparência no campo da deficiência, além de enfatizar o quanto o vestuário aparece como expressão corporal, que não somente se relaciona à proteção do indivíduo, mas também como um desafio na realidade social das pessoas com deficiência. A revisão de uma literatura estilística depreende-se que no mundo estereotipado a imagem corporal é um elemento notável e se relaciona diretamente com um desejo de se vangloriar, neste caso a roupa atua, para as pessoas com deficiência como uma estratégia de se aceitar, diferenciar e se incluir socialmente.
A Moda e a Morte: Ciclos de Tendências
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Paraná, Bortolon Flavia Jakemiu Araujo
Published: December 2016

A moda é composta de ciclos de tendências subpostos, que buscam eliminar o passado em busca de um novo, o que a torna efêmera e ao mesmo tempo eterna. O presente estudo buscou analisar como se dá a relação desses ciclos de tendências no tempo, por meio de uma breve historiografia da moda, considerando os preceitos teóricos de Simmel, Crane e Caldas. Serão utilizados ainda conceitos propostos por Agamben, tais como: dispositivo, a fim de classificar o sistema da moda; contemporaneidade, para compreender a ação desse fator em relação ao tempo e profanação, para identificar a capacidade de manter-se na sociedade. Conclui-se que a moda, assim como a morte, renova a sociedade, destrói e cria o novo, como um sistema naturalizado artificialmente.
O vestir na vida dos idosos: contribuições da ergonomia e das tecnologias assistivas
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Gruber Crislaine , Merino Eugenio Andrés Díaz , Merino Giselle Schmidt Alves Díaz , Vergara Lizandra Garcia Lupi
Published: December 2016

A ergonomia tem como prerrogativa adaptar produtos, serviços e estratégias às pessoas, considerando suas habilidades e limitações. As Tecnologias Assistivas (TA) são dispositivos, serviços, estratégias ou práticas que minimizam problemas decorrentes de limitações funcionais dos indivíduos. Nesse sentido, podem auxiliar os idosos nas Atividades de Vida Diária (AVD), tais como vestir. Considerando o envelhecimento populacional uma realidade mundial, este trabalho apresenta um levantamento sobre a interação de idosos com uma TA para vestir a fim de verificar sua percepção acerca do uso. O teste foi realizado por cinco idosos e consistiu em responder a um questionário sobre demandas, necessidades e problemas com o vestuário, vestir um par de meias utilizando a Adaptação para colocar meia e, por fim, preencher o questionário de avaliação do uso do dispositivo. Observou-se que uma das principais dificuldades no uso do produto é a utilização do folheto de instruções. Além disso, nenhum dos participantes conseguiu vestir completamente o par de meias. Concluídos os testes, foi feita a avaliação dos instrumentos utilizados e destacadas as opiniões dos participantes em relação às vantagens e desvantagens do produto.
A usabilidade do produto de Moda: análise das tarefas do usuário na criação e produção do vestuário
Authors:   Universidade Estadual Paulista, Berton Tamissa Juliana Barreto , Pires Gisely A. , Menezes Marizilda dos S. Menezes , Paschoarelli Luis C.
Published: December 2016

O vestuário é um objeto que está em contato direto com o corpo, sendo que quando mal projetado pode limitar o indivíduo, principalmente quanto à usabilidade do produto. O artigo visa realçar a análise das tarefas do usuário durante o desenvolvimento do projeto de produto de moda, demonstrando em quais etapas o conhecimento dos movimentos realizados pelo homem devem estar inseridos. Ao evidenciar as fases do projeto até a modelagem, momento em que é iniciada a construção do produto, é notável a influência da ergonomia e antropometria nesse processo, sendo que o conhecimento do corpo humano em sua totalidade é essencial para a construção da roupa. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica para unir os conceitos necessários a fim de concretizar o objetivo do trabalho. Os assuntos abordados têm como finalidade conscientizar o designer de moda do quanto a compreensão das atividades do usuário influenciará na qualidade do produto projetado.
Untersuchungen über den Einfluß von Liegedauer, Temperatur, Gasgeschwindigkeit und Atmosphäre auf den Eisenabbrand
Authors: Schroeder Wilhelm
Published: December 2016

Beschreibung der Meßanlage. Einfluß der Oberflächenlagen zur Stromrichtung. Einfluß der Liegedauer und Temperatur auf den Abbrand, besonders Beziehung zwischen Abbrand und Durchweichung. Versuche über den Einfluß der Gasgeschwindigkeit. Die Wirkung der Abgase von Leuchtgas, Oel und Koks bei Luftüberschuß und Luftmangel auf den Abbrand. Vorteil der Beheizung mit Leuchtgas gegenüber Oel und Koks. Abbrandanalysen. Zusammenfassung.
Hitzebeständige Chrom‐Aluminium‐Stähle
Authors: Scheil Erich , Schulz Ernst Hermann
Published: December 2016

Untersuchung von kohlenstoffarmen Stählen mit Gehalten bis zu 18 % Cr und 14 % Al auf Zunderfestigkeit bei Temperaturen bis 1200°, auf elektrischen Widerstand bis 1000° und auf Säurebeständigkeit. Abgrenzung des Bereichs hoher, mittlerer und geringer Zunderfestigkeit nach dem Gewichtsverlust durch Oxydation und nach der Art des gebildeten Zunders. Vergleiche der Hitzebeständigkeit mit dem Widerstand gegen Angriff durch verdünnte Salz‐ und Schwefelsäure. Aenderung des elektrischen Widerstands mit dem Aluminium‐ und Chromgehalt sowie mit der Temperatur.
Zur Frage der Anlaßsprödigkeit
Authors: Houdremont Eduard , Schrader Hans
Published: December 2016

Einfluß der Temperatur, der Dauer und Häufigkeit des Anlassens sowie der Abkühlungsgeschwindigkeit danach auf die Kerbzähigkeit von legierten Baustählen. Veränderung der Brinellhärte bei längerem Anlassen. Einfluß verschiedener Legierungselemente — Mangan, Chrom, Nickel, Aluminium, Vanadin, Wolfram und Molybdän — sowie des Schmelzverfahrens auf die Anlaßsprödigkeit. Erörterung über die Ursache der Anlaßsprödigkeit.
Doppelnitrierung
Authors: Hengstenberg Otto , Naumann Friedrich
Published: December 2016

Einfluß zweimaliger Verstickung bei verschiedenen Temperaturen auf Höchsthärte und Tiefe der Nitrierschicht bei vier Stählen. Vorgänge im Gefüge.
Die Berechnung von Stoßöfen (Teil II)
Authors: Heiligenstaedt Werner
Published: December 2016

Dieser Teil soll die Grundlagen für die Berechnung der Ofenleistung geben. Diese besteht in der Bestimmung der Ziehtemperatur bei gegebenem Durchsatz. Die Unterteilung des Erwärmungsvorganges [Abschnitt 1] führt zuerst zur Betrachtung des Verbrennungsvorganges, der mit Hilfe der Verbrennungsgeschwindigkeit der Rechnung zugänglich gemacht wird [Abschnitt 2]. Aus Verbrennungsgeschwindigkeit und Wärmeabgabe ergibt sich der zeitliche und örtliche Verlauf der Rauchgastemperatur [Abschnitt 3]. Ist die Rauchgastemperatur bekannt, so kann mit Hilfe der Wärmeübergangszahl und der Gesetze der nicht stationären Wärmebewegung im Block die Erwärmung und Durchwärmung der Blöcke angegeben werden [Abschnitt 4]. Die bisher festgestellten und bekannten Werte der Verbrennungsgeschwindigkeit, der Wärmeübergangszahl und der Stoffeigenschaften des Stahles werden in Abschnitt 5 angegeben. In den Abschnitten 6 bis 8 wird die Rechnung für das im Teil I behandelte Beispiel ausgeführt.
Bestimmung von Zirkon in Eisen, Stahl und Ferrolegierungen mit Hilfe von Phenylarsinsäure
Authors: Klinger Paul , Schließmann Otto
Published: December 2016

Bisherige Arbeitsweise, insbesondere mit Kupferron. Versuche über die Fällung mit Phenylarsinsäure. Arbeitsvorschriften für die Zirkonbestimmung in Roheisen, Stählen und Ferrozirkon. Ergebnisse.
Das System Eisen‐Kobalt‐Mangan
Authors: Köster Werner , Schmidt Winfried
Published: December 2016

Ergänzung des Systems Kobalt‐Mangan. Ermittlung der Ac3‐ und der Ar3‐Fläche. Festlegung einer von reinem Kobalt zum System Eisen‐Mangan hinüberreichenden γ‐ε‐Umwandlungsfläche. Bestimmung der magnetischen Umwandlung der kobaltreichen Mischkristalle. Messung der Gitterparameter der ternären α‐, γ‐ und ε‐Mischkristalle. Einfluß des Ferromagnetismus auf diese.
Beitrag zur Kenntnis des Nitrierhärtungsverfahrens
Authors: Liestmann Wulf
Published: December 2016

Versuche an Eisenpulver, Weicheisen und an einem Chrom‐Aluminium‐Stahl im normalisierten und vergüteten Zustande über den Ammoniakzerfall an der Oberfläche und die Stickstoffeinwanderung ins Innere bei 500°. Beeinflussung der Umsetzungen zwischen Gas und Stahloberfläche durch die Strömungsgeschwindigkeit des Ammoniaks sowie durch Kieselsäuregel, das teils mit Kalziumchlorid, Nickel, Ammoniumfluorid und ähnlichen Stoffen beladen war.
Einfluß der Abschrecktemperatur auf die Stahlhärtungsvorgänge
Authors: Esser Hans , Majert Hans
Published: December 2016

Einfluß der Abkühlungsgeschwindigkeit auf die Temperatur der magnetischen Umwandlung des α‐Eisens und Zementits. Feststellung, daß für die Martensitbildung nicht nur Abschrecken mit einer bestimmten Geschwindigkeit, sondern auch von einer vom Kohlenstoffgehalt abhängigen genügend hoch über Ac1 liegenden Temperatur notwendig ist. Kristallisationskeime als Ursache dieser Erscheinung. Einfluß der Abschrecktemperatur auf die für die Martensitbildung erforderliche Abkühlgeschwindigkeit.
Wärmeinhalt einiger Metalle, Legierungen und Schlackenbildner bei Temperaturen bis 1200°
Authors: Esser Hans , Averdieck Kobert , Grass Walter
Published: December 2016

Bestimmung der spezifischen Wärme von Kupfer, Platin, Neusilber‐ und Messinglegierungen, reinem Quarz, Aluminium‐und Kalziumoxyd, künstlichem und natürlichem Magnetit, von reinem Manganoxydul und natürlichem Fayallit zwischen 0 und 1100 bis 1250°.
Kostenwesen, Betriebsstatistik und Betriebsplanung
Authors: Polak Viktor
Published: December 2016

Die allenthalben geforderte Vereinfachung im industriellen Leben zwingt zu einem Zusammenschluß spezialisierter Einzelgebiete, eine Entwicklung, wie sie besonders für die praktische Auswirkung betriebswirtschaftlicher Fragen gegeben ist. Mit einfachen Mitteln lassen sich hier die als „Theorie‟ verschrienen Orundzüge des Kostenwesens, der Betriebsstatistik und der Betriebsplanung zu einer Einheit zusammenfügen, die bei Betriebsbeurteilung und Betriebsführung brauchbare Hinweise gibt.
Herstellung schlackenbeständiger Geräte aus Magnesia und Tonerde
Authors: Salmang Hermann , Planz Nikolaus
Published: December 2016

Herstellung bildsamer Schlicker aus reiner Magnesia, Tonerde, Spinell und zwei anderen Magnesia‐Tonerde‐Gemischen durch Zusatz von Magnesium‐ oder Aluminiumchlorid oder beides. Ermittlung der günstigsten Kornzusammensetzung, Gieß‐ und Brennbedingungen. Schwindung, spezifisches Gewicht, Wärmeausdehnung und Verschlackungsbeständigkeit der untersuchten Tiegelbaustoffe.
Einfluß der α‐γ‐Umwandlung eines irreversiblen Nickelstahls auf Kristallorientierung und Zugfestigkeit
Authors: Wassermann Günter
Published: December 2016

Untersuchungen an Drähten aus einer Eisen‐Nickel‐Legierung mit 30 % Ni über den Einfluß der α‐γ‐Umwandlung auf die Kristallorientierung und die Zugfestigkeit sowie über die Festigkeit während der Umwandlung.
Die Bestimmung von Blei, Kupfer und Zink in Erzen und gerösteten Schwefelkiesen
Authors: Voigt Hermann
Published: December 2016

Arbeitsvorschrift auf Grund der Ergebnisse einer Gemeinschaftsarbeit. Besprechung des Analysenganges einiger Fehlerquellen und deren Vermeidung. Bestimmungsergebnisse an synthetischen Lösungen und an Erzproben.
Untersuchungen über die potentiometrische Bestimmung des Molybdäns im Stahl
Authors: Dickens Peter , Brennecke Rudolf
Published: December 2016

Fällungsanalytische Verfahren. Fällung mit Quecksilber‐ und Bleisalzen. Trennung vom Eisen und Neutralisationsversuche. Trennung von Chrom, Vanadin und Wolfram. Ausführung der Bestimmung in Stählen. — Reduktometrische Verfahren. Titrationen mit Titano‐ und Stannosalzlösungen. Bestimmung im Stahl.
Beeinflussung des hüttenmännischen Rechnungswesens durch die neuere Gesetzgebung
Authors: Eßer J.
Published: December 2016

Frühere Schematisierungsversuche von Bilanz und Erfolgsrechnung; Vorschlag der Betriebswirtschaftler für den Entwurf einer Aktienrechtsnovelle; Grundaufbau und Inhalt der einzelnen Posten der in der Aktienrechtsnovelle vorgeschriebenen Schemata (Tafeln); Schwierigkeiten für die Durchführung im Eisenhüttenwesen, besonders bei vertikalen Gemischtbetrieben; Auswege aus den Anwendungsschwierigkeiten für die neuen Formen der Bilanz und der Gewinn‐ und Verlustrechnung; sonstige Vorschriften der neueren Gesetzgebung, die Aenderungen oder Erweiterungen des Rechnungswesens mit sich bringen.
Betriebsorganisatorische Arbeiten im Werk Rath der Mannesmannröhren‐Werke
Authors: Thelen Gottfried
Published: December 2016

Aufbau einer Betriebswirtschaftsstelle. Arbeitsvorbereitung; Vorrechnung; die verschiedenen Löhnungsarten und ihr Aufbau; Arbeitsüberwachung; Verwertung der Betriebsunterlagen zur Verdienststatistik, zur Auftragserfassung und zur Betriebsstundenüberwachung. Stundenplanung in Abhängigkeit vom Beschäftigungsgrad.
Die chemische Untersuchung feuerfester Stoffe. V. Die Untersuchung von Siliziumkarbid‐ und Kohlenstoffsteinen
Authors: van Royen H. J. , Grewe H.
Published: December 2016

Bestimmung des Kohlenstoffes. Wasseranziehungsvermögen des getrockneten Graphits. Richtverfahren für Siliziumkarbidsteine, für Kohlenstoffsteine und Graphit. Berechnung des Siliziumkarbidgehaltes. Untersuchungsergebnisse.
Die Ermittlung von Oxydeinschlüssen in Eisen durch Schliffabdrucke auf Blutlaugensalzpapier
Authors: Meyer Oskar , Walz Adolf
Published: December 2016

Verfahren von M. Nießner zur Bestimmung von Oxydeinschlüssen durch Schliffabdrucke auf Gelatinepapier, das mit Kaliumferro‐ oder ‐ferrizyanid getränkt ist, und deren Entwicklung in Salzsäure. Versagen des Verfahrens bei der Nachprüfung; Gründe dafür.
Leistungsüberwachung in Walzwerken in Anlehnung an das Gantt‐Verfahren
Authors: Monden Herbert
Published: December 2016

Erläuterung des Gantt‐Kartenverfahrens. Sorgfältige Zeitstudien an allen Anlagen als Grundlage für die Einführung der Gantt‐Kartenüberwachung. Praktische Anwendung des Verfahrens auf ein Platinenwalzwerk und ein Stabeisenwalzwerk mit Tages‐ und Monatsberichten. Auswirkungen.