bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C-reactive protein as a marker of infection in children with severe acute malnutrition in Khartoum state, Sudan
Authors: Kheir Abdelmoneim E.M. , Gebreel Balla G.
Published: July 2018

Severe acute malnutrition and acute systemic infection are often synergistic in children and lead to considerable mortality. The main aim of this research was to determine whether children with severe acute malnutrition can mount an acute phase reactant response measured by C-reactive protein. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study that was carried out in the five main children hospitals in Khartoum state, from November 1st, 2012 to March 1st, 2013. 132 children with severe acute malnutrition were included in the study. Data collection included history, examination and C-reactive protein measurement. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for descriptive and inferential statistics. The main results revealed that 93(70.5%) children between 12-23 months of age and most of them had marasmus. Diarrhoea was the commonest presenting symptoms in 86.4%, followed by fever and vomiting. Most of the children (82.6%) had positive C-reactive protein with variable levels. In conclusion malnourished children are able to synthesize C-reactive protein in response to an infectious process and the magnitude of this response is increased in those with severe infections.
Short versus long course antibiotic therapy for acute pyelonephritis in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Berti Franco , Attardo Tiziana Marcella , Piras Salva , Tesei Letizia , Tirotta Daniela , Tonani Michela , Castellini Greta , Gianola Silvia , Minozzi Silvia
Published: July 2018

Acute pyelonephritis (aPN) is defined as a severe form of urinary tract infection. Despite its severity and the high incidence in the community setting, there is no consensus on the optimal duration of treatment. The aim was to compare effectiveness and tolerability of short- versus long-course treatment with the same antibiotic agent in patients with aPN. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and CENTRAL up to June 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Three pairs of authors independently extracted data and appraised risk of bias. We included 4 RCTs (439 participants). Short antibiotic treatment lasted from 4 to 14 days and long treatment from 7 to 42 days but was at least 2 days longer than the corresponding short-course. At the end of treatment, we did not find any significant differences in clinical success [risk ratio (RR) 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.96-1.07, moderate quality evidence] as well as in microbiological success (RR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.92-1.07, very low-quality evidence). At 4-6 weeks after the end of treatment there were no significant differences in clinical relapses (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.43-3.30, very low-quality evidence) and re-infection of other germs (RR 2.40; 95% CI, 0.68-8.49, very low-quality evidence), even if short-term therapy seemed to have more risk of recurrences (RR 2.39, 95% CI 1.19-4.83, very low quality of evidence). The incidence of any adverse effect seemed to be lower with the short-term therapy, though the results are not statistically significant (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.39-1.02, low quality evidence). Short-term treatment for aPN seems to be equivalent to long-term treatment in terms of clinical and microbiological success at the end of treatment or tolerability. The only relevant difference is the frequency of recurrence of the same biological germ up to 4-6 weeks after the end of treatment, which is significantly higher with the short-term therapy.
Folate deficiency and psycho-organic syndrome in elderly subjects: review of the literature
Authors: Cursi Flavio
Published: July 2018

Psychological syndrome is a mental disorder caused by organic brain damage accompanied by cognitive and memory deficits. According to recent estimates of incidence in the elderly population worldwide, this is likely to increase more and more over the next few years; the increase in life expectancy which in itself is a positive result, on the other hand, leads to an increase in the incidence of brain degenerative diseases that in elderly subject need to be addressed through appropriate therapeutic strategies. The lack of folates, as it is at the base of the cascade of events that lead to the development of cardio/cerebrovascular problems, anemia and depression, typical characteristics of the psycho-organic syndrome, becomes a condition that is important to correct. Several epidemiological studies show the efficacy of folates in reducing the clinical expressions typical of the syndrome, in particular the metabolic active form of folic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, is characterized by high bioavailability and rapidity of action. In clinical practice these peculiarities could be very useful both at the beginning of therapy, when it is important to have a quick and effective response, and in the maintenance, with a reduction of administration.
An update on methods for sarcopenia diagnosis: from bench to bedside
Authors: Rossi Andrea P. , Rubele Sofia , D'Introno Alessia , Zoico Elena , Bradimarte Piero , Amadio Giulia , Nori Nicole , Gnerre Paola , Mazzali Gloria , Fantin Francesco , Zamboni Mauro
Published: July 2018

Sarcopenia has been recognized as an age-related syndrome characterized by low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and low physical performance that is associated with increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, hospitalization, frailty and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the condition early for applying intervention and prevention of the disastrous consequences of sarcopenia if left untreated. Clinical definition and diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia have been developed in the last years and different tools have been proposed for screening subjects with sarcopenia, evaluating the muscle mass, the muscle strength and the physical performance. In this review we analyzed the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia and examined the current assessment tools used for the diagnosis and screening of sarcopenia.
Monografia Giovani FADOI: dalle evidenze alla pratica clinica
Authors: Gnerre Guest Editors: P. , Gerloni R. , Cenci C. , Pasquini M.C. , Poggiano M.R.
Published: July 2018

La gestione della cardiopatia ischemica stabile: dalle evidenze alla pratica clinicaR. Gerloni, L. Mucci, T. Ciarambino, M. Ventura, V. Baglio, M. Chiuch, F. Saladini, S. Dorigoni, P. GnerreApproccio clinico al paziente pancitopenicoM.C. Pasquini, E. Barbagelata, P. Cavallo, T. Ciarambino, S. Ciarla, S. Deregibus, I. Mascherona, L. Mucci, L. ZanlariManagement dell’ipertiroidismo: dall’evidenza alla pratica clinicaM.R. Poggiano, E. Barbagelata, C. UsaiManagement del paziente con insufficienza cortico-surrenalica: dall’evidenza alla pratica clinicaI. Ambrosino, E. Cristaldi, M.R. Poggiano, P. Gnerre, R. Muscariello, M. VacanteLa gestione del paziente con broncopneumopatia cronica ostruttiva: dalle evidenze alla pratica clinicaI Parte - EvidenzeII ParteC. Cenci, C. Rinollo, T. Ciarambino, O. Para, G. Belmonte, S. Moretti, S. Ciarla, M. Gino, F. Pasin, N. Battino
La figura dell’Hospitalist in Italia
Authors: Orlandini Guest Editors: F. , La Regina M. , Fontanella A. , Campanini M. , Gnerre P.
Published: July 2018

Tra il Mito di Titone e la sindrome di Odisseo/Ulisse del Malato ComplessoA. FontanellaProfilo biosociale del paziente ospedalizzato del XXI secoloR. Nardi, G. Mathieu, M. La ReginaC’è bisogno di una nuova figura professionale?M. SilingardiAnalisi dei modelli esistenti: future hospital programF. OrlandiniAnalisi dei modelli esistenti: Acute Complex Care Model (ACCM)F. PietrantonioAnalisi dei modelli esistenti: hospitalistV. VerdianiOn being a hospitalistM. AffinatiLa nuova figura professionale italiana: profilo, attività e modelli organizzativiF. Orlandini, M. La Regina, V. Verdiani, D. ManfellottoIl percorso formativoG. Murialdo, A. Testi, G. Torre, P. Gnerre, F. OrlandiniLa certificazioneL. Marchionni, M. Campanini, C. Nozzoli, A. MazzoneHospitalist: SWOT analysisM. La Regina, F. Orlandini, V. VerdianiConsiderazioni conclusive sulla figura dell’HospitalistD. Manfellotto
Short-term outcomes of one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty in young patients (< 30 years old)
Authors: Taheriazam Afshin , Saeidinia Amin
Published: July 2018

Total hip arthroplasty is one of the best treatments for restoring function and activity in young patients with advanced joint diseases. One-Stage Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty (BTHA) offers many advantages, which are important to younger patients and diminished costs and time in comparison with sequential THA. There is currently much concern about the safety of this procedure. The current study was designed to provide more information regarding THA in patients aged 30 years old or younger. Between April 2010 and September 2015, arthroplasty procedures were performed on 180 patients at the surgical centers of Erfan and Milad, Tehran, Iran. The patients that were entered in the study included those with bilateral hip involvement of Avascular Necrosis (AVN), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE), and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). The patients underwent one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasties through the direct lateral approach. Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain mean Postel-Merle d’Aubigné (PMA) score, Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Score, and Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS), both preoperatively and post-operatively to evaluate functional outcomes. All patients were in the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) category 1 or 2. All complications were followed closely for a period of 4.67±0.54 years. From 141 males and 39 females, 84 patients had been recognized as ASA 1, and 96 as ASA 2. Mean age of patients was 27.04±2.74 years old (range: 16 to 30). The mean operation time and the average length of hospital stay were 156±23 minutes and 5.20±2.44 days, respectively. Overall, 3 patients developed unilateral temporary peroneal nerve palsy (1.66%), 2 intraoperative fracture (1.11%), and 2 patients (1.11%) showed deep vein thrombosis. There was no wound infection. Regarding the functional scores in the diagnosis of patients, improvement was better in AVN than, RA, JRA, SCFE, and DDH, respectively. There were significant differences between diagnosis and every functional score, individually (P<0.05). The current results showed that one-stage bilateral THA led to improvement in hip function and stable implant fixation at short to midterm follow up, which suggests the efficacy of one-stage cementless THA in bilateral advanced arthritis in patients younger than 30 years old.
Recurrent tears of the rotator cuff: Effect of repair technique and management options
Authors: Bedeir Yehia H. , Jimenez Andrew E. , Grawe Brian M.
Published: July 2018

Retears of the rotator cuff, following operative repair, is not an uncommon event. Various factors have been shown to influence recurrence including the technique of repair. Multiple techniques have been performed with varying results and complications. The repair technique significantly affects the rate and pattern of retears. Although risk of retears with double row and suture bridge techniques is relatively low, medial cuff failure is a potential complication which poses significant challenges when revision repair is undertaken. Modifications in surgical techniques in, both, double row and suture bridge repairs can help decrease the risk of medial cuff failure. Thorough analysis of retear rates and patterns reported, and their relation with the repair technique, provides new insights about the pathogenesis of rotator cuff retears, their future prevention and appropriate management.
The impact of obesity measured by outer abdominal fat on instability of the adjacent segments after rigid pedicle screw fixation
Authors: Lenz Maximilian , Meyer Carolin , Boese Christoph Kolja , Siewe Jan , Eysel Peer , Scheyerer Max Joseph
Published: July 2018

Previous studies have shown coherence between obesity and higher rates of complications following spinal surgery. However, there is a lack of information about the influence of obesity and the mass of outer abdominal fat (OAF) on adjacent segment instability after spinal fusion surgery. Radiographs of 194 patients with spinal fusion surgery were assessed retrospectively. Radiographs were performed after surgery during two years’ follow-up and signs of adjacent segment instability were documented. Patients were classified regarding their BMI and extent of OAF was assessed using CT at the umbilical level. In 20 patients (10.3%) instability of adjacent segments occurred during followup. In this cohort mean OAF was significantly thicker (28.07 mm) compared to the patients without instability (22.39) (P=0.038). A total of 45% of patients with instability showed OAF of more than 30 mm at time of intervention compared to 10% in those without signs of instability. There exists significant correlation between the extent of OAF and development of adjacent segment instability postoperatively. Thus, weight reduction before spinal surgery could potentially decrease risk of adjacent segment instability.
An Attempt of Biocontrol the Tomato-Wilt Disease Caused by Verticillium dahliae Using Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola and Its Bioactive Secondary Metabolites
Authors: Elshafie Hazem , Sakr Shimaa , Bufo Sabino , Camele Ippolito
Published: July 2018

There is a great interest in discovering new microbial natural biocides such as microbial secondary metabolites to reduce the environmental pollution due to the excessive use of synthetic pesticides. Verticillium wilt, caused by the soil-borne Verticillium dahliae, is a widespread disease in tomato growing in many parts of the world. Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola produces some antimicrobial substances and extracellular hydrolytic enzymes which exhibited promising antimicrobial activity towards several phytopathogens. The aims of the current research are to assess in vitro fungicidal effect of 4 strains of B. gladioli pv. agaricicola (ICMP11096, 11097, 12220 and 12322) against V. dahliae using culture or cell-free culture filtrate. In situ assay was performed to evaluate the biocontrol effect of the most efficient bacterial strain on wilt disease caused by V. dahliae in tomato plants. Results demonstrated that the studied bacterial strain ICMP12322 exerted the highest in vitro antifungal activity against V. dahliae which correlated with its ability to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. Furthermore, in situ results showed that the selected bacterial strain significantly minimized the disease incidence.
Expression Level of DREB Gene of Local Corn Cultivars from Kisar Island-Maluku, Indonesia, Using Quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Sinay Hermalina , Arumingtyas Estri Laras
Published: July 2018

The research objective was to determine the expression level of dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) gene of local corn cultivars from Kisar Island Maluku, Indonesia. The study was designed as randomized block design with single factor consist of six local corn cultivars obtained from farmers in Kisar Island and one reference varieties which has been released as a drought-tolerant varieties and obtained from Cereal Crops Research Institute Maros South Sulawesi. Isolation of total RNA from the second leaf after the flag leaf at the 65 days after planting were carried out according to the protocols of the R and ABlueTM Total RNA Extraction Kit, and was used as a template for cDNA synthesis. Amplification of cDNA from total RNA was carried out according to the protocol of One-Step Reverse Transcriptase PCR Premix Kit. Real Time-PCR was performed usingcDNA from reverse transcription following the procedures of Real MODTM Green Real-Time PCR Master Mix Kit. The real time-PCR data were analyzed using relative quantification method based on the critical point/cycle threshold. The highest DREB gene expression was showed by Deep Yellow local corn cultivar, and the lowest one was showed by Rubby Brown Cob cultivar. The DREB gene expression level of deep yellow local corn cultivar was even higher than Srikandi variety as a reference variety.
Talent measurement: A holistic model and routes forward
Authors: Lee Gregory J.
Published: July 2018

Orientation: Talent measurement is a critical input to talent management (TM). Involving the application of measurement methodologies in order to determine the current and longer-term potential, competencies and contribution of employees and their roles, talent measurement is a growing field of interest in human resources.Research purpose: This article reviews and integrates the practice of talent measurement, including developing a model of talent measurement, rooting the practice in theory and suggesting several relatively unexplored aspects of talent measurement that may have potential for improvement or controversy.Motivation for the study: Talent measurement has not been adequately discussed and critiqued.Research approach/design and method: A theory review and development approach is taken in this article.Main findings: A holistic model for talent measurement is presented, including elements that have not received much prior attention such as theoretical foundations, the practicalities of including a role element, the advisability of using talent pools, the question of whether talent measures or status should be revealed to employees, the integration of talent pools with diversity or transformation imperatives, and others.Practical/managerial implications: Managers who employ TM should benefit from this review and set of challenges regarding the practice of talent measurement.Contribution/value-add: Although TM has been extensively discussed, the specific measurement options involved have been less well examined. Development of a holistic model and identification of outstanding controversies within it provide value to practitioners and to the evolution of TM.
Local energy decay and diffusive phenomenon in a dissipative wave guide
Authors: Royer Julien
Published: July 2018

We prove the local energy decay for the wave equation in a wave guide with dissipation at the boundary. It appears that for large times the dissipated wave behaves like a solution of a heat equation in the unbounded directions. The proof is based on resolvent estimates, in particular at the low and high frequency limits. Since the eigenvectors for the transverse operator do not form a Riesz basis, the spectral analysis does not reduce as usual to separate subquestions on compact and Euclidean domains. One of the difficulties is then to localize the problem with respect to the non-discrete spectrum of a non-selfadjoint operator.
On the stability of some isoperimetric inequalities for the fundamental tones of free plates
Authors: Buoso Davide , Chasman Laura Mercredi , Provenzano Luigi
Published: July 2018

We provide a quantitative version of the isoperimetric inequality for the fundamental tone of a biharmonic Neumann problem. Such an inequality has been recently established by Chasman adaptingWeinberger’s argument for the corresponding second order problem. Following a scheme introduced by Brasco and Pratelli for the second order case, we prove that a similar quantitative inequality holds also for the biharmonic operator. We also prove the sharpness of both such an inequality and the corresponding one for the biharmonic Steklov problem.
Anderson localisation for infinitely many interacting particles in Hartree–Fock theory
Authors: Ducatez Raphael
Published: July 2018

We prove the occurrence of Anderson localisation for a system of infinitely many particles interacting with a short range potential, within the ground state Hartree–Fock approximation. We assume that the particles hop on a discrete lattice and that they are submitted to an external periodic potential which creates a gap in the non-interacting one particle Hamiltonian. We also assume that the interaction is weak enough to preserve a gap. We prove that the mean-field operator has exponentially localised eigenvectors, either on its whole spectrumor at the edges of its bands, depending on the strength of the disorder.
Symmetry and Dirac points in graphene spectrum
Authors: Berkolaiko Gregory , Comech Andrew
Published: July 2018

Existence and stability of Dirac points in the dispersion relation of operators periodic with respect to the hexagonal lattice is investigated for different sets of additional symmetries. The following symmetries are considered: rotation by

2\pi/3

and inversion, rotation by

2\pi/3

and horizontal reflection, inversion or reflection with weakly broken rotation symmetry, and the case where no Dirac points arise: rotation by

2\pi/3

and vertical reflection.

All proofs are based on symmetry considerations. In particular, existence of degeneracies in the spectrum is deduced from the (co)representation of the relevant symmetry group. The conical shape of the dispersion relation is obtained from its invariance under rotation by

2\pi/3

. Persistence of conical points when the rotation symmetry is weakly broken is proved using a geometric phase in one case and parity of the eigenfunctions in the other.
Tomographic airborne limb sounder retrievals on irregular grid
with second order regularisation
Authors: Krasauskas Lukas , Ungermann Jörn , Ensmann Stefan , Krisch Isabell , Kretschmer Erik , Preusse Peter , Riese Martin
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Multiple limb sounder measurements of the same atmospheric region taken from different directions can be combined in a 3D tomographic retrieval. Mathematically, this is a computationally expensive inverse modelling problem. It typically requires an introduction of some general knowledge of the atmosphere (regularisation) due to its underdetermined nature. This paper introduces a consistent, physically motivated (no ad-hoc unphysical parameters) variant of the Tikhonov regularisation scheme based on spatial derivatives of first and second order. As shown by a case study with synthetic data, this scheme, combined with irregular grid retrieval methods, improves both upon the quality and the computational cost of 3D tomography, while eliminating grid dependence and the need to tune parameters for each use case. The few physical parameters required can be derived from in situ measurements and model data. An efficient Monte Carlo technique was adopted for retrieval accuracy estimation.
Photocatalytic degradation of dyes in water by analytical reagent grades ZnO, TiO2 and SnO2: a comparative study
Authors: Shinde Dnyaneshwar R. , Tambade Popat S. , Chaskar Manohar G. , Gadave Kisan M.
Published: July 2018

Abstract. In this study, we evaluated the photocatalytic activities of analytical reagent (AR) grade ZnO, TiO2, and SnO2 to identify a low-cost photocatalyst for dye degradation. The obtained samples of ZnO, TiO2, and SnO2 were characterised by X-ray diffractogram (XRD), scanning electron microscope imaging, and UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The decolourisation of three structurally diverse dyes, namely crystal violet, basic blue, and methyl red under solar irradiation, was used to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of three metal oxides. The photocatalytic activities of the received three metal oxides were tested with the photocatalytic degradation of dyes and compared with Degussa P-25. Dye solutions with each metal oxide at initial pH 9 were subjected to irradiation under sunlight and monitored for up to the stage of complete decolourisation. The results indicate that ZnO exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity as compared to TiO2 and SnO2 as well as that of Degussa P-25 (TiO2). The photocatalytic dye decolourisation rates with ZnO were 1.14–1.35, 1.70–3.1, and 4–8.5 times higher than those of the Degussa P-25, TiO2, and SnO2, respectively. The percentage COD removal was studied for ZnO and partial removal was observed at the decolourisation stage. To enhance photocatalytic activity of AR grade ZnO, it was loaded with Ag metal and about 20 % enhancement in the activity was observed.
Design of 24X7 water supply systems – A Case study: Ahmedabad city
Authors: Varu Swarup , Shah Dipsha
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Water found one of the important physical environments of human and has a direct behavior on the health and hygiene of mankind. There is no denying the fact that the contamination of water leads to numerous health hazards. The facility of safe and adequate drinking water to the growing urban population continues to be one of the major challenging tasks for any state. In India, according to the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD); continuous potable water supply to every households are directly related with the Service Level Benchmark (SLB) of the city. This study is applied research and it designs and builds a detail project report for 24x7 water supply system at Sabarmati and old Wadaj ward of Ahmedabad city. It includes feasibility study; software based hydraulic design, operation and maintenance strategy and economic feasibility for the project by studies of research paper, case study, census data, need and demand of the future. The present water supply practice is non-confirming to designed hydraulic parameters, and also the system is severely affected insufficient hydraulics, leading to many of the current critical issues which keep the Local Authorities in an evitable brutal circle. Using data from the local government body, the papers presents the condition of intermittent water supply network and compare it with continuous water supply system of selected District Metering Area (DMA) of Ahmedabad in Gujarat (India).
Implications of water management representations for watershed
hydrologic modeling in the Yakima River Basin
Authors: Qiu Jiali , Yang Qichun , Zhang Xuesong , Huang Maoyi , Adam Jennifer C. , Malek Keyvan
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Water management substantially alters natural regimes of streamflow through modifying retention time and water exchanges among different components of the terrestrial water cycle. Accurate simulation of water cycling in intensively managed watersheds, such as the Yakima River Basin (YRB) in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S., faces challenges in reliably characterizing influences of management practices (e.g., reservoir operation and cropland irrigation) on the watershed hydrology. Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, we evaluated streamflow simulations in the YRB based on different reservoir operation and irrigation schemes. Simulated streamflow with the reservoir operation scheme optimized by the RiverWare model better reproduced measured streamflow than the simulation using default SWAT reservoir operation scheme. Scenarios with irrigation practices demonstrated higher water losses through evapotranspiration (ET), and matched benchmark data better than the scenario that only considered reservoir operations. Results of this study highlight the importance of reliably representing reservoir operations and irrigation management for credible modeling of watershed hydrology. Both SWAT and RiverWare are community-based and have been widely tested and applied for reservoir operations and agricultural watershed modeling in regions across the globe. As such, the methods and findings presented here hold the promise to apply to other intensively managed watersheds to enhance water resources assessment.
High-resolution modeling of tsunami run-up flooding: a case study of flooding in Kamaishi city, Japan, induced by the 2011 Tohoku tsunami
Authors: Akoh Ryosuke , Ishikawa Tadaharu , Kojima Takashi , Tomaru Mahito , Maeno Shiro
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Run-up processes of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami into the city of Kamaishi, Japan, were simulated numerically using 2-D shallow water equations with a new treatment of building footprints. The model imposes an internal hydraulic condition of permeable and impermeable walls at the building footprint outline on unstructured triangular meshes. Digital data of the building footprint approximated by polygons were overlaid on a 1.0 m resolution terrain model. The hydraulic boundary conditions were ascertained using conventional tsunami propagation calculation from the seismic center to nearshore areas. Run-up flow calculations were conducted under the same hydraulic conditions for several cases having different building permeabilities. Comparison of computation results with field data suggests that the case with a small amount of wall permeability gives better agreement than the case with impermeable condition. Spatial mapping of an indicator for run-up flow intensity (IF = (hU2)max, where h and U respectively denote the inundation depth and flow velocity during the flood, shows fairly good correlation with the distribution of houses destroyed by flooding. As a possible mitigation measure, the influence of the buildings on the flow was assessed using a numerical experiment for solid buildings arrayed alternately in two lines along the coast. Results show that the buildings can prevent seawater from flowing straight to the city center while maintaining access to the sea.
Estimations of statistical dependence as joint return period modulator of compound events – Part 1: Storm surge and wave height
Authors: Petroliagkis Thomas I.
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The possibility of utilizing statistical dependence methods in coastal flood hazard calculations is investigated since flood risk is rarely a function of just one source variable but usually two or more. Source variables in most cases are not independent as they may be driven by the same weather event, so their dependence, which is capable of modulating their joint return period, has to be estimated before the calculation of their joint probability. Dependence and correlation may differ substantially from one another since dependence is focused heavily on tail (extreme) percentiles. The statistical analysis between surge and wave is performed over 32 river ending points along European coasts. Two sets of almost 35-year hindcasts of storm surge and wave height were adopted, and results are presented by means of analytical tables and maps referring to both correlation and statistical dependence values. Further, the top 80 compound events were defined for each river ending point. Their frequency of occurrence was found to be distinctly higher during the cold months, while their main low-level flow characteristics appear to be mainly in harmony with the transient nature of storms and their tracks. Overall, significantly strong values of positive correlations and dependencies were found over the Irish Sea; English Channel; and south coasts of the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Baltic Sea, with compound events taking place in a zero-lag mode. For the rest, mostly positive moderate dependence values were estimated even if a considerable number of them had correlations of almost zero or even a negative value.
Carcass and meat traits, and non-carcass components of lambs fed ration containing increasing levels of urea
Authors: Rozanski Sandra , Vivian Diana Rosana , Kowalski Luciana Helena , Prado Odilei Rogério , Fernandes Sergio Rodrigo , Souza Júlio César de , Freitas José Antônio de
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the carcass and meat traits, and the non-carcass components of crossbred Dorper lambs fed diets with increasing levels of urea (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of dry matter – DM). The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments (urea inclusion levels) and six replicates per treatment. Lambs were fed ad libitum for 56 days and slaughtered at 37.9 ± 5.1 kg of body weight (BW). The weight and yield of carcass before and after cooling were not influenced by urea levels, with average values of 16.9 kg and 44.6% for cold carcass weight and yield. Urea levels did not affect the morphometric measurements, the fat deposition on the carcass, the weight of carcass cuts and the weight of non-carcass components. There was a quadratic effect of urea levels on the loin yield, which may achieve maximum value of 11.31% with the inclusion of 0.84% DM urea in the feed. The pH and the color coordinates L* (brightness), a* (red intensity) and C* (saturation) of the meat also showed quadratic response to the urea levels, where in the minimum value of 5.53 for pH, maximum value of 48.67 for L* and minimum values of 14.04 and 16.21 for a* and C* may be obtained by including 0.53 to 0.70% DM urea in the ration. The inclusion of 0.84% DM urea in the ration is recommended to obtain maximum yield of loin and meat with attractive characteristics to the consumer, which is characterized by high red intensity and brightness. If consumers have preference for lamb meat with a more intense red color, the inclusion of 1.5% DM urea should be considered in the ration formulation.
Estudos sociológicos sobre infância e gênero no Brasil: o lugar das meninas e dos meninos em publicações cientificas (2010-2014)
Authors: Oliveira Ana Claudia Delfini C. de
Published: July 2018

Este artigo traz apontamentos relativos aos estudos sociológicos sobre infâncias e relações de gênero nas publicações de artigos científicos em revistas indexadas no Portal de Artigos da base Scielo (2010-2014). O referencial teórico escolhido dialoga na interface dos estudos de gênero e da Sociologia da infância (SI) com ênfase na adoção (ou não) da perspectiva de gênero. A metodologia pautou-se por um mapeamento em busca avançada de artigos em revistas a partir dos seguintes grupos de descritores “infância e gênero” e “meninas”. Foram 17 artigos analisados e os resultados demonstram um espaço ainda tímido e com pouco diálogo nas pesquisas sociológicas sobre as infâncias e os enfoques de gênero. As infâncias são consideradas em seus recortes de classe, etnia/raça, gênero e geração, com predominância de metodologias adultocêntricas que não valorizam o ponto de vista das crianças.
Sociologia da religião: comentário a um balanço sobre a produção do conhecimento
Authors: Rosas Nina
Published: July 2018

Este artigo é um comentário a um balanço, feito por um grande expoente da sociologia da ciência, que, comparando os estudos de religião, criminalidade e mobilidade social, afirma que a sociologia da religião não avança a partir de acúmulo de reflexão teórica interna, sedimentação do conhecimento ou progressos metodológicos. Discordando parcialmente de tal perspectiva, o texto proposto apresenta uma leitura alternativa que aponta algumas particularidades da referida área. Para tanto, são trazidas revisões sobre a sociologia da religião e, ainda que transversalmente, dois debates bem conhecidos: o da secularização e o da contínua vitalidade da religião. Ao final, defende-se que a sociologia da religião não se abstém de discutir o estado de sua produção intelectual, mas que pode se tornar ainda mais robusta se, se inspirar no modo como pesquisas têm sido realizadas em outros campos disciplinares.
A Comparative Study on Perceptions of English Teachers’ Mediation Between Private University Teachers and Students
Authors: Lei Jiang , Lin Yuewu
Published: July 2018

Mediation theory facilitates teachers and students to tackle the barriers in English teaching and learning process. It offers a sound systematic theoretical fort on which teachers could rely, redefines teachers’ roles and functionings in the process of learners’ cognitive development and growing self-regulations. The famous psychologist Lev Vygotsky (1978) raised notions in his ZPD theory, Feuerstein (1980) illuminates capable adults as mediators, and defined twelve main features of mediation, which has empirical study value for English teaching. Thus, through quantitative and qualitative research, this paper aims to investigate the perceptions of English teachers’ mediation between private university teachers and students, analyze and compare the similarities and differences between them. The results reveal that both teachers and students coming from the two private universities have been aware of the importance of teachers’ mediation, however, have different perceptions in the frequency of teachers’ mediation. Teachers’ actual employment on mediation is weaker than their beliefs on the importance of it.
Forecasting a Mix of Temporal and Non-Temporal Economic Variables with a Mixture-of-Experts Neural Network
Authors: Nguyen Dat-Dao , Kira Dennis
Published: July 2018

This study investigates a versatile forecasting technique using an integrated system of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Genetic Algorithms (GA) in a mixture-of-experts architecture to solve a general economic forecasting problem involving a mix of temporal and non-temporal variables. Using Klein Model I as a context and previous estimations from traditional methods as benchmarks, the study provides evidence on the effectiveness and efficiency of this integrated system. ANN helps overcome the imposition of assumptions on the behaviors of related variables, the specification of exact relationships, and the difficulty in nonlinear estimations of the economic model. GA helps overcome the sub-optimality of the tedious trial-and-error process in network building. The flexibility of the mixture-of experts network architecture offers many alternative configurations to capture the peculiarities of variables in context before aggregating intermediate estimations into the final result. The integrated system has shown its ability in processing effectively the mixture of economic variables, and producing efficient estimations and forecasts.
La construcción de la imagen publica de los organismos del Estado y la ciudadanía a través de las narraciones de la publicidad institucional televisiva
Authors: Ruiz Collantes Francesc Xavier , Pujadas Eva , Ferrés Joan , Obradors Matilde , Pérez Oliver , Casals Anna
Published: July 2018

La comunicación entre las instituciones y al ciudadanía es esencial en el estado democrático del bienestar, y la publicidad institucional juega un papel fundamental en este proceso, controbuyendo a la creación de un imaginario público sobre los organismos del Estado, la ciudadanía y las relaciones entre ambos.Este artículo presenta un análisis sobre las estructuras narrativas de los spots televisivos delas campañas institucionales. Como resultado, se definen las principales narraciones prototípicas de la publicidad institucional en España. Esto invita a reflexionar sobre los posibles efectos de estos marcos narrativos en la percepcióno social de los organismos del Estado y de los ciudadanos y colectivos sociales específicos.
Análisis comparativo de la publicidad institucional en España-objetivos y cualidades discursivas
Authors: Ramos Serrano Marina , Garrido Lora Manuel , Rodríguez Centeno Juan Carlos
Published: July 2018

Este artículo presenta una parte de los resultados alcanzados en el proyecto de investigación Estrategias de la comunicación social de los organismos del Estado a través de la publicidad institucional (Plan Nacional de I+D+I 2004-2007). La invbestigación parte de la idea de que a través de la publicidad institucional se constribuye a la construcción de la imagen pública de las instituciones, de la ciudadanía y de las relaciones entre ambos. Con el marco teòrico de la Teoría de la Enunciación, se analizan 241 spots en los que Ministerios, Comnunidades Autonómicas y organismos locales actúan como anunciantes con el objetivo de analizar sus formaas de representación.
El Estado es el producto Publicidad institucional, rutinas discursivas e ideología de Estado
Authors: Ruiz Collantes Francesc Xavier
Published: July 2018

A  través  de  la  publicidad  institucional, los diferentes organismos  del  Estado difunden  mensajes  que cumplen  diferentes funciones  explícitas:  se insta  a los ciudadanos a ejercer  comportamientos cívicos, se ofrece  información  de interés  público, se presentan resultados  de las acciones de gobierno, etc. Sin embargo, más allá de dichas funciones, la publicidad institucional del Estado fundamenta sus discursos en un conjunto de presupuestos resguardados  de todo  cuestionamiento y práctica  deliberativa. Tales presupuestos  reflejan y transmiten  ideas  y valores  fundamentales en relación  a lo que  es el propio  Estado, la sociedad civil, los ciudadanos y las relaciones entre todos ellos. El conjunto  de presupuestos "dados por descontadop y en los que arraiga  el discurso general de fa publicidad institucional del Estado acaba definiendo  un cuerpo  doctrinal e ideológico  muy  específico¡  este cuerpo doctrinal e ideológico  se difunde  a través  de discursos  mediáticos  que son producto  de rutinas  discursivas  de construcción  de sentido socialmente  hegemónico.
Dongola. Seasons in 2012–2013/ Appendix: The skeletal remains from the sanctuary of Anna
in the Monastery on Kom H
Authors: Godlewski Włodzimierz , Mahler Robert
Published: July 2018

The four seasons, two in 2012 and two in 2013, carried out in ancient Dongola by an expedition
from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, were devoted
to continuing excavations in a number of areas: the fortifications on the Citadel and houses from the
Funj period (17th–18th century) outside of the fortifications; site SWN on the Citadel, including
Building B.I (Palace of Ioannes) and Building B.V (church); and the monastery complex on Kom H,
encompassing the monastic church, sanctuary of Anna, gates to the monastery for monks and laity,
finally the commemorative building of the Dongolan bishops with three crypts where the third of
the crypts was revisited to study the burials from an anthropological perspective. In late 2013, a new
Qatar–Sudan Archaeological Project (No. 10) was launched with fieldwork concentrated on the
Mosque Building and within the Citadel.
Indian steel: a forgotten commodity of the great trade routes
Authors: Woźniak Marek
Published: July 2018

Among numerous exotic goods carried along ancient trade routes the so-called Seric iron is one of the most mysterious and least known. According to ancient sources, it was imported from a half-mythical land of Serica. New discoveries in southern India suggest it should be identified with the kingdom of Chera (in modern Tamilnadu) which existed between 300 BC and AD 300. This metal, one type of which was the patterned Damascene steel, was used mainly in the production of high-quality weapons. From about the 3rd century AD local production centers of crucible steel emerged also outside India.
A new look on some old glass finds from Palmyra
Authors: Gawlikowska Krystyna
Published: July 2018

Glass finds from Polish excavations in Palmyra from 1959 to 1973 in tombs and in Diocletian’s Camp, not all of them already published, are reviewed and presented with new photographs and drawings.
Khor Shambat, Early Khartoum, Neolithic, cemetery, graves, settlement, pottery, lithic inventory, archaeozoology
Authors: Bobrowski Przemysław , Jórdeczka Maciej , Sobkowiak-Tabaka Iwona , Binder Michaela
Published: July 2018

The locality of Khor Shambat in the Omdurman district of Khartoum was investigated in 2012. The site lies between two gorges draining water to the Nile Valley from the west. Testing established the site stratigraphy, dating the cultural level to the early Neolithic. The source material from this cultural level included vessel-type ceramics, microlithic stone artifacts, macrolithic stone tools and faunal remains. A cemetery containing 13 graves was investigated, the alignment of the burial pits and position of the interments leading to the conclusion that it started as a Neolithic burial ground and continued as a cemetery probably in Meroitic and post-Meroitic times. The archaeological, anthropological and archaeozoological data contributed new information on settlement on this site and in the broader overview, in central Sudan.
Conservation and restoration of a votive mask from Jiyeh in Lebanon
Authors: Tomkowska Anna
Published: July 2018

A terracotta mask discovered at the site of Jiyeh (ancient Porphyreon) in Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast between Beirut and Sidon, underwent conservation and restoration in 2014. A silicone cast of the object was made as part of the process, which included reconstruction of the losses and final retouch. The state of preservation of the object was assessed during the course of the conservation. A study of the production technique permitted the mask production process to be reconstructed to a large extent.
Fieldwork in the Southern Dongola Reach and Third Cataract Region in 2015/2016
Authors: Żurawski Bogdan , Cedro Aneta , Drzewiecki Mariusz , Łopaciuk Roman
Published: July 2018

The settlement remains surrounding the churches at the sites of Banganarti and Selib continued to be excavated in the 2015/2016 season by a team directed by Bogdan Żurawski. The research focused primarily on the living quarters around the churches and fortifications. An ethnographic survey carried out in Banganarti and Selib, and in the nearby villages documented traditional crafts, such as pottery making, basketry, baking and cooking using traditional techniques and recipes. Conservation and construction work were undertaken simultaneously with preparations for turning the Banganarti and Selib 1 sites into tourist attractions. Skeletal remains from earlier excavation were examined by a physical anthropologist. A survey combined with aerial documentation was carried out on selected archaeological sites in the Southern Dongola Reach (Soniyat, Diffar, Hettani, Bani Israil) and in the Third Cataract Region (Kissenfarki, Fagirinfenti). Short excavations were also conducted in the temple at Soniyat.
Argishti I in the Arax valley: consequences of the conquest
Authors: Jakubiak Krzysztof
Published: July 2018

The conquest of the fertile Arax valley by Argishti I in the mid 8th century BC was a major point in Urartian imperial policy, the valley having been a target of Urartian expansion from the start. The article outlines Argishti’s actions, including the evidence of violence discovered during recent excavation at Metsamor in Armenia, thus highlighting the dynamics and significance of Urartian expansionism. A contribution is also made to a study of the emergence and development of urban settlement in the Arax valley through an examination of surviving Urartian inscriptions.
The Iraqi Kurdistan heritage in the face of regional development: preservation of archaeological sites and damage assessment — first provisional report)
Authors: Mardas Joanna
Published: July 2018

The five-year Upper Greater Zab Archaeological Reconnaissance (UGZAR) project was initiated in 2012 as one of a number of survey projects in the Iraqi Kurdistan aimed at, among others, damage assessment of archaeological sites and new threats to the preservation of these sites, resulting from Iraqi Kurdistan’s recent rapid development. The database produced within the frame of the UGZAR project can be used in heritage management. The paper presents the project’s interim results and discusses the main factors endangering archaeological sites in Iraqi Kurdistan today.
Glass finds from Beit Ras (ancient Capitolias) in Jordan
Authors: Burdajewicz Mariusz
Published: July 2018

This paper discusses glass finds from the Polish excavations at Beit Ras, ancient Capitolias. During two seasons (2015–2016) of fieldwork a relatively large amount of glass fragments was unearthed in the two main excavated areas. The material is from contexts dated to the late Roman through early Islamic periods, spanning a time from the 4th to roughly the 8th century AD. The assemblage includes mainly tableware like bowls, plates, drinking vessels, and also a significant amount of raw-glass chunks. Apart from glass material coming from the excavated squares, a selection of items from the survey in 2014 completes the corpora of glass coming from the ancient settlement.