bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scalable Frequency Selective Surface with Stable Angles of Incidence on a Thin Flexible Substrate
Authors: Lee In-Gon , Hong Ic-Pyo
Published: September 2016

A band-stop scalable frequency selective surface (FSS) structure that provides stability for an angle of incidence and polarization is designed using the repetitive arrangement of a unit structure miniaturized on a thin dielectric substrate. The designed miniaturized FSS has a hexagonal unit cell of a minimum size of 0.081 λat 2.5 GHz in which a triangular loop is repeated. In addition to the frequency stability, the proposed structure reduces the design complexity that is the biggest shortcoming of the miniaturization techniques studied previously. A scalable FSS structure possessing stable frequency response characteristics over a wide band ranging from 2 to 8 GHz, which is achieved by the control of a single design variable, can be designed. For verification of the proposed structure, FSS structures that operate in the bands of 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, and 8.2 GHz have been designed and fabricated on a very thin substrate. It has been confirmed that the results of the measurement and simulation correspond well with each other. The designed structures also demonstrate high stability for both the polarized wave and the incidence angle of the incident wave.
Performance of GaN-Based LEDs with Nanopatterned Indium Tin Oxide Electrode
Authors: Chen Zhanxu , Liu Wenjie , Wan Wei , Chen Gengyan , Chen Yongzhu , Zhang Baijun , Jin Chongjun
Published: September 2016

The indium tin oxide (ITO) has been widely applied in light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the transparent current spreading layer. In this work, the performance of GaN-based blue light LEDs with nanopatterned ITO electrode is investigated. Periodic nanopillar ITO arrays are fabricated by inductive coupled plasma etching with the mask of polystyrene nanosphere. The light extraction efficiency (LEE) of LEDs can be improved by nanopatterned ITO ohmic contacts. The light output intensity of the fabricated LEDs with nanopatterned ITO electrode is 17% higher than that of the conventional LEDs at an injection current of 100 mA. Three-dimensional finite difference time domain simulation matches well with the experimental result. This method may serve as a practical approach to improving the LEE of the LEDs.
Improved Stabilization Criteria for Neutral Time-Delay Systems
Authors: Xiong Lianglin , Zhang Haiyang , Li Yongkun , Liu Zixin
Published: September 2016

This paper addresses the stabilization conditions for neutral systems with mixed time delays. By constructing a novel class of Lyapunov functionals which contains an augmented Lyapunov functional, using a new class of improved Jensen’s like inequalities, two improved delay-dependent stability criteria are firstly established. Next, state feedback controllers are designed according to the stability conditions in different cases. Finally, five numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the theoretical results.
PPARγas a Novel Therapeutic Target in Lung Cancer
Authors: Reddy Aravind T. , Lakshmi Sowmya P. , Reddy Raju C.
Published: September 2016

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death, with more than half the patients having advanced-stage disease at the time of initial diagnosis and thus facing a poor prognosis. This dire situation poses a need for new approaches in prevention and treatment. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Its involvement in adipocyte differentiation and glucose and lipid homeostasis is well-recognized, but accumulating evidence now suggests that PPARγmay also function as a tumor suppressor, inhibiting development of primary tumors and metastases in lung cancer and other malignancies. Besides having prodifferentiation, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic effects, PPARγagonists have been shown to prevent cancer cells from acquiring the migratory and invasive capabilities essential for successful metastasis. Angiogenesis and secretion of certain matrix metalloproteinases and extracellular matrix proteins within the tumor microenvironment are also regulated by PPARγ. This review of the current literature highlights the potential of PPARγagonists as novel therapeutic modalities in lung cancer, either as monotherapy or in combination with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy.
A New Distributed Approximation Algorithm for the Maximum Weight Independent Set Problem
Authors: Du Peng , Zhang Yuan
Published: September 2016

Maximum weight independent set (MWIS) is a combinatorial optimization problem that naturally arises in many applications especially wireless networking. This paper studies distributed approximation algorithms for finding MWIS in a general graph. In the proposed algorithm, each node keeps exchanging messages with neighbors in which each message contains partial solutions of the MWIS optimization program. A parameterHis introduced to achieve different tradeoff between approximation accuracy and space complexity. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed algorithm is guaranteed to converge to an approximate solution after finite iterations; specifically, the proposed algorithm is guaranteed to converge to the optimal solution withH=+∞. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed distributed algorithm in terms of weight sum, message size, and convergence performance.
Interdisciplinary Treatment of Intracranial Infectious Aneurysms
Authors: Hamisch Christina A. , Mpotsaris Anastasios , Timmer Marco , Reiner Michael , Stavrinou Pantelis , Brinker Gerrit , Goldbrunner Roland , Krischek Boris
Published: September 2016

Objective: Intracranial infectious aneurysms (IIAs) are a rare clinical entity without a definitive treatment guideline. In this study, we evaluate the treatment options of these lesions based on our own clinical experience and review the current knowledge of therapy as portrayed in the literature. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of all patients with an IIA and performed a systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE database. We undertook a comprehensive literature search using the OVID gateway of the MEDLINE database (1950-October 2015) using the following keywords (in combination): ‘infectious', ‘mycotic', ‘cerebral aneurysm', ‘intracranial aneurysm'. 1,721 potentially relevant abstracts were identified and 63 studies were selected for full review. The studies were analysed regarding ruptured versus unruptured aneurysms, aneurysm localization and treatment, as well as clinical and radiological outcome. Results: Our institutional series consisted of 6 patients (median age 57 [32-76]) treated between 2011 and 2015. All patients presented with ruptured IIAs located on the middle cerebral artery (MCA, 5 patients) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA, 1 patient). Five patients were treated by clipping and resecting the aneurysm, 1 patient underwent coiling. All patients received antibiotic therapy and 1 patient died. We further identified 814 patients (median age 35.5 [0-81]) in 63 studies. Locations of the aneurysms were mentioned in 55 studies. The most frequent locations of the aneurysms were: MCA (63.5%), posterior cerebral artery (14%), ACA (9.0%) and others (13.5%). Treatment for IIAs was described in 62 studies: antibiotic treatment (56.1%), a combination of antibiotics and surgery (20.9%) or antibiotics and endovascular treatment (23.0%). Outcome was mentioned in 82.4% of the patients with a mortality rate of 16.8%. An evaluation of treatment outcome was limited due to the heterogeneity of patients in the published case series. Conclusion: Antibiotic therapy of patients with IIA is mandatory. However, due to the complexity of the disease and its accompanying comorbidities, a general treatment algorithm could not be defined. Analogous to non-mycotic aneurysms, further treatment decisions require an interdisciplinary approach involving neurosurgeons, interventionists and infectious disease specialists.
The Association between Disproportionate Birth Weight to Placental Weight Ratio, Clinical Outcome, and Placental Histopathological Lesions
Authors: Ganer Herman Hadas , Miremberg Hadas , Schreiber Letizia , Bar Jacob , Kovo Michal
Published: September 2016

Introduction: High and low birth weight (BW) to placental weight (PW) ratios (BW/PW) have been proposed as markers of placental malfunction. We studied the association of clinical outcome and placental histopathology lesions with BW/PW ratios. Materials and Methods: During the period between 2008 and 2013, placentas from deliveries at gestational age (GA) ≥37 weeks, including both complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies, were sent for histopathology evaluation. Maternal and labor characteristics and pathological reports of the high BW/PW ratio group (>90th), normal BW/PW ratio group (10-90), and low BW/PW ratio group were compared (<10th). Results: The BW/PW ratio increased as GA increased, with an average GA of 39.4 ± 1.2 weeks in the normal BW/PW ratio group (p < 0.001). Patients with diabetes mellitus and smokers were more common in the low BW/PW ratio group (p < 0.001). Placental maternal stromal vascular lesions and villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) were more common in the high BW/PW ratio group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). By logistic regression analysis, GA, placental maternal stromal vascular lesions, and VUE were found to be independently associated with a high BW/PW ratio, while diabetes mellitus and smoking were independently associated with a low BW/PW ratio. Discussion: The BW/PW ratio increases significantly beyond 39th weeks, and is associated with an increased rate of placental maternal stromal vascular lesions and VUE.
Quality of Smartphone Apps Related to Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Penzenstadler Louise , Chatton Anne , Van Singer Mathias , Khazaal Yasser
Published: September 2016

Background: Apps for smartphones are opening an important range of opportunities for improving the care of people with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of English language apps for AUDs and to compare paid and free apps. The keywords ‘alcohol', ‘alcohol addiction', ‘alcohol help' and ‘stop drinking' were entered into the iTunes Store search engine. Apps were evaluated using a standardized assessment designed to rate the quality of apps in terms of accountability, interactivity, self-help score and evidence-based content. The Brief DISCERN score and the criteria of the ‘Health on the Net' label were also used as content quality indicators. Results and Conclusions: Of the 137 unique apps identified, 52 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the content quality and self-help scores of these AUD apps were poor. The main quality indicators were not linked to payment status. Multiple linear regressions showed that the Brief DISCERN score significantly predicted content quality. Poor content quality and self-help scores of AUD smartphone apps underline the gap between their potential promises and the overall quality of available products in stores. The quality indicators used in the present study may be used for further app developments.
A invisibilidade da pena: Dois Rios como imagem do paraíso
Authors: Santos Myrian Sepúlveda dos
Published: September 2016

Este artigo analisa o funcionamento da Colônia Agrícola do Distrito Federal, localizada na Vila Dois Rios, na Ilha Grande, nas décadas de 1940 e 1950. Em 1942, a Colônia Agrícola de Fernando de Noronha, onde estavam encarcerados presos políticos considerados perigosos à ordem pública, foi transferida para a Ilha Grande. Diferentemente das cenas de terror descritas por Graciliano Ramos na década anterior, os registros da época mostram uma mudança radical no funcionamento da prisão. Com base em um conjunto de entrevistas com antigos moradores da Vila Dois Rios, mas considerando também dados de arquivos, jornais e relatos biográficos de antigos presos políticos, este artigo analisa a invisibilidade do processo punitivo, bem como a relação entre cárcere e sociedade.
O espaço das práticas culturais: da construção do espaço social ao estudo dos subgrupos pela análise específica de classe
Authors: Lebaron Frédéric , Bonnet Philippe
Published: September 2016

Quais são as determinantes sociais das orientações culturais e, em particular, qual é o efeito da po-sição de classe sobre as diferenças observadas no universo das práticas culturais? O presente artigo revisita essa questão doravante clássica da sociologia da cultura e da sociologia da estratificação, a partir dos dados de uma pesquisa por questionário, realizada na França em 2003 (“Participação cultural e esportiva”). Mobilizando uma abordagem sistemática de análise geométrica dos dados, trata-se aqui de discutir empiricamente a importância do efeito de pertencimento de classe, tal como pode ser apreendida a partir de nomenclaturas socioprofissionais em diferentes níveis de agregação. Uma vez determinado o efeito do pertencimento de classe e avaliada sua importância de acordo com diversos critérios, estudaremos, em seguida, as variações sociais no interior de três grupos sociais em particular, a fim de mostrar que é possível interpretar sociologicamente a diversidade de práticas culturais no seio de diferentes categorias sociais, eventualmente em níveis ainda mais finos.
“Jovens de regiões desfavorecidas”: delinquência, conflito e radicalização islamita
Authors: Mauger Gérard
Published: September 2016

Para abordarmos sociologicamente a ancoragem da delinquência, das violências urbanas e da radicalização islamita numa fração de jovens de regiões desfavorecidas, estudamos inicialmente a crise de reprodução das classes populares associadas às transformações do mercado de trabalho, do sistema escolar, do espaço residencial e do enquadramento desses jovens de regiões desfavorecidas. Em seguida, estreitando o foco da observação, consideramos a sociogênese da cultura de rua (os legados do pobre com fracasso escolar, o investimento na cultura de rua e a não empregabilidade), para focalizar, enfim, o mundo dos bandos e o meio da delinquência profissional, as práticas de desordem e o ressurgimento de práticas religiosas.
The fall and rise of class analysis in British sociology, 1950-2016
Authors: Savage Mike
Published: September 2016

Este artigo considera a natureza mutável da análise de classes na Grã-Bretanha, focalizando três gerações e com particular interesse nas razões para o ressurgimento da análise de classes nos últi-mos quinze anos. Mostro como a abordagem “heroica” de classe na Grã-Bretanha, que foi muito forte entre os anos 1950 e 1975, precisava destacar o papel da classe trabalhadora como agentes da mudança social progressiva. Embora isso tenha sido uma força poderosa durante esse período, ela confinou a análise de classe a um momento histórico que já estava quase sendo eclipsado, dada a escala de desindustrialização na Grã-Bretanha durante tal período. Entre 1975 e 2000, a análise de classe perdeu força na Grã-Bretanha, pois a classe trabalhadora industrial, branca e masculina parecia muito menos significante na formação da sociedade britânica. O período mais recente, desde 2000, viu um notável ressurgimento da “análise de classe cultural”, fortemente associada à influência de Pierre Bourdieu, e na parte final deste artigo esbocei o seu apelo e o seu potencial para fortalecer o estudo de classe de forma mais ampla.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Matangrano Bruno Anselmi , Sasaki Leonardo De Barros , Araújo Joana Souto Guimarães
Published: September 2016

Editorial do 15º número.
FERNANDO PESSOA, CESÁRIO VERDE. SUAS CIDADES
Authors: Fernandes Geraldo Augusto
Published: September 2016

Não é desconhecido, se não a paixão, mas o culto da cidade, da vida urbana pré-moderna –  em Cesário Verde – e já modernista – em Fernando Pessoa. “Num bairro moderno”, Cesário Verde, ao pintar os “transparentes” que matizam não só as casas, a natureza à sua volta, mas também as pessoas, tem um súbito insight: “que visão de artista! / Se eu transformasse os simples vegetais (...)/ Num ser humano que se mova e exista...” Pessoa-Caeiro, em “O guardador de rebanhos”, parece oprimir-se “Na cidade [em que ] as grandes casas fecham a vista à chave, / Escondem o horizonte, empurram o nosso olhar para longe de todo o céu,  / Tornam-nos pequenos porque nos tiram o que os nossos olhos nos podem dar, / E tornam-nos pobres porque a nossa única riqueza é ver.” O clima que deixa Verde em seu poema – e, parece, naqueles todos em que a cidade é sua protagonista maior – é, sob seu olhar, só deslumbramento. Seria para Alberto Caeiro a cidade também deslumbramento ou seria onde nossos olhos são empurrados “para longe de todo o céu”? Pretendo, com esses dois poemas, estudar o olhar de Cesário e de Pessoa-Caeiro sobre a cidade.
TESTEMUNHO E FINGIMENTO: DUAS FORMAS DE ENTENDER A ESCRITA
Authors: Pinto Madalena Vaz
Published: September 2016

Em duas das poéticas mais marcantes do século XX português – poética do fingimento, de Fernando Pessoa e poética do testemunho, de Jorge de Sena, existe uma diferença na forma de conceber a linguagem: a linguagem como expressão ou a linguagem como criação e devir. No primeiro caso temos o significado precedendo o significante: é a escrita do sentido dado, apreendido. No segundo caso o significante constrói o significado: é a escrita como jogo e invenção. Como tentaremos mostrar, é a partir da análise atenta da poesia de Pessoa que Sena vai construindo a sua e é em oposição à teoria do fingimento que Sena formulará a poética do testemunho. Cabe dizer que Jorge de Sena foi um leitor atento de Pessoa e que faremos referência, em nosso texto, a alguns de seus estudos sobre o poeta, o que, por razões óbvias, não pode ser feito reciprocamente.
RESPINGOS DE "CHUVA OBLÍQUA" DE FERNANDO PESSOA EM "SUMÁRIO LÍRICO" DE FIAMA HASSE PAIS BRANDÃO
Authors: Steinberg Vivian
Published: September 2016

Fernando Pessoa compôs "Chuva oblíqua" como um poema-manifesto do que denominou de  "interseccionismo". Partindo do pressuposto que esse poema é uma arte poética, aproximaremos dele a leitura do poema "Sumário Lírico" de Fiama Hasse Pais Brandão, escrito em 1998. Enquanto em "Chuva oblíqua", as intersecções são possíveis cenários que convivem imaginariamente e que se interseccionam ou se justapõem, contrapondo o interior e o exterior do sujeito poético. As cenas se intercalam inclusive em relação ao tempo, ou seja, a memória e o sonho ajudam a compor e a recompor a paisagem. É uma poética que contribui e que paga tributo às artes visuais, principalmente ao cubismo. Em "Sumário Lírico", o sujeito poético se coloca atrás de uma vidraça da janela, há as camadas de realidade se interpondo: ao mesmo tempo, relacionam-se outros tempos, outros poetas e outros versos, marcando a intertextualidade presente na atualidade poética. O que torna possível a visibilidade de outras cenas é a transparência do vidro, material, assim como no poema de Pessoa, onde o real é descrito a partir da materialidade. A cena marítima marca o lugar onde encontra-se o sujeito, que está escrevendo, outra questão coincidente, além da presença da metalinguagem, que encontramos em ambas poéticas.
BERNARDO SOARES: DESASSOSSEGO E ETERNIDADE
Authors: Ferraria Ana
Published: September 2016

O Livro do Desassossego pode ser considerado como uma obra atípica de Fernando Pessoa, tanto pela magnitude, comparativamente anómala, de alusões textuais à prosa francesa, como pelo uso potencialmente formalista da linguagem. Pretende-se compreender a relação que Soares cria entre o plano da percepção (exterior) e o plano da emoção (interior), com o objectivo de escrutinar a singularidade do seu livro.
CAMPOS, SÁ-CARNEIRO E ALMADA: ORIENTALISMO NO PRIMEIRO NÚMERO DE ORPHEU
Authors: Braga Duarte Drumond
Published: September 2016

No primeiro número de Orpheu é possível encontrar três presenças bastante significativas do discurso orientalista, isto é, de uma tradição discursiva europeia de representação da alteridade “oriental”: «Opiário», de Álvaro de Campos; “Distante Melodia”, de Mário de Sá-Carneiro e «A Taça de Chá» de Almada Negreiros. Se o orientalismo é uma conhecida marca das estéticas finisseculares, importa contudo interpretar este fenómeno à luz do surto da estética modernista em Portugal. O presente ensaio procura fazer ver como, nos três casos, o que ocorre não é tanto a presença de uma herança finissecular, mas uma complexa desconstrução do discurso orientalista que poderia ser tomada como a principal característica de um Orientalismo Modernista Português.
“NA FLORESTA DO ALHEAMENTO” OU A DISSIMULAÇÃO DISCURSIVA DO SUJEITO LÍRICO SOBRE O FAZER POÉTICO
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Aparecida
Published: September 2016

Neste artigo pretendo demonstrar que, “Na floresta do alheamento” (1913), texto pertencente ao conjunto de produções homônimas do Livro do desassossego, Fernando Pessoa concretiza a ambição de uma prosa poética em cuja dimensão artística se realiza por um lirismo dialético de movimento centrípeto. Uma espécie de dissimulação discursiva do sujeito lírico sobre o fazer poético.
ÁLVARO DE CAMPOS E A POÉTICA DA EXISTÊNCIA.
Authors: Leopoldo e Silva Franklin
Published: September 2016

Trata-se de apontar alguns aspectos que permitam uma leitura de Álvaro de Campos como representação poética da Existência. Tanto na temática quanto nas formas de expressão seria possível encontrar na poesia de Campos a tentativa de recusar a representação essencialista da realidade, aquela que pretende chegar ao núcleo essencial a partir do qual as coisas se explicitariam. Existir, para as coisas, é apresentar-se como sensível; existir, para o sujeito, é apreender-se como sensação.  Neste sentido, pensar conceitualmente é trair a sensação, a totalidade difusa e infundamentada do real. Assim também, as palavras seriam, sobretudo,  obstáculo e obscurecimento,  sendo preciso atravessá-las para recuperar o mutismo primordial do sensível “pré-reflexivo”,  tarefa que angustia e desorienta o poeta. A partir dos comentários teóricos de Pessoa acerca do “sensacionismo”, presente também em outros heterônimos, se procura compreender a situação poética de Álvaro de Campos, encontrando em sua poética uma recusa do dualismo metafísico que, entretanto, desembocaria numa metafísica do fracasso.
MENSAGEM, DE PESSOA: UMA EPOPEIA DA MODERNIDADE
Authors: Quesado José Clécio Basílio
Published: September 2016

O presente trabalho objetiva mostrar a Mensagem, de Fernando Pessoa como manifestação do Modelo Épico Moderno que parte do vazio histórico do sonhado Quinto Império para o seu preenchimento com o mito do Encoberto. Para tanto, observa a sua articulação da temática da alteridade transcendente a partir de algumas ocorrências semânticas como naus, mares e o pronome outro com suas consequentes proposições messiânicas.  Na série literária, observa-se a articulação dialogal com o Modelo Épico Renascentista d’Os lusíadas, de Camões.
Recent Discoveries in the Field of Classical Archaeology in Georgia
Authors: Lordkipanidze Otar D
Published: September 2016

This article reviews the archaeological studies conducted in the 70s and 80s on the territory of modern Georgia (ancient Iberia and Colchis) for the period 8th-7th c B C to 4th c AD Archaeology has added considerably to our knowledge of the history and culture of ancient Colchis Systematic studies of the remains of ironworking show how the integration of mining in the uplands and metalfounding and agriculture in the coastal plain came to unite the area into a single economic (and then political) unit They also reveal the existence of mass production and an associated demographic boom in the 8th-7th c B C well before the period of Greek colonization in the area The Greeks arrived in an already densely settled coastal zone, long occupied and exploited by the local population Discoveries of large numbers of agricultural implements show the high level of intensive farming in the area Aerial surveys of the Rioni valley have revealed the structure of ancient Colchian settlements, with farms clustered around defended hegemon settlements and drained by complex canal systems

Archaeological studies in Iberia (E Georgia) have focused on towns and conform the descriptions of ancient authors like Strabo of Iberian cities as developed urban centres with complex systems of defence works, their own farming territories and developed artisan manufacture ( e g studies at Htskheta, Ozalisa, the palace complex at Doghlauri and the cave city at Uplistsikhe)
International Criminal Law and Legal Memories of Abolition: Intervention, Mixed Commission Courts and ‘Emancipation’
Authors: Haslam Emily
Published: September 2016

This article provides a critical reading of four cases that took place before nineteenth century Mixed Commissions on the Slave Trade at Sierra Leone. Mixed Commissions were early institutional sites where international law was confronted with multiple victims. Although they had the power to emancipate slaves, Mixed Commissions did not do so as a result of rights attributed to slaves as human beings. Rather the capacity of Mixed Commissions to emancipate depended upon the legality of the detention of the slave ship on which slaves were found. This legal link between emancipation and lawful intervention left slaves in a potentially precarious legal position. However, in two of the cases examined here the worst effects of this were avoided through slave resistance. This article aims to contribute to ongoing scholarly critiques of international criminal legal histories by interrogating how abolition has been remembered in international law.
The Karen and the Politics of Conversion
Authors: Mang Pum Za
Published: September 2016

The history this essay explores confirms the claim that a combination of political backdrop, social change, tribal religion, and cross-cultural appropriation of the gospel has positively contributed to religious conversion among the ethnic Karen in Burma from their primal religion to Christianity. This essay further contends that Christianity has protected the Karen from Burman coercion and assimilation, continued to differentiate them from the Burman, and will likely protect them from Burman aggression and absorption in the future, proving the historical truth that the fate and future of the Karen are tightly bound up with Christianity. It is also observed that the Karen would have been assimilated into the religion, culture, language, and ethnicity of the Burman had they refused to convert from their ancestral religion to Christianity.
The Language of Anti-Semitism in the Catholic Newspapers Il Veneto Cattolico/ La Difesa in Late Nineteenth-Century Venice
Authors: Wyrwa Ulrich
Published: September 2016

The dispute between social versus religious interpretations of anti-Semitism pervaded the whole history of scholarly research. Whereas socio-historical interpretations had underlined the social aspects, current studies on anti-Semitism focus on religious motifs. The thesis that anti-Semitism was a result of a religious conflict, however, is far more alleged than substantially proved by the sources. So it seems necessary to go back to the sources. Therefore this paper analyzes the language of the Venetian Catholic newspaper Il Veneto Cattolico/ La Difesa from the foundation of the newspaper in 1867 up to the First World War. Just a few years before the term anti-Semitism was coined, Catholic journalists of Venice had created the new semantic of secular anti-Semitism. They turned back to religious issues when they tried to systematize their anti-Jewish sentiments. Thus one can observe in the coverage of the Venetian Catholic journals the invention of an anti-Semitic tradition.
How Do Governors Build a Power Vertical in the Context of Mayoral Elections?
Authors: Panov Petr
Published: September 2016

Although the spread of direct mayoral elections was weakened during the 2000s, they have survived in many municipalities until the present time. In the context of Russia’s ‘power vertical’, regional authorities are strongly involved in local elections. As a rule, they have their own candidates and provide them with support during election campaigns. It is not surprising that most often the candidates of governors are incumbents. At the same time, there are many cases when a governor prefers not to support an incumbent. Based on data from Perm Krai, this article examines some competing explanations for the strategy employed by the Governor in mayoral elections. The analysis demonstrates that an incumbent’s ability to provide the party of power with the best elections results is the most important factor determining the support of the governor. The second significant factor is the resources of the candidate. The policy implementation qualities of an incumbent are also taken into account but they are the least important. These results are in line with the general logic of an ‘electoral authoritarian regime’ that requires the building of ‘electoral vertical’.
Regional Opposition in Russia: Aliens in a Hybrid Regime
Authors: Grishin Nikolai
Published: September 2016

This paper views the regional political opposition in Post-Soviet Russia as a specific phenomenon that contradicts the practices of the existing political regime and differs from the opposition at the national level. The Russian regional opposition is considered in the context of the heterogeneity of the political process at the federal and sub-national levels: it is a phenomenon that is more relevant to a democratic regime than a hybrid authoritarian polity. The article analyzes the methods used by the authorities to limit the abilities of the regional opposition. Due to institutional factors, the opportunities of the provincial opposition are restricted at all levels. Federal political parties are used as a means of suppressing the regional opposition. Nevertheless, the Russian regional opposition remains intact and it has the potential to disrupt the power vertical and the orderly system of the hybrid regime.
Why Crimea was Always Ours: Legitimacy Building in Russia in the Wake of the Crisis in Ukraine and the Annexation of Crimea
Authors: Leichtova Magdalena B.
Published: September 2016

The legitimacy-building process in the wake of the crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea is investigated in this paper. A comprehensive dataset of President Putin’s speeches was analyzed using qualitative text analysis in order to reveal the basic legitimizing arguments within the narrative. Four basic subject areas were identified in the dataset – history, identity, Ukrainian context, and the international context. These subjects are further analyzed in order to present the logic and development of the legitimacy building process presented by the Russian President to domestic and international audiences.
Transferring knowledge from human-demonstration trajectories to reinforcement learning
Authors: Wang Guo-fang , Fang Zhou , Li Ping , Li Bo
Published: September 2016

Nowadays, transfer learning (TL) has become a crucial technique to accelerate the slow optimization procedure of reinforcement learning (RL) by re-utilizing knowledge acquired in a previous related task. Nevertheless, most of the current relevant research acquires knowledge through RL training in the source task, which would be too time-consuming. In view of this situation, in this paper, we propose a novel TL framework where the agent extracts knowledge from human-demonstration trajectories of the source task and reuses the knowledge in RL in the target task. As for what to transfer, two forms of knowledge deduced from the demonstration trajectories, which are the k-nearest neighbour of the current state in source samples and visit frequency of homologous states, are adopted. For how to transfer, the two forms of knowledge are respectively used to recommend a preferred action when random exploration is needed and to shape an instantaneous reward for RL. Simulation experiments of balancing Cart-Poles with different difficulties suggest that both the two forms of knowledge accelerate the learning process of RL obviously. What is more, the effect is even more significant when they are used in combination. In this case, the experimental results manifest the positive role of our framework in RL.
Managing Working Capital by Strategic Choice
Authors: Singh Sampat P
Published: September 2016

Managing working capital effectively requires an understanding of the processes underlying the cash cycle.

Managers project and evaluate working capital needs using three different approaches — industry norms, economic model, and strategic choice.

Professor Sampat Singh illustrates the processes underlying working capital flow and discusses the problems in each of the three approaches to managing working capital. Some companies have shifted to using the strategic choice approach to gain competitive advantage.
Losing a Base of Power through Routinized Rewards
Authors: Singh R P , Pandey Janak
Published: September 2016

Do Indian organizations use fear of punishment rather than rewarding achievement of extraordinary results, initiative, and enterprise?

Have they so routinized employee rewards that they do not use this important instrument for influencing organizational behaviour and processes? Does this organizational choice of the bases of power emanate from our societal value system?

Based on a questionnaire study of 250 employees of a large electronic equipment manufacturing public undertaking, Professors R P Singh and Janak Pandey raise these questions for our examination.
Return to Equity, Financial Structure, and Risk Contracting in Infrastructure Projects
Authors: Sinha Sidharth
Published: September 2016

Infrastructure projects, with private participation, worth several hundred billions of dollars, using some form of ‘project finance’ are under consideration in many emerging markets. These projects are made bankable by extensive risk contracting. One stumbling block in finalizing these projects is the question of appropriate return to equity investment.

This paper by Sidharth Sinha discusses the relationship between risk contracting arrangements and the return to equity and financial structure. The main conclusion that emerges is the need for competitive bidding in the absence of an equity market for ‘infrastructure type projects.’ Governments can help reduce the risk and required return on equity investment by creating the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for reducing delays and uncertainties in finalizing and implementing these projects.
Intra-firm Allocation of Organizational Effort: Inter-firm Variations in Indian Industry
Authors: Rameshan P , Trivedi M L
Published: September 2016

The degree of organizational efficiency of a firm is a crucial determinant of its business success. But, organizational efficiency itself is dependent on the level and effectiveness of the organizational effort spent by the firms.

This paper by Rameshan and Trivedi, therefore, attempts to examine the inter-firm variations in the intra-firm allocation of organizational effort. It also focuses on the effectiveness of the effort allocated to different areas of action which is required to tackle the scores of inefficiency elements prevailing in the firms.
Restructuring of Corporate India: The Emerging Scenario
Authors: Venkiteswaran N.
Published: September 2016

Corporate India has been steadily restructuring itself through mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other means as it repositions itself in the post-liberaliza tion environment. While examining the restructuring trends, N Venkiteswaran asserts that the restructuring phenomenon is set to gather pace in the coming months.
Impact of Value-Added Tax on the Capital Structure and Profitability of Premier Breweries Plc, Nigeria
Authors: Arene C.J. , Ndomadu S.O.
Published: September 2016

What is the effect of value-added tax (VAT) on the capital structure and profitability of a firm? Based on the study of Premier Breweries Plc in Anambra State of Nigeria which manufactures beer, this paper by C.J. Arene and S.O. Ndomadu concludes that imposition of VAT has resulted in reduction in consumption as well as. sales volume leading to reduction in production capacity and net profit margin of the company.
Underpricing in Initial Public Offerings: The Indian Evidence
Authors: Madhusoodanan T P , Thiripalraju M
Published: September 2016

Underpricing in the initial public offerings (IPOs) is a well documented phenomenon in the stock markets. In this paper T P Madhusoodanan and M Thiripalraju analyse the Indian IPO market for the short-term as well as long-term underpricing. They also examine the impact of the issue size on the extent of underpricing in these offerings and the performance of the merchant bankers in pricing these issues. The study indicates that, in general, the underpricing in the Indian IPOs in the shortrun was higher than the experiences of other countries. In the long-run too, Indian offerings have given high returns compared to negative returns reported from other countries. The study also reveals that none of the merchant bankers showed any better pricing capabilities.
Indirect Tax Reforms in the Indian Economy
Authors: Rustagi T.R.
Published: September 2016

Several expert committees have examined India's indirect tax structure in the past and made valuable recommendations. More recently, the Tax Reform Committee (Chelliah Committee) laid down the agenda for gradual reduction in tariffs and rationalization of customs and excise duty structures. On this basis, significant progress has been made since 1992. Tariffs have been brought down from a peak rate of over 300 to 40 per cent with a view to bring down costs and make the Indian industry more competitive. Excise duty rates have been significantly reduced, procedures simplified, and exemptions pruned. Yet, according to Rustagi⁄ the excise system is far away from modernity. While he agrees that whatever has been done so far is no mean achivement, more needs to be done.
Indian Management Research
Authors: Sarkar Mitali
Published: September 2016

This section features abstracts of articles covering empirical studies, experiences, ideas, and theories published in Indian and international journals. Sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, this service is intended to facilitate Indian management research.

Authors desirous of having their publications considered for inclusion in this feature may please send reprints of their articles to Vikalpa Editorial Office.
Optimization of dye adsorption using Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated with alginate beads by Taguchi method
Authors: Rezaei Heydar , Haghshenasfard Masoud , Moheb Ahmad
Published: September 2016

Adsorption of methylene blue from synthetic wastewater using Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated with alginate beads is carried out. The adsorption experiments were conducted in a continuous column equipped with an external magnetic field. The effects of important factors such as initial dye concentration, dose of Fe3O4 in beads, adsorption time, and intensity of magnetic field on the Methylene blue (MB) adsorption have been studied experimentally. The Taguchi method is applied for optimization of operating conditions in dye adsorption onto the magnetic alginate beads. The variance analysis showed that the adsorption time is most effective factors by higher contribution percent in dye adsorption. The optimum conditions are achieved as 20 mg l−1 dye concentration, 1 Gy dose of Fe3O4 in beads, 60 min of adsorption time, and 440 G of magnetic field intensity. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed using isotherm models and results revealed that the experimental data are in agreement with Freundlich isotherm model and the kinetic analyses showed that the adsorption kinetics was described accurately by pseudo-first-order model.
Biopsy-proven kidney diseases in the elderly: clinical characteristics, renal histopathological spectrum and prognostic factors
Authors: Chen Yue , Li Ping , Cui Chunli , Yuan Aihong , Zhang Kun , Yu Chen
Published: September 2016

Objective

To explore the clinical characteristics, renal histopathological spectrum and prognostic factors of biopsy-proven kidney diseases in the elderly.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted in elderly patients who had received renal biopsies. Demographic, clinical and pathological data at the time of the biopsy were collected from the medical records. Follow-up records and prognostic factors were studied.

Results

The elderly (≥60 years) accounted for 74 of 434 (17.1%) native renal biopsies that were performed in a 9-year period. In the cohort of included elderly patients ( n = 72), the prevalence of nephrotic syndrome and acute kidney injury was 62.5% (45 of 72) and 40.3% (29 of 72), respectively. For elderly patients with primary glomerular diseases ( n = 44), membranous nephropathy was the most frequent pathological type (24 of 44; 54.5%). For elderly patients with secondary glomerular diseases ( n = 25), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis was the most frequent aetiology (nine of 25; 36.0%). Requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis.

Conclusions

Kidney diseases in the elderly have distinctive characteristics. Requirement for RRT was associated with poor prognosis in the elderly with biopsy-proven kidney diseases.
Crowdsourced surveillance and networked data
Authors: Lally Nick
Published: September 2016

Possibilities for crowdsourced surveillance have expanded in recent years as data uploaded to social networks can be mined, distributed, assembled, mapped, and analyzed by anyone with an uncensored internet connection. These data points are necessarily fragmented and partial, open to interpretation, and rely on algorithms for retrieval and sorting. Yet despite these limitations, they have been used to produce complex representations of space, subjects, and power relations as internet users attempt to reconstruct and investigate events while they are developing. In this article, I consider one case of crowdsourced surveillance that emerged following the detonation of two bombs at the 2013 Boston Marathon. I focus on the actions of a particular forum on reddit.com , which would exert a significant influence on the events as they unfolded. The study describes how algorithmic affordances, internet cultures, surveillance imaginaries, and visual epistemologies contributed to the structuring of thought, action, and subjectivity in the moment of the event. I use this case study as a way to examine moments of entangled political complicity and resistance, highlighting the ways in which particular surveillance practices are deployed and feed back into the event amid its unfolding.
Development of a wireless pilot arm–wearable haptic interface for unmanned aerial vehicle wing deflection sensing
Authors: Hong Seung Chan , Lee Jung Ryul , Park Chan Yik
Published: September 2016

When the flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled by a ground pilot, a wing deflection monitoring is required to avoid overload wing structural failures. Therefore, integrated structural health monitoring technologies are being developed to transfer such information to the pilot. In general, this information can be monitored visually by the ground pilot. In this study, a haptic interface enables human–machine communication through tactile sense and provides synchronized information exchange between a pilot and an unmanned aerial vehicle. In other words, we propose not a vision interface but a haptic interface to transfer the wing deflection information to the ground pilot; this interface is named “Fly-by-haptic,” which is beneficial because the vision of the ground pilot is already performing multiple tasks. For a proof of concept, four integrated fiber Bragg grating sensors were installed on a half wing specimen to measure dynamic strains. The wing deflection information was estimated by the displacement–strain transformation matrix. The wing deflection information was wirelessly transferred to actuate vibro-haptic motors installed in a pilot arm–wearable haptic interface. Finally, a human test was performed using the developed haptic interface; the test results determined that the 15 participants, who are novices, showed 100% accuracy for wing deflection.
Liquid love? Dating apps, sex, relationships and the digital transformation of intimacy
Authors: Hobbs Mitchell , Owen Stephen , Gerber Livia
Published: September 2016

In Liquid Love Zygmunt Bauman argued that the solidity and security once provided by life-long partnerships has been ‘liquefied’ by rampant individualisation and technological change. He believes internet dating is symptomatic of social and technological change that transforms modern courtship into a type of commodified game. This article explores the experiences of users of digital dating and hook-up applications (or ‘apps’) in order to assess the extent to which a digital transformation of intimacy might be under way. It examines the different affordances provided by dating apps, and whether users feel the technology has influenced their sexual practices and views on long-term relationships, monogamy and other romantic ideals. This study shows that dating apps are intermediaries through which individuals engage in strategic performances in pursuit of love, sex and intimacy. Ultimately, this article contends that some accounts of dating apps and modern romantic practices are too pessimistic, and downplay the positives of ‘networked intimacy’.
“The cuts, they trimmed the people” – School children, precarity and European citizenship
Authors: Richardson Mary
Published: September 2016

Recently, the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (2012) have funded programmes designed to advance European citizenship and citizen competences through education. This paper reports on the findings from one project, Creative Connections, designed to encourage the “voices” of young people in exploring European identities.

Children (aged 9–16) in 25 schools in six European Union (EU) countries (UK, Finland, Spain, Czech Republic, Portugal and Ireland) developed artworks that explored perceptions of European citizenship. Their art was posted on a secure website and they discussed images with peers using automatic online translated blogs. The project facilitated representations of identity/belonging using a range of media. However, some artworks suggested that children were alienated from “Europe”, particularly EU responses to global austerity. This paper uses the theory of precarity to examine the ways in which the children expressed their concerns.

Some artworks suggest that recent economic and political decisions have had the effect of challenging a sense of shared European citizenship; they resist a positive sense of identification with Europe and demonstrate fear for their future based on their current lives. This indicates that the EU’s educational goals to promote citizenship competences may require revision to account for the challenges of contemporary societies.
A module-based simulation framework to facilitate the modeling of Quantum Key Distribution system post-processing functionalities
Authors: Engle Ryan D , Hodson Douglas D , Mailloux Logan O , Grimaila Michael R , McLaughlin Colin V , Baumgartner Gerald
Published: September 2016

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems are a novel technology that exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to generate and distribute unconditionally secure cryptographic keys between two geographically separated parties. They are suitable for use in applications where high levels of secrecy are required, such as banking, government, and military environments. In this paper, we describe the development of a module-based QKD simulation framework that facilitates the modeling of QKD post-processing functionalities. We highlight design choices made to improve upon an initial design, which included the segmentation of functionalities associated with various phases of QKD post-processing into discrete modules implementing abstract interfaces. In addition, communication between modules was improved by implementing observers to share data, and a specific strategy for dealing with post-processing synchronization and configuration activities was designed. Collectively, these improvements resulted in a significantly enhanced analysis capability to model and study the security and performance characteristics associated with specific QKD system designs.