bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wound drains in non-complex lumbar surgery
Authors: Zijlmans J. L. , Buis D. R. , Verbaan D. , Vandertop W. P.
Published: June 2016

Aims

Our aim was to perform a systematic review of the literature to assess the incidence of post-operative epidural haematomas and wound infections after one-, or two-level, non-complex, lumbar surgery for degenerative disease in patients with, or without post-operative wound drainage.

Patients and Methods

Studies were identified from PubMed and EMBASE, up to and including 27 August 2015, for papers describing one- or two-level lumbar discectomy and/or laminectomy for degenerative disease in adults which reported any form of subcutaneous or subfascial drainage.

Results

Eight papers describing 1333 patients were included. Clinically relevant post-operative epidural haematomas occurred in two (0.15%), and wound infections in ten (0.75%) patients. Epidural haematomas occurred in two (0.47%) patients who had wound drainage (n = 423) and in none of those without wound drainage (n = 910). Wound infections occurred in two (0.47%) patients with wound drainage and in eight (0.88%) patients without wound drainage.

Conclusion

These data suggest that the routine use of a wound drain in non-complex lumbar surgery does not prevent post-operative epidural haematomas and that the absence of a drain does not lead to a significant change in the incidence of wound infection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:984–9.
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using a trabecular metal glenoid base plate
Authors: Theivendran K. , Varghese M. , Large R. , Bateman M. , Morgan M. , Tambe A. , Espag M. , Cresswell T. , Clark D. I.
Published: June 2016

Aim

We present the medium-term clinical results of a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with a trabecular metal glenoid base plate.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed 125 consecutive primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasties (RTSA) implanted in 124 patients for rotator cuff arthropathy. There were 100 women and 24 men in the study group with a mean age of 76 years (58 to 89). The mean follow-up was 32 months (24 to 60). No patient was lost to follow-up.

There were statistically significant improvements in the mean range of movement and Oxford Shoulder Score (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survivorship at five years was 96.7% (95% confidence interval 91.5 to 98.7) with aseptic glenoid failure as the end point. Radiologically, 63 shoulders (50.4%) showed no evidence of notching, 51 (40.8%) had grade 1 notching, ten (8.0%) had grade 2 notching and one (0.8%) had grade 4 notching. Radiolucency around the glenoid base plate was found in one patient (0.8%) and around the humeral stem in five (4.0%). In all, three RTSA (2.4%) underwent revision surgery for aseptic mechanical failure of the glenoid within 11 months of surgery due to malseating of the glenosphere.

Conclusion

The clinical results of this large independent single unit series are comparable to those from previous series of RTSA reported in the literature. A trabecular metal base plate is safe and effective in the medium-term. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:969–75.
Knotless anchors with sutures external to the anchor body may be at risk for suture cutting through osteopenic bone
Authors: Ono Y. , Woodmass J. M. , Nelson A. A. , Boorman R. S. , Thornton G. M. , Lo I. K. Y.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

This study evaluated the mechanical performance, under low-load cyclic loading, of two different knotless suture anchor designs: sutures completely internal to the anchor body (SpeedScrew) and sutures external to the anchor body and adjacent to bone (MultiFIX P).

Methods

Using standard suture loops pulled in-line with the rotator cuff (approximately 60°), anchors were tested in cadaveric bone and foam blocks representing normal to osteopenic bone. Mechanical testing included preloading to 10 N and cyclic loading for 500 cycles from 10 N to 60 N at 60 mm/min. The parameters evaluated were initial displacement, cyclic displacement and number of cycles and load at 3 mm displacement relative to preload. Video recording throughout testing documented the predominant source of suture displacement and the distance of ‘suture cutting through bone’.

Results

In cadaveric bone and foam blocks, MultiFIX P anchors had significantly greater initial displacement, and lower number of cycles and lower load at 3 mm displacement than SpeedScrew anchors. Video analysis revealed ‘suture cutting through bone’ as the predominant source of suture displacement in cadaveric bone (qualitative) and greater ‘suture cutting through bone’ comparing MultiFIX P with SpeedScrew anchors in foam blocks (quantitative). The greater suture displacement in MultiFIX P anchors was predominantly from suture cutting through bone, which was enhanced in an osteopenic bone model.

Conclusions

Anchors with sutures external to the anchor body are at risk for suture cutting through bone since the suture eyelet is at the distal tip of the implant and the suture directly abrades against the bone edge during cyclic loading. Suture cutting through bone may be a significant source of fixation failure, particularly in osteopenic bone. Cite this article: Y. Ono, J. M. Woodmass, A. A. Nelson, R. S. Boorman, G. M. Thornton, I. K. Y. Lo. Knotless anchors with sutures external to the anchor body may be at risk for suture cutting through osteopenic bone. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:269–275. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.56.2000535.
Using Omeka and Neatline to Facilitate Student Research in a Core Literature Class
Authors: Saunders Catherine E.
Published: June 2016

This poster/demonstration session illustrates how the digital humanities publishing platform Omeka and its Neatline plugin can be used to guide students in a general education class through the process of conducting and reporting on a modest amount of original document-based research. The presentation centers around an Omeka/Neatline site created by students in an ENGH 202 (Texts and Contexts) section titled, "American Women's Bestsellers: Digital Humanities Perspectives." Students identified significant places in the novels they read, located primary sources that shed light on contemporary cultural associations with those places, created Omeka items based on the sources, and wrote item and exhibit text that explores the meaning of the place in the novel and in the culture from which the novel arose. The unfamiliar experience of using digital humanities tools encourages students to approach literary analysis from a fresh perspective, while Omeka's insistence on careful documentation of sources and Neatline's built-in geographic structure facilitate analysis that connects the course's twin themes: historical/cultural context and place. Participants will have the chance to interact with the Omeka site, which includes both student-created projects and instructor-created course materials.Student projects are available online at http://202s15.cesaunders.net/ and the course materials (which may be reused/adapted/remixed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license) are posted at http://202s15.cesaunders.net/cmtls.
Outside of the Classroom: How to Show a Great Film at Mason!
Authors: Jenemann Laura , Petin Mika'il
Published: June 2016

Screening films outside of the traditional classroom setting is a useful supplement to what an instructor may cover in their courses. Also, public viewings create a better sense of community at George Mason University. However, knowing where to begin and what steps to take to organize a screening might seem confusing and expensive. In this poster session, Laura and Mika'il will show you both how to find films and how to organize a screening. This is a useful how-to for Mason community members, whether they are faculty, involved in student organizations, or just plain cinephiles. The presenters will provide an overview of how to begin the process with brainstorming, where to look for film titles, why university copyright policies must be upheld, how to estimate potential costs, who to contact for co-sponsorship, and what offices might provide assistance.
Helping Students Develop Global Understanding through Situated Learning: A Religion Course Example
Authors: Bond Susan , Campbell Susan
Published: June 2016

The first online course produced and taught in Mason's Department of Religious Studies, "The Human Religious Experience," applies the situated learning approach where students "co-construct knowledge" through a 'social process' (Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, 1991) to meet the Mason Core "global understanding" requirement.The course covers the beliefs, practices, festivals, and history of the major world religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. Several instructional strategies (e.g., online discussions, field trips) are used to allow students to experience other cultures and their religious practices.Student interaction is a large component of the course with discussion prompts carefully crafted around real-life situations to engage students in high-order thinking. Some of the discussions evolve around videos where guests representing different religions (selected by the faculty member) talk about religion and culture from their perspectives.Field trips to places of worship, interviewing congregants or religious leaders, and exchanging and discussing reports of these experiences are other examples of applications of situated learning.By the end of the course, students are able to articulate their own worldview (religious or otherwise) based on their own culture and backgrounds and their experiences in the course.
Development of an Interactive Human Body Digital Reusable Learning Object (RLO) to Provide Whole Body Systems-Based Learning in Vitamins and Minerals
Authors: Gallo Sina , Good Deborah J. , Akers Jeremy , Walz Anita , Baab Lujean
Published: June 2016

University teaching and learning of vitamins and minerals has been limited to a nutrient by nutrient approach. However, most vitamins and minerals play extensive roles in and interact with multiple body systems. Researchers from Virginia Tech, James Madison, and George Mason Universities are developing a Reusable Learning Object (RLO) for the study of micronutrients needed by the skeletal system. The RLO will be a freely accessible platform and be designed as a layered human body to highlight different micronutrient actions in target systems. Links to scientific research articles, government Dietary Reference Intakes, and other web-based factual information will be provided. Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in vitamins and minerals courses across the three institutions will serve as the control group (no exposure to RLO) in 2014 and treatment group (exposure to RLO) in 2015. This presentation will address the design of the RLO and provide results from year one regarding type of student learners as well as interest and perceived utility of digital objects. As the RLO can be applied to teach various concepts, this session will be of interest to faculty across the university, particularly science instructors and those who teach online courses.
Looking to the future
Authors: Marx Clare
Published: June 2016

The RCS sets out its four-year plan.
from Westminster
Authors: Leahy Patrick
Published: June 2016

It’s never-ending winter in NHS Narnia
What if… a superbug stopped all open surgery indefinitely?
Authors: Goodchild Sophie
Published: June 2016

Sophie Goodchild suggests that everything from life-saving transplants to Caesareans to routine hip replacements could simply become too risky in the face of a new bacterial nightmare.
The ethics of facial transplantation
Authors: Winter George F
Published: June 2016

George F Winter looks at the potential ethical pitfalls should facial transplants become a common feature of our beauty-fixated society.
New specialties
Authors: Dean Erin
Published: June 2016

Is breast surgery set to overtake vascular as the newest surgical specialty? Erin Dean investigates.
Transition to a major trauma centre
Authors: Sinha I , Gupte CM , Bhattacharya R
Published: June 2016

Challenges experienced in the first year of a north-west London MTC.
Needle phobia
Authors: Wheeler Robert
Published: June 2016

Each month we take a close look at a recent legal case with implications for the surgical profession.
Realising the benefits of the extended surgical team
Authors: Williams Sally
Published: June 2016

A look at how policy gets formed at the RCS and other institutions.
Treasures from the Collections
Authors: O’Driscoll Geraldine
Published: June 2016

Papers of the National Anti-Vaccination League
La localización de la clase creativa en ciudades turísticas. Un análisis a escala local del sistema urbano mediterráneo español
Authors: González Reverté Francesc , Romero Padilla Yolanda , Muro Morales Ignacio , Navarro Jurado Enrique , Gomis López Joan Miquel
Published: June 2016

La tendencia a la concentración de flujos económicos y humanos en las principales aglomeraciones ha generado unos polos de atracción global en detrimento de las opciones de desarrollo del resto de territorios. Sin embargo la recomposición territorial está siendo más compleja y afecta también al territorio no metropolitano. La introducción de elementos de creatividad en las economías urbanas es un ejemplo de la relativa dispersión territorial de nuevas actividades productivas. La localización de actividades económicas creativas ha sido analizada para el caso de ciudades medias, periferias urbanas y espacios rurales, pero no para el de ciudades turísticas.El objetivo del trabajo es analizar, a escala local y partiendo del cálculo de un índice sintético de creatividad, el comportamiento de dicho índice y en qué medida la clase creativa se localiza en los destinos turísticos del mediterráneo español y las Islas Canarias en comparación con otros tipos de ciudades y entre ciudades turísticas según su especialización productiva. Los resultados obtenidos permiten formular la hipótesis sobre cómo contribuyen los espacios turísticos a la reorganización productiva del territorio y valorar sus posibilidades de competitividad basadas en la mejora de la tolerancia, la innovación y el emprendimiento, proporcionando oportunidades de desarrollo más integrales y diversificadas en el momento de crisis actual.
La revalorización turística del patrimonio judío en España. Sus barrios y su vino
Authors: Prat Forga Josep Maria , Cànoves Valiente Gemma
Published: June 2016

Las comunidades judías tuvieron una importante presencia en la Península Ibérica, especialmente en la Edad Media. En la actualidad, ante las nuevas motivaciones y expectativas de los turistas, el turismo cultural está en auge, sobretodo en los territorios de interior. Por ello, desde la Red de Juderías de España se han diseñado unos productos turísticos que, por una parte, permiten conocer los barrios judíos de 24 ciudades, así como sus principales monumentos, su historia y su cultura. Por la otra, se pueden visitar las bodegas donde se elabora y comercializa el vino siguiendo el método Kosher. En este artículo se estudian cuáles son los factores que más inciden en la satisfacción de los turistas al hacer estas dobles visitas a partir del análisis de una serie de entrevistas personales realizadas.
El cambio cultural y los museos: reflexiones a partir del Instituto Inhotim de Arte Contemporáneo
Authors: Faria Diomira Maria Cicci Pinto , Monte-Mór Roberto Luís de Melo
Published: June 2016

A finales del siglo pasado y principios del siglo XXI el número de instituciones culturales se ha incrementado singularmente. Países como Japón, Reino Unido y también Brasil son acometidos con nuevos museos a un ritmo singular. Este texto es un intento de comprensión de los factores que influenciaron el fortalecimiento de la cultura en las últimas décadas, dentro de un contexto en que el discurso de la postmodernidad se ha presentado como importante herramienta de análisis. Entrevistas realizadas con visitantes de un museo de arte en Brasil han señalado que la existencia de museos en nuevos formatos está en conformidad con las expectativas de una sociedad contemporánea donde las personas buscan vivir nuevas experiencias, valoran las sensaciones y desean disfrutar cada momento.
Teoria Geral dos Sistemas e Turismo: reflexão e trajetória
Authors: Velasquez Guilherme Garcia , Oliveira Josildete Pereira
Published: June 2016

Também conhecida por inúmeras outras denominações, como sistemismo e abordagem sistêmica, a Teoria Geral dos Sistemas, proposta pelo austríaco e biólogo, Ludwig Von Bertalanffy, teve sua construção entre os anos 20 e 30, embora tenha apenas sido publicada e veiculada somente anos mais tarde. Importante ressaltar que seu maior propósito foi o de colocar fim no cartesianismo que permeava a ciência da época, na tentativa de demonstrar que algumas realidades careciam de análises mais holísticas e subjetivas. Assim, o presente trabalho possui como seu maior objetivo, o interesse em apresentar o postulado de referida teoria e, da mesma maneira, refletir acerca de suas proposições, demonstrando como fora aceita pelas inúmeras áreas do conhecimento e, por conseqüência, pelos estudos do Turismo. Especificamente, toda a discussão do artigo busca apresentá-la como método pertinente para a análise da atividade turística, dada sua complexidade. Para tanto, para a consecução do estudo, utilizou-se basicamente de análise bibliográfica relacionada à temática, tanto em sua forma geral como específica às discussões do turismo, já que não foi interesse do mesmo se aprofundar no que concerne à sua aplicabilidade. Como resultados gerados a partir das reflexões, tem-se que mesmo não sendo utilizada como método fim de análise, não se pode omitir o fato de que a Teoria Geral dos Sistemas pode servir de base para outras técnicas de análise, da mesma maneira que os estudos, embora avancem, parecem não acompanhar o próprio dinamismo da atividade.
Reverse Jensen’s type Trace Inequalities for Convex Functions of Selfadjoint Operators in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Dragomir Sever S.
Published: June 2016

Some reverse Jensen’s type trace inequalities for convex functions of selfadjoint operators in Hilbert spaces are provided. Applications for some convex functions of interest and reverses of Hölder and Schwarz trace inequalities are also given.
Prohexadione-Ca and coper effect on growth and acumulation of endogenous polyamines in pea plants
Authors: Sergiev Iskren , Todorova Dessislava , Brankova Liliana , Alexieva Vera
Published: June 2016

The effect of retardant Prohexadione-Ca (BAS 125 10W, BASF Corp., Germany) and heavy metal copper on growth and endogenous concentrations of free and conjugated putrescine, spermidine and spermine in roots and leaves of pea plants were investigated. It was found that the polyamine concentrations increased seven days after the treatments. Most considerable increase of polyamines was detected in plants treated with copper and Prohexadione-Ca. The variations in polyamine concentrations in leaves and roots of pea plants suggest that Prohexadione-Ca had a protective effect against Cu stress of pea plants, which was expressed by additional accumulation of polyamines.
Variation in the content of total phenolics, anthocyanins and antimicrobial effects in two fractions of blueberries different cultivars
Authors: Ložienė Kristina , Labokas Juozas , Paškevičius Algimantas , Levinskaitė Loreta , Venskutonis Petras Rimantas , Švedienė Jurgita , Abrutienė Giedrė
Published: June 2016

Two fractions (pomace and juice) of blueberries of seven commercial cultivars growing in the same plantation were analysed for the content of total phenolics (TPC), total anthocyanins (TAC) and effects on food pathogens over different harvesting years. TPC in pomace did not differ significantly between years only in ‘Gretha’ and ‘Northblue’ cultivars; they accumulated stable content of phenolics. The variation in TAC in pomace across seasons was 2–5 times higher than that in TPC. The variations in TPC and TAC in juice across harvesting years were lower than in pomace, but both TPC and TAC in this fraction also differed significantly (p < 0.05) between years in all studied cultivars. The activity of juice and pomace of cultivars against food pathogens was mostly stable and did not show significant differences between harvesting years; the significant correlations were not established between antimicrobial activity of both berries fractions and TPC and TAC in all investigated cultivars. Bacteria were the most susceptible to blueberry juice with Micrococcus spp., Bacillus macerans and Escherichia coli being the most sensitive species. The evaluation of antifungal effect shows that only P. chrysogenum was sensitive to the juice of blueberries, while Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sphaerosphermum and Penicillium chrysogenum showed resistance to the tested blueberries juice and pomace extracts.
Collection of pure cultures of algae and cyanobacteria for research, teaching and biotechnological applications (Nature Research Centre, Lithuania)
Authors: Koreivienė Judita , Kasperovičienė Jūratė , Savadova Ksenija , Karosienė Jūratė , Vitonytė Irma
Published: June 2016

The collection of pure cultures of algae and cyanobacteria deposited at the Nature Research Centre is a unique and diverse culture collection in Lithuania. It was initiated on the basis of a few national projects in 2010 as an outcome of ecological and molecular studies on invasive and harmful bloom-forming algae and cyanobacteria. To date, the collection holds more than 500 strains, which belong to ten classes, over 70 genera and 140 species. Strains were isolated from Lithuanian freshwaters and the Curonian Lagoon. The collection serves for various research topics including species interactions, molecular analysis, biotechnology (remediation of wastewaters, cell wall disruption, high- and low-value bioproducts), as well as for teaching purposes.
Functional polymorphism of lncRNA MALAT1 contributes to pulmonary arterial hypertension susceptibility in Chinese people
Authors: Zhuo Yufeng , Zeng Qingchun , Zhang Peng , Li Guoyang , Xie Qiang , Cheng Ying
Published: June 2016

Background:

The long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gradually been reported to be an important class of RNAs with pivotal roles in regulation of gene expression, and thus are involved in multitudinous human complex diseases. However, the biological functions and precise mechanisms of the majority of lncRNAs are still poorly understood.

Methods:

In the study, we tested genomic variations in lncRNA-metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) loci, and their potentially functional correlationship with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) susceptibility based on a case-control study with a total of 587 PAH patients and 736 healthy controls in southern Chinese.

Results:

We found that the rs619586A>G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was significantly associated with PAH risk. The carriers with G variant genotypes had a decreased risk of PAH (odds ratio [OR]=0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.53–0.90, p=0.007) compared to the rs619586AA genotype. Further functional experiments indicated that the alteration from rs619586A to G in MALAT1 could directly upregulate X box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) expression via functioning as the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-214, and consequentially inhibiting the vascular endothelial cells proliferation and migration in vitro by shortening S-M phase transition.

Conclusions:

Taken together, our findings propose that functional polymorphism rs619586A>G in MALAT1 gene plays an important role in PAH pathogenesis and may serve as a potential indicator for PAH susceptibility.
Influence of pneumatic tube system transport on routinely assessed and spectrophotometric cerebrospinal fluid parameters
Authors: Broz Pavel , Rajdl Daniel , Racek Jaroslav , Zenkova Jana , Petrikova Vlasta
Published: June 2016

Background:

Pneumatic tube systems (PTS) are widely used in many hospitals. Using PTS reduces turnaround time (TAT) and can improve patients’ outcome.

Methods:

We investigated whether clinically significant differences could be observed in CSF samples transported by pneumatic tube in comparison with samples transported by hand. Two aliquots from one sample were sent by PTS and by hand from the department of neurology or neurosurgery and compared.

Results:

Routine cytological and biochemical assessment was compared in 27 cases. There were no statistically significant changes (transport by hand vs. PTS) in glucose levels [data are expressed as median (minimum–maximum)] at 3.7 (2.5–8.6) mmol/L vs. 3.6 (2.7–8.6) mmol/L, p=0.96 or lactate levels at 1.8 mmol/L (1.1–5.5) vs. 1.8 mmol/L (1.1–5.4). We observed a statistically significant decline in total protein levels in samples transported by PTS at 0.56 g/L (0.19–4.29) vs. 0.49 g/L (0.18–4.3), p=0.008. We observed no changes in erythrocyte count at 5/μL (0–40,000) vs. 5/μL (0–40,106), mononuclear cells at 2/μL (1–145) vs. 3/μL (1–152), or polynuclear cells at 0/μL (0–235) vs. 0/μL (0–352). Spectrophotometric examination was performed in 20 cases. There were no statistically significant differences (transport by hand vs. transport by PTS) in NOA at 0.002 (0.001–1.537) vs. 0.001 (0.001–1.528), p=0.95 or NBA at 0.001 (0.001–0.231) vs. 0.001 (0.001–0.276), p=0.675. Samples transported by PTS were delivered faster than samples transported by courier (transport by hand vs. PTS) at 25 min (10–153) vs. 15 min (4–110), p=0.002.

Conclusions:

We found no significant changes in glucose, lactate levels and in any of the cytological parameters assessed, nor were statistically significant changes observed in the spectrophotometric parameters. We found a statistically significant decrease in total protein levels in samples transported by PTS. Transport by PTS can be faster than transport by hand.
Natural and anthropogenic indicators of fluvial system changes, the Bobrza Valley (Holy Cross Mts) as an example.
Authors: Rutkiewicz Paweł , Gawior Daniel
Published: June 2016

Transformations of a fluvial system are caused both by natural factors and human pressure. These factors model the system independently at different times and with different intensities or they affect it simultaneously. The aim of this study is to identify the transformation of the Bobrza river valley system occurring under natural conditions and that occurring under the influence of human activity. The identification was based on specific indicators The study was conducted in the valley mouth of the Bobrza River (Holy Cross Mountains), where three research sites were located. The investigation concerned the relief of the valley and the mineral and organic deposits. A wide range of research methods were used during the study e.g. analysis of LiDAR data, macronutrient analysis, and radioactive dating. The analyses enabled the natural and anthropogenic transformations of the Bobrza river system to be distinguished using the following indicators: morphometric and sedimentological characteristics of the palaeomeander (natural transformation), the sequence of mineral and organic deposits in exposures on the contemporary floodplain (natural and anthropogenic transformation) and transformation associated with the operation of a water mill (anthropogenic transformation). In addition, it is worth mentioning that the Bobrza channel is the location which has provided the only fossils of Juncus subnodulosus in south-east Poland.
Probability of Secrecy Outage in Cognitive Radio Networks over Rician-Fading Channels
Authors: Zhang Jiliang , Jiang Hong , Pan Gaofeng
Published: June 2016

In Rician-fading scenario, cognitive radio networks (CRNs) with a source in a secondary system transmitting its confidential information to a legitimate destination in the presence of an eavesdropper, are considered in this paper. Under CRNs, the interference power reaching at primary user (PU) is limited by some pre-defined threshold. Secrecy outage not only occurs when the achievable secrecy capacity for source-destination link is smaller than a target rate, but also occurs in the case that the interference power at PU is greater than that threshold. Analytical expression for secrecy outage probability has been derived and verified with simulation results. In addition, we have also derived the analytical expression for probability of non-zero secrecy capacity.
SocialRouting: The social-based routing algorithm for Delay Tolerant Networks
Authors: Schoeneich Radosław O. , Surgiewicz Rafał
Published: June 2016

Delay and Disruptive Tolerant Networks (DTN) are relatively a new networking concept that could provide a robust communication in wide range of implementations from the space to battlefield or other military usage. However in such dynamic networks, which could be considered as a set of intermittently connected nodes, message forwarding strategy is a key issue. Existing routing solutions concentrate mainly on two major routing families flooding and knowledge based algorithms. This paper presents SocialRouting - the social-based routing algorithm designed for DTN. The use of the social properties of wireless mobile nodes is the novel way of message routing that is based on message ferrying between separated parts of the network. Proposed idea has been extensively tested using simulation tools. The simulations were made based on especially designed for measurements in DTN scenarios and compared with popular solutions.
Screening of Rosa damascena Mill. landraces for flower yield and essential oil content in cold climates
Authors: Yousefi Bayzid
Published: June 2016

In order to evaluate flower yield and essential oil content of Rosa damascena, 49 landraces were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Sanandaj (Iran) during 2004-8. An analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) for the number of flowers per plant, flower and petal weight, flower and petal yield per plant, essential oil ratio and essential oil yield per plant among landraces (G), years (Y) and for landrace × year (GY). The landraces of FA1, KR2, KR3, FA2, AR1 and YZ2 with 3291.9, 2526.4, 2298.7, 2239.8, 2077.6 and 1978.7 kg ha−1, respectively, produced the highest flower yield and the landraces of IS3, IS2, KR2, IS4 and FA2 with 413.25, 378.11, 364.31, 315.30 and 296.10 g ha−1, respectively, produced the highest essential oil among all of the landraces. In accordance to this, cluster analysis also classified high flower and essential oil yield landraces in distinct groups at an 87% similarity. According to the results, most landraces that originated from temperate, warm temperates and arid regions such as the FA2, YZ2 and Isfahan group of landraces produced higher flower yield and essential oil than those from cool, cool temperate, semi-arid and humid regions. Taking into consideration flower yield and essential oil, the landraces of KR2, YZ2, IS3, IS2 and FA2 with 2526.4, 1978.7, 1659.8, 1663.2 and 2239.8 kg ha−1 flower yield, respectively, and 364.31, 265.31, 413.25, 378.11 and 296.10 g ha−1 essential oil, respectively, produced the highest flower yield and essential oil content among the landraces and are recommended for semi-temperate and cool areas.
The Status of an Illegitimate Child in Islamic Law: A Critical Analysis of DNA Paternity Test
Authors: Shah Haneef Sayed Sikandar
Published: June 2016

The use of DNA test to determine the paternity of a child is a controversial issue in Islamic law. Although vast majority of legal scholars pragmatically concede its use as a means of connecting unidentifiable children or dead bodies to their next of kin, they oppose its use to ascribe the paternity of children born out of illicit sexual intercourse to the male parties involved. Consequently, such an illegitimate child is a liability on the female partner in terms of raising and supporting. The conventional logic for such a lopsided application of child’s paternity was that in the case of female partner, it is easy to ascertain that such a child is her biological progeny but establishing such a
The Raw Materials Convertible into Bonds
Authors: Ranosz Robert
Published: June 2016

This article is dedicated to the instrument such as raw materials convertible bonds, the application of which in the mining industry can increase the efficiency of mining investments and, consequently, contribute to the improvement of the economic and financial market of mineral resources. Bonds with the option of conversion into raw materials bring relevant benefits to both the investor – the bondholder who buys these bonds, and to the mining company as the issuer. The use of this debt instrument increases the efficiency of mining investments, mainly by lowering the cost of capital in relation to traditional sources and by flexibility of being able to convert the capital debt into raw materials. Due to the fact that the article is illustrative only, and its goal is just to present a relatively new instrument, which are raw materials convertible bonds, the author focused an attention on its possible use in the financing of investments in the mining industry and the potential economic effects of such a solution. In order to identify the likely financial benefits, discussed debt instrument was compared with selected sources of funding, such as ordinary bonds and simple bank loan. Due to this fact, the article doesn’t present the consideration of every aspect associated with the bond that has an option, but is mainly focused on its main attribute, which is the ability to convert debt into raw material. The paper presents the general assumptions regarding the raw materials convertible bonds, the advantages of this solution and the requirements that the issuer of such instrument will have to cope with. The article contains also a diagram showing the use of a raw materials convertible bonds in the tripartite agreement. The final part of the publication shows an example of a calculation comparing the newly presented instrument to the ordinary bonds and bank loans. The summary presents the conclusions of the analysis of the possible use of raw materials convertible bonds as an instrument of financing investments in the mining industry.
Mineralogical and Petrographical Characteristics of Hornfels from Kowary (The Lower Silesia)
Authors: Heflik Wiesław , Natkaniec-Nowak Lucyna , Zagożdżon Paweł P. , Zagożdżon Katarzyna D. , Dumańska-Słowik Magdalena , Jarocka Janina
Published: June 2016

Hornfels from the closed “Wolność” mine (Kowary, the Lower Silesia) are recognized as thermally metamorphosed rocks belonging to hornblende-hornfels facies or locally a facies of pyroxene hornfels. Their texture reveal the traces of some deformations such as folding or fractures. Their protholit is described as a pelitic deposit enriched with clay minerals. The sediment was altered into meta-pelities-aleurites after the diagenesis, and later the rock was intensely thermally metamorphosed at the contact with the intrusion of the Karkonosze granitoid. Three varieties are distinguished based on their colour: green, grey and black. Green and black colours result from the predominance of hornblende and biotite over other rock components, respectively. Whereas grey hornfels are composed of similar amounts of both mafic minerals: biotite and hornblende. Quartz, mica minerals (biotite and muscovite), amphibole, (hornblende), acid plagioclase and andalusite, epidote group (clinozoisite), orthoclase and pyroxene make up hornfels components. Locally, andalusite is accompanied by sillimianite, which indicates a higher degree of contact metamorphism alterations. Three generations of minerals are distinguished in the rocks: allogenic (I), metamorphic (II) and hydrothermal (III). The allogenic phases are represented by heavy minerals such as zircon, apatite and monazite, which are characteristic of the protholit. The main components of the rocks (e.g. quartz, hornblende, feldspars, andalusite, sillimanite, mica minerals) belong to metamorphic minerals. Chalcopyrite, pyrite and fluorite are surely hydrothermally originated phases. Granitoides found at the contact zone with hornfels indicate traces of metasomatic alteration as a result of endomorphism in this region.
The Types of Covenants in Bond Issuance Programs of Mining Industry Companies
Authors: Królikowska Elżbieta , Sierpińska-Sawicz Agata
Published: June 2016

In the article, the authors attempt to quantify the covenants, which are the special terms of the bond issuance programs, reducing a risk of the bondholders. The type and the character of the covenants depend on several circumstances like: financial situation of a bond issuer, industry risk, country risk or economic situation. The most common used covenants refer to several limitations like payments, taking out the loans, issuance of the next series of bonds, credit events, dividend payouts. The separate group of covenants are those which constitute a limitation of an assets disposal, a range of the investments, the mergers and acquisitions or those that refer to maintaining the rating. The belief that the bond issuance is the easiest way of rising the funds in comparison to a bank loan is not fully supported. The covenants have significant influence on a performance of a bond issuer. Some of the covenants cause losing a flexibility of a company and restrict a possibility of making the effective decisions which can lead to rising the risk of a bankruptcy. The limitations included in a bond issuance program could be particularly inconvenient for a company’s development and may demand the assets restructuring which range is hard to predict while a bond agreement is being signed. In terms of using the funds gained from bond issuance for an operating performance, the ability to go in a line with the covenants is less likely while the same funds will be spent on the investments which will generate the profits and amortisation in the future. It allows to gain the appropriate level of EBITDA as well as makes a bond repurchase possible. It is worth to add that the investors and the stock brokers who are responsible for a bond issuance program preparation have an influence on the quantity and quality of the covenants. They define the standard used covenants in the bond agreements. The knowledge and the negotiation skills of the managers have significant influence on the adjusting the bond contracts to the company and branch risk.
Is there a sex difference in fetal behavior? A comparison of the KANET test between male and female fetuses
Authors: Hata Toshiyuki , Hanaoka Uiko , Mostafa AboEllail Mohamed Ahmed , Uematsu Rina , Noguchi Junko , Kusaka Takashi , Kurjak Asim
Published: June 2016

To evaluate the sex difference in fetal behavior between male and female fetuses.

Fetal behavior was assesed by Kurjak’s antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound between 28 and 39 weeks of gestation. Fifty-nine male and 53 female fetuses in middle- and high-class nulliparaous Japanese women were studied. The total value of the KANET score and values of each parameter (eight parameters) were compared.

The total KANET score was normal in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the total KANET score. When individual KANET parameters were compared, no significant differences were noted in all eight parameters.

Our results show that there is no difference in fetal behavior between male and female fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy. These results suggest that 4D ultrasound study examining fetal behavior does not need to consider the factor of fetal sex.
Nutrient availability predicts frugivorous bat abundance in an urban environment
Authors: Jara-Servín Angelica M. , Saldaña-Vázquez Romeo A. , Schondube Jorge E.
Published: June 2016

We used a mathematical model based on nutrient availability to predict Artibeus
jamaicensis densities in urban parks of a tropical city. Nutrient availability was calculated based on bat-fruit density and the carbohydrate, nitrogen and fats they contain. In addition to nutrient availability, our model considered the capacity of this frugivorous bat to assimilate the nutrients present in the environment. We compared our predictions with bat captures obtained in the same urban parks, in which we measured nutrient availability. Our results show that A. jamaicensis densities were limited by the quantity of nitrogen available in urban parks. Our density-predicting models, based on soluble carbohydrates and fats available, overpredicted the number of A. jamaicensis individuals. Our result indicates that to maintain healthy bat populations in cities, it is important to take into account not only the variety of food available but also its nutrient content and how easy it is for the bat to assimilate them.
Towards Viscoplastic Constitutive Models for Cosserat Rods
Authors: Dörlich Vanessa , Linn Joachim , Scheffer Tobias , Diebels Stefan
Published: June 2016

Flexible, slender structures like cables, hoses or wires can be described by the geometrically exact Cosserat rod theory. Due to their complex multilayer structure, consisting of various materials, viscoplastic behavior has to be expected for cables under load. Classical experiments like uniaxial tension, torsion or three-point bending already show that the behavior of e.g. electric cables is viscoplastic. A suitable constitutive law for the observed load case is crucial for a realistic simulation of the deformation of a component. Consequently, this contribution aims at a viscoplastic constitutive law formulated in the terms of sectional quantities of Cosserat rods. Since the loading of cables in applications is in most cases not represented by these mostly uniaxial classical experiments, but rather multiaxial, new experiments for cables have to be designed. They have to illustrate viscoplastic effects, enable access to (viscoplastic) material parameters and account for coupling effects between different deformation modes. This work focuses on the design of such experiments.
Wave-Based Attitude Control of Spacecraft with Fuel Sloshing Dynamics
Authors: Thompson Joseph William , O’Connor William
Published: June 2016

Wave-Based Control has been previously applied successfully to simple under-actuated flexible mechanical systems. Spacecraft and rockets with structural flexibility and sloshing are examples of such systems but have added difficulties due to non-uniform structure, external disturbing forces and non-ideal actuators and sensors. The aim of this paper is to extend the application of WBC to spacecraft systems, to compare the performance of WBC to other popular controllers and to carry out experimental validation of the designed control laws. A mathematical model is developed for an upper stage accelerating rocket moving in a single plane. Fuel sloshing is represented by an equivalent mechanical pendulum model. A wave-based controller is designed for the upper stage AVUM of the European launcher Vega. In numerical simulations the controller successfully suppresses the sloshing motion. A major advantage of the strategy is that no measurement of the pendulum states (sloshing motion) is required.
An Enhanced Tire Model for Dynamic Simulation based on Geometrically Exact Shells
Authors: Roller Michael , Betsch Peter , Gallrein Axel , Linn Joachim
Published: June 2016

In the present work, a tire model is derived based on geometrically exact shells. The discretization is done with the help of isoparametric quadrilateral finite elements. The interpolation is performed with bilinear Lagrangian polynomials for the mid-surface as well as for the director field. As time stepping method for the resulting differential algebraic equation a backward differentiation formula is chosen. A multilayer material model for geometrically exact shells is introduced, to describe the anisotropic behavior of the tire material. To handle the interaction with a rigid road surface, a unilateral frictional contact formulation is introduced. Therein a special surface to surface contact element is developed, which rebuilds the shape of the tire.
Fungal strain Aspergillus flavus F3 as a potential candidate for the removal of lead (II) and chromium (VI) from contaminated soil
Authors: Qayyum Sadia , Khan Ibrar , Bhatti Zulfiqar A. , Tang Fenglin , Peng Changsheng
Published: June 2016

Metal contamination of soil is a serious environmental problem due to mining and use of synthetic products (e.g. pesticides, paints, batteries, and industrial wastes), which are serious threat to human life. The current research is aimed at the remediation of soil contaminated with lead (II) and chromium (VI) using indigenous fungal strains through the comparative study of bioleaching and chemical leaching methods. The removal efficiencies of Pb (II) and Cr (VI) in bioleaching were higher than chemical leaching, where 99% Cr (VI) and 36% Pb (II) were removed by Aspergillus flavus (F3) in bioleaching through the production of approximately 332 mg L-1 malic acid, 213 mg L-1 succinic acid, and 35 mg L-1 citric acid. The removal efficiencies in chemical leaching were 21.30% for Pb (II) and 1.92% for Cr (VI) by malic acid, 29.30% for Pb (II) and 72% for Cr (VI) by succinic acid, 22.21% for Pb (II) and 60.70% for Cr (VI) by citric acid, and 2.20% for Pb (II) and 2.47% for Cr (VI) by oxalic acid. The sequential extraction procedure for Pb (II) and Cr (VI) before and after bioleaching showed that Pb (II) and Cr (VI) mostly bound to stable fractions after bioleaching. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) helped to identify the characteristic changes in the morphology and elemental composition of A. flavus (F3) biomass before and after bioleaching, whereas Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that fungal biomass contain hydroxyl, carboxyl, fatty acids, and amine groups on its surface. The results implied that the fungal strain A. flavus (F3) can be used to remediate soils contaminated with Pb (II) and Cr (VI).
Performing Pumping Test Data Analysis Applying Cooper-Jacob’s Method for Estimating of the Aquifer Parameters
Authors: Dana Khider Mawlood , Jwan Sabah Mustafa
Published: June 2016

Single well test is more common than aquifer test with having observation well, since the advantage of single well test is that the pumping test can be conducted on the production well with the absence of observation well. A kind of single well test, which is step-drawdown test used to determine the efficiency and specific capacity of the well, however in case of single well test it is possible to estimate Transmissivity, but the other parameter which is Storativity is overestimated, so the aim of this study is to analyze four pumping test data located in KAWRGOSK area by using cooper-Jacob’s (1946) time drawdown approximation of Theis method to estimate the aquifer parameters, also in order to determine the reasons which are affecting the reliability of the Storativity value and obtain the important aspect behind that in practice.