bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teacherly Texts: Imagining Futures in Nuruddin Farah's Past Imperfect Trilogy
Authors: Garuba Harry
Published: April 2017

This essay attempts to locate the work of the Somali novelist Nuruddin Farah within a tradition of African and postcolonial critical thought that privileges “teacherliness” as a measure of value and significance in its discourse and as an aesthetic principle in literary texts. It argues that for most postcolonial literatures or literatures from emergent literary spaces (to use Pascale Casanova's term), literary value inheres as much in the teachability of the text as in whatever other aesthetic qualities it may possess. This means that the text's ability to illustrate, rework, or represent some theme or issue considered to be of major significance and to open it up for teaching is as much a source of literary value as any of its other formal qualities. In locating Farah's latest cycle of novels within this intellectual genealogy, I read Farah's Past Imperfect trilogy as consisting of novels that depict the movement from the teacherly texts of decolonization to the teacherly texts of postcolonial globalization.
Ishiguro's Diptych: Art and Social Democracy in The Unconsoled and Never Let Me Go
Authors: Ryle Martin
Published: April 2017

In making aesthetic performance and aesthetic education central to his dialectical evaluation of social democracy, Kazuo Ishiguro especially addresses teachers of culture. The Unconsoled and Never Let Me Go explore the position of art in European social-democratic society since 1945. To read these works in that historicist spirit (despite their nonrealist genre) is to identify social referents of central importance to their meanings. The city of The Unconsoled is typical of post–Cold War Europe in its emphasis on “culture,” in a world where civic mutuality coexists with economic inequality. The novel considers the relationship between the pianist Ryder's art and his apparent indifference to “deep-seated, intractable” social problems. Never Let Me Go explores the contradictions of the welfare state from the vantage point of a later neoliberal Britain: from here, despite those contradictions, the experiment of giving “clones” an aesthetic education can be seen to have had a progressive aspect.
Our “Most Signal” Failure: Henry Adams, Ulysses S. Grant, and the Transformation of Political Temporality
Authors: Carter Stephen
Published: April 2017

This essay treats a question addressed by many readers of Henry Adams: How should we understand his response to the administration of Ulysses S. Grant? Though some critics suggest that Adams's reaction is misguided, petty, or even irrational, analysis of his postwar writings indicates that his critique of Grant rests upon a diagnosis of a shift in the temporality of politics following the US Civil War. Taking Grant as exemplary of this more thoroughgoing historical transformation, Adams examines the intertwining within the administration of two seemingly contrary politicotemporal imaginaries: a stagnant time of political repetition—associated here with a Weberian rationalization and disenchantment of the world—and an anarchic time of disorienting economic growth—the volatile temporality of capitalist creative destruction, here captured by Paul Valéry's notion of “unpredictability.” In contrast to both these senses of political temporality, Adams represents the persistent absence of a time of intelligently directed social change. Articulating the period's shifting relationship between time and politics thus defines a consequential problematic that illuminates the deeper historical significance of Adams's critique. Further, by locating in these early writings inchoate concerns that, more fully elaborated, also inform his later works, the essay emphasizes a consistent line of development within Adams's thought and sets the stage for its reassessment taken as a developing whole. Finally, with an eye toward resurgent considerations of politics and time in the present moment, the essay closes by suggesting how Adams's oeuvre, so reconceived, might speak to these contemporary concerns.
Dietary reversal of neuropathy in a murine model of prediabetes and the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Hinder Lucy M. , O'Brien Phillipe D. , Hayes John M. , Backus Carey , Solway Andrew P. , Sims-Robinson Catrina , Feldman Eva L.
Published: April 2017

Patients with the metabolic syndrome, defined as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), can develop the same macro- and microvascular complications as patients with type 2 diabetes, including peripheral neuropathy. In type 2 diabetes, glycemic control has little effect on the development and progression of peripheral neuropathy, suggesting that other metabolic syndrome components may contribute to the presence of neuropathy. A parallel phenomenon is observed in patients with prediabetes and the metabolic syndrome, where improvement in weight and dyslipidemia more closely correlates with restoration of nerve function than improvement in glycemic status. The goal of the current study was to develop a murine model that resembles the human condition. We examined longitudinal parameters of the metabolic syndrome and neuropathy development in six mouse strains/genotypes (BKS-wt, BKS-Leprdb/+, B6-wt, B6-Leprdb/+, BTBR-wt, and BTBR-Lepob/+) fed a 54% high-fat diet (HFD; from lard). All HFD-fed mice developed large fiber neuropathy and IGT. Changes appeared early and consistently in B6-wt mice, and paralleled the onset of neuropathy. Terminally, B6-wt mice displayed all components of the metabolic syndrome, including obesity, IGT, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL). Dietary reversal, whereby B6-wt mice fed HFD from 4-20 weeks of age were switched to standard chow for 4 weeks, completely normalized neuropathy, promoted weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and restored LDL-cholesterol and oxLDL by 50% compared to HFD control mice. This dietary reversal model provides the basis for mechanistic studies investigating peripheral nerve damage in the setting of the metabolic syndrome, and ultimately the development of mechanism-based therapies for neuropathy.
Effect of temperature and food restriction on immune function in striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis)
Authors: Xu De-Li , Hu Xiao-Kai , Tian Yu-Fen
Published: April 2017

Small mammals in the temperate area face seasonal fluctuations of temperature and food availability, both of which may influence their immune responses being critical to the survival. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that low temperature and food restriction would suppress immune function in striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis). Thirty-seven adult male hamsters were randomly assigned into the warm (23±1°C) and the cold (5±1°C) groups, which were further divided into the fed and the food restricted groups, respectively. Body mass was not affected by cold stress, food restriction or the interactions of cold stress × food restriction. Cold stress decreased total body fat mass, hematological parameters including white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes (LYMP) and neutrophilic granulocytes (GRAN), and immunoglobin (Ig) M titers after 5 days of injecting keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). However, cold temperature increased bacterial killing capacity indicative of innate immunity and did not affect the masses of thymus and spleen, intermediate granulocytes (MID), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) response and the levels of blood glucose, serum leptin. Corticosterone concentration was affected significantly by the interaction of cold stress × food restriction but not by cold stress or food restriction. Food restriction reduced thymus mass, but other immunological parameters including body fat mass, spleen mass, hematological parameters, innate immunity, PHA response, the titres of IgM and IgG, and the levels of blood glucose, serum leptin were all not affected by food restriction or the interaction of cold stress × food restriction. Innate immunity was positively correlated with leptin levels, whereas no significant correlations were observed among the levels of blood glucose, serum leptin, corticosterone and all the detected immune parameters. Our results showed that cold stress suppressed humoral immunity but enhanced innate immunity and did not affect cellular immunity in striped hamsters. Most immunological indices were not influenced by food restriction. Blood glucose, leptin and corticosterone could not interpret the changes of innate, cellular and humoral immunity upon cold stress or food restriction in striped hamsters.
Όψεις του πλατωνικού έρωτα στο Συμπόσιο και τον Φαίδρο
Authors: Στάμος (Fotis Stamos) Φώτης
Published: April 2017

The platonic Love [Eros]; a matter that raised and keeps raising still thoughts and talks; a crucial matter for Plato himself. But what really is it? To whom or what does it turn to; What is this that it intends for? Guided by Plato’s work itself, and especially by Symposium and the first part of the extensive Phaidros, I intend to bring to the surface the most crucial views of platonic Love. Through the successive speeches in Symposium; through the many encomiums made by each and everyone of Socrates speakers, in the end, the philosopher does not simply speak about Love, but he discloses it. Same goes in Phaidros; had the speech contests taken place between Socrates and Lysias, the philosopher, had his face uncovered – through his first speech Socrates had his face covered in order not to commit hubris –, tergiversates and reveals that furious state to its whole. Three will be the main points the following paper will try to expound: i) What is the so named platonic Love? ii) What does the lover desire to conquer?  iii) How does Plato speaks to us about it through his work?
Alain Renaut. Πολιτική φιλοσοφία: Εφαρμοσμένη και Παγκόσμια
Authors: Καρούνια (Catherine Karounia) Κατερίνα
Published: April 2017

The following conversation with Alain Renaut, emeritus Professor of Political Philosophy and Ethics at the University of Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV), and director of the International Centre for Applied Political Philosophy (CIPPA), was conducted following the CONATUS magazine’s request, namely to discuss his current research interests. The interview took place on 15/04/2016, at the Maison de la Recherche of the same University and on the occasion of his latest monograph’s publication, entitled «L'injustifiable et l'extrême: manifeste pour une philosophie appliquée»1. The reader will ascertain the role that Political Philosophy is due to play regarding human reality, as Renaut’s interest is focused on issues which require practical solutions. In this context, reference is made to extreme natural phenomena, such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti that caused a great many victims. Also, an important part of the discussion is devoted to the refugee and immigration questions. Extreme climate change, and the risks posed by these new facts in globalisation conditions, are also examined.1 The unjustified and the extreme: manifest for an Applied Philosophy (Paris, Éditions Le Pommier, 2016).
Solar (actinic) dermatoses in the dog and cat
Authors: Scarff David
Published: April 2017

Solar (actinic) dermatoses are a group of conditions that share a common cause: exposure to excess ultraviolet radiation (sunlight). There is a progression from solar dermatitis through to actinic keratosis and eventually squamous cell carcinoma. This paper discusses the clinical signs, diagnosis and management of these presentations, together with associated conditions such as actinic comedones, and the rarer solar haemangioma and haemangiosarcoma. Other sunlight-exacerbated conditions such as discoid lupus erythematosus are also mentioned.
Can we predict which dysplastic hips will require acetabular augmentation during total hip arthroplasty based on pre-operative radiographs?
Authors: Marsh A. G. , Nisar A. , El Refai M. , Patil S. , Meek R. M. D.
Published: April 2017

Aims

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an innovative templating technique could predict the need for acetabular augmentation during primary total hip arthroplasty for patients with dysplastic hips.

Patients and Methods

We developed a simple templating technique to estimate acetabular component coverage at total hip arthroplasty, the True Cup: False Cup (TC:FC) ratio. We reviewed all patients with dysplastic hips who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty between 2005 and 2012. Traditional radiological methods of assessing the degree of acetabular dysplasia (Sharp’s angle, Tönnis angle, centre-edge angle) as well as the TC:FC ratio were measured from the pre-operative radiographs. A comparison of augmented and non-augmented hips was undertaken to determine any difference in pre-operative radiological indices between the two cohorts. The intra- and inter-observer reliability for all radiological indices used in the study were also calculated.

Results

Of the 128 cases reviewed, 33 (26%) needed acetabular augmentation. We found no difference in the median Sharp’s angle (p = 0.10), Tönnis angle (p = 0.28), or centre-edge angle (p = 0.07) between the two groups. A lower TC:FC ratio was observed in the augmented group compared with the non-augmented group (median = 0.66 versus 0.88, p <  0.001). Intra-observer reliability was found to be high for all radiological indices analysed (interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.7). However, inter-observer reliability was more variable and was only high for the TC: FC ratio (ICC > 0.7).

Conclusion

The TC: FC ratio gives an accurate estimate of acetabular component coverage. It can help predict which dysplastic hips are likely to need acetabular augmentation at primary total hip arthroplasty. It has high intra- and inter-observer reliability. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:445–50.
Total hip arthroplasty using a monobloc cementless femoral stem for patients with childhood Perthes’ disease
Authors: Lee K. H. , Jo W-L. , Ha Y. C. , Lee Y. K. , Goodman S. B. , Koo K. H.
Published: April 2017

Aims

Modular or custom-made femoral components have been preferred for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with a history of Perthes’ disease because of the distortion in the anatomy of the proximal femur. However, it has not been established whether a monobloc cementless stem will fit the distorted proximal femur or whether the results of the procedure are satisfactory in this group of patients.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed 68 consecutive patients who had undergone THA for childhood Perthes’ disease between June 2003 and December 2008. There were 35 men and 33 women with a mean age of 48 years (16 to 73) at the time of index arthroplasty. Their mean body mass index was 24.4 (18.3 to 32.9). Of the 68 hips, 32 were classified as Stulberg class III and 36 as class IV. The mean pre-operative shortening of the affected leg was 17.2 mm (5 to 34). The minimum follow-up was five years (mean 8.5 years; 5.2 to 10).

Results

An intra-operative calcar fracture occurred in eight hips (11.8%) and was successfully treated by cerclage wiring. The mean stem version was 14.6° (-2.3 to 30; standard deviation (sd) 7.3). The mean acetabular component abduction was 40.2° (23.7 to 56.0; sd 6.5) and the mean anteversion 28.3° (6.4 to 43.0; sd 7.6), respectively. The mean follow-up was 8.5 years (5.2 to 10). No dislocations occurred and no hips were revised during the course of the study. At final follow-up, the mean Harris Hip Score was 91 points (59 to 100) and the mean University of California, Los Angeles activity score was 3.2 (2 to 8).

Conclusion

Monobloc cementless stems reliably restore the anatomy in Perthes’ disease at THA without the need for custom-made or modular implants. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:440–444.
Multimodal infiltration of local anaesthetic in total knee arthroplasty; is posterior capsular infiltration worth the risk?
Authors: Pinsornsak P. , Nangnual S. , Boontanapibul K.
Published: April 2017

Aims

Multimodal infiltration of local anaesthetic provides effective control of pain in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There is little information about the added benefits of posterior capsular infiltration (PCI) using different combinations of local anaesthetic agents. Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of the control of pain using multimodal infiltration with and without infiltration of the posterior capsule of the knee.

Patients and Methods

In a double-blind, randomised controlled trial of patients scheduled for unilateral primary TKA, 86 were assigned to be treated with multimodal infiltration with (Group I) or without (Group II) PCI. Routine associated analgesia included the use of bupivacaine, morphine, ketorolac and epinephrine. All patients had spinal anaesthesia and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) post-operatively. A visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the use of morphine were recorded 24 hours post-operatively. Side effects of the infiltration, blood loss, and length of stay in hospital were recorded.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in relation to: VAS pain scores in the first 24 hours post-operatively (p = 0.693), the use of morphine in the PCA (p = 0.647), blood loss (p = 0.625), and length of stay (p = 0.17). There were no neurovascular complications in either group.

Conclusion

The multimodal infiltration of local anaesthetic with infiltration of the posterior capsule did not provide significant added analgesic benefits or reduce the use of morphine after TKA. Multimodal infiltration is a satisfactory technique for the management of pain in these patients without the attendant risks of PCI. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017; 99-B:483–8.
Prognostic factors for long-term outcome of chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis treated with fixation in situ
Authors: Terjesen T. , Wensaas A.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Predictive factors for long-term outcome after in situ fixation for chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) have so far not been systematically analysed. The aims of this study were to define predictors for long-term outcome and to assess the association between initial grade of slipping and post-slip deformities.

Methods

We studied 51 patients (60 hips) with chronic SCFE treated with in situ fixation. There were 31 males and 20 females with a mean age of 12.9 years. The mean follow-up was 39.0 years (21.1 to 56.8). Post-slip deformity was defined as abnormal alpha (a) angles in anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs; AP angle of 74° and lateral angle of 63° were used as cutoffs between normal and abnormal α-angles. Harris hip score (HHS) less than 85 points was classified as a poor clinical outcome and osteoarthritis was a poor radiographic outcome.

Results

The mean slip angle was 31.7° (12° to 77°). The mean AP α-angle was 67.4° (36° to 111°) and the mean lateral α-angle was 57.1° (22° to 104°). Post-slip deformities developed in almost one-third of hips with a mild degree of slipping and in about half the hips with more pronounced degrees of slipping. The long-term outcome was good in 40 hips (67%) and poor in 20 hips. A small AP α-angle was the only independent prognostic factor for a good combined clinical and radiographic outcome.

Conclusion

Post-slip deformity, defined as an abnormally high AP α-angle, is the most important prognostic factor for poor long-term clinical and radiographic outcome in chronic SCFE treated with in situ fixation.
Femoral and acetabular re-alignment in slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Authors: Leunig M. , Manner H. M. , Turchetto L. , Ganz R.
Published: April 2017

New pathophysiological insights

Based on improved knowledge of the vascular supply of the proximal femur, a safe surgical dislocation of the hip joint was established allowing direct insights to the pathomorphological malfunctioning of the joint. One insight was that slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) impingement leads to substantial damage of the chondrolabral rim area, even in the presence of minor slips. A further surgical development was the extended retinacular flap allowing for correction of the deformity with calculable risk for iatrogenic necrosis.

Consecutive surgical concept

In 20 years of experience, a treatment concept for SCFE could be established which replaces classic pinning in situ and indirect correction of the deformity with subcapital re-alignment when the physis is still open, with true femoral neck osteotomy for hips with closed physis. Pinning in situ still has a place in minor slips but should be combined with open or arthroscopic recreation of an anterior metaphyseal waisting.

Unexpected complication

Loss of joint stability is a rare complication of anatomic re-alignment. It can be disease-related when the impingement has induced severe destruction of acetabular cartilage. It can be related to the surgical procedure, especially when the neck was excessively shortened and refixation of the trochanter was not advanced. Finally, in cases with severe and long-lasting deformity, the acetabulum may undergo adaptive flattening, being the cause of joint destabilisation with the correction of the deformity. Advancement of the greater trochanter and/or peri-acetabular osteotomy may be discussed to restabilise the joint.
Inheritance and family conflicts: exploring asset transfers shaping intergenerational relations
Authors: Izuhara Misa , Köppe Stephan
Published: April 2017

In contemporary societies with slower economic growth and increased rates of home ownership, asset transfers are of increasing importance for families as a way of transmitting advantages over generations. Compared to the positive impact, however, little is known about how inheritance generates disputes, tensions or dissatisfaction among family members, and how law, policy and practice play a role in this process. Drawing evidence from English court cases, this article develops categories of asset transfers over generations that cause or accentuate disputes in families, and contributes to theoretical debates on family solidarity, conflict and ambivalence by examining how such family conflicts are embedded in a wider family history and established social and institutional systems. The analysis, based on the three-fold framework of contested intentions of transfers, challenged distributions of assets and unexpected timing of transfers, demonstrates that family relations rest on a delicate balance of autonomy and dependency in families. It also highlights the critical interaction between institutional systems and interpersonal family relations. The lack of accurate knowledge and different interpretations of inheritance laws and intestacy rules among potential testators and beneficiaries contribute to family disputes over inheritance.
Interaction of Magnesium Cations with Dioctahedral Smectites under HLRW Repository Conditions
Authors: Kaufhold S. , Dohrmann R. , Ufer K.
Published: April 2017

In some real and up-scale tests using high-level radioactive waste (HLRW), Mg accumulation was observed in smectites at the contact of heated Fe or Cu metal tubes. It is important to understand why Mg accumulated in order to model the long term performance of bentonites in HLRW systems. In some of these tests, an increased number of trioctahedral domains was measured in the smectites using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The trioctahedral domains either formed by the dissolution/precipitation of smectites or by the addition of Mg through a solid-state reaction similar to the Hofmann-Klemen effect. The Hofmann-Klemen effect is used in the Greene-Kelly test to distinguish montmorillonites from beidellites. Many studies have been carried out about Li-uptake by smectites, but Mg was rarely taken into account. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to compare the interactions of different bentonites with Li and Mg under various conditions. A significant CEC decrease was found for Li- and Mg-saturated bentonite samples after heating at 250°C under dry conditions. The extent of this CEC reduction depended on the octahedral to tetrahedral charge ratio and was smaller for Mg-saturated samples than Li-saturated samples. This finding proved that it is much more difficult for Mg to enter octahedral vacancies than Li, which probably can be explained by the larger hydration energy and/or slightly larger radius of Mg. The relationship between CEC reduction and the octahedral/tetrahedral charge ratio of both Li- and Mg-saturated samples, however, suggests a similar process. The Mg that can reside at the bottom of the pseudohexagonal holes would not explain this relationship. The important result with respect to understanding HLRW bentonite performance, on the other hand, is that Mg fixation only occurs under dry conditions and that Mg fixation acts as a sink for Mg and, hence, leads Mg to diffuse towards the heated metal surface.
A Systematic review on aligning efficiency of superelastic NITI: in comparison with conventional NITI and multistranded stainless steel archwires
Authors: Kumaran Deepa , Sundari Shantha , Chandrasekhar Shyamala
Published: April 2017

Background: The initial leveling and aligning phase of orthodontic treatment involve the use of nickel titanium wires. The nickel titanium wires exhibit unique properties like shape memory and superelasticity. In the beginning, conventional nitinol wires were used, which lacked the superelastic property. Nowadays, superelastic nickel titanium wires are being used commonly. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficiency of Superelastic NITi in the initial alignment of orthodontic treatment in comparison with conventional NiTi and multistranded stainless steel archwires by measuring the amount of decrowding and the time taken for decrowding.Method: A systematic literature search was performed on Pubmed, Cochrane, Google scholar & Lilacs.Result: Thirty four studies were identified by the search and ten studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and one study was excluded after abstract reading. Finally nine articles were included for quality assessment.Conclusion: This systematic review concluded that there was no significant differences in the aligning efficiency of superelastic NiTi in comparison with conventional NiTi and multistranded stainless steel wires.Â
The History and Current Status of Surgery in the Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Čoček Aleš
Published: April 2017

The roots of surgery of the larynx reach into the 19th century. After the gaining of initial experiences, a period of radical surgery followed when most tumours were treated with a total laryngectomy. The middle of the 20th century can be characterised as a period of partial laryngectomies. The mutilation of patients caused by a total laryngectomy was and is one of the main impulses that led to the development of the current phase – combined treatment (radiotherapy, systematic cytostatic chemotherapy, biological treatment, surgery as an emergency treatment). The aim is to treat carcinoma of the larynx without the actual removal of the larynx itself and with the same oncological results as would be reached in cases treated with a total laryngectomy. Despite the development of non-surgical methods, surgery of carcinoma of the larynx remains a significant part of the treatment protocol. This work covers the development of surgery of carcinoma of the larynx from a historical point of view; it also describes current types of operations and discusses the position of surgery in today’s treatment algorithm.
Quantitative Analysis of Expression Level of BCL2 and BAX Genes in Hep-2 and HL-60 Cells after Treatment with Etoposide
Authors: Královcová Dita , Pejchalová Marcela , Rudolf Emil , Červinka Miroslav
Published: April 2017

Apoptotic cell death is a highly regulated process, which plays a crucial role in many biological events. The aim of the present research was to investigate the expression of the apoptosis related genes BCL2 and BAX in Hep-2 and HL- 60 cells. Apoptosis was induced in these cell lines during treatment with etoposide. The expression levels of BCL2 and BAX genes were measured after 6 h and 12 h of treatment by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. In Hep-2 cells the expression level of BCL2 significantly increased both 6 h and 12 h of treatment, whereas expression level of BAX didn’t change. In HL-60 cells the expression level of BCL2 decreased after 6 h of treatment and expression of BAX increased both 6 h and 12 h of treatment with etoposide. Those findings show distinct reactions of Hep-2 and HL-60 cells to etoposide treatment and different upregulation or downregulation of apoptosis-related genes BCL2 and BAX.
Erarbeitung von Bestands-Notfallunterlagen
Authors: Süess Ruth
Published: April 2017

Die Notwendigkeit eines Notfallplans für Bestände von Bibliotheken mit Archivauftrag und anderen sammelnden Institutionen wird kaum angezweifelt. Auch liest man regelmäßig in der Fachliteratur über die Wichtigkeit von Bestands-Notfallunterlagen. Dennoch haben viele Bibliotheken keinen aktuellen Notfallplan, welchen sie im Ernstfall einfach aus der Schublade ziehen könnten. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird der Prozess des Erarbeitens der Bestands-Notfallunterlagen für die Universitätsbibliothek St. Gallen aus Sicht der Erstellerin beschrieben.
An adaptive control scheme for hyperbolic partial differential equation system (drilling system) with unknown coefficient
Authors: Farahani Hamed Shirinabadi , Talebi Heidar Ali , Baghermenhaj Mohammad
Published: April 2017

The adaptive boundary stabilization is investigated for a class of systems described by second-order hyperbolic PDEs with unknown coefficient. The proposed control scheme only utilizes measurement on top boundary and assume anti-damping dynamics on the opposite boundary which is the main feature of our work. To cope with the lack of full state measurements, we introduce Riemann variables which allow us reformulate the second-order in time hyperbolic PDE as a system with linear input-delay dynamics. Then, the infinite-dimensional time-delay tools are employed to design the controller. Simulation results which applied on mathematical model of drilling system are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
The Relationship between Economic Development and Fatal Occupational Accidents: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Çolak Olcay , Palaz Serap
Published: April 2017

Occupational accidents are among the most important issues of the agenda of working life in Turkey recently. Recently the causes and consequences of occupational accidents which are related to human, occupational and environmental factors have received great attention from the researchers but it has been paid little attention to focused on economic factors. The purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to redressing this gap by examining the relationship between fatal occupational accidents and economic development over the period of 1980 to 2012 for Turkey. In this context, bounds testing approach which is also known as autoregressive distributed lag model is performed. The results indicate the existence of positive relationship between gross domestic product per capita and fatal occupational accidents in the short-run while in the long run this turns out to be in a negative way via economic growth and changes in structure of the economy.
Macroeconomic Dimensions in the Clusterization Processes: Lithuanian Biomass Cluster Case
Authors: Navickas Valentinas , Svazas Mantas
Published: April 2017

The Future production systems’ increasing significance will impose work, which maintains not a competitive, but a collaboration basis, with concentrated resources and expertise, which can help to reach the general purpose. One form of collaboration among medium-size business organizations is work in clusters. Clusterization as a phenomenon has been known from quite a long time, but it offers simple benefits to researches at micro and medium levels. The clusterization process evaluation in macroeconomic dimensions has been comparatively little investigated. Thereby, in this article, the clusterization processes is analysed by concentrating our attention on macroeconomic factor researches. The authors analyse clusterization’s influence on country’s macroeconomic growth; they apply a structure research methodology for clusterization’s macroeconomic influence evaluation and propose that clusterization processes benefit macroeconomic analysis. The theoretical model of clusterization processes was validated by referring to a biomass cluster case. Because biomass cluster case is a new phenomenon, currently there are no other scientific approaches to them. The authors’ accomplished researches show that clusterization allows the achievement of a large positive slip in macroeconomics, which proves to lead to a high value added to creation, a faster country economic growth, and social situation amelioration.
The Effect of Credit Risk and Capital Adequacy on the Profitability of Rural Banks in the Philippines
Authors: Mendoza Rufo , Rivera John Paolo R.
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the credit risk and capital adequacy of the 567 rural banks in the Philippines to investigate how both variables affect bank profitability. Using the Arellano-Bond estimator, we found out that credit risk has a negative and statistically significant relationship with profitability. However, empirical analysis showed that capital adequacy has no significant impact on the profitability of rural banks in the Philippines. It is therefore necessary for the rural banks to examine more deeply if capital infusion would result in higher profitability than increasing debts. The study also implies that it is imperative for the banks to understand which risk factors have greater impact on their financial performance and use better risk-adjusted performance measurement to support their strategies. Rural banks should establish credit risk management that defines the process from initiation to approval of loans, taking into consideration the sound credit risk management practices issued by regulatory bodies. Moreover, rural banks need to enhance internal control measures to ensure the strict implementation of internal processes on lending operations.
Can zinc supplementation ameliorate cadmium-induced alterations in the bioelement content in rabbits?
Authors: Bulat Zorica , Đukić-Ćosić Danijela , Antonijević Biljana , Buha Aleksandra , Bulat Petar , Pavlović Zoran , Matović Vesna
Published: April 2017

The study was designed to investigate the influence of zinc (Zn) supplementation on cadmium-induced alterations in zinc, copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg) status in rabbits. For this purpose, the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), Zn, Cu, and Mg were estimated in the blood, liver, kidney, and bone. The rabbits were divided in a control group, a Cd group-animals intoxicated orally with Cd (10 mg kg-1 bw, as aqueous solution of Cd-chloride), and a Cd+Zn group-animals intoxicated with the same dose of Cd and co-treated with Zn (20 mg kg-1 bw, as aqueous solution of Zn-sulphate). Solutions were administered orally, every day for 28 days. Sample mineralisation was performed with concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) and perchloric acid (HClO4) (4:1) and metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Zinc supplementation improved some of Cd-induced disturbances in bioelement levels in the investigated tissues. Beneficial effects of Zn on Zn and Cu levels were observed in blood, as well as on the Cu kidney level. The calculated values for Cu/Zn, Mg/Zn, and Mg/Cu ratios in blood suggest that Zn co-treatment reduces Cd-induced changes in bioelement ratios in blood.
Robust Mpc for Actuator–Fault Tolerance Using Set–Based Passive Fault Detection and Active Fault Isolation
Authors: Xu Feng , Puig Vicenç , Ocampo-Martinez Carlos , Olaru Sorin , Niculescu Silviu-Iulian
Published: April 2017

In this paper, a fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme is proposed for actuator faults, which is built upon tube-based model predictive control (MPC) as well as set-based fault detection and isolation (FDI). In the class of MPC techniques, tubebased MPC can effectively deal with system constraints and uncertainties with relatively low computational complexity compared with other robust MPC techniques such as min-max MPC. Set-based FDI, generally considering the worst case of uncertainties, can robustly detect and isolate actuator faults. In the proposed FTC scheme, fault detection (FD) is passive by using invariant sets, while fault isolation (FI) is active by means of MPC and tubes. The active FI method proposed in this paper is implemented by making use of the constraint-handling ability of MPC to manipulate the bounds of inputs.

After the system has been detected to become faulty, the input-constraint set of the MPC controller is adjusted to actively excite the system for achieving FI guarantees on-line, where an active FI-oriented input set is designed off-line. In this way, the system can be excited in order to obtain more extra system-operating information for FI than passive FI approaches.

Overall, the objective of this paper is to propose an actuator MPC scheme with as little as possible of FI conservatism and computational complexity by combining tube-based MPC and set theory within the framework of MPC, respectively.

Finally, a case study is used to show the effectiveness of the proposed FTC scheme.
Object–Parameter Approaches to Predicting Unknown Data in an Incomplete Fuzzy Soft Set
Authors: Liu Yaya , Qin Keyun , Rao Chang , Alhaji Mahamadu Mahamuda
Published: April 2017

The research on incomplete fuzzy soft sets is an integral part of the research on fuzzy soft sets and has been initiated recently. In this work, we first point out that an existing approach to predicting unknown data in an incomplete fuzzy soft set suffers from some limitations and then we propose an improved method. The hidden information between both objects and parameters revealed in our approach is more comprehensive. Furthermore, based on the similarity measures of fuzzy sets, a new adjustable object-parameter approach is proposed to predict unknown data in incomplete fuzzy soft sets. Data predicting converts an incomplete fuzzy soft set into a complete one, which makes the fuzzy soft set applicable not only to decision making but also to other areas. The compared results elaborated through rate exchange data sets illustrate that both our improved approach and the new adjustable object-parameter one outperform the existing method with respect to forecasting accuracy.
Low Alloy Steel Structures After Welding with Micro-Jet Cooling
Authors: Węgrzyn T. , Piwnik J. , Hadryś D. , Wszołek Ł.
Published: April 2017

The paper focuses on low alloy steel after innovate welding method with micro-jet cooling. Weld metal deposit (WMD) was carried out for welding and for MIG and MAG welding with micro-jet cooling. This method is very promising mainly due to the high amount of AF (acicular ferrite) and low amount of MAC (self-tempered martensite, retained austenite, carbide) phases in WMD. That structure corresponds with very good mechanical properties, ie. high impact toughness of welds at low temperature. Micro-jet cooling after welding can find serious application in automotive industry very soon. Until that moment only argon, helium and nitrogen were tested as micro-jet gases. In that paper first time various gas mixtures (gas mixtures Ar-CO2) were tested for micro-jet cooling after welding.
Influence of heat treatment on the wear resistance of the ZnAl40Cu1.5Ti1.5 alloy
Authors: Michalik R. , Iwaniak A. , Wieczorek J.
Published: April 2017

Zn-Al-Cu alloys are predominantly used due to their tribological properties. One of the crucial issues related to the use of Zn-Al alloys is their dimensional instability. Partial replacement of copper with titanium greatly contributes to the reduction of the dimensional instability issue. The study involved the ZnAl40Cu1.5Ti1.5 alloy. In this work, microstructure and wear properties of ZnAl40Cu1.5Ti1.5 alloy were studied in both as-cast and heat treated conditions. The heat treatment was performed by solution treatment at a temperature of 385°C for 24 hours, quenching in cold water and artificial aging at 125°C for 3 hours. The hardness tests enabled to specify the optimum ageing time span, which amounts to 3 hours. Wear tests indicated that the ZnAl40Cu1.5Ti1.5 alloy is characterized with high wear resistance. It was also observed that the applied heat treatment increases the wear resistance of the experimental alloy.
Inverse Model for the Solute Micro-Field Formation during Self-Propagating High Temperature Reaction
Authors: Wołczyński W.
Published: April 2017

A new thermodynamic description for the self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS - reaction) is presented in the “inverse” version. This description is worked out for the diffusion barrier, thickness of which is at the limit, i.e. its value is infinitesimally small. The solution to the diffusion equation delivered in the description can be easily extended for the diffusion barrier of a greater thickness. The Ni/Al multi-layers system is treated as a virtual eutectic alloy solidifying with the rate equal to that involved by the self-propagating reaction. It is suggested to inverse the curves obtained for solidification in order to characterize the melting completed by the formation of the AlNi - intermetallic phase required in the self-propagating synthesis.
Hot deformation behavior of Mg-Zn-Al alloy tube processed by severe plastic deformation
Authors: Fata A. , Faraji G. , Mashhadi M. M. , Tavakkoli V.
Published: April 2017

In the current study, severe plastic deformation (SPD) was applied on a commercial Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy tubes via parallel tubular channel angular pressing (PTCAP) route. Different passes of PTCAP process were applied, and microstructure, hardness and tensile properties at the room, and elevated temperatures were evaluated. The results showed that bimodal microstructure appeared and led to AZ31 alloy represented higher hardness, higher strength with a reasonable elongation at room temperature. Similarly, very high elongation to failure was achieved at a higher temperature. The increase in the number of SPD passes up to two, leads to increasing the ductility up to 263% at 400°C. Then, an increase in the number of PTCAP passes to three, leads to decrease in the ductility as the results of formation of microvoids when SPD processing at higher equivalent strains without a sufficient hydrostatic compressive stress. Relatively ductile fracture mode was also occurred in all samples.
Structural Transition in SrZnO Laser Pulse Deposited Alloy
Authors: Albrithen H. A. , Elnaggar M. , Ozga K. , Szota M. , Alahmed Z. A. , Alanazi A. Q. , Alshahrani H. , Alfaifi E. , Djouadi M. A. , Labis J. P.
Published: April 2017

We have discovered a structural transition for the SrZnO alloy films from a wurtzite to a rock-salt structure, leading to a reduction in the (112̲0)/(0001) surface energy ratio. The films were grown by pulsed laser deposition using different SrO ratios, x. We have revealed that growth at a higher temperature, 750°C, resulted in a sharp 0002 peak at a low SrO content (5%), whereas growth at a higher SrO content (10%) resulted in a non-crystalline film with minute crystallites with a (112̲0) orientation. Generally the crystallinity decreased as the SrO content increased. No results obtained for the crystalline films showed any orientation of significant peaks besides the peak attributed to the (0001) plane, suggesting epitaxial growth. Optical measurements showed difference in transmission widows of alloys with different SrO percentage, and this was correlated to SrO influence on growth mode as indicated by scanning electron imaging. The studied SrZnO films, with SrO/(SrO + ZnO) ≤ 0.25, were grown by pulsed laser deposition using different SrO ratios, x. The effects of temperature and oxygen pressure during growth on the films’ structural properties were investigated. XRD results indicate that the film crystallinity was improved as the temperature and O2 pressure increased up to 650°C and 0.5 Torr, respectively.
Incorporation of the Pore Size Variation to Modeling of the Elastic Behavior of Metallic Open-Cell Foams
Authors: Ćwieka K. , Wejrzanowski T. , Kurzydłowski K. J.
Published: April 2017

In the present paper we present the approach for modeling of the elastic behavior of open-cell metallic foams concerning non-uniform pore size distribution. This approach combines design of foam structures and numerical simulations of compression tests using finite element method (FEM). In the design stage, Laguerre-Voronoi tessellations (LVT) were performed on several sets of packed spheres with defined variation of radii, bringing about a set of foam structures with porosity ranging from 74 to 98% and different pore size variation quantified by the coefficient of pore volume variation, CV(V), from 0.5 to 2.1. Each structure was numerically subjected to uni-axial compression test along three directions within the elastic region. Basing on the numerical response, the effective Young’s modulus, Eeff, was calculated for each structure. It is shown that the Eeff is not only dependent on the porosity but also on the pore size variation.
Effect of intensive cooling of alloy AM60 with chromium and vanadium additions on cast microstructure and mechanical properties
Authors: Rapiejko C. , Pisarek B. , Pacyniak T.
Published: April 2017

The work presents the results of the investigations of the effect of intensive cooling of alloy AM60 with additions of chromium and vanadium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the obtained casts. The experimental casts were made in ceramic moulds preliminarily heated to 180°C, into which alloy AM60 with the additions was poured. Within the implementation of the research, a comparison was made of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the casts obtained in ceramic moulds cooled at ambient temperature and the ones intensively cooled in a cooling liquid. The kinetics and dynamics the thermal effects recorded by the TDA method were compared. Metallographic tests were performed with the use of an optical microscope and the strength properties of the obtained casts were examined: UTS(Rm), elongation (A%), and HB hardness.
Influence of additives in core-forming mixture
Authors: Vasková I. , Hrubovčáková M. , Conev M.
Published: April 2017

In recent years, ingredients, also known as additives, which appreciably affect the quality of the casting surface, come to the fore. Additives - lower the temperature at which SiO2 (major component of silica sand) begins to soften and create a melt on the surface of the grains, increase the reactivity and decrease the temperature of a transition to tridimite and cristobalit. These passages support the increase of volume of subsurface sand stress and the tension for the formation of burrs and other casting defects on the surface of the core or the mold.

Nowadays, as a great emphasis is put on the quality of the casts, it is therefore necessary to pay attention to these additives, which can effectively reduce the labor intensity in the production of castings and ensure a quality surface of castings.
An analysis of the joints’ properties of thick-grained steel welded by the SAW and ESW methods
Authors: Krawczyk R.
Published: April 2017

The article presents an analysis of properties of welded joints of thick-grained steel of P460NH type used more and more often in the modern constructions. A process of examining a technology of welding has been carried out on the thick-walled butt joints of sheet metal by two methods of welding namely submerged arc welding (SAW - 121) and electroslag (ESW - 722). The article deals with a topic of optimizing a process of welding thick-walled welded joints of fine-grained steel due to their mechanical properties and efficiency.