bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integracja w kontekście różnorodności kulturowej i religijnej
Authors: Sakowicz Eugeniusz
Published: December 2017

Pluralizm kulturowy i religijny na Zachodzie stał się faktem. Zresztą stare europejskie państwa od samego początku istnienia skupiały na swoich terytoriach nie tylko „swoich”, ale również „obcych”. Z biegiem czasu „obcy” – przedstawiciele odmiennych kultur, wyznawcy innych religii – stawali się w pewnym sensie „swoimi”. Doświadczenie pluralizmu w życiu publicznym wiąże się ze wzajemnym poznawaniem się, co prowadzi do wyzwolenia się z wszelkich uprzedzeń.Chrześcijanie oraz ci, którzy nimi kiedyś byli, żyją w otoczeniu kultur oraz niechrześcijańskich tradycji religijnych. Przez wieki kultury i religie niechrześcijańskie zajmowały określone terytoria geograficzne o ściśle wyznaczonych granicach. Współcześnie obecne są one „w rozproszeniu” na wszystkich kontynentach świata. Integralną częścią kultur niechrześcijańskich są religie. Każda z nich wyróżnia się oryginalną doktryną, specyficznym kultem i moralnością, nadto specyficzną organizacją z określoną władzą na czele. Wyznawcy różnych religii oraz zwolennicy określonych ideologii żyją w tych samych środowiskach – multikulturowych kręgach.Fenomen „inności” wpisany jest w dzieje ludzkości oraz cywilizacji i kultury. Już opisy antropogenezy, podawane przez różne tradycje religijne ludzkości, wypowiadają się o tym, co „inne”, a co tworzy jakąś bardziej lub mniej zwartą całość. Człowiek nigdy nie byłby sobą, gdyby wokół niego zabrakło „innych”. Dzięki nim jesteśmy sobą.Wiek XX był czasem eskalacji nienawiści do „innego”. Wygenerowana została ona przez utopijne systemy gloryfikujące jednych ludzi, a unicestwiające drugich. Utopie, fikcje filozoficzne, mitologie XX stulecia były wykwitem wcześniejszych aberracji myśli ludzkiej. Druga połowa tego stulecia była czasem otrząsania się ze skutków wojen zawsze będących apoteozą przemocy, okrucieństwa, bezwzględności.Droga integracji wyznaczona może być wśród „innych” przez: odkrywanie zapoznanego braterstwa, „oczyszczanie pamięci”, afirmację tożsamości własnej i cudzej, tolerancję. Sposobem pokonywania obcości i metodą integracji jest dialog, w jego różnych wyrazach i formach.Księgą dialogu oraz „integracji” starożytnych kultur oraz człowieka z Bogiem była Biblia. Dzieło to ogniskowało przez wieki wiele różnych kultur. Pismo Święte stanowi księgę dialogu człowieka z Bogiem oraz dzieło „integracji” kultur. Wzorem dialogu oraz integracji jest Jezus Chrystus. Ewangelie doskonale ilustrują sposób dialogu Jezusa. Jego spotkania z „innymi” ludźmi nie były nigdy obojętne. Jezus nigdy nikogo nie odrzucał. Zawsze otwarty był na dialog, również najtrudniejszy. Jezus Chrystus objawia się tu bardzo wyraźnie jako Ten, który „integruje” człowieka z samym sobą, z drugim człowiekiem, z mniejszą czy większą społecznością ludzką – od rodziny poczynając, na narodzie i Kościele kończąc. Jest wzorem integracji w jej różnych wzorcach, odniesieniach czy ucieleśnieniach.
Migracja w kontekście duszpasterstwa rodzin wyzwaniem dla współczesnego Kościoła. Perspektywa prawna, psychologiczna i teologiczna
Authors: Pilarczyk Hubert , Wieradzka-Pilarczyk Anna , Pilarczyk Martyna
Published: December 2017

Artykuł jest próbą zilustrowania pojęcia migracji i jej wpływu na rodzinę z trzech perspektyw: prawnej, psychologicznej i społecznej nauki Kościoła katolickiego. Artykuł przedstawia między innymi podstawowe dokumenty prawne regulujące kwestie związane z migracją i przymusową migracją rodzin, aspekty psychologiczne i ich wpływ na funkcjonowanie osoby i rodziny jako wspólnoty jednostek oraz omawia podstawowe dokumenty i oświadczenia wybranych papieży dotyczących migracji. Artykuły kończą się wnioskami, które mogą posłużyć za przykład konkretnych rozwiązań pomagających rodzinie, która doświadczyła migracji.
Współczesne wyzwania demografi czne jako determinanty bezpieczeństwa
Authors: Baranowski Piotr
Published: December 2017

Niniejsza praca traktuje o szeroko pojętej tematyce bezpieczeństwa ludnościowego, wskazując na wyzwania, które czekają na reakcję, a z którymi społeczność międzynarodowa zetknie się jeszcze w XXI wieku. Autor wyszczególnia i analizuje takie problemy, jak: globalne zmiany demograficzne, przyrost naturalny w krajach rozwijających się, problemy demograficzne państw rozwiniętych oraz problematykę związaną z migracjami zarobkowymi z państw rozwijających się do państw rozwiniętych. Wśród wykorzystanych źródeł znajduje się szereg raportów instytucji takich jak ONZ czy Bank Światowy, dotyczących kondycji demograficznej różnych regionów świata ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem Afryki i Europy.
Polynomial Solutions of Equivariant Polynomial Abel Differential Equations
Authors: Llibre Jaume , Valls Clàudia
Published: December 2017

Let

a
⁢

(
x
)

{a(x)}

be non-constant and let

b
j

⁢

(
x
)

{b_{j}(x)}

, for

j
=

0
,
1
,
2
,
3

{j=0,1,2,3}

, be real or complex polynomials in the variable x. Then the real or complex equivariant polynomial Abel differential equation

a
⁢

(
x
)

⁢

y
˙

=

b
1

⁢

(
x
)

⁢
y

+

b
3

⁢

(
x
)

⁢

y
3

{a(x)\dot{y}=b_{1}(x)y+b_{3}(x)y^{3}}

, with

b
3

⁢

(
x
)

≠
0

{b_{3}(x)\neq 0}

, and the real or complex polynomial equivariant polynomial Abel differential equation of the second kind

a
⁢

(
x
)

⁢
y
⁢

y
˙

=

b
0

⁢

(
x
)

+

b
2

⁢

(
x
)

⁢

y
2

{a(x)y\dot{y}=b_{0}(x)+b_{2}(x)y^{2}}

, with

b
2

⁢

(
x
)

≠
0

{b_{2}(x)\neq 0}

, have at most 7 polynomial solutions. Moreover, there exist equations of this type having this maximum number of polynomial solutions.
Constriction – Construction, a short history of specialised wearing apparel for athletic activities from the fourteenth century to nineteenth century
Authors: Baptiste Soline Anthore , Baptiste Nicolas P.
Published: December 2017

During the twentieth century, clothing permits a real freedom of bodily movement. However, when examining past athletic activity, we must take into account the period approach to the body: liberty of movement is at the same time controlled by morality, gestures and clothing. The French term “tenue” initially referred to behaviour, but since the end of the eighteenth century concerns the manner of dressing, and later by extension, the “dignity of conduct”. In the past times concerned with “sporting” activities such as the HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), physical appearance is affected by rules of etiquette imposed by morality and civility. From the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century, each period offers a different overview of the dress standards in relation to the different approaches to corporal identity, and the constriction first necessary for military activities becomes indivisible from the moral and physical construction. As a practitioner of the 21st century, the question raises about our relationship, not only with our bodies but also with past cultures. As demonstrated by some concrete examples, if it is desired to fully approach the ancient practices, it is therefore necessary to also adopt the garment, in the same way as the accessories.
Gender-partitioned patient medians of serum albumin requested by general practitioners for the assessment of analytical stability
Authors: Hansen Steen Ingemann , Petersen Per Hyltoft , Lund Flemming , Fraser Callum G. , Sölétormos György
Published: December 2017

Background:

Recently, the use of separate gender-partitioned patient medians of serum sodium has revealed potential for monitoring analytical stability within the optimum analytical performance specifications for laboratory medicine. The serum albumin concentration depends on whether a patient is sitting or recumbent during phlebotomy. We therefore investigated only examinations requested by general practitioners (GPs) to provide data from sitting patients.

Methods:

Weekly and monthly patient medians of serum albumin requested by GP for both male and female patients were calculated from the raw data obtained from three analysers in the hospital laboratory on examination of samples from those >18 years. The half-range of medians were applied as an estimate of the maximum bias. Further, the ratios between the two medians were calculated (females/males).

Results:

The medians for male and female patients were closely related despite considerable variation due to the current analytical variation. This relationship was confirmed by the calculated half-range for the monthly ratio between the genders of 0.44%, which surpasses the optimum analytical performance specification for bias of serum albumin (0.72%). The weekly ratio had a half-range of 1.83%, which surpasses the minimum analytical performance specifications of 2.15%.

Conclusions:

Monthly gender-partitioned patient medians of serum albumin are useful for monitoring of long-term analytical stability, where the gender medians are two independent estimates of changes in (delta) bias: only results requested by GP are of value in this application to ensure that all patients are sitting during phlebotomy.
Extra-analytical quality indicators – where to now?
Authors: Aita Ada , Sciacovelli Laura , Plebani Mario
Published: December 2017

A large body of evidence collected in recent years demonstrates the vulnerability of the extra-analytical phases of the total testing process (TTP) and the need to promote quality and harmonization in each and every step of the testing cycle. Quality indicators (QIs), which play a key role in documenting and improving quality in TTP, are essential requirements for clinical laboratory accreditation. In the last few years, wide consensus has been achieved on the need to adopt universal QIs and common terminology and to harmonize the management procedure concerning their use by adopting a common metric and reporting system. This, in turn, has led to the definition of performance specifications for extra-analytical phases based on the state of the art as indicated by data collected on QIs, particularly by clinical laboratories attending the Model of Quality Indicators program launched by the Working Group “Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety” of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Harmonization plays a fundamental role defining not only the list of QIs to use but also performance specifications based on the state of the art, thus providing a valuable interlaboratory benchmark and tools for continuous improvement programs.
Preventing overdiagnosis in mammography screening – a public health perspective
Authors: Concin Hans , Nagel Gabriele
Published: December 2017

Prevention and management of breast cancer in order to provide high quality health care is an important public health issue. The existence of overdiagnosis for breast-cancer was controversial for a long time but is now broadly accepted. Overdiagnosis is defined as the diagnosis of “disease” that will never cause symptoms or death during a patient’s ordinarily expected lifetime. Estimates of the overdiagnosis rate for breast cancer range up to 54% of screen-detected localized tumors. New approaches, such as the identification of high risk groups or primary prevention approaches could be more relevant from the public health perspective.
Unternehmen im Transformationsprozess: Ostdeutsche und osteuropäische Perspektiven
Authors: Schulz Ulrike , Steinberg Swen
Published: December 2017

This special issue presents East German as well as East European perspectives on the transformation phases after 1945 and 1989 and advocates the long-term analysis of corporations in the socialist planned economies as an independent research field. This includes not only economic questions but also cultural phenomena of everyday life, as well as questions of identity, milieu, confession or tradition. Ultimately, the aim is to extend this perspective to Eastern Europe. Again, the focus is not on the Comecon countries and their corporations alone. The interdependencies and interconnections between the East European and Western markets should also be taken into account.
Wieviel kapitalistisches Unternehmen steckte in den Betrieben des real existierenden Sozialismus?
Authors: Schulz Ulrike , Welskopp Thomas
Published: December 2017

The article offers a new perspective on the economic and business history of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It argues that the historiographical emphasis on the “failure” of the East German planned economy should be replaced by an analysis of those factors which allowed the GDR economy to exist as long as it did and the effects they had on the system as a whole. To do so, the article first provides an overview of the structural conditions that characterized the East German economy and looks at the position and role of the publically-owned companies within the “Budgetverwaltungswirtschaft” (budget administration economy). To determine in which ways the East German companies functionally differed from capitalist ones, the article investigates in a second step the characteristics of capitalist economies, specifically the relevance awarded to companies and entrepreneurs as constitutive elements of the market. By distinguishing analytically the distribution of property rights bundles awarded to the different actors in the economy, the article provides a basis for comparing the functions of companies in capitalist and non-capitalist systems without assuming an essential difference between the two types of companies a priori. Finally, the article demonstrates the methodological insight gained from the comparative analysis by drawing on examples from the company Simson.
Transforming Labour: From the Workers’ State to the Post-Socialist Re-Organization of Industry and Workplace Communities
Authors: Bartha Eszter
Published: December 2017

The article seeks to place the workers’ road from socialism to capitalism in East Germany and Hungary in a historical context. It offers an overview of the most important elements of the party’s policy towards labour in the two countries under the Honecker and the Kádár regime respectively. It examines the highly paternalistic role of the factory as a life-long employer and provider of workers’ needs for the large industrial working class which the regime considered to be its main social basis. Given that the thesis of the working class as the ruling class was central to the legitimating ideology of the state socialist regimes, dissident intellectuals challenging this thesis were effectively marginalized or forced into exile.

After the change of regimes, the “working class” again became an ideological term associated with the discredited and fallen regime. The article analyses the changes within the life-world of East German and Hungarian workers in the light of life-history interviews. It argues that in Hungary, the social and material decline of the workers – alongside the loss of the symbolic capital of the working class – reinforced ethno-centric, nationalistic narratives, which juxtaposed “globalization” and “national capitalism”, the latter supposedly protecting citizens from the exploitation by global capital. In the light of the sad reports of falling standards of living and impoverishment, the Kádár regime received an ambiguous, often nostalgic evaluation. While the East Germans were also critical of the new, capitalist society (unemployment, intensified competition for jobs, the disintegration of the old, work-based communities), they gave more credit to the post-socialist democratic institutions. They were more willing to reconcile the old socialist values which they had appreciated in the GDR with a modern left-wing critique than their Hungarian counterparts, for whom nationalism seemed to offer the only means to express social criticism.
Das verstaatlichte Glasgewerbe der Tschechoslowakei: Systemdefizite als Chancengeber für Qualitätssicherung und Innovationsfähigkeit
Authors: Wasmuth Verena
Published: December 2017

Following the political and territorial events of 1918, 1945, and 1989, the Czechoslovak glass industry was facing similar adversities in the search for new markets. The cooperation between industry, trade, and professional designers proved a successful way out of the crisis. A closer look at the players involved in the economic transformation reveals that the diversified promotion of design ensured the long-term survival of the manufacture and finishing of glass in the Czech Republic, and thus the traditional reputation of the industry as a whole.
Zwischen Ausbeutung, Förderung und Reglementierung: Textile Kriegsheimarbeit in Deutschland 1914 bis 1918
Authors: König Ralf Martin
Published: December 2017

This essay intends to provide an introduction into an interesting aspect of the German war economy of the First World War not previously examined in detail: home-based outwork for the production of military supplies. In particular, this type of home-based outwork enjoyed great popularity amongst women with no previous experience of this form of work, such as soldiers’ wives and war widows. They were supported by various charitable welfare societies and women’s organizations which campaigned for public welfare during the war. Their efforts included the establishment of sewing rooms in which military home-based outwork was provided as emergency work. Orders were supplied by the military procurement bodies of the German Reich. Although many potential workers were thus withheld from the armaments industry, the development was not seen as a problem by the military administration. However, it did react critically to the many cases in which particularly female home workers were duped by firms when picking up their work. Especially in the area around Berlin, the military authorities intervened vigorously to enforce standard wages for the home workers sewing military uniforms. Nevertheless, the year 1916 marks a turning point: This benevolent stance on home-based outwork changed under the pressure of new employment priorities. New contract regulations made military home-based outwork difficult for unskilled male and female workers to access. These were in theory then available to work in the armaments industry and in agriculture, areas both struggling to meet labour demands. Moreover, the changes led to an organizational separation between sandbag sewing and other home-based outwork involved in producing textiles for the military. In the case of sandbag sewing, a separate war committee was responsible for the planned distribution of sandbag orders throughout the whole Reich.
Transporting 8 × 10 Gbps WDM Ro-FSO Under Various Weather Conditions
Authors: Ali Mazin Ali A. , Adnan Salah Aldeen , Al-Saeedi Sarah Ali.
Published: December 2017

Radio overfree space optics (Ro-FSO) is a modern communication technique that promises a development future. In this paper, WDM Ro-FSO communication system has designed (10 Gbps×8λ) for transmissions 80 Gbps data rate via the largest possible distance under clear air, heavy rain, and heavy fog atmosphere conditions of FSO link, with test the best wavelengths performance of (193.1 to 93.8) THz that each one (wavelength) carry 10 Gbps by employ BER analyzer at receiver channels. The electric signals produced by phase shift keying (PSK) modulation technique modulated the information (10 Gbps) on RF signal (20 GHz). The results of transporting 80 Gbps were 5 km under clear air weather condition, 1.2 km under heavy rain, and 0.2 km under heavy fog condition. Finally, the different wavelengths that carry high-value data rate are tested by measurement of the BER and Q factor for each received channel, and the theoretical model of PSK modulation is analyzed.
Performance Improvement of WDM Optical Network using Optimal Regenerator Placement Strategy
Authors: Kaur Karamjit , Kumar Anil , Singh Hardeep
Published: December 2017

As the optical networks are moving towards transparent networks, the Optical-to-Electrical (O-E) conversion taking place within the link is reduced to minimal. This results into accumulation of physical layer impairments along the light path, thereby degrading the signal quality. Due to enormous data traffic carried by optical links, any link failure or non-recovery to data at the destination end may result in huge loss. To improve the system performance, the optimum placement of regenerators is one of the solutions for the same, where signal regeneration may takes place at certain pre-specified nodes. Three different strategies of regenerator placement are discussed in the present work. The improvement in system performance with this is also presented.
Vaginal bleeding and a giant ovarian cyst in an infant with 21-hydroxylase deficiency
Authors: Şahin Nursel Muratoğlu , Bayramoğlu Elvan , Çetinkaya Semra , Erdeve Şenay Şavaş , Karaman Ayşe , Akdoğan Melek Pala , Aycan Zehra
Published: December 2017

Background:

Increased adrenal androgen hormones in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) can rarely cause giant ovarian cysts in the neonatal period. Although the exact mechanism of the development of ovarian cysts is unknown, it is thought that increased androgen levels stimulate folicle development by increasing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels.

Case presentation:

A 16-day-old newborn with ambiguous genitalia was presented to our clinic. Laboratory test results were as follows: sodium: 126 mEq/L, potassium: 5.4 mEq/L, renin: 132 pg/mL, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): 207 pg/mL, cortisole: 7.8 μg/dL, basal 17OH progesterone: 21 ng/mL, androstenedione: 5.1 ng/mL, testosterone: 1188 ng/dL and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)>1500 μg/dL. Karyotype analysis resulted in 46,XX. A homozygous mutation of R356W was detected in the CYP21A2 gene. The classical severe form of salt wasting 21 hydroxylase deficiency was diagnosed and treatment was started with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. Good metabolic control was ensured by monthly visits but the baby presented with vaginal bleeding as soiling at 4 months. The cystic lesion which extended to the epigastric area from the pelvis in the midline abdomen, had a size of 90×80×60 mm and medially, thin ovarian parenchyma was detected in ultrasonography.

Conclusions:

The findings in our patient suggest that a decline in adrenal androgens after glucocorticoid treatment resulted in an increase in gonadotropin levels and the giant cyst is developed by activation of gonadotropin cascade and increased gonadotropin receptors, instead of androgens.
Molecular basis and clinical presentation of classic galactosemia in a Croatian population
Authors: Ramadža Danijela Petković , Sarnavka Vladimir , Vuković Jurica , Fumić Ksenija , Krželj Vjekoslav , Lozić Bernarda , Pušeljić Silvija , Pereira Hana , Silva Maria João , Tavares de Almeida Isabel , Barić Ivo , Rivera Isabel
Published: December 2017

Background:

Classic galactosemia is an autosomal recessive disorder of galactose metabolism caused by severely decreased activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT) due to pathogenic mutations in the GALT gene. To date more than 330 mutations have been described, with p.Q188R and p.K285N being the most common in Caucasian populations. Although acute manifestations can be fully avoided by a galactose-restricted diet, chronic complications, such as neurological ones, cannot be prevented in a significant number of patients despite compliance with the dietary treatment.

Methods:

A cohort of 16 galactosemic Croatian patients, including one pair of siblings, was studied. Molecular characterization was performed by direct sequence analysis of the GALT gene.

Results:

Sixteen patients were analyzed and only four different mutations were detected. As expected, p.Q188R and p.K285N were common, accounting for 40% and 37% of unrelated alleles, respectively. The third mutation accounting for 20% of mutant alleles was p.R123X causing a premature stop codon, is thus considered to be severe, which is in accordance with the phenotype presented by the homozygous patient described here. The fourth mutation p.E271D was found in a single allele. More than half of our patients manifested some chronic neurological complications.

Conclusions:

This is the first report on mutational and phenotypic spectra of classic galactosemia in Croatia that expands the knowledge on the mutational map of the GALT gene across Europe and reveals the genetic homogeneity of the Croatian population.
Early usage of Bakri postpartum balloon in the management of postpartum hemorrhage: a large prospective, observational multicenter clinical study in South China
Authors: Wang Dongyu , Xu Shuqia , Qiu Xiwen , Zhu Caixia , Li Zhuyu , Wang Zilian , Hou Hongying , Gao Yu , Wang Xiaoyi , He Ping , Qin Yiwei , Liu Lihua
Published: December 2017

Aim:

To evaluate the success rate and protocol of the Bakri balloon for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in the course of a prospective observational multicenter cohort study in South China.

Methods:

At 20 hospitals in South China, women with postpartum bleeding who failed to respond to the first-line conservative management and received the Bakri balloon were recruited for the study. Maternal characteristics, PPH characteristics, PPH management and outcomes in regard to the Bakri balloon use were recorded.

Results:

A total of 472 women had a Bakri balloon tamponade and 407 (86.23%) women were enrolled (67 after vaginal delivery and 340 either during or after cesarean delivery). The success rate of the Bakri balloon in this study was 91.65% (373/407 women). During vaginal deliveries, the group with a hemorrhage >2000 mL before balloon insertion had significantly more blood loss (551.67±635.17 mL vs. 242.06±313.69 mL, P=0.039) and lower maternal hemoglobin (73±21.77 g/L vs. 92.06±19.60 g/L, P=0.029) after using Bakri balloon than the group with a hemorrhage <1000 mL. Similar data were found during cesarean deliveries. The blood loss before and after balloon insertion were significantly higher in the Bakri balloon failure group (1700±1429.88 mL before and 1209.58±1139.72 mL after using the balloon) than those in the success group [918±493.92 mL before (P=0.002) and 266.57±361.60 mL after using the balloon (P=0.001)].

Conclusion:

Rapid diagnosis or prognosis of PPH, in combination with early usage of the Bakri postpartum balloon is more effective for the management of PPH.
The New Aristotelian Essentialists
Authors: Noonan Harold W.
Published: December 2017

In recent years largely due to the seminal work of Kit Fine and that of Jonathan Lowe there has been a resurgence of interest in the concept of essence and the project of explaining de re necessity in terms of it. Of course, Quine rejected what he called Aristotelian essentialism in his battle against quantified modal logic. But what he and Kripke debated was a notion of essence defined in terms of de re necessity. The new Aristotelian essentialists regard essence as entailing but prior in the order of explanation to de re necessity. In what follows I argue that the concept of essence so understood has not been adequately explained and that any attempt to explain it, at least along the lines most familiar from the literature, must be flagrantly circular or make use of de re modal notions.
A derivative of the Corey lactone – crystal structure of (3aR,4S,5R,6aS)-4-(((tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)methyl)-2-oxohexahydro-2H-cyclopenta[b]furan-5-yl benzoate, C21H30O5Si
Authors: Wang Kun-Yan , Wei Pengfei , Yang Xiao-Li
Published: December 2017

C21H30O5Si, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 8.5017(6) Å, b = 11.4370(7) Å, c = 22.2285(12) Å, V = 2161.4(2) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0499, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0972, T = 296(2) K.
Water-swellable elastomers: synthesis, properties and applications
Authors: Polgar Lorenzo M. , Fallani Francesca , Cuijpers Juul , Raffa Patrizio , Broekhuis Antonius A. , van Duin Martin , Picchioni Francesco
Published: December 2017

Water-swellable elastomers (WSE) constitute a class of rubbery materials that have been widely studied both in academia and industry during the last 25 years. Market pull is the major driver for the exploration of these materials. The need of WSE in several sealing applications has driven the attention of many academic researchers toward the possibility to provide a rubber with water-swelling characteristics. As commercial rubbers are hydrophobic materials, making them swell in water presents an interesting and difficult challenge. This paper reviews the scientific and patent literature on the fundamental aspects of WSE: the various synthetic approaches, the properties of the corresponding polymers (not only the swelling performance but also the mechanical behavior), and some of their applications. Particular attention is paid to the chemical structure/performance relationships of WSE. Finally, the authors speculate on a great future for WSE that can be rationally designed for improved and/or new applications.
Neuroanatomy of conversion disorder: towards a network approach
Authors: Conejero Ismael , Thouvenot Eric , Abbar Mocrane , Mouchabac Stéphane , Courtet Philippe , Olié Emilie
Published: December 2017

The pathophysiology of conversion disorder is not well understood, although studies using functional brain imaging in patients with motor and sensory symptoms are progressively increasing. We conducted a systematic review of the literature with the aim of summarising the available data on the neuroanatomical features of this disorder. We also propose a general model of the neurobiological disturbance in motor conversion disorder. We systematically searched articles in Medline using the Medical Subject Headings terms ‘(conversion disorder or hysterical motor disorder) and (neuropsychology or cognition) or (functional magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography or neuroimaging) or (genetics or polymorphisms or epigenetics) or (biomarkers or biology)’, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Two authors independently reviewed the retrieved records and abstracts, assessed the exhaustiveness of data abstraction, and confirmed the quality rating. Analysis of the available literature data shows that multiple specialised brain networks (self-agency, action monitoring, salience system, and memory suppression) influence action selection and modulate supplementary motor area activation. Some findings suggest that conceptualisation of movement and motor intention is preserved in patients with limb weakness. More studies are needed to fully understand the brain alterations in conversion disorders and pave the way for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
„Gekommen, um zu bleiben“: Optionen für eine Auseinandersetzung mit der neuen Nuklearmacht Nordkorea
Authors: Fels Enrico
Published: December 2017

Wie sehen die Chancen aus, Nordkorea mit militärischem oder politischem Druck zur Aufgabe seines Kernwaffenprogramms zu bewegen? Der Artikel befasst sich mit den unterschiedlichen derzeit diskutierten Optionen und gelangt zu dem Schluss, dass es keine überzeugenden Handlungsoptionen gibt, die dieses Ziel erreichen könnten. Es ist davon auszugehen, dass die Kim-Diktatur vorerst im Besitz von Kernwaffen sowie anderer Massenvernichtungswaffen bleiben wird. Selbst eine engere Abstimmung unter den USA und China dürfte nicht zu einer automatischen Denuklearisierung Nordkoreas führen. Es kommt derzeit eher darauf an, die gegenwärtige politische Eskalationsspirale zu entwirren und im bilateralen Austausch zwischen Washington und Peking nach Gemeinsamkeiten zu suchen und zu vermeiden, dass aus dem Konflikt über Nordkorea ein tiefgehendes strategisches Zerwürfnis zwischen beiden Ländern erwächst (von dem Russland profitieren würde).
Grenzen der thermischen, räumlichen und
zeitlichen Auflösung ungekühlter Thermografiekameras
Authors: Budzier Helmut , Gerlach Gerald
Published: December 2017

Durch die enorme Entwicklung der Mikrobolometertechnologie hat sich
die Thermografie in den letzten Jahren sehr stark entwickelt. So hat
sie sich fest als Messtechnik für Temperaturen von Oberflächen
etabliert. In diesem Beitrag wird nun untersucht, durch welche
physikalischen Randbedingungen die weiteren Entwicklungen von
Mikrobolometern hinsichtlich der thermischen, räumlichen und
zeitlichen Auflösung begrenzt werden. Die minimal erreichbare
NETD, die sogenannte BLIP-NETD (BLIP: Background
Limited Infrared Performance), wird durch das Strahlungsrauschen der
Objektstrahlung bestimmt. Sie hängt u. a. von der Pixelfläche
und der Bandbreite der Signalauswertung ab. Der kleinste
auflösbare Messfleck ist durch die Fraunhofer-Beugung an
einer kreisrunden Apertur entstehende Airy-Scheibe
gegeben. Aus der optischen Modulationsübertragungsfunktion
(MTF
O

) ergibt sich der kleinste sinnvolle Pixelabstand.
Should I Share My Journal Entry With You? A Critical Exploration of Relational Ethics in Autoethnography
Authors: Campbell Elaine
Published: December 2017

Journal entries documenting hidden emotions about my dual role as law teacher and practicing lawyer provide powerful insight into an aspect of academic practice not yet considered by autoethnography. But my stories are a consequence of my interactions with students. How do I negotiate the desire to give voice to a hidden world, yet protect the bonds of trust? This essay critically explores relational ethics in autoethnography from the unique perspective of a law clinic supervisor. Drawing on lessons from memoirists, personal reflections, and an unexpected dialogue with Carolyn Ellis, I raise important questions about my own ethical dilemma.
Compensatory Internalization of Pma1 in V-ATPase Mutants inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeRequires Calcium- and Glucose-Sensitive Phosphatases
Authors: Velivela Swetha Devi , Kane Patricia M
Published: December 2017

Loss of V-ATPase activity in organelles triggers compensatory endocytic downregulation of the plasma membrane proton pump Pma1. Here, Velivela and Kane...

Loss of V-ATPase activity in organelles, whether through V-ATPase inhibition or V-ATPase (vma) mutations, triggers a compensatory downregulation of the essential plasma membrane proton pump Pma1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have previously determined that the α-arrestin Rim8 and ubiquitin ligase Rsp5 are essential for Pma1 ubiquination and endocytosis in response to loss of V-ATPase activity. Here, we show that Pma1 endocytosis in V-ATPase mutants does not require Rim101 pathway components upstream and downstream of Rim8, indicating that Rim8 is acting independently in Pma1 internalization. We find that two phosphatases, the calcium-responsive phosphatase calcineurin and the glucose-sensitive phosphatase Glc7 (PP1), and one of the Glc7 regulatory subunits Reg1, exhibit negative synthetic genetic interactions with vma mutants, and demonstrate that both phosphatases are essential for ubiquitination and endocytic downregulation of Pma1 in these mutants. Although both acute and chronic loss of V-ATPase activity trigger the internalization of ∼50% of surface Pma1, a comparable reduction in Pma1 expression in a pma1-007 mutant neither compensates for loss of V-ATPase activity nor stops further Pma1 endocytosis. The results indicate that the cell surface level of Pma1 is not directly sensed and that internalized Pma1 may play a role in compensating for loss of V-ATPase-dependent acidification. Taken together, these results provide new insights into cross talk between two major proton pumps central to cellular pH control.
Design and Performance of Two Axes Solar Tracker
Authors: S. Soulayman  , W. Sabbagh   , M. Hamoud  , A. Sanduk
Published: December 2017

The possible energy gain in the case of two axes tracking as well as a fixed system with Equator facing tilted solar PV module with latitude angle and daily optimum slope is calculated basing on Hottel clear sky radiation model (HM) and ex-terrestrial solar radiation model (ESRM). The calculated results are compared with the data obtained from a PV system with 252 Wpeak power module installed on a two axes solar tracker which was designed and constructed locally. The main components of the tracker are introduced. It was found that, the maximum possible energy gain calculated basing on HM and ESRM are practically identic. For example, on 25 August from 8 O’clock to solar noon, the hourly energy gain values of HM are 1.672, 1.336, 1.170, 1.098 and 1.097 while they are 1.677, 1.337, 1.170, 1.098 and 1.098 in the case of ESRM. The corresponding measured values on the same day are 1.746, 1.36, 1.16, 1.043 and 1.027. Thus, the theoretical data are consistent with the measured ones. Moreover, it was found that the tracked system is more economic feasible than latitude tilted similar one with a relative solar energy gain of 0.32%.
PRODUCTIVE BIOFILMS FROM MESOPHILIC TO THERMOPHILIC ENDOSPORE-FORMING BACILLI FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Beste Ozel Piril , Kilic Tugba , Karaca Basar , Derebay Yildiz Emine , Cokmus Cumhur , Coleri Cihan Arzu
Published: December 2017

The basic biofilm characteristics and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) production of Bacillus licheniformis E114 (mesophile), Bacillus pumilus D75b, Brevibacillus thermoruber B93 (facultative thermophile) and Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus D621 (thermophile) isolates were evaluated in this study. They were initially investigated in terms of their pellicle formation at the air-liquid interface, complex carbohydrate production in TSA (Tryptic Soy Agar) medium supplemented with calcofluor dye, and also colony morphologies in TSA medium supplemented with Congo Red dye. Their biofilm productions on abiotic surfaces such as polystyrene and stainless steel were also quantified by crystal violet binding assay and viable cell enumerations. The ideal way for the mechanical removal of the adherent cells from the steel surface such as bead vortexing or scraping were also tested for each isolate. The optimal growth and biofilm production parameters of E114, D75b, B93, and D621 in terms of pH, NaCl, and temperature were determined. Under optimal conditions, their EPSs components such as carbohydrate, protein, and eDNA were also measured quantitatively. The isolates evaluated in this study presented colony morphotypes in different characteristics on Congo Red agar that display also unique biofilm forming capacities for each isolate. Also, useful optimization approaches were determined that might be adapted to potential industrial applications for the biofilm and EPSs producers. According to these findings, four different endospore-forming bacilli exhibiting mesophilic to thermophilic growth, and biofilm production, possessing various EPSs contents which may be novel were elucidated that could be important in many industrial processes.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION AND CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METAL TOLERANT BACTERIA
Authors: Fariq Anila , Yasmin Azra
Published: December 2017

High concentrations of metals strongly influence the composition of soil microflora. Tanneries being one of major sources of metal pollution in Pakistan pose serious threat to the soil bacterial communities. Present study aimed to investigate the bacterial diversity from tannery effluents affected soil. Total Sixteen bacterial isolates were purified and characterized morphologically and biochemically. All selected isolates were facultative anaerobes and able to grow in wide pH ranges from 5-11. Only TS3, TS4, TS8, TS9, TS13 were resistant to Erythromycin. On the basis of phenotypic characters, cluster analysis was done to determine the similarities among selected bacterial isolates using Jaccord’s (SJ) coefficients by UPGMA clustering algorithm. Two major clusters while eight subgroups of selected isolates were obtained on the basis of similarity indices. Bacterial isolates in present research were tolerant to the higher concentrations of lead, chromium and cadmium up to 1000µg/ml. Variable level of resistance was observed against nickel, manganese, copper and iron, while mercury, zinc and cobalt was toxic to these bacteria at higher concentrations. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation among some heavy metals as well as antibiotics. Moreover, strong negative correlation was also observed between few antibiotics and heavy metals. The heavy metal profiling indicated the potential of these bacterial isolates to be used in bioremediation of heavy metal polluted soils after further research on their genetic mechanisms.
EXTREMELY THERMOSTABLE, EDTA-RESISTANT ALKALINE PROTEASE FROM A THERMOPHILIC GEOBACILLUS SUBTERRANEUS C2-1 ISOLATE
Authors: Yardımcı Akkır Ezgi , Buruk Şahin Yeliz , Gedikli Serap , Aytar Çelik PÄ±nar , Çabuk Ahmet
Published: December 2017

In this study, the alkaline protease-production capacity of a Geobacillus subterraneus C2-1 isolate from the Çitgöl thermal spring was investigated and optimised using a Plackett-Burman experimental design. In addition to the incubation time, which was the most important parameter, other significant factors were the peptone, glucose, and MgSO4.7H2O concentrations, the activation time and the inoculum amount.
The highest protease activity of the Geobacillus subterraneus C2-1 isolate was observed using 14.75 g L-1 glucose as the carbon source, 7.51 g L-1 yeast extract as the nitrogen source, an inoculum amount of 3.56%, a temperature of 56.35 °C, and a reaction time of 168 h. In the presence of 1.0 mM SDS, the protease activity did not change and even increased. Furthermore, 100 mM EDTA yielded a five-fold enhancement in specific activity. The presence of chemical denaturants, chelators, and even heavy metals did not alter the protease activity of the C2-1 isolate.
NEW INSIGHTS INTO STRUCTURES AND COMPOSITION OF PLANT FOOD MATERIALS
Authors: Likar MatevÅ¾ , Luthar Zlata , Kocjan Ačko Darja , Škrabanja Vida , Vombergar Blanka , Kušar Anita , Pravst Igor , Gaberščik Alenka , Golob Aleksandra , Germ Mateja , Kreft Ivan , Regvar Marjana , Teun van Elteren Johannes , Nečemer Marijan , Vavpetič PrimoÅ¾ , Pelicon PrimoÅ¾ , Vogel-Mikuš Katarina , Zhou Meiliang , Pongrac Paula
Published: December 2017

The aim of this paper is to review principles and potential application of micro-proton induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE), synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) hyphenated with pulsed laser ablation (LA) for analysing plants and plant materials to elucidate feature of constituensts of nutritional value. These are required in order to develop novel high-quality functional and other food products in view of the variability of properties of plant tissues and products.
AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION OF TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM Mill.) USING A SYNTHETIC Cry1Ab GENE FOR ENHANCED RESISTANCE AGAINST TUTA ABSOLUTA (Meyrick)
Authors: I. A. Soliman Hemaid , M. Abo-El-Hasan Fatma , S. El-seedy Ayman , M. Mabrouk Yasser
Published: December 2017

The effect of different plant hormones on in vitro regeneration of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) two cultivars Castle Rock and Super strain B, obtained from hypocotyls and cotyledons of cultured in vitro seedlings was examined. The optimal concentrations of plant growth regulators were the MS medium containing 3 mg L-1 of zeatin and 0.1 mg L-1 of NAA of cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of Super strain B cultivar. While, the best regeneration medium was the MS medium containing 1 mg L-1 ZEA, 0.5 mg L-1 BAP and 0.1 mg L-1 IAA of cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of Castle Rock cultivar. Agrobacterium‐mediated genetic transformation system has been expanded of tomato cultivar Super strain B. Transformation efficiency of hypocotyl explants was studied with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101 harboring binary vector pICBV19, containing gus and bar genes. Transformed tomato shoots were obtained from hypocotyls explants on MS medium contained with 3 mg L-1 ZEA and 0.1 mg L-1 NAA. The gene expression of gus and bar genes was tested in the putatively transformed tomato plantlets through GUS histochemical and leaf painting assays. The plasmid pBI121 containing an insect resistance gene (cry1Ab) and kanamycin gene (nptII) as a plant selectable marker were introduced into these explants. Putatively transformed plantlets were examined by PCR and southern blot analysis. The expression of cry1Ab gene was tested through insect bioassay. For insect bioassay, experiments were conducted to determine the mortality percentage of Cry1Ab toxin protein against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). The results indicated that Cry1Ab toxin protein expressed in transformed tomato plants showed 100% instars larval mortality was obtained after feeding for 4–5 days.
STUDY INTO AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT METHOD TO SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN MULBERRY WINEMAKING
Authors: Yu Lizhi , Narku Engmann Felix , Lin Jing , Baoming Tian
Published: December 2017

The characteristics of alcohol fermentation of mulberry juice treated under four different conditions of ultra-high pressure (100 MPa/10 min, 200 MPa/10 min, 300 MPa/10 min, 400 MPa/10 min), sulphur dioxide (60 mg/L), and a combination of ultra-high pressure and sulphur dioxide (30 mg/L) were assessed in this work. The volatile aroma constituents of mulberry wine made from mulberry juice using different treatments were isolated by solid phase microextraction (SPME) and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of twenty five volatile aroma compounds of mulberry juice were identified, while nineteen volatile aroma compounds (five alcohols, four acids, and ten esters) were detected in mulberry wine. Ethyl acetate, butanoic acid ethyl ester, octanoic acid ethyl ester, acetic acid 2-phenylethyl ester, decanoic acid ethyl ester and ethyl 9-decenoate were the major esters and the main components of the mulberry wine, followed by 2-methyl, 1-propanol. Aldehydes were the major volatile fraction in mulberry wine, followed by alcohols. Pressure processing maintained the original flavour distribution of the juice. There were no significant differences among different mulberry wines in the types and concentrations of the volatile aroma components. It could be concluded that ultra-high pressure (300 MPa/10 min, 400 MPa/10 min) treatment could replace sulphur dioxide in winemaking in order to improve safety while maintaining the flavour compounds of mulberry wine.
FLAVONOIDS IN PLANTS OF PAKISTAN: A REVIEW
Authors: Nasreen Zahida , Muqadas Hira , Begum Abrar
Published: December 2017

Flavonoids are phytochemicals derived from plants. They are naturally occurring plants secondary metabolites. They have been divided in several sub classes. They have many biological effects like anti-inflammation, antioxidation, antimicrobial activity, antiallergic, protection against hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial, antimalarial, anti tumor, anti cancer and immunomodulation . The total flavonoid contents varied significantly among medicinal plant, fruits and vegetables. They are involved in plants pigmentation.