bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ukrainian Hybrid War – Quo Vadis?
Authors: Rotărescu Carmen
Published: July 2016

Although it is known for a long time, hybrid war taken place in Ukraine under the umbrella of Russian Federation surprised the whole world and produced the greatest worry for humankind’s fate since the World War II. The political and military analysts appreciate if the World War III does not come will at least follow a long time of a new cold war. Remembering the hybrid war is not declared, can be prolonged in time and the adversary is unknown, thus neither the aggressor state, it is hard to settle which are the countermeasures and how should be act when this clever adversary attacks you using hostile propaganda, to the limit of trick and war perfidy (the first is allowed as method of war, the latter is not), influences the political decision-makers by blackmail, military, economic and energetic deterrence or nuclear bombardments and undergoes subversive, clandestine actions and particularly it is hard to predict their consequences.
Management of Occupational Stress
Authors: Trandafir Lenuţa
Published: July 2016

Stress is an important problem in the majority of countries. Apart from the fact that it is responsible for numerous diseases, it also causes much suffering. Stress appears as an adaptation reaction of our body to those external factors that we perceive as being agressive and which frequently lead us to an alarm state, felt both psychically (tension, fear, anxiety), and physically (increase of the adrenaline secretion, intensity of heartbeats, sweating). It isn’t actually a disease, but it can lead to sickness in time. This is why it is good to know what stresses us and how we can escape stress.
Determination of Potеntial Floodings through Geoinformation Technology
Authors: Ivanov Milen , Yankov Yavor
Published: July 2016

The opportunity of researching and defining flooded areas using digital landscape model, hydrological analysis through specialized software and data processing in the GIS, is being unveiled. Multiple methods of defining flooded areas on the basis of result processing of transverse profiles of a specific area of the Rositsa River near the city of Sevlievo, are developed.
The effect of high-current pulsed electron beam modification on the surface wetting property of polyamide 6
Authors: Chen Yuan Fang , Zhang Tao , Tang Meng , Xie Ding , Long Qian , Li Cai Yun
Published: July 2016

This study demonstrates that different modification pulse voltages affect the wetting property of the surface of polyamide 6 (PA6) with a certain regularity. Broadly, the hydrophilic property of PA6’s surface increases with increasing pulsed voltage. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, this paper discusses the mechanism by which high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) etching modification influences the surface wettability of PA6. Within a certain range below 28 kV, this effect is caused by an increase of in surface roughness due to HCPEB bombardment of the surface. Within a certain range above 28 kV, HCPEB changes the surface morphology, resulting in changes to the wetting property. Furthermore, by using various pulsed voltages to modify the PA6 surface, this study investigated the ability of the Wenzel model to explain changes in the water contact angle and wetting property of PA6’s surface.
Modelling and Prognosis of the Export of the Republic of Serbia by Using Seasonal Holt-Winters and Arima Method
Authors: Mladenović Jelena , Lepojević Vinko , Janković-Milić Vesna
Published: July 2016

Low labour costs as one of the key sources of export stimulation, the competitive advantage of domestic agricultural production and bilateral agreements with partner countries - all promote export as a potentially significant factor of encouragement of economic development of the Republic of Serbia.Taking into account this fact, on the one hand, and balance of payments problems that Serbia has been facing over the years, on the other hand, the subject of this paper is an analysis of trends in the Republic of Serbia export and explanation of variations in the export trends during the period from 2004 to 2014. The aim of the paper is to explore export trends forecast from January to December 2015.The analysis uses Holt-Winters and ARIMA methods for analyszing time series.The paper provides insight into the export trend forecasts for the period of 12 months, and thus confirms the possibility of practical usage of the time series analysis methods in forecasting macroeconomic variables such as export. The used methods identify increase of export during the summer and its decrease after October 2015. The paper establishes the existence of a high degree of congruence between forecasts obtained by using two methods, which confirm a high quality of the elaborated methods in the analysis of exports.
Socioeconomic Impacts of Protection Status on Residents of National Parks
Authors: Järv Henri , Kliimask Jaak , Ward Raymond , Sepp Kalev
Published: July 2016

Rural population ageing and decline is a serious problem throughout Europe resulting in a deterioration of the socioeconomic situation in rural areas. This leads to land abandonment, and consequently the loss of valuable cultural landscapes. Protected areas are no exception and inhabitants also face restrictions arising from the protection status. The aim of this study is to identify the existence, extent and nature of the socioeconomic impacts derived from the protection status on the local population. Population and socioeconomic indicators were compared with the results of in-depth interviews with local stakeholders within 2 Estonian national parks and contextualised with recent social change. It was concluded that protected areas have a considerable socioeconomic impact and in order to preserve cultural landscapes, achieve conservation objectives and contribute to balanced regional development, measures must be taken.
Regional Food Preference and Awareness of Regional Labels in Vysočina Region (Czech Republic)
Authors: Chalupová Martina , Prokop Martin , Rojík Stanislav
Published: July 2016

The article presents results of research on preference of the regional food in Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic, with main focus on awareness analysis of Vysočina regional labels. Presented findings are a part of longitudinal research that aims to analyse the evolution of Czech regional labels and their impact on regional development. The questionnaire survey was conducted between January and March 2015 on the sample of 819 respondents from the Vysočina Region. The data have been processed with correspondence analysis and showed that half of respondents prefer regional food, but the results differ in each district, the highest preferences were reported in Jihlava and Třebíč districts. Awareness of the regional labels is rising in comparison with results of the research in 2012. To test respondents’ knowledge they were asked to identify regional labels: two existing - VYSOČINA Regional Product®, Regional Food Vysočina Region and also nonexistent label From Our Region Vysočina. The awareness of regional labels was tested according to chosen sociodemographic factors: gender, age, residence in each district of the region and residence in town or village.
Informal Employment and Quality of Life in Rural Areas of Ukraine
Authors: Chreneková Marcela , Melichová Katarína , Marišová Eleonóra , Moroz Serhiy
Published: July 2016

Informal economy is rather difficult to define and demarcate in the methodological context. International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2003 adopted a set of guidelines regarding definition of statistical categories of informal employment. These include for example employed unregistered own-account workers, contributing family workers, persons who work based on oral agreement, etc. Informal economy is a contentious topic in many developing countries as it brings about many elements that from several aspects adversely affect the development. The most commonly stressed are the fiscal implications (associated with tax revenue loss) and some social concerns. However, in some parts of the world informal sector went from being considered as a negative occurrence to be tolerated as a partial solution to some of the challenges that hinder development of rural regions and communities. The aim of the paper is to determine the relationship between informal economy and level of development and quality of life in Ukrainian regions. The paper examines the role of informal economy in regional structure of Ukraine, while confronting the findings with regional divergence in relevant indicators of development and quality of life. There are statistically significant differences in the size of the informal employment among different types of Ukrainian regions (by rural-urban typology). With increasing share of informal employment in the regions, the income level of households decreases significantly even when we take into consideration the level of unemployment.
Multifunctionality – Interactions and Implications: The Case of the Podkylava Village (Western Slovakia)
Authors: Bohátová Zuzana , Schwarcz Pavol , Schwarczová Loreta , Bandlerová Anna , Tľčik Vojtech
Published: July 2016

Multifunctionality is one of the most important aspects of the sustainable development. There are essentially two approaches to the analysis of multifunctionality. One is to interpret multifunctionality as a characteristic of an economic activity. The second way of interpreting multifunctionality is in terms of multiple roles assigned to agriculture. In this view, agriculture as an activity is entrusted with fulfilling certain functions in society. Social functions are linked to employment and income generation in rural areas and hence sustaining the viability of rural communities and maintaining rural society. The study focuses on social aspect of multifunctional agriculture in Kopanice region located in western part of Slovakia near borders with Czech Republic. The region is according to OECD regional typology being considered as intermediate one approaching the category of predominantly rural region. In spite of the fact, that the share of the primary sector in economy of the region is decreasing, the agriculture still plays an important role from aspects of employment and building of social capital. The paper evaluates the influence of external and internal factors on the development of social capital in the selected region and authors will focus mainly on the impact of local stakeholders and policy measures. The interaction between relevant stakeholders as public sector, civil society, local business sector and primary sector is expected to be beneficial for development of social capital.
Exploration of Teaching Preferences of Instructors’use of Social Media
Authors: Kilis Selcan , Gülbahar Yasemin , Rapp Christian
Published: July 2016

With the excessive use of social media in the 21st century, attempts to integrate social media within higher education have also increased. In this area, research has been particularly focused on the aspects of students, rather than the instructors. This study puts the emphasis on the instructors with the aim to explore their use of social media in educational settings. Their respective teaching preferences were explored, from a pedagogical perspective, with the help of a Social Media Toolkit. The toolkit was developed to guide instructors that want to integrate social media in their teaching. This study was designed as a descriptive study and quantitative data was collected from 583 instructors from 39 countries. The participants responded to four main questions in an online environment. Results revealed that instructors mostly prefer to teach their subject at the applying and understanding levels. They frequently use text-based materials and design their courses as problem-based or on a presentation model. They mostly prefer to assess students using alternative methods based on their performance, like portfolios, group works, etc. whilst classical methods were also preferred. Overall findings indicated that any instructor from any discipline or culture can transform courses onto a social media platform thanks to many different and varied features provided by social media tools.
Thermal modification of wax-impregnated wood to enhance its physical, mechanical, and biological properties
Authors: Humar Miha , Kržišnik Davor , Lesar Boštjan , Thaler Nejc , Ugovšek Aleš , Zupančič Klemen , Žlahtič Mojca
Published: July 2016

Thermal modification is the most important commercial modification procedure. Thermally modified (TM) wood has improved durability, but its performance does not meet expectations predominately under moist conditions. To reduce water uptake of TM wood, Norway spruce specimens were treated with suspensions of a natural wax by dipping impregnation (DipI) or by vacuum-pressure impregnation (VPI). Wax-treated specimens were subsequently TM at 185, 200, 215, and 230°C. Control specimens were heated up to 100°C only. Contact angle (CA), short-term and long-term water uptake, bending strength, and performance against wood decay fungi of the resulting material were determined. The results show that a combination of wax treatment and thermal modification have a synergistic effect that considerably improves hydrophobicity, reduces liquid water uptake, slows down water vapor uptake, and improves the resistance against fungal decay of the treated material.
Reading literacy in the age of digital technologies1
Authors: Zápotočná Oľga
Published: July 2016

The article outlines the basic contours of the current debate on literacy. Since the start of the millennium, the determining and dynamising factor in this debate has been information and communication technologies. The aim is to observe whether, and how, reading literacy, an important target category in education, is changing in this new reality. In the first part, the paper shows how the above questions are perceived and discussed in the field of relevant scientific disciplines from different points of view. In the second part, the research findings showing the risks and negative impacts of technologies are interpreted through the lenses of contemporary research on “new” literacy. Empirical research on specific aspects of online reading strategies and traditional print media reading are analysed and discussed in light of their contribution to reading literacy theory and education.
Rorty’s philosophy of religion1
Authors: Višňovský Emil
Published: July 2016

Richard Rorty interpreted religion as a historically constituted part of culture. As a philosopher, he sought primarily to understand religion’s socio-cultural nature and role. His approach was socio-critical, intellectually sympathetic and humanistic. The paper provides an account of Rorty’s key phases in his philosophy of religion. During phase one (the 1990s), he was primarily interested in whether, in a democratic society, religion should simply be a private matter or also one of public concern (and if so, then in what way and to what extent). During phase two (post-2000), his thinking on cultural politics developed more broadly, and he wrote about ‘romantic polytheism’ and the future of religion, etc. In his writing from phase one, he portrays himself as a ‘secular humanist’ as well as an atheist and, in his writing from phase two, as a ‘non-theist’ and ‘anti-clericalist’.
Inflation Differentials across Regions in Turkey
Authors: Duran Hasan Engin
Published: July 2016

The aim of the present article is to analyze the convergence of regional inflation rates in Turkey from 2004 to 2015 by adopting sigma convergence and distribution dynamics approaches. The outcomes of our research can be summarized in two groups. First, inflation disparities tend to decline over time, especially during the post-crisis period after 2010. Hence, the aggregate price stabilization and disinflation process in Turkey is coupled with convergence in inflation rates across regions. Second, in addition to the findings in the literature, we find that regions change their relative inflation rate positions quite often. This indicates that regional inflation behavior is random and non-structural, as the relatively high and low inflationary places tend to change their quintiles frequently. The results imply several policy suggestions. First, achieving inflation convergence is a harder task than initially understood, as it seems to show random behavior. Second, trade integration can be an option to foster regional price convergence.
Economic Structure and Regional Economic Performance in Advanced Eu Economies
Authors: Stojčić Nebojša , Bezić Heri , Galović Tomislav
Published: July 2016

Recent economic turmoil has revived interest in the quest for sustainable growth. Current economic thinking attaches growing importance to industrial development. The roots of such thinking can be traced back to traditional arguments about the beneficial role of manufacturing for economic growth through horizontal and vertical spillovers to other sectors. These spillovers are of particular importance at the regional level, as such externalities tend to be localized in nature. The objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between economic structure and regional growth in ten Western European EU member states in the post-crisis period. The analysis wishes to answer the question of whether regions with a higher concentration of manufacturing outperform their counterparts with more diverse economic structures. A spatial panel econometric technique is applied in order to distinguish between the intra-regional and inter-regional effects of economic structure, yielding recommendations for policy makers in the field of industrial policy.
Groups with maximal subgroups of Sylow subgroups σ-permutably embedded
Authors: Guo Wenbin , Skiba Alexander N.
Published: July 2016

Let

σ
=

{

σ
i

:

i
∈
I

}

${\sigma=\{\sigma_{i}:i\in I\}}$

be some partition of the set of all primes

ℙ

${\mathbb{P}}$

, G a finite group and

σ
⁢

(
G
)

=

{

σ
i

:

σ
i

∩

π
⁢

(
G
)

≠
∅

}

${\sigma(G)=\{\sigma_{i}:\sigma_{i}\cap\pi(G)\neq\emptyset\}}$

. A set

1
∈
ℋ

${1\in{\mathcal{H}}}$

of subgroups of G is said to be a complete
Hall σ-set of G if every non-identity group in

ℋ

${{\mathcal{H}}}$

is a Hall

σ
i

${\sigma_{i}}$

-subgroup of G for some

σ
i

∈

σ
⁢

(
G
)

${\sigma_{i}\in\sigma(G)}$

and

ℋ

${{\mathcal{H}}}$

contains exactly one Hall

σ
i

${\sigma_{i}}$

-subgroup of G for every

σ
i

∈

σ
⁢

(
G
)

${\sigma_{i}\in\sigma(G)}$

. A subgroup H of G is called σ-permutable (resp. σ-permutably embedded) in G if G possesses a complete Hall σ-set

ℋ
=

{
1
,

H
1

,
…
,

H
t

}

${{\mathcal{H}}=\{1,H_{1},\ldots,H_{t}\}}$

such that

A
⁢

H
i
x

=

H
i
x

⁢
A

${AH_{i}^{x}=H_{i}^{x}A}$

for any i and all

x
∈
G

${x\in G}$

(resp. if H has a complete Hall σ-set and every Hall

σ
i

${\sigma_{i}}$

-subgroup of H is also a Hall

σ
i

${\sigma_{i}}$

-subgroup of some σ-permutable subgroup of G).

In this paper, we classify the finite groups G such that either every maximal subgroup of every Sylow subgroup of G is
σ-permutable in G or every maximal subgroup of every Sylow subgroup of G is σ-permutably embedded in G.
Volatile oil profile of some lamiaceous plants growing in Saudi Arabia and their biological activities
Authors: Ibrahim Sabrin R.M. , Abdallah Hossam M. , Mohamed Gamal A. , Farag Mohamed A. , Alshali Khalid Z. , Alsherif Emad A. , Ross Samir A.
Published: July 2016

A comparative investigation of hydro-distilled essential oils from aerial parts of Mentha longifolia L. (ML), Mentha microphylla K.Koch (MM), Mentha australis R.Br. (MA), and Teucrium polium L. (TP) growing in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia, was carried out. The total numbers of identified constituents were 22, 23, 14, and 20 in ML, MM, MA, and TP oils, representing 93.0, 99.3, 78.1, and 81.1% of the total oil composition, respectively. Pulegone (40.7%) and cineole (33.4%) were the major components in ML, whereas carvone (64.6%) was the major one in MM. Furthermore, β-linalool (22.9%) and α-terpineol (12%) were the major components in MA, whereas, (E)-3-caren-2-ol accounted for 12.1% in TP. The essential oils of TP and MA exhibited promising activities against Leishmania donovani promastigotes with IC50 values of 2.3 and 3.7 μg/mL, respectively. In contrast, MA essential oils exhibited antifungal activities towards Candida krusei and C. glabrata with IC50 values of 1 and 1.2 μg/mL, respectively.
Turkish Agrarian Debate: New Arguments and Old Scores
Authors: Aydιn Zülküf
Published: July 2016

The characterization of agrarian structures in contemporary underdeveloped countries has been haunting social scientists for a long time. As in Latin America and India, from the late sixties onwards a strong controversy emerged among Marxists in Turkey concerning the question of why capitalism had not transformed rural structures in Turkey (J. Harris, 1982; R. L. Harris, 1978; Aydın 1986). The question of capitalist transformation of the countryside occupied the minds of classical Marxist thinkers like Kautsky, Lenin, Luxembourg at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
State Policy in the 1980s and the Future of Women's Rights in Turkey
Authors: Berik Günseli
Published: July 2016

The 1980s witnessed the rise of feminist and Islamic fundamentalist movements in Turkey. In diametrically opposed ways, both movements pushed the debate over women's issues and rights in Turkey into the spotlight of public discussion. The feminist movement made visible, and condemned, acts of physical violence against women, problematized women's lack of substantive rights, and the articles of the Criminal Code that discriminate against women. For the Islamic fundamentalists, on the other hand, women's right to wear headscarves in educational institutions and government offices was a focal and continuous rallying point throughout the 1980s. Less prominent have been campaigns by Islamic groups to segregate men and women in public life, by calling for separate buses, hospitals for men and women. While the feminist movement remained an informally organized, non-parliamentary opposition group, Islamists gained ground within state institutions by virtue of being a vocal constituency of the conservative ruling party in power since 1983. Apparently in response to the heightened debate concerning women's status, in the latter half of the 1980s and especially in the past year the government put legal measures into effect, creating legal obligations at the international level and institutional structures at the governmental level to address issues concerning women.
Red Sea Trade and Communications as Observed by Evliya Çelebi (1671-72)
Authors: Faroqhi Suraiya
Published: July 2016

Evliya Çelebi is known to historians as an observer of public buildings, such as mosques, medreses and city walls, as a valuable source on languages and dialects and, much too rarely, as an artist of narration. Commerce was not his main area of interest, though when describing Anatolian towns, he paid due attention to covered and open-air markets, to khans and sometimes even to shops. As a member of the Ottoman upper class, he could finance his travels by minor official appointments and did not need to trade—or if he did occasionally engage in buying and selling, he did not discuss these activities in his travel book. But things were somewhat different when at the age of approximately sixty, he undertook the pilgrimage to Mecca. In the caravan from Damascus to Mecca and in the return caravan to Cairo, Evliya did not hold an official position, which means that he had to find his own mounts, equipment and supplies. In the sixteenth century, prominent (vacibûrreayet) personages had sometimes been offered mounts by the Ottoman administration, but by the year 1081/1670-71, when Evliya journeyed to Mecca, grants-in-aid of this kind only covered part of the expenses (Faroqhi, 1990, p. 60). Therefore Evliya acted in the same way as many less prominent pilgrims had done over the centuries, and engaged in trade as a sideline. After the pilgrimage had been completed, he visited Jiddah for the express purpose of buying some bales of coffee, which he proposed to resell in Cairo (Evliya, p. 796).
The 1838 Anglo-Turkish Convention: An Overview
Authors: Owen Roger
Published: July 2016

The gist of what I want to say by way of introduction was suggested to me during my recent visit to Hong Kong and China. Reading about the events which led up to the establishment of the British presence on the South China coast in the 1830s and 1840s, I was struck, once again, by two things. The first is the way in which the 1838 Anglo-Turkish Convention was so obviously part of a world-wide movement of European self-assertion, spearheaded by a coalition of merchants, military men and politicians. The second concerns the essentially dramatic nature of the confrontation between European might and the declining power of the states and empires whose commercial practices it sought to control—the kind of drama which doesn't always get properly represented in history textbooks, let alone works of political economy.
Historiography of the Post-War Turkish Settlement
Authors: Gökay Bülent
Published: July 2016

The end of the First World War marked the complete disintegration of the multi-ethnic Ottoman Empire. This disintegration was followed by a powerful surge of various nationalistic currents on the one hand, and an international power struggle for the control of the region on the other. The 1918-1923 period, therefore, represents a crucial phase, for not only were the overall forms of the international power relations in the area defined during these years, but the political structures and the orientations of various social and political interests within the states concerned were also similarly determined.
Identity Crisis in the Islamic Periphery: Turkey and Malaysia
Authors: Mehmet Ozay
Published: July 2016

This is an age of identity crisis. Who am I? What are my roots? These are the central questions of our age. The search for identity is mixed with a wave of skepticism about development, technology and environment. This is a universal phenomenon. Questions about one's roots, about ecological and technological and demographic limits of growth and development (Olson and Landsberg, 1973; Schumacher, 1973) are being asked in the mass consumption societies of the developed world (Scitovsky, 1976; Hirschman, 1977). And they are being asked in the post-colonial societies of the developing world.

The timing of the global identity crisis is paradoxical. In the developed world economic affluence was expected to liberate man for leisure and creativity. In the search for material satisfaction, western man has lost his soul to “technomania” (Grant, 1969, p. 39). Christian fundamentalism and born-again Christianity are on a rising curve.
PVALB diminishes [Ca2+] and alters mitochondrial features in follicular thyroid carcinoma cells through AKT/GSK3β pathway
Authors: Mendes Thais Biude , Nozima Bruno Heidi , Budu Alexandre , de Souza Rodrigo Barbosa , Braga Catroxo Marcia Helena , Delcelo Rosana , Gazarini Marcos Leoni , Cerutti Janete Maria
Published: July 2016

We have identified previously a panel of markers (C1orf24, ITM1 and PVALB) that can help to discriminate benign from malignant thyroid lesions. C1orf24 and ITM1 are specifically helpful for detecting a wide range of thyroid carcinomas, and PVALB is particularly valuable for detecting the benign Hürthle cell adenoma. Although these markers may ultimately help patient care, the current understanding of their biological functions remains largely unknown. In this article, we investigated whether PVALB is critical for the acquisition of Hürthle cell features and explored the molecular mechanism underlying the phenotypic changes. Through ectopic expression ofPVALBin thyroid carcinoma cell lines (FTC-133 and WRO), we demonstrated that PVALB sequesters free cytoplasmic Ca2+, which ultimately lowers calcium levels and precludes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+refilling. These results were accompanied by induced expression of PERK, an ER stress marker. Additionally, forced expression of PVALB reduces Ca2+inflow in the mitochondria, which can in turn cause changes in mitochondria morphology, increase mitochondria number and alter subcellular localization. These findings share striking similarity to those observed in Hürthle cell tumors. Moreover, PVALB inhibits cell growth and induces cell death, most likely through the AKT/GSK-3β. Finally, PVALB expression coincides with Ca2+deposits in HCA tissues. Our data support the hypothesis that the loss ofPVALBplays a role in the pathogenesis of thyroid tumors.
Impact of mitral geometry and global afterload on improvement of mitral regurgitation after trans-catheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Tayyareci Y. , Dworakowski R. , Kogoj P. , Reiken J. , Kenny C. , MacCarthy P. , Wendler O. , Monaghan M. J.
Published: July 2016

Objective: To assess the impact of mitral geometry, left ventricular (LV) remodelling and global LV afterload on mitral regurgitation (MR) after trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: In this study, 60 patients who underwent TAVI were evaluated by 3D echocardiography at baseline, 1 month and 6 months after procedure. The proportional change in MR following TAVI was determined by examining the percentage change in vena contracta (VC) at 6 months. Patients having a significant reduction of at least 30% in VC were defined as good responders (GR) and the remaining patients were defined as poor responders (PR).

Results: After 6 months of TAVI, 27 (45%) patients were GR and 33 (55%) were PR. There was a significant decrease in 3DE-derived mitral annular diameter and area (P = 0.001), mitral valve tenting area (TA) (P = 0.05), and mitral papillary muscle dyssynchrony index (DSI) (P = 0.05) in the GR group. 3DE-derived LVESV (P = 0.016), LV mass (P = 0.001) and LV DSI, (P = 0.001) were also improved 6 months after TAVI. In addition, valvulo-arterial impedance (ZVA) was significantly higher at baseline in patients with PR (P = 0.028). 3DE-derived mitral annular area (β: 0.47, P = 0.04), mitral papillary DSI (β: −0.65, P = 0.012) and ZVA (β: 0.45, P = 0.028) were the strongest independent parameters that could predict the reduction of functional MR after TAVI.

Conclusion: GR patients demonstrate more regression in mitral annulus area and diameter after significant decrease in high LVEDP and trans-aortic gradients with TAVI. PR patients appear to have increased baseline ZVA, mitral valve tenting and restriction in mitral valve coaptation. These factors are important for predicting the impact of TAVI on pre-existing MR.
Right heart function deteriorates in breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy
Authors: Boczar Kevin Emery , Aseyev Olexiy , Sulpher Jeffrey , Johnson Christopher , Burwash Ian G. , Turek Michele , Dent Susan , Dwivedi Girish
Published: July 2016

Background: Cardiotoxicity from anthracycline-based chemotherapy is an important cause of early and late morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients. Left ventricular (LV) function is assessed for patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy to identify cardiotoxicity. However, animal studies suggest that right ventricular (RV) function may be a more sensitive measure to detect LV dysfunction. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy experience RV dysfunction.

Methods: Forty-nine breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy at the Ottawa Hospital between November 2007 and March 2013 and who had 2 echocardiograms performed at least 3 months apart were retrospectively identified. Right atrial area (RAA), right ventricular fractional area change (RV FAC) and RV longitudinal strain of the free wall (RV LSFW) were evaluated according to the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines.

Results: The majority (48/49) of patients were females with an average age of 53.4 (95% CI: 50.1-56.7 years). From baseline to follow-up study, average LV ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from 62.22 (95% CI: 59.1-65.4) to 57.4% (95% CI: 54.0-60.9) (P = 0.04). During the same time period, the mean RAA increased from 12.1 cm2 (95% CI: 11.1-13.0 cm2) to 13.8 cm2 (95% CI: 12.7-14.9 cm2) (P = 0.02), mean RV FAC decreased (P = 0.01) from 48.3% (95% CI: 44.8-51.74) to 42.1% (95% CI: 38.5-45.6%), and mean RV LSFW worsened from -16.2% (95% CI: -18.1 to -14.4%) to -13.81% (95% CI: -15.1 to -12.5%) (P = 0.04).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy experience adverse effects on both right atrial size and RV function. Further studies are required to determine the impact of these adverse effects on right heart function and whether this represents an earlier marker of cardiotoxicity.
Leadership and Ideological Bond: PPP and Internal Fragmentation in Indonesia
Authors: Noor Firman
Published: July 2016

During 2014-2016, the United Development Party (PPP) experienced the most severe and prolonged internal fragmentation in its history. Since the beginning of 2014, the emergence of the twin Board of the Central Committee cemented the fragmentation that had occurred. Some people relate this phenomenon to the interests of the elites. However, the interest of the elites itself is something inevitable and in many cases is not necessarily the cause for prolonged fragmentation. The aim of this article, therefore, is to explain the factors that lead to the internal fragmentation. This article regards three main root-causes of the problem, namely (1) weak leadership, in particular the absence of a strong patron, which facilitates cadres’ unrestricted freedom of action and makes them unable to maintain the Party unity, (2) the lack of an ideological bond that leads to the growth of exclusive-pragmatism, and (3) external factors, namely the government and coalition partners that are eager to preserve each conflicting group’s position.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i1.2808
Kontestasi Pemikiran Islam Indonesia Kontemporer
Authors: Azra Azyumardi
Published: July 2016

Carool Kersten. 2015. Islam in Indonesia: The Contest for Society, Ideas and Values, London: Hurst & Company, pp. 373+xx.Comprehensive studies of contemporary Indonesian Islam are still scarce. Most of the studies on this subject deal with certain aspects of current developments in Indonesian Islam. Kersten’s book is an attempt to present an intellectual history of contemporary Indonesian Islam in six chapters: first, secularism, pluralism and liberalism in Indonesia; second, Islam in Indonesia today: discourses and interlocutors; third, the weight of predecessors: adaptations, critique, and transformation; fourth, debating secularism: Islam, statehood and democracy; fifth, the letter or the spirit of Islamic law?: legal formalists versus substantivitst; sixth, contentious triangulation: religious pluralism, human rights and freedom of thought. This book can be considered as a sequel to the Indonesian part of the book written by the same author, Cosmopolitans and Heretics: New Muslim Intellectuals and the Study of Islam (2011).DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i1.2905
Seedbank Depletion and Emergence Patterns of Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) in Minnesota Cropping Systems
Authors: Goplen Jared J. , Sheaffer Craig C. , Becker Roger L. , Coulter Jeffrey A. , Breitenbach Fritz R. , Behnken Lisa M. , Johnson Gregg A. , Gunsolus Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2016

In the midwestern United States, biotypes of giant ragweed resistant to multiple herbicide biochemical sites of action have been identified. Weeds with resistance to multiple herbicides reduce the utility of existing herbicides and necessitate the development of alternative weed control strategies. In two experiments in southeastern Minnesota, we determined the effect of six 3 yr crop-rotation systems containing corn, soybean, wheat, and alfalfa on giant ragweed seedbank depletion and emergence patterns. The six crop-rotation systems included continuous corn, soybean–corn–corn, corn–soybean–corn, soybean–wheat–corn, soybean–alfalfa–corn, and alfalfa–alfalfa–corn. The crop-rotation system had no effect on the amount of seedbank depletion when a zero-weed threshold was maintained, with an average of 96% of the giant ragweed seedbank being depleted within 2 yr. Seedbank depletion occurred primarily through seedling emergence in all crop-rotation systems. However, seedling emergence tended to account for more of the seedbank depletion in rotations containing only corn or soybean compared with rotations with wheat or alfalfa. Giant ragweed emerged early across all treatments, with on average 90% emergence occurring by June 4. Duration of emergence was slightly longer in established alfalfa compared with other cropping systems. These results indicate that corn and soybean rotations are more conducive to giant ragweed emergence than rotations including wheat and alfalfa, and that adopting a zero-weed threshold is a viable approach to depleting the weed seedbank in all crop-rotation systems.
Performance of white Portland cement matrixes blended with nanosilica and limestone for architectural applications
Authors: Tobón Jorge I. , Mendoza Reales Oscar A. , Payá Bernabeu Jordi
Published: July 2016

This research evaluates the combination of nanosilica particles and ground limestone as mineral additions for white Portland cement (WPC) matrixes, envisioning architectural applications where the whiteness of the final product is a key feature. The WPC pastes and mortars were fabricated with additions of nanosilica and substitutions of cement by limestone. An experimental campaign was carried out to study the effect of the combination of nanoparticles and mineral additions over the hydration process, whiteness and mechanical performance of the WPC matrices. It was found that nanosilica in combination with limestone is an excellent option as a mineral addition for WPC, since it can improve its properties in the fresh and hardened states without altering the colour of the final product.
Experimental study on magnesium oxychloride cement concrete
Authors: Qiao Hong-xia , Gong Wei , Shi Ying-ying , Wanjiru Mugure Elizabeth , Dong Jin-mei
Published: July 2016

Magnesium oxychloride cement concrete specimens can be produced in different ratios by experimental design and analysis using the Taguchi method. The significance sequences of strength and water resistance of the selected controllable factors were studied under dry and flooding conditions respectively, and the sensitivity sequence and the most robust set level of the factors were analyzed. The results show the following: the significance sequences are consistent under different conditions. The selected controllable factors were phosphate, fly ash, molar ratio of activated magnesium oxide (MgO) to magnesium chloride (MgCl2) of 5·4 and phosphoric acid. The maximum sensitivity factor under both conditions is phosphate; the most robust levels are consistent for a molar ratio of activated magnesium oxide to magnesium chloride of 5·4, without ash and without phosphoric acid. However, the results for phosphate are inconsistent. The amount of phosphate, added at the most robust level under dry conditions, is more than the amount under flooding conditions, so that the most robust set level of the factor under dry conditions will reduce its water resistance.
Judicial Understanding of the Reliability of Eyewitness Evidence: A Tale of Two Cases
Authors: Meintjes-van der Walt Lirieka
Published: July 2016

One of the most significant consequences of the use of post-conviction DNA testing in the criminal justice system has been the growing recognition that eyewitness identification testimony is simply not as reliable as it was previously considered to be. In approximately 75% of DNA exonerations in the United States, mistaken eyewitness identifications were the principal cause of wrongful convictions. Notwithstanding scientific advances regarding human memory and other factors that could influence identifications by eyewitnesses, courts have not shown eagerness in utilising such scientific knowledge in reaching legal decisions. Two cases have been chosen for discussion in this article. In S v Henderson 27 A 3d 872 (NJ 2011) the New Jersey Supreme Court was the first in State and Federal jurisdictions in the US that adopted a science-based approach to the evaluation of eyewitness evidence. The other case under discussion is S v Mdlongwa 2010 2 SACR 419 (SCA),a South African Supreme Court of Appeal judgment, where the identification of the perpetrator was based on an eyewitness account and the evidence of an expert on CCTV images. In part one of this article the research findings with regard to estimator variables that were acknowledged in S v Henderson are discussed. Part two specifically scrutinizes S v Mdlongwa to determine the extent to which psychological eyewitness research findings are recognised in South Africa as having an influence on the reliability of eyewitness evidence. In Henderson the court recognised that the legal standards governing the admissibility and use of identification evidence lagged far behind the findings of numerous studies in the social sciences. The new wave introduced by S v Henderson has not gone unnoticed in other State courts in the USA. In Massachusetts, for example, the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court convened a study group on Eyewitness Evidence and the resulting report inter alia recommended judicial notice of modern psychological principles, revised jury eyewitness identification instructions and continuous education of both judges and lawyers. Recognition and education pertaining to these factors can and should be incorporated in South Africa.
Experimental investigation on heat extraction from a rock bed heat storage system for high temperature applications
Authors: Okello Denis , Nydal Ole J , Nyeinga Karidewa , Banda Eldad J K
Published: July 2016

Solar energy is available in an intermittent way, and integrating an energy storage system with solar energy collection devices may promote uninterrupted supply of energy in the absence of the availability of solar energy. It has been shown that heat can be stored using rocks packed in a bed, but limited work has been reported on heat extraction from a charged rockbed. This paper reports on the heat extraction from a charged rock bed. Discharging tests were performed under different air flow conditions and initial bed temperatures. Without the blower, the discharging rate is very slow. The discharging rate can be increased, and the cooking time controlled by adjusting the air speed through the rock-bed system.
Modelling household electricity consumption in eThekwini municipality
Authors: Reade Samantha , Zewotir Temesgen , North Delia
Published: July 2016

South African municipalities are faced with the challenges of growing demand for services. This study models the energy consumption estimation practice within the Durban municipal area. It was found that an estimation technique that accounts for the seasonal and monthly effects, as well as residential type, predicts monthly individual household electricity consumption with minimum error. Models that were developed may be used to estimate electricity consumption for household billings within a municipality.
Overview of predictive CSP spread prospects and its opportunities
Authors: Busse Kai Timon , Dinter Frank
Published: July 2016

An investigation was carried out to illustrate the prospects and challenges associated with implementation of concentrating solar power (CSP) with storage technology in South Africa. Various factors were examined that have an effect on the cost of CSP plants and offer an overall review of the opportunities CSP has for the country. This paper appeals the general idea that CSP is not cost effective enough and attempts to illustrate the feasibility of this technology in South Africa.
Development of census output areas with AZTool in South Africa
Authors: Mokhele Tholang , Mutanga Onisimo , Ahmed Fethi
Published: July 2016

The use of a single geographical unit to both collect and disseminate census data is common in many countries across the world, especially in developing countries. In South Africa this approach poses some challenges, as the design of small geographical units called enumeration areas to facilitate data collection differs considerably from the design of units that aid data analysis and interpretation. We aimed to create optimised census output areas using the Automated Zone-design Tool (AZTool) program, using the 2001 census enumeration areas as building blocks at various spatial levels, for both rural and urban settings in two South African provinces. The results were consistent and stable. The primary criterion of the confidentiality limit of 500 people was respected at all geographical levels or regions, in both urban and rural settings, for newly created optimised output areas. For the second criterion, lower intra-area correlation values at lower geographical levels for both rural and urban areas showed that higher geographical levels produced more homogeneous output areas than did lower geographical levels or regions. Our obtained intra-area correlation of 0.62 for the two provinces combined indicated that the selected homogeneity variables were good indicators of social homogeneity for creating optimised output areas in South Africa. We conclude that the AZTool software can be used to effectively and objectively create optimised output areas for South African data. Further research on the comparison of the newly created output areas with existing output areas in South Africa should be explored.
Effects of animal class and genotype on beef muscle nanostructure, pHu, colour and tenderness
Authors: Chulayo Amanda Y. , Muchenje Voster
Published: July 2016

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of animal class and genotype of cattle on Muscularis longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) nanostructure, ultimate pH (pHu), colour and tenderness of beef. We found significant positive relationships between distance travelled (DT) and meat temperature (Tm) (p<0.01); lairage duration (LDhr) and lightness of colour (L*) (p<0.01); ambient temperature (Ta) and L* (p<0.05) and LDhr and yellowness (b*) (p<0.05) of beef from Bonsmara cattle. Positive linear relationships were observed between DT and Tm (p<0.05) and DT and L* (p<0.01) of the non-descript cattle. There were no significant relationships between pre-slaughter stress and other beef quality parameters (pHu, Warner– Bratzler shear force [WBSF], redness [a*] and b*) of Bonsmara, Nguni and non-descript cattle. Muscle fibres differed among class and genotype and had an effect on meat quality. The Bonsmara, non-descript and Nguni cows and heifers had visible skeletal muscle fibres which were thin and long, promising improved tenderness of beef. Genotype and class had significant effects on meat quality parameters (Tm, pHu, L*, a*, b* and WBSF). The first important principal components as they appeared from the analysis were pHu, Tm, L*, a*, b* and WBSF. Therefore, animal class did not affect the nanostructure of beef; instead, meat tenderness was enhanced by the longer and visible muscle fibres. Nguni cattle produced meat of superior quality to that of the Bonsmara and the non-descript cattle.