bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTION TO ENSURE THERMAL COMFORT IN BUILDINGS USING ALUMINIUM FOAM
Authors: Jerz Jaroslav , Simančík František , Kováčik Jaroslav , Oslanec Peter
Published: December 2016

The high energy efficiency of buildings can be achieved if energy needs are almost entirely covered by the supply of renewable energy sources obtained directly on the building or in its immediate vicinity. The technology providing efficient storage of the heat at a time of excessive sunlight is necessary if a returns of investment for the construction of small houses with zero energy balance should be less than 10 years. The regular alternation of day and night cycle resulting in continuously changing amount of sunshine falling on the building roof causes even though a small but very well usable potential. The concept presented in this contribution is based on the storage of energy obtained through the aluminium foam roof and facade cladding, which are capable of absorbing the desired, or even take away the excess energy to the surroundings if necessary. The energy effectively generated by this way is by means of piping system distributed by heating liquid medium/coolant to interior ceiling heat exchangers made of aluminium foam enabling due to filling by Phase Change Materials (PCMs) to store the energy required for heating/cooling for a period of at least several hours. This progressive technology, therefore, contributes significantly to reducing of energy demand and thus also the prices of future not only large buildings but also small family houses that are able to achieve the optimal thermal comfort by extremely low costs. Possibility to manufacture facade, as well as the interior panels of aluminium foam, is a good prerequisite for ensuring that these structural components could be in the nearest future made from fully recyclable aluminium alloys. This fact indicates large potential chance for long-term sustainable further development of above-mentioned advanced technologies.
Use of core biopsy in diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy: a viable alternative to surgical excisional biopsy of lymph nodes?
Authors: Allin D , David S , Jacob A , Mir N , Giles A , Gibbins N
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVES

Lymphoma often presents with a neck mass and while fine-needle aspiration cytology may be suggestive, tissue biopsy is required for reliable diagnosis and classification of a lymphoma that is sufficient to deliver the correct treatment for the patient. Traditionally, excisional biopsy of a lymph node has been the standard method of tissue sampling, providing ample tissue for assessment. However, this requires theatre time, and preceding fine-needle aspiration cytology, which may incur a delay. With careful use of tissue, coupled with advances in immunohistochemical and molecular investigative techniques, core biopsy provides a possible alternative to traditional fine-needle aspiration and excisional biopsy. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy of diagnosing neck masses.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis was performed of patients being investigated for a neck mass who were undergoing ultrasound-guided core biopsies of cervical lymph nodes over a 17-month period. The final histology report was scrutinised to assess whether adequate tissue was obtained to allow for full tissue diagnosis.

RESULTS

Over the 17-month period analysed, 70 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy underwent core biopsy. Of these, 63 (90%) were diagnostic for either lymphoma or other pathology and did not require further tissue sampling. Overall, 19 patients were diagnosed with lymphoma, of which only 1 required further biopsy due to inconclusive initial core biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Current guidelines for investigating lymphomas require that excisional biopsy be performed to obtain ample tissue to allow full nodal architecture assessment and ancillary investigation to reach an accurate histological classification. Within our head and neck multidisciplinary team, however, it is considered that results from core biopsies can be obtained in a more timely fashion and with histological accuracy equal to those of open biopsy. The results obtained demonstrate that core biopsy is an effective tool for investigation. We believe this should be the first-line investigation of choice, as it reduces the need for patients to undergo surgery, is more cost effective and offers a faster diagnosis.
Safety in out-of-hours operating in trauma and orthopaedics at a district general hospital
Authors: Gulamhussein MA , Chaudhry S , Noor S , Chaudhry T , Guha A , Knebel R
Published: December 2016

INTRODUCTION

According to the National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths (NCEPOD), out-of-hours operating in trauma and orthopaedics should be reserved for life or limb threatening cases only. The aim of our study was to determine the nature of non-emergency work carried out in our trust at night in 2015. The overall efficacy and clinical safety of the services provided was evaluated.

METHODS

Surgical activity undertaken after 9pm was reviewed along with patient ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) grade, grade of operating surgeon and any complications that occurred following the procedure. Furthermore, the clinical urgency and safety of cases was assessed based on whether there was any record of life or limb threatening indications at the time of admission.

RESULTS

Overall, 131 procedures were performed after 9pm, with 102 performed between 9pm and midnight, and 29 after midnight. Consultants performed 16 cases and the remaining 115 cases were operated on by middle grades or specialty trainees. A fifth (20%) of the cases were genuinely life or limb threatening. A total of 123 procedures were classed as having good outcomes. The complication rate was 8%.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, 80% of the procedures performed after 9pm could not be categorised as life or limb threatening. Appropriate CEPOD classification would ensure that only life or limb threatening cases were listed for theatre after 9pm. Alternative methods of operating within working hours should be considered.
Prophylactic antibiotics in acute pancreatitis: endless debate
Authors: Mourad MM , Evans RPT , Kalidindi V , Navaratnam R , Dvorkin L , Bramhall SR
Published: December 2016

INTRODUCTION

The development of pancreatic infection is associated with the development of a deteriorating disease with subsequent high morbidity and mortality. There is agreement that in mild pancreatitis there is no need to use antibiotics; in severe pancreatitis it would appear to be a logical choice to use antibiotics to prevent secondary pancreatic infection and decrease associated mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A non-systematic review of current evidence, meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials was conducted to assess the role of prophylactic antibiotics in acute pancreatitis and whether it might improve morbidity and mortality in pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Mixed evidence was found to support and refute the role of prophylactic antibiotics in acute pancreatitis. Most studies have failed to demonstrate much benefit from its routine use. Data from our unit suggested little benefit of their routine use, and showed that the mortality of those treated with antibiotics was significantly higher compared with those not treated with antibiotics (9% vs 0%, respectively, P = 0.043). In addition, the antibiotic group had significantly higher morbidity (36% vs 5%, respectively, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotics should be used in patients who develop sepsis, infected necrosis-related systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or pancreatic and extra-pancreatic infection. Despite the many other factors that should be considered, prompt antibiotic therapy is recommended once inflammatory markers are raised, to prevent secondary pancreatic infection. Unfortunately, there remain many unanswered questions regarding the indications for antibiotic administration and the patients who benefit from antibiotic treatment in acute pancreatitis.
The potential effect of biological sealants on colorectal anastomosis healing in experimental research involving severe diabetes
Authors: Stergios K , Kontzoglou K , Pergialiotis V , Korou LM , Frountzas M , Lalude O , Nikiteas N , Perrea DN
Published: December 2016

Colorectal anastomoses continuous to pose a significant challenge in current surgical practice. Anastomotic leakage remains one of the most frequent and dramatic complications of colorectal surgery, even in centres of high specialisation. Diabetes is a well-established independent factor which results in higher anastomotic leakage rates. Fibrin sealants have been applied in experimental and clinical studies for the prevention of anastomotic dehiscence. However, little is known regarding their impact on diabetic patients. Several fibrin sealants have been proposed as adjunct to standard surgical techniques to prevent leakage from colonic anastomoses following the reversal of temporary colostomies, approved for general haemostasis. This review summarises current advances in colorectal anastomoses and provides evidence that may strengthen the need for tissue sealants in colorectal anastomoses of diabetic patients.

We searched Medline (1966–2016) and Scopus (2004–2016) for current evidence in the field. To date, there is no evidence to support the use of fibrin sealants as an adjunct in diabetic patients who undergo colorectal surgery. Experimental animal models with extreme diabetes could be of significant use in the present field and further research is needed prior to application of fibrin sealants in a clinical setting.
Reflexiones históricas para el diseño de un audiovisual educativo sobre América Latina–Siglo xx
Authors: Pozzo María Isabel , Besso Pianetto María Elena
Published: December 2016

El presente artículo sistematiza reflexiones históricasorientadas al diseño de un audiovisual educativo destina-do a presentar y problematizar los aconteceres de AméricaLatina durante el siglo xx. En tal sentido, propone unabordaje procesual, superador de las perspectivas atomi-zadas, de modo de tornarlo comprensible a espectadoresde otras culturas de origen, sin reduccionismos simplistas.
Materialidades culturales y mediaciones narrativas hipermediales en educación a distancia
Authors: Ambrosino María Alejandra
Published: December 2016

El presente artículo se propone reflexionar sobre unadimensión de la educación mediada por tecnologíasy sus diferentes formas de representación en un modocurricular específico como es el de la educación a dis-tancia. Más allá del modo de representación tecnológicointeresa abordar la perspectiva cultural a partir de susdiferentes mediaciones narrativas. Para ello vamos adefinir la idea de las materialidades culturales desde suoperacionalidad y cómo su forma contempla determi-nadas posibilidades en la educación a distancia a partirde las mediaciones narrativas virtuales.Este ensayo intenta reflexionar sobre cultura, educa-ción y entornos digitales con una mirada retrospectiva
Imaginarios técnicos en el Obelisco. Representaciones culturales de modernización en Buenos Aires de la década de 1930.
Authors: Barboza Dri Nicolás
Published: December 2016

El proyecto y construcción del Obelisco en el año 1936no estuvo exento de debates. La discusión disciplinar,polarizada entre los defensores de la tradición académicay los de una modernidad anclada principalmente enla valorización técnica desde su constitución formal ymaterial, promueve un estimulante diálogo. Las trans-formaciones políticas y económicas de la década de1930 en Argentina van de la mano del impulso para unamodernización del país, tanto en el plano social comoen términos espaciales y territoriales. En esta escena, latrascendencia del Obelisco radica principalmente en lasrepresentaciones e imaginarios que puede ser analizadoa partir de las revistas disciplinares del período y lasproducciones fotográficas con las que Horacio Coppolareproduce la Buenos Aires de aquella década. Analizarlas discusiones disciplinares en sede cultural que se pro-dujeron alrededor del monumento permite comprender una nueva realidad social anclada en el progreso de lamodernización.
La ciudad en su dimensión simbólica. El diseño de la comunicación visual en la construcción de la memoria cultural urbana santafesina
Authors: Montoro Claudia A.
Published: December 2016

Históricamente, las producciones artísticas han cum-plido un rol preponderante al simbolizar, reaccionar, ointerpretar su época.En la actualidad, en la percepción y representaciónde la realidad existe una injerencia cada vez mayor deldiseño de la comunicación visual, nuevo modo de re-presentar, que alude a ciertos acontecimientos, espacioso áreas patrimoniales que identifican la ciudad. Estasconfiguraciones simbólicas, que se sintetizan tanto através de formas abstractas o figurativas, se conviertenen signos mediante productos publicitarios, logotipos eimágenes institucionales, que terminan por componer,en cierto modo, una imaginería secundaria, constituidapor el cruzamiento de figuras contemporáneas y patri-moniales. En este sentido, la ciudad, como espacio derepresentación simbólica de lo social, a partir de dichasfiguraciones, nos permite asociar dos de los fenómenos más típicos de nuestra época: el de lo efímero de lascosas, de su rápido e incesante desgaste, y el de su rescatecon la función de recobrar su memoria.
El Cineclub, una institución resistente
Authors: Viola Ariel
Published: December 2016

El cine, como arte de nuestro moderno siglo xx, recorrela historia a través de sus maneras de manifestarse yde relacionarse con la sociedad. Devenido, hegemó-nicamente, en un complejo controlado y organizadopor la industria, ha sabido, sin embargo, promovermovimientos socioculturales que actúan en favor depreservar su faceta más artística y cultural. El Cineclubes la institución más importante en este sentido, inscri-biéndose socialmente en un espacio de promoción dematerial audiovisual de calidad, alternativo, local y dediversidad cultural. Desde los años '90, la ola neoliberalperjudicó a los espacios de cine más pequeños, y lassalas de Santa Fe se concentraron dentro del complejoempresarial de Cinemark, emplazado en el paseo decompras de la ciudad. Cineclub Santa Fe supo resistira esos contrarrestantes y, en la actualidad, sigue siendouna institución cultural convocante.
Museos, imaginarios y memorias en la «escenificación» de la historia
Authors: García Rosa
Published: December 2016

Toda cultura provee a sus miembros repertorios icono-gráficos, ficciones organizadoras e ideologías que definensus relaciones, crean prácticas y sitios para ejercer lamemoria, lugares para dar sentido a la experiencia yconstruir, a partir de ellos, identidad.Los museos, como dispositivos culturales, son parte deesos espacios y colaboran activamente en la construcciónde memorias y en la reproducción de imaginarios através de lo representado en sus vitrinas y exposiciones(Lumbreras, 1980:20). En ellos, se «escenifican» ver-siones diversas de la memoria histórica a partir de larelación que se establece entre el patrimonio expuesto,el discurso museográfico y las estrategias y recursosdestinados a la socialización de su relato.Acotando esta reflexión al espacio del Museo Etno-gráfico y Colonial Juan de Garay, el ejercicio que mepropongo radica en preguntarme cómo se construyó museográficamente la escenificación del pasado co-lonial y qué relación guarda esa escenificación con laconstrucción de la memoria histórica, indagando losmarcos teóricos que sustentaron los inicios institu-cionales del museo. Este ejercicio intelectual no tienesólo un objetivo «biográfico–institucional», sino queen tanto preocupación y análisis de los procesos deconstrucción cultural de la memoria social es parte delpresente institucional de los museos, que han puesto enla agenda la tarea de comprender la diversidad culturaly sus conflictos.
La pinacoteca del humo Premios Benson & Hedges en el Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (1977–1978)
Authors: Dios Alicia
Published: December 2016

Durante los primeros años de la última dictaduramilitar en Argentina (1976–1983), el Museo Nacio-nal de Bellas Artes continuó funcionando con ciertaautonomía hasta el momento de la intervención porparte de las autoridades oficiales en 1982. Promovióuna serie de exposiciones y premios cuya participaciónera considerada consagratoria para los jóvenes artistasdel momento: los Premios De Ridder (de 1973 a 1977),los Benson & Hedges (1977–1978), y la reapertura delPremio Braque en 1979.En este trabajo propongo analizar la presentación delos Premios Benson & Hedges (b&h) de 1977 en el mnba,en relación con una serie de acontecimientos políticos y socioculturales que darán cuenta de la compleja tramadel campo artístico, atravesado inexorablemente porla coyuntura de la dictadura cívico militar. El objetivoen este estudio es encontrar las pistas que permitanargumentar una hipótesis política acerca de los crucesexistentes entre arte, instituciones públicas, privadas yel mercado publicitario.
Intercambios transnacionales en el cine clásico mexicano: el caso de los productores Calderón y su efecto en la región latinoamericana
Authors: Flores Silvana
Published: December 2016

A través de este artículo, nos introduciremos en el fe-nómeno de las relaciones transnacionales entre Méxicoy diversos países del mercado cinematográfico regional,en base a las actividades realizadas por una familia deproductores, distribuidores y exhibidores mexicanos, JoséU. Calderón y sus hijos, durante el período de la Épocade Oro del cine de ese país (1936–1955). El trabajo de estafamilia dio cuenta de diferentes procedimientos en los quela transnacionalidad se ha llevado a la práctica en el cinemexicano: desde el intercambio de directores, actores ycantantes latinoamericanos para la producción de películasnacionales, pasando por la distribución de los propiosfilmes y de otros productos cinematográficos en toda laregión hasta la exhibición de películas mexicanas en terri-torios extranjeros. Entenderemos a este fenómeno comoun ejemplo paradigmático de la existencia de una ampliavinculación transnacional en el cine de dicho período. .
Digeneos parásitos de Cyphocharax platanus (Günther, 1880) (Characiformes: Curimatidae) en el tramo inferior del río Uruguay en la zona de influencia de la represa de Salto Grande, Uruguay
Authors: VENZAL José M. , CASTRO Oscar , SOSA Nicolás , FÉLIX María L , LEITES Valentín , MENONI Federico , VIGIL José D
Published: December 2016

Entre agosto de 2012 y junio de 2013 estudios parasitológicos fueron llevados a cabo en 76 ejemplares de Cyphocharax platanus procedentes del tramo inferior del río Uruguay en la zona de influencia de la represa de Salto Grande. Tres taxones de digeneos fueron identificados: Saccocoelioides spp. (Haploporidae) y Zonocotyle bicaecata (Zonocotylidae) en intestino, y metacercarias de Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum (Diplostomidae) en el interior de los ojos. El 69,7% de los peces analizados resultaron parasitados por al menos un taxón de digeneo. Saccocoelioides spp. mostro los mayores valores de prevalencia, intensidad media y abundancia media (43,4%, 5,45, 2,37 respectivamente) de infección, en relación a Z. bicaecata (28,9%, 1,32 y 0,38 respectivamente) y S. musculosum (13,2%, 2,82 y 0,37 respectivamente). Saccocoelioides spp. y S. musculosum mostraron un patrón de distribución agregado, en tanto que Z. bicaecata presentó una distribución aleatoria en la población de hospedadores. No se hallaron diferencias significativas en los índices de infección de ninguno de los taxones de digeneos en relación al sexo de los hospedadores, y sólo Saccocoelioides spp. presentó una asociación significativa con el tamaño, siendo más frecuente en peces pequeños. Los dos parásitos intestinales (Saccocoelioides spp. y Z. bicaecata) no presentaron una asociación significativa entre sus índices de infección. Los registros de Saccocoelioides spp. y Z. bicaecata corresponden a los primeros para este hospedador en el río Uruguay, y el hallazgo de las metacercarias de S. musculosum constituye una nueva relación parásito-hospedador.
Isoperimetric Symmetry Breaking:
a Counterexample to a Generalized Form
of the Log-Convex Density Conjecture
Authors: Morgan Frank
Published: December 2016

We give an example of a smooth surface of revolution for which all circles about the origin are
strictly stable for fixed area but small isoperimetric regions are nearly round discs away from the origin.
Positive Solutions of Elliptic Kirchhoff Equations
Authors: Ambrosetti Antonio , Arcoya David
Published: December 2016

We prove several existence results for some nonlinear elliptic Kirchhoff equations.
Value Investing: Circle of Competence in the Thai Insurance Industry
Authors: Nettayanun Sampan
Published: December 2016

This study explores the strategy of value investing, specifically for the insurance industry in Thailand. It employs multiple measures of “value,” suitable for insurance companies, such as the price-to-earning (PE), price-to-book (PB), and cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE). Value premium exists in the Thai insurance industry, and most of the value portfolios constructed from these measures significantly outperform the market, even when adjusting for price volatility and portfolio’s

β

$\beta $

. The cumulative returns are also higher for the value stocks, when compared to the growth stocks, and the Thai stock market. Constructing a value portfolio, using the PE ratio, results in the highest returns and is far better than PB and CAPE. The value anomaly cannot be fully explained by either the capital asset pricing model or the Fama-French three-factor models.
Surface functionalization of phosphate-based bioactive glasses with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS)
Authors: Massera Jonathan , Mishra Ayush , Guastella Salvatore , Ferraris Sara , Verné Enrica
Published: December 2016

The effect of SrO substitution for CaO, in the 50P
Monodispersed strontium containing bioactive glass nanoparticles and MC3T3-E1 cellular response
Authors: Naruphontjirakul Parichart , Greasley Sarah L. , Chen Shu , Porter Alexandra E. , Jones Julian R.
Published: December 2016

Non-porous monodispersed strontium containing bioactive glass (Si2O-CaO-SrO) nanoparticles (Sr- BGNPs), were synthesised using a modified Stöber process. Silica nanoparticles (Si-NPs) with diameters 90 ± 10 nm were produced through hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions of the silicon alkoxide precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), prior to the incorporation of cations; calcium (Ca) and strontium (Sr), into the silica networks through heat treatment (calcination). Sr was substituted for Ca on a mole basis from non- (0SrBGNPs) to fullsubstitution (100SrBGNPs) in order to increase the amount of network modifiers in the Si-NPs. The different ratios of Si: Ca; 1:1.3 and 1:8.0, presented various elemental compositions (i.e. 77–92 mol% of SiO
Impact of HLA-G 14 bp polymorphism and soluble HLA-G level on kidney graft outcome
Authors: Durmanova Vladimira , Bandzuchova Helena , Zilinska Zuzana , Tirpakova Jana , Kuba Daniel , Buc Milan , Polakova Katarina
Published: December 2016

Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical HLA class I protein with various immunosuppressive functions. Besides its profound effect to induce fetal tolerance, HLA-G has been also found to enhance graft acceptance. The aim of the study was to analyse the association between HLA-G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism, soluble HLA-G level and kidney graft outcome in the Slovak population. We investigated 69 kidney transplant recipients aged 27–65 years. Out of this group, 37 recipients developed acute rejection, confirmed by biopsy, and 32 patients had stable allograft function. Plasma was obtained from recipients at 1 day before transplantation and analyzed by ELISA. Genotyping of HLA-G polymorphism was performed by PCR. Significantly higher pre-transplantation levels of sHLA-G were found in the group with stable allograft function in comparison to group with acute rejection (P = 0.0409). In the homozygous −14/−14 recipients with stable allograft function, significantly higher values of sHLA-G were determined in comparison to the recipients with acute rejection (P = 0.0052). The study revealed an association between 14 bp deletion polymorphism and soluble HLA-G level that is proportional to kidney graft acceptance. It is suggested that pre-transplantation levels of soluble HLA-G should be monitored as additional marker to predict kidney graft outcome.
Remediation of deltamethrin contaminated cotton fields: residual and adsorption assessment
Authors: Rafique Uzaira , Nasreen Saima , Tufail Fatima , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel
Published: December 2016

Pakistan occupies a significant global position in the growing of high quality cotton. The extensive application of pesticides on agricultural products leads to environmental risk due to toxic residues in air, water and soil. This study examined the chemodynamic effect of Deltamethrin on cotton fields. Samples were collected from the cotton fields of D.G. Khan, Pakistan and analyzed for heavy metal speciation patterns. Batch experiments were administered in order to study the adsorption of Deltamethrin in cotton fields. The effect of different factors including pH, adsorbate dose, and adsorbent mass on adsorption were studied. It was observed that in general, adsorption increased with increases in the mass of adsorbate, although the trends were irregular. Residual fractions of deltamethrin in the soil and water of cotton fields were analyzed to assess concentrations of xenobiotics bound to soil particles. Results indicated that such residues are significantly higher in soil samples due to high Koc in comparison to water, indicating the former is an efficient degradation agent. Results from the batch experiment resulted in 95% removal with alkaline pH and an adsorbent-adsorbate ratio of 250:1. These results may be used to environment friendly resource management policies.
ANFIS based Control Scheme for Binary Distillation Column
Authors: Singh Amit Kumar , Tyagi Barjeev , Kumar Vishal
Published: December 2016

In distillation process, composition control is very important. A continuous column has to be operated as precisely as possible to meet the purity specifications. In this work, ANFIS controllers are designed to control the methanol composition in BDC. The controller controls the methanol composition in BDC by the variation of reflux flow-rate and reboiler heat duty. Two separate ANFIS controllers namely: ANFIS A and ANFIS B are designed for the reflux flow-rate and the reboiler heat duty respectively. Each ANFIS controller has three inputs. The performance of this ANFIS control scheme is compared with NN-IMC control scheme on the basis of considered performance indicators (rise time, settling time, MSE). Performance of the ANFIS control scheme is evaluated for reference tracking and disturbance rejection cases. A perturbation of +10 % is incorporated in feed flow-rate for disturbance rejection case. In case of reference tracking, the obtained result shows that there is an improvement of 7 % in the settling time whereas, 14 % improvement in MSE with ANFIS scheme as compared to NN-IMC scheme. In case of disturbance rejection, the obtained result shows that there is an improvement of 14 % in the rise time, 41 % improvement in settling time whereas, 7 % improvement in MSE with ANFIS scheme as compared to NN-IMC scheme.
A Semiotic Key to The Waste Land
Authors: Hopkins John A. F.
Published: December 2016

This paper applies my expanded version of Michael Riffaterre’s theory of the semiotic structure of modern poetry to T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land. Contrary to Riffaterre, multilingual examples show that modern poetry is built around not one but two central propositions. Moreover, the ability of the modernist work to change the preconceptions of the reader must be accounted for. This involves a triadic system whose interpretant is seen to have a counterpart in the sociolect, which has similar vocabulary but contrasting internal structure – a contrast that produces a change in the mind of the reader. My analysis shows that this long poem is based on just two kernel propositions, which generate two sets of variant images throughout the text. The result is that the poem has the capacity to change the reader’s preconceptions along religious lines. This influential poem has frequently been misunderstood as simply reflecting the depredations of post First World War Europe. From my analysis we can conclude that, while one proposition is concerned with the degraded state of faithless post-war European society, the other constitutes a semiotic key to the rehabilitation of that society.
The Impasse of Metaphorical Essentialism
Authors: Jiang Yicun
Published: December 2016

This paper anatomizes the cognitive theory of metaphor from the perspective of Peircean semiotics. As is defined by Peirce, iconic reasoning is the underlying logic of metaphor, which is open ended and heterogeneous, and therefore no particular metaphorical schema can be said to claim a monopoly over the structuring of our thinking and behavior. Lakoff and Johnson’s cognitive theory, however, seems to follow the Platonic line of ontological realism, which advocates that concepts expressed in a language correspond to real states of things or affairs that exist independently of language. By viewing their “master tropes” as fundamental and prerequisite schemas, Lakoff and Johnson presume the ontological existence of some metaphorical concepts. Such an a priori assumption is not compatible with the polysemous nature of the sign. Consequently, this essentialist approach makes their postulation on metaphor unfalsifiable. What is missing from their framework is a structural space for dynamic interpretation on the part of metaphor users. Peirce’s theory of unlimited semiosis can remedy this deficiency through introducing the concept of “interpretant” as a mediating thirdness, where innumerable semantic features of objects or life situations are rhizomatically linked on the basis of encyclopedic knowledge shared by members of a particular culture.
Generalized Binomial Convolution of the mth Powers of the Consecutive Integers with the General Fibonacci Sequence
Authors: Kılıç Emrah , Akkus Ilker , Ömür Nese , Ulutas Yücel T.
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we consider Gauthier’s generalized convolution and then define its binomial analogue as well as alternating binomial analogue. We formulate these convolutions and give some applications of them.
A Variant of Jensen’s Functional Equation on Semigroups
Authors: Fadli Brahim , Zeglami Driss , Kabbaj Samir
Published: December 2016

We determine the solutions f : S → H of the following functional equation

f(xy) + f(σ(y)x) = 2f(x); x; y ∈ S;

and the solutions f1; f2; f3 : M → H of the functional equation

f1(xy) + f2(σ(y)x) = 2f31(x); x; y ∈ M;

where S is a semigroup, M is a monoid, H is an abelian group 2-torsion free, and σ is an involutive automorphism.
Remarks on Interpolation of Functions by Polynomials
Authors: Czekalski Stefan
Published: December 2016

We present some new formulas for interpolations of functions by polynomials. We apply them to some special functions.
Some Convergence Properties of the Sum of Gaussian Functionals
Authors: Wałachowska Agnieszka
Published: December 2016

In the paper, some aspects of the convergence of series of dependent Gaussian sequences problem are solved. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of series of centered dependent indicators are obtained. Some strong convergence results for weighted sums of Gaussian functionals are discussed.
Bounds on integrals with respect to
multivariate copulas
Authors: Preischl Michael
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we present a method to obtain upper and lower bounds on integrals with respect to
copulas by solving the corresponding assignment problems (AP’s). In their 2014 paper, Hofer and Iacó proposed
this approach for two dimensions and stated the generalization to arbitrary dimensons as an open
problem. We will clarify the connection between copulas and AP’s and thus find an extension to the multidimensional
case. Furthermore, we provide convergence statements and, as applications, we consider three
dimensional dependence measures as well as an example from finance.
Variable Capacitor Energy Harvesting Based on Polymer Dielectric and Composite Electrode
Authors: Hahn Robert , Yang Yujia , Maaß Uwe , Georgi Leopold , Bauer Jörg , Lang K.-D.
Published: December 2016

This work focuses on a polymer based capacitive harvester which can be fabricated with help of roll-to-roll and low cost printing methods. In contrast to electrostatic MEMS based parallel plate transducers or dielectric elastomer systems here, the capacitance is varied as function of the mechanical load by changing of the top electrode area with help of an electrically conducting composite elastomer. In case of a composite elastomer electrode the maximum capacitance in compressed state does not only depend on the thickness and permitivity of the dielectric but first of all on the quality of the interface and the micro structure of the conducting phase in the composite electrode at the interface which was investigated by FEM Maxwell simulation. An equivalent circuit model is used to study the influence of the leakage current inside the dielectric and the bulk resistivity of the elastomer electrode. First experiments with state of the art polymer, thin film and novel printed dielectrics in contact with elastomer electrodes have been performed to prove the harvesting principle at low frequencies. Charges between 25 and 70 nAs per cm2 have been transferred per cycle at 100 V/200 V while the maximum capacity was between 0.4 and 0.8 nF/cm2.
Effect of the Annealing on the Low-Temperature Charge Transport Properties of Heavily Boron-Doped Nanocrystalline Silicon Films for Thermoelectric Applications
Authors: Zulian Laura , Segrado Francesco , Narducci Dario
Published: December 2016

Silicon is the reference material of microelectronics, is readily available, relatively unexpensive, and its use may take profit of a fantastic technology. This may explain why a substantial effort has focused on improving its thermoelectric efficiency, either by top-down nanostructuring or through suitable processing. In this paper we report an analysis of the electronic transport properties of heavily boron-doped nanocrystalline silicon films. High-temperature thermal treatments are confirmed to remarkably increase its thermoelectric power factor. Electrical conductivity and Hall effect measurements were carried out over the temperature range 20–300 K along with Seebeck coefficient measurements. We provide evidence of the occurrence of low-temperature hopping conduction between impurity subbands. Dopant ionization was studied as a function of temperature. Freeze-out temperature was found to correlate with the Seebeck coefficient in agreement with Pisarenko equation. This brings to the conclusion that, while untreated samples are weakly degenerate, the thermal processing reverts them into non-degenerate semiconductors, in spite of the high doping level.
Composition of microbial PLFAs and correlations with topsoil characteristics in the rare active travertine spring-fed fen
Authors: Hanajík Peter , Zvarík Milan , Fritze Hannu , Šimkovic Ivan , Kanka Róbert
Published: December 2016

We studied soil PLFAs composition and specific soil properties among transect of small-scale fen in Stankovany, Slovakia. The aim of this study was to determine potential differences in the microbial community structure of the fen transect and reveal correlations among PLFAs and specific soil characteristics. PCA analyses of 43 PLFAs showed a separation of the samples along the axis largely influenced by i14:0, 16:1ω5, br17:0, 10Me16:0, cy17:0, cy17:1, br18:0 and 10Me17:0. We measured a high correlation of sample scores and distance from fen edge (Kendall’s test τ = 0.857, P < 0.01). Kendall’s test showed a negative correlation of PLFAs content (mol%) and distance from the fen border for Gram (+) bacteria, Actinomycetes, mid-chain branched saturated PLFAs and total PLFAs. The redundancy analysis of the PLFA data set for the eight samples using PLFAs as species and 21 environmental variables identified soil properties significantly associated with the PLFA variables, as tested by Monte Carlo permutation showing most significant environmental variables including dichlormethan extractables, water extractables, Klason lignin, acid-soluble lignin, holocellulose, total extractables, organic matter content, total PLFA amount, bacterial PLFA and total nitrogen negatively correlated to axis 1 and dry weight and carbonate carbon positively correlated to axis 1. The amounts of Klason lignin, acid-soluble lignin, holocellulose total extractables, total PLFA, bacterial PLFA and total nitrogen were significantly correlated positively to the distance from fen border while moisture and total carbonate carbon were correlated negatively.
Communities of epigeic beetles in tree line from montane spruce forest to secondary meadow in the different stage of the forest decline in the area of Modrava (Bohemian forest, Czech Republic)
Authors: Boháč Jaroslav , Matějka Karel
Published: December 2016

Communities of epigeic beetles were studied using pitfall trapping on 10 plots with the different stage of decline and clear-cut plots without coarse woody debris. Species richness (number of all species, S), total species diversity as the Shannon-Wiener’s index (H) and equitability (e) were calculated in the DBreleve. The Ward’s method of hierarchical agglomerative classification with Euclidean distance was used for the differentiation of the communities on the plots. Species data for this analyse were represented by logarithm-transformed activities [log(x+1)]. The single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical testing of differences in structural parameters (e.g. species richness and diversity) amongst distinguished groups of the plots. The species diversity and activity differs on glades without trees and coarse woody debris. The highest number of species was found in clear-cut areas. The lowest number of species was found on the plots with the living forest particularly invaded by bark beetle. This fact is caused by the fact that the clear-cut plots are invaded by ubiquitous and anthropotolerant species with good migration possibilities. These species are adapted to habitats without trees and are able to leave even in the habitats with very sparse or without vegetation. Species living in the forest even under the bark beetle attack are often stenotopic and adapted to the forest microclimate (higher humidity and low average temperature). These species are very sensitive to great difference in the daily changes of microclimate. The study of beetle communities support the hypothesis that the keeping of dead tree stands on plots after bark beetle outbreak is better for biodiversity conservation than the cutting down of trees and the abolishment of stems.
ICT for smart evaluation of vernacular architecture
in a stilt-house village
Authors: Almeida Filipa , Virtudes Ana Lídia
Published: December 2016

Vernacular architecture typologies, such as
wooden stilt-houses, have been threatened by the vulnerability
to conservation status degradation. This problem
is not an exception in Portugal, where the few remaining
examples have been neglected, with the disappearance or
abandonment of almost all buildings, damaging architectural
and urban spatial features. This legacy is rapidly disappearing,
weakening the European cultural map.
This research presents the results from a smart evaluation
method using an ICT (information and communication
technology) platform designed for the smart evaluation of
wooden stilt-houses, considering their conservation status.
This platform was used in the five remaining stilthouse
villages still existing in Portugal including about 90
buildings and 300 inhabitants, located along Tagus river
banks. This article refers to one of these case studies, the
village of Escaroupim, which was chosen because it is the
most urban space in between all of them.
On one hand, the results are an exhaustive survey of vernacular
buildings, useful as guideline for spatial strategies
and instruments to protect this legacy. On the other hand,
it can be used in other similar wooden buildings, to check
their conservation status and therefore to define best rehabilitation
actions.
Using Material Flow Cost Accounting (Mfca) to Identify Benefits of Eco-Efficiency and Cleaner Production in a Paper and Pulp Manufacturing Organization
Authors: Doorasamy Mishelle
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study is to use material flow cost accounting (MFCA) to assess the level
at which cleaner production (CP) can improve both environmental and economic performance of an organization.
Higher energy and raw material prices are causing CP to grow in relevance and importance.
The amount of waste to landfill is increasing steadily. Most companies are using inefficient processes
and technologies that are obsolete resulting in higher production costs, which, in turn, affect their profitability
and competitiveness. This study was a case study based on a paper manufacturing company using
an exploratory qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The MFCA approach was used
to assess the efficiency of the steam production process using coal-fired boilers. The results indicated
that the process was inefficient resulting in significant negative environmental and economic impact.
Environmental costs were hugely underestimated by management, as non-product output costs were not
included as part of environmental costs calculated by company. Benefits and barriers to CP was also
brought to the forefront at the conclusion of this research.
Senile hypopituitarism: Characteristics of its diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Wang Xian-Ling , Wang Ying-Qian
Published: December 2016

Hypopituitarism is a clinical syndrome caused by reduced production of adenohypophyseal hormones. The clinical manifestations of senile hypopituitarism are more complicated and a delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to rapid development of pituitary crisis. Therefore, clinicians should be alerted to senile hypopituitarism. For patients with hyponatremia, hypoglycemia and unexplained coma, an evaluation of pituitary function should be performed. Hormone replacement therapy for patients with confirmed hypopituitarism should be standardized and unauthorized dose reduction or withdrawal is not allowed.
Current status of in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of posaconazole
Authors: Sun He , Su Xin , Shi Yi
Published: December 2016

Posaconazole (POS) is a new triazole drug with broad-spectrum in vitro activity against most yeasts and molds such as Candida, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Zygomycetes, as well as certain species of dimorphic fungi and endemic fungi. In immunocompetent or immunocompromised animal models with invasive fungal infections, POS has demonstrated highly effective, broad-spectrum antifungal activities. In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of POS were superior to those of other azoles against Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Aspergillus terrus, Fusarium and Zygomycetes. In vivo susceptibility studies have shown promising efficacy of POS against life-threatening fungal infections in animal models with different immune status and infection sites.
Association between blood lipid levels and carotid intima-media thickness in Shanghai urban population
Authors: Guan Ya-Ya , Li Mian , Chen Xiao-Ou , Yang Wei , Tang Ming-Ming , Chen Yu-Hong , Zhang Yin-Fei
Published: December 2016

Objective: The objective of the following study is to investigate the relationship between blood lipid levels and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in Shanghai urban population. Materials and Methods: A total of 2504 residents over 40 years old in Jiading District of Shanghai municipality were divided into two groups in terms of the CIMT value 0.7 mm: Thickened group (n = 478) and normal group (n = 2026). All the patients received examinations of height, weight, waist, blood pressure, blood lipid level, hepatic and renal function, oral glucose tolerance test and carotid artery B-ultrasonography. Results: In comparison with those in CIMT normal group, the proportion of males, ages, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and levels of fast blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were increased, but the levels of fast insulin were decreased (all P < 0.05). The risks of CIMT thickness were elevated by 19% and 25% as every increase in the standard deviation of the TC and LDL-C levels respectively (95% of confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.31; 95% CI 1.13-1.37). Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between CIMT thickness and TC/LDL-C. The levels of TG and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not associated with CIMT thickness. Conclusions: Levels of blood TC and LDL-C have significant correlations with the CIMT thickness in Shanghai urban population.
Leishmaniasis revisited: Current
aspects on epidemiology, diagnosis
and treatment
Authors: Georgiadou Sarah P. , Makaritsis Konstantinos P. , Dalekos George N.
Published: December 2016

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus
Leishmania. It is transmitted by phlebotomine female sand flies of the genera Phlebotomus
and Lutzomyia in the old and new world, respectively. More than 20 well-recognized
Leishmania species are known to infect humans and cause visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL)
and mucocutaneous (ML) forms of the disease. Approximately 350 million people are at
risk of contracting the disease and an estimated 1.6 million new cases occur annually. The
disease mainly affects poor people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and is associated with
malnutrition, population migration, poor residency conditions, frail immune system and lack
of resources. Previously, diagnosis of leishmaniasis relied mainly on invasive techniques of
detecting parasites in splenic and bone marrow aspirates. Nevertheless, serological tests
using the recombinant kinesin antigen (rK39) and molecular methods (polymerase chain
reaction) are considered the best options for diagnosis today, despite problems related to
varying sensitivities and specificities and field adaptability. Therapy of leishmaniasis ranges
from local treatment of cutaneous lesions to systemic often toxic, therapy for disseminated CL,
ML and VL. Agents with efficacy against leishmaniasis include amphotericin B, pentavalent
antimonial drugs, paromomycin and miltefosine. No single therapy of VL currently offers
satisfactory efficacy along with safety. This article provides a brief and updated systematic
review on the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of this neglected disease.
Co-morbidities in 99 COPD patients: A case series from Syria
Authors: Mohammad Yousser , Yassine Fatima , Khadouj Mais
Published: December 2016

Objectives: To assess the most frequent co-morbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Patients and Methods: We studied 99 patients, including 72 males and 67 smokers, presented to our University Hospital in Lattakia, Syria in 2012, with a mean age of 63 years.

Results: Overall, there were 61% hypertension, 37% ischemic heart disease, 25% diabetes, 45% anemia, and 47% pulmonary hypertension. Other diseases were less significant. Patients who had more severe Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage had a greater number of co-morbidities.

Conclusions: We recommend as a general practice, to assess cardiac co-morbidities, hypertension, and other co-morbidities in all COPD patients and vice versa. We also recommend performing spirometry in smokers complaining of chronic cough, sputum, or dyspnea for early diagnosis of COPD.