bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influenza-Related Hospitalization and ED Visits in Children Less Than 5 Years: 2000–2011
Authors: Jules Astride , Grijalva Carlos G. , Zhu Yuwei , Talbot H. Keipp , Williams John V. , Poehling Katherine A. , Chaves Sandra S. , Edwards Kathryn M. , Schaffner William , Shay David K. , Griffin Marie R.
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

In the United States, recommendations for annual influenza vaccination gradually expanded from 2004 to 2008, to include all children aged ≥6 months. The effects of these policies on vaccine uptake and influenza-associated health care encounters are unclear. The objectives of the study were to examine the annual incidence of influenza-related health care encounters and vaccine uptake among children age 6 to 59 months from 2000–2001 through 2010–2011 in Davidson County, TN.

METHODS:

We estimated the proportion of laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits by enrolling and testing children with acute respiratory illness or fever. We estimated influenza-related health care encounters by multiplying these proportions by the number of acute respiratory illness/fever hospitalizations and ED visits for county residents. We assessed temporal trends in vaccination coverage, and influenza-associated hospitalizations and ED visit rates.

RESULTS:

The proportion of fully vaccinated children increased from 6% in 2000–2001 to 38% in 2010–2011 (P < .05). Influenza-related hospitalizations ranged from 1.9 to 16.0 per 10 000 children (median 4.5) per year. Influenza-related ED visits ranged from 89 to 620 per 10 000 children (median 143) per year. Significant decreases in hospitalizations (P < .05) and increases in ED visits (P < .05) over time were not clearly related to vaccination trends. Influenza-related encounters were greater when influenza A(H3N2) circulated than during other years with median rates of 8.2 vs 3.2 hospitalizations and 307 vs 143 ED visits per 10 000 children, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Influenza vaccination increased over time; however, the proportion of fully vaccinated children remained <50%. Influenza was associated with a substantial illness burden particularly when influenza A(H3N2) predominated.
Growth Charts for Non-Growth Hormone Treated Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Butler Merlin G. , Lee Jaehoon , Manzardo Ann M. , Gold June-Anne , Miller Jennifer L. , Kimonis Virginia , Driscoll Daniel J.
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE:

The goal of this study was to generate and report standardized growth curves for weight, height, head circumference, and BMI for non–growth hormone–treated white male and female US subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) between 3 and 18 years of age and develop standardized growth charts.

METHODS:

Anthropometric measures (N = 133) were obtained according to standard methods from 120 non–growth hormone–treated white subjects (63 males and 57 females) with PWS between 3 and 18 years of age. Standardized growth curves were developed for the third, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles by using the LMS method for weight, height, head circumference, and BMI for PWS subjects along with the normative third, 50th, and 97th percentiles from national and international growth data. The LMS smoothing procedure summarized the distribution of the anthropometric variables at each age using three parameters: power of the Box-Cox transformation λ (L), median μ (M) and coefficient of variation δ (S).

RESULTS:

Weight, height, head circumference, and BMI standardized growth charts representing 7 percentile ranges were developed from 120 non–growth hormone–treated white male and female US subjects with PWS (age range: 3–18 years) and normative third, 50th, and 97th percentiles from national and international data.

CONCLUSIONS:

We encourage the use of syndrome-specific growth standards to examine and evaluate subjects with PWS when monitoring growth patterns and determining nutritional and obesity status. These variables can be influenced by culture, individual medical care, diet intervention, and physical activity plans.
Pediatric Germ Cell Tumors From 1987 to 2011: Incidence Rates, Time Trends, and Survival
Authors: Kaatsch Peter , Häfner Carla , Calaminus Gabriele , Blettner Maria , Tulla Mira
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND:

Malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a rare and a heterogeneous group of pediatric cancers. The incidence rate has increased in some populations or subgroups. However, only a few recent publications on epidemiologic data showing the trends in incidence of pediatric GCTs are available.

METHODS:

We analyzed the incidence rates, time trends, and survival for 1366 GCTs in children 0 to 14 years old registered in the nationwide, population-based German Childhood Cancer Registry in 1987–2011.

RESULTS:

The incidence rate of GCTs was slightly higher in girls (age-standardized rate: girls, 5.3; boys, 4.4 per million). A bimodal age distribution was seen. In children aged <1 year, the highest age-specific incidence rates were seen for girls with GCTs in the pelvis (12.7 per million) and for boys with GCTs in the testis (9.5 per million). For 10- to 14-year-old boys, the tumors occurred most often in the central nervous system (3.1 per million); for girls, the most common site was in the ovaries (4.5 per million). Only the incidence rate for ovarian GCTs increased statistically significantly. The 5- and 20-year survival probabilities for the patients diagnosed between 1987 and 2010 were 92% and 90%, respectively. Survival rates improved notably for intracranial and extragonadal GCTs from 1987 to 2006.

CONCLUSIONS:

The localization and histology of the GCTs varied between the genders and age groups. During 1987 to 2011, the incidence rate increased only for ovarian GCTs. The increase, however, may be due to changes in reporting. The survival rates were excellent.
A 33-Month-Old With Fever and Altered Mental Status
Authors: Lautz Andrew J. , Jenssen Brian , McGuire Jennifer , St. Geme Joseph W.
Published: December 2014

A 33-month-old girl presented with 3 days of fever and 1 day of multiple paroxysmal episodes of screaming with apparent unresponsiveness, flexed lower extremities, clenched hands, and upward eye deviation. These events lasted seconds to a minute at a time and occurred only during sleep. She slept peacefully between episodes and was easily awakened. She had a history of mild speech delay and mild intermittent asthma but was otherwise healthy. She was tired-appearing and fussy on examination with dry mucous membranes, but her examination was otherwise normal. A complete blood count with differential and serum levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium were normal, but her bicarbonate level was 12 mmol/L. Her fingerstick glucose level was 69 mg/dL. Urine dipstick was notable for large ketones, and a urine drug screen was normal. Cerebrospinal fluid examination yielded 2 white blood cells and 1040 red blood cells/mm3 with normal chemistries. A computed tomography (CT) scan of her head was unremarkable, and an abdominal ultrasound demonstrated no evidence of intussusception. Over the course of her hospitalization, these paroxysmal episodes persisted, and she subsequently developed mutism, right-sided weakness, and difficulty swallowing liquids. Here we present her case, diagnostic evaluation, and ultimate diagnosis.
Etiologies of NICU Deaths
Authors: Jacob Jack , Kamitsuka Michael , Clark Reese H. , Kelleher Amy S. , Spitzer Alan R.
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Infant mortality is an indicator of overall societal health, and a significant proportion of infant deaths occur in NICUs. The objectives were to identify causes of death and to define potentially preventable factors associated with death as areas for quality improvement efforts in the NICU.

METHODS:

In a prospectively defined study, the principal investigator in 46 level III NICUs agreed to review health care records of infants who died. For each infant, the principal investigator reviewed the medical record to identify the primary cause of death and to look for preventable factors associated with the infant’s death. Infants born at ≥22 weeks estimated gestational age who were born alive were included. Stillborn infants were excluded.

RESULTS:

Data were collected on 641 infants who died. At lower gestational ages, mortality was most commonly due to extreme prematurity and the complications of premature birth (respiratory distress progressing to respiratory failure, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis). With increasing gestational age, the etiology of mortality shifted to hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy and genetic or structural anomalies. Reviewers of clinical care identified 197 (31%) infants with potentially modifiable factors that may have contributed to their deaths.

CONCLUSIONS:

The factors associated with death in infants admitted for intensive care are multifactorial and diverse, and they change with gestational age. In 31% of the deaths, potentially modifiable factors were identified, and these factors suggest important targets for reducing infant mortality.
Productivity change in Lithuanian family farms with the sequential technology
Authors: Baležentis Tomas
Published: December 2014

The sequential Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index was employed to assess the sources of changes in the total factor productivity in Lithuanian family farms. The research sample encompasses 200 family farms reporting to the Farm Accountancy data Network. The sequential Malmquist-Luenberger index was decomposed by taking into account scale efficiency change and variable returns to scale technology. The obtained efficiency scores suggest that years 2006 and 2009 were those of the most inefficient farming activity. Analysis of the scale efficiency scores suggested that the mixed farming should expand its operation scale in order to maintain the economic viability and competitiveness. The sequential Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index suggested that the TFP had decreased by some 2.9% throughout 2004–2009. The technical change component stagnated in 2009, yet remained the most important factor of TFP growth accounting for increase of some 14% during 2004–2009. The decreasing pure technical efficiency, however, reduced the TFP by 16%. The scale efficiency change did not play an important role. Innovative decision making units – family farms – were identified in terms of distance function and productivity index values.
Representation of personality traits of managers in an innovative production company
Authors: Giedraitis Algirdas
Published: December 2014

Innovative manufacturing companies may serve as a model for other Lithuanian manufacturing companies striving to implement or develop innovative technologies, products or services. However, there is no sufficient contemporary research on representation of personality traits of different level managers in successful innovative manufacturing companies. The present research aimed at identifying of the ways of representation of managers’ personality traits in innovative furniture manufacturing company in Klaipėda. “The Big Five” quantitative method was chosen for empirical research. The research has revealed the following representation of personality traits of different level managers: top-level managers are initiators of innovations; middle-level managers are cautious about the major changes in the company; first-level managers have confidence in themselves and in their work.
Organic production as an innovative trend in export-oriented development of Ukraine's agriculture
Authors: Karasova Nataliia
Published: December 2014

Despite the global economic slowdown, the sales of organic products on the international market continue to grow, and their production is becoming one of the most promising directions in agriculture. Given Ukraine's natural resources, export-oriented production of organic products has great potential. The purpose of this survey – to analyze the current trends on the global market for organic products, as well as the potential for organic farming in Ukraine, and to find the prospects and ways to develop exports. Using of general logical methods of induction and deduction, analyzing the trends on the global market for organic products and the potential of Ukraine's agriculture, organizational, economic, socio-cultural and regulatory conditions for the development of organic production in Ukraine are distinguished. The factors and promising directions of Ukraine's export specialization on the world market for organic products are explored, major methods of stimulating and supporting exporting producers are suggested.
Institutional methodology and the instruments of the natural science for the development of the innovation theory
Authors: Kolbachev Evgeny
Published: December 2014

The grave shortcomings of the monetary valuation of the innovation processes and innovation projects are the general result of the money units’ instability. That’s why working out of the innovation valuation methodology, which methodology is based on the natural science approach, is an actual task, and also the objective of the work. Using the methods of the institutional economy, technological relations and functions theory and the technological orders conception, we worked out the original approach to the innovation projects’ development. The approach gives a possibility to minimize the possibility of the existence of the innovation processes participants’ opportunistic behavior, and to increase the efficiency of the innovation activities.
Labor productivity index decomposition analysis and the innovation-driven methods of its improvement \ on sugar plant
Authors: Kostenko Tania
Published: December 2014

In recent years, Ukraine has lost its leading position in the global sugar production and export- oriented industry has evolved into an import-dependent one, whose production is concentrated only to meet the needs of the domestic market. Today the Ukrainian sugar is uncompetitive due to the low efficiency of utilization of production capacity and outdated technology. One of the major drawbacks of sugar factories is the lack of incentives to innovate that inhibits productivity growth and development in general. The relevance of the study is the importance of identifying the labor productivity growth factors of sugar factories for catching sector and to improve its competitiveness. The purpose of the article is to conduct an index decomposition analysis of sugar plant’s labor productivity and provide practical recommendations to improve productivity through innovation in sugar industry. A structural logic model of the innovation-driven improvement of labor productivity is proposed.
Impact of organization leaders‘ emotional intelligence on organizational culture
Authors: Šimanskienė Ligita , Ramanauskas Karolis
Published: December 2014

The challenges faced by modern organizations are requiring from their managers not only to adequately respond to, but also to manage them. One of the most important organizational change management effectiveness factor is leaders ‘emotional intelligence (EI) and the directly related to that organizational culture. The objective of the study is to present a model, which reflects the theoretical foundations of leaders' (EI) impact on organizational culture. To accomplish this objective the analysis, organization, logical comparison, summary and interpretation of the scientific literature was done from the viewpoints of the organizational culture, managers EI social and psychological characteristics and their relationship with the management interaction. The importance of organizational culture in the survival of business organizations during constant operating environment changes was defined. The theoretical model of leaders ‘emotional intelligence impact on organizational culture was presented. The conclusions formulated suggestions for leaders.
Planning resilient urban waterfronts using adaptive pathways
Authors: van Veelen Peter C. , Stone Karin , Jeuken Ad
Published: December 2014

Although resilience is widely embraced as a concept for adapting urbanised deltas, there is no planning method yet developed to operationalise resilience at the scale of urban development. The recently introduced adaptive pathway method allows stakeholders to consider a wide portfolio of adaptation actions including ‘sell-by dates' (the time after which an adaptation action is no longer desirable or effective) and the potential to change from one action to another. This paper explores the applicability of this method for the planning of adaptive waterfront development by presenting the results of case study research in one of the flood-prone areas of Rotterdam. It is concluded that the method is effective to evaluate and select appropriate urban flood adaptation strategies. A weak aspect of the method, however, is that it relies on highly detailed information and the capacity of stakeholders to manage long-term pathways.
Deployment of the microbial fuel cell latrine in Ghana for decentralized sanitation
Authors: Castro Cynthia J. , Goodwill Joseph E. , Rogers Brad , Henderson Mark , Butler Caitlyn S.
Published: December 2014

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) latrine that treats human waste and produces compost and electricity was deployed in Agona Nyakrom, Ghana. After solid wastes were composted, the MFC treated organic matter and nitrogen from the remaining liquid stream. Organic matter was oxidized in the anode by anode-respiring bacteria that transfer electrons to an external circuit, producing electricity, which was observed to be 268 nW/m2 after two years of operation. A separate nitrification stage transformed ammonium present in urine, to nitrate. Nitrate was reduced to nitrogen gas by cathode-oxidizing bacteria in the cathode completing nitrogen removal. The MFC Latrine was constructed on-site using local labor and materials. Evidence of total nitrogen removal and power production was observed while the MFC Latrine was in operation. Multiple user challenges and maintenance affected the performance, yielding low power output. The initial findings suggest that the viability of the system is directly correlated with its use. Incorporating the MFC Latrine system into the user community's typical social practices is key to a successful deployment of the MFC Latrine as a sanitation technology.
Fecal sludge management: a comparative analysis of 12 cities
Authors: Peal Andy , Evans Barbara , Blackett Isabel , Hawkins Peter , Heymans Chris
Published: December 2014

This paper outlines the findings of a fecal sludge management (FSM) initial scoping study in 12 cities. This short, desk-based study assesses the institutional context and the outcome in terms of the amount of fecal sludge safely managed in each city. A range of cities was included in the review, all in low- and middle-income countries. None of the cities studied managed fecal sludge effectively, although performance varied. Where cities are seeking to address fecal sludge challenges the solutions are, at best, only partial, with a focus on sewerage which serves a small minority in most cases. FSM requires strong city-level oversight and an enabling environment that drives coordinated actions along the sanitation service chain; this was largely absent in the cities studied. Based on the findings of the review a typology of cities was developed to aid the identification of key interventions to improve FSM service delivery. Additional work is recommended to further improve the tools used in this study in order to enable better understanding of the FSM challenges and identify appropriate operational solutions.
Undernutrition's blind spot: a review of fecally transmitted infections in India
Authors: Chambers Robert , von Medeazza Gregor
Published: December 2014

With relevance to India and more widely, this review article examines links between fecally transmitted infections (FTIs) and undernutrition, presents a new framework for understanding the relative nutritional significance of FTIs, and draws practical implications for professionalism, professionals and research. In India, despite many efforts and programmes to get more and better food into children, stunting has been obstinately resistant, India remaining with about one-third of the undernourished children in the world. Recent research has found strong correlations between open defecation and stunting. This paper reviews published and emerging evidence to explore these correlations through a focus on FTIs. The nutritional significance of FTIs, and so of water, sanitation and hygiene, has been a professional ‘blind spot’. Among FTIs, the visibility, measurability, relative manageability, and lethal potential of diarrhoeas have diverted attention from more continuous and often subclinical conditions of many other FTIs including environmental enteropathy, other intestinal infections, and parasites. Diarrhoeas are only the visible tip of the FTI iceberg. Access to sanitation in India is sharply skewed against the poor. India's proportion of the world's open defecation has risen to 60%. Safe sanitation and hygienic behaviour have become more vital than ever for reducing stunting more effectively.
Passive evaporation of source-separated urine from dry toilets: a lab study
Authors: Bethune David N. , Chu Angus , Ryan M. Cathryn
Published: December 2014

A methodology for evaporating human urine from dry toilets using gravity-drainage through vertically stacked plastic ‘cafeteria-type’ trays was tested. A thin layer (500 g) of medium-grained sand on the bottom of each tray enhanced evaporation, ammonia stabilization and solid product removal. A prototype laboratory unit initially evaporated up to 8.5 L m−2 d−1 but decreased to 1.5 L m−2 d−1 over time as salinity increased. The evaporation process produces a dark, highly saline, brine solution before drying to a solid product. The solid product has almost no odor and is mostly comprised of Na, Cl, N, P and K. Nitrogen loss, primarily by ammonia volatilization, significantly decreased the amount of N relative to P and K in the brine and solid product. About 90% of the NH4/NH3 initially present in the input urine was lost in the evaporator system.
Water consumption patterns in a rural setting in Ngamiland district, Botswana: the case of Boro village
Authors: Oageng Itumeleng , Mmopelwa Gagoitseope Power
Published: December 2014

Water is a precious resource with a variety of uses, which include drinking, cooking, bathing, recreation, gardening, agriculture, hydropower generation, industry and maintenance of the environment. The focus of many empirical studies has been the identification of factors that determine demand for water in urban and semi-urban areas, with the aim of improving water resource planning and development. However, studies on water use patterns in rural areas, especially where water is obtained from open sources, are limited. This study aims to describe water use patterns and demand in the rural settlement of Boro in the Ngamiland district in Botswana. Data were collected from rural households using a structured questionnaire. The average per capita water use was estimated at 20.6 litres per person per day. Estimation of the water demand model showed a significant relationship between annual household income and per capita water consumed (PWC). Both the regression model and the scatter plot did not reveal any significant relationship between PWC and distance to the water source. The study recommends further work be done on the relationship between PWC and distances beyond the ‘threshold’ distance.
Spatial variations in access to improved sanitation and water in Lagos state
Authors: Kunnuji Michael
Published: December 2014

Research has documented the connection between poor waste management and the contamination of ground and surface water across the globe and in Lagos in particular. This makes access to improved sanitation and water central to the pursuit of a good quality of life. This paper set out to explore variations in access to improved sanitation and water across Local Government Areas in Lagos state. Secondary data from the 2006 census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were used. The study shows that access to improved sanitation and water is not equitable in the state. Collection of domestic solid waste ranges from 4 to 73% while access to improved water provided by the water corporation in the state ranges from 2 to 50%. The paper concludes that access to improved sanitation and water in Lagos is largely ‘metropocentric’. The implication is a high likelihood of variations in the incidence of cholera and waterborne diseases in the non-metropolitan parts of the state. The paper recommends concerted research-based intervention aimed at increasing access to sanitation and government-provided safe water in the non-metropolitan parts of Lagos state.
Sanitation in developing countries: a systematic review of user preferences and motivations
Authors: Seymour Zakiya , Hughes Joseph
Published: December 2014

Empirical research on sanitation in emerging regions has shown that user preferences and behaviors do influence usage of sanitation technologies. The purpose of this review is to examine the existing literature investigating user preferences and perceptions on sanitation, with particular focus on satisfaction and motivation for usage. The scope was limited to research that provided detailed statistical information about the sample population and sanitation technologies examined. Selected literature is summarized into four areas: descriptive studies about sanitation user satisfaction; comparative work analyzing preferences for sanitation technologies; perspectives on sanitation usage and ownership; and importance of factors driving household sanitation installation. Our results indicate that the implementation of improved sanitation is not indicative of overall higher user satisfaction levels. In addition, motivations for usage of sanitation systems vary by technology and geographical setting.
In search for ’Higher education’ in Byzantium
Authors: Markopoulos Athanasios
Published: December 2014

This study aims to present and critically investigate the development of the
socalled ?higher education? in the Byzantine Empire. Some institutions will
be examined, such as the teaching with public funding (the case of
Themistios), the well-known Pandidakterion of the fifth century, Magnaura in
a much subsequent age, and, finally, the re-organization of education during
the reign of Constantine IX Monomachos in the eleventh century, when, for the
last time in its history, a case can be made for a higher education
institution in Byzantium.
The Skylla group in Constantinople’s hippodrome
Authors: Stephenson Paul
Published: December 2014

The Skylla group was among the most famous bronze sculptures installed in the
hippodrome at Constantinople. This paper suggests that the Skylla was a
feature of Constantinople at its re-foundation, but perhaps originally stood
facing the Bosphorus. In around AD 400 it was moved to the hippodrome where
it stood until its destruction in 1204, and where it may for some time have
served as a fountain.
Some remarks on economic history of Byzantine Sardis in the 5th century
Authors: Draskovic Marko
Published: December 2014

Supported by broader sighting at economic, social and other vital historic
structures of Sardis in Early byzantine period, partly by digressions at
relevant singularities of the contemporary urban order itself, the paper
tries to suggest a new interpretation of economic and other circumstances
which in 459. led to signing an agreement between ekdikos and builders of
Sardis.
Vorwärts nach Konstantinopel! Die entstehung der idee über die Eroberung der byzantinischen hauptstadt durch die Bulgaren
Authors: Nikolov Georgi
Published: December 2014

The Bulgarians acquainted themselves with the Byzantine capital as early as
the 6th?8th centuries. Several Bulgarian rulers visited Constantinople in
person and met with the Byzantine emperor. During the rule of Khan Krum
(796?814) there arose the idea of a Bulgarian conquest of the city.
Der terminus προνοητησ in der Byzantinischen verwaltung
Authors: Wassiliou-Seibt Alexandra-Kyriaki
Published: December 2014

The article examines on the basis of the small number of essential literary
and sigillographic evidence the scope and duties of the ????????? (as a
terminus technicus) in the Byzantine administration. The earliest evidence
comes from the 6th century, the latest from the 12th. Already in the Early
Byzantine period the scope of their activities is fixed: administration of
domains and municipal and fiscal administration. Acting in the capacity of
stewards of private and official real estate these people were responsible
for collecting and transmitting taxes to the responsible department, minus
an allowance for themselves. Their colleagues in the municipal and
provincial administration were revenue officers with special authority. In
the provincial administration of the 11th the pronoetai were sometimes also
?????????? in their region. Till now we know only one example of a commander
of a thema who was at the same time also a ????????? (Eustathios
Charsianites). The ????????? ??? ???????? (scil. fiscus) were authorized to
exact outstanding taxes. A special case is the ????????? of the alms-house
of Michael Attaleiates in Rhaidestos, because he was the highest
administrator of all its estates and dependencies. Normally the ?????????
were administrators of a lower rank in the domains, subject to the ?????????
or the ????????.
Zitieto na sv. Grigorij dekapolit v r''kopis ms. sl. 307 ot Rum''nskata Akademija
Authors: Biljarski Ivan
Published: December 2014

The article contains some preliminary observations on a hagiographical text,
discovered in a Slavic manuscript from the collection of the Library of
Romanian Academy in Bucharest (Ms. sl. 307). The manuscript that was in very
poor physical conditions contains a Triodion and Pentecostarion of Nicephorus
Kallistos Xantopoulos with full text of the Synodicon of Orthodoxy. After it
we find a vita of St Gregory Decapolita. The text is extremely damaged and
almost illegible except the title but it is clear that this is not the only
known short vita of the holy man. My work hypothesis is that this text could
be the only known copy of the Slavic translation of the Vita of St Gregory
Decapolita by Ignatius the Deacon.
Aspekte der politischen verflechtung des patriarchen in der mittelbyzantinischen zeit
Authors: Grünbart Michael
Published: December 2014

The patriarch of Constantinople became an important political factor in the
middle Byzantine period. Three aspects will be discussed: 1. Responsibility
for the inauguration of the ruler, 2. Support of usurpations and political
coups, 3. Mediation.
Relativement à la nomination d’eustathe Maléïnos comme stratège d’antioche et de Lykandos
Authors: Vlyssidou Vassiliki
Published: December 2014

Starting from the observation that the relations between Phocas and Male?noi
were not good during the reign of Nicephorus II, given the fact that a) the
Male?noi did not support Nicephorus Phocas in 963, b) the first revolt
against him originated from his close relative Gregory Maleinos and that c)
the accession to the throne of Nicephorus II did not mean the subsequent
rise in the military hierarchy for the Male?noi, we will examine, in this
study, the version according to which Eustathius Male?nos could have been
appointed as general of Antioch and Lykandos by John I Tzimiskes.
Wer waren die Leser und Hörer der Chronographia des Michael Psellos?
Authors: Reinsch Diether
Published: December 2014

The article deals with the position Michael Psellos has taken with regard to
the readers/listeners of his Chronographia. The intended readers are, in
addition to Constantine Leichoudes and Emperor Michael VII which he addresses
directly, the educated people at and around the imperial court. Psellos deals
with his story in full command as a sovereign author and by many remarks
which guide the readers. It is set out how the six provable real readers of
the Chronographia (Michael Attaleiates, Skylitzes Continuatus, Nikephoros
Bryennios, Anna Komnene, Ioannes Zonaras and Michael Choniates) have made use
of the text.
Le backgammon de Kékaumenos. À propos d’un passage peu clair et d’une bataille peu connue
Authors: Odorico Paolo
Published: December 2014

The Strat?gikon of Cecaumenus tells the story of Basil Pediadites, who has
suffered the ironic attacks of the emperor for having played tavla during his
mission in Sicily. The message, rather strange, is explained in a different
way: in the imperial message the issue was a pun, concerning tavla and a
locality in the plain, which could be identified with current Piano Tavola
near Catania.
Reduced Ki67 Staining in the Postmortem State Calls Into Question Past Conclusions About the Lack of Turnover of Adult Human β-Cells
Authors: Sullivan Brooke A. , Hollister-Lock Jennifer , Bonner-Weir Susan , Weir Gordon C.
Published: December 2014

Some report that adult human β-cells do not replicate, but we postulate this assumption is erroneous due a postmortem decline in replication markers such as Ki67. Our earlier report showed that Ki67-marked β-cells were rarely found in human cadaveric pancreases but were in the range of 0.2–0.5% in human islets transplanted into mice. This study subjected 4-week-old mice to autopsy conditions that typically occur with humans. Mice were killed, left at room temperature for 3 h, and then placed at 4°C for 3, 9, or 21 h. There was a rapid marked fall in Ki67 staining of β-cells compared with those fixed immediately. Values at death were 6.9 ± 0.9% (n = 6) after a 24-h fast, 4.1 ± 0.9% (n = 6) at 3 h room temperature, 2.7 ± 0.7% (n = 5) at 6 h, 1.6 ± 0.6% (n = 5) at 12 h, and 2.9 ± 0.8% (n = 5) at 24 h. Similar postmortem conditions in newborn pigs resulted in very similar declines in Ki67 staining of their β-cells. These data support the hypothesis that conclusions on the lack of replication of adult human β-cells are incorrect and suggest that adult human β-cells replicate at a low but quantitatively meaningful rate.
Advances in the modeling of laser direct metal deposition
Authors: Pinkerton Andrew J.
Published: December 2014

This paper provides a review of the current state of the art in modeling of laser direct metal deposition and cladding processes and identifies recent advances and trends in this field. The different stages of the process and the features, strengths and weaknesses of models relating to them are discussed. Although direct metal deposition is now firmly in the industrial domain, the benefits to be gained from reliable predictive modeling of the process are still to be fully exploited. The genuine progress there has been in this field in the last five years, particularly in discretized modeling, means modeling cannot be overlooked as an enabling method for academia and industry, but there is still more work to be done.
Echinoids from the Chlamys Ledge Member (Polonez Cove Formation, Oligocene) of King George Island, West Antarctica
Authors: Kroh Andreas
Published: December 2014

New echinoid material from the Oligocene Chlamys Ledge Member (uppermost part of the Polonez Cove Formation) on King George Island, West Antarctica, includes the “regular” echinoid Caenopedina aleksandrabitnerae sp. n. and poorly preserved spatan-goids, here tentatively identified as members of the genus Abatus. Caenopedina aleksan-drabitnerae sp. n. is characterized by fully tuberculate genital plates, which sets it apart from most other species in the genus, by the uneven periproctal margin which indicates that periproctal plates were incorporated into the apical disc, and by moderately wide inter-ambulacral plates with a height/width ratio of 1:3. Among the modern Caenopedina species it is closest to the Australian and New Zealand representatives, which is in contrast to previ-ous reviews of Cenozoic Antarctic echinoid faunas that suggested limited relationship to the Australasian region. This is the first record of Caenopedina from Antarctica; it considerably extends its historical distribution to the south.
Phylogenetic Characters in the Humerus and Tarsometatarsus of Penguins
Authors: Chávez Hoffmeister Martín
Published: December 2014

The present review aims to improve the scope and coverage of the phylogenetic matrices currently in use, as well as explore some aspects of the relationships among Paleogene penguins, using two key skeletal elements, the humerus and tarsometatarsus. These bones are extremely important for phylogenetic analyses based on fossils because they are commonly found solid specimens, often selected as holo- and paratypes of fossil taxa. The resulting dataset includes 25 new characters, making a total of 75 characters, along with eight previously uncoded taxa for a total of 48. The incorporation and analysis of this corrected subset of morphological characters raise some interesting questions considering the relationships among Paleogene penguins, particularly regarding the possible exis-tence of two separate clades includingPalaeeudyptesandParaptenodytes,the monophyly ofPlatydyptesandParaptenodytes,and the positionofAnthropornis.Additionally,Noto-dyptes wimaniis here recovered in the same collapsed node asArchaeospheniscusand not withinDelphinornis,as in former analyses.
Towards a Complete Model for Software Component Deployment on Heterogeneous Platform
Authors: Švogor Ivan
Published: December 2014

This report briefly describes an ongoing research related to optimization of allocating software components to heterogeneous computing platform (which includes CPU, GPU and FPGA). Research goal is also presented, along with current hot topics of the research area, related research teams, and finally results and contribution of my research. It involves mathematical modelling which results in goal function, optimization method which finds a suboptimal solution to the goal function and a software modeling tool which enables graphical representation of the problem at hand and help developers determine component placement in the system design phase.
Value Creation in the Context of Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Šmida Ľubomír , Sakál Peter
Published: December 2014

Under the influence of the new rules of the economy and the society, companies are achieving a notional line of a necessary change in the approach to creating new value, wealth. Implementation of changes in the system of wealth creation requires a review of existing assumptions of unlimited growth of the global economy and wealth creation in the environment accepting economic interests, society and the environment as a holistic unit. The main purpose of this paper is the clarification of a new requirements for business, presentation of the questionnaire survey Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility and inform on value creation in the context of Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility.
Study of Thermal Stress Influence on Dimensional Stability of Silicone Molds
Authors: Bajčičák Martin , Šuba Roland
Published: December 2014

The paper is focused on the study of temperature influence on dimensional stability of silicone molds used for spin casting of the low melting points alloys. The silicone material denoted as TEKSIL Silicone-GP-S was used to produce samples during experiments. The samples were heated to temperatures in the range from 100 up to 250oC for 30 up to 120 min. Dimensional changes of the samples in the radial and axial directions aa well as their change of weight were evaluated. The results of experiments proved that thermal stress of silicone molds can influence the size and shape of mold cavities. These results can also explain the possible mechanism of degradation process of silicone molds under thermal stress.
Current Concept of Geometrical Accuracy
Authors: Görög Augustín , Görögová Ingrid
Published: December 2014

Within the solving VEGA 1/0615/12 research project "Influence of 5-axis grinding parameters on the shank cutter´s geometric accuracy", the research team will measure and evaluate geometrical accuracy of the produced parts. They will use the contemporary measurement technology (for example the optical 3D scanners). During the past few years, significant changes have occurred in the field of geometrical accuracy. The objective of this contribution is to analyse the current standards in the field of geometric tolerance. It is necessary to bring an overview of the basic concepts and definitions in the field. It will prevent the use of outdated and invalidated terms and definitions in the field. The knowledge presented in the contribution will provide the new perspective of the measurement that will be evaluated according to the current standards.
Cable Erection of Single Pylon Suspension Bridge, Dandeung Bridge
Authors: Choi Hyunsok , Moon Jonghoon , Kim Sungho , Cho Seokyoung , Koh Hyun-Moo
Published: December 2014

The single pylon suspension bridge in Korea, Dandeung bridge, has one pylon and spatial main cables. For the erection of main cables with 12 strands and 4,032 wires, the air spinning method with a tension control has been adapted, and the cable erection work has been conducted successfully from December in 2013 to February in 2014. This paper describes the installation of catwalk and pylon saddle, the result of air spinning, and the site survey result.
La Florida Suspension Bridge
Authors: Jose Arenas Juan , Capellán Guillermo , Guerra Santiago , Godoy Alejandro , García Marianela , Ruiz Juan
Published: December 2014

Having to save an urban fracture in the city of Oviedo, Asturias (Spain), consisting in a vertical slope seven meters height sustained by a rock wall and the railway tracks and the road traffic, laying parallels to the base of the wall.

In the upper side of the wall, a new neighbourhood of the city, “La Florida”, can’t connect with the lower neighbourhood, “Parque del Oeste”, that provides a big park and municipal swimming pools.

Having waited Oviedo for a solution to this problem, “Arenas&Asociados, Bridge Designers” was committed by City Council to find that solution. A new-fangled structure was conceived; consisting on a suspended composite deck roundabout hanged from the inner edge by a system of hangers clamped to a pair of loop suspension cables. The structure is completed with a post-tensioned concrete approach viaduct and two waving footbridges connected by ribs to the suspended deck.
Built-up Wrought-Iron Compression Member with Missing Stitch Rivets
Authors: Mancuso Caitlin , Bartlett F. Michael
Published: December 2014

London Canada's Blackfriars Bridge, fabricated by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton Ohio, has been in service since 1875. The parabolic top chord of this tied-arch through-truss structure is built-up using seven shapes interconnected by stitch rivets. Recent inspections indicated extensive stitch rivet failures, raising concerns that the fully composite action of the member has been compromised, with ist constituent shapes in danger of separating. The bridge was temporarily closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic to facilitate emergency repairs. This paper investigates the loss of compressive capacity of the built-up compression chord due to missing stitch rivets, including preliminary calculation of the effect of the missing rivets in accordance with the provisions of Canadian steel design standards for built-up members.
A Discrete Bond Law for Precast Panels Systems without Reinforcement
Authors: Turrini Nicola , Pérez Caldentey Alejandro , Mazzarolo Enrico , Briseghella Bruno , Cano Luis
Published: December 2014

This paper discusses the possible application of finite element non-linear modelling to a construction system using precast concrete panels. Details are given of the shell elements used for modelling panels and joints, focusing in detail on the non-linear law conferred to the link elements used to represent resistance to relative sliding movement at the interface among panels. The paper relates in particular to an emulative system using cast-in-place joints, without transverse reinforcement. Also the results of pushover analyses, conducted first on a single wall (with the purpose of studying the effect of joint failure on the capacity of the system), then on an entire building erected using the same construction system are presented, assessing the applicability in seismic regions and considering different numbers of storeys.
Probabilistic local buckling strength analysis of compressive plates for normal and bridge high performance steels
Authors: Okui Yoshiaki , Komuro Masato , Duc Dang Viet
Published: December 2014

Probabilistic analysis of local buckling strengths (LBS) for compressive plates of normal and bridge high performance steels was conducted. The Monte Carlo simulation method as well as the response surface method was employed to obtain the statistical distribution of LBS. As sources of variability of LBS, the initial out-of-plane displacement and the residual stress are considered as the stochastic variables. The response surface methods are employed to approximate LBS by a simple polynomial function of the initial displacement and the residual stress. For each value of the width- thickness ratio parameter R, a response surface of the normalized LBS is identified based on 114 finite element analysis results with different residual stresses and initial displacement. The response surface models are used in the Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate probabilistic distribution of LBS.
Chained Floating Bridge
Authors: Opgård Birger , Allievi Felice
Published: December 2014

Crossing of wide fiords with floating bridges is a relevant topic in Norway. A standard long floating bridge will be greatly affected by lateral forces (such wind and waves); by designing the bridge as a floating chain, the side forces will be transformed in axial forces (easily supported by standard modular steel bridges). This new concept will allow a cost effective crossing of wide channels.
Dune Bridge: Abi Bakr - Imam Saud Road Bridge in Riyadh
Authors: Bernabeu Jorge
Published: December 2014

Riyadh is under a complete transformation of the transportation network, to meet the needs of one of the fastest growing populations (8% annually over the past 40 years). The purpose of the project is to convert an arterial road into a freeway, requiring three-level interchanges at all main intersections, and to enhance the visual aspects of the urban design.

The soul of the Project is the concept of the “dune”, to support a singular vision of the streets- landscaping project, reflected in the morphology of this singular bridge, creating a representative image of the current transformation works. The bridge structure adjusts and corrects the theoretical bending moment curve; and by softening the peaks, it adapts forms that recall the geometries built by the wind in the sand. This dune concept is not only reflected in the main bridge structure, but also in pedestrian walkways, side-medians and pedestrian friendly areas.

The bridge was designed based on wave and dune shapes, while fulfilling structural requirements. Besides, lighting, textures, finishing, and colors have been carefully studied to become iconic. The result is a singular and representative bridge that gives character and identity to the area, contributing to build the image of the city.
The Embassy For Refugees Pavilion
Authors: O'Malley Rory , Prospert Thomas , Clark Toby
Published: December 2014

Originally commissioned for Celebrating Sanctuary London Festival 2013, the Embassy for Refugees Pavilion is a small, demountable, temporary organic timber structure, created to explore concepts of sanctuary and representation for the underprivileged.

With only 8 weeks between the initial concept briefing and final installation, the design and fabrication process was severely constrained. Design services were also provided pro bono, and the structure was constructed wholly with donated materials. The charitable procurement steered a number of design decisions, yet meant that many key inputs were unknown for a number of weeks.

This paper outlines the parametric design approach that was adopted to overcome the numerous constraints and unknowns that this project faced. It describes the structural principles and key modelling decisions made, as well as the installation and future legacy.