bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of dosimetric parameters in mammography employing a homemade ionization chamber
Authors: Silva Jonas Oliveira da , Caldas Linda V. E.
Published: December 2016

X-ray mammography examination is the reference tool to discover breast cancer in an early stage. The mammography unit must follow an accurate quality control program that covers both patient and staff radiation protection. Plane parallel ionization chambers are the reference instrument for dosimetry in mammography beams, but they can represent higher cost for small clinics in countries as Brazil. In this work, it is presented a low cost ionization chamber for mammography X-rays energy range dosimetry developed at IPEN.  The homemade ionization chamber has a sensitive volume of 6.0 cm3 and it was utilized to execute quality control tests in two distinct mammography systems: a GE Senographe DMR-plus and a Philips VMI Graph Mammo. The setups for the tests performed agreed with the IAEA HHS 2 and 17 recommendations. A breast phantom of various PMMA thicknesses was utilized in this work. The homemade ionization chamber performance was compared to that of a commercial one. The maximum difference between the incident air kerma measured with the reference ionization chamber and the developed one was only 5.62% for the GE equipment and only 4.42% for the Philips equipment. The homemade ionization chamber presented an excellent performance in incident air kerma and HVL measurements for the radiographic techniques utilized in the present work. All the results obtained were within IAEA specifications.
Avaliação da prática da automedicação numa população urbana do Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: De Oliveira Laís Lima , Moura Nathale Prates Ribeiro , Martins-Filho Paulo Ricardo Saquete , Lima Gêniton Santos , Tavares Debora Santos , Tanajura Diego Moura
Published: December 2016

A automedicação pode trazer sérios danos ao bem estar do indivíduo, uma vez que esta prática pode mascarar a apresentação clínica da doença de base e retardar o seu diagnóstico, já que o tratamento visa somente o alívio dos sintomas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a prevalência da automedicação, seus fatores condicionantes, identificar os principais fármacos não prescritos utilizados e os sintomas que motivaram sua utilização pela população urbana da cidade de Frei Paulo-SE. Neste estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal foram entrevistadas 186 pessoas com idade entre 18-80 anos. Na população entrevistada foi observado que 97,30% dos indivíduos praticam a automedicação, e aproximadamente 71% afirmaram não possuir obstáculos para a compra de medicamentos. Os grupos de fármacos mais utilizados foram os analgésicos e antitérmicos (86,74%), seguidos por xaropes antitussígenos (71,27%). Cerca de 10% dos entrevistados relataram uso de antibióticos sem prescrição. Os principais sintomas que levaram ao consumo de tais medicamentos foram cefaleia (83,43%), seguida por sintomas de gripe ou resfriado (76,24%). Por fim, foi observado que 49% das pessoas não possuíam justificativa para esta prática. Desta forma, constatou-se que a prática da automedicação é comum na população deste município, e que muitos dos praticantes não encontraram obstáculos para a compra de fármacos. Assim sendo, é necessário o desenvolvimento de atividades educativas que busquem a conscientização da população envolvida, pois esta é uma prática potencialmente danosa à saúde.
Assessment of Soil Physical Characteristics of Luvisols Under Monoculture of Vines
Authors: Šimanský Vladimír , Kolenčík Marek
Published: December 2016

The physical properties of Luvisols under vineyards of the Nitra wine-growing area (Slovakia) were evaluated in the paper. Soil samples were taken from two selected localities (Nitra - Dražovce, Vráble). The obtained results showed that in the soil profile of Dražovce, the average contents of non-capillary pores, capillary pores and semi-capillary pores to the total porosity were equal to 26.1, 64.4 and 9.4%, respectively, and in the soil profile of Vráble - 22.3, 75.6 and 2.1%, respectively. In the Dražovce locality, the average content of aggregate stability index (Sw) decreased in the following order: abandoned vineyard > grassy strip between the vineyard rows > intensively cultivated rows of vineyard. In contrast, in the Vráble locality, higher average contents of Sw were determined in intensively cultivated rows of vineyard in comparison to grassy strip between the vineyard rows. The lowest average value of vulnerability coefficient (Kv) was observed in abandoned vineyard (Dražovce locality) and in both localities in grassy strip between the vineyard rows. Intensive cultivation of the vineyard rows resulted in higher vulnerability of soil structure. The values of maximum capillary capacity were almost the same in both soil profiles of Luvisols. A higher content of soil moisture was observed in the soil profile in the Vráble locality (33.6±2.50) in comparison to the Dražovce locality (30.6±5.44). Higher content of storage moisture was determined in the Vráble locality (2,684 l m-2) in comparison to the Dražovce locality (2,450 l m-2).
Growth Response Assessment of the Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) in Changed City Environment
Authors: Uhrin Peter , Supuka Ján
Published: December 2016

Climate conditions in cities are constantly changing, creating a worsening environment for the growth of trees and performing their ecological functions. Qualitative evaluation of their responses to the often extreme climatic conditions and habitat for their growth is an important part of care for urban and historical greenery. This work deals with applying visual methods for the assessment of morphological characters, crown destructive manifestations and eco-physiological aspects of vitality through micromarker of quality of assimilation organs. Evaluation was carried out in two types of environment, in city of Nitra and an environmentally unloaded historical park in Nová Ves nad Žitavou. The research was conducted on six trees of species Acer pseudoplatanus L., through visual assessment and measuring the values of chlorophyll fluorescence-a. The measurement results were statistically evaluated and graphically interpreted.
The Nexus between State Liability Principle and WTO Law
Authors: Soeparna Intan Innayatun
Published: December 2016

There are two functions of the state liability principle. The first is to secure individual rights (including economic rights) from a wrongful act conducted by a government, and the second is to compensate for damage caused by the infringement of individual right. Economic right is inherently allowing an individual to pursue economic interest both domestically or globally. In order to accommodate this right, a government is obliged to provide trade rules and mechanisms for every individual to conduct their global economic activities by participating in the WTO. The objective of the WTO significantly corresponds to the individual’s right in order to obtain trade benefits. Hence, when a government infringes trade rules and mechanisms underlined in WTO Law, it will directly restrict individuals from gaining trade benefits under the WTO or, moreover, it will restrain individuals from enjoying their inviolable economic rights. When the right is violated, and the damage occurs, it thus leads to the obligation for the government to compensate the damage according to the state liability principle. This article discusses the nexus between the state liability principle and WTO Law, in order to encourage national courts to exercise the function of state liability by referring to the infringement of economic rights caused by the violation of WTO Law.
On Orthogonally Additive Functions With Big Graphs
Authors: Baron Karol
Published: December 2016

Let E be a separable real inner product space of dimension at least 2 and V be a metrizable and separable linear topological space. We show that the set of all orthogonally additive functions mapping E into V and having big graphs is dense in the space of all orthogonally additive functions from E into V with the Tychonoff topology.
Absence of Lavrentiev gap for non-autonomous functionals with (p,q)-growth
Authors: Esposito Antonio , Leonetti Francesco , Petricca Pier Vincenzo
Published: December 2016

We consider non-autonomous functionals of the form

{\mathcal{F}(u,\hskip-0.569055pt\Omega)\hskip-0.853583pt=\hskip-0.853583pt\int%
_{\Omega}f(x,\hskip-0.569055ptDu(x))\hskip-0.569055pt\,dx}

,
where

{u\colon\kern-0.711319pt\Omega\hskip-0.569055pt\to\hskip-0.569055pt\mathbb{R}^%
{N}}

,

{\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^{n}}

.
We assume that

{f(x,z)}

grows at least as

{|z|^{p}}

and at most as

{|z|^{q}}

.
Moreover,

{f(x,z)}

is Hölder continuous with respect to x and convex with respect to z.
In this setting, we give a sufficient condition on the density

{f(x,z)}

that ensures the absence of a Lavrentiev gap.
Comparison of Conventional and Automatic Milking Systems at Extreme Conditions by Thermographic Method
Authors: Ševčík Jiří , Falta Daniel , Somerlíková Kristina , Fryč Jiří
Published: December 2016

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impacts of teat traumatization on Holstein cows caused by two different types of milking systems (CMS – conventional milking system and AMS – an automatic milking system). The experiments were performed in two locations: at Žabčice School Farm of Mendel University in Brno and at ZEMAX, a. s. in Šitbořice. For the evaluation of the degree of traumatization, thermographic images depicting surface temperatures of teats were used. This paper tested the hypothesis that, at extreme conditions, the teat traumatization of Holstein cows does not depend on used milking system. The hypothesis was disproved by the performed monitoring. From statistical point of view, it was observed that there were significant differences depending on which milking system was used.
Intergenerational Educational Persistence among Daughters: Evidence from India
Authors: Azam Mehtabul
Published: December 2016

We examine educational transmission between fathers (mothers) and daughters in India for daughters born during 1962–1991. We find that educational persistence, as measured by the regression coefficient of father’s (mother’s) education as a predictor of daughter’s education, has declined. However, the correlation between educational attainment of daughters and fathers (mothers), another commonly used measure of persistence, suggests only a marginal decline. Further we decompose the intergenerational correlation. We also find that the probability of a daughter attaining senior secondary or above education (top end of educational distribution) is not only positively associated with father’s (mother’s) education levels but the gaps in those probabilities have not declined over time. Similarly, there is no convergence over time in the probability of a daughter attaining senior secondary or above education with the same level of father’s (mother’s) education for daughters belonging to Higher Hindu Castes and disadvantaged groups such as Other Backward Castes or Scheduled Castes/Tribes. Although conditional on having same educated fathers, sons are more likely to achieve senior secondary or above education in each cohort compared to daughters, the gap in those probabilities has declined over time.
Human Biomonitoring – An overview on biomarkers and their application in Occupational and Environmental Health
Authors: Ladeira Carina , Viegas Susana
Published: December 2016

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a scientificallydeveloped approach for assessing human exposures to natural and synthetic compounds from environment, occupation, and lifestyle. It relies on the measurement of particular substances or biological breakdown products, known as metabolites, in human tissues and/or fluids, and also includes the study of their effects and the possible influence of individual susceptibility as response modulators. HBM is a growing area of knowledge used for exposure and risk assessment in environmental and occupational health, and its importance has been increasing as a result of advancements in the ability to measure greater numbers of chemicals in the human body and tissues. In order to achieve this purpose, HBM focuses on the use of biomarkers as measurable indicators of early changes in biological systems. However, because data interpretation requires caution, it is strongly recommended that the interpretation of HBM results be combined with air monitoring data or pharmacokinetic modelling in order to better understand exposure sources and the metabolism of chemicals.
Evaluation of Genotoxic Effects of Asbestos on Occupationally Exposed Workers in Brazil
Authors: Costa Amaral Isabele C. , Joca Francisco J. Guimarães , Carvalho Leandro V. B. , Castro Vinicio S. , Pereira Natália C. , Murata Marcos M. , Mainenti Helena R. D. , Mitri Simone , Ribeiro Patrícia C. , Rodrigues Carla F. , Teixeira Liliane R. , Collins Andrew R. , Larentis Ariane L. , Sarcinelli Paula N. , Castro Hermano A. , Mattos Rita C.O.C.
Published: December 2016

Genotoxic effects of occupational workers exposed to asbestos can be evaluated using different biomarkers as oxidative stress enzymes in conjuction with comet assay. This study assessed changes to oxidative stress enzymatic parameters and genotoxic damage in workers occupationally exposed and non-exposed to chrysotile asbestos, who attended the outpatient Clinic of the Center for Worker Health Studies and Human Ecology (CESTEH/ENSP/FIOCRUZ) in Brazil. Chest radiography and spirometry were performed to assess clinical progression of symptoms. The traditional visual score comet assay in peripheral whole blood cells was used to assess DNA damage, and oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. Respiratory alterations were observed in 53% of workers exposed, as determined by pulmonary function and bronchodilation, and 6 workers were diagnosed with asbestosis. The comet assay was statistically significantly higher in the exposed group and individuals with asbestosis compared to the non-exposed group and individuals without asbestosis, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that 28,4% and 50,5% of comet assay results were increased by exposure to asbestos and developed asbestosis. The results of CAT and GST were not difference between the groups. These results supports the association of genotoxic damage and the onset of asbestosis by chrysotile asbestos exposure in workers of this study.
Why Have Labour Markets Reacted To The Global Crisis In Different Ways?
Authors: Kwiatkowski Eugeniusz
Published: December 2016

This paper aims to identify the effects of the global crisis on employment and unemployment in the EU countries and indicate factors which may explain the differentiated response of labour markets to this crisis. Analyses show that the global economic crisis affected the labour markets of EU countries, causing declines in employment and increases in unemployment. The greatest declines in employment were observed in Greece, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Iceland, and Portugal, and the lowest in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland. The greatest increase in unemployment occurred in the Baltic countries, Greece, Spain, and Portugal. The analyses indicate that the scale of changes in employment and unemployment during the global crisis depends on such factors as: the depth of the demand shock and scale of GDP adjustments; the degree of openness of the economy; the scope of alternative labour market adjustments and some labour market institutions, especially employment protection legislation and the share of fixed-term employment contracts. The analyses indicate that the smallest declines in employment (and correspondingly the smallest increases in unemployment) during the crisis can be expected in countries where the EPL indexes and share of those employed on fixed-term employment contracts in total employment are moderate.
Transaction Costs And Export Intensification – The Cases Of Poland And Hungary
Authors: Mroczek-Dąbrowska Katarzyna
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this paper is to explain if and how foreign sales are affected by the level of transaction costs within industries in Poland and Hungary. The main hypotheses reflect the potential correlation for different types of industries. The paper attempts to transfer the notion of transaction costs, originally applied at the micro-perspective level, to the analysis of industries using a mesoeconomic perspective. We argue that transactions cost levels influence the overall willingness to expand abroad. While there has been much research carried out in the area of export intensification of particular companies, few empirical studies can be found concerning entire industries.
Intelligibility and Segmental Phoneme Repair Strategies in English-as-a-Lingua-Franca Interactions among Chinese and Japanese Speakers of English
Authors: O’Neal George
Published: December 2016

This is a qualitative study of the types of segmental repair that maintain mutual intelligibility in English-as-a-Lingua-Franca interactions among Chinese and Japanese speakers of English (
Embodied Cognition Processing and Representation of Power Words by Second Language Learners with Different Proficiency levels
Authors: Qian Wang
Published: December 2016

Conceptual Metaphor Theory believes that sensorimotor information should be an integral element in representing abstract concepts and can be activated as the way of abstract conceptual processing. Metaphor can be a bridge between the abstract concept of power and the body perception experience since embodiment serves as a basis for metaphorical thinking. Using E-PRIME experimentation, the present study investigated the features in vertical space representation of English power words of second language learners with different levels of proficiency. The statistics indicated that: 1) For such learners, the representation of power words would trigger the vertically spatial metaphor, which brings about “word-space” interaction effect, 2) Chinese English learners with different levels in L2 demonstrate stronger representation abilities in L1 than that of L2, regardless of their L2 proficiency level. 3) Learners’ second language proficiency exerts influence upon the representation of the English power words.
Volterra operators on Hardy spaces of Dirichlet series
Authors: Brevig Ole Fredrik , Perfekt Karl-Mikael , Seip Kristian
Published: December 2016

For a Dirichlet series symbol

g
⁢

(
s
)

=

∑

n
≥
1

b
n

⁢

n

-
s

{g(s)=\sum_{n\geq 1}b_{n}n^{-s}}

, the associated Volterra operator

𝐓
g

{\mathbf{T}_{g}}

acting on a Dirichlet series

f
⁢

(
s
)

=

∑

n
≥
1

a
n

⁢

n

-
s

{f(s)=\sum_{n\geq 1}a_{n}n^{-s}}

is defined by the integral

f
↦

-

∫
s

+
∞

f
⁢

(
w
)

⁢

g
′

⁢

(
w
)

⁢

𝑑
w

.

{f\mapsto-\int_{s}^{+\infty}f(w)g^{\prime}(w)\,dw}.

We show that

𝐓
g

{\mathbf{T}_{g}}

is a bounded operator on the Hardy space

ℋ
p

{\mathcal{H}^{p}}

of Dirichlet series with

0
<
p
<
∞

{0

0

{c>0}

whenever

𝐓
g

{\mathbf{T}_{g}}

is bounded. In particular, such g belong to

ℋ
p

{\mathcal{H}^{p}}

for every

p
<
∞

{p<\infty}

. We relate the boundedness of

𝐓
g

{\mathbf{T}_{g}}

to several other

BMO

{{\operatorname{BMO}}}

-type spaces:

BMOA

{{\operatorname{BMOA}}}

in half-planes, the dual of

ℋ
1

{\mathcal{H}^{1}}

, and the space of symbols of bounded Hankel forms. Moreover, we study symbols whose coefficients enjoy a multiplicative structure and obtain coefficient estimates for m-homogeneous symbols as well as for general symbols. Finally, we consider the action of

𝐓
g

{\mathbf{T}_{g}}

on reproducing kernels for appropriate sequences of subspaces of

ℋ
2

{\mathcal{H}^{2}}

. Our proofs employ function and operator theoretic techniques in one and several variables; a variety of number theoretic arguments are used throughout the paper in our study of special classes of symbols g.
Culturally Responsive Dispositions in Prospective Mathematics Teachers
Authors: Williams Desha L. , Edwards Belinda , Kuhel Karen A. , Lim Woong
Published: December 2016

Sustaining teachers in culturally and linguistically diverse schools has been a prominent issue for years. This qualitative study focused on the impact of an enhanced preparation program on the cultural dispositions of five pre-service mathematics teachers. It is postulated that if positive cultural dispositions are developed in teacher candidates, the possibility of them remaining in cultural school settings is likely. Themes emerged demonstrating that the enhanced program heightened the participants’ awareness of cultural and linguistic differences, as well as, their commitment to impacting academic achievement. Of the five participants, four teach in a culturally and linguistically school after five years in the profession, demonstrating sustainability after participating in the enhanced program.
Philosophy of Sustainable Development, Polish Perspective
Authors: Zygmunt Tomasz
Published: December 2016

The aim of the present paper is to awake awareness of the term “sustainable development” and show that the very term is not understood in a unilateral way. A discrepancy of perception and thus understanding of the notion of sustainability blurs its meaning. Numerous scholars and researchers use the term sustainable or sustainability to refer to the area where abilities of using methods to prevent natural resources can be demonstrated. Besides, scholars and researchers, especially in Central Europe, approach sustainability in a holistic way, paying more attention to a doer (subject) than to the doer’s vicinity full of natural resources (objects). Also school teachers in Poland, when given a task to explain the meaning of sustainable development, tend to underscore personal, social and intellectuals’ abilities and skills of people. The teachers’ observations served as catalysts to develop the presented in the paper discussion and conclusions.
Enhancing Religious Education Through Worldview Exploration
Authors: Valk John , Tosun Aybiçe
Published: December 2016

Exploring one’s worldview requires a journey into one’s heart, soul and mind (Knowing Self). But Knowing Self requires Knowing Others, imperative in a global world. To what extent do schools prepare students for participation in that global world, especially when it comes to awareness of its worldview diversity, and no less its religious diversity? This paper presents the findings of two research projects highlighting knowledge, awareness and attitudes towards various worldviews. The findings of the first is rather discouraging, a result of little to no attention given to teaching about religion in the schools. The second is much more encouraging, a result of worldview education that explores both religious and secular worldviews – their impacts on individuals and society. It then gives a brief description of a worldview framework that deepens and broadens awareness and understanding of self and others, encourages questioning and openness, and develops critical thinking.
How Sustainable is Pupil Self-Esteem as an Educational Objective for Religious Minorities?
Authors: Thanissaro Phra Nicholas
Published: December 2016

Although the importance of self-esteem in educational achievement is contested, it remains a significant touchstone of multicultural religious education. This study set out to establish differences in demographics and attitudes between high self-esteem and low self-esteem Buddhist teenagers who are a small religious minority in Britain. Low self-esteem teens expressed less well-being, more worry in relationships with their family and friends, low motivation in school, more supernatural beliefs, more introversion, felt Buddhism irrelevant and used the internet more. Self-esteem was not linked to religious values or environmental concern. Narrow focus on self-esteem as an educational aim risks the known weaknesses of multiculturalism that have since been overcome in pluralist education. The limited usefulness of the self-esteem concept does however reveal ways forward for teachers of minority education, introverts and sustainability.
Evaluating Lifewide Learning Habits of Academicians for Sustainable Development
Authors: Soylu Buket Aslandağ , Yelken Tuğba Yanpar , Külekci Mustafa Kemal
Published: December 2016

In today’s higher education institutions in which sustainable development has been highly emphasized, individuals have changed the understanding of graduates of higher education; as such universities have emerged into a reconstruction period. In such a process, universities have been in need of academicians who are well development in both personal and professional domains. The concept of Lifewide learning, which is an important sustainable development tool, has underlined the fact that people should graduate as wholly-developed people to fulfill the needs of future societies, which releases the idea that academicians are to be role models for students. This study reflects on the research designed to develop and test an instrument that could identify the component of an academician’s Lifewide learning habits. Because of the complex nature of the Lifewide learning, considerable attempts were made in order to handle the process of classifying the cognitive, affective, social, technical and cultural domains related to academicians working in faculties of education. The developed instrument was trialled with 50 academicians, and the data was subjected to an explanatory factor analysis, allowing the identification of 6 sub-dimensions of Lifewide learning. These dimensions appeared to be capable of differentiating between problem-solving, professional habits, cultural interaction, leadership, care-based habits and leisure habits of academicians. The final version of the scale was applied to 211 academicians from faculties of education at 30 universities via “Google Drive”, and Lifewide habits of related people were assessed regarding their gender, title and department. Depending on the collected data, Lifewide learning habits of academicians were discussed, and some suggestions were proposed to support their professional and personal development.
Independent sets in graphs
Authors: Dainyak Aleksandr B. , Sapozhenko Aleksandr A.
Published: December 2016

We give a survey of the enumeration of independent sets in graphs and of some related problems.
Mirolysin, a LysargiNase from Tannerella forsythia, proteolytically inactivates the human cathelicidin, LL-37
Authors: Koneru Lahari , Ksiazek Miroslaw , Waligorska Irena , Straczek Anna , Lukasik Magdalena , Madej Mariusz , Thøgersen Ida B. , Enghild Jan J. , Potempa Jan
Published: December 2016

Tannerella forsythia is a periodontal pathogen expressing six secretory proteolytic enzymes with a unique multidomain structure referred to as KLIKK proteases. Two of these proteases, karilysin and mirolysin, were previously shown to protect the bacterium against complement-mediated bactericidal activity. The latter metalloprotease, however, was not characterized at the protein level. Therefore, we purified recombinant mirolysin and subjected it to detailed biochemical characterization. Mirolysin was obtained as a 66 kDa zymogen, which autoproteolytically processed itself into a 31 kDa active form via truncations at both the N- and C-termini. Further autodegradation was prevented by calcium. Substrate specificity was determined by the S1′ subsite of the substrate-binding pocket, which shows strong preference for Arg and Lys at the carbonyl side of a scissile peptide bond (P1′ residue). The protease cleaved an array of host proteins, including human fibronectin, fibrinogen, complement proteins C3, C4, and C5, and the antimicrobial peptide, LL-37. Degradation of LL-37 abolished not only the bactericidal activity of the peptide, but also its ability to bind lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thus quenching the endotoxin proinflammatory activity. Taken together, these results indicate that, through cleavage of LL-37 and complement proteins, mirolysin might be involved in evasion of the host immune response.
Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Patients with Bell’s Palsy
Authors: Terzi Suat , Dursun Engin , Yılmaz Adnan , Coşkun Zerrin Özergin , Özgür Abdulkadir , Çeliker Metin , Demirci Münir
Published: December 2016

Background:Bell’s palsy (BP) is the most common acute mononeuropathy of unilateral facial paralysis. Immune, infective and ischaemic mechanisms are potential contributors to the development of BP, but the precise cause remains unclear. Recently, oxidative stress has been proposed as a risk factor of various idiopathic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in patients with BP.

Methods:Thirty-two patients with BP and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured by the Erel method.

Results:Serum TOS activities and OSI values were significantly higher in patients with BP compared with the control group (P<0.003 for all comparisons), whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of TAS levels (P>0.05).

Conclusions:The data suggest that oxidative stress is increased in BP. These results of high oxidative stress in patients with BP may be helpful to clarify the etiopathogenesis of BP and contribute to improvement in the management or prevention of the disease.
The prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated factors in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bulut Tuba , Demirel Fatma , Metin Ayşe
Published: December 2016

Background:

Dyslipidemia increases the frequency and severity of micro and macrovascular complications of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The present study aims to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its association with clinical and laboratory findings in diabetic children and adolescents.

Methods:

The study included 202 children and adolescents with T1D. Demographic data and laboratory findings were obtained from patients files.

Results:

Dyslipidemia prevalence was found to be 26.2%. Hypercholesterolemia (15.8%) and hyperglyceridemia (12.9%) were most common findings. Age, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A

Conclusions:

Blood lipid levels should be monitored regularly and nutrition education should be repeated periodically to prevent and control dyslipidemia in patients with T1D. Smoking-related risks should be a part of patient education in the pubertal period.
Pressure dependence of the band gap energy for the dilute nitride GaNxAs1−x
Authors: Zhao Chuan-Zhen , Wei Tong , Sun Xiao-Dong , Wang Sha-Sha , Lu Ke-Qing
Published: December 2016

A model is developed to describe the pressure dependence of the band gap energy for the dilute nitride GaNxAs1–x. It is found that the sublinear pressure dependence of E− is due to the coupling interaction between E+ and E−. We have also found that GaNxAs1−x needs much larger pressure than GaAs to realize the transition from direct to indirect band gap. It is due to two factors. One is the coupling interaction between the E+ and E−. The other is that the energy difference between the X conduction band minimum (CBM) and the G CBM in GaNxAs1−x is larger than that in GaAs. In addition, we explain the phenomenon that the energy difference between the X CBM and the G CBM in GaNxAs1−x is larger than that in GaAs. It is due to the impurity-host interaction.
Investigation on growth, optical and thermal properties of stilbazolium derivative crystal: 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methylstilbazolium 2,4-dimethylbenzenesulfonate
Authors: Zahid I. Md. , Kalaiyarasi S. , Krishna Kumar M. , Ganesh T. , Jaisankar V. , Mohan Kumar R.
Published: December 2016

Metathesis ionic exchange reaction process was used to synthesize a novel nonlinear optical material: 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′- N′-methylstilbazolium 2,4-dimethylbenzenesulfonate (DSDMS). The growth of DSDMS single crystals was carried out by adopting the solution growth technique. The crystal perfection and lattice parameters were elucidated from single XRD and powder XRD, respectively and its morphology was interpreted by WinXMorph program. FT-IR and Raman spectral analyses confirmed the existence of functional groups and their corresponding vibrational modes. UV-Vis spectral studies revealed the optical transmission region. Mechanical stability of the crystal was determined from Vickers microhardness number Hv, Meyer’s index n and elastic stiffness constant C11. Dielectric and thermal behavior of the grown crystal were elucidated by using impedance analyser and thermogravimetric analysis.
Quantum chemical studies on the molecular structure, spectroscopic and electronic properties of (6-Methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-methyl pyrrolidine-1-carbodithioate
Authors: Evecen Meryem , Tanak Hasan
Published: December 2016

In this paper, the molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and chemical shifts of (6-Methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl pyrrolidine-1-carbodithioate in the ground state have been calculated using the Hartree-Fock and density functional methods with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. To investigate the nonlinear optical properties of the title compound, the polarizability and the first hyperpolarizability were calculated. The conformational properties of the molecule have been determined by analyzing molecular energy properties. Using the time dependent density functional theory, electronic absorption spectra have been calculated. Frontier molecular orbitals, natural bond orbitals, natural atomic charges and thermodynamical parameters were also investigated by using the density functional theory calculations.
The effect of pressure and alloying on half-metallicity of quaternary Heusler compounds CoMnYZ (Z = Al, Ga, and In)
Authors: Rahmoune M. , Chahed A. , Amar A. , Rozale H. , Lakdja A. , Benhelal O. , Sayede A.
Published: December 2016

In this work, first-principles calculations of the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Heusler alloys CoMnYAl, CoMnYGa and CoMnYIn are presented. The full potential linearized augmented plane waves (FP-LAPW) method based on the density functional theory (DFT) has been applied. The structural results showed that CoMnYZ (Z = Al, Ga, In) compounds in the stable structure of type 1+FM were true half-metallic (HM) ferromagnets. The minority (half-metallic) band gaps were found to be 0.51 (0.158), 0.59 (0.294), and 0.54 (0.195) eV for Z = Al, Ga, and In, respectively. The characteristics of energy bands and origin of minority band gaps were also studied. In addition, the effect of volumetric and tetragonal strain on HM character was studied. We also investigated the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the doped Heusler alloys CoMnYGa1−xAlx, CoMnYAl1−xInxand CoMnYGa1−xInx(x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1). The composition dependence of the lattice parameters obeys Vegard’s law. All alloy compositions exhibit HM ferromagnetic behavior with a high Curie temperature (TC).
UE Biobased Policy:
A Critical Economic-Geographical Point of View
Authors: Ciervo Margherita
Published: December 2016

We propose a brief analysis of the “Innovating
for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe” by
the European Commission. With this aim, we have used
a multiscalar and inductive methodology, a critical,
paradigmatic and deconstructionist approach. Special
attention is given to the language because it influences the
individual’s perceptions and the collective imagination
that is the base of ideas, decisions and actions. The main
results concern the conceptual and ideological matrix, the
population-resource relation and the participation process.
We argue that the technocentric and anthropocentric
approaches as well as the neoliberal vision are all the same
in regards to both the old “fossil” economy and the most
recent bioenergy sector’s development. The latter could
offer important lessons to avoid errors, contradictions
and paradoxes. In addition, the asymmetry regarding
the distribution of biomass and advanced level of
techno-knowledge could lead to new forms of ecological
exploitation, economic domination and power relations
on the different levels of spatial scale. This could put in
to question the territorial sovereignty. Finally, the EU
bioeconomy model cannot be considered an economic
revolution because it is focused on the supply side in
support of market demand and economic growth, without
taking into account the production model and scale. So,
it simply appears as one of many steps of the “industrial
revolution”: from fossil sources to biobased ones. For this
reason, it is very important to make the choice process a
democratic one, bringing in the Member State Parliaments
on the discussion on the UE biobased policy, as well as
opening a broad public debate about the prospects and
effects of this choice. In regard to this, the paper could be of
interest because it aspires to assume and motivate a more
systemic prospective in evaluations and policy decisions.
Cutaneous larva migrans – a threat to divers in the tropics
Authors: Olszański Romuald , Siermontowski Piotr , Dąbrowiecki Zbigniew
Published: December 2016

The article presents a dermatosis that occurs in tropical and subtropical countries. Though the definitive hosts of the cutaneous larva migrans parasite are animals, humans can become accidental hosts and they are infected when their skin comes into contact with damp soil, most frequently sand. The disease is only present in the epidermis where an itch is brought about by the mining activity of the larva. Sunbathers and divers who put on their gear on a beach, on account of the epidermis maceration caused by a prolonged exposure to water, are particularly susceptible to the penetrative activities of the larva. In Poland the cutaneous larva migrans is in most cases mistaken for nettle rash or eczema.
Analysis of the connection between pain, disability and a radiological image determining the treatment process
Authors: Mańko Grzegorz , Kuśnierczyk Anna , Pieniążek Magdalena , Kurzydło Wojciech
Published: December 2016

Introduction: The objective of this paper is to analyse the correlation between pain and the degree of disability, and the lesions shown on radiological examination of KOA.

Material and method: The study encompassed 31 female patients (42 knees) aged 51-70 years, with diagnosed idiopathic knee osteoarthritis. Medical history and analysis of previously performed x-ray scans were conducted. The history included questions regarding pain (VAS, WOMAC index) and the maximum marching distance, the presence of oedema and instability as well as disability in everyday life (WOMAC index). The radiological lesions were assessed using the Kellgren and Lawrence Grading Scale. Moreover, the widths of the joint spaces were measured.

Results: The patients’ pain in everyday activities (WOMAC) showed a positive correlation with the presence of osteophytes (r=0.32), and the intensity of the pain on the VAS correlated with the presence of joint osteophytes (r=0.46) and with the elevation of the intercondylar eminence (r=0.32). The other disorders on the x-ray image did not correlate with the pain. Positive correlations were identified between the presence of oedema (r=0.57) and instability (r=0.39), and the presence of lesions in the patellofemoral joint. The patients’ disability in everyday activities (WOMAC) showed a negative correlation with the width of the joint spaces (r<-0.34). However, no correlations were observed between the remaining x-ray lesions and the WOMAC index.

Conclusions: Only a small number of subjects showed a correlation indicating an interdependency between the painful sensations and the degree of disability versus the progression of radiographic lesions. Among the KOA risk factors, it is worth noting the presence of obesity which, in these studies, affected more than half of the female patients.
Wissen ist Macht!
Authors: Schindler Claudia
Published: December 2016

With his poems, which comprise more than 40.000 hexametric verses and cover a wide range of secular topics, the Neapolitan Jesuit Nicolò Partenio Giannettasio (1648-1715) represents a very distinct form of neo-Latin didactic poetry: on the one hand, Giannettasio’s poems refer to the literary models of classical antiquity such as Vergil’s Georgics and contemporary Jesuit didactic poetry such as René Rapin’s Hortorum libri. Hence, the poet from Naples claims for himself to be the natural heir of his ›Neapolitan‹ poetic predecessors Vergil, Pontano and Sannazaro. On the other hand, Giannettasio’s poetry can be regarded as a very specific instrument used to spread Jesuit doctrine. The secular topics of his poems perfectly match the scientific interests of the Societas Iesu, and at the end of the sixteenth century, it is exactly this specific form of poetry that grants its success. As the addressees of his didactic poems are highly educated aristocrats, Giannettasio tries to emulate their literary taste and arranges the scientific material in a way that resembles the baroque Kunstkammer rather than a (plain) scientific treatise. Nevertheless, Giannettasio never loses sight of the principles of the Jesuit order. All in all, Giannettasio’s didactic poems provide a unique example for the combination of scientific material, classical models, and Jesuit doctrine and for spreading a local literary microculture by means of the worldwide Jesuit network.
Klima, Politik und Literatur
Authors: Meid Christopher
Published: December 2016

This paper examines the role Montesquieu’s climatological theory plays in Albrecht von Haller’s political novel Usong. It shows how the author uses this widespread knowledge about history, geography and political theory to explain and discuss different forms of government. The characters of Haller’s novel refer to Montesquieu’s theories as a means to justify their opinions regarding oriental despotism. At the same time, Usong’s character’s are confronted with contrarian views based on empirical evidence. Thus, the novel establishes a scientific discourse with immanent political consequences. Because of its dialogic elements, Usong questions and undermines traditional beliefs about the climate’s crucial influence on human behavior and political organization.
Hugo Friedrich, Montaigne
Authors: Hausmann Frank-Rutger
Published: December 2016

In the years immediately following the Second World War, three books written by German professors of Romance Philology were published in Switzerland: Mimesis by Erich Auerbach in 1946, European literature and the Middle Ages by Ernst Robert Curtius in 1948, and Montaigne by Hugo Friedrich in 1949. Even if the subjects of these studies and the approaches of their authors are different, their aim is nevertheless the same: They want to contribute to the idea of continuity in European literature. It is certainly logical to conclude that Auerbach, banished from Germany by the Nazi authorities because of his Jewish heritage, Curtius, surviving the years from 1933 to 1945 in »inner emigration«, and Friedrich, serving as interpreter in the German army, learned the lessons of the past and evoke the heritage of literature as an antidote to ideological blindness and fanaticism. Friedrich, whose study of Montaigne’s Les Essais forms the center of the following article, is internationally known first and foremost for his bestseller Structure of modern poetry (1957), translated into thirteen languages, but also his work Montaigne, which is the first comprehensive study of Montaigne’s personality and work in German and, even today, far from being outdated. Strangely enough, the book is actually only available in the English translation by Dawn Eng. It helps the modern reader to understand not only the complex composition of Montaigne’s essays, but also their epoch-making place in French moralistic literature.
»Überhaupt stammt der Strukturalismus ja aus Deutschland«
Authors: Stöckmann Ingo
Published: December 2016

The article explores the assumption that the 19
Die Wirklichkeitserkenntnis der Literatur
Authors: Gabriel Gottfried
Published: December 2016

Despite using the concept of ›reality‹ (Wirklichkeit) in his book Mimesis Erich Auerbach fails to give an explanation of this concept. This lack of a theoretical reflection on the relation between reality and fiction is not to be taken as a symptom of the failed recognition of this distinction. Rather, its function is positive, namely, as an expression of a particular sense of reality. Auerbach is thus an ally against postmodern pan-fictionalism. For Auerbach, it is obvious not only that we have access to reality, but also that fiction makes an essential contribution to this access. Starting with an explication of Auerbach’s position, this article defends the cognitive value of fictional literature. Fiction conveys cognition when it successfully re-presents situations in which we are able to discover aspects of our own particular situation. Novelistic truth is not simply the truth of propositions in novels. Instead, it might be something like an adequate, or an exemplary, re-presentation (Vergegenwärtigung) of the conditio humana.
Latin and Vernacular Translation in Early Modern Natural Philosophical Literature
Authors: Barton William M.
Published: December 2016

The late 16th century saw the publication of two descriptions of Monte Baldo written by apothecaries working in the nearby town of Verona. Both texts were published in Latin and Italian and have come to the attention of scholars for the vibrant descriptions of the mountain they contain, as well as for the insight they allow into the European networks of natural philosophers. A more detailed examination of the circumstances that produced Latin and Italian versions of these two descriptions of the same mountain, containing the same type of scientific investigation by men engaged in the same profession and from the same town, makes for a neat case study in considering the issues surrounding translation and authorship in the natural philosophical literature of the early modern period. By setting the study’s findings into the context of the recent ›translation turn‹ in literary studies - and Neo-Latin studies in particular - the case study reveals interesting data for the use of Latin in early modern natural philosophy, as well for the dynamics of northern Italy’s scientific community in the period.
Unparteilichkeit und das Problem der Trennung von Person und Sache
Authors: Stader Daniel , Traninger Anita
Published: December 2016

This article seeks to show how the republic of letters as an ideal of communication took shape between the early modern period and the early enlightenment by transforming the culture of debate within universities. While oral university disputations arbitrarily distributed the roles of respondent and opponent, thus intentionally dissociating the man and the position defended, the republic of letters, which operates through texts and preferably in the periodic press, presupposes all speech acts to be assertive. It is taken for granted that all defended positions are actually held by the speaker. Drawing on the works of Pierre Bayle, Christian Thomasius, and Christian Gottfried Hoffmann, this article will argue that the separation of person and argument is reconceived in the service of a newly emerging public sphere. Impartiality is introduced as a specific quality of judgement that is required of all participants as a type of self-regulation, thus compensating the loss of the institutional frame that was previously provided by disputation.