bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some Aspects of Energy Efficiency for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Authors: Omer Abdeen Mustafa
Published: March 2016

Over the years, all parts of a commercial refrigerator, such as the compressor, heat exchangers, refrigerant, and packaging, have been improved considerably due to the extensive research and development efforts carried out by academia and industry. However, the achieved and anticipated improvement in conventional refrigeration technology are incremental since this technology is already nearing its fundamentals limit of energy efficiency is described is ‘magnetic refrigeration' which is an evolving cooling technology. The word ‘green' designates more than a colour. It is a way of life, one that is becoming more and more common throughout the world. An interesting topic on ‘sustainable technologies for a greener world' details about what each technology is and how it achieves green goals. Recently, conventional chillers using absorption technology consume energy for hot water generator but absorption chillers carry no energy saving. With the aim of providing a single point solution for this dual purpose application, a product is launched but can provide simultaneous chilling and heating using its vapour absorption technology with 40% saving in heating energy. Using energy efficiency and managing customer energy use has become an integral and valuable exercise. The reason for this is green technology helps to sustain life on earth. This not only applies to humans but to plants, animals and the rest of the ecosystem. Energy prices and consumption will always be on an upward trajectory. In fact, energy costs have steadily risen over last decade and are expected to carry on doing so as consumption grows. This article discusses the potential for such integrated systems in the stationary and portable power market in response to the critical need for a cleaner energy technology for communities. Throughout the theme several issues relating to renewable energies, environment and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives.
A Measurement-Based E-Government Portals' Maturity Model
Authors: Fath-Allah Abdoullah , Cheikhi Laila , Al-Qutaish Rafa E. , Idri Ali
Published: March 2016

E-government portals are playing an important role in facilitating the citizens' life. The e-government services can be executed by citizens without any time and location constraints, which results in great benefits for them. Therefore, governments should pay a special attention when designing, developing and maintaining their e-government portals. In order to achieve this, they need to follow worldwide e-government portals' best practices that would contribute in the enhancement of the portals' quality. Moreover, such best practices can be used to benchmark or rank the portals by measuring the presence of those best practices. This issue is addressed in this chapter by proposing a measurement based e-government portals' maturity model to help governments identify their portals' maturity stage and also provide guidelines and recommendations to move to an upper stage of maturity.
Online Banking
Authors: Vidal Marta , Vidal-García Javier
Published: March 2016

Over recent years, technological developments in the Information and Communications Technology industry have ensured that the internet has become a significant part of man's way of life. For instance, there is tremendous popularity on the use of social sites, electronic commerce, and internet banking. Such use of the internet has created a global network in a cyberspace that connects everyone together regardless of one's geographical location, economic status, religion, or race. As a result, the trade sector, the finance sector, the media industry, and all other sectors that enable the world to run have had to depend on technology for normal function, and on the internet as a way of associating with the public. For instance, the fact that banks have stayed in the forefront of technological advances has led to significant value addition, and improvement of their products and services offered. Therefore, this paper discusses the use of technology in the finance sector, particularly internet banking in today's world, and the various factors associated with it.
Corporate Ethics and Social Responsibility
Authors: Srivastava Juhi , Pandey Rakesh Kumar
Published: March 2016

Ethics and Social Responsibility in business and government today are very important subjects. These are talked about frequently and addressed in the news when unethical decisions are found. There needs to be an overall intent to be ethical and socially responsible in today's business environment in order to stay successful. Ethics are an individual belief system that consists of knowing what is right and wrong. Ethics can vary person to person. Ethics is in part analyzing decisions, beliefs, and actions. This paper is a study on ethics and social responsibility in today's organizations. This paper will explore the various aspects of how to establish ethics at the workplace, and responsibilities of the organization towards society. It also helps in knowing the importance of ethics and social responsibility in the organization.
Layered Ripples Covered Pyramidal Structures Formed on 316L Stainless Steel by Femtosecond Laser Processing
Authors: Liu Hai Long , Wang Hong Shui , Huang Chuang , Liang Chun Yong , Wang Fei
Published: March 2016

The formation of layered ripples covered pyramid structure is reported on 316L stainless steel surface with femtosecond laser pulses in this paper. These unique structures form though a combination of preferential ablation of flat regions around the pyramids and extension of layered ripples created during the ablation process. The cause of the formation about these structure is investigated using multi-means and the results show that these structures are derived from an inhomogeneous distribution of laser fluence, which is caused through a combination of the redeposition of nanoparticles and the local oxidation as well as the geometric factors.
Preparation of Starch Nanoparticles via High-Energy Ball Milling
Authors: Lin Hua , Qin Li Zhao , Hong He , Li Qing
Published: March 2016

Nano-sized starch particles were prepared from potato starch via high-energy ball milling, which is a purely physical method. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and viscometer were used to analyze the morphology and characteristics of the as-prepared nanoparticles. Spherical particles with an average size of approximately 120 nm were obtained after grinding the samples for 90 min, and the particles were free from any contamination. The particle surface was rough with a plush-like feature, and the adsorption ability was six times higher than that of native starch. Thus, the nano-sized starch particles can be used as a good embedding medium in biomedical and chemical materials.
Preparation of Pt/Ni Multilayer Nanowires with Enhanced Magnetic Property and Electrocatalytic Activity
Authors: He Li Zhong , Qin Li Rong , Zhao Jian Wei , Yang Yu , Yin Ying Ying
Published: March 2016

Pt/Ni multilayer nanowire arrays were successfully fabricated inside the nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide template by pulse electrodeposition method. The morphologies of the Pt/Ni nanowires were analyzed, which revealed that these nanowires had smooth surface and uniform diameter of about 70 nm. The ferromagnetic Ni layers were separated periodically by Pt layers along the axis of the nanowires. Magnetization measurements on the Pt/Ni nanowire arrays revealed a stronger magnetic anisotropy with the easy axis parallel to the nanowires. Following electrochemical performance tests indicated that the Pt/Ni multilayer nanowires comprising Pt and Ni layers showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation, as compared with pure Pt nanowires.
Mechanical Characterization of Boron-Nitride Nanoribbons via Nonlinear Structural Mechanics
Authors: Giannopoulos Georgios I. , Georgantzinos Stylianos K.
Published: March 2016

In the present paper, the tensile mechanical behavior of different sized, almost squared shaped, boron nitride nanoribbons is numerically investigated and predicted by using a structural mechanics approach based on the use of appropriate nonlinear potential functions concerning both two-body and three-body interatomic interactions appearing within their nanostructure. According to the proposed method, appropriate spring elements are combined in nanoscale in order to simulate the interatomic interactions appearing within boron-nitride nanostructure. The dimensions of boron-nitride nanoribbons as well as the shape of their edges, which may be armchair or zigzag, have influence on the overall behavior of the nanoribbons. Therefore, the study focuses on the prediction of tensile stress-strain behavior of boron-nitride nanoribbons of different sizes and edge shapes as well as on the estimation of significant corresponding material properties such as Young’s modulus, tensile strength, tensile failure strain and tensile toughness. The numerical results, which are compared with corresponding data given in the open literature where possible, demonstrate thoroughly the important influence of size and chirality of a narrow boron nitride monolayer on its mechanical behavior.
Theoretical and experimental study on mechanical characterisation of a water drop impact on a solid surface
Authors: Cavazza Luigi , Guarnieri Adriano , Fabbri Angelo , Cevoli Chiara , Molari Giovanni
Published: March 2016

The drop impact phenomenon can be used to study many agricultural aspects related to the rainfall, runoff and irrigation, such as the stability of aggregated and the detachment of fine particles. The aim of this study was to study experimentally and numerically the water drop impact on a solid wall. In a first phase a simple experimental apparatus and basic theoretical concepts were used to investigate the influence of the drop speed on the impact pressure. In the second section, a finite element model able to reproduce the complex phenomenon observed in the experimental phase, was developed. The pressure values obtained by experimental measurement are similar to those calculated on the base of the energy conservation principle (average percentage difference of 15.6%). Numerical model was useful to obtain important information on pressure profile inside the drop and the impact pressure during the splash, at present hard to achieve experimentally. The model was used to estimate also an almost realistic dynamic behaviour of the spreading drop.
The role of the Business Environment in Harvesting Strategies
Authors: Van Rooyen Deidré , Van Zyl Jan H
Published: March 2016

Harvesting is made up of many different strategies that can be used by entrepreneurs to exit their business. This is a long-term ambition to create real value to the business. In Beaufort West, a uranium mining development is going to take place and thus create opportunities for existing and new businesses. This study investigates how the changing business environment will influence this harvesting choice made by the entrepreneur. Recommendations indicate that entrepreneurs need more information and training regarding the specific harvesting concept and strategies that are available, because no specific harvesting strategy was noted as important by the entrepreneurial respondents.

Keywords and phrases: business environment; harvesting; exit; business; entrepreneur; uranium
South African University students' intentions to establish social Enterprises
Authors: Viviers Suzette , Venter Chanel , Solomon Goosain
Published: March 2016

Stimulating social entrepreneurship in South Africa has the potential to address not only the high youth unemployment rate in the country, but also other pressing social and environmental challenges. This study was conducted as part of the 2011 Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey and focused on South African university students’ intentions to start social enterprises. The findings, based on 673 responses to an online questionnaire, reveal that the majority of respondents had such an intention. However, less than half of this group mentioned the specific type of environmental or social mission that they would like to pursue. Despite more males than females being currently engaged in social entrepreneurship activities in South Africa, no statistically significant difference was found in this study between the intentions of male and female respondents in starting a social enterprise. African language speakers and students enrolled for qualifications in the social sciences were, however, statistically more likely to start social enterprises. Education is a critical factor in achieving increased levels of social entrepreneurship activity; however, fundamental interventions in the education system are required to achieve this objective.
KEYWORDS: Entrepreneurship education; Environmental challenges; Generation Y; HIV and AIDS; Social challenges; Social entrepreneurship; Social enterprises; South Africa; Youth unemployment
The role of strategic information systems planning a typical Small or Medium-sized Enterprise
Authors: Meyer Nicky , Lubbe Sam , Pelser Theuns
Published: March 2016

Little is known about how Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are linked in a developing country. SISP has also been a concern for many in the Information Technology (IT) industry and IT based businesses as a whole. This research seeks to address this shortcoming by exploring what constitutes a typical SME, what role Information Systems (ISs) play in SMEs and what role SISP plays in SMEs. Consequently, a Delphi panel comprising a questionnaire in the first phase and an interview in the second phase was employed. Some correlation was found to exist with the literature, with the exception of the role of IS in SMEs, whether SISP is an on-going activity, and the fact that SISP can be outsourced. Some new facts were discovered, especially on the topic of outsourcing.

Keywords: company strategy; strategic information systems planning; small and mediumsized enterprises; SME sustainability; stakeholders and management; Viewpoint Training and Consulting
Die Adversatiewe Stelsel van Bewyslewering en die Beste Belang van die Kind in Egskeidingsaangeleenthede: Enkele Gedagtes oor Collaborative Law ter Beslegting Van Ouerlike Geskille
Authors: Robinson JA
Published: March 2016

In this contribution it is argued that the adversarial system of litigation does not serve the best interests of children upon divorce. After a brief analysis of the system it is concluded that other less aggressive means of litigation should be considered underupon divorce. Collaborative Law is suggested as a means to bear in mind. The fact that current practice of lawyer negotitiatons in respect of divorce is not too far removed from Collaborative Law may lead to practitioners readily accepting the concept.
Die Geldigheidsvereistes van 'n Trust opnuut Ondersoek: Khabola v Ralithabo [2011] ZAFSHC 62
Authors: Vorster A , Coetzee JP
Published: March 2016

The trust is universally recognised and used. It is generally accepted that trust deeds meet the basic requirements. However, it is not always that simple and the courts are repeatedly forced to take deeds of trust under scrutiny. In such cases the court has to rule on the validity of the trust, the locus standi of the parties, trust administration, the intent of the parties or what the implications of an invalid trust are for previous and current agreements. Similar problems arose in Khabola v Ralithabo. The authors discuss this verdict and show that there is still much uncertainty on how certain trust aspects have to be dealt with, and emphasise the importance of testing every trust deed according to the essential requirements of a valid trust.
The open ocean sensible heat flux and its significance for Arctic boundary layer mixing during early fall
Authors: Ganeshan Manisha , Wu Dong L.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The increasing ice-free area during late summer has transformed the Arctic to a climate system with more dynamic boundary layer clouds and seasonal sea ice growth. The open ocean sensible heat flux, a crucial mechanism of excessive ocean heat loss to the atmosphere during the fall freeze season, is speculated to play an important role in the recently observed cloud cover increase and boundary layer (BL) instability. However, lack of observations and understanding of the resilience of the proposed mechanisms, especially in relation to meteorological and interannual variability, has left a poorly constrained BL parameterization scheme in Arctic climate models. In this study, we use multi-year Japanese cruise ship observations from R/V Mirai over the open Arctic Ocean to characterize the surface sensible heat flux (SSHF) during early fall and investigate its contribution to BL turbulence. It is found that surface-generated turbulent mixing is favored during episodes of high wind speed, and is also influenced by the prevailing cloud regime. The maximum ocean-atmosphere temperature difference is observed during cold air advection (associated with the stratocumulus regime). Yet, contrary to previous speculation, the efficiency of turbulent heat exchange is low. The SSHF contribution to BL mixing is significant during the uplift (low-pressure) followed by the highly stable (stratus cloud) regime. Overall, the open ocean sensible heat flux can explain ~ 10 % of the BL height variability, whereas mechanisms such as cloud-driven turbulence appear to be dominant. Nevertheless, there is strong interannual variability in the strength of the ocean-atmosphere coupling. The changing occurrence of Arctic climate patterns, such as positive surface wind speed anomalies, can easily enhance the ocean's contribution to BL turbulence. This study highlights the need for comprehensive boundary layer observations such as the R/V Mirai for better understanding and predicting the dynamic nature of the Arctic climate.
Air–snow exchange of nitrate: a modelling approach to investigate physicochemical processes in surface snow at Dome C, Antarctica
Authors: Bock Josué , Savarino Joël , Picard Ghislain
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Snowpack is a multiphase (photo)chemical reactor that strongly influences the air composition in polar and snow-covered regions. Snowpack plays a special role in the nitrogen cycle, as it has been shown that nitrate undergoes numerous recycling stages (including photolysis) in the snow before being permanently buried in the ice. However, the current understanding of these physicochemical processes remains very poor. Several modelling studies have attempted to reproduce (photo)chemical reactions inside snow grains, but these required strong assumptions to characterise snow reactive properties, which are not well defined. Air–snow exchange processes such as adsorption, solid state diffusion or co-condensation also affect snow chemical composition. Here, we develop a model including a physically based parameterisation of these processes for nitrate. Using as input a one-year long time series of atmospheric nitrate concentration measured at Dome C, Antarctica, our process-resolving model reproduces with good agreement the nitrate concentration measured in surface snow. By investigating the relative importance of the main exchange processes, this study shows that, on the one hand, the combination of bulk diffusion and co-condensation incorporation processes allows a good reproduction of the measurements (correlation coefficient r = 0.95), with a correct amplitude and timing of summer peak concentration of nitrate in snow. During wintertime, nitrate concentration in surface snow is mainly driven by thermodynamic equilibrium, whilst the peak observed in summer is explained by the kinetic process of co-condensation. On the other hand, the adsorption of nitric acid on the surface of the snow grains, constrained by an already existing parameterisation for the isotherm, fails to fit the observed variations. During winter and spring, the modelled adsorbed concentration of nitrate is 2.5 and 8.3-fold higher than the measured one, respectively. A strong diurnal variation driven by the temperature cycle and a peak occurring in early spring are two other major features that do not match the measurements. This study clearly demonstrates that the co-condensation process is the most important to explain nitrate incorporation in snow subject to temperature gradients. The parameterisation developed for this process can now be used as a foundation piece in snowpack models to predict the inter-relationship between snow physical evolution and snow nitrate chemistry.
Development of a digital mobile solar tracker
Authors: Baidar Sunil , Kille Natalie , Ortega Ivan , Sinreich Roman , Thomson David , Hannigan James , Volkamer Rainer
Published: March 2016

Abstract. We have constructed and deployed a fast digital solar tracker aboard a moving ground-based platform. The tracker consists of two rotating mirrors, a lens, an imaging camera, and a motion compensation system that provides the Euler angles of the mobile platform in real time. The tracker can be simultaneously coupled to UV–Vis and Fourier transform infrared spectrometers, making it a versatile tool to measure the absorption of trace gases using solar incoming radiation. The integrated system allows the tracker to operate autonomously while the mobile laboratory is in motion. Mobile direct sun differential optical absorption spectroscopy (mobile DS-DOAS) observations using this tracker were conducted during summer 2014 as part of the Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Experiment (FRAPPE) in Colorado, USA. We demonstrate an angular precision of 0.052° (about 1/10 of the solar disk diameter) during research drives and verify this tracking precision from measurements of the center to limb darkening (CLD, the changing appearance of Fraunhofer lines) in the mobile DS-DOAS spectra. The high photon flux from direct sun observation enables measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) slant columns with high temporal resolution and reveals spatial detail in the variations of NO2 vertical column densities (VCDs). The NO2 VCD from DS-DOAS is compared with a co-located MAX-DOAS instrument. Overall good agreement is observed amid a highly heterogeneous air mass.
Nonlinear thermal and moisture response of ice-wedge polygons to permafrost disturbance increases heterogeneity of high Arctic wetland
Authors: Godin Etienne , Fortier Daniel , Lévesque Esther
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Low-center polygonal terrains with gentle sloping surfaces and lowlands in the high Arctic have a potential to retain water in the lower central portion of ice-wedge polygons and are considered high-latitude wetlands. Such wetlands in the continuous permafrost regions have an important ecological role in an otherwise generally arid region. In the valley of the glacier C-79 on Bylot Island (Nunavut, Canada), thermal erosion gullies were rapidly eroding the permafrost along ice wedges affecting the integrity of the polygons by breaching and collapsing the surrounding rims. Intact polygons were characterized by a relative homogeneity in terms of topography, snow cover, maximum active layer thaw depth, ground moisture content and vegetation cover (where eroded polygons responded nonlinearly to perturbations, which resulted in differing conditions in the latter elements). The heterogeneous nature of disturbed terrains impacted active layer thickness, ground ice aggradation in the upper portion of permafrost, soil moisture, vegetation dynamics and carbon storage.
Open-source modular solutions for flexural isostasy: gFlex v1.0
Authors: Wickert A. D.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Isostasy is one of the oldest and most widely applied concepts in the geosciences, but the geoscientific community lacks a coherent, easy-to-use tool to simulate flexure of a realistic (i.e., laterally heterogeneous) lithosphere under an arbitrary set of surface loads. Such a model is needed for studies of mountain building, sedimentary basin formation, glaciation, sea-level change, and other tectonic, geodynamic, and surface processes. Here I present gFlex (for GNU flexure), an open-source model that can produce analytical and finite difference solutions for lithospheric flexure in one (profile) and two (map view) dimensions. To simulate the flexural isostatic response to an imposed load, it can be used by itself or within GRASS GIS for better integration with field data. gFlex is also a component with the Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS) and Landlab modeling frameworks for coupling with a wide range of Earth-surface-related models, and can be coupled to additional models within Python scripts. As an example of this in-script coupling, I simulate the effects of spatially variable lithospheric thickness on a modeled Iceland ice cap. Finite difference solutions in gFlex can use any of five types of boundary conditions: 0-displacement, 0-slope (i.e., clamped); 0-slope, 0-shear; 0-moment, 0-shear (i.e., broken plate); mirror symmetry; and periodic. Typical calculations with gFlex require  ≪ 1 s to  ∼ 1 min on a personal laptop computer. These characteristics – multiple ways to run the model, multiple solution methods, multiple boundary conditions, and short compute time – make gFlex an effective tool for flexural isostatic modeling across the geosciences.
Sensitivity analysis of runoff modeling to statistical downscaling models in the western Mediterranean
Authors: Grouillet Benjamin , Ruelland Denis , Vaittinada Ayar Pradeebane , Vrac Mathieu
Published: March 2016

Abstract. This paper analyzes the sensitivity of a hydrological model to different methods to statistically downscale climate precipitation and temperature over four western Mediterranean basins illustrative of different hydro-meteorological situations. The comparison was conducted over a common 20-year period (1986&ndsh;2005) to capture different climatic conditions in the basins. The daily GR4j conceptual model was used to simulate streamflow that was eventually evaluated at a 10-day time step. Cross-validation showed that this model is able to correctly reproduce runoff in both dry and wet years when high-resolution observed climate forcings are used as inputs. These simulations can thus be used as a benchmark to test the ability of different statistically downscaled data sets to reproduce various aspects of the hydrograph. Three different statistical downscaling models were tested: an analog method (ANALOG), a stochastic weather generator (SWG) and the cumulative distribution function–transform approach (CDFt). We used the models to downscale precipitation and temperature data from NCEP/NCAR reanalyses as well as outputs from two general circulation models (GCMs) (CNRM-CM5 and IPSL-CM5A-MR) over the reference period. We then analyzed the sensitivity of the hydrological model to the various downscaled data via five hydrological indicators representing the main features of the hydrograph. Our results confirm that using high-resolution downscaled climate values leads to a major improvement in runoff simulations in comparison to the use of low-resolution raw inputs from reanalyses or climate models. The results also demonstrate that the ANALOG and CDFt methods generally perform much better than SWG in reproducing mean seasonal streamflow, interannual runoff volumes as well as low/high flow distribution. More generally, our approach provides a guideline to help choose the appropriate statistical downscaling models to be used in climate change impact studies to minimize the range of uncertainty associated with such downscaling methods.
Current temporal asymmetry and the role of tides: Nan-Wan Bay vs. the Gulf of Elat
Authors: Ashkenazy Yosef , Fredj Erick , Gildor Hezi , Gong Gwo-Ching , Lee Hung-Jen
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Nan-Wan Bay in Taiwan and the Gulf of Elat in Israel are two different coastal environments, and as such, their currents are expected to have different statistical properties. While Nan-Wan Bay is shallow, has three open boundaries, and is directly connected to the open ocean, the Gulf of Elat is deep, semi-enclosed, and connected to the Red Sea via the Straits of Tiran. Surface currents have been continuously measured with fine temporal (less than or equal to one hour) and spatial resolution (less than or equal to one km) for more than a year in both environments using coastal radars (CODARs) that cover a domain of roughly 10 × 10 kms. These measurements show that the currents in Nan-Wan Bay are much stronger than those in the Gulf of Elat and that the mean current field in Nan-Wan Bay exhibits cyclonic circulation, which is stronger in the summer; in the Gulf of Elat, the mean current field is directed southward and is also stronger during the summer. We have compared the statistical properties of the current speeds in both environments and found that both exhibit large spatial and seasonal variations in the shape parameter of the Weibull distribution. However, we have found fundamental and significant differences when comparing the temporal asymmetry of the current speed (i.e., the ratio between the time during which the current speed increases and the total time). While the Nan-Wan Bay currents are significantly asymmetric, those of the Gulf of Elat are not. We then extracted the tidal component of the Nan-Wan Bay currents and found that it is strongly asymmetric, while the asymmetry of tidally filtered currents is much weaker. We thus conclude that the temporal asymmetry of the Nan-Wan Bay currents reported here is due to the strong tides in the region. We show that the asymmetry ratio in Nan-Wan Bay varies spatially and seasonally: (i) the currents increase rapidly and decay slowly in the northern part of the domain and vice versa in the southern part, and (ii) the asymmetry is stronger during summer.
Development of a numerical workflow based on μ-CT-imaging for the determination of capillary pressure-saturation-specific interfacial area relationship in two-phase flow pore-scale porous media systems: A case study on Heletz sandstone
Authors: Peche Aaron , Halisch Matthias , Tatomir Alexandru Bogdan
Published: March 2016

Abstract. In this case study, we present the implementation of a FEM-based numerical pore-scale model that enables to track and quantify the propagating fluid-fluid interfacial area on highly complex μ-CT obtained geometries. Special focus is drawn to the reservoir specific capillary pressure (pc)- wetting phase saturation (Sw)- interfacial area (awn)- relationship. The basis of this approach are high resolution μ-CT images representing the geometrical characteristics of a georeservoir sample. The successfully validated two-phase flow model is based on the Navier-Stokes equations, including the surface tension force in order to consider capillary effects for the computation of flow and the phase field method for the emulation of a sharp fluid-fluid interface. In combination with specialized software packages, a complex high resolution modeling domain could be obtained. A numerical workflow based on REV-scale pore size distributions is introduced. This workflow aims at the successive modification of model and model setup for simulating such a type of two-phase problem on asymmetric μ-CT-based model domains. The geometrical complexity is gradually increased starting from idealized pore geometries until complex μ-CT-based pore network domains, whereas all domains represent geostatistics of the REV-scale core sample pore size distribution. Finally, the model could be applied on a complex μ-CT-based model domain and the pc-Sw-awn relationship could be computed.
Vascular Access for Elderly Hemodialysis Patients: What Should we Aim for?
Authors: Ferreira Hugo , Coentrao Luis
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Elderly chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are one of the fastest growing groups in hemodialysis (HD). However, overall mortality and arteriovenous fistulae failure are still high in this population. Therefore, a different vascular access policy may be advised for this group of patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed for relevant articles published in English between the years 2000-2015. Studies investigating vascular access-related outcomes in elderly CKD patients were included.

Results

The scarce literature on this topic suggests that elderly CKD patients are more likely to undergo unnecessary vascular access procedures. However, with appropriate vascular evaluation, arteriovenous access placement is a viable strategy for this group of patients and dialysis access-related outcomes are superior for arteriovenous access in comparison with dialysis catheters.

Conclusions

When deciding whether or not to create an arteriovenous vascular access in elderly CKD patients, physicians should consider the probability of CKD progression, the expected life expectancy and quality of life of the patient and the probability of success of an arteriovenous access creation.
The Pros and Cons of Preserving a Functioning Arteriovenous Fistula after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Voorzaat Bram M. , van Schaik Jan , Siebelink Hans-Marc J. , Tordoir Jan H. , Rotmans Joris I.
Published: March 2016

The autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis burdens the cardiovascular system with increased cardiac output and pulmonary artery pressure, increasing cardiovascular risk. This article reviews literature on the benefits and drawbacks of a functioning AVF after kidney transplantation and discusses the cardiovascular effects of AVF closure. Several cohort studies demonstrate a significant cardiac burden of an AVF and improvement of cardiac dimensions after AVF ligation. However, no randomized trials have been conducted on routine AVF closure after successful kidney transplantation. Therefore, clinical trials are warranted to evaluate whether the cardiovascular benefits of routine AVF closure outweigh the potential harm for patients after successful kidney transplantation.
The Crusader City of Tyre: A Rich Archaeological Heritage
Authors: Antaki-Masson Patricia
Published: March 2016

The Lebanese coastal town of Tyre was a major Frankish Levantine city. Until recently, the archaeological evidence of this period was neglected in favor of the more impressive Roman and Byzantine monumental ruins. This article attempts to fill this gap by exploring, in light of recent studies, Crusader architectural remains, mainly defensive and religious structures, that are still standing today.
De nieuwe Section 5 Statement – in weiter Ferne, so nah?
Authors: Kreijger Paul
Published: March 2016

De nieuwe Section 5 Statement – in weiter Ferne, so nah?

Op 13 augustus 2015 publiceerde de Federal Trade Commission een beknopt document met uitgangspunten voor de handhaving van ‘Section 5’ van de Federal Trade Commission Act. Het gaat hier om de handhaving van het verbod op, onder meer, ‘Unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce’, een bepaling die deels, maar zeker niet volledig overlapt met Section 1 en 2 van de Sherman Act, de Amerikaanse versies van ons kartelverbod en misbruikverbod. Deze korte bijdrage schetst het ‘Statement of Enforcement Principles’ en werpt de vraag op of een ‘Europees Section 5’ aantrekkelijk zou zijn.
Development and Validation of a Reversed-Phase HPLC Method for the Quantitative Determination of Ten Polyphenols Extracted from Apple Peel
Authors: Ran Junjian , Sun Huadi , Zhu Mingming , Chen Juan , Zhao Ruixiang
Published: March 2016

A method based on a reversed-phase HPLC method was established, optimized, and validated for the separation and quantitation of 10 polyphenols extracted from the peel of apple species. A bidentate reversed-phase C18 column was used as stationary phase, and an acidified water buffer and methanol were used as mobile phase. The polyphenols were well separated and detected using UV at 280 and 320 nm. Validation parameters, such as linearity, LOD, LOQ, accuracy, and precision, were acceptable for all 10 polyphenols. The proposed method has enough linearity with correlation coefficient >0.99 within the investigated range for all tested polyphenols. The LOD was 0.24 μg/mL for ellagic acid and <0.2 μg/mL for all other polyphenols. The LOQ was 9.39 × 10−2 μg/mL for chlorogenic acid, and ellagic acid, 2.82 × 10−2 μg/mL for caffeic acid and >0.1 μg/mL for all other polyphenols. Recovery was within the acceptable range from 98.38 to 100.39% for all polyphenols standards. Satisfactory precision was achieved for both intra- and interday assay, with RSD <2%. The method was successfully applied for simultaneous analysis of polyphenols from apple peel.
Representações da ação profissional docente: (des)construções via processos de interação linguageiros na trajetória da formação
Authors: Gatto Vanessa Bianchi , Corrêa Marcia Cristina
Published: March 2016

Neste artigo, expomos alguns resultados de nosso estudo centrado em diagnosticar as representações sobre o trabalho docente (des)construídas por um aluno de licenciatura ao longo de sua formação. A pesquisa esteve teórica e metodologicamente fundamentada no Interacionismo Sociodiscursivo (ISD), de Bronckart e de Bronckart e Machado, cuja tese básica é a de que o desenvolvimento dos indivíduos ocorre em atividades sociais, em um ambiente constituído e organizado por diferentes pré-constructos, os quais são por eles apropriados e transformados através de processos de mediação, especialmente os linguageiros. Nesse sentido, tomamos como objeto de análise os textos que configuram o discurso desse aluno e materializam suas representações, as quais são por ele construídas e desconstruídas a partir das relações estabelecidas nas experiências concretas de sua formação, especialmente por meio do diálogo com outras vozes. Na medida em que os resultados da análise dos seus textos apontam para o protagonismo enunciativo em meio a um conflito dialógico, confirmamos a tese do ISD tanto sobre o papel ativo do sujeito quanto sobre a importância dos processos de textualização na transformação de representações socialmente construídas, o que nos leva a apostar no potencial que esses textos podem ter no sentido de possibilitarem a construção endógena de um perfil identitário ao profissional docente. 
Contribuição da interação social no ambiente virtual de ensino e aprendizagem para o desempenho de alunos de um curso a distância de formação continuada de professores
Authors: Fernandez Jany Baena , Cruz Dulce Márcia
Published: March 2016

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Muito vem sendo feito visando responder à necessidade de formação continuada de professores para potencializar as práticas pedagógicas, por meio da mediação pedagógica com o uso dos recursos da Web 2.0, mas ainda pouco se sabe o peso que a interação que ocorre nos ambientes virtuais utilizados nesses cursos tem na avaliação dos estudantes. O objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi investigar quanto à quantidade de interação social no fórum virtual de um curso a distância para docentes que atuam na gestão de tecnologias nas escolas contribuiu para seu desempenho e sua avaliação. A pesquisa investigou o caso do Curso “Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem no contexto da Aprendizagem e Avaliação”, oferecido entre 2011 e 2013, pela Secretaria Municipal de Educação para Coordenadores de Suporte Pedagógico de Tecnologia da Rede Municipal de Educação de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul e teve a participação dos dois docentes mediadores e de vinte e nove professores cursistas. Verificou-se que a interação permeia positivamente todo o processo de aprendizagem, contribuindo para o desempenho dos cursistas e a produção coletiva e colaborativa. No entanto, são inconclusivas as ligações entre quantidade de interação e avaliação positiva, já que em uma turma estudada esta relação foi direta, mas em outra não, o que sugere a necessidade de mais estudos sobre essa questão.
Hedonismo e consumo. O papel do especialista da área do vinho como mediador de experiências.
Authors: Teixeira Carla
Published: March 2016

Inscrevendo-se este trabalho no âmbito conjugado da Teoria do Texto e do Interacionismo Sociodiscursivo, defender-se-á que o domínio de uma prática discursiva por parte do produtor textual se reflete no texto.

Este ponto de vista será exemplificado a partir da análise de um corpus de géneros textuais que combinam a atividade de produção e de comercialização do vinho com a atividade jornalística, em particular, no género recensão crítica sobre o vinho. Atendendo a que o conjunto de textos observado se integra no que se chama de imprensa “de serviços” moderna que participa da sociedade de hiperconsumo e tendo como dispositivo de análise os tipos de discurso, serão analisadas as representações que o jornalista especialista constrói de si (figuração interna do agir) e do seu interlocutor, o leitor-consumidor (figuração externa do agir), posteriormente contrastadas com outros textos jornalísticos sobre o vinho. Os dados demonstrarão que o conhecimento sobre o vinho do especialista influencia diretamente a experiência hedonista que é construída no texto, pelo que só o agir deste sujeito é que pode mediar uma experiência qualificada.
Poética da relação em um missosso angolano
Authors: Carvalho Wellington Marçal
Published: March 2016

Objetiva apresentar leitura do romance Mãe, materno mar do angolano Boaventura Cardoso, amparada nas reflexões teóricas, entrelaçadas, acerca das noções de literatura menor e, da categoria da produção cultural ancorada nas tradições orais do povo angolano, notadamente, os missossos. O intento é, sobretudo, demonstrar que esse romance permite, exemplarmente, pelo menos no espaço da literatura, a materialidade do que se convencionou nomear poética da relação. Foi possível concluir que essa obra recupera, enquanto exercício de sabedoria, as marcas da tradição viva e, para além disso, enceta uma escrita que coloca em relação culturas díspares em uma posição dialógica para a feitura de um mosaico tipicamente angolano: o missosso.
Formas atuais de bichos muito antigos - a atualização do conto popular em Como ataca a sucuri, de Guimarães Rosa
Authors: Fonseca Claudia Lorena Vouto
Published: March 2016

Este estudo discute algumas questões relativas à gênese do Conto, além de discutir a relação de oposição entre Forma simples x Forma artística. Tomamos Guimarães Rosa como paradigma, pois o autor resgata, em sua obra, aspectos referentes às formas ancestrais de contar, atualizando-os. Como contista, a partir do aproveitamento dos temas e das formas populares, características das narrativas de tradição oral, que utilizam com frequência o elemento maravilhoso, o autor tece seu próprio contar. Seu feitio, porém, não se assemelha ao dos compiladores, mercê de um trabalho minucioso e artesanal com a palavra, o qual acaba por atribuir à tessitura do texto uma especificidade que intriga, encanta e convida ao jogo. Estudamos essa atualização do conto popular de tradição oral na obra de Guimarães Rosa à luz da Metalinguística bakhtiniana, utilizando o conto “Como ataca a sucuri”, de Tutaméia; como exemplo desse fato, pois cremos que sua teoria ajuda a esclarecer os aspectos da obra rosiana que dizem respeito ao discurso. A direção que tomamos em nossa análise, diz respeito, justamente, ao discurso na obra do autor mineiro, sobretudo às formas de citação desse discurso, fator relevante em seu fazer literário.
Literatura moçambicana e oralidade: uma postura crítica e uma fundamentação teórica
Authors: Vecchia Rocha e Silva Rejane , Bueno de Souza Ubiratã Roberto
Published: March 2016

Ao utilizar a expressão "tradição oral africana" fazemos referência direta a uma discussão de caráter teórico que mobiliza mais questões do que respostas. O presente artigo busca, a partir de alguns trabalhos recentes da antropologia e da arqueologia africana, fazer uma revisita teórica a alguns momentos da discussão acerca da existência de uma tradição africana e de uma oralidade africana, e, em seguida, discutir a aplicabilidade desses conceitos no interior da crítica literária moçambicana a partir de uma visada discrônica e histórica. O intuíto é obter subsídios para uma reflexão interdisciplinar de conceitos-chave para a compreensão dos diálogos interculturais que cercam a literatura moçambicana.
Inger Christensen / Novalis / Philosophy of Nature
Authors: Svare; Gry Haugland; Müller-Will Silje; Anne; Klaus
Published: March 2016

The Danish poet and essayist Inger Christensen (1935–2009) has been labelled a modernist, a postmodernist, an experimentalist, and an exponent of systematic poetry. However, all through her works runs her preoccupation with early German romanticism, the philosophical and poetological writings of Novalis in particular. Christensen’s complex relationship with Novalis has so far received little scholarly attention. The aim of this tripartite article is to fill this lacuna by shedding light on the various ways in which Christensen engages with Novalis and renegotiates his romantic heritage. Central to Christensen’s poetics is a concept derived from Novalis: hemmelighedstilstanden [the state of secrecy]. Reading this concept in conjunction with the contemporary German-Austrian poet Peter Waterhouse’s corresponding concept of Geheimnislosigkeit [literally: secretlessness], Silje Ingeborg Harr Svare explores Christensen’s renegotiation of Novalis’s philosophy of subjectivity and language. Anne Gry Haugland addresses the complex and radical philosophy of nature that resonates throughout Christensen’s works. While this philosophy of nature is indebted to German romantic Naturphilosophie, it is also informed by recent developments in the natural sciences: drawing on concepts in contemporary science such as biosemiotics, scalar ratios, and self-organizing systems – Haugland outlines the scientific context for Christensen’s philosophy of nature. Finally, Klaus Müller Wille explores the relationship between Christensen’s long poem det [It] and Novalis’s unfinished philosophical novel Die Lehrlinge zu Sais [The disciples of Sais], showing that det is informed by Novalis’s fragment on a structural, a diegetic, a rhetorical, and a conceptual level.
Gender, Memory, and Interculturality in Caroline de la Motte Fouqué’s Historical Novel Die Vertriebenen
Authors: Müller-Adams Elisa
Published: March 2016

Caroline de la Motte Fouqué was one of the most productive women writers of the romantic and early Restoration period in Germany. This author of numerous novels and shorter prose has been re-valued by gender-orientated scholarly research as a writer who ‘transgressed a number of gender and class boundaries’.1 As an observer of the Zeitgeist and as a political writer, Fouqué was concerned with women’s role in society and their contribution to the formation of a possible German nation. These political issues are not only discussed in her so-called Zeitromane, but are also central in her historical fiction, where also national and cultural boundaries are constantly crossed. Focussing on Fouqué’s historical novel Die Vertriebenen (1823) [The displaced], the article combines perspectives on gender and intercultural issues to examine the function of narratives of foreign history in Fouqué’s historiographical writing.
Superior mediastinal masses in children – two cases of lymphoma
Authors: Jeevarathnum A C , Van Niekerk A , Parris D , De Campos K , Wijnant W , Deadren X , Büchner A , Omar F , Reynders D , Green R J
Published: March 2016

The exact incidence of superior mediastinal masses in children is largely unknown. They present as a spectrum of disease ranging from an incidental finding on a Chest X-Ray to being markedly symptomatic with superior vena caval syndrome or obstruction of the upper airways.  Lymphomas seem to be the most common causes of superior mediastinal masses in children.  We present two cases of confirmed T cell lymphoma in children with superior mediastinal masses.  In doing so, we explore a diagnostic approach and visit the complications the physician needs to be aware of when confronted with a child with a superior mediastinal mass.