bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weakness as Routine in the Operations of the Intentional Criminal Court
Authors: Dezalay Sara
Published: December 2016

How can one account for the contrast between the protracted weakness of the International Criminal Court (icc) and the strength of a global justice discourse focused on the criminalization of state and societal violence? To address this puzzle, this article suggests the hypothesis of global justice as a ‘weak field’ that is, a space that is weak as regards its internal autonomy but not weak in its wider social effects. Looking at professional patterns within the icc, and the way in which evidence is marshalled into the Court, its gist is that weakness is not a transitory feature — rather it has developed into a structural feature of the icc, and the broader field of global justice. Grounded in Bourdieu’s field theory, it relies on biographical interviews with icc staff, academics and members of non-governmental organisations operating around the Court.
Judicial Protection against Plans and Programmes Affecting the Environment
Authors: Squintani Lorenzo , Plambeck Ernst J.H.
Published: December 2016

Despite the importance of access to justice in the context of plans and programmes affecting the environment, no single eu secondary law measure requires Member States to ensure effective judicial protection against such acts, and thus access to the preliminary reference procedure. At national level, this could lead to the absence of procedures to ensure effective judicial protection against plans and programmes. The Netherlands is used in this contribution as an example of the presence of such a lacuna. We argue that the lack of effective judicial protection against plans and programmes affecting the environment is in breach of both the Aarhus Convention and eu law. The duty to reconsider definitive acts, as established under the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, can serve as a short-term solution to offer effective judicial protection by the backdoor.
Teutschem Michel
Authors: Hillenbrand Rainer
Published: December 2016

Grimmelshausen’s language satire on one hand turns patriotic against the foreign word addiction of his time, but mainly criticizes from a Catholic point of view the purism of the Protestant dominated Opitz school. He refers in religious and linguistic respects both to the old use, as it was taught to the Germans by the Latin Rome, and rejects any form of reformation that pretends to restore artificially a supposedly old state, but actually applying arbitrary own inventions and thus putting man’s salvation at risk.
Six new species of the gutless genus Olavius (Annelida: Clitellata: Tubificidae) from New Caledonia
Authors: ERSÉUS CHRISTER , BERGFELDT ULRIKA
Published: December 2016

Six species of the gutless marine tubificid genus Olavius Erséus, 1984 (Phallodrilinae), O. paraloisae sp. nov., O. amplectens sp. nov., O. isomerus sp. nov., O. fidelis sp. nov., O.lifouensis sp. nov., and O. nivalis sp. nov., are described from shallow-water sediments in New Caledonia (including the Loyalty Islands), in the South West Pacific Ocean. Olavius amplectus is similar (but not necessarily closely related) to a North West Atlantic species. The others appear closely related to previously described taxa in the Indo-West Pacific region, but they differ in the number of secondary body annuli, the number, shape and arrangement of chaetae, or in details of the male genitalia and/or spermathecae. Moreover, fixed (contracted) specimens of O. nivalis measured up to 34 mm length, which makes it one of the largest species of gutless Phallodrilinae known to date.
Revision of early taxa of Australian gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: KOLESIK PETER , GAGNÉ RAYMOND J.
Published: December 2016

Australian Cecidomyiidae described by Schiner (1868), Skuse (1888, 1890), Koebele (1893), Felt (1915), Edwards (1916) and Rübsaamen (1916), totalling 111 species and three subgenera, are revised. Chastomera Skuse, 1888 is confirmed to be a junior synonym of Haplusia Karsch, 1878 and Gonioclema Skuse, 1888 and Necrophlebia Skuse, 1888 are declared nomina dubia. Twenty-two species are placed to genus, an additional four species are placed to supertribe or subfamily, all of them redescribed. The remaining species are declared junior synonyms or nomina dubia. Diadiplosis koebelei (Koebele, 1893) is a new junior synonym of Diadiplosis plumbea (Skuse, 1888). Dasineura tomentosa Dorchin, 2011 is a new junior synonym of Dasineura frauenfeldi (Schiner, 1868). Sphenolasioptera Kolesik & Gagné gen. nov. (Cecidomyiinae: Lasiopterini) is erected to contain Sphenolasioptera vastatrix (Skuse, 1888) n. comb. The following genera are recorded from Australia for the first time: Ledomyia Kieffer (Cecidomyiinae: Ledomyiini), represented by L. vitulans (Skuse), n. comb.; Bremia Rondani (Cecidomyiinae: Aphidoletini), represented by B. actiosa (Skuse) n. comb. and B. oreas (Skuse) n. comb.; Divellepidosis Fedotova & Sidorenko (Porricondylinae: Porricondylini), represented by D. pallidina (Skuse) n. comb. and D. indubitata (Skuse) n. comb. Additions are made to the key to genera of Cecidomyiinae of Australia and Papua New Guinea (Kolesik 2014) to accomodate Bremia, Ledomyia and Sphenolasioptera.
On the synonymy of two wolf spider species of the genus Alopecosa (Araneae, Lycosidae) from the steppe zone of Russia
Authors: AZARKINA GALINA N. , ESYUNIN SERGEI L. , KUZ'MIN EVGENIY A. , MARUSIK YURI M.
Published: December 2016

Alopecosa atypica Ponomarev, 2008 is known from the holotype male collected in Western Kazakhstan. Here we synonymize it with A. cronebergi (Thorell, 1875), which was described from two syntype females from the Volga River and Daghestan. This species is redescribed in detail and its distribution is shown to be restricted to Russia and Ukraine, and previous records from Hungary are probably mistaken.
Plectranthias takasei, new species of anthiadine fish from southern Japan (Teleostei: Serranidae)
Authors: GILL ANTHONY C. , TEA YI-KAI , SENOU HIROSHI
Published: December 2016

Plectranthias takasei is described from two specimens collected in Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,15; no fleshy flaps on dorsal-fin spines; pectoral rays 13, all unbranched; branched caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; lateral line scales 28 (including intermittent and terminal pitted scales); circumpeduncular scales 12; fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; and preopercle without antrorse spines or serrations ventrally, with 2–3 weak serrations or crenulations posteriorly.
Community families: A qualitative study of families who volunteer to support persons with severe mental illness
Authors: Jensen Lotte Groth , Lou Stina , Aagaard Jørgen , Væggemose Ulla
Published: December 2016

Background:

Social interventions targeted at people with severe mental illness (SMI) often include volunteers. Volunteers’ perspectives are important for these interventions to work. This article investigates the experiences of volunteer families who befriend a person with SMI.

Material:

Qualitative interviews with members of volunteer families.

Discussion:

The families were motivated by helping a vulnerable person and by engaging in a rewarding relationship. However, the families often doubted their personal judgement and relied on mental health workers to act as safety net.

Conclusion:

The volunteer involvement is meaningful but also challenging. The families value professional support.
Interconnected porous poly(ɛ-caprolactone) tissue engineering scaffolds fabricated by microcellular injection molding
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Salick Max R , Gao Yanhong , Jiang Jing , Li Xuyan , Liu Feifei , Cordie Travis , Li Qian , Turng Lih-Sheng
Published: December 2016

In tissue engineering applications, a scaffold containing an interconnected porous structure is often highly desirable since these interconnected pores allow nutrients and signaling molecules to reach all of the cultured cells. In this study, microcellular injection molding, a mass production method for foamed plastic components, was combined with chemical foaming and particulate leaching methods to fabricate an interconnected porous structure using poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL). Sodium bicarbonate (SB) was employed as the chemical foaming agent while carbon dioxide (CO2) was used as the physical foaming (blowing) agent. The results showed that interconnected porous structures of PCL, which depend on the composition of the materials used, could be successfully produced. Sodium bicarbonate not only generated CO2 to supplement the supercritical fluid microcellular injection molding, but also served as the nuclei for heterogeneous cell nucleation. Sodium bicarbonate and its byproduct, sodium carbonate, were also the porogens in the particulate leaching process, which further enhanced the porosity and interconnectivity. The morphologies and mechanical properties of the samples with different material compositions and porosities were discussed. The results of cell viability assays of 3T3 fibroblasts suggested that the resulting interconnected porous PCL scaffolds exhibited good biocompatibility. Cell spreading was affected by the porosity of the scaffold because of the physical restriction effect on the cell migration. Highly improved interconnectivity of the scaffold provided more space for the cells to spread.
Defenceless Castles
Authors: Thomas Mark P
Published: December 2016

On 16 January 2016, the Divisional Court gave judgment in the case of Collins. In the judgment, Sir Brian Leveson P provided an authoritative statement as to the meaning of ‘grossly disproportionate’ within the law of self-defence for householders. First introduced in 2013, clarity on the meaning of the phrase has been long awaited by both the academic and the practitioner. The court’s interpretation of the phrase has disturbed the understanding of many and will cause many editions of upcoming criminal law textbooks to be rewritten on this point. This paper will examine whether the Divisional Court was correct in its interpretation by attempting to find the true intention of Parliament in drafting the legislation. The paper will also examine how the householder defences operates in modern practice and its suitability to the law of self-defence.
The Interactive Effect of Monitoring and Incentive Alignment on Agency Costs
Authors: Martin Geoffrey P. , Wiseman Robert M. , Gomez-Mejia Luis R.
Published: December 2016

The effectiveness of monitoring and incentive alignment as mechanisms for controlling agency costs have been explored separately and in combination, with monitoring substituting for weaknesses in incentive alignment and vice versa; this equates to positive substitution when describing how monitoring and incentive alignment interact to influence shareholder agency costs. We draw upon behavioral agency theory and findings from finance research to offer further theoretical insight into how these mechanisms interact to influence agency costs. Our results suggest that CEO earnings management aimed at preserving their equity wealth (an incentive alignment mechanism) is accentuated by higher levels of concentrated institutional ownership, thereby imposing agency costs on less informed investors. Thus, in addition to being substitutes in controlling agency costs, as previously suggested, monitoring may accentuate the perverse effects of incentive alignment, equating to negative reinforcement, rather than positive substitution. Yet this effect is negated in the absence of CEO power due to dual occupation of the board and CEO roles. We discuss implications of these findings for theory and practice.
Lower limb venous diameters and haemodynamics during pregnancy and postpartum period in healthy primigravidae
Authors: Gardenghi Leandro Augusto , Dezotti Nei Rodrigues Alves , Dalio Marcelo Bellini , Martins Wellington de Paula , Joviliano Edwaldo Edner , Piccinato Carlos Eli
Published: December 2016

Objective

Analyse venous haemodynamics in healthy primigravidae during pregnancy and in the postpartum.

Methods

Cohort with primigravidae evaluated in the three trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum. Duplex evaluated venous diameters and reflux; air plethysmography evaluated venous filling index, ejection fraction, residual volume fraction and outflow fraction in both limbs.

Results

During pregnancy, diameters increased in bilateral common femoral and right infravalvar great saphenous, but returned to first trimester values after delivery. Reflux developed in one woman (5%) in the second trimester and in two more women (15%) in the third trimester. No reflux was detected in postpartum. Bilateral venous filling index was higher during pregnancy. Bilateral ejection fraction and residual volume fraction did not change. Bilateral outflow fraction increased progressively. The right limb outflow fraction in left lateral decubitus was similar. All changes returned to first trimester values after delivery.

Conclusions

Healthy primigravidae presented changes in lower limbs’ veins during pregnancy: diameters in bilateral common femoral and infravalvar great saphenous veins increased; new reflux was developed in 15% of women, but there was no venous hypertension. Calf muscular pump function did not change. All changes returned to first trimester values after delivery.
Design graphique du packaging et innovation : Une étude comparative des codes visuels des vins de Bordeaux et de la Barossa Valley
Authors: Celhay Franck , Masson Josselin , Garcia Karine , Folcher Pauline , Cohen Justin
Published: December 2016

Cette recherche explore l’introduction de designs innovants au travers d’une analyse de contenu et d’une analyse sémiotique des codes visuels de deux régions viticoles : l’une connue pour être traditionnelle (Bordeaux) et l’autre pour être innovante (la Barossa Valley). L’analyse de contenu révèle que les vins australiens se différencient entre eux en utilisant des thèmes et des styles d’illustration variés, tout en se conformant à des codes visuels « dominants » en matière de mise en page, composition, polices de caractères et couleurs. L’analyse sémiotique montre que les thèmes et styles d’illustration introduits par les vins de la Barossa Valley portent des « signifiés » qui sont pertinents pour la catégorie de produits. Ainsi, les résultats indiquent que les « wineries » de la Barossa Valley respectent deux conditions suggérées par la littérature : un degré modéré de nouveauté et un niveau « idéal » d’incongruence (inattendue mais pertinente). Notre étude des significations des codes visuels des deux régions décode les éléments de langage du design graphique des étiquettes de vin. Cela permet de comprendre comment il est possible de créer un design d’étiquette de vin « inattendu mais pertinent ». Enfin, cette recherche identifie quatre stratégies de positionnement des marques de vin et indique comment les exprimer à l’aide du design graphique de l’étiquette.
Men's Studies and Women's Studies: Commonality, Dependence, and Independence
Authors: Urschel Joanne K.
Published: December 2016

Article discusses areas of dependence and commonality, elements of independence, and complementary potentials between the more established women's studies and the emergent men's studies.
Men Faculty Gender-Equity Advocates
Authors: Anicha Cali L. , Burnett Ann , Bilen-Green Canan
Published: December 2016

As part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE grant, North Dakota State University (NDSU) created a program of men faculty Advocates to engage in gender-equity/climate improvement efforts. Sixteen men Advocates spent 4 years reading materials, attending NDSU ADVANCE FORWARD programming, and creating training sessions for male faculty gender-equity Allies. The current investigation reviews core aspects of effective Ally preparation programs, and then compares this Advocates program with elements of successful men’s profeminist gender-equity advocacy work. We discovered that the NDSU Advocates used 12 of Berkowitz’s 19 elements, with 4 additional elements present. Implications for this men’s gender-equity advocates program, similar programs at other colleges and universities, and other Ally/advocates programs are discussed.
Negotiating the Male Body: Men, Masculinity, and Cultural Ideals
Authors: Wienke Chris
Published: December 2016

In an attempt to understand the relationship between the body and masculinity, this paper explores the extent to which body image has significance in men's lives. I begin by considering the cultural ideal of the male body as conceived within the context of popular culture. Citing both cultural examples and empirical evidence, I argue that the muscular body type represents the dominant cultural ideal. I then explain how the present paper builds on prior research on the male body image. My argument here is that prior research has neglected to study the meaning of body image from the perspective of men's everyday lives and therefore provides an incomplete assessment of men's views of body image. In response, this paper draws from interview data compiled from a larger study, illustrating the different ways men relate to cultural ideals of male bodies, how men adjust to the demands of ideals, and how men normalize their own bodily condition. This paper suggests that men develop a number of complex strategies to negotiate the meaning of their bodies in view of cultural ideals of male physiques.
Does Medicare Advantage Reduce Racial Disparity in 30-Day Rehospitalization for Medicare Beneficiaries?
Authors: Li Yue , Cen Xi , Cai Xueya , Wang Dongliang , Thirukumaran Caroline Pinto , Glance Laurent G.
Published: December 2016

This study determined potential racial and ethnic disparities in risk for all-cause 30-day readmission among traditional Medicare (TM) and Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries initially hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or pneumonia. Our analyses of New York State hospital administrative data between 2009 and 2012 found that overall 30-day readmission rate declined from 22.0% in 2009 to 20.7% in 2012 for TM beneficiaries, and from 20.2% in 2009 to 17.9% in 2012 for MA beneficiaries. However, persistent racial disparities were found in propensity-score–based analyses among TM beneficiaries (e.g., in 2012, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.23, p = .029), though not among MA beneficiaries (in 2012, adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.92-1.19, p = .476). We did not find evidence of persistent ethnic disparity for TM (in 2012, adjusted OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.93-1.25, p = .303) or MA (in 2012, adjusted OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.88-1.11, p = .837) beneficiaries. We conclude that enrollment in MA seemed to be associated with significantly reduced readmission rate and potentially reduced racial disparity.
Communities as Nested Servicescapes
Authors: Sheng Xiaojing , Simpson Penny M. , Siguaw Judy A.
Published: December 2016

Using a long-duration service experience, this study proposed and tested a servicescape transference effects phenomenon of two nested multidimensional servicescape satisfaction constructs—labeled perceived nestscape and surroundscape satisfaction—on one another and on loyalty intentions. Both perceived servicescape satisfaction constructs positively affected loyalty intentions. The direction of effects between the two satisfaction constructs was found to emanate from satisfaction with the larger surroundscape to satisfaction with the smaller nestscape rather than the opposite direction. All dimensions of the servicescapes were significant, but the design dimension contributed the most to perceived nestscape satisfaction, while the social dimension had the greatest influence on surroundscape satisfaction. These findings suggest that managers of servicescapes should proactively respond to all dimensions of both the larger and the smaller contiguous servicescapes to heighten customer satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, servicescape engagement positively affected perceived surroundscape satisfaction, but not perceived nestscape satisfaction. Servicescape engagement moderated the nestscape and surroundscape effects by weakening the impacts of both constructs on loyalty intentions. Consequently, managers should provide superior levels of engagement activities for seasonal migrants less concerned with the servicescape and enhance perceived servicescape satisfaction for less engaged consumers to induce loyalty.
Self-efficacy in dementia care staff: Experiences from the care home context
Authors: Coates Alice , Fossey Jane
Published: December 2016

Perceived self-efficacy is proposed to impact on the psychological health of dementia care staff. The current study adopted a qualitative methodology to increase understanding of the experiences of self-efficacious care assistants. Purposive sampling identified eight care assistants with high levels of self-efficacy. Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four themes captured experiences of ‘feeling torn’ between competing demands when providing care; a sense of ‘togetherness and connection’, included sub-themes of support, closeness and the value of engaging; ‘emotional attunement’ to resident’s needs, including reciprocity of emotion, personal perspective-taking and empathy as guides to care. The final theme, ‘caring as a part of life’, described interest, motivation and accepting attitudes as well as caring being part of carers’ identity. The themes highlight how staff might manage the dilemmas they face and emphasize important areas for care staff training as well as further research.
Digital worlds as sites of belonging for Third Culture Kids: A new literacies perspective
Authors: Hannaford Jeanette
Published: December 2016

Literacies developed in digital worlds are part of the out-of-school experiences that students bring into their classrooms every day. This article, which draws from a multiple case study undertaken in an international school, calls on a sociocultural–new literacies approach to explore identity, discourse and space within the online practices of Third Culture Kids. For Third Culture Kids, digital worlds offer new kinds of spaces of belonging from which to explore social connections and a sense of self.
Energy-efficient recognition of human activity in body sensor networks via compressed classification
Authors: Xiao Ling , Li Renfa , Luo Juan , Xiao Zhu
Published: December 2016

Energy efficiency is an important challenge to broad deployment of wireless body sensor networks for long-term physical movement monitoring. Inspired by theories of sparse representation and compressed sensing, the power-aware compressive classification approach SRC-DRP (sparse representation–based classification with distributed random projection) for activity recognition is proposed, which integrates data compressing and classification. Random projection as a data compression tool is individually implemented on each sensor node to reduce the amount of data for transmission. Compressive classification can be applied directly on the compressed samples received from all nodes. This method was validated on the Wearable Action Recognition Dataset and implemented on embedded nodes for offline and online experiments. It is shown that our method reduces energy consumption by approximately 20% while maintaining an activity recognition accuracy of 88% at a compression ratio of 0.5.
TIME-DRIVEN opportunistic routing protocol for ultra-wideband indoor positioning
Authors: Gao Qian , Shen Chong , Dong Fang , Chen Xiaosi , Xie Xingang , Wang Wensi , Zheng Liqiang
Published: December 2016

The scope of a single regional indoor positioning network is often restricted to its main anchor communication range and more susceptible to obstacles. Multiple main anchors can be the basis of an indoor positioning network’s extensibility and can adapt to the complex communication environment. In this article, a novel TIME-DRIVEN opportunistic routing protocol with intelligent response is proposed. First, an extendable ultra-wideband positioning system is modeled. In two or more communication cells, anchors can act as a main or slave anchor in different areas, respectively, and a forward clock check package from the initial district to its surrounding area. They can also achieve the clock synchronization of the entire network. In this model, the anchors will be divided into different sizes of clusters, and the main anchor is elected according to the broadcast time. Furthermore, the relay anchor will be intelligently selected according to the opportunistic probability based on the received signal strength indicator. Finally, experiments are conducted to verify the performance of the method.
Integrating Lean Exploration Loops Into Healthcare Facility Design
Authors: Mazur Lukasz M. , Johnson Kendra , Pooya Pegah , Chadwick Janet , McCreery John
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

To explore what, when, and how Lean methods and tools can add value during the programming phase of design through providing additional resources and support to project leadership and the architectural design team.

Background:

This case study–based research took place at one large academic hospital during design efforts of a surgical tower to house 19 operating rooms (ORs) and support spaces including pre- and postop, central processing and distribution, and materials management. Surgical services project leadership asked for support from Lean practitioners during the design process.

Methods:

Lean exploration loops (LELs) were conducted to generate evidence to support stakeholders, as they made important decisions about the new building design. The analyses conducted during LELs were primarily focused on the relative advantages of a large footprint with few floors or a smaller footprint with more floors and support spaces not collocated adjacent to ORs on the same floor.

Results:

LELs resulted in quantifications of key operational and design features (e.g., design preferences of employees and patients, horizontal distance travel, and elevator utilization studies), which in turn complemented the architectural design process and created an opportunities to gain buy-in and consensus from stakeholders through their active participation in many of the analyses.

Conclusions:

We found Lean tools and methods to be of most value during programming phase when focused on the high-level operational and design issues to help establish buy-in and consensus among stakeholders, while acknowledging that there is often not enough design detail to perform accurate analysis.
Superior Vena Cava Banding to Facilitate Unilateral Bidirectional Glenn Operation in Patients With Single Ventricle Heart Disease and Bilateral Superior Caval Veins
Authors: Schwartz Matthew C. , Nykanen David , DeCampli William , Pourmoghadam Kamal
Published: December 2016

Staged palliation to achieve a total cavopulmonary connection is a common treatment strategy in patients with single ventricle congenital heart disease. Patients with bilateral superior caval veins (bilateral SVC) often require the creation of bilateral superior cavopulmonary connections as part of the staged palliation, and these patients are at increased risk of morbidity. We describe a novel technique used in two patients with bilateral SVC and very small (1-2 mm) bridging vein that encouraged bridging vein growth and facilitated creation of a unilateral superior cavopulmonary connection.
Hiking Leisure
Authors: Bongaardt Rob , Røseth Idun , Baklien Børge
Published: December 2016

This study explores how hiking trips in the forest afford two Norwegian families experiences of leisure during the trips. In situ interviews were analyzed using a descriptive phenomenological research method, which brackets theoretical or ideological assumptions during data collection and analysis. The results show that three levels of experience are interwoven. First, individual family members, parents as well as children, are immersed in the activities in their physical environment, which evokes positive bodily feelings. Second, interactions and dialogue between family members concerning actual events during the trip give rise to a sense of belonging and togetherness. Finally, the family creates a narrative about itself in the light of its own future as well as sociocultural expectations. We characterize this tapestry of experiences as an act of hiking leisure. We conclude that the experience of the hiking trip goes beyond a simple duality of a core versus balance activity theory and answers the call for research that incorporates the natural contexts in which leisure activities take place.
Acculturation and the labor market in Mexico
Authors: Cano-Urbina Javier , Mason Patrick L.
Published: December 2016

This paper empirically examines the relationship between the self-identity as Indigenous and earnings inequality in the Mexican labor market. Using Mexican Census data and a large set of wage covariates reveals the existence of an earnings penalty for self-identification as Indigenous. There is an additional and larger penalty for Indigenous persons who are fluent in an Indigenous language, regardless of Spanish language fluency. Further analyses using the Mexican Family Life Survey reveal that these earnings gaps persist after we also control for an individual’s cognitive ability. Ethno-linguistic inequality is particularly strong in smaller cities and among self-employed workers.

JEL Classification:J10, J15, J31, J71, O15
A Novel Approach for the Control of Inflammatory Pain: Prostaglandin E2 Complexation by Randomly Methylated β-Cyclodextrins
Authors: Sauer Reine-Solange , Rittner Heike Lydia , Roewer Norbert , Sohajda Tamás , Shityakov Sergey , Brack Alexander , Broscheit Jens-Albert
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND:

Inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, which block the formation of prostaglandin (PG) E2, are the standard treatment of inflammatory pain. These drugs, however, have serious gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular side effects that limit their clinical use. Cyclodextrins are neutral glucose oligomers that form a hydrophilic outer and a hydrophobic interior cavity used to carry hydrophilic substances. Methyl-β-cyclodextrins are used currently in several drugs as enhancers and also to deliver PGs. We therefore hypothesized that randomly methylated β-cyclodextrins (RAMEB) could be used for pain treatment.

METHODS:

An in silico screening for important inflammatory mediators (eg, PGE2, substance P, bradykinin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide) was performed to predict the probability of these molecules binding to RAMEB. Thereafter, a comprehensive in vitro study investigated the complexation affinity of the best target toward RAMEB or its RAMEB-fraction L (FL) using capillary electrophoresis.

Wistar rats were injected intraplantarly with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) for 96 hours to induce inflammatory hyperalgesia. Subsequently, rats were treated intraplantarly or intravenously either with RAMEB or RAMEB FL and compared with the respective controls. Parecoxib was used as positive control. Mechanical (paw pressure threshold, PPT) and thermal (paw withdrawal latency) nociceptive thresholds were determined before injection and at the indicated time points thereafter. Paw tissue was collected after treatments, and PGE2 and PGD2 contents were measured. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis followed by appropriate post hoc comparisons.

RESULTS:

In silico screening indicated that PGE2, with the highest affinity, was the best candidate for RAMEB binding. Likewise, in capillary electrophoresis experiments, RAMEB had a high affinity to form inclusion complexes with the PGE2 (stability constant [K], 360 1/M; 95% confidence interval [C]: 347.58–372.42 M−1). Local treatment with RAMEB alleviated CFA-induced mechanical (PPT: 76.25 g; 95% CI: 56.24–96.25 g) and thermal hyperalgesia (PPT: 8.50 seconds; 95% CI: 6.76–10.23 seconds). Moreover, a systemic administration of RAMEB decreased CFA-induced mechanical (PPT: 126.66 g; 95% CI: 114.54–138.77 g) and thermal hyperalgesia (paw withdrawal latency: 11.47 seconds; 95% CI: 9.26–13.68 seconds). RAMEB FL resulted in greater in vitro PGE2-binding capacity and decreased PG content as well as hyperalgesia in vivo to a similar extent. Motor activity of the rats was not altered by RAMEB or RAMEB FL.

CONCLUSIONS:

Capture of PGs by cyclodextrins could be a novel and innovative tool for the treatment of inflammatory pain and bypassing some unwanted side effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors.
“Das Bild hat einigen historischen Werth und deshalb wird es vielleicht ausgestellt …“ Zum Ausstellungsdebüt Julie Hagens in München: Das Porträt des Freundes und Mentors Moritz Rugendas
Authors: Conrad Christin
Published: December 2016

The article deals with an encounter between Julie Hagen Schwarz, a Baltic German artist (1824–1902), and the Ausburg artist Moritz Rugendas (1802–1858), which was of great importance for the former, while she was studying in Munich around 1850. It also deals with the first presentation of her work in the Munich artist community, which resulted from cooperation with and promotion by Rugendas. Special attention is paid to the history of Hagen’s “Portrait of Moritz Rugendas in Brasilian Costume”, which originated from the artist’s close cooperation with the master Rugendas. Its presentation in the Munich and Augsburg Art Associations (Kunstverein) in October 1849 and May 1850 and the effect this had on the artistic career of Julie Hagen is examined. From this moment on, her works were discussed by colleagues and important personalities. She received many portrait commissions and her works were shown at several exhibitions in Munich and Augsburg. A discussion on the whereabouts of the still lost original painting and the provenance and authorship of a smaller copy in the collection of the Kadriorg Museum in Tallinn, which until now was identified as a “Self-Portrait” by Moritz Rugendas, follows. The attribution and the provenance of the preserved work from the Liphart collection are considered, along with the source texts, which suggest that Julie Hagen was the author and a correction of the attribution is in order.The collected findings published here were developed from the preserved letters of Julie Hagen, which, as rich and unique source material, show the artistic career of the painter. As a representative of her generation of female artists, it also provides an insight into the social context and educational situation of ambitious female painters around 1850. In connection with the correct attribution, the art-history investigation and positioning of the artist in the art community, it is hoped that the uncertainty that currently exists when evaluating the artistic performance of female painters and the low status assigned to them in exhibitions and the acquisition policy of museums will give way to growing interest, understanding and greater recognition.
The evolution of afro‐montaneDelphinium(Ranunculaceae): Morphospecies, phylogenetics and biogeography
Authors: Chartier Marion , Dressler Stefan , Schönenberger Jürg , Mora Alfonso Rojas , Sarthou Corinne , Wang Wei , Jabbour Florian
Published: December 2016

The genus Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) consists of ca. 300 species and has a mainly holarctic distribution. Few species have been described from high‐altitude areas in West and East Tropical Africa, where the environmental conditions are mostly temperate‐like. We aim to clarify the taxonomy of these afro‐montane Delphinium species and to understand their evolutionary history in terms of their floral morphology and their phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships. Based on herbarium specimens, we analyze flower shape variation, map the geographic distribution of the morphologically defined taxa and reconstruct the molecular phylogeny of the group. Our quantitative analyses of flower shapes indicate that three species can be defined based on floral morphological traits, hence confirming the latest taxonomic treatment of the group where D. dasycaulon, D. leroyi and D. macrocentrum were described. The examination of herbarium specimens indicates that these three species are almost parapatric. However, their respective monophyly is not supported by molecular data. Considering their relatively young age, the non‐monophyly of each of the three morphospecies could be due to incomplete lineage sorting and/or hybridization events. Alternatively, the transition to the D. leroyi floral morph could be the result of evolutionary convergence in the two main groups of afro‐montane Delphinium driven by similar pollinators in different sky islands of the East African Rift System. We hypothesize that the main branches of the East African Rift System, as physical barriers to dispersal, may have prevented genetic exchange among geographic clusters.
RECONSTRUCTION DESIGN OF BRICK HOUSE WITH SISTEMOKVANTOV PROCESSES
Authors: Лебедев  , Lebedev Vladimir , Ломтев  , Lomtev Igor
Published: December 2016

Describes the basic concepts and General scheme of the functional system adapted for the solution of engineering problems and the need of system analysis and system approach in modern conditions when reconstruction of objects.
THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE UNDERSTANDING THE CATEGORY «INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY» IN THE ECONOMY
Authors: Костромицкая  , Kostromitskaya Olga
Published: December 2016

The article is dedicated to the research of the concept and substance of the category «innovative activity». We found out, that there is no unified, generally accepted interpretation of this category. It should be emphasized, that for the further investigation of innovative activity we need to understand clearly what it is. In the article we provided and considered available theoretical and methodological approaches to its understanding. The article presents the author´s interpretation of the category "innovative activity". We highlighted distinctive features of the innovative activity, which reveal its economic substance.
DEMAND FOR GRADUATES IN DTE FIELD OF ENGINEERING? TECHNOLODY AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES ON DTE LABOUR MARKET
Authors: Сероштан  , Seroshtan Mariya
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study is to conduct statistical and comparative analysis of indicators of employment of graduates on the basis of monitoring data, officially published by the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation in 2016 by, enlarged groups of specialties and areas of training. The article presents the results of the analysis and the estimation of the position of the University on employment of graduates in the field of engineering, technology and technical Sciences on the example of Belgorod State Technological University named after V. G. Shukhov, which can be helpful when making management decisions.
DEVELOPMENT OF POLYMERIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS BASED ON THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
Authors: Прут  , Prut Eduard , Черкашина  , Cherkashina Natalya , Ястребинская  , Yastrebinskaya Anna
Published: December 2016

This paper presents data on the development of polymer composite materials based on thermoplastic elastomers. As starting materials for the synthesis of the matrix components were selected as follows: isotactic polypropylene and ternary ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM). Diene component in EPDM are ethylidene norbornene composition in an amount of 4-5%. Dynamic vulcanization was carried out using the elastomer element sulfur. The filler polymer composite materials used silica gel with dimethyl polysiloxane. Synthesis was carried out by filling the sol-gel technology. The filler content in the composite varied from 10 to 80% by weight. Mixing of filler and the matrix was performed in a laboratory twin-rotor mixer, type "Brabender". It is found that the maximum possible filler content of the matrix used was 80%. With the introduction of more filler mixing of the components it has been difficult. When the filler content from 10 to 70% of parameters such as tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of longitudinal elasticity increasing and administered at higher filler and 80 wt%. markedly reduced. Thus, it can be concluded that the content of filler in the composite is 70%. Further research should be directed to the evaluation of the radiation resistance of the developed composite materials.
CALCULATION OF QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS SEISMIC IMPACT ON STORAGE TANKS FOR LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS IN SOUTHERN SAKHALIN, ANIVA BAY
Authors: Завадская  , Zavadskaya Elena , Ковальчук  , Kovalchuk Oleg
Published: December 2016

Currently, topical issue of seismic safety of a object of special type. In Russia, in 2009, put into operation a plant for the production, storage and transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG text below) located in a seismically hazardous area. The most catastrophic consequences will arise if, as a result of the earthquake, there will be large-scale destruction of the LNG storage tank, located on the territory of the plant. To evaluate the seismic safety of a particular type of facilities, it is first necessary to determine the data describing the quantitative indicators of seismic effects on these facilities. To simulate the seismic action is necessary to set the parameters: the area under consideration - the southern part of Sakhalin Island, near the Aniva Bay, the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk; isothermal tank (hereinafter referred IT) is a double-walled construction of 100 thousand m ^ 3, the height of 37 m and a diameter of 67 m.; natural gas, poured into the IT, is cooled to a temperature of minus 160 ° C. Turning to the liquid state, the volume is reduced by more than 600 times. After cooling, the LNG is stored at a temperature of minus 158 ° C.
QUANTITY LOWERING OF THE FORMED INTERMEDIATE COMPOUNDS UNDER SULFOFERITE CLINKER SYNTHESIS
Authors: Борисов  , Borisov Ivan , Гребенюк  , Grebenyuk Aleksandr
Published: December 2016

The ability of the concurrence of ferrites calcium reaction sulphatization and calcium silicate sulfate building was identified by calculating. Possible ways of the calcium silicate sulfate building reaction were determined. The ways of calcium silicate sulfate building number lowering by preparation sulfoferrite clinker out of raw materials which contain silicon oxide high quantity.
DATA SECURITY SYSTEM FOR THE WINMAP GIS
Authors: Заставной  , Zastavnoy Dmitriy
Published: December 2016

A key feature for the information systems is data security, but the Geoinformation Systems and Spatial Databases as well as their applications appear to have some drawbacks concerning that matter. Most suggestions about geodata confidentiality are obviously stuck in their attempts to link access rules with geometric properties of spatial data. In this paper we suggest a different approach toward build data access model and a complete data security system for a WinMAP system which includes account control, data access control based on an extended DAC and audit features. A data model of WinMAP is also described because its specialized features allow to rationally develop and effectively implement the data security system. An implementation of the extended DAC model is briefly sketched.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AFFORDABLE LIVING SPACE IN GREEN CONSTRUCTION
Authors: Дегтев  , Degtev Ilya , Тарасенко  , Tarasenko Viktoriya , Хуркова  , Khurkova Darya
Published: December 2016

As a result of human activities can be created a new natural environment with higher comfort indicators for urban development and is at the same time, the energy source for life support systems of buildings. The basic principles of affordable living space with a high level of comfort are a priority for "green" construction.
Filling of the state property cadastral registration of the boundaries and areas of Belgorod region
Authors: Кара  , Kara Karina , Ширина  , Shirina Natalya
Published: December 2016

Results of the analysis of fullness of a database of the State Immovable Property Cadastre by data on borders and areas in the Belgorod region are given. These actions are considered in the light of the carried-out reform of the state cadastral account and the state registration of the rights for real estate and transactions with it according to the federal target program "Development of Uniform State System of Registration of the Rights and the Cadastral Accounting of Real Estate for the Period from 2014 to 2019".
FEATURES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CHANGES OF URBAN FEATURES AND ANALYSIS OF LAND AND ECONOMIC AREA OF STARY OSKOL CITY
Authors: Затолокина  , Zatolokina Natalya , Кононова  , Kononova Oksana
Published: December 2016

In connection with the development of the draft Federal Law, within which it is planned to establish a ban on the disposal of any land to January 1, 2018, for which in the State Real Estate Cadastre is no information about the location of boundaries, the issue of cadastral works in large numbers in the territory of one or more elements of the planning of the settlement structure, as well as on the territory of the horticultural, gardening and dacha non-profit associations of citizens. The bill is designed to implement an action plan to improve the quality of public services in the field of state cadastral registration of real estate and state registration of rights to immovable property and transactions with it, approved by Decree of the RF Government of 01.12.2012, № 2236-p. Therefore, the work was studied and suggested ways of optimization of works for establishment and change of urban features on the example of the Stary Oskol city, given an extensive description of the research object, studied and analyzed land use and development area studies, reviewed the data of State Real Estate Cadastre and shows the optimum work with them.
CORRECTION ALGORITHMS SYNTHESIS FOR THE MOTION PATH OF THE HEXAPOD ROBOT OUTPUT LINK BASED ON THE THEORY OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: Мамаев  , Mamaev Yuriy , Рыбак  , Rybak Larisa , Вирабян  , Virabyan Lusine
Published: December 2016

The article considers the problem of the correction algorithm synthesis of hexapod robot output link trajectory, based on the solution of the direct problem of kinematics. The structure of a robot control system, including units for direct and inverse kinematics problem. Shown an algorithm for the management of the direct problem solution of kinematics and the application of neural networks. As a method of training it is recommended a combined method of back propagation and annealing. Shown the comparative performance characteristics of neural networks with different structures. It was found that the use of corrective neural networks is the best option.
NEW ALUMINUM ANTIFRICTION ALLOYS INSTEAD OF BRONZES FOR MONOMETALLIC BEARINGS OPERATING UNDER CONDITIONS OF BOUNDARY FRICTION
Authors: Гершман Иосиф , Gershman Iosif , Миронов Александр , Mironov Aleksandr , Гершман Евгений , Gershman Evgeniy
Published: December 2016

In the paper there is presented an investigation on the subject of the substitution of materials used for manufacturing monometallic one-piece sliding bearings. The most widely used material for their manufac-turing is bronze of BrO4Ts4$17 grade which has rather high values of antifriction and strength properties. A whole complex of materials based on aluminum alloys is under consideration. There were investigated eight experimental alloys different with chemistry. In the paper there is described a procedure for carrying out experimental investigations. The comparative tables of the influence of these or those elements upon tribological properties are shown. An evident advantage of aluminum alloys over a compared material – bronze of BrO4Ts4S17 grade is identified. The following tribo-technical properties of experimental alloys such as score-resistance, conformability, durability, frictional moment are considered. Key words: aluminum antifriction alloys, bronze, stress-strain properties, strength, hardness, tribotechnical properties, conformability, scoreresistance, durability, secondary structures.