bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Debt Shifting and Thin-Capitalization Rules – German Experience and Alternative Approaches
Authors: Ruf Martin , Schindler Dirk 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
This paper presents the general design of thin-capitalization rules and summarizes the economic effects of such rules as identified in theoretical models. We review empirical studies providing evidence on the experience with (German) thin-capitalization rules as well as on the adjustment of German multinationals to foreign thin-capitalization rules. Special emphasis is given to the development in Germany, because Germany went a long way in limiting interest deductibility by enacting a drastic change in its thin-capitalization rules in 2008, and because superb German data on multinational finance allows for testing several aspects consistently. We then discuss the experience of the Nordic countries with thin-capitalization rules. Briefly reviewing potential alternatives as well, we believe that the arm’s-length principle is administratively too costly and impracticable, whereas we argue that controlled-foreign-company rules might be another promising avenue for limiting internal debt shifting. Fundamental tax reforms towards a system with either "allowance for corporate equity" (ACE) or a "comprehensive business income tax" (CBIT) should also eliminate any thin-capitalization incentive.
Important problems of future thermonuclear reactors*
Authors: Sadowski Marek J. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
This paper concerns important and difficult problems connected with a design and construction of thermonuclear reactors, which have to use nuclear fusion reactions of heavy isotopes of hydrogen, i.e., deuterium (D) and tritium (T). There are described conditions in which such reactions can occur, and different methods of a high-temperature plasma generation, i.e., high-current electrical discharges, intense microwave pulses, and injection of energetic neutral atoms (NBI). There are also presented experimental facilities which can contain hot plasma for an appropriate period, and particularly so-called tokamaks. The second part presents the technical problems which must be solved in order to build a thermonuclear reactor, that might be used for energetic purposes. There are considered problems connected with a choice of constructional materials for a vacuum chamber, its internal parts, external windings generating a magnetic field, and necessary shields. The next part considers the handling of radioactive tritium; the using of alpha particles (4He) for additional heating of plasma; recuperation of hydrogen isotopes absorbed in the tokamak internal parts, and a removal of a helium excess. There is presented a scheme of a future thermonuclear power plant and critical comments on a road map which should enable the construction of an industrial thermonuclear reactor (DEMO).
Study of tungsten surface interaction with plasma streams at DPF-1000U
Authors: Ladygina Marina S. , Skladnik-Sadowska Elzbieta , Zaloga Dobromil R. , Malinowski Karol , Sadowski Marek J. , Kubkowska Monika , Kowalska-Strzeciwilk Ewa , Paduch Marian , Zielinska Ewa , Miklaszewski Ryszard , Garkusha Igor E. , Gribkov Vladimir A. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
In this note experimental studies of tungsten (W) samples irradiated by intense plasma-ion streams are reported. Measurements were performed using the modified plasma focus device DPF-1000U equipped with an axial gas-puffing system. The main diagnostic tool was a Mechelle®900 optical spectrometer. The electron density of a freely propagating plasma stream (i.e., the plasma stream observed without any target inside the vacuum chamber) was estimated on the basis of the half-width of the Dβ spectral line, taking into account the linear Stark effect. For a freely propagating plasma stream the maximum electron density amounted to about 1.3 × 1017 cm−3 and was reached during the maximum plasma compression. The plasma electron density depends on the initial conditions of the experiments. It was thus important to determine first the plasma flow characteristics before attempting any target irradiation. These data were needed for comparison with plasma characteristics after an irradiation of the investigated target. In fact, spectroscopic measurements performed during interactions of plasma streams with the investigated W samples showed many WI and WII spectral lines. The surface erosion was determined from mass losses of the irradiated samples. Changes on the surfaces of the irradiated samples were also investigated with an optical microscope and some sputtering and melting zones were observed.
High Power Laser Laboratory at the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion: equipment and preliminary research
Authors: Zaraś-Szydłowska Agnieszka , Badziak Jan , Rosiński Marcin , Makowski Józef , Parys Piotr , Piotrowski Marek , Ryć Leszek , Wołowski Jerzy 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present the newly-opened High Power Laser Laboratory (HPLL) at the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM). This article describes the laser, the main laboratory accessories and the diagnostic instruments. We also present preliminary results of the first experiment on ion and X-ray generation from laser-produced plasma that has been already performed at the HPLL.
Liquid micro pulsed plasma thruster
Authors: Szelecka Agnieszka , Kurzyna Jacek , Daniłko Dariusz , Barral Serge 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
A new type of pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) for small satellite propulsion is investigated, of which the most innovative aspect is the use of a non-volatile liquid propellant. The thruster is based on an open capillary design. The thruster achieved a thrust-to-power ratio above 45 μN/W, which constitutes a 5-fold improvement over the water-propelled pulsed plasma thruster, and which is also slightly above the performance of a similarly sized PPT with a solid propellant.
The source of X-rays and high-charged ions based on moderate power vacuum discharge with laser triggering
Authors: Alkhimova Mariya A. , Vovchenko Evgeniy D. , Melekhov Andrey P. , Ramakoti Ravi S. , Savelov Alexander S. , Krapiva Pavel S. , Moskalenko Ilya N. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The source of X-ray radiation with the energy of quanta that may vary in the range hν = 1÷12 keV was developed for studies in X-ray interaction with matter and modification of solid surfaces. It was based on a vacuum spark discharge with the laser triggering. It was shown in our experiments that there is a possibility to adjust X-ray radiation spectrum by changing the configuration of the electrode system when the energy stored in the capacitor is varied within the range of 1÷17 J. A comprehensive study of X-ray imaging and quanta energy was carried out. These experiments were carried out for the case of both direct and reverse polarity of the voltage on the electrodes. Additionally, ion composition of plasma created in a laser-triggered vacuum discharge was analyzed. Highly charged ions Zn(+21), Cu(+20) and Fe(+18) were observed.
Recursive Trees for Practical ORAM
Authors: Moataz Tarik , Blass Erik-Oliver , Noubir Guevara 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
We present a new, general data structure that reduces the communication cost of recent tree-based ORAMs. Contrary to ORAM trees with constant height and path lengths, our new construction r-ORAM allows for trees with varying shorter path length. Accessing an element in the ORAM tree results in different communication costs depending on the location of the element. The main idea behind r-ORAM is a recursive ORAM tree structure, where nodes in the tree are roots of other trees. While this approach results in a worst-case access cost (tree height) at most as any recent tree-based ORAM, we show that the average cost saving is around 35% for recent binary tree ORAMs. Besides reducing communication cost, r-ORAM also reduces storage overhead on the server by 4% to 20% depending on the ORAM’s client memory type. To prove r-ORAM’s soundness, we conduct a detailed overflow analysis. r-ORAM’s recursive approach is general in that it can be applied to all recent tree ORAMs, both constant and poly-log client memory ORAMs. Finally, we implement and benchmark r-ORAM in a practical setting to back up our theoretical claims.
Practical Forward-Secure Range and Sort Queries with Update-Oblivious Linked Lists
Authors: Blass Erik-Oliver , Mayberry Travis , Noubir Guevara 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
We revisit the problem of privacy-preserving range search and sort queries on encrypted data in the face of an untrusted data store. Our new protocol RASP has several advantages over existing work. First, RASP strengthens privacy by ensuring forward security: after a query for range [a, b], any new record added to the data store is indistinguishable from random, even if the new record falls within range [a, b]. We are able to accomplish this using only traditional hash and block cipher operations, abstaining from expensive asymmetric cryptography and bilinear pairings. Consequently, RASP is highly practical, even for large database sizes. Additionally, we require only cloud storage and not a computational cloud like related works, which can reduce monetary costs significantly. At the heart of RASP, we develop a new update-oblivious bucket-based data structure. We allow for data to be added to buckets without leaking into which bucket it has been added. As long as a bucket is not explicitly queried, the data store does not learn anything about bucket contents. Furthermore, no information is leaked about data additions following a query. Besides formally proving RASP’s privacy, we also present a practical evaluation of RASP on Amazon Dynamo, demonstrating its efficiency and real world applicability.
Privacy Games: Optimal User-Centric Data Obfuscation
Authors: Shokri Reza 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Consider users who share their data (e.g., location) with an untrusted service provider to obtain a personalized (e.g., location-based) service. Data obfuscation is a prevalent user-centric approach to protecting users’ privacy in such systems: the untrusted entity only receives a noisy version of user’s data. Perturbing data before sharing it, however, comes at the price of the users’ utility (service quality) experience which is an inseparable design factor of obfuscation mechanisms. The entanglement of the utility loss and the privacy guarantee, in addition to the lack of a comprehensive notion of privacy, have led to the design of obfuscation mechanisms that are either suboptimal in terms of their utility loss, or ignore the user’s information leakage in the past, or are limited to very specific notions of privacy which e.g., do not protect against adaptive inference attacks or the adversary with arbitrary background knowledge.
In this paper, we design user-centric obfuscation mechanisms that impose the minimum utility loss for guaranteeing user’s privacy. We optimize utility subject to a joint guarantee of differential privacy (indistinguishability) and distortion privacy (inference error). This double shield of protection limits the information leakage through obfuscation mechanism as well as the posterior inference. We show that the privacy achieved through joint differential-distortion mechanisms against optimal attacks is as large as the maximum privacy that can be achieved by either of these mechanisms separately. Their utility cost is also not larger than what either of the differential or distortion mechanisms imposes. We model the optimization problem as a leader-follower game between the designer of obfuscation mechanism and the potential adversary, and design adaptive mechanisms that anticipate and protect against optimal inference algorithms. Thus, the obfuscation mechanism is optimal against any inference algorithm.
Cultural Industries In The Development Policies Of Cities And Regions: A New Area Of Educationin Spatial Management
Authors: Churski Paweł , Motek Paweł , Stryjakiewicz Tadeusz 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
This paper seeks to present organisational and programme assumptions of a new field of postgraduate studies called Cultural industries in the development policies of cities and regions, prepared by a team of workers of the Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań as a didactic innovation based on a modular system of education that meets contemporary changes in the labour market. The analysis will also embrace experiences following from the educational process implemented under the Human Capital Operational Programme in the years 2013–2015 (Priority IV: Tertiary Education and Science, Measure 4.3: Enhancing the didactic potential of universities in areas of key importance for the Europe 2020 Strategy). They provide a basis for conclusions and recommendations for higher schools interested in the development of this area of education.
Body Mass Index Of Nigerian Adolescent Urban Secondary School Girls
Authors: Onyiriuka Alphonsus N. , Ikuren Jackson I. , Onyiriuka Rita C. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Background and Aims: Body mass index (BMI) is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight status, which may have detrimental health consequences. The aim of our study was to assess the pattern of BMI among Nigerian adolescent secondary school girls and determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among them.

Materials and Methods: In this school-based cross-sectional study, weight was measured, using the spring bathroom scale which was supported at all times on a rigid base. Height was measured without footwear with the heels together. The BMI was computed, using the formula weight/height2 (kg/m2). The BMI-for-age percentile chart was used in classifying the weight status of the subjects.

Results: A total of 2,159 girls from two public urban day secondary schools participated in the study. Seven students declined to participate, giving a response rate of 99.7%. The overall mean weight, height and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were 43.16±6.07 kg (95% confidence interval, CI= 42.90-43.42), 151.53±6.20 cm (95% CI=151.27-151.79) and 19.76±3.07 kg/m2 (95% CI= 19.63-19.89). The BMI values increased directly with age. Participants in the early adolescent stage demonstrated a significantly lower mean BMI value than either the middle or late adolescent stages. Based on WHO criteria, the prevalence rates of underweight, overweight and obesity were 7.1% (95% CI= 3.0-11.2), 8.3% (95% CI= 4.3-12.3) and 2.1% (95% CI= 2.0-6.2), respectively. The overall prevalence of healthy weight status was 82.5% (95% CI= 80.7-84.3). Conclusion: Nigerian adolescent secondary school girls are at increased risk of the double burden of nutrition as both underweight and overweight show a relatively similar prevalence rates.
The Association Between Insulin Resistance And Advanced Renal Disease In Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Duţă Irina , Rusu Emilia , Costache Adrian , Radulian Gabriela , Ion Daniela Adriana 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Background and Aims. Insulin resistance is documented in type 1 diabetes and it has been associated with chronic complications. Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this article is to quantify insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes subjects according to the presence or absence of advanced renal disease. A secondary objective was to study the possible association between insulin resistance and advanced renal disease.

Material and Methods. This was a cross-sectional study that included 167 type 1 diabetes patients. Insulin resistance was determined using the eGDR (estimated glucose disposal rate) formula. The association between eGDR and diabetic nephropathy was assessed in uni and multivariate models using stepwise logistic regression analysis of variables. The contribution of individual predictors in the final regression model was examined using Wald statistic.

Results. Significantly lower eGDR’s values were observed in patients with nephropathy: 5 vs. 7.3 (p<0.001). In univariate analysis eGDR was significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy (p<0.001). eGDR variable was retained in the final model of stepwise logistic regression (p<0.001) and showed the strongest association with diabetic nephropathy (Wald = 30.4).

Conclusions. In type 1 diabetes patients insulin resistance was the most important independent risk factor associated with advanced renal disease.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A New Cardiovascular Risk Factor
Authors: Gavril Radu Sebastian 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects nearly one-third of the world population and may increase the cardiometabolic risk, having cardiovascular consequences independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and of insulin resistance syndrome. NAFLD is a marker of ectopic accumulation of fat combined with a chronic inflammatory status. This leads to modification of physiological processes, such as abnormal glucose metabolism, changes in the fatty acids and lipoproteins, increased oxidative stress, changing the profile of adipokines, endothelial dysfunction and accelerated progression of atherosclerosis. It eventually leads to cardiometabolic dysfunction with cardiovascular mortality, representing the most important way of premature death in NAFLD. This review aims to introduce the notion of NAFLD to cardiologist clinicians, highlighting the link between NAFLD and cardiovascular risk, and the possible mechanisms underlying this association.
Prenatal diagnosis of triploidy in second trimester of pregnancy: a series of 4 cases over an eleven-year period / Diagnosticul prenatal al triploidiei în trimestrul al II-lea de sarcină: o serie de patru cazuri depistate în unsprezece ani
Authors: Socolov Demetra , Mihălceanu Elena , Popovici Diana , Gorduza Eusebiu Vlad , Balan Raluca , Martiniuc Violeta , Socolov Răzvan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTriploidy is a numerical chromosomal anomaly characterized by the presence of three sets of haploid chromosomes. The incidence is hard to evaluate, because usually it causes 1st trimester miscarriage. At 20 weeks of amenorrhea the incidence of triploidy is estimated at 1/250,000 cases. We present 4 cases of triploidy diagnosed during the decade 2003-2013 in the Prenatal Diagnosis Department of Maternity “Cuza-Vodă” Iasi, Romania, all registered in one year. The analysis of pathological cases identified in the last 11 years by prenatal diagnosis has shown that triploidies represented only 5.7% of numeric chromosomal anomalies, but in 2013 the four cases of triploidy represented 36% of numeric chromosomal anomalies. The karyotypes were recommended after discovering different congenital anomalies by ultrasound scan. In all cases, an intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was present but with no placental changes. Also, we discovered anomalies of limbs, congenital anomalies of heart and some dysmorphic features. This series demonstrates that triploidy may be discovered in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and has a heterogeneous aspect at ultrasound scan, which can generate diagnostic difficulties. Therefore, the detection by ultrasound scan, at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy, of complex foetal morphological abnormalities should be an important reason for amniocentesis to search chromosomal anomalies
AGT A-20C (rs5050) gene polymorphism and ulcer occurrence in patients treated with low-dose aspirin: a case-control study / Polimorfismul AGT A-20C și ulcerele gastro-duodenale la pacienții sub tratament cu aspirină în doze antiagregante: studiu caz-control
Authors: Negovan Anca , Voidăzan Septimiu , Pantea Monica , Moldovan Valeriu , Bataga Simona , Cozlea Laurentiu , Mocan Simona , Banescu Claudia 
Published: June 2015

AbstractGenetic factors may play a role in prediction of gastrointestinal side effects of aspirin, one of the most used drugs worldwide. We aim to determine a possible correlation between AGT A-20C (rs5050) gene polymorphism and gastro-duodenal ulcer in patients taking low-dose aspirin, adjusted for clinical and histological characteristics.Results. We enrolled 211 patients stratified according to AGT A-20C genotype: 122 AA, 83 AC and 6 CC patients. There were no significant differences regarding demographical and clinical parameters, except for the frequency of ulcers (4%, 8.4% respective 50%, p=0.03), endoscopic bleeding signs (12.3%, 14.5% respective 50%, p=0.0001) and the frequency of gastritis in biopsy (63.9%, 54.2% respective 16.7%, p=0.03) in genotype groups. When we compared ulcer and non-ulcer group, variant homozygous CC genotype carried an increased risk for ulcer (OR:9.66, 95% CI: 1.46-63.7, p=0.04) than AA group, as well as variant C allele compared with normal A allele (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.07-4.63, p=0.04). On multivariate analysis, variant homozygous CC genotype AGT A-20C showed an OR: 12.32 (95% CI:1.40 -108.13, p=0.02) for ulcer, while H. pylori infection (OR:2.40, 95% CI:1.18 -6.54, p=0.04) and concurrent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR:1.31, 95% CI:1.07 - 2.27, p=0.05) remained predictors for ulcer in aspirin consumers.Conclusions. Variant C allele and variant homozygous CC genotype AGT A-20C, infection with H. pylori and NSAIDs co-treatment are risk factors for gastro-duodenal ulcer in low-dose aspirin consumers. The variant homozygous CC genotype AGT A-20C patients treated with LDA are more prone to have reactive gastropathy and bleeding ulcers in a population with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection
Particulate matter in indoor spaces: known facts and the knowledge gaps
Authors: Rogula-Kopiec Patrycja , Pastuszka Józef S. , Rogula-Kozłowska Wioletta , Majewski Grzegorz 
Published: June 2015

Abstract:
Particulate matter in indoor spaces: known facts and the knowledge gaps. As people spend most of the time in closed spaces (flats, workplaces, schools etc.), the indoor air has been researched for many years all over the world. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most often examined pollutants in the indoor and outdoor air. The following study presents the facts about PM in closed spaces and the most often taken actions. The least known aspects related to the indoor air pollution with PM are demonstrated. The indoor space of various service and office buildings/facilities (not related to production, i.e. offices, shops, beauty parlours, restaurant kitchens, restaurants, pubs etc.) seem to be an unrecognized area in the air pollution studies. Importantly, a great number of people work in such spaces all over the world and thus spend there a large part of their lives.
Mixed Vehicle Flow At Signalized Intersection: Markov Chain Analysis
Authors: Gertsbakh Ilya B. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
We assume that a Poisson flow of vehicles arrives at isolated signalized intersection, and each vehicle, independently of others, represents a random number X of passenger car units (PCU’s). We analyze numerically the stationary distribution of the queue process {Zn}, where Zn is the number of PCU’s in a queue at the beginning of the n-th red phase, n → ∞. We approximate the number Yn
of PCU’s arriving during one red-green cycle by a two-parameter Negative Binomial Distribution (NBD). The well-known fact is that {Zn} follow an infinite-state Markov chain. We approximate its stationary distribution using a finite-state Markov chain. We show numerically that there is a strong dependence of the mean queue length E[Zn] in equilibrium on the input distribution of Yn
and, in particular, on the ”over dispersion” parameter γ= Var[Yn
]/E[Yn
]. For Poisson input, γ = 1. γ > 1 indicates presence of heavy-tailed input. In reality it means that a relatively large ”portion” of PCU’s, considerably exceeding the average, may arrive with high probability during one red-green cycle. Empirical formulas are presented for an accurate estimation of mean queue length as a function of load and g of the input flow. Using the Markov chain technique, we analyze the mean ”virtual” delay time for a car which always arrives at the beginning of the red phase.