Distinctive Sign Research Articles

ТЕОРЕТИКО–МЕТОДИЧНІ ЗАСАДИ ОЦІНКИ РЕЗУЛЬТАТИВНОСТІ УПРАВЛІННЯ ВИРОБНИЧО–ГОСПОДАРСЬКОЮ ДІЯЛЬНІСТЮ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

В статті досліджено економічну сутність та виділено відмінні ознаки категорій «ефективність управління» та «результативність управління». Наведено авторське визначення поняття «результативність управління виробничо–господарською діяльністю підприємства». Обґрунтовано важливість проведення оцінки результативності управління як необхідної передумови визначення напрямів подальшого розвитку підприємства та посилення його конкурентних позицій в ринковому середовищі. Узагальнено існуючі методичні підходи до оцінки результативності управління, визначено основні принципи та представлена логічна схема її здійснення.

DA VIDA PELA METADE À PERENIDADE DEVIDA: JOSEFA DE SANTO ALEIXO E MARIA MOISÉS

O título enunciado pretende dilucidar os percursos figurativos que estiveram na origem da fortuna literária e artística de Josefa de Santo Aleixo e de Maria Moisés, no conto ‘Maria Moisés’ das Novelas do Minho, publicadas por Camilo Castelo Branco entre 1875 e 1877. Na perspetiva dos estudos de género, a vida ‘incompleta’ que carateriza o percurso existencial de ambas refere-se à parte da história individual inerente à construção da identidade feminina que estes seres de papel nunca concretizaram, dado o universo patriarcal vigente. Segundo Nathalie Einich, em États de Femme. L’identité dans la fiction occidentale (1996), os estados identitários da mulher, no contexto cultural de Oitocentos, são os de ‘fi lha, esposa e mãe ’, mas nem Josefa nem Maria Moisés os reúnem na totalidade. O equilíbrio e a coerência do ser em si da mulher estão longe de se consubstanciar neste universo ficcional. Em termos semio-narrativos, a incompletude converte-se no signo distintivo de ambas, signo fautor da assunção de múltiplas vias para a sua figuração, para a sua justa perenidade. Por outro lado, no que concerne à sobrevida das personagens (Reis: 2015), refira-se a reinterpretação do conto por Paula Rego através de cinco composições, Maria Moisés e outras histórias, expostas na Galeria 111, no Porto, em 2000-2001 (Lima: 2002). Os temas abordados pela artista plástica são, mais uma vez, aqueles que o tempo insiste em fazer perdurar: a paixão, a gravidez indesejada, a incompreensão familiar e social, a solidão.

Rubik’s Cube: an IP allegory

... This article seeks to identify whether or not the Rubik’s Cube can be protected by one of the above rights and whether or not it fulfils the relevant conditions. The Hungarian patent has expired. Design rights and copyright have been successfully invoked to protect the creation. Trade mark rights are more uncertain in the aftermath of the recent decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).1 So, the Rubik’s Cube is, or was, protected by four different IP rights: a patent for the technical device, design rights and copyright for the appearance of the product and a trade mark as a distinctive sign.

“So help me, sister…”: the first Lithuanian women’s societies in the US

The article presents a few of the first Lithuanian women’s societies in the United States. Material for the article and data were gathered at the American Lithuanian Cultural Archives (ALKA) in Putnam, Connecticut, USA. Although the early Lithuanian women’s societies in America were primarily relief organizations, the article emphasizes that in the long run, women’s societies began to take care of each other as well. The main goals of such organizations were education, Lithuanian upbringing, caring for the sick, supporting children, and providing women with the possibility to have their own funds. Therefore, such societies also acted as “banks” or credit unions. Quite often a women’s society would have its own flag and a distinctive sign (a badge, scarf, or cape) that women wore during holidays, strolls, and performances, as well as during the funerals of their members. The statutes, founding documents, and protocols of these societies highlight aspects that preceded feminist thinking and actions. First of all, one can note that there were many literate women among the Lithuanian emigrants of the late 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. Another important point is that women, taking an example from male organizations of that time, were interested in forming exclusively female societies in a foreign country. Moreover, they ran them as public organizations, thus stepping outside of a private house and entering the public space. The archival documents of the first Lithuanian women’s societies in the U.S. testify to the modernization of women’s consciousness, most likely affected by the late 19th and early 20th century women’s suffrage movement in the U.S. The movement fought for women’s rights and stood up against violence. By examining the early Lithuanian women’s societies, it is possible to trace a movement towards this new consciousness. [...].

Pros and cons of blurring gesture-language lines: An evolutionary linguistic perspective.

The target article's emphasis on distinguishing sign from gesture may resolve one important objection to gesture-first theories of language evolution. However, this approach risks undervaluing the gradual progression from nonlanguage to language over hominin evolution, and in emerging sign systems today. I call for less emphasis on drawing boundaries and more emphasis on understanding the processes of change.

On-farm Conservation of Zaer Lentil Landrace in Context of Climate Change and Improved Varieties Competition

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) landrace of Zaer had been on-farm conserved thanks to ingenious farmers' practices. Farmers had selected, produced and maintained their landrace to satisfy their food security, ecological and economical needs. However, the increase of drought incidence had encouraged farmers to gradual abandonment of their landrace for L56 improved variety to increase productivity and incomes. The landrace is therefore threatened for genetic drift by climatic change, varieties innovation and economic development. The main objective of this study is to strengthen the on farm conservation of lentil landrace of Zaer through its promotion under a distinctive sign of origin and quality in accordance with national agricultural policy. Thus, the investigation is focused on analyzing (i) farmers' knowledge through field survey of 41 farmers randomly chosen across Zaer region, (ii) genetic structure of landrace as meta-population and by four geographical locations using biochemical markers (SDS-PAGE), and (iii) genetic relationship between the landrace and L56 improved variety cultivated in Zaer. Data analysis had provide us with valuable information's on seed management according to climate and farmers' category, genetic structure of landrace as meta-population which was shaped by both natural pressures and human practices, and on seeds flow between landrace and L56 variety that might be linked to seed acquisition, spatial organization of production field or to post-harvest seed management.

КАВКАЗСКИЙ МОТИВ В «ЗАПИСКАХ ИЗ МЕРТВОГО ДОМА» Ф.М. ДОСТОЕВСКОГО: СКВОЗЬ ПРИЗМУ ПОЛЕМИКИ СМ.Ю. ЛЕРМОНТОВЫМ

This article is devoted to the Caucasian motif in Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s “House of the Dead”. This analysis notes its intertextual connection with Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time” and clarifies the multifaceted tasks of the hidden polemic with him: overcoming Rousseauian antithesis of “nature - civilization” and the cult of romantic passionate love. This article also discusses the further echo of this motif in Dostoevsky’s essays of the 1860s, shows its emblematic value for the writer. This motif has become a distinctive sign of the first step towards the convergence of the aristocracy and thecommon people, and therefore, towards the implementation of Dostoevsky’s ideas of Pochvennichestvo.

Workers with signs of smallpox in the collection of Regional Office of Labor, Rio Grande do Sul, 1933-1944

Work Register Booklet was created in Brazil in 1932. Soon, Regional Labor Inspectorates emerged - after renamed as Regional Office of Labor. In Rio Grande do Sul, this office was settled in 1933 in Porto Alegre. Procedures for making this booklet consisted of filling a professional qualification form with workers' personal and professional information. One of the fields consisted of requester's distinguishing signs, like visible marks and lack of limbs. The purpose of this article is to analyse the presence of one of these distinguishing signs. We use 3x4cm photos of workers who presented smallpox signs, as well as other information written in the fields of their forms.

Substitutions in elite male field hockey – a case study

The purpose of this study was to (i) describe and analyse the substitution tactics of an international field hockey team during competitive match play and (ii) to identify the impact of bench periods on the physical output of players when re-entering active game play.Data were collected from thirteen professional male field hockey players during three international tournament matches. The physical performance of the players was recorded by a high-frequency local position measurement system. The number and length of substitutions were obtained by observation.An average of 58.0 ± 4.6 substitutions were registered during the course of a tournament match, where the average player performed 4.7 ± 0.8 individual substitutions with an average pause duration of 5.4 ± 1.2 min and an average on-field playing duration of 7.18 ± 2.14 min. Within the first minute of substitution, re-entering players covered a significantly larger total distance (159.7 ± 33.0 m ˙ min–1) compared with the team average (139.4 ± 33.3 m ˙ min–1). A significant decrease in physical performance was observed within the fifth minute after substitution.Our findings suggest a ‘first-minute-rush-effect’, wherein substitutes covered a significantly larger total distance compared with the team average. Further, re-entering field hockey players experienced distinguishable signs of fatigue approximately four minutes after substitution.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Pediatric Diseases

Oxidative stress is a distinctive sign in a long series of human diseases, including metabolic, neurologic, and cancer disorders. Several studies demonstrated that the toxic effects resulting from a redox imbalance take place even during infant age. Recent literature focused in particular on the role exerted by unpaired mitochondrial function in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction are cofactors in the pathogenesis of diabetes, as well as major contributors to its associated complications, primarily represented by cardiovascular disease. In epilepsy, mitochondrial failure is thought to be one of the possible mechanisms for seizure generation through a dysregulation in calcium homeostasis; moreover, the prolonged seizure-related neuronal excitation is able to trigger mitochondrial damage, proving the existence of interdependency between epileptic activity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis, and its intervention has been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of cancer-prone genetic diseases. The identification of specific molecular targets linked to altered mitochondrial function allows to select more rational and appropriate supportive treatments using antioxidants and mitochondrial nutrients as potential new therapeutic approaches.

Measuring scleral thickness with optical coherence tomography in osteogenesis imperfecta: a case report

PurposeThe blue sclera appearance is a distinctive but non‐specific clinical sign for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a connective tissue disorder caused by an abnormality of type I collagen. It is a challenging diagnosis because multiple bone fractures, occurring in early childhood, can be the only sign of the non‐lethal forms of OI. In these situations, differential diagnosis with child abuse is a major concern for Pediatricians. Aim: to investigate the scleral optical coherence tomography (OCT) and thickness measurement as a diagnostic test for OI.MethodsThe sclera of a 28‐year‐old man affected by a mild form of OI and presenting a blue scleral hue was examined with the sclera mode coupled with the enhanced depth imaging of the spectral domain OCT equipped with the anterior segment module device (SD‐ASOCT) (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany). The scleral thickness was measured at a distance of 2000 μm from the scleral spur in eight meridians. Three measurements in each meridians were averaged and the mean and the standard deviation of the eight meridians were calculated. The examination of an age matched healthy volunteer served as a control.ResultsThe mean scleral thickness of the OI patient was lower than that of the healthy patient, 277 μm ± 43 μm vs. 470 μm ± 50 μm. The superotemporal meridian was the thinnest in both patients.ConclusionsThese findings are consistent with the pathologic features previously described. The blue color results from the visualization of the underlying choroid through the translucent and thinner sclera. The in vivo scleral thickness measurement is a rapid and non‐invasive diagnostic tool that may be useful for challenging cases, especially in children with multiple fractures.

Ultrasonographic Identification of Fibromuscular Bands Associated with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: The “Wedge-Sickle” Sign

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a disorder characterized by compression of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus, most often in association with anomalous congenital fibromuscular bands in the scalenic region. Early diagnosis is important, because the neurologic deficit associated with TOS may be irreversible. Using high-resolution ultrasound, we investigated 20 consecutive patients with clinical signs suggestive of TOS (all females, average age: 40.4 ± 14.9 y) and 25 control patients. In 19 patients, we identified a hyper-echoic fibromuscular structure at the medial edge of the middle scalene muscle, which indented the lower trunk of the brachial plexus (“wedge-sickle sign”). It was associated with the significant enlargement (p < 0.0001) and hypo-echogenicity of the lower trunk. This novel and distinctive ultrasonographic sign allows pre-surgical identification of anomalous fibromuscular bands causing TOS. It is especially useful in patients without neurologic deficit, in whom the diagnosis may not be as straightforward.

Regeneration and Structural Strengthening of the Fortress of Arnara, Latium, Italy

ABSTRACTThe fortress of Arnara is a small castle in a high seismic hazard zone in Latium, Italy, which represents a landmark for the local population. It was chosen as a case study, being a perfect example of Middle Age fortress, well preserved during the centuries despite some strong earthquakes damaged it in the past. The project presented here is a significant example of how the interest of a community to regenerate an ancient structure for its re-use can pave the way to a complete structural strengthening, which includes anti-seismic concepts aiming at retrofitting the ancient fortress walls. The overall project joins architectural and structural solutions. The architectural solution aims at a functional reconfiguration of the spaces, so to attract the locals to reuse it, while at the same time highlighting some valuable architectural features of the fortress. The structural solution aims at improving the seismic resistance of the masonry walls with a structural intervention that is respectful and integrates with the existing forms. This was achieved by means of a tenso-structure that has the two-fold role of reconnecting the different portions of the structures and of endowing it with a distinctive architectural sign. This project demonstrates that rediscovery of architectural heritage can also be pursued by proposing a new use for these structures, following an appropriate regeneration strategy that must take into account the cultural features of the territory, being at the same time respectful of the past history of the buildings.

Trademark Protection, Absolute and Relative Grounds for Refusal of Trademark

A trademark is a sign that individualizes the goods of a given enterprise and distinguishes them from the goods of its competitors. Trademark may consist letters, words, slogans, symbols, numerals, pictures, name, logo, even sounds and smell. They are based on registration. One registered trademark gives to his owner the right to exclude others from using an identical or similar mark to identify its goods or service on market. Trademark owners should apply for registration by filling an application in national level, in their national office for protecting trademark rights which trademark will be protected only in that current country and in international level by filling one application where his trademark will be protected in many country depending in which country he has mark the protection. The law does not recognize every possible mark or symbol as a valid trademark, there are some criteria that one sign or mark have to satisfy to gain the trademark protection. Any sing which is not able to distinguish the goods and services can not be registered, and this is one of the reasons for rejection of registration. Sign or mark must be a “trademark”, must not fail on the absolute and relative grounds. Sign can be refusal for absolute ground if is not able to distinguish the goods and services. Unprotected mark will be consider also mark in conflicts with a prior right in another trademark or other distinctive sign will also be refusal, in this case for relative ground. Accordantly to this, the owner, during creating his mark should be original, natural, creative etc.

Oxidative Stress in Cancer‐Prone Genetic Diseases in Pediatric Age: The Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Oxidative stress is a distinctive sign in several genetic disorders characterized by cancer predisposition, such as Ataxia-Telangiectasia, Fanconi Anemia, Down syndrome, progeroid syndromes, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and Costello syndrome. Recent literature unveiled new molecular mechanisms linking oxidative stress to the pathogenesis of these conditions, with particular regard to mitochondrial dysfunction. Since mitochondria are one of the major sites of ROS production as well as one of the major targets of their action, this dysfunction is thought to be the cause of the prooxidant status. Deeper insight of the pathogenesis of the syndromes raises the possibility to identify new possible therapeutic targets. In particular, the use of mitochondrial-targeted agents seems to be an appropriate clinical strategy in order to improve the quality of life and the life span of the patients.

The Wandering Hat: Iterations of the Medieval Jewish Pointed Cap

From the twelfth to the seventeenth century, a cone-shaped hat called a pileus cornutus served as a distinguishing sign for Jews in the German-speaking regions of the Holy Roman Empire. What did the hat signify previously, and how did its meaning change after it was imposed on Jews by decree in the thirteenth century? This study traces its history as far back as Greek antiquity, when a pointed “Phrygian” hat was used as a means of identifying barbarians. Traveling on to Rome, where it was known as a pileus, the hat rose to prominence as a symbol for emancipated slaves. Its imposition on Jews in the Middle Ages was a turning point. Thereafter, the hat began to appear in representations of an increasing variety of deceiving figures, real and mythical, including heretics, criminals, and dwarfs. Following the course of the pileus not only sheds light on an intriguing singular phenomenon; it also stands as a paradigmatic example of a “traveling concept” and helps to refine our understanding of cultural transfer—of culture as transfer.

Cardiologic Phenotypes and Natural History of FAC

Fifty years ago, the focus on the Val30Met type of the disease, in which neurologic manifestations predominate, led to the widespread notion that hereditary transthyretin-related amyloidosis (ATTR) was essentially a neurologic disease. It is now clear that ATTR is extremely heterogeneous on both genotypic and phenotypic grounds. The clinical spectrum of the disease ranges from an almost exclusive neurologic involvement to strictly cardiac manifestations. This heterogeneity is linked to several factors including specific transthyretin mutations, geographic distribution and endemic vs. non-endemic aggregation type. The existence of exclusively or predominantly cardiac phenotypes makes the recognition of the disease very challenging since it can mimic other more common causes of left ventricular “hypertrophy”. Assessment of such patients should include an active search for possible red flags that can indicate the correct final diagnosis. More in general the clinician must be aware that: • Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) should be suspected in any patient with heart failure, unexplained increased LV wall thickness and non-increased end systolic left ventricular volume • In a patient with an initial diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), look for the infiltrative phenotype hidden beneath the hypertrophic one! • A distinctive sign of CA is the abnormal ratio between left ventricular thickness and QRS voltages rather than low QRS voltages, alone. The absence of low QRS voltages doesn’t rule out a CA if the context is otherwise fitting and up to 20% of subjects with CA can have electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. • In an elderly man with unexplained concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, especially in the absence of hypertension, always consider the possibility of wtTTR CA! • Amyloidotic cardiomyopathy in an elderly patient with monoclonal gammopathy is not necessarily related to AL: consider the possibility of wTTR + MGUS • Longitudinal LV function can be severely depressed despite a normal LVEF and the myocardial contraction fraction is often low suggesting reduced global myocardial shortening. • Myocardial deformation is reduced in amyloidotic cardiomiopathy but the apex is generally spared • In CA, Gadolinium distribution at MRI is heterogeneous: subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is not the only diagnostic pattern and the absence of LGE does not exclude CA. • Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in a man with HCM-like phenotype on echo is highly suggestive of TTR-related CA The natural history of ATTR is only partially known, due to the rarity of the disease and its high genotypic heterogeneity. Patients with ATTR cardiomyopathy have a much more indolent course than those with AL etiology. Progression of neurological disease and heart failure are the leading causes of death. As in AL amyloidosis, in ATTR the presence of cardiac involvement is an incremental risk factor for overall and cardiovascular events. Consequently, non-Val30Met mutations, in which cardiac involvement is more frequent and severe, appear to be associated with a particularly poor prognosis, even after successful OLT . Very little is known about the underlying cause and the incidence of sudden death, which has been reported to be associated with the occurrence of advanced atrioventricular blocks, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, or, probably more frequently, electromechanical dissociation.

A educação como empoderamento na ótica do desenvolvimento: uma discussão de modelos

Diante da possibilidade de assistirmos, muito em breve, à definição de uma nova agenda global para o desenvolvimento, certamente, como tudo indica, dando centralidade às pessoas, aos seus problemas e às suas aspirações, e face à iminência de se reafirmar, mais uma vez, o carácter estratégico da educação na realização de agendas desse tipo, conviria averiguar se é chegado o momento de reinvestir a educação com o significado de empoderamento e se essa operação de ressemantização, de amplas consequências teóricas e práticas, pode gerar consensos alargados na comunidade de todos aqueles e aquelas que pensam e fazem educação nos mais variados contextos e ambientes. Como hipótese de trabalho e linha condutora de uma reflexão sobre o fenómeno educativo, a ressignificação da educação como empoderamento na ótica do desenvolvimento pode ser interessante para abrir novos horizontes de investigação educacional e, espera-se, novas formas ou modalidades de operacionalização da educação com pessoas, grupos e coletividades. Ainda assim, importa estar precavido, pois essa articulação da educação com o empoderamento no quadro de orientações programáticas sobre desenvolvimento pode tornar-se equívoca e fonte de debates sem sentido se não se realiza um trabalho de elucidação de tendências e perspetivas, seja no que concerne a relação entre a educação e o desenvolvimento, relação que pode levar, como esperamos mostrar, a abrir a «caixa negra» do empoderamento, seja no que concerne a constituição da educação como ato de empoderamento, quer dizer, como processo que investe no reforço ou aquisição de poder de sujeitos individuais e, eventualmente, de sujeitos coletivos. Só a esta luz cabe discutir os vários modelos que dão corpo à educação como empoderamento e se é realista almejar um consenso alargado em torno desse novo significado de educação no quadro das perspetivas mais abrangentes de desenvolvimento humano. A conclusão deste exercício reflexivo é que tal consenso se revela enganador e a vários títulos problemático, pois estão em presença, digladiando-se, diferentes conceções ideológicas de empoderamento. Seja como for, e numa perspetiva suficientemente ampla de educação para o desenvolvimento, faz todo o sentido ressignificar a educação como processo de empoderamento.

Investigating the blue sclera in osteogenesis imperfecta by in vivo confocal microscopy

PurposeThe blue sclera appearance is a distinctive clinical sign for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a connective tissue disorder caused by an abnormality of type I collagen. It is a challenging diagnosis because multiple bone fractures, occurring in early childhood, can be the only sign of the non‐lethal forms of OI. In these situations, child abuse is a major concern for Paediatricians.AimTo investigate the in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) of the sclera and its characteristics as a diagnostic test for OI.MethodsA father and his daughter suffering from OI gave informed consent for non‐invasive ocular examination. The cornea and sclera were examined with a handheld dermatological IVCM (VivaScope 3000, MAVIG GmbH/Lucid), which we pioneered for ophthalmological examination. The examination of two age matched healthy volunteers and corneoscleral donor tissues served as a control.ResultsThe IVCM in OI shows a very specific and reproducible pattern where the collagen fibres have a well organised parallel alignment as would be expected within the clear corneal stroma. Collagen fibres were cross striated in the control.ConclusionsThese findings were consistent with the electron‐microscopic features previously described. The blue appearance results from the visualisation of the underlying choroid through the translucent sclera, which displays a specific parallel orientation of the collagen fibres. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of IVCM of the blue sclera. This rapid and non‐invasive imaging technique is an interesting diagnostic tool for challenging cases, especially in children, with multiple bone fractures.GRANT: GIRCI RAA

A new approach to Boltzmann’s ergodic hypothesis

The worst (in the sense of convergence to an equilibrium) many-particle Hamiltonian system is considered, namely, a linear system of dimension 2N for which there is an N-parameter family of invariant tori of dimension N. We ask what minimal contact with the external world ensures convergence to the Liouville measure on the surface of constant energy from any initial state on this surface. The simplest example of such a contact is as follows: the velocity of a distinguished particle changes sign at discrete moments of time, and between these moments, particles move according to Hamiltonian dynamics. The only deviation from determinacy is that the intervals between the moments of sign changes are assumed to be independent identically distributed random variables.