Refracted Research Articles

LA SOMIGLIANZA ICONICA NELLA SCRITTURA DE-SOGGETTIVANTE TRA IDENTITÀ E DIFFERENZA

Riassunto: Il pericoloso potere di assimilazione renderebbe le cose identiche le une alle altre, uniformandole, smarrendone la singolarità. Il mondo senza alterità si ridurrebbe a una massa omogenea: l’Identico e la sua rappresentazione. L’esistenza di un segno non è semplicemente riflessa ma rifratta (Vološinov). In questa rifrazione gioca il ruolo determinante l’alterità. Produrre e comprendere segni significa partecipare ai processi comunicativi. Il segnico è il campo dell’ambivalenza in cui tutto si decide per relazioni e pratiche sociali (Bachtin). Uscire dalla filosofia del soggetto (Foucault), porsi in una posizione “fuori-di-sé”, configurare una scrittura in-ferma contro il soggetto statico, per recuperare il corpo sociale nelle parole e nelle immagini.Abstract: The dangerous power of assimilation uniforms things, making them lose their singularity. The world without otherness would be reduced to a homogeneous mass where representation always represents the Identical. The existence of a sign is not simply reflected but refracted (Voloshinov). In this refraction, otherness plays the decisive role. Producing and understanding signs means participating in communication processes. The sign is the field of ambivalence in which everything is decided by relationships and social practices (Bakhtin). In this field is possible as this paper tries to show, to get out of the philosophy of the subject (Foucault) in order to recover the social body of words and images.

Refract Journal, Volume 3: Hauntings and Traces Full Issue

Author(s): Editorial Board, Refract Journal | Abstract: Refract: An Open Access Visual Studies Journal Hauntings and Traces | Volume 2 | Issue 1

Three Seasons of Snow Water Equivalent Estimation By Using Refracted GPS Signals Received by Antennas Buried Underneath an Alpine Snowpack

Three Seasons of Snow Water Equivalent Estimation By Using Refracted GPS Signals Received by Antennas Buried Underneath an Alpine Snowpack

Heritage, Refracted

Heritage, Refracted

Refract Journal, Issue 1: "Refraction"

Author(s): Editorial Board, Refract Journal | Abstract: Refract: An Open Access Visual Studies Journal Refraction | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Design and inspection of multifunctional intraocular lens calculation formula

Objective To establish a conventional intraocular lens (IOL) calculation formula which is applicable to eyeballs with abnormal data and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) postoperative eyes. Methods A case-series study was adopted.According to the classical optical theory, a normal IOL implanted eye has the following characteristics: when light is refracted by cornea and arrives on the IOL plane, the value of refractive power (F1) + IOL refractive power (F2) = the value of refractive power which is suitable for vitreous body depth (F3). Thereafter, a mathematical model was built on the basis of theory, experience, and regression analysis data after IOL implantation surgeries.Furthermore, based on the new LASIK postoperative cornea curvature modified formula, the two kinds of IOL calculation programs of conventional and LASIK postoperative eyes were established.The test data was collected from 644 patients who had undergone the cataract extractions and IOL implantation surgeries (600 physiological cornea eyes, 7 radial keratotomy [RK] eyes and 37 LASIK postoperative eyes) at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School.Through the analysis of these data, the new formulas were examined. Results With IOL refractive power of 607 eyes (including 7 RK postoperative eyes), the average error of XLQ formula (the tentative name of the established formula in this study)was 0.1 D, and the 95% limits of agreement range was -1.1 to + 1.2 D. The error range of IOL refractive power predicted by XLQ, SRK-T and Haigis formulas was -2.21 to + 2.25 D, -5.10 to + 5.63 D and -3.00 to + 3.18 D, respectively, the absolute average error of IOL refractive power predicted by the three formulas was (0.43±0.28), (0.74±0.53) and (0.79±0.49)D, respectively.Compared with SRK-T and Haigis formulas, the average error of IOL refractive power predicted by XLQ formula was Lower, with significant differences between them (both at P=0.000). The error value of IOL refractive power predicted by XLQ formula had no statistical correlations with axial length (AL), keratometry (K) and A constant respectively (all at P>0.05), while the error value predicted by SRK-T and Haigis formulas had statistical correlations with AL, K and A constant, respectively (all at P<0.05). Thirty-seven patients who had conducted LASIK for myopia (and whose IOL refractive power value were predicted by XLQ formula) had been undergone the postoperative examination.Comparing the predicted and actual value, the error range of IOL refractive power was -0.52 to + 1.18 D, and the absolute average error was (0.49±0.26)D. Conclusions The conventional mode of the XLQ formula established in this study can be used in the cases with broad values of axial length, corneal curvature and A constant, as well as various types of physiological cornea and RK postoperative eyes; the dedicated mode is suitable for LASIK postoperative eyes of myopia. Key words: Cataract; Intraocular lens; Formula; A constant; Cornea curvature; Axial length; Radial keratotomy; Laser in situ keratomileusis

Reflection and refraction of plane waves in layered nonlocal elastic and anisotropic thermoelastic medium

In the present paper, we have considered a layered medium of two semi-infinite nonlocal elastic solids with intermediate transversely isotropic magnetothermoelastic solid. The intermediate slab is of uniform thickness with the effects of two temperature, rotation and Hall current and with and without energy dissipation. A plane longitudinal or transverse wave propagating through one of the nonlocal elastic solid half spaces, is made incident upon transversely isotropic slab and it results into various reflected and refracted waves. The amplitude ratios of various reflected and refracted waves are obtained by using appropriate boundary conditions. The effect of nonlocal parameter on the variation of various amplitude ratios with angle of incidence are depicted graphically. Some cases of interest are also deduced.

Development of Experiment about Light Refracted by a Lens using a Laser Pointer with an Attached Head Converter and a Multi-color LED and its Application for Effective Understanding in Refraction Concept

Development of Experiment about Light Refracted by a Lens using a Laser Pointer with an Attached Head Converter and a Multi-color LED and its Application for Effective Understanding in Refraction Concept

Effect of energy dissipation on plane waves in sandwiched layered thermoelastic medium

In the present investigation, a plane P (longitudinal) wave is made incident upon a transversely isotropic magnetothermoelastic solid slab of uniform thickness, interposed between two different semi-infinite viscoelastic solids. The transversely isotropic magnetothermoelastic sandwiched layer is homogeneous with combined effects of two temperature, rotation and Hall current in the context of GN Type-II and Type-III (1993) theory of thermoelasticity. The amplitude ratios of various reflected and refracted waves are obtained by using appropriate boundary conditions. The effect of energy dissipation on various amplitude ratios of longitudinal wave with angle of incidence are depicted graphically. Some cases of interest are also deduced from the present investigation.

Drying of peach (Prunus persica) using the refracting window technique

The investigation is framed in the biometric measures the characterizations of the aguaymanto expended in the alley of Huaylas as well as its hygienization with ozonated water, and then standardized the chemical peeling with 2 percent of soda and temperatures of 80o and 85o with immersion times of 2 minutes.The peeled pulps of Aguaymanto were subjected to the syrups with sugar solutions and in solutions of bee honey of 35, 45.50 Brix, at temperatures of: 25 ° C, 30 ° C, 35 ° C and Immersion times: 150 min, 180 min, 210 min respectively, reaching a final humidity of 22 percent.The optimum parameters for Osmo dehydration of Aguaymanto in solutions of honey of Bee is using 50% of soluble solids at 35 ° C that in a period of 150 minutes reaches its balance, reason why it is possible to prolong the life of Aguaymanto by more of 30 days by the use of direct osmohydration without altering its shape or texture. The characteristics of sensorial quality that showed the products were of acceptable and of preference on the products traditionally offered in the market.The research carried out in the valley of Callejon de Huaylas in the provinces of Yungay and Carhuaz with peaches of the peach variety, sought other forms of transformation in the line of dehydrated products, using new technologies that allow energy saving as well produccion con variables cuantificables sobreas maintenance of its nutritional qualities, functional organoleptic as is the dehydration in refracting window.The work used peaches of discarding taking advantage of its pulp usable arriving at the following conclusions arriving at the conclusions; the parameters of dehydration of the peach through the use of refractory window without using temperatures higher than 60 ° C report the following values: Mo: Initial solids moisture: 5,214 (mg H 2 O / mg ss) - Rc: Constant drying rate (Mg H 2 O) / (mm 2 x min) - Mc: Critical Humidity: 2.23 mg H2O / mg ss - Me: Equilibrium Humidity: 0.85 mg / mg ss. Values of the dehydration kinetics obtaining a drying rate of 0.011 (mg H 2 O) / (mm 2 x min), to maintain its characteristics, technological, nutritional, functional and sensorial.The optimum parameters for dewatering in a refractory window were 60 degrees Celsius in a time of 4 hours, the dimensions of the solid for dehydration through the refracting window were 40 mm long, 15 mm wide and 3 mm thick.The drying curves in the graph allowed to have a dehydrated peach of intermediate humidity with 40.43 percent of humidity, 59.57 percent of dry matter, 57.36 percent of sugar, acidity of 0.68 percent of malic acid, 2.47 percent of reducing sugars and a lower microbial load of 1.32 CFU / g. Discarding peaches were used without commercial value in quantities of 2 kilograms, 8 percent of 25 kilograms representing on average 36 units that dehydrated has a great commercial value.

Polyphemus: A Refracted Image of the Iliadic Warriors through the Odyssean Lens

Polyphemus: A Refracted Image of the Iliadic Warriors through the Odyssean Lens

Refracted Artifacts: The Honours of Scotland's Illusion of Security

Refracted Artifacts: The Honours of Scotland's Illusion of Security

Overview and outlook of GNSS remote sensing technology and applications

The Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs), including the United States Global Positioning System (GPS), Russian GLONASS, the European Union's Galileo, and China's BeiDou, provide L-band microwave signals with high temporal resolution. These systemshave extended the applications of the GNSS from positioning/navigation to remote sensing. Since the 1990s, the versatile refracted GNSS signals have been successfully demonstrated to sound the ionosphere and troposphere. In the pasttwo decades, reflected signals, which involve making measurements of the reflections from the Earth, have shown theircapacity for earth observations over wateror land. On the basis of such background, GNSS remote sensing, as a hybrid of GNSS and remote sensing, has been developed over the years. The concepts of GNSS remote sensing can be summarized into two categories: GNSS refractometryand GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R). The applications of GNSS remote sensing involves atmospheric water vapor, seismo-ionospheric disturbances, oceans, lands, hydrology, and the cryosphere. To further promote the applications of the GNSS remote sensing technology in atmospheric, seismic, and water cycle studies, this review systematically introduces the international and domestic forefront of GNSS remote sensing technology and its applications, with a focus on GNSS/meteorology, GNSS ionospheric seismology, GNSS radio occultation, ocean observations, land applications, cryosphere applications,and missions of GNSS-R. We also discuss and provide an overview of the bottlenecks related to the further development of each branch of GNSS remote sensing. The next generations of GNSS systems, especially GPS III and BeiDou II, are expected to show improved performance and offer excellentcapabilities to users around the globe. This study can provide references for the future development of GNSS remote sensing technologiesand otherrelated subjects. © 2016, Science Press. All right reserved.

Class Actions As Firms

Class action literature is fixated on principal-agent problems—a near-singular focus that has largely been tracked by the courts, which frequently treat the class action mechanism as a Pandora’s box of agency costs. The ascent of the “principal-agent framework” is unsurprising. The divide between class members and class counsel gives rise to a host of classical principal-agent problems: self interested class counsel often have incentives to act contrary to the interests of class members, and class representatives are poor monitors of such behavior. However, the hegemony of this framework can misguide courts, which not only aggressively regulate genuine principal-agent problems, as they should, but also regularly constrain the size and scope of class actions without explaining why doing so mitigates agency costs. That said, the principal-agent framework rests on an often-assumed, important, and inarguable foundation: principal-agent problems arise because class actions separate ownership (litigation interests belonging to class members) from management (class counsel). This Article refracts the frame of analysis by one degree—from the principal agent framework to Coasean firm analysis. Descriptively, the class action is a like firm. Class actions are, like firms, comprised of ownership interests that aggregate to avoid the higher costs of acting alone in the market, cede control to a manager to achieve efficiencies, and operate pursuant to a profit motive. Moreover, like a firm, there is a natural—almost organic—limit to the growth of a class action: it will expand until litigating outside the class action would prove less costly than additional “growth.” This Article’s “firm framework” is consonant with the most useful components of the principal-agent framework—those that rest on the separation of ownership and management—yet breaks with the traditionalist account in important ways.

Tidal Analysis and Prediction for the Gangra Location, Hooghly Estuary in the Bay of Bengal

The Hooghly estuary located in the head Bay of Bengal region is a part of the highly dynamic deltaic environment. Tidal variations are pre-dominant in this estuary, and tides propagate considerable distance through a complex network of various riverine systems, inlets, bays and creeks having vital implications on water mass exchange, reworking of deltaic sediments and the mixing process. The Hooghly River houses two major ports of national importance, viz. Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex. Tidal forcing is primarily semi-diurnal in nature and with the presence of complex riverine morphology, the tidal characteristics are substantially modified causing various tidal constituents of compound tides. The present study performs location-specific tidal analysis and prediction utilizing one-hourly tide data with SLPR2 harmonic tidal analysis tool for Gangra situated upstream of the Hooghly River. In a geomorphologic perspective, the water-level elevation at Gangra results from natural tidal flow, as well as refracted effects from cross-flow due to the presence of two natural island barriers, namely Sagar Island situated southward off Gangra and Nayachara in the east. The Hooghly channel comprises of complex bathymetric features and tidal analysis at Gangra reveals the presence of Msf (luni-solar synodic fortnightly) tidal constituent. Very few locations in India have reported on the existence of the Msf tides, and Gangra is one among them. This study also performs a comprehensive validation between the computed monthly tidal prediction from SLPR2 and measured water level at Gangra. The skill level of prediction exhibits a good match. This study also investigates the influence of atmospheric effects on sea-level pressure variations and the resultant water-level elevation from extreme weather events such as depressions and severe cyclonic storms that occurred during 2013. The study signifies the importance of tidal analysis and prediction for operational needs.

A Responsividade do leitor no gênero “Carta do Leitor” na mídia impressa de referência: Análise de polêmicas discursivas na perspectiva bakhtiniana

O presente artigo tem como objetivo expor parte de uma pesquisa, desenvolvida em nivel de pos-doutorado, cujo proposito e investigar a responsividade do leitor no genero “carta do leitor” em enunciados concretos publicados pelos jornais Folha de S. Paulo, O Estado de S. Paulo e revista Veja. O estudo considera, especificamente, os discursos refratados, sinalizados por meio das polemicas aberta e velada, entabulados pelos leitores de cada um dos veiculos de comunicacao, a partir da arquitetonica constitutiva dos enunciados concretos. O enfoque analitico se centralizara no modo como os leitores polemizam os discursos representativos das esferas politicas instituidas, observando-se um contexto de transicao politica caracterizado pelo ultimo governo militar. Para tanto, foram selecionadas cartas publicadas, concomitantemente, nos tres veiculos, na primeira quinzena de fevereiro de 1980, uma vez que o presente artigo observa os eventos que ganharam repercussao nas tres empresas constitutivas da midia impressa de referencia.

Refracting the Religious: Reworking Origins in H.D., Djuna Barnes and Laura (Riding) Jackson

Cet article explore la relation dialectique aux questions religieuses et spirituelles dans l’œuvre poetique de H.D., de Djuna Barnes et de Laura (Riding) Jackson. En depit d’un profond rejet des systemes et des institutions, leur langage poetique est emaille de references, citations et allusions bibliques dont l’effet est de constituer une poetique d’autorevelation et d’auto(pro)creation. L’analyse des modalites de traitement de la question spirituelle dans l’œuvre poetique de ces auteurs permet de montrer qu’elles refractent le religieux afin d’interroger l’origine et l’originalite de toute creation.

Looking through the Wrong End of the Telescope? Refracting Sacrosanctum Concilium

Foley employs the use of a traditional refracting telescope as a metaphor for the process of interpretation that has surrounded Sacrosanctum Concilium ( SC ) since 1963. He cautions that the misuse of the telescope creates serious distortions and even polar opposite readings of things and events. A poorly refracted interpretation of SC can do the same. From the earliest post-Vatican II days various interpretive approaches and frameworks appeared, and most have been helpful toward implementing its teachings. However, Foley holds that what is common and most problematic is the way that SC – or more frequently specific teachings of SC – is interpreted through documents of obviously lesser magisterial weight. A glaring example of this reverse interpretation can be found in the 2001 Vatican Instruction Liturgiam Authenticam , On the use of Vernacular Languages in the Publication of the Books of the Roman Liturgy. This kind of reverse refraction often leads to not only to a minimizing of the teachings of SC but sometimes even their reversal.

Quantitative measurement of macular ganglion cell complex thickness by spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Background Glaucoma is primarily characterized by the damage of retinal ganglion cells.The macular ganglion cell complex (GCC)thickness can be quantitatively measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT). Objective This clinical study was to explore the macular GCC thickness change in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patient with SD-OCT. Methods A serial case-controlled study was designed.A total 101 eyes of 101 POAG patients and 41 normal eyes of 41 age- and refract power-matched normal subjects were cnrolled in the study.POAG patients were assigned to normal perimetry POAG group,early stage POAG group,advanced POAG group and late stage POAG group.Average macular GCC thickness(GCC-Avg),superior GCC thickness(GCC-Sup) and inferior GCC thickness (GCC-Inf)of subjects were measured by SD-OCT and compared among POAG patients and normal controls.Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thickness was measured with time domain OCT(TD-OCT).The correlation between GCC thickness with RNFL thickness or mean deviation(MD) of perimetry were evaluated and analyzed.Informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to entering this study.Results GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness and GCC-Inf thickness were significantly decreased in the normalperimetry POAG group and early stage POAG group compared with the normal control group (GCC-Avg:t =5.411,10.247,P ＜ 0.01 ; GCC-Sup:t =6.171,9.484,P＜ 0.01 ; GCC-Inf:t =5.281,8.592,P ＜ 0.01 ).Also,GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness and GCC-Inf thickness were significantly decreased in the advanced POAG group compared with the early stage POAG group ( GCC-Avg:t =4.246,P＜0.01 ; GCC-Sup:t - 2.419,P - 0.019 ; GCC-Inf:t =4.636,P＜0.01 ),and GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness and GCC-Inf thickness were significantly decreased in the late stage POAG group compared with the advanced POAG group (GCC-Avg:t=2.095,P=0.040;GCC-Sup:t=2.756,P＜0.01:GCC-Inf:t =2.018,P =0.040 ).The positive correlations were seen between GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness,GCC-Inf thickness and RNFL-Avg thickness,RNFL-Sup thickness,RNFL-Inf thickness respectively( r =0.802,0.825,0.856,P ＜ 0.01 ).MD value of perimetry was positive correlated with GCC-Avg thickness in POAG patients ( r =0.601,P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions SD-OCT can quantitatively measure and differentiate the GCC thickness in POAG patients.The GCC thickness gradually decreases with the development of POAG.There exist a well correlation between visual field defect and RNFL thinning. Key words: Optical coherence tomography/spectral domain, time domain; Retina; Nerve fiber layer; Glaucoma

Prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in older adults in rural Shandong Province

To describe the prevalence of visual impairment/blindness among older adults aged > or = 50 years in rural populations in Shandong Province, China. Population-based, cross-sectional study was designed in this survey. Three counties and one suburbs representative of the different levels of socioeconomic development were selected as the study areas within the province from April to July 2008. Geographically defined cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting a cross-section of residents aged > or = 50 years from each county. Eligible persons were invited to local examination sites for visual acuity (VA) testing and eye examination. Those presenting with VA < or = 0.5 in either eye were refracted to achieve best-corrected VA. Chi2-test was used to compare the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in the different groups. Multiple logistic regressions were used to investigate the association of age, gender, education, and county with presenting and best-corrected visual impairment and blindness. Adjusted odds ratio was used to compare the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in the different counties. Of 19 583 enumerated eligible persons, 17 816 (90.98%) were examined and tested for VA. The prevalence of presenting visual impairment (0.05- < 0.3) in the better-seeing eye was 7.01% (the age-standardized rate was 6.56%) and presenting blindness (< 0.05) was 1.58% (the age-standardized rate was 1.48%). Across the 4 counties, presenting visual impairment ranged from 4.51% to 8.65%, and presenting blindness from 1.35% to 1.77%. With best-corrected VA, the prevalence of visual impairment was 3.66% (the age-standardized rate was 3.38%), and 1.33% for blindness (the age-standardized rate was 1.24%). The ranges across the 4 counties were 2.63% to 4.38% for visual impairment and 1.06%-1.54% for blindness. The prevalence of visual impairment with presenting VA was higher than that with best-corrected VA (2 = 201.262, P = 0.000). There was no significant difference between the prevalence of blindness with presenting VA and that with best-corrected VA (Chi2 = 0.117, P = 0.732). Based on both presenting and best-corrected VA, visual impairment and blindness were associated with older age, female gender, lack of education, and county (P < or = 0.05). Visual impairment and blindness are important public health problems in rural older adults aged > or = 50 years in Shandong Province. Un-corrected refractive error is one of the main causes of visual impairment.