bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomistic simulations of ultra-short pulse laser ablation of aluminum: validity of the Lambert-Beer law
Authors: Eisfeld Eugen , Roth Johannes
Published: May 2018

Based on hybrid molecular dynamics/two-temperature simulations, we study the validity of the application of Lambert-Beer’s law, which is conveniently used in various modeling approaches of ultra-short pulse laser ablation of metals. The method is compared to a more rigorous treatment, which involves solving the Helmholtz wave equation for different pulse durations ranging from 100 fs to 5 ps and a wavelength of 800 nm. Our simulations show a growing agreement with increasing pulse durations, and we provide appropriate optical parameters for all investigated pulse durations.
Virtual Reconstruction of Historical Men’s Suit
Authors: Kuzmichev Victor , Moskvin Aleksei , Moskvina Mariya
Published: May 2018

Nowadays, the virtual technology is being widely applied in the area of clothing design and try-on. However, the possibilities of these technologies cover only the contemporary marketable clothes, while the insight in the aspect of historical costume is very limited. In this research, we developed the method that allows to reconstruct and do the virtual try-on of historical men’s suit consisting from four different garments—trousers, shirts, vest, and coat. The method includes, on one hand, the analysis of pattern drafting systems, patterns construction, special means of bespoke tailoring that were popular in the history and, on the other hand, the way of its adapting and preparing to contemporary technologies of 2D and 3D design. The exploration was done with men’s suit and the patterns from the nineteenth century. We studied how the tailors took all measurements, the content of size charts including divisional, direct measurements, and its combination. To parameterize the historical patterns of men’s clothes, we created the schedule of special indexes. We developed the method how to identify the means of garment shaping by steam pressing, which are hiding in the patterns, and how to perform ones by darts. The preparation of historical patterns to virtual try-on was done by CAD. As example, the reconstruction of full-dress suite painted on the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha’ portrait (1840) was done, and high adequacy between the historical prototype and the virtual suit has been proved.
The diet and feeding rates of gastropod grazers in Singapore’s seagrass meadows
Authors: Fong Jia Min , Lai Samantha , Yaakub Siti Maryam , Ow Yan Xiang , Todd Peter A.
Published: May 2018

A wide variety of organisms are known to graze on seagrasses and their associated epiphytes, and this plant-animal interaction can affect the health of seagrass meadows. Grazing patterns tend to vary across meadows and faunal groups, and little is known regarding how gastropod grazers influence meadows in the tropics. To better understand this interaction, we surveyed the gastropod diversity in five meadows in Singapore. Further, grazing potential (i.e. potential food sources and feeding rates) of common gastropod species was quantified throughex situgrazing experiments, while their diet compositions were elucidated using dual δ13C and δ15N stable isotope analyses. The surveys revealed a high diversity of 274 gastropod species/morphospecies while PERMANOVA and SIMPER analyses showed that communities differed significantly among sites but not among seagrass species. Diet composition analysis indicated that seagrass leaves were the main food source for most gastropod species examined while epiphytes were important for microsnail (shell size <5 mm) species. However, all the gastropod species tested fed on epiphytes in theex situexperiments. These findings contribute new insights into grazing by marine gastropods on tropical seagrass meadows, and highlight the potential importance of both direct grazing and epiphyte removal on tropical meadows.
Active listenership: Developing beginners’ interactional competence
Authors: Yeh Meng
Published: May 2018

This teaching unit aims to develop beginning students’ interactional competence in using linguistic resources to show one’s active listenership in conversation. The unit uses naturally occurring conversation as teaching materials and guides students to examine the interactional practices between interlocutors. The activities developed in this unit lead students to notice recipients’ responses toward prior talks, to analyze the actions achieved by verbal responses, and to apply the interactional resources and knowledge when conversing with L1 speakers. The unit was designed based on the research findings of interactional competence (IC) and Conversation Analysis (CA).
Detecting molecular forms of antithrombin by LC-MRM-MS: defining the measurands
Authors: Ruhaak L. Renee , Romijn Fred P.H.T.M. , Smit Nico P.M. , van der Laarse Arnoud , Pieterse Mervin M. , de Maat Moniek P.M. , Haas Fred J.L.M. , Kluft Cornelis , Amiral Jean , Meijer Piet , Cobbaert Christa M.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Antithrombin (AT) is a critical regulator of coagulation, and its overall activity is typically measured using functional tests. A large number of molecular forms of AT have been identified and each individual carries multiple molecular proteoforms representing variable activities. Conventional functional tests are completely blind for these proteoforms. A method that ensures properly defined measurands for AT is therefore needed. We here assess whether mass spectrometry technology, in particular multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), is suitable for the quantification of AT and the qualitative detection of its molecular proteoforms.

Methods:

Plasma proteins were denatured, reduced and alkylated prior to enzymatic digestion. MRM transitions were developed towards tryptic peptides and glycopeptides using AT purified from human plasma. For each peptide, three transitions were measured, and stable isotope-labeled peptides were used for quantitation. Completeness of digestion was assessed using digestion time curves.

Results:

MRM transitions were developed for 19 tryptic peptides and 4 glycopeptides. Two peptides, FDTISEK and FATTFYQHLADSK, were used for quantitation, and using a calibration curve of isolated AT in 40 g/L human serum albumin, CVs below 3.5% were obtained for FDTISEK, whereas CVs below 8% were obtained for FATTFYQHLADSK. Of the 26 important AT mutations, 20 can be identified using this method, while altered glycosylation profiles can also be detected.

Conclusions:

We here show the feasibility of the liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC-MRM-MS) technique for the quantitation of AT and the qualitative analysis of most of its molecular proteoforms. Knowing the measurands will enable standardization of AT tests by providing in-depth information on the molecular proteoforms of AT.
National surveys on internal quality control for blood gas analysis and related electrolytes in clinical laboratories of China
Authors: Duan Min , Wang Wei , Zhao Haijian , Zhang Chuanbao , He Falin , Zhong Kun , Yuan Shuai , Wang Zhiguo
Published: May 2018

Background:

Internal quality control (IQC) is essential for precision evaluation and continuous quality improvement. This study aims to investigate the IQC status of blood gas analysis (BGA) in clinical laboratories of China from 2014 to 2017.

Methods:

IQC information on BGA (including pH, pCO2, pO2, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl−) was submitted by external quality assessment (EQA) participant laboratories and collected through Clinet-EQA reporting system in March from 2014 to 2017. First, current CVs were compared among different years and measurement systems. Then, percentages of laboratories meeting five allowable imprecision specifications for each analyte were calculated, respectively. Finally, laboratories were divided into different groups based on control rules and frequency to compare their variation trend.

Results:

The current CVs of BGA were significantly decreasing from 2014 to 2017. pH and pCO2 got the highest pass rates when compared with the minimum imprecision specification, whereas pO2, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl− got the highest pass rates when 1/3 TEa imprecision specification applied. The pass rates of pH, pO2, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl− were significantly increasing during the 4 years. The comparisons of current CVs among different measurement systems showed that the precision performance of different analytes among different measurement systems had no regular distribution from 2014 to 2017. The analysis of IQC practice indicated great progress and improvement among different years.

Conclusions:

The imprecision performance of BGA has improved from 2014 to 2017, but the status of imprecision performance in China remains unsatisfying. Therefore, further investigation and continuous improvement measures should be taken.
The Impact of Christian Education on Miao: A Case Study of Han Jie
Authors: Zhu Jili , 佶丽 朱
Published: May 2018

Han Jie (韩杰) belonged to the Flower Miao, a sub-group of the Miao in southwest China. When foreign missionaries began to evangelize among the Miao of China in the early twentieth century, they emphasized education and set up numerous schools to teach literacy. Learning literacy was not just an educational achievement, it allowed the Miao to imagine that they could have a better way out and be more than just poor farmers. Han Jie was the first generation of graduates of British Methodist Church schools, and he went on to set up more schools in remote areas, thus spreading literacy among poor Miao. Through contact and communication with different denominations, Han Jie felt that the Miao people needed an independent, self-reliant church；accordingly he poured his energy into increasing the sense of autonomy among the Flower Miao through evangelization and education. This paper examines the influence of Christian introduction to Miao identity and Miao ethnic relations through the biography of Han Jie. I argue that the history of religious proselytization transformed the Miao, their relations with their church ultimately determining their relations with the Chinese state as well. Thus Christian evangelization played a pivotal role in shaping Miao identity under the Nationalist regime of the Republic of China.
Health for All in Dhaka: CHEMRAWN helps establish an International Centre for Natural Product Research
Authors: Sydnes Leiv K.
Published: May 2018

After a long-lasting and demanding effort, a dream has come true: plans to establish the International Centre for Natural Product Research (ICNPR) in Dhaka, Bangladesh are becoming a reality. At the end of November 2017, the Islamic Development Bank approved a significant loan that made it possible to achieve an ambitious idea. The centre will be built at, and become an integrated part of, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences in Dhaka. This odyssey would never have become a success if it had not been for Professor Mohammad Mosihuzzaman, who worked relentlessly to build international support for the idea through IUPAC projects and CHEMRAWN XX.
Dynamical Temperature from the Phase Space Trajectory
Authors: Baranyai András
Published: May 2018

In classical statistical mechanics the trajectory in phase space represents the propagation of a classical Hamiltonian system. While trajectories play a key role in chaotic system theory, exploitation of a single trajectory has yet to be considered. This work shows that for ergodic dynamical systems the dynamical temperature can be derived using phase space trajectories.
Selective Removal of Hydrogen Sulphide from Industrial Gas Mixtures Using Zeolite NaA
Authors: Kristóf Tamás
Published: May 2018

Hydrogen sulphide removal from simple gas mixtures using a highly polar zeolite was studied by molecular simulation. The equilibrium adsorption properties of hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen, methane and their mixtures on dehydrated zeolite NaA were computed by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Existing all-atom intermolecular potential models were optimized to reproduce the adsorption isotherms of the pure substances. The adsorption results of the mixture, also confirmed by IAST calculations, showed very high selectivities of hydrogen sulphide to the investigated non-polar gases, predicting an outstanding performance of zeolite NaA in technological applications that target hydrogen sulphide capture.
Dynamic Simulator-Based APC Design for a Naphtha Redistillation Column
Authors: Szabó László , Stocz Klára Kubovicsné , Szabó Laura , Németh Sándor , Szeifert Ferenc
Published: May 2018

In this simulation study the operation of a naphtha redistillation column (a column with two feeds and three products) was analyzed with the application of Aspen HYSYS® software. The simulator, structure of local controllers and the product-quality estimators were based on the data of an industrial column in the Danube Refinery. The aim of the analysis was to identify the dynamic and steady-state effects of heating and cooling as well as the sidestream of product qualities. The relationship between the tray temperatures and the quality of the products was also identified and inferential calculations were made. Based on the identified relationships, a twolevel hierarchical control structure was developed. On the lowest level of the hierarchy are the local controllers of flowrates, liquid levels, pressure and duty. The inferential calculations are important components of the controller which serve as the controlled variables at the coordination level. The inputs of the estimators are the process data of the column, e.g. temperature, pressure and flowrate. On the top level of the control hierarchical structure the quality of the products are controlled by manipulating the setpoint of the local controllers. Based on the analysis of the Controlled Variable – Manipulated Variable relationship, closed-loop quality control was achieved with PID controllers. The result of the analysis may form the basis of Advanced Process Controller implementation.
Formation, Photophysics, Photochemistry and Quantum Chemistry of the Out-of-Plane Metalloporphyrins
Authors: Valicsek Zsolt , Kiss Melitta P. , Fodor Melinda A. , Imran Muhammad , Horváth Ottó
Published: May 2018

Among the complexes of porphyrins, special attention has been paid to those possessing out-of-plane (OOP) structures, for the formation of which the size, as well as the coordinative character of the metal center are responsible. In these coordination compounds, the central atom cannot fit coplanarly into the cavity of the ligand, hence, it is located above the porphyrin plane, distorting it. Equilibria and kinetics of the complex formation, spectrophotometric, photophysical and primary photochemical properties of post-transition and lanthanide OOP metalloporphyrins were investigated, in addition electronic structural calculations were performed; hence, the general OOP characteristics were determined.Meanwhile, few doubtful questions have attempted to be answered concerning the categorization of metalloporphyrins, the borderline case complexes and hyperporphyrins.
Adapting the SDEWES Index to Two Hungarian Cities
Authors: Sebestyén Viktor , Somogyi Viola , Szőke Szandra , Utasi Anett
Published: May 2018

Numerous cities aim to mitigate their contribution to climate change and provide a liveable environment in the context of sustainable development. In order to measure these efforts, benchmarking performance would be a good solution. Methods for environmental analysis have their limitations when it comes to evaluating a city and other aggregated indicators focus on certain aspects of a sustainable or liveable settlement. The SDEWES Index was used for benchmarking several cities of different sizes in terms of metrics related to energy, water and environmental systems successfully thus it was chosen to compare the performance of Veszprém and Zalaegerszeg, two environmentally conscious Hungarian county seats of roughly the same size and population. The SDEWES Index consists of 7 dimensions, namely energy consumption, industrial profile with CO2 emissions, CO2-saving measures, R&D, renewable energy potential and utilization, water and environmental quality, and social environment and sustainability policy. Each dimension is composed of 5 indicators that provide information on sustainable development of energy, water and environmental systems in cities. Using the SDEWES Index the strengths and weaknesses of the two cities are highlighted, locating those key parameters where improvement can be achieved. Both for Veszprém and Zalaegerszeg progress could be realized concerning energy-saving measures and the proportion of green areas could be increased. To improve the method and facilitate a more comprehensive comparison of cities of differing sizes, data should be provided concerning the territory or population. Also, the definition and inclusion of a worst and best case scenario that takes into account the parameters would be advantageous in terms of a comparison. These were named ‘horror’ and SDEWES cities by the authors, respectively.
Initial Electrical Parameter Validation in Lead-Acid Battery Model Used for State Estimation
Authors: Csomós Bence , Fodor Dénes , Kohlrusz Gábor
Published: May 2018

The paper presents a current impulse-based excitation method for lead-acid batteries in order to define the initial electrical parameters for model-based online estimators. The presented technique has the capability to track the SoC (State of Charge) of a battery, however, it is not intended to be used for online SoC estimations. The method is based on the battery’s electrical equivalent Randles’ model [1]. Load current impulse excitation was applied to the battery clamps during discharge while the voltage and current was logged. Based on the Randles’ model, a model function and a fit function were implemented and used by exponential regression based on the measured data. The diffusion-related non-linear characteristic of the battery was approximated by a capacitorlike linear voltage function for speed and simplicity. The initial capacitance of this bulk capacitor was estimated by linear regression on measurements recorded in the laboratory. Then, the RC parameters of the equivalent battery model were derived from exponential regression on transients during each current impulse cycle. The battery model with initial RC parameters is suitable for model-based online observers.
Modelling the Partial Demineralization Process of Cow Milk by Superpro Designer
Authors: Csighy Attila , Koris András , Vatai Gyula
Published: May 2018

Milk and dairy products contain a number of biologically active compounds (proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals) that are essential for human nutrition. The most common procedures for demineralization are based on ion exchange-, nanofiltration- and electrodialysis-based technologies. In this study, the application of membrane filtration-based partial demineralization of cow milk was investigated and the process modelled. Using design equations, the partial demineralization process was designed and the economy of the process calculated. The modelling and simulation of the partial demineralization process was carried out by the SuperPro Designer programme. As the first step the unit operations of the demineralization technology were defined using the tools of the programme. The SuperPro Designer possesses industrial tools with reactor models, chemical components, a database of mixtures, and price estimations. By analysing the influence of the operation parameters, the feasibility of the proposed process was investigated. From the results of the modelling it can be concluded that the partial demineralization process can be successfully implemented, achieving the expected demineralization rates with a relatively good payback time of two years.
Microencapsulation of Vegetable Oil: Alternative Approaches Using Membrane Technology and Spray Drying
Authors: Albert Krisztina , Vatai Gyula , Koris András
Published: May 2018

Microencapsulation technology is a method that is widely used in the food industry. By comparing the latest encapsulation techniques, a significant number of publications concern membrane technology. The term “membrane- based encapsulation” entails that the first step of the technique is the preparation of emulsion with the help of microporous membranes. Generally, in microencapsulation technologies, the wall material is dissolved in a continuous phase and oil is dispersed within it. In the present investigation, a new method of preparing microcapsules composed of vegetable oil and maltodextrin was developed. In the first step, the wall material (maltodextrin) was dissolved in oil and considered as a dispersed phase, subsequently, it was introduced into a continuous phase (water) through a microporous membrane. A comparative study was conducted between conventional microencapsulation techniques and one developed in our laboratory. The average particle size of microcapsules prepared by our method is smaller than the size allowed by other methods. After encapsulation preparation, fine-tuned microcapsules were produced by spray drying. However, the main disadvantage of our proposed technology is rapid membrane fouling, because of high concentrations of solute in the dispersed phase. This problem can be eliminated by judicious and systematic investigations.
State-of-the-Art Recovery of Fermentative Organic Acids by Ionic Liquids: An Overview
Authors: Tonova Konstantza
Published: May 2018

The main achievements of liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) of fermentative organic acids from their aqueous sources using a diverse range of ionic liquids are summarized since the first study appeared in 2004. The literature survey is organized in consideration of the distinct chemical structures of the organic acids. The acids discussed include mono– or dicarboxylic ones (butyric, L-malic and succinic acids), acids bearing both carboxyl and hydroxyl groups (L-lactic, citric and mevalonic acids), and volatile organic acids (mainly acetic acid). Information is given about ionic liquids applied in recovery, and the resultant extraction efficiencies and partition coefficients. As the topic is novel and experimental studies scarce, the selection of the ionic liquids that were tested still seems random. This may well change in the future, especially after improving the ecological and toxicological characteristics of the ionic liquids in order to bring about an “in situ” method of extraction without harming the microbial producers of the organic acids.
Perceptions of sexual abstinence among Muslim adolescent girls in southern Thailand
Authors: Piriyasart Jitlada , Songwathana Praneed , Kools Susan
Published: May 2018

Background

Sex before marriage among Muslim adolescents is becoming a serious issue in Muslim societies exemplified by an increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy. Sexual abstinence is an optimal goal for adolescent health from an Islamic perspective. Muslim adolescent girls’ perceptions have not been investigated, therefore, we lack understanding of their strengths and the risks that may contribute to outcomes such as pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

Objective

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize Muslim adolescent girls’ perceptions of sexual abstinence.

Methodology

This participatory action study was conducted at an Islamic school in southern Thailand. Twenty-five girls, ages 12–14 years old, were purposively selected to participate in the study. Content analysis was used for data analysis.

Results

Two salient themes were discovered that characterize Muslim adolescent girls’ perceptions about sexual abstinence: sexual abstinence is a means of self-protection and sex outside marriage is restricted by Islam, but it seems to be difficult to adhere to.

Conclusions

Religious values, family and peers play a central role in shaping thoughts and decisions about abstaining from sex. The integration of religious principles with building practical refusal skills, is needed to promote Muslim adolescent health.
Does it take a village? Fostering gender equity among early adolescents in Nepal
Authors: Lundgren Rebecka , Gibbs Susannah , Kerner Brad
Published: May 2018

Background

Gender inequity contributes to a range of poor health outcomes. Early adolescence presents a window of opportunity for gender transformative interventions to shift inequitable gender norms, attitudes and behaviors.

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate a set of individual, family and community interventions to increase gender equity among very young adolescents (VYAs) in rural Nepal.

Methods

Two communities received the individual-level Choices intervention as well the family and community Voices and Promises interventions (CVP). Two comparison communities received only Choices. Samples of 1200 VYAs and 600 parents were interviewed at baseline before implementation and at end line 1 year later.

Results

In both CVP and Choices only areas most measures of gender norms, attitudes, and behaviors improved, suggesting a positive effect of the individual-level intervention. Increases in norms, attitudes, and behaviors reported by VYAs were generally greater in CVP areas compared to Choices areas, suggesting an added benefit from the family and community interventions. Parent-reported measures did not demonstrate an intervention effect of the family and community interventions. Uneven evaluation results, particularly among parents, may reflect implementation challenges such as the compressed 3-month intervention period due to the 2015 earthquakes and subsequent political unrest.

Conclusion

Overall findings are encouraging and suggest that adding family and community interventions may improve gender equity.
Intensification of the Production of 2-Ethyl-Hexyl Acrylate: Batch Kinetics and Reactive Distillation
Authors: Talnikar Vivek D. , Deorukhkar Onkar A. , Katariya Amit , Mahajan Yogesh S.
Published: May 2018

The reaction of acrylic acid and 2-ethyl-1 hexanol was explored in this work with the intent of process intensification. In order to assess the effect of important parameters on the course of reaction, this work initially conducted batch reactor experiments. Reaction conditions in the batch reactor for a specific conversion (~ 30 %) were obtained. A kinetic model was then obtained through regression to arrive at a rate expression that is later used in process development. Experiments were performed in the reactive distillation (RD) environment in batch mode, which showed substantial increase in conversion (~ 80 %) indicating the applicability of RD. Further, this work performed simulation in the RD environment to assess process intensification. Simulations show that it is possible to obtain complete conversion of the acid.
Batter Rheology and Quality of Sponge Cake Enriched with High Percentage of Resistant Starch (Hi-maize)
Authors: Hedayati Sara , Majzoobi Mahsa , Farahnaky Asgar
Published: May 2018

Addition of resistant starch (RS) to foods improves their health benefits. However, quality and sensory properties of the products are scarified when high amounts of RS (>20%) are added. The main purpose of this study was to develop an acceptable cake containing high level of RS (>20%) and to fix the associated problems by addition of gluten powder. Wheat flour was replaced with 30%, 40% and 50 % of reconstituted flour; a mixture of RS and gluten powder (9:1, w/w) and some quality aspects of the batter and cakes were studied. With increasing the RS+gluten levels, pasting temperature increased while peak and final viscosities decreased. Batter density, viscosity, storage and loss moduli reduced whereas the size of air bubbles increased. Cake volume, height, porosity and hardness reduced, while the crust lightness and crumb darkness increased. Based on the sensory analysis a maximum of 40% RS+Gluten resulted in an acceptable cake quality.
Identity, doxastic co-indexation, and Frege’s puzzle
Authors: Corazza Eros
Published: May 2018

I will argue that Frege’s puzzle arises only in taking into consideration the cognizer’s viewpoint. Although this sounds trivial, it triggers some important consequences. In particular, Frege’s puzzle has nothing to do with the notion of identity. For, the puzzle rests on whether the speaker/hearer (or writer/reader)conceivesthe names flanking the identity-sign to be co-referential or not (independently of whether they arede factoco-referential). I will show how Frege’s attempted solution in theBegriffsschriftcan be rescued and how this may not conflict with the solution Frege proposes in introducing the sense/reference distinction. To do so, though, we should recognize that Frege worked with different (and somewhat conflicting) notions of content and that he assumed that only a single content expressed by an utterance should encompass all the information conveyed by a statement. In questioning this assumption Frege’s puzzle or a Frege-inspired puzzle can be addressed and understood from a different perspective.
Wagner versus Keynes: the causal nexus between Government Expenditures and Economic Growth: An Empirical study of Burkina Faso
Authors: Ampah Isaac Kwesi , Kotosz Balázs
Published: May 2018

The spending patterns of governments in the world especially developing economies have changed significantly over the last several decades. The main objective of this paper is analysing the relationship between government expenditures and growth in Burkina Faso’s economy. The study focuses on testing the various versions of Wagner’s hypothesis using the Burkina Faso data between 1960-2015 by an Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. Cointegration tests, the long-run parameters and causality tests found valid Keynesian and Wagnerian relationship, but results are sensitive to the variable definition; the use of relative and absolute measures, local and international currency leads to a different conclusion.
IMF programs and policies assessment in the transition economies during the transition and the post-transition period
Authors: Bellos Sotirios K.
Published: May 2018

We analyze empirically whether IMF financial assistance in 31 transition countries, during the transition and the post-transition period, has achieved the purposes stated in the IMF's own articles of agreement, namely employment enhancement, confidence provision and export promotion. By employing panel data and impact evaluation analysis, we find that IMF presence persistently fails to be correlated with upgrades in sovereign rating, FDI attraction and employment improvement. By focusing on specific IMF policies, we present some intriguing results, which reveal whether these individual policies actually contribute to the achievement of the official IMF purposes or not.
Harmony Search Algorithm for Patient Admission Scheduling Problem
Authors: Abu Doush Iyad , Al-Betar Mohammed Azmi , Awadallah Mohammed A. , Hammouri Abdelaziz I. , Al-Khatib Ra’ed M. , ElMustafa Saba , ALkhraisat Habes
Published: May 2018

The patient admission scheduling (PAS) problem is an optimization problem in which we assign patients automatically to beds for a specific period of time while preserving their medical requirements and their preferences. In this paper, we present a novel solution to the PAS problem using the harmony search (HS) algorithm. We tailor the HS to solve the PAS problem by distributing patients to beds randomly in the harmony memory (HM) while respecting all hard constraints. The proposed algorithm uses five neighborhood strategies in the pitch adjustment stage. This technique helps in increasing the variations of the generated solutions by exploring more solutions in the search space. The PAS standard benchmark datasets are used in the evaluation. Initially, a sensitivity analysis of the HS algorithm is studied to show the effect of its control parameters on the HS performance. The proposed method is also compared with nine methods: non-linear great deluge (NLGD), simulated annealing with hyper-heuristic (HH-SA), improved with equal hyper-heuristic (HH-IE), simulated annealing (SA), tabu search (TS), simple random simulated annealing with dynamic heuristic (DHS-SA), simple random improvement with dynamic heuristic (DHS-OI), simple random great deluge with dynamic heuristic (DHS-GD), and biogeography-based optimization (BBO). The proposed HS algorithm is able to produce comparably competitive results when compared with these methods. This proves that the proposed HS is a very efficient alternative to the PAS problem, which can be efficiently used to solve many scheduling problems of a large-scale data.
The New Approach to Identification of Parametric and Momentary Damages on the Basis of Lindeberg – Levy’s Model
Authors: Lindstedt Paweł , Sudakowski Tomasz , Kułaszka Artur
Published: May 2018

The new approach for the assessment of reliability condition of the exploited system, based on the appropriate analysis of changes in the current parameters of technical condition aRb and the regulation condition aRc, determined from the compressed condition equation (1 and 2). While analyzing the course of momentary parameters for technical condition aRb and the regulation condition aRc, it was observed that the parametric and momentary damages can be identified on the basis of quantitative relations between momentary threshold value dpr and corresponding momentary permissible value dpr dop, which are calculated from equation (7, 8, 9) resulting from Lindeberg–Levy’s theorem. It is assumed that the damages are prevailing, when for the moment θi: >dpri
> dpr dopi. With the number of damages (damage map), reliability parameters for each moment of exploitation of technical object (before the catastrophic damages will occur) can be determined. Parametric damages (expected lifetime E(T) and standard deviation of expected lifetime σE(T) provides the reasonable information for the appropriate planning of the servicing of exploitative objects.
Methodology for Processing of the Judge Rates in the Context of Aerobatic Competitions
Authors: Linka Anita , Frąckowiak Andrzej , Wróblewska Agnieszka
Published: May 2018

Aerobatics is a sport whose specificity significantly differs from other air disciplines. Aerial figures performed in a confined space (referred to as a ‘box’) are a challenge not only for the pilots, but also for the jury evaluating the competition. Subjective scores of the judges are converted by a dedicated FPS (Fair Play System) system. FPS is the basis for the ACRO scoring software (Aerobatic Contest Result Organizer) used to convert and publish the results of aerobatic contests organized worldwide. Due to the multi-aspect nature of data processing, the system is not always understood by the players. The paper attempts to explain various stages of calculations and explore issues associated with standard judging. This aspect is extremely important, not only for the competing pilots, but also for the judges and the viewers.
Synthesis of a Multi-Valued Diagnostic Model Using the Wigner-Ville Transformation
Authors: Borowczyk Henryk
Published: May 2018

The paper presents a method of creating a multi-valued diagnostic model using Wigner-Ville transformation of vibroacoustic signals measured on a real object. The result is a transformation matrix in which the rows correspond to the frequencies F and the column - times T of successive samples of the signal. Integer coding involves assigning values to the coefficient specified range of real numbers one integer. After applying the coding a multi-valued diagnostic model is obtained. The model describes the relationship between a set of significant frequencies, rms values of Wigner-Ville transform’s coefficients, and a set of diagnosed object failures.
Scopus as a Meta-Source of Knowledge About Turbine Blade Damage in the Aspect of Designing an Expert Diagnostic System
Authors: Borowczyk Henryk , Błachnio Józef , Spychała Jarosław
Published: May 2018

The paper presents the concept of using the Scopus as a meta-source of knowledge about turbine blade damage in the aspect of designing an expert diagnostic system. In the first stage, the search was limited to the scope of the general term “turbine engine”, followed by a refinement of the search terms within the area of rotary machines components degradation including their construction, manufacturing, repair technology and diagnostic methods. By using EndNote software in semi-automatic mode, specific issue groups have been designated. In the second stage, a query focused on the main causes of turbine blade damage and diagnostic methods was proposed. Using the Scopus-based search and archiving tools, one can systematically update the knowledge.
Testing the Catastrophic Recorder Resistance Against the Impact of Catastrophic Factors
Authors: Jakielaszek Zbigniew , Kowaleczko Grzegorz , Panas Andrzej J. , Nowakowski Mirosław
Published: May 2018

The subject of the research was a catastrophic recorder of the S2-3a system for recording flight parameters, developed at the Air Force Institute of Technology. The article discusses tests of catastrophic recorders’ resilience to factors present at aircraft accidents. The document specifying the requirements for catastrophic recorders of flight parameters includes the defence standard: NO-16-A200, and the European standard: EuroCAE ED-112. According to NO-16-A200 and ED-112 standards, the protective unit should be resistant to: g-forces existing during crash, puncture, compression, fire, underwater pressure and aggressive liquids.
Transport Possibilities at the Section of Lower Vistula
Authors: Osowska Agnieszka , Skupień Emilia
Published: May 2018

The article presents information about transport possibilities at the section of Lower Vistula. Article provides classification of inland waterways in Poland according to the regulations of the Council of Ministers from May 7th, 2002. It also includes information regarding inland port locations and fleet parameters adjusted to the IV class of waterways. In addition, the use of the Lower Vistula for the carrying goods is mentioned. The information contained in the article are based on the research conducted during the INWAPO project.
Hydroperoxides Formation in Jet Fuels Coming from Different Production Processes in Simulated Fuel System of Modern Aircraft
Authors: Sarnecki Jarosław , Gawron Bartosz , Głąb Jadwiga
Published: May 2018

The paper presents issues related to the process of thermal degradation of jet fuel. This process is of a different nature depending on temperature and time, in which the fuel is subjected to thermal action. The standard method for testing the jet fuel thermal stability seems to be insufficient, therefore, the conduct of the research on a dedicated test rig was taken in this paper. The assessment of the fuel degradation process was carried out on the basis of determination of hydroperoxide and acid numbers as signs of the occurred process. The article has been prepared within the research project No. 2011/01/D/ST8/06567 funded by the National Science Centre in Poland.
Human Factor in the Tasks of Ensuring Functioning Safety of Complex Technical Objects
Authors: Korostil Olga , Korostil Jurij
Published: May 2018

The paper describes research of problems related to detecting a negative influence of human factors on technologic process in complex technical objects that can occur from the side of maintenance staff. Analysis is performed of psychological aspects of occurrence of human factors, as well as of interconnections between psychological and technical aspects, related to occurrence of human factors, that can lead to malfunctions in technical objects.
Analysis and Evaluation of the Influence of Selected its Services on Road Traffic Safety and Efficiency
Authors: Kołodziejska Agata , Siergiejczyk Mirosław , Krzykowska Karolina
Published: May 2018

The implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) nowadays is associated with a strong need to solve problems related to the high accident rate, as well as low efficiency of transportation process management. The topic of this paper is the characterisation of selected intelligent transport services and the determination of their influence on road traffic safety and efficiency. Two services implemented within the framework of the National Traffic Management System in Poland were distinguished, namely: transmitting information to drivers and incident detection. A general analysis of the relationship between the functioning of ITS services and safety on national roads, as well as traffic efficiency therein was conducted.
The Renewal Process Generated By Return Times of Semi-Markov Process in Reliability Models
Authors: Grabski Franciszek
Published: May 2018

The renewal process generated by the return times of semi-Markov process to a given state is considered in the paper. The return time to a state j and also a first passage time from a given state i to the state j of semi-Markov process are basic concepts that are used to determine this process. The systems of equations for distributions, expectations and secondond moments of these random variables are presented. Theorem concerning the asymptotic distribution of the considered renewal process is presented in this article. Moreover an illustrative example from the reliability theory is presented in the paper.
Five novel ALMS1 gene mutations in six patients with Alström syndrome
Authors: Kılınç Suna , Yücel-Yılmaz Didem , Ardagil Aylin , Apaydın Süheyla , Valverde Diana , Özgül Rıza Köksal , Güven Ayla
Published: May 2018

Background:

Alström syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by mutations in the ALMS1 gene.

Methods:

We describe the clinical and five novel mutational screening findings in six patients with Alström syndrome from five families in a single center with distinct clinical presentations of this condition.

Results:

Five novel mutations in ALMS1 in exon 8 and intron 17 were identified, one of them was a compound heterozygous: c.2259_2260insT, p.Glu754*; c.2035C>T p.Arg679*; c.2259_2260insT, p.Glu754*; c.5969C>G, p.Ser1990*; c.6541C>T, p. Gln2181*/c.11666-2A>G, splicing. One patient had gallstones, this association, to our knowledge, has not been reported in Alström syndrome previously.

Conclusions:

Early diagnosis of Alström syndrome is often difficult in children and adolescents, because many of the clinical features develop over time. Early diagnosis can initiate an effective managemen of this condition, and it will help to reduce future damage.
Inclusive Industrialization: The Interplay Between Investment Incentives and SME Promotion Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: van der Ven Colette M.A.
Published: May 2018

Most Sub-Saharan African countries have adopted policies to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and policies to stimulate the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). While a significant body of literature exists analyzing how these objectives can be mutually reinforcing, the negative interplay between these policies remains relatively unexplored. This paper examines whether, and in what circumstances, investment incentives could undermine SME competitiveness and, conversely, whether policies aiming to promote SMEs through encouraging FDI-SME linkages could impede FDI. This paper demonstrates that, absent a comprehensive approach to policy making, tensions invariably arise between investment incentives and SME promotion policies.
Social structure and reproduction of long-tailed porcupine (Trichys fasciculata)
Authors: Matsukawa Aoi , Ahmad Abdul H. , Kohshima Shiro
Published: May 2018

We studied the social structure of long-tailed porcupine (Trichys fasciculata) in the tropical rainforest in Sabah, Borneo Island, Malaysia via direct observation assisted by radio-tracking and camera-trapping at burrow entrances. We identified and observed seven individuals in the study area, of which five were radio-tagged. Analysis of their burrow use, home range, and behaviour strongly suggested that five of the observed individuals formed a family group consisting of an adult male–female pair and their three offspring, two of which were born during the study period. The family members used the same burrow site almost every day, and their home ranges largely overlapped. In contrast, the other two individuals never used the burrow sites of this family group. The adult male–female pair was maintained for at least 18 months and reproduced twice during the study period. They had a litter size of one, and the inter-litter interval was estimated to be 11 months. During these two reproductions, the previous litter stayed in the natal family group as a sub-adult after the next juvenile was born. Direct paternal care, such as grooming the juvenile, was also observed. Their low reproductive potential should be considered in conservation efforts.
Recursive interpolating sequences
Authors: Tugores Francesc
Published: May 2018

This paper is devoted to pose several interpolation problems on the open unit disk 𝔻 of the complex plane in a recursive and linear way. We look for interpolating sequences (zn
) in 𝔻 so that given a bounded sequence (an
) and a suitable sequence (wn
), there is a bounded analytic function f on 𝔻 such that f(z
1) = w
1 and f(z

n+1) = an

f(zn
) + w

n+1. We add a recursion for the derivative of the type: f′(z
1) =

w
1
′

$\begin{array}{}
w_1'
\end{array} $

and f′(z

n+1) =

a
n
′

$\begin{array}{}
a_n'
\end{array} $

[(1 − |zn
|2)/(1 − |z

n+1|2)] f′(zn
) +

w

n
+
1

′

,

$\begin{array}{}
w_{n+1}',
\end{array} $

where (

a
n
′

$\begin{array}{}
a_n'
\end{array} $

) is bounded and (

w
n
′

$\begin{array}{}
w_n'
\end{array} $

) is an appropriate sequence, and we also look for zero-sequences verifying the recursion for f′. The conditions on these interpolating sequences involve the Blaschke product with zeros at their points, one of them being the uniform separation condition.
Determination of thermodynamic and structural quantities of polymers by scattering techniques
Authors: Fischer Birgit , Abetz Volker
Published: May 2018

Scattering techniques (i.e. light scattering, X-ray scattering, or neutron scattering) are very powerful tools to gain insights into structural and thermodynamic properties of matter which often cannot be obtained by other methods. While classical thermodynamics is independent of length scale or applies for indefinitely long length scale, scattering can disclose thermodynamic properties like the free energy or free enthalpy as functions of length scale. Scattering is caused by density or composition fluctuations, which are functions of the length scale in one- or multicomponent systems. Therefore scattering techniques can give informations about the size, shape and molecular weight of scattering objects, their thermodynamic interactions with a surrounding matrix and their dynamics if correlations of the fluctuations as function of time are investigated (i.e. dynamic light scattering). As scattering techniques are less intuitive in comparison to complementary techniques, i.e. microscopic techniques, the aim of this article is to highlight some relevant relationships with a focus on polymer systems. This may encourage polymer scientists to consider the use of scattering techniques to learn more about the thermodynamics of their systems and/or to gain informations about their structural properties.