bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood Alcohol Concentrations in Drinking Drivers in Tucson, Arizona, 1967–1971
Authors: Kempe CR
Published: July 2015

The literature contains a number of reports on alcohol as a factor in fatal collisions [1–4]. It is my experience that many of those who have been involved in collisions had blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) which exceeded the recently adopted standard of 0.10 percent weight/volume as a presumptive limit currently on the statute books in many states. A detailed study was started following an inquiry from a state agency relative to BAC's found to be below the 0.15 percent weight/volume presumptive limit then existing in Arizona. In this state there were no readily available statistics dealing with the range of BAC's found in tested drivers such as has been provided by Bradford [5]. Tucson is an ideal place to extend such information since the City-County Crime Laboratory administers blood and breath tests in connection with all matters possibly involving alcohol and traffic, including all accident cases with or without injury or fatality. In this study the experience of five years (1967 through 1971) in metropolitan Tucson was examined. Certain consistencies were revealed relating to the BAC's and their frequencies.
Legal Aspects of Obtaining Evidence for Analysis by Forensic Techniques
Authors: Giannelli PC
Published: July 2015

Through the examination of trace evidence, many forensic techniques can establish a link between a suspect and the scene of a crime. Blood, saliva, semen, hairs, fibers, soils, glass, and fingerprints have all been used in this manner. In addition, handwriting and voice exemplars, bite marks, and gunshot residues have also been employed to provide a nexus between a suspect and a crime. All these methods require some form of cooperation on the part of the suspect, ranging from his passive presence for fingerprinting and extraction of blood to his more active participation in providing voice and handwriting exemplars. This contact between the investigator and the suspect has generated constitutional litigation. Defendants have argued that submission to these techniques: (1) violated the privilege against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment, (2) violated the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment, (3) infringed upon the right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment, and (4) deprived them of due process of law. This paper will examine the judicial response to these constitutional challenges and the impact these decisions will have on the forensic sciences.
Medical Experimentation on Captive Populations in the United States
Authors: Perper JA
Published: July 2015

Medical experimentation on humans is generally subjected to detailed ethical and legal limitations and safeguards. These safeguards should be even more stringent and more meticulously followed when captive populations are used. The narrow definition of captive population includes inmates of prisons and correctional institutions, and patients in psychiatric institutions and hospitals for the mentally retarded. The broader definition also includes children and fetuses whose medical destinies are under the nearly complete control of parents or legal guardians.
Casualty Criteria for Wounds from Firearms with Special Reference to Shot Penetration—Part II
Authors: Mattoo BN , Wani AK , Asgekar MD
Published: July 2015

The authors have previously shown [1] that the casualty criterion for wounds from firearms, particularly the shot penetration, is given by the energy/area of presentation of the missile in question. The impact velocity must exceed that required for penetration of human skin. The threshold velocity for skin penetration by steel spheres is given [2] as 125–170 ft/s. Against this the energy criterion [2–4] alone (which is quoted between 40–100 ft-lb or 5.5–14 m-kg) is misleading and subject to forensic misuse. Likewise, it is imprecisely reported [5,6] that shotguns ordinarily have an effective range of 30–40 yd, ignoring the shot size in question. For forensic purposes, a missile is effective as long as it penetrates into the human body, irrespective of the accuracy of the ammunition. A 12-bore rifled slug is quoted [7] as having an extreme range of 800 yd, and American Eastern Buckshot 0 (equivalent to British shot size SG) a range of under 700 yards. “Whenever a Police weapon is used, the extreme range must be taken into account” [7]. It can be shown that an American Eastern Buckshot 000 (equivalent to British shot size LG) fired from a shotgun with a muzzle velocity of 800 ft/s will have sufficient wounding power (corresponding to energy/area of presentation = 3 m-kg/cm2) even at a distance of ∼200 yd and a threshold value for penetration into human skin at ∼300 yd, vide infra. Obviously, it was of interest to evaluate experimentally the criteria for penetration of human skin by lead shot and the extent of this penetration further into human muscle as a function of energy/area of presentation, E/a, of the missile.
Analysis of Old Samples of Cannabis sativa L.
Authors: Der Marderosian AH , Murthy SNS
Published: July 2015

Relatively few phytochemical studies have been conducted on very old samples of Cannabis sativa L., particularly leaf and stem material [1–4]. At least one article [5] has shown that the fluid extract of marihuana is stable for as long as 40 years. A more recent article [6] reports on the stability of cannabinoids in stored plant material at different temperatures.
The Identification of Cut Multistranded Wires
Authors: Ogle RR , Mitosinka GT
Published: July 2015

The theft of electrical equipment often involves the cutting of attached wires to expedite removal of the equipment. This situation presents the investigator with the problem of determining that wire segments attached to stolen articles were at one time joined to wire segments at the site of the theft. The usual approach taken by the forensic scientist is to effect an identification by demonstrating a physical match between the cut ends of the wire segments. Other methods utilized to compare cut wire segments include quantitative comparison of trace elements by neutron activation analysis [1,2] and by emission spectrography [3].
A Radioimmunoassay Technique for Digoxin in Postmortem Blood
Authors: Phillips AP
Published: July 2015

In spite of the availability of purified digitalis fractions such as digoxin, treatment of congestive heart failure and arrhythmias with cardiac glycosides is attended by considerable risk of toxicity and even death. Beller et al [1] estimate that toxicity results in 8–20 percent of hospital patients taking digoxin, with a subsequent mortality of 7–50 percent. The development of a radioimmunoassay sufficiently sensitive to quantitate digoxin in serum or plasma during therapy [2] might be expected to improve the control of therapy in patients with absorption or excretion abnormalities, and Smith and Haber [3] reported that more than 85 percent of toxic cases could be distinguished from nontoxic ones by the plasma digoxin concentrations. However, more recently, Fogelman et al [4] found little increase in plasma digoxin in toxicity; mean plasma concentrations were 1.69 ± 1.29, 1.61 ± 0.79, and 1.41 ± 1.09 ng/ml in groups classified as toxic, possibly toxic, and nontoxic. The extensive overlap of the digoxin concentrations in these three groups suggests that sensitivity to digoxin is the main factor in determining the onset of toxicity.
Identification of Arson Accelerants by Gas Chromatographic Patterns Produced by a Digital Log Electrometer
Authors: Chisum WJ , Elzerman TR
Published: July 2015

The identification and comparison of accelerants is a problem which confronts the criminalist during the examination of evidence from suspected arson cases. The most common accelerants encountered in the investigation of arson are liquid hydrocarbons. The identification of these materials is complicated by the fact that they are not single chemical entities but complex mixtures of hundreds of different hydrocarbons.
Students’ Perceptions on Professional Competence of Lecturers at the Department of Arabic Education, Faculty of Islamic Education and Teacher Training, State Institute for Islamic Studies IB Padang
Authors: Rehani Rehani
Published: July 2015

This research examines students’ perception on professional competence of Arabic education department lecturers. It seeks to answer questions whether or not educational background, level of education, age, and gender correlate with lecturers’ professional competent. In this study, students are asked to answer questions on their lecturers’ 1) mastery of subject matters, 2) pedagogical knowledge, 3) attitudes, 4) discipline, 5) clarity on the assessment procedure, 6) the use of teaching media and students’ learning achievement. The findings of the study suggest that over 50% of students perceive their lecturers (those who teach in department of Arabic Education) are qualified enough to carry out their professional responsibilities. The research also uncovers that lecturers’ background education, such as between those who graduated from local and overseas universities, does not show any significant difference in their ways of classroom practices. However, the research found that level of education indeed influences lecturer’s ways of teaching, especially on the aspects that become the focus of this research. In addition, age does not show much different but in some instances, senior lecturers are more capable at pedagogical content knowledge, assessment, and better of in term of the attitude. Finally, this research also found that gender difference does make difference. Female lecturers, for example are found to be better in all aspects measured for this study.  Copyright © 2015 by Al-Ta'lim All right reserved
Spectroscopic Characterization of Flame-Generated 2-D Carbon Nano-Disks
Authors: Minutolo Patrizia , Commodo Mario , De Falco Gianluigi , Larciprete Rosanna , D'Anna Andrea
Published: July 2015

In this work we produce atomically thin carbon nanostructures which have a disk-like shape when deposited on a substrate. These nanostructures have intermediate characteristics between a graphene island and a molecular compound and have the potentiality to be used either as they are, or to become building blocks for functional materials or to be manipulated and engineered into composite layered structures.

The carbon nanostructures are produced in a premixed ethylene/air flame with a slight excess of fuel with respect to the stoichiometric value. The size distribution of the produced compounds in aerosol phase has been measured on line by means of a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and topographic images of the structures deposited on mica disks were obtained by Atomic Force Microscopy. Raman spectroscopy and XPS have been used to characterize their structure and the electronic and optical properties were obtained combining on-line photoionization measurements with Cyclic Voltammetry, light absorption and photoluminescence.

When deposited on the mica substrate the carbon compounds assume the shape of an atomically thin disk with in plane diameter of about 20 nm. Carbon nano-disks consist of a network of small aromatic island with in plane length, La, of about 1 nm. Raman spectra evidence a significant amount of disorder which is in a large part due to the quantum confinement in the aromatic islands. Nano-disks contain small percentage of sp3 and the O/C ratio is lower than 6%. They furthermore present interesting UV and visible photoluminescence properties.
PRESENT DAY DEFORMATION IN THE EAST VIETNAM SEA AND SURROUNDING REGIONS
Authors: Trinh Phan Trong , Liem Ngo Van , To Tran Dinh , Huong Nguyen Van , Hai Vy Quoc , Thom Bui Van , Phong Tran Van , Vinh Hoang Quang , Xuyen Nguyen Quang , Thuan Nguyen Viet , Tuc Nguyen Dang , Thuan Dinh Van , Tan Nguyen Trong , Thao Bui Thi , Tien Nguyen Viet , Tung Le Minh , Hung Tran Quoc
Published: July 2015

This paper presents velocities of present-day tectonic movement and strain rate in the East Vietnam Sea (South China Sea) and surroundings determined from GPS campaigns between 2007 and 2010. We determine absolute velocities of GPS stations in the ITRF05 frame. The result indicates that GPS stations in the North of East Vietnam Sea move eastwards with the slip rate of 30 - 39 mm/yr, southwards at the velocities of 8 - 11 mm/yr. Song Tu Tay offshore moves eastwards at the rate of ~24 mm/yr and southwards at ~9 mm/yr. GPS stations in the South of East Vietnam Sea move to the east at the rate of ~22 mm/yr and to the south at the velocities of 7 - 11 mm/yr. The effect of relative movement shows that the Western Margin Fault Zone activates as left lateral fault zone at the slip rate less than 4 mm/year.In Western plateau, the first result from 2012 - 2013 GPS measurement shows that the velocities to the east vary from 21.5 mm/yr to 24.7 mm/year. The velocities to the south vary from 10.5 mm/yr to 14.6 mm/year. GPS solutions determined from our campaigns are combined with data from various authors and international projects to determine the strain rate in the East Vietnam Sea. Principal strain rate changes from 15 nanostrain/yr to 9 nanostrain/yr in the East Vietnam Sea. Principal strain rate and maximum shear strain rate along the Red River Fault Zone are in order of 10 nanostrain/year. East Vietnam Sea is considered to belong to the Sunda block.
SIMULATION OF THE IMPACT OF SEA LEVEL RISE ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGE IN THE COASTAL REGION OF MEKONG RIVER
Authors: Vinh Vu Duy , Lan Tran Dinh , Tu Tran Anh , Anh Nguyen Thi Kim
Published: July 2015

This paper presents some study results on morphological change in the coastal region of Mekong River under the influences of sea level rise. In order to set up the models, measured data were collected, systematically and homogeneously processed to create open boundary conditions (time-serial data) for the model. Open sea boundary conditions of the model were created by NESTING method. The model (Delft3D model) was set up with 4 layers in Sigma coordinate. The results of model were validated, showing a fairly good agreement with measured data (water elevation, currents, and suspended sediment concentration) at some places in the study area. Results of some scenarios of simulation (dry and flood season) show the sea level rise due to climate change could make a reduction in the seaward sediment transport and increase its settling around estuaries. As a result, sea level rise causes an increase in the accreted rate of sandbars in southern estuary of Mekong river coastal area. The influences of sea level rise on Mekong river coastal bed topography are prevailing in the region of about 7 - 10 km seawards. Further 10 km from the coast, influences of sea level rise on coastal morphology are not significant.
Allele frequencies of AVPR1A and MAOA in the Afrikaner population
Authors: Erasmus J. Christoff , Klingenberg Anton , Greeff Jaco M.
Published: July 2015

The Afrikaner population was founded mainly by European immigrants that arrived in South Africa from 1652. However, female slaves from Asia and Africa and local KhoeSan women may have contributed as much as 7% to this population’s genes. We quantified variation at two tandem repeats to see if this historical founder effect and/or admixture could be detected. The two loci were chosen because they are in the promoters of genes of neurotransmitters that are known to be correlated with social behaviour. Specifically, arginine vasopressin receptor 1A’s (AVPR1A) RS3 locus has been shown to correlate with age of sexual onset and happiness in monogamous relationships while the tandem repeat in the promoter of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene correlates with reactive aggression. The Afrikaner population contained more AVPR1A RS3 alleles than other Caucasoid populations, potentially reflecting a history of admixture. Even though Afrikaners have one of the lowest recorded non-paternity rates in the world, the population did not differ at AVPR1A RS3 locus form other European populations, suggesting a non-genetic explanation, presumably religion, for the low non-paternity rate. By comparing population allele-frequency spectra it was found that different studies have confused AVPR1A RS3 alleles and we make some suggestions to rectify these mistakes in future studies. While MAOA allele frequencies differed between racial groups, the Afrikaner population showed no evidence of admixture. In fact, Afrikaners had more 4-repeat alleles than other populations of European origin, not fewer. The 4-repeat allele may have been selected for during colonisation.
Ancient bridges, new landscapes
Authors: Manganaro Mario
Published: July 2015

The “discovery” and the revaluation of ancient bridges, mostly abandoned and unused, seem to follow paths that involved in the past other architectural and engineering works, starting from the core of urban centers along the main arterial streets, extending themselves then towards the peripheral and rural areas.

There is no doubt that the connection between the two banks of a watercourse was necessary not only in rural areas, but also in the urban centers with dissimilarities due to the different traffic flow, the site specificities and the symbolic associated aspects.

The road network within the extra-urban areas has registered in various epochs different changes, adjustments, connections, insertions, which basically put out of function those bridges whose structures became inadequate with the new demands.

What happens for numerous roads whose paths can be simply renewed by increasing their cross sections, can not be, instead, applied directly to the antique bridges, which often remain near the new infrastructure, constructed in order to obtain a much more modern and efficient road layout. After the abandonment of the old road network it can happen that the unused streets disappear, leaving the bridge like a isolated work, almost as a sculpture without connections.

Sometimes the bridge loses also the watercourse, changing in time its river bed, moving on the side of it, favouring the flow.

The retrieval of antique bridges means also highlighting pieces of disappeared landscapes, which inserted in the territorial context give significance to the memory of the place.

The study concerns the research of ancient bridges (up to the XIX c.) in Sicily and their representation within the landscapes in which they are embedded.

After a reconnaissance of the art bridge works in the island it will be studied in particular the “Val Demone” area.
Second Gateway Bridge, Brisbane, Australia
Authors: Connal John
Published: July 2015

The Second Gateway Bridge is part of an upgrade of the Gateway Motorway in a highly developed urban corridor of Brisbane, Australia. The bridge is 1627m long with a main span of 260m. The three river spans were constructed by the cast in-situ balanced cantilever method with segments varying from 15m to 5m deep and 3m to 5m long. The approach spans were constructed by match cast segmental construction with epoxy joints and with asymmetrical twin segments forming two spines that were stitched together after cantilevering. Approach spans are typically 71m and the box section is 3.3m deep. The bridge was designed and built with a target design life of 300 years with particular attention directed at durability planning, materials selection and detailing to ensure a very long life for this landmark bridge.

This paper provides an insight to the design of this major bridge, covering the philosophy of the bridge form and articulation, the design of the superstructure of both the main spans and the approach spans, design of substructure and foundations design and testing, including Australia’s first use of Osterberg Cell type load testing for test and production piles, and protection against vessel impact. The paper also describes the background to the selection of a 300 year design life target, and provides an explanation of the design process for addressing durability, and briefly describes the outcomes for 300 year design life.
Reliability levels and partial safety factors according to Eurocodes for evaluation of existing bridges
Authors: Koteš Peter , Vican Josef
Published: July 2015

The transport infrastructure has the important signification for economy and management of each country. It is very important to build not only new transport nets, but also to maintain and well manage existing road and railway communications. From this viewpoint, the question how to manage the existing bridge structures on the most economical and the most effective way is offered.

In the paper, the partial safety factors for materials and load effects recommended according to Eurocode for bridge members subjected to bending are presented. In the frame of research

activities of the Department of structures and bridges, the modified reliability levels for existing bridge evaluation were derived. These levels were used for determining partial safety factors for materials and loads.
Slender Precast Concrete Column with Steel Plates using façade of the Building
Authors: Yanagihara Masano , Koitabashi Yuichi
Published: July 2015

Recently, in architectural design, cases adopting a structural member which also serves as an exterior material of buildings is increasing.

Also in this building, precast concrete (hereafter referred to as PCa) with a built-in steel by placing an X shape on the outer periphery of the pillar building is employed to serve the exterior design and structure of the building

Tn Tokyo, Japan, a research headquarter building (SENGAWA KEWPORT) has been designed as a comfortable space with extremely high seismic performance, with a rational structural scheme for a building as described above.
Using dispersion-induced group delay to solve the integer ambiguity problem: a theoretical analysis
Authors: Wei D. , Xiao M. , Aketagawa M.
Published: July 2015

This paper describes a novel approach for solving the integer ambiguity problem when the adjacent pulse repetition interval length (APRIL) from a femtosecond optical frequency comb (FOFC) is used as a length scale. This approach is inspired by the two-color method, which indicates that there is a one-to-one relationship between the integer part of the APRIL and the group delay distance between the two different wavelengths. Accordingly, we numerically investigate the possibility of using dispersion-induced group delay to solve the integer ambiguity problem. The results of theoretical analyses and numerical investigations demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method. Our results should contribute toward the further development of APRIL-based length measurement methods.
Design and synthesis of fused polycycles via Diels–Alder reaction and ring-rearrangement metathesis as key steps
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Ravikumar Ongolu
Published: July 2015

Atom efficient processes such as the Diels–Alder reaction (DA) and the ring-rearrangement metathesis (RRM) have been used to design new polycycles. In this regard, ruthenium alkylidene catalysts are effective in realizing the RRM of bis-norbornene derivatives prepared by DA reaction and Grignard addition. Here, fused polycycles are assembled which are difficult to produce by conventional synthetic routes.
ERT and GPR survey of collapsed paleocave systems at the western border of the Potiguar Basin in northeast Brazil
Authors: dos Reis Júnior João Andrade , de Castro David Lopes , Casas Albert , Himi Mahjoub , Lima‐Filho Francisco Pinheiro
Published: July 2015

Collapsed paleocave systems are carbonate reservoirs with high internal spatial complexity that are the result of several stages of karst processes. Paleocave‐related reservoirs can be spread over large areas with significant thicknesses that are favourable for hydrocarbon exploration. Nevertheless, few studies have provided a detailed understanding of the strong lateral heterogeneity of these reservoirs and their complex karst‐controlled development using modern karst terrain analogues. To elucidate this issue, the internal architecture of a collapsed paleocave system has been mapped accurately at the western border of the Potiguar Basin in Northeastern Brazil. The collapsed paleocaves outcrop in an escarpment that delimits the carbonate platform from the transgressive phase of the basin. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) sections were acquired parallel and perpendicular to a road cut and served to parameterize the geophysical signatures of the collapsed paleocaves and the host rocks. The collapsed paleocaves were mapped by identifying high‐resistivity zones and high‐amplitude ground‐penetrating radar reflectors. In contrast, the host rocks are marked by low to intermediate resistivity and ground‐penetrating radar reflections that range from low amplitude to almost transparent. The resistivity data and the ground‐penetrating radar attribute of the root‐square energy enabled the mapping of the complex spatial distribution of the collapsed paleocaves system. At depths of approximately 20 m, the paleocaves are more spread out and eventually become isolated while sometimes being connected vertically through shafts. However, at shallower levels, the paleocaves are interconnected by ducts or coalesce into a system of paleocaves that are hundreds of metres long over an area of 12000 m2. The results of the study show the detailed internal geometry of this paleocave system at a subseismic scale, which enables the identification of the connectivity pattern among these karst features and the porosity and total volume of the reservoir. This system could serve as an outcrop analogue for other collapsed paleocave carbonate reservoirs worldwide.
The Pamphlet Meets API
Authors: Stacey Emily
Published: July 2015

This chapter explores traditional social movement theory and attempts to modernize and explain contemporary movements with consideration of the digital tools being utilized by citizens on the ground. The ability to transcend borders and traditional boundaries using digital media, to facilitate international participation and develop communication, and the dissemination of information and coordination among activist networks around the world is hugely important. This chapter asserts that modern contentious collective actions and contemporary movements have received an infusion of autonomy and grassroots energy fueled by the internet, digital technologies, and social networking platforms using Applied Programming Interface (API). Arab Spring movements in Egypt and Tunisia illustrate the use of social media within this emergent framework.
ICT, Media, and the Egyptian Revolution
Authors: El Gody Ahmed
Published: July 2015

The utilization of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Egypt has irrevocably changed the nature of the traditional Egyptian public sphere. The Egyptian online society can be viewed as a multiplicity of networks. These networks have developed, transformed and expanded over time, operating across all areas of life. Nonetheless, in essence they are socio-political and cultural in origin. Network communication changed the way audiences consumed news, with traditional media –especially independent and opposition– starting to utilize ICTs to access online information to develop their media content, in order to escape government control. Several media organizations also started to expand their presence online so that, as well as providing news content, they also provided readers with a ‘space' to interact amongst themselves and with media organizations. Audiences started to provide detailed descriptions of Egyptian street politics, posting multimedia material, generating public interest, and reinforcing citizen power – and, hence, democratic capacity.
Stability Evaluation of Filled-Subgrade with Cracks Formed after Earthquake
Authors: Zheng Xue , Cong Li
Published: July 2015

Analysis model for stability of post-earthquake embankment (filled-subgrade) with cracks was established to determine the impact significance of influencing factors. Influence law of subgrade stability was studied which focused on characteristics of cracks conditions. The results showed that the safety factor reduced with increase of crack depth, i.e. subgrade stability worsening with crack reach downwards.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis on the Bonding Performance of GFRP Bolts
Authors: Kuang Ya Chuan , Ou Lian Wen , Hu Jin Xing
Published: July 2015

By pull-out tests between GFRP bolts and concrete, the influence of the diameter and surface shape of GFRP bolts on the bonding performance was studied. By ANSYS analysis, the effects of anchorage length, diameter, geotechnical parameters and prestress on the bonding performance were studied. The experimental and numerical analysis results show that: with the increase of bolt diameter, the bonding strength of bolts decrease and the slippages increase. The bigger the parameters of rock-soil like modulus of elasticity, cohesion strength and internal friction angle are, the better is the bond behavior and the smaller is the slippage. The prestress plays an important role in the rock stability and the restriction of deformation. With the enhancement of the prestress of bolts, the peak shear stress increases but the effective anchorage length nearly stays the same.
Research on Construction Control of Long-Span CFST Arch Bridge
Authors: Gu Ying , Li Ya Dong , Liu Sai Zhi
Published: July 2015

For an arch rib of concrete filled steel tube (CFST) erected by cable-stayed cantilever method, the construction control becomes increasingly difficult along with the erection of rib segments, owing to more system transformation, and higher degrees of static indeterminacy. First, for the problems usually occurred in the process of ribs erection, this paper presented a line-shape control principle that is “erecting higher, remaining stationary”. Secondly, based on analysis of the merits and demerits of common methods for cable forces calculation, and according to the principle of “remaining stationary”, a new calculation method for cable forces was proposed. At last, based on an X-style CFST railway arch bridge with a span of 360m, this paper compared the cable forces calculated by the new method with the actual tensioned forces, analyzed the variation of segments displacement in the process of erection, and discussed the influence of prearranged height on weld width. The control principle and the calculation method for cable forces presented in this paper have been proved effective, by the line-shape data measured after the closure of arch ribs, which may provide valuable reference for the construction control of similar CFST arch bridges.
Investigation on Driving Force of Ball Bearing Motor
Authors: Yang Hang , Zhang Zheng Wei , Zhang Xin Fang , Liu Xue Feng , Peng Gang
Published: July 2015

To study ball bearing motor working principle, an ingenious experiment was self-designed, which results indicated that the nature for driving torque of the ball bearing motor was thermal expansion rather than electromagnetic force as generally considered. Furthermore, the threshold current and cutoff temperature for the ball bearing motor were found in our experiment.
Renewable Energy for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Bello Mukhtar
Published: July 2015

Worldwide, developing countries struggle to overcome numerous problems that constrain their socio-economic development. Sub-Saharan African countries represent a good example of developing countries with serious developmental challenges. Thus, this chapter presents a critical analysis on the socio-economic situation in Sub-Saharan Africa and the links between limited access to modern energy services and the prevailing socio-economic circumstance. It discusses the expected roles of renewable energy technologies in increasing energy access in the region and highlights important factors that influence extensive deployment of renewable energy technologies for sustainable development. Reliable statistical data on both the Human Development Index (HDI) and Energy Development Index (EDI) rankings indicate that most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa lie far below the world average and as a region, Sub-Saharan Africa scores least. There is high level of poverty and inadequate social services, which is attributed to acute shortage of modern energy services. In Sub-Saharan Africa, over 70% of the population lack reliable access to electricity and modern cooking fuels, which represents a large proportion of the „energy poor‟ in the world. Lack of access to modern energy services limits economic and agricultural opportunities, negatively affects the environment, promotes gender inequality and constrains delivery of social services such as health care delivery system and education. Thus, one of the biggest developmental challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa is to find effective and pragmatic solutions for increasing energy access. Sub-Saharan Africa is richly endowed with renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind, solar, hydropower and geothermal, which largely remain unexploited. The renewable energy resources are widely available throughout the region unlike the conventional fossil-based resources, that is, coal, oil and gas, which are concentrated within very few countries. Therefore, the renewable energy resources if properly and fully utilized can provide clean, affordable and reliable energy services that will promote socio-economic activities and support sustainable development.
Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon-Based Thin Film Solar Cell: Optical, Electrical and Structural Properties
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Kamal
Published: July 2015

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) has been developed as an important materials in thin film-based photovoltaic technologies because of considerable cost reduction as a result of low material consumption and low-temperature process. Among the materials used for thin film solar cells, amorphous silicon is the most important material in the commercial production. Despite of these benefits, the efficiency limit for a single band gap thin film based solar cell predicted by Shockley and Queisser (i.e. ~31%) has become a matter of challenge for current research community. Considering the thermodynamic behavior of a single threshold absorber in generating electricity from solar irradiance, this limit seems inevitable, and thus a tremendous investigation is now being carried out in different dimensions such as hot carrier generation, rainbow solar cell, multiple exciton generation, multiband absorber etc. Nonetheless, so far reported efficiency (ηlab~12%) provide enough room to improve and take challenge to reach to the highest value for a-Si:H based solar cell design. Further to improve architectural design as well as engineer the materials, it is indispensable to understand the optical, electrical and structural properties of aSi:H as an active layer. Here in this article, an attempt was taken into account to focus on such characteristics that affect the overall cell efficiency.
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycles Driven by Solar Thermal Power Tower System
Authors: Atif Maimoon , Al-Sulaiman Fahad A.
Published: July 2015

This chapter starts with a background about concentrating solar power systems and thermal energy storage systems and then a detailed literature review about concentrated solar power systems and supercritical Brayton carbon dioxide cycles. Next, a mathematical model was developed and presented which generates and optimizes a heliostat field effectively. This model was developed to demonstrate the optimization of a heliostat field using differential evolution, which is an evolutionary algorithm. The current model illustrates how to employ the developed model and its advantages. The optimization process calculates the optical performance parameters at every step of the optimization considering all the heliostats; thus yields accurate results as discussed in this chapter. On the other hand, complete mathematical model of supercritical CO2Brayton cycles when integrated with solar thermal power tower system was presented and discussed.
Preparation of F-Doped Hydroxyapatite via Wet-Chemical Precipitation Technique Combined with pH-Cycling
Authors: Zalite V. , Kostrjukova Karina , Locs Janis
Published: July 2015

F-doped hydroxyapatite (FHAp, Ca10(PO4)6OH2-xF2x) was synthesized by two step technology – wet-chemical precipitation and pH-cycling. Obtained powders were dried and calcined for further characterization. FHAp were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. FT-IR analysis approved fluoride incorporation into HAp structure, confirmed by OH...F bonding at 3546 and 745 cm-1. SEM microphotographs showed, that as-synthesized FHAp precipitates consist of needle-like crystallites. UV-VIS spectroscopy results were used for the determination of actual F- substitution level. After evaluation of results it was concluded, that fluoride substitution level in FHAp structure reached only x≤0.6. To perform higher substitution level, the technological parameters of the process need to be optimized.
Development of Textile Based Sewn Switches for Smart Textile
Authors: Šahta Ingrida , Vališevskis Aleksandrs , Baltiņa Ilze , Ozola Sniedze
Published: July 2015

The intelligent systems of smart textile should contain flexible electronics, for example, sewn or stitched textile elements that function as conductive traces, sensor elements, electrodes or switches. The experiments for development of sewn touch and push switches are performed. For this reason silver coated multifilament polyamide and multifilament stainless steel yarns were used and their properties and suitability tested. Tests include the changes of electrical resistance of yarns during tension, measurements of yarn voltage loss at 50 mA current; experiments to assess the yarn suitability for sewing; reliability tests of switches during use.
Control of Uncertain Systems: A Combined Approach
Authors: Várkonyi Terez A. , Tar József Kázmér , Várkonyi-Kóczy Annamária R. , Rudas Imre J.
Published: July 2015

Nowadays, in the field of control engineering, neural networks (NNs) are very useful, because of their learning ability. In case of control tasks, they are often used to adapt to the unknown or changing behavior of the system to be controlled. When the system is unknown, or partially known, at the beginning, it is very difficult to set the controller properly, and imprecision may occur in the control process. In this case, some extra calculations are needed to get more accurate results. One of the possible solutions is the application of Robust Fixed Point Transformations (RFPT). In this paper, it is shown that RFPT can improve the accuracy of the control achieved by a traditional NN controller.
Terahertz Spectroscopy Studies of Solid-State Salicylic Acid
Authors: Zelenska Kateryna , Kimura Hiroko , Sasaki Tetsuo , Aoki Toru , Gnatyuk Volodymyr
Published: July 2015

Molecular and lattice vibration frequencies of solid-state salicylic acid were studied in the Terahertz (THz) and Mid-Infrared (Mid-IR) ranges. The calculation of the THz and Mid-IR spectra of salicylic acid which was based on the solid-state density functional theory (DFT) was carried out. Experimental studies were conducted by THz absorbance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. Vibrations revealed in “finger-print” spectrum of salicylic acid were compared with the typical vibrations of groups of atoms that make up organic molecules.
The Fabrication of TiN Thin Film and its Inhibition of Secondary Electron Emission Properties
Authors: Song Feng Zhen , Huang Xiao Ping , Qi Ming Xi , Chen Kai , Liu You Liang , Wang Xiang , Yan Tian Yu , Li Wei Kang , Wang Jia Mei , Zhao Qing
Published: July 2015

To enhance the efficiency of the Multistage depressed collector (MDC) of traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTs), TiN film was deposited by arc ion plating. The thickness and roughness of the film were respectively measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In order to study the effects of the preparation parameters and the process methods of substrates, the orthogonal experimental design method was applied to find out experimental optimum parameters. The analysis of experimental results showed that the film thickness decreased as the bias voltage increased within a certain range. The root mean square (rms) of roughness Rqwas the minimum value for TiN film, when the bias voltage was 150V, the maximum value of the secondary electron emission yield (SEEY) reduced from 1.5 to 1.25 at the optimum parameters.
Creep and Microstructure of an Anion PP Fiber Covered Colored Cotton Textile Yarn
Authors: Zhuo Yu Guo , Liu Jun , Du Shan Zhao , Li Qing Shan
Published: July 2015

The creep properties of an Anion PP fiber covered colored cotton textile yarn were tested by stretching and analyzed. The relationship between creep and stress was studied. The fitted creep curves by programming coincided with the experimental curves very well. The morphology before and after breaking was observed and it is shown that creep deformation and anion releasing of PP fiber covered colored cotton textile yarn is not influenced by the different microstructure.
Influence of Mortar Joints on the Moisture Transfer in Layered Materials
Authors: Guimarães A.S. , Delgado João M.P.Q. , de Freitas V.P.
Published: July 2015

One of the main causes of older and heritage buildings degradation is moisture, in particular the rising damp from the ground. The construction materials which are in contact with water or moist soil are subject to capillarity, which is defined as the phenomenon of a liquid rising through the capillaries of a solid, leading to the emergence of several pathologies.The height of progression of the moist front depends on the climatic conditions of the ambiences, the isolation, the wall thickness, the porosity and porometry of the materials, the presence of salts and the nature of the coating materials.The objective was the study of the interface between layers through the introduction, in the automatic calculation program WUFI-2D, of fictitious layers between the layers of brick and mortar. The fictitious layers correspond to the part of the brick that above and below the joint receives the mortar, and for this reason they are small layers whose thickness and properties are unknown and are intended to be characterized. Through simulations on the WUFI-2D program and using lab results will be possible to reach a function that relates the thickness and the properties of the fictitious layers.
Physical - Chemistry Characterization of Sweet Sorghum Bagasse in Nature and Delignificate with NaOH to Produce Bioethanol
Authors: da Cunha Campos Daniel Baracuy , de Sousa Conrado Líbia , Silva Morais Crislene Rodrigues
Published: July 2015

Lignocellulosic wastes are the most abundant in the world and there is currently a global concern to harness them as biomass to produce cellulosic ethanol, being possible due to the materials being rich in cellulose. The main goal of this work is to produce the delignification from Sweet Sorghum waste free from extractives as well as the physico-chemical characterization in the natural state after being delignificated aiming to remove the lignin that acts as a barrier preventing access of the enzyme to the cellulose in the enzymatic hydrolysis processes. The following tests were performed: moisture, ash, cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses, AR, extractives, XRD and SEM. Aftter the procedure of delignification, it was characterized as cellulose, lignin, XRD and SEM to check if there was removal of the lignin and if there was no change in crystallinity. The characterization showed that the Sweet Sorghum waste is a viable alternative for the production of bioethanol and proved to be an important source of cellulose presenting a content of glucose of 45.99 ± 0.63% and a lignin content of 14.63 ± 0.23%. The Sweet Sorghum waste was deslignificated by pulping with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) process, using as an experimental tool design type 23 with 3 replications at the center point, to evaluate the effect of independent variables temperature, such as concentration of the NaOH solution and the time dependent variable in the delignification. The planning showed through the Pareto ́s diagram that the most influential variable in the process was the concentration which showed a response of 75.1258 and a greater interaction occurred on the variables temperature and concentration with a response of 1.653117. The regression model as well as being a statistically significant predictor, also presents a reason F calculated and F tabulated of 10.10 and achieving a maximum yield of 57.85% delignification. After delignification processes the waste showed a rate of 5.81 ± 0.18% lignin and 43.13 ± 0.53% cellulose , as well as an increase in crystallinity, verified by analysis of SEM and XRD .
Influence of Natural Ageing on Precipitation Processes during Isochronal Annealing in MgGd Alloys
Authors: Kekule Tomáš , Kudrnova Hana , Vlach Martin , Čížek Jakub , Melikhova Oksana , Stulíková Ivana , Smola Bohumil
Published: July 2015

The Mg-10 wt. % Gd and Mg-15 wt. % Gd alloys produced by squeeze casting were solution treated at 500 °C for 8 hours and subsequently naturally aged for more than 2 months. Electrical resistivity of both materials measured at 77 K decreases, if the alloys are kept at room temperature after quenching from the solution temperature. This change accompanied by a microhardness increase almost saturates after 2 months and is caused most probably by solute atoms clustering. Phase transformations and microhardness changes were investigated during isochronal annealing in both naturally aged alloys in comparison to just solution treated ones. Electrical resistivity changes measured at 77 K were used to characterize microstructure development. Transmission electron microscopy was performed at selected states heat treated in the identical way. The Mg15Gd supersaturated solid solution isochronally annealed up to 500 °C immediately after the solution treatment decomposes into following successive phases: β ́ ́ (D019) metastable → β ́ (cbco) metastable → β (Mg5Gd) stable. All three possible orientation relationship modes of the metastable β ́ (cbco) phase existed at lower temperatures (up to 280 °C) but only one mode persists up to 330 °C. Precipitation of the β ́ (cbco) phase has not been observed in the Mg10Gd alloy annealed isochronally immediately after the solution treatment. The natural ageing does not change the precipitation sequence but concentration of Gd atoms involved in individual precipitation processes is influenced in both alloys. Peak hardening increases after natural ageing in the Mg15Gd alloy, shifts to higher temperatures and the temperature region of peak hardening extends.
Hydrogen-Induced Buckling of Pd Films Deposited on Various Substrates
Authors: Vlček Marián , Lukáč František , Vlach Martin , Procházka Ivan , Wagner Stefan , Uchida Helmut , Pundt Astrid , Gemma Ryota , Čížek Jakub
Published: July 2015

A Pd-H system is a model system suitable for studying interactions of hydrogen with metals. In the present work, we studied hydrogen-induced buckling of thin Pd films deposited on various substrates with different bonding strengths (sapphire, glimmer) and also the effect of deposition temperature. Lattice expansion and phase transitions were investigated by X-ray diffraction of synchrotron radiation. The influence of the substrate and microstructure of the film on the buckling process and phase transformation to palladium hydride are discussed.