bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Camera as Gloss Measurement Device
Authors: Mihálik A. , Ďurikovič R.
Published: June 2016

Nowadays digital cameras with both high resolution and the high dynamic range (HDR) can be considered as parallel multiple sensors producing multiple measurements at once. In this paper we describe a technique for processing the captured HDR data and than fit them to theoretical surface reflection models in the form of bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). Finally, the tabular BRDF can be used to calculate the gloss reflection of the surface. We compare the captured glossiness by digital camera with gloss measured with the industry device and conclude that the results fit well in our experiments.
ACTH, Cortisol and IL-6 Levels in Athletes Following Magnesium Supplementation
Authors: Dmitrašinović Gordana , Pešić Vesna , Stanić Dušanka , Plećaš-Solarović Bosiljka , Dajak Marijana , Ignjatović Svetlana
Published: June 2016

Background:Physical exercise activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and induces the body’s inflammatory response. Due to contemporary dietary habits and increased energy expenditure, athletes are susceptible to depletion of magnesium ions. The aim of our study was to investigate, through assessment of plasma ACTH, serum IL-6, and salivary/serum cortisol levels, if chronic magnesium supplementation might reduce damaging stress effects in amateur rugby players.

Methods:Rugby players (N=23) were randomly assigned to intervention and control group. Basal samples were collected before intervention group started a 4-week-long supplementation with magnesium (500 mg Mg/d). Blood and saliva sampling were done a day before the match (Day-1), on the morning of competition (Game), and during a six-day-long recovery period (Day1, Day3 and Day6). ACTH, serum/salivary cortisol, IL-6 and total/differential leukocytes counts were determined at each time point.

Results:There was a statistically significant increase in ACTH concentration in intervention group compared to control group, while reductions in cortisol concentrations between the two groups were the greatest at Day-1 (p<0.01) and at the day of competition (Game) (p<0.01). Our results revealed that magnesium completely abolished the increase in IL-6 level noted in control group on Day1 and Day3 vs. Day-1 (p<0.01) and also diminished the rise in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in intervention group vs. control group (p<0.01).

Conclusions:These results suggest the possibly important influence magnesium supplementation might have on the change of parameters of HPA axis activity and reduction of immune response activation following strenuous physical exercise such as a rugby game.
An Algebraic Approach to Unital Quantities and their Measurement
Authors: Domotor Zoltan , Batitsky Vadim
Published: June 2016

The goals of this paper fall into two closely related areas. First, we develop a formal framework for deterministic unital quantities in which measurement unitization is understood to be a built-in feature of quantities rather than a mere annotation of their numerical values with convenient units. We introduce this idea within the setting of certain ordered semigroups of physical-geometric states of classical physical systems. States are assumed to serve as truth makers of metrological statements about quantity values. A unital quantity is presented as an isomorphism from the target system’s ordered semigroup of states to that of positive reals. This framework allows us to include various derived and variable quantities, encountered in engineering and the natural sciences. For illustration and ease of presentation, we use the classical notions of length, time, electric current and mean velocity as primordial examples. The most important application of the resulting unital quantity calculus is in dimensional analysis. Second, in evaluating measurement uncertainty due to the analog-to-digital conversion of the measured quantity’s value into its measuring instrument’s pointer quantity value, we employ an ordered semigroup framework of pointer states. Pointer states encode the measuring instrument’s indiscernibility relation, manifested by not being able to distinguish the measured system’s topologically proximal states. Once again, we focus mainly on the measurement of length and electric current quantities as our motivating examples. Our approach to quantities and their measurement is strictly state-based and algebraic in flavor, rather than that of a representationalist-style structure-preserving numerical assignment.
Experimental Study on EHD Flow Transition in a Small Scale Wire-plate ESP
Authors: Wang Chuan , Xie Zhenqiang , Xu Binggui , Li Jun , Zhou Xu
Published: June 2016

The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow induced by the corona discharge was experimentally investigated in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The ESP was a narrow horizontal Plexiglas box (1300 mm×60 mm×60 mm). The electrode set consisted of a single wire discharge electrode and two collecting aluminum plate electrodes. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method was used to visualize the EHD flow characteristics inside the ESP seeded with fine oil droplets. The influence of applied voltage (from 8 kV to 10 kV) and primary gas flow (0.15 m/s, 0.2 m/s, 0.4 m/s) on the EHD flow transition was elucidated through experimental analysis. The formation and transition of typical EHD flows from onset to the fully developed were described and explained. Experimental results showed that the EHD flow patterns change depends on the gas velocity and applied voltage. EHD flow starts with flow streamlines near collecting plates bending towards the wire electrode, forming two void regions. An oscillating jet forming the downstream appeared and moved towards the wire electrode as voltage increased. For higher velocities (≥0.2 m/s), the EHD transition became near wire phenomenon with a jet-like flow structure near the wire, forming a void region behind the wire and expanding as voltage increased. Fully developed EHD secondary flow in the form of counter-rotating vortices appeared upstream with high applied voltage.
A Method for Optimizing Lightweight-Gypsum Design Based on Sequential Measurements of Physical Parameters
Authors: Vimmrová Alena , Kočí Václav , Krejsová Jitka , Černý Robert
Published: June 2016

A method for lightweight-gypsum material design using waste stone dust as the foaming agent is described. The main objective is to reach several physical properties which are inversely related in a certain way. Therefore, a linear optimization method is applied to handle this task systematically. The optimization process is based on sequential measurement of physical properties. The results are subsequently point-awarded according to a complex point criterion and new composition is proposed. After 17 trials the final mixture is obtained, having the bulk density equal to (586 ± 19) kg/m3 and compressive strength (1.10 ± 0.07) MPa. According to a detailed comparative analysis with reference gypsum, the newly developed material can be used as excellent thermally insulating interior plaster with the thermal conductivity of (0.082 ± 0.005) W/(m·K). In addition, its practical application can bring substantial economic and environmental benefits as the material contains 25 % of waste stone dust.
Parent-Pressure
Authors: Strandgaard Jensen Helle
Published: June 2016

In this article, I examine change and continuity in conceptions of parental agency in public debates about children’s media consumption in Scandinavia, 1945-1975. During this period, public debates about the various kinds of media products children consumed were dominated by different groups of professionals: first, by teachers and librarians in the mid-fifties and, then, by intellectuals and performing artists in the late sixties. With a radically changed professional hegemony and a shifting media landscape, the role of media in children’s lives was described very differently during the period. However, a strong continuity in the debates was the negative influence parents were seen as having on children’s media consumption due to their lack of insight and interest in the topic. Drawing upon recent works on children’s media, consumption and enculturation, I analyse why the negative description of parents as co-consumers prevailed despite radical changes in views on children’s media consumption. In particular, I examine the shared inter-Scandinavian socio-cultural contexts that structured the changing professional and political groups’ pressure on parents to perform according to their norms and values.
The Dynamics of Sensemaking and Information Seeking in a Crisis Situation
Authors: Vigsø Orla , Odén Tomas
Published: June 2016

The present article investigates two questions: What determines citizens’ use of different media to seek information in a crisis situation, and what influences their evaluation of the information found. The case analysed is a major fire at a chemical storage facility in the harbour of Halmstad in Sweden, where there was a risk of toxic fumes reaching the city and its approximately 60,000 inhabitants. The study is part of a larger project, financed by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, and in this part, focus group interviews are analysed. The results point to an interaction between citizens’ perception of the world, the perceived information, and the development of how the situation is regarded, where sensemaking is the pivotal concept.
Aporetic Apparatus
Authors: Seppänen Janne , Herkman Juha
Published: June 2016

In this article, we examine the epistemology of the camera today. In order to answer this question, we concentrate on three social and technological forms: the camera obscura, the photographic camera, and the digital camera.

On the one hand, the camera extends our human sensibilities and helps us to obtain knowledge of the world. On the other hand, it works as a device for delusion, bodily vision and spectacle. Historically, these two functions are meshed together in complicated ways and this establishes the paradoxical epistemology of the camera.

We argue that, even if contemporary debates about the truthfulness of the photographic image have persistently been tied to the digitisation of the photographic process, the very origin of these debates actually lies in the camera itself and its contradictory epistemology. The camera has worked, and still works, as an apparatus that relentlessly produces irresolvable ambiguity, aporia, between true knowledge and illusory vision.
Return of the Talking Heads
Authors: Hansen Kenneth Reinecke , Bro Peter , Andersson Ralf
Published: June 2016

The present article suggests that the brief history of Western television news dramaturgy can be expounded as three major waves: from the early days of the talking heads in the studio, over the narrativization of the field report to a (re-)current studio- and field-based talking heads format. In order to analyze the latest development entering the third wave, we propose a theoretically based dramaturgical model for the television news item. The analysis concludes that, with the current ‘return’ of the talking heads format, the pre-produced and pre-packaged bulletin program about past events is dissolving and transforming into an evaluative present- and future-oriented update format that resembles the 24-hour newsonly channels. Production time merges with broadcast time so that the uncertainty of live spreads to the dramaturgy.
Multi-energy ion implantation from high-intensity laser
Authors: Cutroneo Mariapompea , Torrisi Lorenzo , Ullschmied Jiri , Dudzak Roman
Published: June 2016

The laser-matter interaction using nominal laser intensity above 1015 W/cm2 generates in vacuum non-equilibrium plasmas accelerating ions at energies from tens keV up to hundreds MeV. From thin targets, using the TNSA regime, plasma is generated in the forward direction accelerating ions above 1 MeV per charge state and inducing high-ionization states. Generally, the ion energies follow a Boltzmann-like distribution characterized by a cutoff at high energy and by a Coulomb-shift towards high energy increasing the ion charge state. The accelerated ions are emitted with the high directivity, depending on the ion charge state and ion mass, along the normal to the target surface. The ion fluencies depend on the ablated mass by laser, indeed it is low for thin targets. Ions accelerated from plasma can be implanted on different substrates such as Si crystals, glassy-carbon and polymers at different fluences. The ion dose increment of implanted substrates is obtainable with repetitive laser shots and with repetitive plasma emissions. Ion beam analytical methods (IBA), such as Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) and proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) can be employed to analyse the implanted species in the substrates. Such analyses represent ‘off-line’ methods to extrapolate and to character the plasma ion stream emission as well as to investigate the chemical and physical modifications of the implanted surface. The multi-energy and species ion implantation from plasma, at high fluency, changes the physical and chemical properties of the implanted substrates, in fact, many parameters, such as morphology, hardness, optical and mechanical properties, wetting ability and nanostructure generation may be modified through the thermal-assisted implantation by multi-energy ions from laser-generated plasma.
Desorption/ablation of lithium fluoride induced by extreme ultraviolet laser radiation
Authors: Blejchař Tomáš , Nevrlý Václav , Vašinek Michal , Dostál Michal , Kozubková Milada , Dlabka Jakub , Stachoň Martin , Juha Libor , Bitala Petr , Zelinger Zdeněk , Pira Peter , Wild Jan
Published: June 2016

The availability of reliable modeling tools and input data required for the prediction of surface removal rate from the lithium fluoride targets irradiated by the intense photon beams is essential for many practical aspects. This study is motivated by the practical implementation of soft X-ray (SXR) or extreme ultraviolet (XUV) lasers for the pulsed ablation and thin film deposition. Specifically, it is focused on quantitative description of XUV laser-induced desorption/ablation from lithium fluoride, which is a reference large band-gap dielectric material with ionic crystalline structure. Computational framework was proposed and employed here for the reconstruction of plume expansion dynamics induced by the irradiation of lithium fluoride targets. The morphology of experimentally observed desorption/ablation craters were reproduced using idealized representation (two-zone approximation) of the laser fluence profile. The calculation of desorption/ablation rate was performed using one-dimensional thermomechanic model (XUV-ABLATOR code) taking into account laser heating and surface evaporation of the lithium fluoride target occurring on a nanosecond timescale. This step was followed by the application of two-dimensional hydrodynamic solver for description of laser-produced plasma plume expansion dynamics. The calculated plume lengths determined by numerical simulations were compared with a simple adiabatic expansion (blast-wave) model.
Plasma characterization of the gas-puff target source dedicated for soft X-ray microscopy using SiC detectors
Authors: Torrisi Alfio , Wachulak Przemysław , Torrisi Lorenzo , Bartnik Andrzej , Węgrzyński Łukasz , Fiedorowicz Henryk
Published: June 2016

An Nd:YAG pulsed laser was employed to irradiate a nitrogen gas-puff target. The interaction gives rise to the emission of soft X-ray (SXR) radiation in the ‘water window’ spectral range (λ= 2.3÷4.4 nm). This source was already successfully employed to perform the SXR microscopy. In this work, a Silicon Carbide (SiC) detector was used to characterize the nitrogen plasma emission in terms of gas-puff target parameters. The measurements show applicability of SiC detectors for SXR plasma characterization.
Evolution of the small ball-like structures in the plasma focus discharge
Authors: Cikhardtova Balzhima , Kubes Pavel , Cikhardt Jakub , Paduch Marian , Zielinska Ewa , Kravarik Josef , Rezac Karel , Kortanek Jiri
Published: June 2016

The experiments were carried out in the PF-1000 plasma-focus device at the maximum current reaching about 2 MA, at the deuterium or neon filling and with deuterium injected from a gas-puff nozzle placed on the axis of the anode face. Ball-like structures of diameters of 1-12 mm were identified in interferometric and XUV pinhole camera frames. We made the statistical description of their parameters. A lifetime of the ball-like structures was in the range from 30 to 210 ns, and in some cases even more. These structures appeared mostly at the surface of the imploding plasma shell and they did not change their position in relation to the anode end. During the evolution of these structures, interferometric fringes were observed near the surfaces of the structures only, and their internal parts were initially chaotic (without noticeable) fringes. Subsequently the number of interferometric fringes increased (the internal ‘chaotic’ area was filled with fringes too) and later on it decreased. The radii of the ball-like structures were mostly increasing during their existence. The maximum electron density reached the value of 1024 to 1025 m-3. The ball-like structures decayed by absorption inside the expanded pinch column and/or gradually expired in rare plasma outside of the dense plasma column.
Measurements of fast electron beams and soft X-ray emission from plasma-focus experiments
Authors: Surała Władysław , Sadowski Marek J. , Kwiatkowski Roch , Jakubowski Lech , Żebrowski Jarosław
Published: June 2016

The paper reports results of the recent experimental studies of pulsed electron beams and soft X-rays in plasma-focus (PF) experiments carried out within a modified PF-360U facility at the NCBJ, Poland. Particular attention was focused on time-resolved measurements of the fast electron beams by means of two different magnetic analyzers, which could record electrons of energy ranging from about 41 keV to about 715 keV in several (6 or 8) measuring channels. For discharges performed with the pure deuterium filling, many strong electron signals were recorded in all the measuring channels. Those signals were well correlated with the first hard X-ray pulse detected by an external scintillation neutron-counter. In some of the analyzer channels, electron spikes (lasting about dozens of nanoseconds) and appearing in different instants after the current peculiarity (so-called current dip) were also recorded. For several discharges, fast ion beams, which were emitted along the z-axis and recorded with nuclear track detectors, were also investigated. Those measurements confirmed a multibeam character of the ion emission. The time-integrated soft X-ray images, which were taken side-on by means of a pinhole camera and sensitive X-ray films, showed the appearance of some filamentary structures and so-called hot spots. The application of small amounts of admixtures of different heavy noble gases, i.e. of argon (4.8% volumetric), krypton (1.6% volumetric), or xenon (0.8% volumetric), decreased intensity of the recorded electron beams, but increased intensity of the soft X-ray emission and showed more distinct and numerous hot spots. The recorded electron spikes have been explained as signals produced by quasi-mono-energetic microbeams emitted from tiny sources (probably plasma diodes), which can be formed near the observed hot spots.
The experimental and theoretical investigations of damage development and distribution in double-forged tungsten under plasma irradiation-initiated extreme heat loads
Authors: Väli Berit , Laas Tõnu , Paju Jana , Shirokova Veroonika , Paduch Marian , Gribkov Vladimir A. , Demina Elena V. , Pimenov Valeri N. , Makhlaj Vadym A. , Antonov Maksim
Published: June 2016

The influence of extreme heat loads, as produced by a multiple pulses of non-homogeneous fl ow of slow plasma (0.1-1 keV) and fast ions (100 keV), on double-forged tungsten (DFW) was investigated. For generation of deuterium plasma and fast deuterons, plasma-focus devices PF-12 and PF-1000 are used. Depending on devices and conditions, the power flux density of plasma varied in a range of 107-1010 W/cm2 with pulse duration of 50-100 ns. Power flux density of fast ions was 1010-1012 W/cm2 at the pulse duration of 10-50 ns. To achieve the combined effect of different kind of plasmas, the samples were later irradiated with hydrogen plasma (105 W/cm2, 0.25 ms) by a QSPA Kh-50 plasma generator. Surface modification was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microroughness measurements. For estimation of damages in the bulk of material, an electrical conductivity method was used. Investigations showed that irradiation of DFW with multiple plasma pulses generated a mesh of micro- and macrocracks due to high heat load. A comparison with single forged tungsten (W) and tungsten doped with 1% lanthanum-oxide (WL10) reveals the better crack-resistance of DFW. Also, sizes of cells formed between the cracks on the DFW’s surface were larger than in cases of W or WL10. Measurements of electrical conductivity indicated a layer of decreased conductivity, which reached up to 500 μm. It depended mainly on values of power flux density of fast ions, but not on the number of pulses. Thus, it may be concluded that bulk defects (weakening bonds between grains and crystals, dislocations, point-defects) were generated due to mechanical shock wave, which was generated by the fast ions flux. Damages and erosion of materials under different combined radiation conditions have also been discussed.
Salt tolerance assessment of barley (Hordeum
vulgare L.) genotypes at germination stage by tolerance indices
Authors: Askari Hossein , Kazemitabar Seiyed Kamal , Zarrini Hamid Najafi , Saberi Mohammd Hossein
Published: June 2016

This study was performed to assess several indices for identifying genotypes at germination stage
with the best performance in salinity conditions. In order
to evaluate the seed germination of barley genotypes in
different levels of salt conditions, an experiment was conducted as factorial arrangement with a completely randomized design with 3 replications. The effect of salinity
treatments was studied through an analysis of the germination, yielding results that show significant differences
among genotypes. Stress tolerance index, stress tolerance, stress susceptibility index, germination reduction
ratio, mean productivity and geometric mean productivity were used. The majority of used indices indicated that
ESBYTM8910, 4 Shori and MBS8715 were the best barley
genotypes showing the highest stress resistance for the
greatest NaCl concentration. This result was similar to
those obtained from the analysis of variance and statistical comparison of means of genotypes germination percentages. There were positive and strong correlations of
germination percentage in normal and stress condition
with STI in high levels of salinity. Thus, this correlation
seems to be a useful indicator of tolerant genotypes at this
stage.
Meottomyces dissimulans (Agaricales, Basidiomycota), new for Poland
Authors: Halama Marek , Rutkowski Ryszard
Published: June 2016

This paper reports the first sites of Meottomyces dissimulans (Berk. & Broome) Vizzini in Poland. About a dozen basidiomata in all stages of development were observed in poplar and alder-willow thickets. The macro- and micromorphological characters of the Polish specimens are described and illustrated, and the distribution of the species in Poland is given.
Squamanita odorata (Agaricales, Basidiomycota), new mycoparasitic fungus for Poland
Authors: Halama Marek
Published: June 2016

The rare and interesting fungus Squamanita odorata (Cool) Imbach, a parasite on Hebeloma species, is reported for the first time from Poland, briefly described and illustrated based on Polish specimens. Its taxonomy, ecology and distribution are discussed.
Hieracia balcanica XIII. Typification of the Hieracium (Asteraceae) names described by Josif Pančić from Montenegro
Authors: Szeląg Zbigniew
Published: June 2016

The names Hieracium naegelianum Pančić, H. myriocephalum Pančić and H. thapsiforme R. Uechtr. are lectotypified using specimens stored at WRSL. Hieracium myriocephalum is recognized as conspecific with H. bupleurifolium Tausch. Hieracium thapsiforme R. Uechtr. is recognized as conspecific with H. plumulosum A. Kern. The authorship of the name H. thapsiforme is ‘R. Uechtr.’ and not ‘Asch. & Kanitz’. All discussed species are illustrated with photos of original specimens.
Amauroascus kuehnii and other fungi isolated from a deer horn in Poland
Authors: Chlebicki Andrzej , Spisak Wojciech
Published: June 2016

Four keratinophilic fungi isolated from deer horn collected in Gorce National Park (Poland) are reported: Amauroascus kuehnii Arx with its malbranchea-like anamorph, Isaria fumosorosea Wize, Mortierella elongata Linnem., and Penicillium spinulosum Thom s.l. The record of Amauroascus kuehnii is its second locality in Europe, and keratin deer horn is a new substrate for this fungus.
Rediscovery of the epiphytic moss Ulota coarctata (Orthotrichaceae) in Poland
Authors: Plášek Vítězslav , Smoczyk Michał , Ochyra Ryszard
Published: June 2016

Ulota coarctata (P. Beauv.) Hammar was recently collected in Poland after more than half a century. This epiphytic moss was found at four localities in the Pojezierze Lubuskie lakeland in the western part of the country. Its diagnostic features are briefly presented, its habitat requirements are considered, the historical and recent findings of the species in Poland are discussed, and its distribution is mapped. It is suggested that the species status should be changed from ‘endangered’ to ‘critically endangered’ on the red list of mosses in Poland.
Modified neural network based cascaded control for product composition of reactive distillation
Authors: Sakhre Vandana , Jain Sanjeev , Sapkal V. S. , Agarwal D.P.
Published: June 2016

In this research work, neural network based single loop and cascaded control strategies, based on Feed Forward Neural Network trained with Back Propagation (FBPNN) algorithm is carried out to control the product composition of reactive distillation. The FBPNN is modified using the steepest descent method. This modification is suggested for optimization of error function. The weights connecting the input and hidden layer, hidden and output layer is optimized using steepest descent method which causes minimization of mean square error and hence improves the response of the system. FBPNN, as the inferential soft sensor is used for composition estimation of reactive distillation using temperature as a secondary process variable. The optimized temperature profile of the reactive distillation is selected as input to the neural network. Reboiler heat duty is selected as a manipulating variable in case of single loop control strategy while the bottom stage temperature T9 is selected as a manipulating variable for cascaded control strategy. It has been observed that modified FBPNN gives minimum mean square error. It has also been observed from the results that cascaded control structure gives improved dynamic response as compared to the single loop control strategy.
Synthesis and characterization of the aluminium phosphates modified with ammonium, calcium and molybdenum by hydrothermal method
Authors: Łuczka Kinga , Grzmil Barbara , Kic Bogumił , Kowalczyk Krzysztof
Published: June 2016

Synthesis and characterization of the aluminum phosphates modified with ammonium, calcium and molybdenum were conducted. The influence of process parameters (reactive pressure and molar ratios) in the reaction mixture were studied. The contents of the individual components in the products were in the range of: 10.97–17.31 wt% Al, 2.65–13.32 wt% Ca, 0.70–3.11 wt% Mo, 4.36–8.38 wt% NH3, and 35.12–50.54 wt% P2O5. The materials obtained in the experiments were characterized by various physicochemical parameters. The absorption oil number was in the range from 67 to 89 of oil/100 g of product, the surface area was within the range of 4–76 m2/g, whereas the average particle size of products reached 282–370 nm. The Tafel tests revealed comparable anticorrosive properties of aluminum phosphates modified with ammonium, calcium, molybdenum in comparison with commercial phosphate.
Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) from the Tervuren Museum, 7: The archipine genus Labidosa DIAKONOFF, 1960
Authors: Razowski Józef
Published: June 2016

Ten species of Labidosa are discussed; three of them (L. fontainei sp. n., L. angolana sp. n., L. spania sp. n.) are newly described; five species are transferred to Labidosa from other genera. New combinations: the following three species, L. cerioschema, L. cyanombra and L. myriodesma are transferred from Homona and L. symmetra from Cacoecia to Labidosa.
Veronica longifolia L. as an important initial larval food plant of Scarce Fritillary Euphydryas maturna (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae): the ecological uniqueness of populations from the Natura 2000 area “Dolina Biebrzy” (Biebrza Valley) in NE Poland
Authors: Sielezniew Marcin , Dziekańska Izabela
Published: June 2016

The Euro-Siberian Scarce Fritillary Euphydryas maturna is considered a vulnerable species in the European Union and is listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The butterfly shows a complex pattern of larval plant use throughout its range. In central Europe females oviposit on some trees and bushes, especially Fraxinus spp., on which hatched larvae spend their pre-diapause phase of development feeding gregariously in conspicuous webs. However, some herbal plants are also reported in the north and east. During a study performed in the Natura 2000 area “Dolina Biebrzy” (Biebrza Valley) in NE Poland we recorded populations showing a unique mixture of ecological characteristics. Both Fraxinus excelsior and Veronica longifolia were used as larval food plants before hibernation, and some local populations seemed to be completely dependent on the latter plant. Moreover, in the spring, at one site, we observed larvae feeding on Salix rosmarinifolia - the first host record for this plant species. The importance of our findings for conservation, as well as for the monitoring of the butterfly, is discussed.
Physical Education Students’ Knowledge of Selected Safe and Non-Recommended Exercises Strengthening the Abdominal Muscles
Authors: Kędra Agnieszka , Czaprowski Dariusz
Published: June 2016

Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess final-year physical education (PE) students’ knowledge of exercises strengthening the abdominal muscles which are used in the introductory part of a PE lesson. Material and methods. The research involved 467 final-year physical education students. The group examined included undergraduate (Bachelor) and postgraduate (Master) students from four universities in Poland. A knowledge test with photographs was used to conduct the study. The students completed the knowledge test with one of the authors present. If the students had any questions regarding the exercises included in the test, they were demonstrated by the person in the photographs. The data were analysed using the Mann- Whitney-Wilcoxon test. Kendall’s concordance coefficient was used to assess reliability and measure the agreement between the opinions of a group of experts who were asked to rate the exercises in terms of their safety and effectiveness. The calculations were made with the use of statistical and calculation software (SPSS 9.0 for Windows). An alpha value < 0.05 was accepted as the level of significance of differences between the groups of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Results. Eighty-two participants (17.6%) performed the task correctly, selecting all the safe exercises, 139 students (29.8%) made one error, while 110 marked all the overloading and ineffective exercises as safe. Conclusions. The students’ knowledge of safe exercises strengthening the abdominal muscles was insufficient. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students demonstrated similar knowledge concerning these exercises.
A two-dimensional simulation to predict the electrical behavior of carbon nanotube/polymer composites
Authors: Malekie Shahryar , Ziaie Farhood
Published: June 2016

In this research work, a two-dimensional model for randomly dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in polymer hosts was used to predict the electrical percolation threshold (EPT) of the resulted composites in different concentrations of CNT. This was performed under a fixed DC voltage for different polymer matrices, such as high-density polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate via finite element method (FEM). The predicted EPT values in different composites were validated by experimental results published by other scientists. Results show that the electrical conductivity of the composites was strongly dependent on CNT weight percentages. Also, adding CNTs to the polymer matrix caused a decrease in the tunneling distance for various polymers in composites. Our results show that FEM could capture more details in the prediction of EPT in the nanocomposites.
Long-term changes of Daugava River ice phenology under the impact of the cascade of hydro power plants
Authors: Apsîte Elga , Elferts Didzis , Latkovska Inese
Published: June 2016

This paper presents the results of the study of long-term changes of Daugava River ice phenology, i.e. the freeze-up date, the break-up date, and the duration of ice cover from 1919/1920 to 2011/2012, under the impact of the cascade of hydro power plants. The long-term changes of ice phenology were determined by global climate warming at the turn of the 20th and the 21st centuries and anthropogenic activities after the year 1939. The Mann-Kendall test showed that the ice freeze-up date has a positive trend, while the ice break-up date and the duration of ice cover had negative trends. The changes were statistically significant. Data series covering twenty years before and after construction of the hydro power plants were used for assessing the impact of each hydro power plant on changes of Daugava River ice phenology parameters. The study results showed that the duration of ice cover was significantly longer in water reservoirs, i.e. the freeze-up date was earlier and the break-up date was later. Downstream of dams duration of ice cover was shorter with later freeze-up dates and earlier break-up dates. The impact of hydro power plants on ice phenology parameters gradually decreased with distance down from the dams.
Long-term changes in the water temperature of rivers in Latvia
Authors: Latkovska Inese , Apsīte Elga
Published: June 2016

The study describes the trends of monthly mean water temperature (from May to October) and the annual maximum water temperature of the rivers in Latvia during the time period from 1945 to 2000. The results demonstrated that the mean water temperatures during the monitoring period from May to October were higher in the largest rivers (from 13.6 °C to 16.1 °C) compared to those in the smallest rivers (from 11.5 °C to 15.7 °C). Similar patterns were seen for the maximum water temperature: in large rivers from 22.9 °C to 25.7 °C, and in small rivers from 20.8 °C to 25.8 °C. Generally, lower water temperatures occurred in rivers with a high groundwater inflow rate, for example, in rivers of the Gauja basin, in particular, in the Amata River. Mann-Kendall test results demonstrated that during the monitoring period from May to October, mean water temperatures had a positive trend. However, the annual maximum temperature had a negative trend.
The Process of Shrinkage as a Challenge to Urban Governance
Authors: Stryjakiewicz Tadeusz , Jaroszewska Emilia
Published: June 2016

For many decades most researchers, planners and local authorities have been focusing almost exclusively on urban growth and its socio-economic and spatial consequences. However, in the current debate concerning the future of cities and regions in Europe the process of their shrinkage starts to attract more attention. In the conditions of a declining population, urban governance is an important challenge for local authorities, being usually much more difficult than during the periods of population growth.

The experience of cities affected by shrinkage shows that there is no simple method of counteracting negative consequences of this process. Regeneration strategies vary a lot, depending mostly on the way the problem is perceived by both central and local governments. The strategies can either choose an adaptive approach (the acceptance of shrinkage and adjustment to it), or attempt to renew growth (shrinkage is treated as just a temporary phenomenon). Quite often the problem is ignored and no action is taken at all.

In the paper the authors discuss the conditions and consequences of different approaches towards the process of shrinkage and present examples of regeneration strategies (together with their assessment). They conclude with recommendations for future urban policies.
Spatiality of Local Governments in European Intermediate Urban Regions: A Methodological Approach
Authors: Breuer Christophe , Halleux Jean-Marie
Published: June 2016

Local authorities are central actors in the governance of European intermediate urban regions. In this paper, we propose a methodology to analyse the fragmentation of local authorities within 119 urban regions. We tested several European databases to create indicators of fragmentation and to develop a typology of fragmentation within cities. Our results show that the Eurostat Cities programme gives a consistent spatial definition of urban regions and that their fragmentation is mainly influenced by national contexts. The developed methodology is a contribution to the debate on territorial reforms and urban governance transformations.
Inter-Municipal Cooperation in Waste Management: The Case of Poland
Authors: Kołsut Bartłomiej
Published: June 2016

This article seeks to present the scale of inter-municipal cooperation in waste management in Poland in the light of the role of three key factors of cooperation. The first shows spatial regularities in the distribution of inter-municipal bodies involved in waste management in Poland, both in the system of voivodeships and historical-cultural regions. The second is institutional conditions confirming the scale of the Europeanisation of public policies taking place in Poland. It embraces the implementation of the EU legal framework in the Polish legal system and the cooperative behaviour of municipalities as a result of those changes. The third is a negative verification of the assumptions of the economic theory upholding the role of financial motivation in establishing cooperation (looking for savings and economies of scale to reduce unit cost); the presented results do not corroborate this type of motivation.
Model of Environmental Problems Priority Arising from the use of Environmental and Natural Resources in Machinery Sectors of Thailand
Authors: Sutthichaimethee Pruethsan , Sawangdee Yothin
Published: June 2016

The objective of this research is to propose an indicator to evaluate environmental impacts from the Machinery sectors of Thailand, leading to more sustainable consumption and production in this sector of the economy. The factors used to calculate the Forward Linkage, Backward Linkage and Real Benefit were the Total Environmental Costs. The highest total environmental cost was Railway Equipment which needs to be resolved immediately because it uses natural resources more than its carrying capacity, higher environmental cost than standard, and contributes low real benefit. Electric Accumulator & Battery, Secondary Special Industrial Machinery, Motorcycle, Bicycle & Other Carriages, and Engines and Turbines need to be monitored closely because they are able to link to other production sectors more than any other production sectors do, and they have high environmental cost. To decide a sustainable development strategy of the country, therefore, results of this research must be used to support decision-making.
Algae Biofuel in the Nigerian Energy Context
Authors: Elegbede Isa , Guerrero Cinthya
Published: June 2016

The issue of energy consumption is one of the issues that have significantly become recognized as an important topic of global discourse. Fossil fuels production reportedly experiencing a gradual depletion in the oil-producing nations of the world. Most studies have relatively focused on biofuel development and adoption, however, the awareness of a prospect in the commercial cultivation of algae having potential to create economic boost in Nigeria, inspired this research. This study aims at exploring the potential of the commercialization of a different but commonly found organism, algae, in Nigeria. Here, parameters such as; water quality, light, carbon, average temperature required for the growth of algae, and additional beneficial nutrients found in algae were analysed. A comparative cum qualitative review of analysis was used as the study made use of empirical findings on the work as well as the author’s deductions. The research explored the cultivation of algae with the two major seasonal differences (i.e. rainy and dry) in Nigeria as a backdrop. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in the contribution of algae and other sources of biofuels as a necessity for bioenergy in Nigeria. However, for an effective sustainability of this prospect, adequate measures need to be put in place in form of funding, provision of an economically-enabling environment for the cultivation process as well as proper healthcare service in the face of possible health hazard from technological processes. Further studies can seek to expand on the potential of cultivating algae in the Harmattan season.
Street Geometry Factors Influence Urban Microclimate in Tropical Coastal Cities: A Review
Authors: Shafaghat Arezou , Manteghi Golnoosh , Keyvanfar Ali , Bin Lamit Hasanuddin , Saito Kei , Ossen Dilshan Remaz
Published: June 2016

Urban climatologists have moved smoothly towards urban geometry meso-scales as obstruction between buildings, streets, and urban environment. Urban climatologists and designers have expressed that urban geometry parameters affect urban microclimate conditions. Improper functioning of the geometry factors, particularly air temperature and wind speed, can increase the harshness of climate change and Urban Heat Island (UHI) defects, which are more critical in coastal cities of tropical regions. In this regard, the current study aimed to identify the impact of each street geometry factor on urban microclimate through a critical literature review. The research determined a total of twenty seven (27) factors within three clusters; 1) geometry factors, 2) meteorological factors, and 3) streetscape factors. The content analysis calculated the Depth of Citation (DoC) which refers to the cumulative importance level of each factor. The content analysis resulted air temperature (Ta) (DoC = 18 out of 28) is the most important street geometry factor that should be extensively considered in urban microclimate studies in coastal cities. In contrast, the factors (such as air pollution and traffic load) have received a minimum Doc (1 out of 28). The research has also analyzed the importance level of clusters through an expert input study using Grounded Group Decision Making (GGDM) method. The results show that meteorological cluster (92 %), streetscape cluster (86 %), and geometry cluster (85 %) have to be respectively implemented in urban microclimate studies in coastal cities. The research states there are new approaches have not yet been touched by urban climatologist affecting urban microclimate; included; surface materials, sea-borne dust and sand, user’s satisfaction, user’s thermal adaptive behavior. These approaches can potentially exacerbate UHI effects in coastal cities, which need further research.
The issue of ethnic identity and aspects of cross-cultural orientation of the Greeks in Georgia (the example of Ts’alk’a Greeks)
Authors: Melikishvili Liana , Jalabadze Natia
Published: June 2016

After the fall of the Soviet Union, the issue of ethnic identity has gained in importance among Georgia’s multiethnic communities. Groups of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds faced the challenge of choosing a common language of communication, and they must address issues related to their ethno-cultural preferences. Using the example of Ts’alk’a Greeks – the largest Greek community in Georgia – this article discusses aspects of maintaining an ethnic identity in a multiethnic environment, and identifies visible trends of cross-cultural orientation. How do Greeks manage to preserve their ethnic identity, and what is their strategy based on? What determines the orientation of Greeks towards the different groups? The present study argues that culture (i. e. language, religion, traditions, customs, etc.) is crucial in this regard.
From double to dependent marking? An investigation of possessive constructions in Caucasian Urum
Authors: Neugebauer Johanna
Published: June 2016

Speakers of the Turkic variety Caucasian Urum use different strategies for morphologically marking attributive possessive relations. This article presents the results of an experimental study conducted in Tbilisi with the aim of revealing if speakers systematically differentiate in their use of possession markers, and if so, if this is influenced by internal factors such asalienabilityof the word andcomplexityof the phrase. Furthermore, the speakers’ ages were taken into account. Results showed that in possessive constructions, it is especially the head-marking possessive suffix that is occasionally omitted. Post-hoc analysis showed the unexpected influence ofalienabilityon single NP’s possessive marking, even in non-possessive constructions. The results lead to the assumption that the process of constructing possessive phrases is highly influenced by the contact language, Russian.
From syntagmatic to paradigmatic spatial zeroes: The loss of the prepositionsein inner Asia Minor Greek
Authors: Karatsareas Petros , Georgakopoulos Thanasis
Published: June 2016

We trace the diachronic development of the prepositionsein inner Asia Minor Greek from its use to mark a range of spatial functions to its ultimate loss and replacement by zero. We propose that, before spreading to all syntactic and semantic contexts, zero-marking was contextually-dependent on the presence/absence of a prenominal genitive modifying the head noun of Ground-encoding NPs and on the presence/absence of Region-encoding postpositions. We attribute these developments to an informational load relief strategy aimed at producing more economical utterances, as well as to language contact with Turkish, which favored structural convergence on the adpositional level between the two languages.
Conceptualizing the metaphors of drug abusers
Authors: Gyuró Monika
Published: June 2016

The intention of this article is to demonstrate, within the framework of cognitive linguistics (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980a), how slang words associated with substance abuse are conceptualized via metaphors. This study analyses recreational drug slang terms found in the Drug Slang Dictionary in order to reveal categories of metaphors involved in drug users’ language. The results of the data analysis effectively reveal that, within a thematic approach, classes of metaphor are coded to enable connections between metaphorical concepts and drug addicts’ physiological experiences in order to present their personal meanings and cognitive processes. The study also involves drug addicts’ narratives to identify conceptual metaphors in their experiences. Notably, it is argued within this research that figurative language use is also connected to the cultural background of users to a great extent.