bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power modulation to stabilize laser welding of copper
Authors: Heider Andreas , Weber Rudolf , Herrmann Dirk , Herzog Peter , Graf Thomas
Published: January 2015

Due to its high electric and thermal conductivity, copper has a wide range of applications. Many of those require an efficient and reliable welding process most preferably performed with laser beams. The low absorptivity of copper at a wavelength of 1 μm together with its high heat conductivity however make remote laser welding of copper a challenging task. With the currently commercially available lasers, welds with penetration depths of several millimeters in copper can only be achieved at comparatively low welding speeds (v < 10 m/min), which, however, leads to numerous defects such as melt ejections and pores. In this paper, we discuss the approach of laser power modulation to stabilize the welding of copper. It is demonstrated that the modulation of the laser power with the appropriate parameters significantly improves the weld quality. The influence of the average power, the modulation amplitude, welding speed, focal diameter, and modulation frequency on the welding quality is discussed.
Half-century archives of occupational medical data on French nuclear workers: a dusty warehouse or gold mine for epidemiological research?
Authors: Garsi Jerome-Philippe , Samson Eric , Chablais Laetitia , Zhivin Sergey , Niogret Christine , Laurier Dominique
Published: January 2015

This article discusses the availability and completeness of medical data on workers from the AREVA NC Pierrelatte nuclear plant and their possible use in epidemiological research on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders related to internal exposure to uranium. We created a computer database from files on 394 eligible workers included in an ongoing nested case-control study from a larger cohort of 2897 French nuclear workers. For each worker, we collected records of previous employment, job positions, job descriptions, medical visits, and blood test results from medical history. The dataset counts 9,471 medical examinations and 12,735 blood test results. For almost all of the parameters relevant for research on cardiovascular risk, data completeness and availability is over 90 %, but it varies with time and improves in the latest time period. In the absence of biobanks, collecting and computerising available good-quality occupational medicine archive data constitutes a valuable alternative for epidemiological and aetiological research in occupational health. Biobanks rarely contain biological samples over an entire worker’s carrier and medical data from nuclear industry archives might make up for unavailable biomarkers that could provide information on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases
Antihaemolytic activity of thirty herbal extracts in mouse red blood cells
Authors: Khalili Masoumeh , Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad Ali , Safdari Yaghoub
Published: January 2015

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to haemolysis and eventually to diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia. Their action can be counteracted by the antihaemolytic activity of therapeutic agents. The aim of our study was to identify plants that most efficiently counteract ROS-caused haemolysis. From ten plants known for their antioxidant activity (Orobanche orientalis G. Beck, Cucumis melo L., Albizzia julibrissin Durazz, Galium verum L., Scutellaria tournefortii Benth, Crocus caspius Fischer & Meyer, Sambucus ebulus L., Danae racemosa L., Rubus fruticsos L., and Artemisia absinthium L.) we prepared 30 extracts using three extraction methods (percolation, Soxhlet, and ultrasound-assisted extraction) to see whether the extraction method affects antihaemolytic efficiency, and one extraction method (polyphenol extraction) to see how much of this action is phenol-related. Extract antihaemolytic activity was determined in mice red blood cells and compared to that of vitamin C as a known antioxidant. Nine of our extracts were more potent than vitamin C, of which G. verum (aerial parts/percolation) and S. tournefortii (aerial parts/polyphenol) extracts were the most potent, with an IC50 of 1.32 and 2.08 μg mL-1, respectively. Haemolysis inhibition depended on extract concentration and the method of extraction. These plants could provide accessible sources of natural antioxidants to the pharmaceutical industry
In vivo changes in carbonic anhydrase activity and histopathology of gill and liver tissues after acute exposure to chlorpyrifos in rainbow trout
Authors: Topal Ahmet , Atamanalp Muhammed , Oruç Ertan , Demir Yeliz , Beydemir Şükrü , Işık Alparslan
Published: January 2015

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide widely used in agriculture and aquaculture. This study investigated its effects on carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme activity and histopathology of rainbow trout gill and liver. The fish were exposed to 2.25 (25 % of 96 h LC50), 4.5 (50 % of 96 h LC50), and 6.75 μg L-1 (75 % of 96 h LC50) of chlorpyrifos for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. CA activity was measured in liver and gills and histopathological changes were examined by light microscopy. The most common liver changes at most of the chlorpyrifos concentrations were hyperaemia and degenerative changes. Gill tissues were characterised by lamellar hyperaemia, lamellar oedemas, clumping, cellular degeneration, hyperplasia, and lamellar atrophy. CA enzyme activity in the gills decreased at all concentrations at 48, 72, and 96 h after exposure to chlorpyrifos (p<0.05). Similarly, there was a time-dependent decrease in CA activity at all of the concentrations in liver tissues (p<0.05). The present study indicated that chlorpyrifos inhibits CA enzyme activity and causes histopathological damage in gill and liver tissues
Antioxidant Properties of Resveratrol and its Protective Effects in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Gerszon Joanna , Rodacka Aleksandra , Puchała Mieczysław
Published: January 2015

Resveratrol is a natural organic compound, polyphenol, produced naturally by some plants in response to several harmful factors such as attack by pathogens, UV radiation, or increased oxidative stress. Many experiments suggest that it triggers mechanisms that counteract aging-related effects and plays a role in insulin resistance as well. It also possesses beneficial properties such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar-lowering and cardiovascular effects. It is supposed to exhibit an interesting activity in neuroprotection - mainly through activation of sirtuins and counteraction in forming peptide aggregates. Still research is needed to evaluate exactly how resveratrol protects neurons, and to develop new, potential, therapeutic drugs
Voltammetric characterization of Hg2+ ion behaviour in acid media on different electrodes
Authors: Nemtoi Gh. , Cretescu Ig. , Breaban Iuliana , Verestiuc P.C. , Tucaliuc Oana-Maria
Published: January 2015

This article presents some aspects related to the cathodic discharge of the mercuric ion provided from HgCl2 into an aqueous solution of 0.1 M H2SO4 on different types of electrodes: gold disc electrode (GDE), carbon paste electrode (CPE) and platinum-disk electrode (PDE). Using the rotating disk electrode technique applied on PDE it was established that the cathodic discharge mechanism for the mercuric ion is based on both process types: mass transport, achieved by diffusion and charge transfer, achieved by electron transfer from cathode to mercury ion
Influence of the B-site cation nature on crystal structure and magnetic properties of Ca2BMoO6 (B = Cr, La, Sm) double perovskite
Authors: Gorodea Ioana A.
Published: January 2015

Double perovskite-type oxide Ca2BMoO6 materials, where B = Cr, La and Sm, were prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion method for the first time. The role of different B-site cations on their synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties was investigated. The synthesis progress was followed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the samples’ structure was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The increase of the ionic radii B leads to the decrease of the t-value which reflects the structural distortion from the ideal cubic perovskite. Magnetization measurements were made with a SQUID magnetometer. All compounds are ferimagnetic and magnetic properties are indirectly influenced by the distortion degree of the lattice and disorder on the B/B’ positions
Studies of different types of aspirin by spectrophotometric methods
Authors: Motan Gabriela , Puia Aurel
Published: January 2015

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an important anti-inflammatory and analgesic-pyretic drug. FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy were used in the present study. Using the FTIR spectroscopy and statistical data analysis the correlation between different types of aspirin was determined. The content of acetylsalicylic acid from the analysed samples was determined by the use of UV-VIS spectroscopy
Evaluation of Zackel Lamb Meat Quality with the Aim of Increasing the Conservation Value of the Breed
Authors: Mila Savić , Milan Baltić , Zsolt Becskei , Blagoje Dimitrijević , Vladimir Dimitrijević , Đorde Savić , Mensur Vegara
Published: January 2015

The objective of the study was to perform and evaluate the advanced phenotypic characterization of endangered Zackel sheep types, especially their productive potential and meat quality traits. Meat quality characteristics (m. longissimus dorsi) were evaluated in lambs of three types of autochthonous Zackel sheep: Sjenica sheep, Lipe sheep and Vlashko Vitoroga sheep, reared in traditional habitats in a sustainable management system. For the evaluation of sensory characteristics of lamb meat, quantitative descriptive analysis was performed according to ISO 6564:1985, i.e. structural intensity scale of seven points. All Zackel meat samples had an overall acceptability, the most favorable being in Sjenica sheep, with detected differences between Sjenica and Vlashko Vitoroga sheep (p<0.01), as well as between Lipe and Vlashko Vitoroga sheep (p<0.05). For the determination of fatty acids profile the prepared samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. The results showed that all tested lamb meat samples contain favorable amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The average content of conjugated linoleic acid was higher in Sjenica lamb meat compared with Lipe lamb meat, and the difference was significant (p<0.01). It is also shown that examined samples of Sjenica, Lipe and Vlashko Vitoroga lambs, compared to many other exotic and local breeds, were characterized by preferable values of n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio. Polyunsaturated fatty acid n-6:n−3 ratio difference between tested Zackel types was not significant. The favorable fatty acid profile, important for human health and especially for infant and children nutrition, raises the interest for sustainable production and conservation of Zackel sheep
Canine and Feline Thelaziosis Caused by Thelazia Callipaeda in Serbia
Authors: Bojan Gajić , Danica Bogunović , Jevrosima Stevanović , Zoran Kulišić , Predrag Simeunović , Zoran Stanimirović
Published: January 2015

Thelazia callipaeda is a parasitic nematode causing ocular infections in different mammalian species and humans, clinically manifested as lacrimation, conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal opacity or corneal ulcer. In this paper, we reported six cases of autochthonous canine and feline thelaziosis on different localities in Serbia. Total of 285 parasites (85 males and 200 females) were collected from the eyes of infected animals (n=6) suffering from uni- or bilateral conjunctivitis, with the number of parasites ranging from 7 to 150 per animal. All parasites were morphologically identified as T. callipaeda, while molecular analyses of cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) gene revealed the presence of h1 haplotype, as the unique previously reported in other studies in Europe. Since T. callipaeda is a newly detected parasite in Serbia with the infective potential for humans, there is a necessity for animal owners education and cooperation among professional services in order to control this zoonosis.
Comparison of Resorbable Membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration of Human and Bovine Origin
Authors: Zoran Lazić , Marija Bubalo , Radomir Milović , Stevo Matijević , Marko Magić , Igor Đorđević
Published: January 2015

The properties of membranes for guided bone regeneration have been described by a number of authors. These involve biocompatibility, appropriate barrier features (mechanical prevention of soft tissue proliferation), tissue integration, immunologic neutrality, preservation of the space for new alveolar bone, and simplicity of application. Such membrane must hold out against the masticatory forces and tissue tension of the fl ap, and prevent the collapse of soft tissues and wound space reduction. The property of integration into the tissue guarantees wound stabilization and inhibits epithelial migration. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the infl uence of human resorbable demineralized membrane (RHDM) and bovine resorbable demineralized membrane (RBDM) on bone regeneration. The experiment, approved by the Ethical Committee, was performed on six dogs and conducted into three phases. Bone defects were created in all six dogs on the left side of the mandible, 8 weeks after extraction of the second, third and fourth premolar. One defect was covered with 200 μm thick RHDM, one with 200 μm thick RBDM, and the third defect was left empty (control defect). The pathohistological analysis was done two, four and six months after the surgery. In the third phase samples of bone tissue were taken and subjected to patohistological analysis. In all six dogs the defects treated with RHDM 200μm thick showed a higher level of bone regeneration in comparison with the defect treated with RBDM 200 μm thick and especially with the control defect. Our results demonstrated that the human membrane showed the least soft tissue ingrowth and promoted better bone formation at 6 months compared with a bovine one.
Benefit Agmatine Effects in Experimental Multiple Sclerosis. CNS Nitrosative and Oxidative Stress Suppression / Protektivni Efekti Agmatina U Eksperimentalnoj Multiploj Sklerozi. Supresija Nitrozativnog I Oksidativnog Stresa U CNS-U
Authors: Stojanović Ivana , Ljubisavljević Srđan , Stevanović Ivana , Stojnev Slavica , Pavlović Radmila , Sokolović Dušan , Petrović Aleksandar , Pavlović Dušica , Cvetković Tatjana
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the exogenous agmatine influence on nitrosative and oxidative stress parameters in acute phase of multiple sclerosis (MS) experimental model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

EAE was induced by subcutaneous injection of myelin basic protein (50 μg per animal). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: I group - (CG), treated by PBS (i.p.), II group - (EAE), III group - (CFA), treated with Complete Freund’s adjuvant (0.2 ml subcutaneously), IV group - (EAE+AGM), treated by agmatine (75 mg/kg bw i.p.) upon EAE induction and V group - (AGM), received only agmatine in the same dose. The animals were treated every day during experiment - from day 0 to 15, and clinically scored every day. They were sacrificed on day 16 from MBP application. NO2+NO3, S-nitrosothiols (RSNO), malondyaldehide (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined in rat whole encephalitic mass (WEM) and cerebellum homogenates.

Agmatine exerted strong protective effects on EAE clinical symptoms (p<0.05). In EAE brain homogenates, NO2+NO3, RSNO and MDA concentrations were increased compared to CG values. Agmatine treatment diminished NO2+NO3, RSNO and MDA levels in EAE animals (p<0.05). In EAE rats, GSH level and SOD activity were decreased compared to CG values, but agmatine treatment increased both parameters compared to EAE untreated animals (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining supported the clinical and biochemical findings in all groups.

The CNS changes in EAE are successfully supressed by agmatine application, which could be the the new aspect of the neuroprotective effects of agmatine.
Bagged Aronia Melanocarpa Tea: Phenolic Profileand Antioxidant Activity / Aronia Melanocarpa Filter Čaj: Fenolni Profil I Antioksidativna Aktivnost
Authors: Veljković Jovana , Brcanović Jelena , Pavlović Aleksandra , Mitić Snežana , Kaličanin Biljana , Mitić Milan
Published: January 2015

While there is a large number of scientific papers reporting chemical composition and biological activities of Aronia melanocarpa, there is a lack information regarding the commercially available bagged tea. In order to supply new information on the antioxidant activity of the Aronia melanocarpa tea infusions, the aim of this study was to evaluate individual phenolic compounds which could be responsible for antioxidant activities of these beverages.

Selected anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin- 3-O-arabinoside, and cyanidin-3-O-xyloside), gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, morin, and protocatechuic acid were simultaneously detected from commercially available tea infusions using a High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method. The antioxidant activity was measured using five in vitro spectrophotometric methods: 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline- 6-sulphonic acid) radical cation scavenging activity (ABTS), ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and reduction power (RP)Fe(III) to Fe(II).

Obtained results showed that anthocyanins, predominantly of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, are the major class of polyphenolic compounds in tea infusions. Among phenolic acids the most abundant is caffeic acid. A significant correlation between DPPH and ABTS and FRAP and RP suggested that antioxidant components in these beverages were capable scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidants.

Generally, these beverages had relatively high antioxidant capacities and could be important dietary sources of antioxidant phenolics for the prevention of diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Viability of a Time Dependent Closed Set with Respect to a Semilinear Delay Evolution Inclusion
Authors: Necula Mihai , Popescu Marius
Published: January 2015

We prove a sufficient condition for a time-dependent closed set to be viable with respect to a delay evolution inclusion governed by a strongly-weakly u.s.c. perturbation of an infinitesimal generator of a C0-semigroup. This condition is expressed in terms of a natural concept involving tangent sets, generalizing tangent vectors in the sense of Bouligand and Severi.
A Class of Reaction-Diffusion Systems with Nonlocal Initial Conditions
Authors: Burlică Monica-Dana , Roşu Daniela
Published: January 2015

We consider an abstract nonlinear multi-valued reaction-diffusion system with delay and, using some compactness arguments coupled with metric fixed point techniques, we prove some sufficient conditions for the existence of at least one C0-solution.
Evaluation of the Possibility of Using the Predicted Tropospheric Delays in Real Time Gnss Positioning
Authors: Kalita J. Z. , Rzepecka Z. , Krzan G.
Published: January 2015

Among many sources of errors that influence Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations, tropospheric delay is one of the most significant. It causes nonrefractive systematic bias in the observations on the level of several meters, depending on the atmospheric conditions. Tropospheric delay modelling plays an important role in precise positioning. The current models use numerical weather data for precise estimation of the parameters that are provided as a part of the Global Geodetic Observation System (GGOS). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the tropospheric data provided by the GGOS Atmosphere Service conducted by the Vienna University of Technology. There are predicted and final delay data available at the Service. In real time tasks, only the predicted values can be used. Thus it is very useful to study accuracy of the forecast delays. Comparison of data sets based on predicted and real weather models allows for conclusions concerning possibility of using the former for real time positioning applications. The predicted values of the dry tropospheric delay component, both zenith and mapped, can be safely used in real time PPP applications, but on the other hand, while using the wet predicted values, one should be very careful.
Verification of the Usefulness of the Trimble Rtx Extended Satellite Technology with the Xfill Function in the Local Network Implementing Rtk Measurements
Authors: Siejka Zbigniew
Published: January 2015

The paper presents the method of satellite measurements, which gives users the ability of GNSS continuous precise positioning in real time, even in the case of short interruptions in receiving the correction of the local ground system of measurements support. The proposed method is a combination of two satellite positioning technologies RTN GNSS and RTX Extended. In technology RTX Extended the xFill function was used for precise positioning in real time and in the local reference system. This function provides the ability to perform measurement without the need for constant communication with the ground support satellite system. Test measurements were performed on a test basis located in Krakow, and RTN GNSS positioning was done based on the national network of reference stations of the ASGEUPOS.

The solution allows for short (up to 5 minutes) interruptions in radio or internet communication. When the primary stream of RTN correction is not available, then the global corrections Trimble xFill broadcasted by satellite are used. The new technology uses in the real-time data from the global network of tracking stations and contributes significantly to improving the quality and efficiency of surveying works. At present according to the authors, technology Trimble CenterPoint RTX can guarantee repeatability of measurements not worse than 3.8 cm (Trimble Survey Division, 2012).

In the paper the comparative analysis of measurement results between the two technologies was performed: RTN carried out in the classic way, which was based on the corrections of the terrestrial local network of the Polish system of active geodetic network (ASG-EUPOS) and RTK xFill technology. The results were related to the data of test network, established as error free. The research gave satisfactory results and confirmed the great potential of the use of the new technology in the geodetic work realization. By combining these two technologies of GNSS surveying the user can greatly improve the overall performance of real-time positioning.
Analyzing the Impact of Different Pcv Calibration Models on Height Determination Using Gps/Glonass Observations from Asg-Eupos Network
Authors: Dawidowicz Karol
Published: January 2015

The integration of GPS with GLONASS is very important in satellite-based positioning because it can clearly improve reliability and availability. However, unlike GPS, GLONASS satellites transmit signals at different frequencies. This results in significant difficulties in modeling and ambiguity resolution for integrated GNSS positioning. There are also some difficulties related to the antenna Phase Center Variations (PCV) problem because, as is well known, the PCV is dependent on the received signal frequency dependent. Thus, processing simultaneous observations from different positioning systems, e.g. GPS and GLONASS, we can expect complications resulting from the different structure of signals and differences in satellite constellations.

The ASG-EUPOS multifunctional system for precise satellite positioning is a part of the EUPOS project involving countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The number of its users is increasing rapidly. Currently 31 of 101 reference stations are equipped with GPS/GLONASS receivers and the number is still increasing. The aim of this paper is to study the height solution differences caused by using different PCV calibration models in integrated GPS/GLONASS observation processing. Studies were conducted based on the datasets from the ASG-EUPOS network. Since the study was intended to evaluate the impact on height determination from the users’ point of view, a so-called “commercial” software was chosen for post-processing. The analysis was done in a baseline mode: 3 days of GNSS data collected with three different receivers and antennas were used. For the purposes of research the daily observations were divided into different sessions with a session length of one hour. The results show that switching between relative and absolute PCV models may cause an obvious effect on height determination. This issue is particularly important when mixed GPS/GLONASS observations are post-processed.
Structural Diversity and Biochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Aflatoxins
Authors: Ketney Otto , Ovidiu Tita , Tifrea Anca
Published: January 2015

Among all mycotoxins, Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is considered to be the most carcinogenic, and it has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Group 1 of human carcinogen. It signifies a high hazard because it contaminates a diversity of agricultural products such as nuts and derivatives, peanuts/hazelnuts, grains, seeds, cottonseed, milk, dairy food. In milk AFB1 is metabolized to aflatoxin M (AFM1) which is 4-hydroxy derivative of AFB1, it is formed in the liver and excreted in the milk into the mammary glands of both human and lactating animals which have been fed with AFB1 contaminated diet. After the food contamination, one part of the aflatoxin B1 which was present in the food is eliminated through the milk. At the molecular level aflatoxin biosynthesis involves several levels of transcriptional and post-transcriptional control, so the main stages subsequent biochemical and genetic constituents of aflatoxin biosynthesis have been demonstrated recently. Recent studies over the last few decades have shown that the metabolism of AFB is an essential component of hepatocarcinogenic, however it was shown that AFB1 is metabolized by cytochrome P450 oxidised to intermediates and other metabolites Therefore, the biotransformation process may also lead to the formation of carcinogenic metabolites.
Bioreactors with Light-Beads Fluidized Bed: The Voidage Function and its Expression
Authors: Iliev Vasil , Naydenova Vessela , Kostov Georgi
Published: January 2015

Light-beads fluidized bed bioreactors with gel particles are an attractive alternative for the implementation of a system with immobilized cells. They have a number of advantages: soft operating conditions, ability to work in an ideal mixing regime, intensification of heat- and mass transfer processes in the fermentation system. The expansion characteristics of the fluidized bed were investigated in the present work. The fluidized bed expansion was described using the voidage function. It was found that the voidage can be described by nonlinear regression relationships and the regression coefficients were a function of the particles parameters.
Analytical Method for Differentiation of Chilled and Frozen-Thawed Chicken Meat
Authors: Ivanova Ivelina , Ivanov Galin , Shikov Vasil , Ivanova Snezhana
Published: January 2015

: Chilled and frozen chicken breast and thigh meat were stored at +4±1 oC and - 20±1 oC, respectively. Maillard reaction between ribose and meat proteins of the chicken samples was initiated. The changes in the ribose-induced Maillard reaction rate during chilled and frozen storage of chicken meat were evaluated on the bases of corrected absorbance values (A420*) and bovine melanoidin equivalent values (mg BME/g). Application of BME as a measure of ribose-induced Maillard reaction rate enables comparability of the data obtained by different spectrophotometers. It was found that the BME values of chicken meat frozen stored for more than 15 days were significantly (P<0.05) lower than BME values of chilled-stored samples. According to the suggested threshold limit values the chicken thigh and breast meat with BME values lower than 30 mg BME/g and 51 mg BME/g, respectively could be classified as frozen-thawed.
Knowledge Repository for Fmea Related Knowledge
Authors: Cândea Gabriela Simona , Kifor Claudiu Vasile , Cândea Ciprian
Published: January 2015

This paper presents innovative usage of knowledge system into Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) process using the ontology to represent the knowledge. Knowledge system is built to serve multi-projects work that nowadays are in place in any manufacturing or services provider, and knowledge must be retained and reused at the company level and not only at project level. The system is following the FMEA methodology and the validation of the concept is compliant with the automotive industry standards published by Automotive Industry Action Group, and not only. Collaboration is assured trough web-based GUI that supports multiple users access at any time
Optimization of Collision Detection in Surgical Simulations
Authors: Custură-Crăciun Dan , Cochior Daniel , Neagu Corneliu
Published: January 2015

Just like flight and spaceship simulators already represent a standard, we expect that soon enough, surgical simulators should become a standard in medical applications. A simulations quality is strongly related to the image quality as well as the degree of realism of the simulation. Increased quality requires increased resolution, increased representation speed but more important, a larger amount of mathematical equations. To make it possible, not only that we need more efficient computers, but especially more calculation process optimizations. A simulator executes one of the most complex sets of calculations each time it detects a contact between the virtual objects, therefore optimization of collision detection is fatal for the work-speed of a simulator and hence in its quality
Industry 4.0, M2m, Iot&S – All Equal?
Authors: Dobrin Carmen
Published: January 2015

Similarity between Industry 4.0, M2M, IOT&S. Advantages and disadvantages obtained using this three important methods. Decreasing costs while components are getting smaller and smaller in a world with better networking. Influence of business management applications integrated in smart factory logistic. The most important impacts in merging virtual and real production world, with the improvement of best processes having the same goal: creating value by open innovation
The Vision of Students Enrolled in European Technical Universities Regarding Tomorrow’S World
Authors: Duşe Dan-Maniu , Nemeş Cătălin
Published: January 2015

Starting from Michael Rendell and his team’s “Managing tomorrow’s people”, this paper sets out to build a possible future of leadership in European technical universities. We can ask ourselves if European technical universities could exist in a Blue, Green and Orange World. How would they look like and how efficient would “corporate” universities be, assuming that the Blue World would prevail in the next 10 years. What should their development strategies be and what labor markets would absorb its graduates? What if universities would be in the Green or Orange World? What leaders should they have then? Starting from these questions we try to construct possible scenarios for a European reality
Applied Imagistics of Ischaemic Heart a Survey. From the Epidemiology of Stable Angina In Order to Better Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Petruse Radu Emanuil , Batâr Sergiu , Cojan Adela , Maniţiu Ioan
Published: January 2015

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows coronary artery visualization and the detection of coronary stenoses. In addition; it has been suggested as a novel, noninvasive modality for coronary atherosclerotic plaque detection, characterization, and quantification. Accurate identification of coronary plaques is challenging, especially for the noncalcified plaques, due to many factors such as the small size of coronary arteries, reconstruction artifacts caused by irregular heartbeats, beam hardening, and partial volume averaging. The development of 16, 32, 64 and the latest 320 row multidetector CT not only increases the spatial and the temporal resolution significantly, but also increases the number of images to be interpreted by radiologists substantially. Radiologists have to visually examine each coronary artery for suspicious stenosis using visualization tools such as multiplanar reformatting (MPR) and curved planar reformatting (CPR) provided by the review workstation in clinical practice
Quality Assurance Systems in Education and Training in Europe
Authors: Voinia Claudiu Sorin , Tuşa Ana , Simion Carmen
Published: January 2015

Member States have a duty to compare and learn more about the national education and professional training. The objectives of this paper were to identify specific characteristics, developments and highlighting key priorities in coordinating the development of specific quality assurance processes in the European Union.

The aim of this work was to present the quality assurance systems in vocational education and training systems in the Member States of the European Union.

The results were to identify the extent to which national initiatives of EU member States show interest in the quality of education.

Data from research can be useful in developing strategic sector development programs, and local schools
Weather Types at Selected Meteorological Stations in Siberia
Authors: Dobrowolska Ksenia
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the structure of weather types at four Siberian synoptic stations: Ostrov Kotelnyj, Verkhoyansk, Oymyakon and Yakutsk. The analysis has been performed on the basis of data published in the Internet database of synoptic messages OGIMET for the period of December 1999 to November 2013. Types of weather were determined based on the modified classification of weather types by Ferdynus (1997, 2004, 2013). The occurrence of particular groups, classes, and types of weather, and sequences of days with predominant weather types was identified. During the research period the structure of the weather types at the selected stations is characterized by a large number of observed types of weather, with the majority of them occurring with a low frequency. Frosty weather was predominant. The most frequently reported was the weather marked with numerical code 1100 (extremely frosty, clear without precipitation and calm) in Verkhoyansk (12.5%), 1300 (extremely frosty, cloudy without precipitation and calm) in Yakutsk (12.2%), 1200 (extremely frosty, partly clouded without precipitation and calm) in Oymyakon (11.6%) and 2201 (exceptionally frosty, partly clouded without precipitation and light breeze) in Ostrov Kotelnyj (6.7%).
The appeal of and interest in Nordic walking in the opinion of 9-18-year-old pupils from selected Tricity schools
Authors: Pogorzelska Malgorzata , Frolowicz Tomasz , Drobnik Pawel , Cybulska Agnieszka , Bonislawska Iwona , Bartosiewicz Aleksandra
Published: January 2015

Background: The purpose of the research was to check opinions of students of various stages of education in the Pomeranian province about the attractiveness of Nordic Walking in comparison with other activities.

Material/Methods: About 500 intentionally selected students participated in the survey. These were students of 11-18 years of age. Half of them participated in Nordic walking PE lessons. The researched students’ schools were localized in the Pomeranian province in Poland. Methods of a diagnostic survey using two questionnaires were applied. The first one was used to assess the level of students’ physical activity and was also used to research health behaviours of children and adolescents in Europe (HBSC). The second one - our own - was created to asses the attractiveness of Nordic walking. In the first part, the subjects ranked Nordic walking in comparison with other forms of physical activity. In the second part, they declared eagerness to attend such lessons.

Results: The collected data imply a vast diversity of students’ opinions about the attractiveness of Nordic walking in comparison with other forms of physical activity and indicate the need to do research in the area of students’ preferences in planning PE lessons at school.

Conclusions: It seems that in subsequent years of education, NW will gain followers among this group because it is a natural form of movement, whose health effects are starting to be seen not only by teachers but also by students
Eurasianism and the Far Right in Central and Southeast Europe
Authors: Petsinis Vassilis
Published: January 2015

This article focuses on Eurasianism as an ideological trend with a political appeal beyond the post-Soviet space. It demonstrates that the roles envisioned for the ‘Trojan horses’ of Eurasianism among the far right in Central/Southeast Europe and for Eurasianism’s sympathizers in Western Europe bear a qualitative difference. In the former case, the emphasis is on systemic transformation whereas, in the latter case, on a gradualist strategy.
Outlier Diagnostic in Geodetic Intersection
Authors: Ižvoltová Jana , Koťka Vladimír
Published: January 2015

Residuals are differences between observed and predicted variables. This paper describes outlier detection method with using studentized internal and external residuals, which was applied to find extreme values in dataset that comes from the planar intersection method. The detected outlier is analysed by the statistical hypothesis testing, where critical value is defined as a quantil of Studentized distribution.
Selected Intangible Factors Of Regional Development: An Analysis Of Spatial Relationships
Authors: Dańska-Borsiak Barbara , Laskowska Iwona
Published: January 2015

As spatial diversity of economic development is one of the main problems of modern economies, researchers have attempted to define the conditions and factors influencing this phenomenon. Among others, two intangible factors are suggested: human capital and social capital (Herbst ed. 2007). The primary objective of this work is a spatial and spatio-temporal analysis of the diversification of human and social capital within the Polish NUTS 3 subregions. The two detailed targets are constructing composite indicator of both of the mentioned types of capital as well as examining spatial interactions between human capital, social capital and the GNP level per capita. The large diversification of human and social capital in the Polish subregions has been confirmed. Clusters of regions with low levels of human capital have been indicated, whereas in the case of social capital a grouping of its high values was observed. The research also confirmed the positive correlation between GNP per capita and human capital, with high values of both variables in the larget cities. Additionally, there are some subregions with high levels of economic development surrounded by low levels of human and social capital (Łódź, Szczecin, Wrocław). It is possible that high level of GNPpc in these regions was the incentive causing the relocation of human capital from the neighbouring regions. The correlation between GNPpc and social capital, where significant, is of the low-high type. These subregions are located in the east and south of Poland.
The Determinants Of Population Health Spatial Disparities
Authors: Modranka Emilia , Suchecka Jadwiga
Published: January 2015

Health of the population is one of the basic factors of social development. The results of empirical studies indicate a number of factors determining the level of health of the population related to access to health care services, the level of environmental pollution and the wealth of society. It must be assumed that the observed disparities in the health depend on distributions of particular determinants. The aim of the article is to assess the significance of the main factors affecting the occurrence of spatial disparities in the level of social development districts NTS-4 in terms of health of the population. The analysis was based on estimates of the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) which takes into account the impact of neighborhood spatial units on level of dependent variable and the explanatory variables. The size of the level of social development in terms of health of the population in the study was approximate by the aggregate value of the index, which is the local component of the Local Human Development Index LHDI.
An Empirical Study Of Productivity Growth In EU28 - Spatial Panel Analysis
Authors: Olejnik Alicja
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates the spatial process of productivity growth in the European Union on the foundations of the theory of New Economic Geography. The proposed model is based on the study of NUTS 2 regions and takes into consideration a spatial weights matrix in order to better describe the structure of spatial dependence between EU regions. Furthermore, our paper attempts to investigate the applicability of some new approaches to spatial modelling including parameterization of the spatial weights matrix. Our study presents an application of the spatial panel model with fixed effects to Fingleton’s theoretical framework. We suggest that the applied approach constitutes an innovation to spatial econometric studies providing additional information hence, a deeper analysis of the investigated problem.
A Spatial Analysis Of The Knowledge - Based Economy In Poland
Authors: Strożek Piotr
Published: January 2015

The article presents a spatial analysis of the knowledge-based economy in Poland in regional terms in 2003 and 2011. Nowadays, knowledge is regarded as one of the factors of production besides land, labor and capital. The ability to create, collect and effectively use knowledge contributes to the generation of innovation, acquiring long-term competitive advantages and economic success. Polish provinces are the basic territorial units, on which the calculations have been carried out. The period of time was purposely chosen to determine the impact of Polish accession to the European Union and the possibility of using the Structural Funds in the development of local economies based on knowledge. The purpose of this article is to identify disparities in the use of knowledge in socio-economic life in the Polish provinces. The study was conducted using a taxonomic measure of development (one of the tools of multidimensional comparative analysis). Classification of provinces was constructed on the basis of KEI (Knowledge Economy Index) and KI (Knowledge Index) which are used by the World Bank in Knowledge Assessment Methodology (KAM). The division into four pillars (i.e. The Economic Incentive and Institutional Regime, The Innovation System, Education and Human Resources, Information and Communication Technology) attempts to explain the relationship between the factors of development.
Evaluation of the solar conditions for the acquisitions of energy from renewable sources on the base of Sosnowiec city (Poland)
Authors: Sarapata Sonia
Published: January 2015

The country’s energy security risk, as well as a desire to protect the environment from the pollution and degradation which are the results of conventional fuels acquisition - these was a motivation for intensive researches on the use of renewable energy sources in eco - innovative installations. Solar radiation is one of the self - renewable energy sources which can be used both as a source of electricity and heat. The area of research is Sosnowiec city located in the south of Poland in the eastern part of Silesia voivodeship. The solar radiation data covering the years 2003 to 2013 was used. The intra - annual variability of daily averaged solar radiation hesitated in a wide range from 0.6 kWh/m2 (December) to 5.2 kWh/m2 (June). Day duration varies on average from 10 hours in January, November and December to 17 hours in May, June and July. Day occupies 56% of the 8767 hours in year. On average the largest amount of energy reached the analyzed area in July: 157 kWh/m2 (15% of the annual average), while the smallest in December: 18 kWh/m2 (less than 2% of the annual average). The 75% of the average annual total of energy falls on the period from 1st March to 31th August (spring - summer). The range of the annual solar radiation was determined by the minimum of 980 kWh/m2 and the maximum of 1094 kWh/m2. In Sosnowiec the average annual irradiation total on the horizontal surface amounts to 1052 kWh/m2 (2003 - 2013)
Imaginary Sudan – Reflections on the Formation of the Notion of Sudan in the Period of European Influences
Authors: Kurcz Maciej
Published: January 2015

The author explores how the images from the colonial past affected what we understand today under the notion of Sudan. He concentrates on the category of the Nile, Sudanese-Egyptian analogies, the history making processes and colonial rule. Moreover points out that the the British used and reproduced a Muslim concept of cultural geography of Africa, and in particular, the notion of Bilad as-Sudan (”Land of the Blacks”), constituting the essence of division into white and black Africa. In this tradition Sudan placed itself at the meeting point between those two worlds and was presented as the civilisation borderland of the Muslim culture. This image was taken over by the Europeans and the British in particular. For them Sudan was an arena of conflict of civilisation with barbarity, good with evil, Europe with primitive culture.
Darfur Crisis of 2003: Analysis of the Darfur Conflict from the Times of First Clashes to the Present Day
Authors: Danielová Veronika
Published: January 2015

The present article discusses the conflict in the Darfur region that took place in 2003. Main aim consists inanalyzing of major Darfur conflict emphasizing historical events preceded it. The crucial question raised here is what were significant causalities that affected the emergence of terror? The paper deals with the origin and evolution of tension and violence in Darfur. It observes growth of violation throughout history from the precolonial period to the present day. Emphasis is placed on the root causes of the Darfur crisis of 2003, its participants and characteristic aspects of this war.
The Western European Countryside From An Eastern European Perspective: Case Of Migrant Workers In Norwegian Agriculture
Authors: Rye Johan Fredrik
Published: January 2015

In the wake of the EU enlargements in 2004 and 2007, large numbers of migrant workers from Eastern Europe in-migrated to the Western European countryside. In this paper I discuss how these migration streams in important ways challenge the dominant perspectives in contemporary rural studies, in particular their focus on lifestyle-related rural in-migration, on the post-productivist character of the countryside, and on the social constructions of the rural as idyllic space. These perspectives are examined based on qualitative material from in-depth interviews with 54 migrant workers in the Norwegian agricultural industry. These migrants’ everyday experiences in the rural West add important nuance to the dominant scholarly images of rural idylls and dullness, descriptions of rural communities as less marked by class structures than urban regions, and traditionalist presentations of rural social life and communities.
The requirements of forestry cooperative organization development in China: a case study of different stakeholder groups
Authors: Wu Jing , Han Feng , Gao Yang , Wen Yali
Published: January 2015

After China’s collective forest tenure reform, cooperation organization has played an important role on the development of community forestry. In order to analyse the different stakeholders’ opinion and suggestion on the development of forestry cooperation organization, publicizing and training, participatory interview, brainstorming, and questionnaire surveys were used in this case study. According to the results it can be seen that the real motivation for the development of cooperatives is farmers’ demands and the demands come from farmers’ pursuit of interests in forest industry. Cooperatives in China are still in the early stage of development, and the cooperative laws cannot cover all the basic features of the forestry and the cooperatives. Therefore, the relevant laws and guarantee systems for resource exploitation and management, publicity and demonstration, forestry technology training as well as the preferential policies such as tax breaks, are needed for the sound development of China’s forestry cooperation organization.