bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical aspects and methods of parameters identification of the electric traction system devices. Method of cyclic current-voltage characteristics
Authors: Mishchenko T. M.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. To define the characteristics of numerical calculations of mathematical model with one or more cyclic current voltage characteristics (CVC). This is an urgent problem, since any electric traction system device and electrified track in general, like non-linear passive or active two-terminal network in the present operating mode is described by current-voltage characteristic (CVC), which is based on the given input voltage and input current. Me-thodology. The electromagnetic process calculation in the power circuits of traction electric energy supply is the probabilistic task with solving nonlinear stochastic differential equations requiring for the development of special methods. Given the calculation difficulty, it is reasonable to perform them either by real CVC graph bypass or initially by applying its equivalent replacement with, for example, an ellipse. Findings. Numerical calculations of the mathematical model with one or more cyclic CVC can be performed by “real” CVC bypass or by "idealization" i. e. approximate replacement of real cyclic CVC. Originality. This paper presents the dynamic CVC of the DS3 and 2ES5K electric locomotives at different currents of electric locomotives. Practical value. Cyclic CVC normally and definitely can be applied in the system of electromagnetic state equations while transient state calculating in the traction system. Therefore while calculating the experimentally obtained CVC for the most “difficult and complex” (or/and the “easiest”) mode is applied.
Influence assessment of the passive restraint system devices of the passenger locomotive on its dynamic loading during accidenton the railroad
Authors: Naumenko N. E. , Khizha I. Yu.
Published: April 2015

The purpose. To evaluate the work of passenger locomotive protective devices in the test scenarios of collisions adopted in the Russian requirements to the passive safety system. Methodology. Minimization of the effects of incident collisions is done by inclusion of the passive safety devices designed to absorb the kinetic energy of collision in the car bodies bearing constructions. To estimate the maximum accelerations of the train, as well as the compressing longitudinal forces arising in the intercar connection during collisions the discrete mass model of the train is used. Interaction of the train cars was simulated by introducing intercar connections. Findings. At collision of a locomotive at 20 km/h speed (both in separate and in standard train), which does not have a passive safety system, with a vehicle of 10 tones weight the plastic deformations in the locomotive structural elements are observed. At collision of a locomotive with a vehicle, which a mass is comparable to the mass of the loaded car, the plastic deformations in the locomotive structural elements occur at the 10 km/h speed of collision. Originality. It is shown that to decrease the maximum longitudinal force occurring between the locomotive and an obstacle like a freight car of 80 tons mass to the standard value it is necessary to equip the end parts of locomotive with safety devices, which deformation is about 1.5 m. Practical value. To preserve the car structures integrity and passengers, staff and locomotive brigade safety at the incident collisions, a new generation passenger locomotives have to be equipped with the passive safety system devices. On this basis, it is necessary to conduct further researches in the field of passive safety systems for carriages.
Estimation of energy efficiency of non-tractive rolling stock
Authors: Komarova A. N. , Boronenko Y. P.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. One of the priority areas for improving the transportation process by railway transport is to increase its energy efficiency. Preliminary quantitative assessment of the resistance of the creep forces wagon, determination of the influence of damping on the amount of power resistance force at the resonance modes. Methododology. The study was conducted using mathematical modeling software system MEDYNA and an analytical method. Findings Energy consumption for overcoming resistance from forces creeps up a significant portion of total energy consumption to overcome the resistance movement, the resonance modes is a sharp increase in power consumption; its value significantly affects the value of damping. Originality. It is found that energy consumption in order to overcome the resistance of the power creeps up is a significant portion of total energy consumption to overcome the resistance movement, especially in the resonant modes. Practical value. The results can also be applied for development of a mathematical model of the car and the methodology for assessment of the resistance to motion that taking into account the resistance of the creep forces and the dissipation of energy in the environment as a hanging.
Development of scientific school of transport mechanics: artistic legacy of YE. P. Blokhin
Authors: Myamlin S. V. , Kolesnykova T. A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Development of domestic and global transport science occurred due to the contributions of many scientists and practicing engineers. The purpose of our study is the analysis of scientific documentary legacy of YE. P. Blokhin, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan and identifying his place and role in the development of modern railway transport. Methodology. Application of problem-chronological, comparative, descriptive historical methods of research, systematization and analysis of scientific papers allowed the authors to submit the actual history of the railway transport development (1950-2013) through the prism of YE. P. Blokhin scientific activity. We identified 6 main periods of his scientific activity. Findings. It was found out that the overall intellectual plant of the scientist includes 555 scientific papers (written personally and co-authored) in domestic and foreign publications on key issues of mechanics and operation of railway rolling stock. Artistic legacy of YE. P. Blokhin includes monographs, articles, reports, patents, author certificate, etc. It was found that the epistolary legacy of scientist, archive materials, his personal diaries, reference list of works of his students and followers are almost unexplored. Originality. Authors of the work for the first time in the history of science and technology of Ukraine conducted a complex study of the scientific legacy of YE. P. Blokhin in the context of railway transport. It is proved that the ideas, research, scientific works, implemented projects, numerous students and followers of YE. P. Blokhin are important factors, confirming a significant contribution of the scientist to the global engineering and transport science. Practical value. The work can be used to create historiographical papers and textbooks, to study the issues of formation and development of the scientific school for transport mechanics and university science ofUkraine in the railway branch, in the course of lectures on the subjects «History of railway transport development» and «Introduction to the profession».
Electrodynamics of transmission and losses of power in the devices of electric traction systems
Authors: Kostin M. O.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Theoretical justification of the "field" approach (based on electromagnetic field) to the transmission and losses of power in the devices of traction power supply systems and electric rolling stock. Methodology. The methods of electromagnetic field theory and, in particular, the theory and practice of electromagnetic energy transmission based on the concept of the Poynting vector and elements of the theory of propagation, reflection and refraction of plane electromagnetic waves were used. Findings. Theoretical studies of electromagnetic energy transmission from the traction substation to the electric rolling stock through dielectric (air) surrounding traction network: between the contact wire and the rail were carried out. It is proposed strategic designing "squat" (low) types of electric rolling stock. The components of electric energy flow through the roof of electric rolling stock and its frontal part of the body were estimated. This allows reliable etimating active power losses in electric traction system. To compensate the reactive power consumed by electric rolling stock, which is conditioned by standing waves, it is proposed (for extinction of the the last) to develop and put in front of electric rolling stock the layer of particular environment with the necessary parameters. Originality. The "field" principle of the power transmission analysis and its losses arising in electric traction system was first proposed. The laws of motion of electromagnetic energy flows through the roof and the frontal part of the body of electric rolling stock were established. Practical value. An expression of the absolute value of the Poynting vector in the points of dielectric (air) between the contact wire and the rail was obtained. This allows assessing the highest density of energy, which is transferred to the time unit and predicting the main dimensions of the unit of electric rolling stock. The energy indices of the roof of electric rolling stock, through which penetrate the electromagnetic waves during energy transferring were numerically evaluated.
The influence mechanism of ferrite grain size on strength stress at the fatigue of low-carbon steel
Authors: Vakulenko I. A. , Proydak S. V.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Explanation of the influence mechanism of ferrite grain size on the fatigue strength of low-carbon steel. Methodology. Material for research is the low-carbon steel with 0.1% of carbon contnent. The different size of ferrite grain was obtained due to varying the degree of cold plastic deformation and temperature of annealing. The estimation of grain size was conducted using methodologies of quantitative metallography. The microstructure of metal was investigated under a light microscope with increase up to 1500 times. As a fatigue response the fatigue strength of metal – a maximal value of load amplitude with endless endurance limit of specimen was used. Fatigue tests were carried out using the test machine «Saturn-10», at the symmetric cycle of alternating bend loading. Findings. On the basis of research the dependence for fatigue strength of low-carbon steel, which is based on an additive contribution from hardening of solid solution by the atoms of carbon, boundary of the ferrite grain and amount of mobile dislocations was obtained. It was established that as the grainy structure of low-carbon steel enlarges, the influence of grain size on the fatigue strength level is reduced. For the sizes of grains more than 100 mcm, basic influence on fatigue strength begins to pass to the solid solution hardening, which is determined by the state of solid solution of introduction. Originality. From the analysis of the obtained dependences it ensues that with the increase of ferrite grain size the required amount of mobile dislocations for maintenance of conditions for spreading plastic deformation becomes less dependent from the scheme of metal loading. Practical value.  The obtained results present certain practical interest when developing of recommendations, directed on the increase of resource of products work from low-carbon steels in the conditions of cyclic loading. Estimation of separate contribution of the studied processes of structural changes with fatigue load allows one to choose a rational solution – to use the hardening effect from the ferrite alloying or to change the grain size of ferrite.
Rationale of the evaluation and selection of kinematic and tribological characteristics of the system «pinion – gear rack» of cold-pilgering mills
Authors: Kadilnikova T. M. , Sushko L. F.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. During operation of cold-pilgering mills rotation of the shafts is carried out by means of pinion gears being in meshing with stationary gear racks, which is accompanied by various tribological defects, that can be avoided during the detailed investigation and justification of selection and evaluation of kinematic and tribological characteristics of the system "pinion - gear rack". Methodology. Runout occurs as a consequence of increased friction and depends on the material hardness of which pinions and toothed racks are manufactured, their thermal treatment, selection of correct lubrication, insufficient oil purity and its untimely change, gears overload and other factors. To assess the runout of tribological pair cogs "pinion - gear rack" of the cold-pilgering mills we will use a system of differential equations of the first order. Using the solution of this system under the given conditions, it is possible to obtain relations for kinematic and tribological parameters. Findings. Relations for the durability, runout, sliding speed, and length of the line of the tribological pair "pinion - gear rack" contact are obtained. They provide high indicators of runout and durability of the system with minimum weight and overall dimensions of the design, which is an important factor to increase efficiency of cold-pilgering mills. Originality. The analysis of the relations, which was obtained to identify durability, wear, sliding speed, and the length of the line of the tribological pair "pinion - gear rack" contact allows you to choose for cold-pilgering mills special pinions with the design parameters, which optimally satisfy the technological conditions of rolling. Practical value. Analytical determination of the slip velocity for tribological pair makes it possible to adjust the technical process of cold-pilgering mills and to make constructive changes in the system of "pinion - gear rack" in order to increase its wear resistance.
Complex evaluation of the state and quality of railway station operating
Authors: Polishchuk D. O.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Improvement of existing methods for evaluation of condition and functioning quality of railway stations and development of the new ones in order to improve operation of railway stations. Methodology. During research the local, prognostic, aggregated and interactive analyses of condition and functioning quality of station infrastructure elements and train processing at the stations were applied. Local evaluations are obtained as the result of scheduled and off-schedule surveys. On the basis of local evaluations, aggregated evaluations of different generalization level are applied. Method for interactive evaluation is based on the analysis of compliance with train tables. Method of prognostic analysis applies the prehistory of evaluations obtained during previous surveys. Findings. Resulting from researches held, the complex determinative approach was proposed for evaluation of station sector of Ukrainian Railways. This approach allows determining comprehensive and objective notion about station, functioning quality and interaction between objects of station sector. Originality. Existing method for station infrastructure elements evaluation was improved. Proposed method for interactive evaluation allows performing continuous observation of station functioning quality between scheduled surveys. Practical value. Proposed methodology for complex evaluation may be applied to structural units of station sector of different hierarchy levels. Software developed allows navigating promptly over evaluation results and localizing drawbacks discovered.
Substantiation of ways of decrease in power consumption of ropeways
Authors: Raksha S. V. , Kuropyatnik A. S. , Kurka A. A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Formation of recommendations about rational profiling of ropeways taking into account energy saving. Methodology. As criterion of power consumption the specific power of the drive as the relation of power consumption to ropeway carrying capacity is accepted. The cycle of movement of cars was conditionally divided into three stages, characteristics of each one were kinematic parameters of the ropeway. Specific power for all cycle was determined as the sum of the corresponding values by movement stages. Findings. The conducted researches showed that the specific power of the drive doesn't depend on kinematic parameters of the ropeway. Limit value of specific power of the drive doesn't depend on road length. With increase in capacity of cars influence of length of flight on specific power are decreased. For big length ropeways it is recommended to carry out selection of heights of supports according to features of a relief for providing minimum possible gradient of spans. Use of high-capacity cars is expedient at a ropeway construction on the district which relief is characterized by essential height differences. Long spans should be carried out as much as possible acclivous, overcoming height differences via small length spans. Originality. The new criterion of estimation of power consumption of ropeways was formulated. Practical value. The use of the received results and the formulated recommendations will allow designing ropeways with the lowered power consumption.
Influence of contact network parameters on value of current rise speed during short circuit in power circuits of electric rolling stock
Authors: Karzova O. A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Influence investigation of contact system parameters on current rate of rise during short circuit, and the difference of these parameter values under different connection diagrams of traction motors in the power circuit. Methodology. The mathematical model and method for determining the effect of the contact system parameters, such as inductance and active resistance of the contact wire, on rise speed during the short circuit current were offered. Besides that, it is determined the influence of current speeds on their difference in power circuits of DC electric locomotive in different points of short circuit, different variants of traction electric engines connection and different distances of electric locomotives from the traction substation. The proposed model and method can be used for any type of electric DC locomotive at any point of a short circuit in traction engine circuit. Findings. Qualitative and quantitative influence of contact system parameters on values of current rise speed during short circuit and on the differences value of these parameters with different connection diagram of traction electric engines was established. Originality. The investigation method concerning determination of the influence of contact system parameters on current rise speed in short circuit and on the difference of these parameters on different distances of electric locomotives from traction substation was proposed. Practical value. The results can be used in selection of protective devices of rolling stock power circuits, where the main parameter is the current rise speed during the short circuit.
Effectiveness analysis of campus heat supply system of Dnipropetrovsk National University Of Railway Transport
Authors: Pshinko O. M. , Gabrinets V. O. , Goriachkin V. M.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Heat consumption for heating and hot water supply of housing and industrial facilities is an essential part of heat energy consumption. Prerequisite for development of energy saving measures in existing heating systems is their preliminary examination. The investigation results of campus heating system of Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan are presented in the article. On the basis of the analysis it is proposed to take the energy saving measures and assess their effectiveness. Methodology. Analysis of the consumption structure of thermal energy for heating domestic and hot water supply was fulfilled. The real costs of heat supply during the calendar year and the normative costs were compared. Findings. The recording expenditures data of thermal energy for heating supply of residential buildings and dormitories in 2012 were analyzed. The comparison of actual performance with specific regulations was performed. This comparison revealed problems, whose solution will help the efficient use of thermal energy. Originality. For the first time the impact of climate conditions, features of schemes and designs of heating systems on the effective use of thermal energy were analyzed. It was studied the contribution of each component. Practical value. Based on the analysis of thermal energy consumption it was developed a list of possible energy saving measures that can be implemented in the system of heat and power facilities. It was evaluated the fuel and energy resources saving.
To selection of technological scheme of softening heat treatment for high chromium cast iron
Authors: Efremenko V. G. , Chabak YU. G. , Shimizy K. , Dzherenova A. V. , Efremenko B. V.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. High chromium cast irons with austenitic matrix have low machinability. The aim of work is search of new energy-saving modes of preliminary softening heat treatment enhancing the machinability of castings by forming an optimum microstructure. Methodology. Metallographic analysis, hardness testing and machinability testing are applied. Findings. It was found out that high temperature annealing with continuous cooling yields to martensite-austenite matrix in cast iron 270Х15Г2Н1MPhT, which abruptly affects the machinability of cast iron. Significant improvement of machinability is achieved by forming of structure "ferrite + granular carbides" and by decline of hardness to 37-39 HRC in the case of two-stage isothermal annealing in the subcritical temperature range or by the use of quenching and tempering (two-step or cyclic). Originality. It was found that the formation of the optimal structure of the matrix and achievement of desired hardness level needed for improving machinability of high chromium cast iron containing 3 % austenite-forming elements, can be obtained: 1) due to pearlite original austenite followed by spherodization eutectoid carbides, and 2) by getting predominantly martensite structure followed by the decay of martensite and carbides coagulation at high-temperature tempering. Practical value. The new energy-saving schemes of softening heat treatment to ensure the growth of machinability of high chromium cast iron, alloyed by higher quantity of austenite forming elements, are proposed.
Mathematical model of optimal project portfolio forming based on random factors
Authors: Korkhina I. A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. To identify the ways of perspective development for railway transport one should solve the problem of forming the investment project portfolio. Thus, it is necessary to deal with uncertainty in the input data (prices of services, materials, energy products). To take into account this uncertainty it is proposed to use the developed model of stochastic programming. Methodology. For accounting of uncertain data the probabilistic limits on the quantities of resources, which are used in the project portfolio are imposed. As the objective function it is proposed to maximize the threshold, which with a given probability may exceed the planning interval of the net income. Findings. Stochastic programming model with line-by-line probabilistic constraints was obtained. Coefficients of this model are normally distributed random variables. Ratios, which allow calculating mathematical expectations and covariance matrices of these coefficients, were concluded. Originality. Known methods of forming the optimal project portfolio are based on the fact that all inputs are known exactly. On the basis of this consideration, the authors of works on the creating an optimal project portfolio have come to a scheme of deterministic mathematical programming. In this article we propose to take into account the uncertainty in the input data, which will increase the reliability of the portfolio effectiveness estimation through the use of stochastic mathematical programming scheme. Practical value. The developed model can be used in order to solve the planning problems of railway transport development.
Methods and research concerning service life extension of suporting structures of traction rolling stock for industrial transport
Authors: Bondarev O. M. , Gorobets V. L. , Myamlin S. V.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. The purpose of work is scientifically grounded introduction of the acquired techniques into works for service life extension of the traction and motor rolling stock for industrial transport. Methodology. To achieve the purpose it was analyzed the acquired techniques for service life extension of the traction and motor rolling stock for mainline transport. The acquired techniques during solution of problems concerning the service life extension of rolling stock units were adapted to the locomotives TGM6A and traction aggregates OPE1. Findings. On the basis of experimental and theoretical complex of studies some results were obtained. They gave the ground to determine the possibility of acquired techniques use when solving the problems on service life extension of rolling stock units concerning locomotives TGM6A and traction aggregates OPE1. Originality. On the basis of conducted experimental and theoretical studies scientific maintenance of the works providing extension of service life of traction and motor units of industrial rolling stock was executed. Practical value. Technical solutions and measures, which have to be carried out during operation within the prolonged appointed service life of traction and motor units of industrial rolling stock enterprises using locomotives and traction aggregates to provide the basic technological cycles were developed.
Development of attention concentration and stability of railway students in the process of psychological and psychophysical training
Authors: Pichurin V. V.
Published: April 2015

Purpose. Some railway professions impose exceptionally high demands on such characteristics of railway students as concentration and stability. One should find out the conditions for effective development of these characteristics in the process of physical training. Methodology. Pedagogical experiment is the main method of research. During this experiment the content of psychological and psychophysical training foundations developed by the author was an independent value. A dependent value was the dynamics performance of the level of development of concentration and stability of railway students’ attention. Findings. It was established, that realization of measure complex (included by the author to the content of foundations of psychological and psychophysical training of railway students) during the lessons is the effective direction of the development of the attention concentration and stability. Originality. The effectiveness of using the psychological and psychophysical training of students for development of attention concentration and stability during the lessons was confirmed. Practical value. Realization of the proposed approach during the training of specialists for the railway branch will increase the productivity and safety of railway transportations.
Indicators of global sustainable sourcing as a set covering problem: an integrated approach to sustainability
Authors: Huber Patrick R. , Springer Nathaniel P. , Hollander Allan D. , Haden V. Ryan , Brodt Sonja , Tomich Thomas P. , Quinn James F.
Published: April 2015

Sustainability describes a broad set of themes centered on current human uses of the planet’s resources. The multiple uses and users of the term have led to a proliferation of salient issues and associated indicators. We present a new method to systematically link these issues and indicators under two conceptual frameworks of sustainability in order to enable quantitative analyses. We demonstrate this approach with a specific use case focused on the global sourcing of agricultural products. We use the optimization software Marxan in a novel way to develop minimum sets of indicators that provide maximum coverage of sustainability issues. Minimum covering sets were identified and accumulation curves were developed to measure the contribution of each indicator in each set to overall issues coverage. While greater detail in the assessment of each indicator would likely provide more effective sets of indicators, those that were generated provide optimism that this approach can bring better focus to sustainability assessments.
Multienvironment Validation of the Effectiveness of Phenotypic and Genomewide Selection within Biparental Maize Populations
Authors: Krchov Lisa‐Marie , Gordillo G. Andrés , Bernardo Rex
Published: April 2015

Published information is lacking on whether genomewide selection, based on a single tester and a single year of testing, can identify maize (Zea mays L.) lines that would perform well in multiple subsequent years and with multiple testers. Our objectives were to determine (i) if phenotypic selection or genomewide selection is more predictive of maize performance in future environments and with different testers, (ii) if combining both marker and phenotypic information is advantageous in selection, and (iii) the upward bias in correlations between marker‐predicted values and phenotypic values (rMP) when cross‐validation across individuals and across environments is not performed. We evaluated four elite populations, each with 150 or 250 doubled haploid (DH) lines, in 18 environments in the US Corn Belt. The DH lines were genotyped with 3072 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. The rMP values were 0.14 to 0.66 for grain yield and 0.49 to 0.66 for moisture. Phenotypic selection was always as effective as or more effective than genomewide selection. The rMP was lower when different testers were used for the training and test populations. Selection based on marker and phenotypic information was slightly more effective than genomewide selection or phenotypic selection alone. The correlation between predicted and observed performance was higher when cross‐validation across individuals and years was not performed than when cross‐validation across individuals and years was performed. For genomewide selection to be superior to phenotypic selection, the gains must not be measured in terms of the per‐generation response with equal population sizes and selection intensities.
Genetic Diversity among Wheat Accessions from the USDA National Small Grains Collection
Authors: Bonman J. Michael , Babiker Ebrahiem M. , Cuesta‐Marcos Alfonso , Esvelt‐Klos Kathy , Brown‐Guedira Gina , Chao Shiaoman , See Deven , Chen Jianli , Akhunov Eduard , Zhang Junli , Bockelman Harold E. , Gordon Tyler C.
Published: April 2015

Accessions of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum) from the USDA–ARS National Small Grains Collection (NSGC) are a resource for wheat scientists worldwide. The genetic diversity of the wheat core subset, representing approximately 10% of the collection's 42,138 T. aestivum accessions, was examined using 390 diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers, 4941 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and descriptor data. The marker profiles revealed duplicates, which were excluded to form an informative core (iCore) of 3230 accessions. The iCore population structure and diversity within various subgroups were examined with analysis of molecular variance, principal coordinate analysis, cluster analysis, and by ranking the contribution of individual accessions to overall diversity. Accession groups based on molecular marker data corresponded well to their geographic origin, and population structure was accounted for primarily by differences between Iranian landrace accessions and the rest of the accessions. Accessions classified as breeding lines were overrepresented among those ranked as most diverse based on SNP data, whereas Iranian landraces were underrepresented. Although less diverse as a group, Iranian landrace accessions had a higher frequency of resistance to bunt diseases and Russian wheat aphid compared with the iCore as a whole. The present study provides support for establishing core subsets based on geographic origin of accessions and will be a basis for further study of diversity among NSGC wheats.
Study on Essential Derivation in Maize: III. Selection and Evaluation of a Panel of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Loci for Use in European and North American Germplasm
Authors: Rousselle Yves , Jones Elizabeth , Charcosset Alain , Moreau Philippe , Robbins Kelly , Stich Benjamin , Knaak Carsten , Flament Pascal , Karaman Zivian , Martinant Jean‐Pierre , Fourneau Michael , Taillardat Alain , Romestant Michel , Tabel Claude , Bertran Javier , Ranc Nicolas , Lespinasse Denis , Blanchard Philippe , Kahler Alex , Chen Jialiang , Kahler Jonathan , Dobrin Seth , Warner Todd , Ferris Ron , Smith Stephen
Published: April 2015

Pairwise distance data for maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines generated using sets of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected from a 50k Infinium array were compared with pairwise distances generated using a set of 163 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci previously identified to help determine essentially derived variety (EDV) status (UPOV, 1991). Final comparisons were made using 26,874 SNPs after discarding SNPs with insufficient data quality or vulnerability to ascertainment bias. Inbred lines developed in the United States or in western Europe that had been previously published to establish SSR‐based thresholds provided the means to determine equivalent SNP‐based protocols. Use of 3072 SNPs selected to provide even genomic coverage according to genetic and physical maps provided robust, precise, high discrimination among inbred lines with consistent zonal classification with up to 20% missing data. Comparisons of intercepts and slopes for SSR and SNP inbred pairwise distance data translated the 82% SSR green‐orange similarity threshold to 91% using SNPs and the 90% SSR orange‐red threshold to 95% using SNPs. Information required to conduct analyses using these 3072 SNPS is presented.
A High‐amylose Modifier Locus Revealed by Analysis of a Homozygous Amylose‐extender Mapping Population
Authors: Wu Yusheng , Huang Ruijia , Auger Donald , Campbell Mark , Yen Yang
Published: April 2015

Recent food industry applications have increased interest in high amylose starch. Starch from the maize endosperm is typically around 25% amylose, but increases to around 50% in plants that are homozygous for the recessive amylose‐extender1 (ae1) allele. A maize (Zea mays L.) line, GEMS‐0067 (Reg. no. GP‐550, PI 643420), has been demonstrated to produce starch with up to 70% amylose. We were interested in locating genetic modifiers that influence endosperm amylose in GEMS‐0067. An F1 population was made by crossing GEMS‐0067 with H99ae, the latter with an amylose content of approximately 55%. Generations were advanced to produce F2 and F3 populations. Amylose content of samples from the advanced generations was measured by amylose‐iodine colorimetry and the genotypes of F2 and F3 individuals were scored for polymorphisms of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL), which explained 43% of the total variance and demonstrated additive inheritance, was detected on the short arm of chromosome 5. The starch branching enzyme 1 (sbe1) gene lies within the interval of this QTL. Sequences of sbe1 from both GEMS‐0067 and H99ae indicated that the two translated proteins had six amino acid polymorphisms. The amino acid sequence for GEMS‐0067 appeared to be unique, while H99ae was nearly identical to the translated sbe1 sequences represented in previous publications on this general topic. We proposed that sbe1 is a strong candidate gene for this QTL.
Heterosis and Expressivity of Apospory in Tetraploid Bahiagrass Hybrids
Authors: Zilli A.L. , Brugnoli E. A. , Marcón F. , Billa M. B. , Rios E. F. , Martínez E. J. , Acuña C. A.
Published: April 2015

Breeding procedures developed for apomictic species are based on the idea of fixing superior hybrids by apomixis. However, scarce information is available about the occurrence of heterosis in apomictic hybrids. The objective was to generate a group of apomixis‐segregating tetraploid bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) families, evaluate the occurrence of heterosis for a series of agronomic and morphological traits, determine the level of apospory expressivity among hybrids, and estimate the genetic distance among parents and its relationship to heterosis and apospory expressivity. In total, 11 tetraploid families were generated by crossing sexual and apomitic genotypes. The segregation for mode of reproduction was analyzed using a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker linked to apospory in bahiagrass, and the level of apospory expressivity was determined using embryo sac observations. The genetic distances between parents were determined using inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The ratio between sexual and aposporic hybrids varied from 1:1 to 7:1 among families. Discontinuous variation for apospory expressivity was observed in the hybrids, with either low or high levels being exhibited. Midparent, high‐parent, and standard heterosis was observed for all evaluated characteristics. The level of heterosis was dependent on the combination of parents involved and also on the specific trait. There was a low correlation between genetic distances among parents and initial growth and the level of apospory expressivity. The occurrence of heterosis and the segregation and expressivity for apospory were highly dependent on the combination of sexual and apomictic parents.
Resistance to Charcoal Rot Identified in Ancestral Soybean Germplasm
Authors: Pawlowski M. L. , Hill C. B. , Hartman G. L.
Published: April 2015

Charcoal rot, caused by the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, is an economically important disease on soybean and other crops including maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Without effective cultural or chemical options to control charcoal rot in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], finding sources of genetic resistance is of high interest. In this study, 70 ancestral soybean genotypes were screened for resistance to M. phaseolina using a cut‐stem inoculation technique under semi‐controlled greenhouse conditions. Lesion progression on the stems in the first experiment was measured 7 to 15 d after inoculation. Three follow‐up experiments were conducted to select and confirm the genotypes with the strongest partial resistance. Two experiments evaluated lesion lengths and the third experiment evaluated seedling survival. In the two experiments measuring lesion lengths, PI 548302 (42 and 38 mm) and PI 548414 (36 and 52 mm) had significantly shorter lesion lengths than the moderately resistant genotype, DT97‐4290 (58 and 87 mm). In the fourth experiment, percentage survival of PI 548414 (88%), PI 548302 (81%), and PI 548178 (66%) were significantly higher than survival of DT97‐4290 (32%). These three genotypes may be useful as parents for developing soybean cultivars with charcoal rot resistance.
New Soybean Accessions Evaluated for Reaction to Heterodera glycines Populations
Authors: Arelli Prakash R. , Mengistu Alemu , Nelson Randall L. , Cianzio Silvia R. , Vuong Tri
Published: April 2015

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is a serious pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], in the United States and worldwide. Annual yield losses in the United States are estimated to be more than $1 billion. These losses have remained stable with the use of resistant cultivars, but over time nematodes will adapt to deployed resistance alleles. Currently used resistant cultivars do not have broad resistance. Soybean Plant Introduction (PI) 88788 and its derived cultivars continue to be the primary source of SCN resistance. It is important to identify new accessions with resistance to SCN as the first step to finding new alleles to provide long‐term resistance. We have bioassayed in the greenhouse 100 newly available accessions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection. We published methods to bioassay in the greenhouse, including culturing of nematodes to develop near‐homogeneous populations for stable reactions on soybeans. Sixty‐seven accessions with resistance reaction to Race 2 and/or Race 3 were identified, and SCN resistance was confirmed in replicated multiple tests. Among them, seventeen were yellow seeded. Soybean PIs that were yellow seeded and had resistance to both the races included PIs 512322D, 522186, and 567488B. These are the most desirable sources for development of soybean cultivars with resistance. These soybean lines will be evaluated for their genetic diversity to identify unique types to allow broadening of resistance gene introgression.
Treatment of papermaking tobacco sheet wastewater by electrocoagulation combined with electrochemical oxidation
Authors: Ma Xiangjuan , Gao Yang , Huang Hanping
Published: April 2015

Attempts were made in this study to examine the efficiency of electrocoagulation (EC) using aluminum (Al) anode and stainless steel net cathode combined with electrochemical oxidation with a β-PbO2 anode or a mixed metal oxide (MMO) anode for treatment of papermaking tobacco sheet wastewater, which has the characteristics of high content of suspended solids (SS), intensive color, and low biodegradability. The wastewater was first subjected to the EC process under 40 mA/cm2 of current density, 2.5 g/L of NaCl, and maintaining the original pH of wastewater. After 6 minutes of EC process, the effluent was further treated by electrochemical oxidation. The results revealed that the removal of SS during the EC process was very beneficial to mass transfer of organics during electrochemical oxidation. After the combined process, 83.9% and 82.8% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal could be achieved on the β-PbO2 and MMO anodes, respectively. The main components of the final effluent were biodegradable organic acids, such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and hexahyl carbonic acid; the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand (BOD5/COD) ratio increased from 0.06 to 0.85 (Al + β-PbO2) or 0.80 (Al + MMO). Therefore, this integrated process is a promising alternative for pretreatment of papermaking tobacco sheet wastewater prior to biological treatment.
Activated sludge optimization using ATP in pulp and paper industry
Authors: Bäckman Göran , Gytel Ulla
Published: April 2015

The activated sludge process is an old technology, but still the most commonly used one for treatment of wastewater. Despite the wide spread usage the technology still suffers from instability (Tandoi et al. 2006) and high operating cost. Activated sludge processes often carry a large solids inventory. Managing the total inventory without interference is the key component of the optimization process described in this paper. Use of nutrients is common in pulp and paper effluent treatment. Feeding enough nutrients to support the biomass growth is a delicate balance. Overfeeding or underfeeding of nutrients can result in higher costs. Detrimental substances and toxic components in effluents entering a biological treatment system can cause severe, long lasting disturbances (Hynninen & Ingman 1998; Bergeron & Pelletier 2004). A LumiKem test kit is used to measure biological activity with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in a pulp and paper mill. ATP data are integrated with other standardized mill parameters. Measurements of active volatile suspended solids based on ATP can be used to quantify the living biomass in the activated sludge process and to ensure that sufficient biomass is present in order to degrade the wastewater constituents entering the process. Information about active biomass will assist in optimizing sludge inventories and feeding of nutrients allowing the living biomass to re-populate to create optimal efficiency. ATP measurements can also be used to alert operators if any components toxic to bacteria are present in wastewater. The bio stress index represents the stress level experienced by the microbiological population. This parameter is very useful in monitoring toxicity in and around bioreactors. Results from the wastewater process optimization and ATP measurements showed that treatment cost could be reduced by approximately 20–30% with fewer disturbances and sustained biological activity compared to the reference period. This was mainly achieved by the removal of detrimental substances and optimized nutrient dosage.
Enhanced photobactericidal activity of ZnO nanorods modified by meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin under visible LED lamp irradiation
Authors: Rahimi Rahmatollah , Shokraiyan Javad , Rabbani Mahboubeh , Fayyaz Fatemeh
Published: April 2015

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods have been synthesized using a simple template-free precipitation technique and deposited on glass substrate. The meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) has been synthesized and then immobilized on the surface of ZnO nanorods to prepare an organic/inorganic composite. The samples were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the photobactericidal activity of TPPS/ZnO composite, TPPS and ZnO nanorods was tested against the pathogenic bacterium of Escherichia coli under visible LED lamp irradiation. The results indicate that the photobactericidal activity of TPPS-loaded ZnO nanorods was better than TPPS or ZnO nanorods, separately.
Pathogen removal from domestic and swine wastewater by experimental constructed wetlands
Authors: Giácoman-Vallejos G. , Ponce-Caballero C. , Champagne P.
Published: April 2015

This study examined the performance of subsurface flow horizontal wetlands in total coliforms, faecal coliforms, enterococci and Salmonella removal from swine and domestic wastewaters. The effects of organic loading rate, contact time (CT) and the presence of aquatic macrophytes, Typha dominguensis and Typha latifolia, on treatment performance were evaluated. In general, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) were reduced by 66 and 72% after 24 h and 75 and 84% after 48 h in domestic wastewaters, and 73 and 71% after 24 h and 72 and 78% after 48 h in swine wastewater. Total coliform and faecal coliform reductions of 70–83% and 65–78% were observed in the vegetated systems after 24 h of CT, while after 48 h, total coliform and faecal coliform reductions of 80–82% and 86–91% were noted.
Professor Yukio Fukuyama (1928-2014)
Authors: Vranjesevic Dusan
Published: April 2015

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Awareness of Consumer Protection Act among medical and dental professionals - a cross sectional study from Davangere, Karnataka, India
Authors: Ramachandrappa Shwetha , Sathyanarayan Vivek
Published: April 2015

Background: Enormous scientific and technological advancements, reduced the mortality rate, morbidity but certain issues came up, which significantly affected the trust and relationship between a doctor and the patient such as, deteriorating quality of medical education, ethical issues, commercialization of medical fields and corporate culture for patient management. So it is important to know about the consumer protection act (CPA). The purpose of this research was to assess the awareness of CPA among Dental and Medical practitioners in Davangere city, Karnataka, India. Methods: 504 dental and medical professionals were included in the survey. A self?administered, structured questionnaire written in English script, validated through a pretested survey including 22 items was used to evaluate the awareness and practices regarding CPA among all the participants. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference in awareness regarding COPRA among medical professionals and dental professionals. In this study we observed private practitioners had more awareness comparing with the doctors associated with the academic sector. Conclusion: Medical and dental professions need to update their understanding on consumer protection act and its amendments to be on a legally safer side. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jbs.v1i3.12474 J. Biomed Sci. 2014, 1(3):14-19