bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation of flood embankments – Results of observation of the destruction mechanism and comparison with a numerical model
Authors: Bogacz Piotr
Published: November 2017

The paper presents the results of model tests conducted for a flood embankment under varying conditions of saturation. Test embankments were formed from the natural sea sand. The test apparatus consisted of the box with internal dimensions 200 × 100 × 4.5 cm, and thus ensured the implementation of the plane strain state. In most tests during watering air entrapment was observed, leading to formation of open soil discontinuities, called macropores (their dimensions many times exceeded the grain size of the soil skeleton). Analysis of images from a number of tests allowed to create a simplified model of the evolution of a macropore. The numerical model has been based on the finite element method using the PLAXIS 2D software. A comparison has been made between the observation of the phenomena occurring in the physical model and the results of the simulation of the phenomena in the numerical model. A correlation has been proven between the results acquired in reality and the results derived from the numerical model.
Mechanical Design of Innovative Electromagnetic Linear Actuators for Marine Applications
Authors: Muscia Roberto
Published: November 2017

We describe an engineering solution to manufacture electromagnetic linear actuators for moving rudders and fin stabilizers of military ships

Italian Ministry of Defence, General Direction of Naval Equipments (NAVARM), Projects ISO (2012-2014) and EDDA (2015-2017).

. The solution defines the transition from the conceptual design of the device initially studied from an electromagnetic point of view to mechanical configurations that really work. The structural problems that have been resolved with the proposed configuration are described. In order to validate the design choices discussed we illustrate some results of the numerical simulations performed by the structural finite elements method. These results quantitatively justify the suggested mechanical solution by evaluating stresses and deformations in a virtual prototype of the structure during its functioning. The parts of the device that have been studied are the most critical because in cases of excessive deformation/stress, they can irreparably compromise the actuator operation. These parts are the pole piece-base set and the retention cages of the permanent magnets. The FEM analysis has allowed us to identify the most stressed areas of the previous elements whose shape has been appropriately designed so as to reduce the maximum stresses and deformations. Moreover, the FEM analysis helped to find the most convenient solution to join the pole pieces to the respective bases. The good results obtained by the suggested engineering solution have been experimentally confirmed by tests on a small prototype actuator purposely manufactured. Finally, a qualitative analysis of the engineering problems that have to be considered to design electromagnetic linear actuators bigger than the one already manufactured is illustrated.
Modification of Shapley Value and its Implementation in Decision Making
Authors: Zaremba Leszek , Zaremba Cezary S. , Suchenek Marek
Published: November 2017

The article presents a solution of a problem that is critical from a practical point of view: how to share a higher than usual discount of $10 million among 5 importers. The discount is a result of forming a coalition by 5 current, formerly competing, importers. The use of Shapley value as a concept for co-operative games yielded a solution that was satisfactory for 4 lesser importers and not satisfactory for the biggest importer. Appropriate modification of Shapley value presented in this article allowed to identify appropriate distribution of the saved purchase amount, which according to each player accurately reflects their actual strength and position on the importer market. A computer program was used in order to make appropriate calculations for 325 permutations of all possible coalitions. In the last chapter of this paper, we recognize the lasting contributions of Lloyd Shapley to the cooperative game theory, commemorating his recent (March 12, 2016) descent from this world.
Integral group rings of solvable groups with trivial central units
Authors: Bächle Andreas
Published: November 2017

The integral group ring

ℤ
⁢
G

{\mathbb{Z}G}

of a group G has only trivial central units if the only central units of

ℤ
⁢
G

{\mathbb{Z}G}

are

±
z

{\pm z}

for z in the center of G. We show that the order of a finite solvable group G with this property can only be divisible by the primes 2, 3, 5 and 7, by linking this to inverse semi-rational groups and extending one result on this class of groups. We also classify the Frobenius groups whose integral group rings have only trivial central units.
Structural diversity of selected oak stands (Quercus roburL.) on the Krotoszyn Plateau in Poland
Authors: Szmyt Janusz
Published: November 2017

The oak forests growing on the Krotoszyn Plateau are the biggest and most valuable oak forest complexes in Poland. The purpose of this study was to analyze the structural diversity of oak (Q. roburL.) stands older than 140 years. Two natural stands located within the forest reserve as well as two managed stands were chosen for investigation. Species and tree size diversity were analyzed using different measures and spatially explicit and inexplicit indices. The results indicate that the structural diversity of the protected oak forests did not differ significantly from that of managed stands. On the contrary, undisturbed natural processes in protected forests can result in a low diversity of some structural attributes in such stands. Although most indices pointed towards a higher structural diversity in protected forests, the differences were not large, especially in the case of spatially explicit indices. The spatial arrangement of live trees was either random, aggregated or regular, with the latter clearly dominating managed, poorly mixed oak stands. Furthermore, a lack of natural disturbances strong hornbeam expansion, in which case strict protection is not favorable for oak sustainability as it creates unsuitable conditions for oak regeneration beneath the hornbeam canopy.
The role of catastrophic floods in shaping the morphology of river beds in small mountain catchment areas
Authors: Franczak Paweł
Published: November 2017

Mountain streams are subjected to the continuous reshaping of their river beds during floods, with the greatest changes occurring during extreme floods caused by sudden and heavy rainfall. River bed transformations during these flash floods are more severe in forested areas, where wooden logs carried by swollen streams are more likely to be deposited on the ground, which in turn leads to the greater accumulation of other transported material and debris.

The study was conducted in the Rybny Potok catchment area (Babia Góra National Park). An extreme flash flood occurred on 15–16 May 2014 because of heavy rainfall, which, on 15 May amounted to 138 mm. The total amount of precipitation in the catchment area was 216.5 mm in three days. This resulted in sudden and full streams in spate, contributing to significant geomorphological transformations reaching all the way to the bottom of the river beds. During the flash flood, already established river beds and streams increased in size and many new river courses were formed.
Genetic variability and health of Norway spruce stands in the Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Krosno
Authors: Gutkowska Justyna , Borys Małgorzata , Tereba Anna , Tkaczyk Miłosz , Oszako Tomasz , Nowakowska Justyna Anna
Published: November 2017

The study was conducted in 2015 in six spruce stands situated in different forest districts administratively belonging to the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Krosno. Each spruce population was represented by 30 trees and assessed in terms of their current health status. Genetic analyses were performed on shoot samples from each tree using nine nuclear DNA markers and one mitochondrial DNA marker (nad1). The health status of the trees was described according to the classification developed by Szczepkowski and Tarasiuk (2005) and the correlation between health classes and the level of genetic variability was computed with STATISTICA (α = 0.05).

Nuclear DNA analyses revealed a low level of genetic variability among spruce populations (only 3% of the total genetic variation (F
ST = 0.028) and a high variability within populations (97%). The total heterozygosity in all stands (H
T) was calculated as 0.646. Based on UPGMA analysis, the most genetically similar populations are spruce stands in the Bieszczady National Park and the Ustrzyki Dolne Forest District, which have the smallest genetic divergence of all populations (D
N = 0.0165).

Our analysis of the mitochondrial gene nad1 revealed the presence of six different haplotypes ‘a’, ‘a1’, ‘b’, ‘c’, ‘d’ and ‘d1’. Comprising 56% of all haplotypes, ‘a’ was the most common showing a predominant impact on spruce migration from the Carpathian area. The analysis based on mitochondrial markers (by Nei) revealed a heterozygosity of 0.525.

Based on the observations of disease symptoms, 29% of the trees belong to health class 1, 30% to class 2, 28% to class 3 and class 4 contains 13% of trees. The comparison between health status and the level of genetic variation in the analysed stands showed a positive correlation. Spruce stands with better health were also characterised by a greater degree of genetic variability.

Since most of the investigated spruce populations shared the mitochondrial haplotype ‘a’, we have ascertained their Hercynian–Carpathian origin. Only one stand (Cisna) had a high frequency (43.3%) of the Nordic haplotype ‘c’ suggesting that this provenance is derived from the Baltic post-glacial refugium of P. abies in europe.
The twinflower in the Augustów Forest: occurrence, condition and threats
Authors: Zawadzka Dorota , Zawadzki Grzegorz , Bednarek Jerzy , Bednarek Joanna B. , Piechowska Dorota , Mikitiuk Artur
Published: November 2017

The twinflowerLinnaea borealisL. is a rare, boreal plant species that grows in coniferous forests and is partly protected in Poland. We studied its distribution and the condition in the Augustów Forest (NE Poland) describing 22 twinflower patches in total. The following features were assessed: (1) patch area, (2) distance between individual twinflowers, (3) patch density, (4) intensity of flowering, (5) fruiting, (6) main accompanying plant species, (7) plant community structure, (8) species composition and age of the forest stands, (9) canopy cover of the forest stands, (10) existing and potential threats. In the northern part of the forest where suitable pine sites dominated, twinflowers were distributed irregularly and unevenly. Twinflowers in the Augustów Forest occur in relatively big areas with individual patches covering from 100 m2to 3000 m2, but most commonly 500–1000 m2. The mean distance to the nearest neighbouring twinflower was 1600 m (range from 250 m to 6035 m). This pattern of distribution and separating distance does allow for sexual reproduction within the studied forest stand and blooming was confirmed in 21 out of 22 patches. In four locations, intensive blooming with >50 flowers shoot/m2was observed. We did not observe a dependency of the flowering intensity on patch size.

Despite the intensive and frequent flowering, as well as the presence of fruits, which were found in 15 patches, the twinflower reproduces mainly vegetatively. Twinflowers grew in 34–166 years-old pine-spruce stands with moderate canopy cover, but there was no relationship between the age of forest stands and the size of a flower patch. Plant species, which commonly occurred with twinflowers were:Vaccinium myrtillus,Calamagrostis arundinacea,Goodyera repens,Rubus saxatilis, Fragaria vesca, Pleurosium schreberi.Twinflower communities are threatened by invasive species in the forest understory in two locations only, while in the other locations no active protection is needed and the plants should rather be protected and monitored through multifunctional forest management. We emphasise the importance of the Augustów Forest for the twinflower in Poland, because about 10% of the Polish population grows in this forest complex.
Should the whole Białowieża Forest be a national park?
Authors: Zientarski Jacek , Szmyt Janusz
Published: November 2017

In Poland, the stormy discussion on the future of the Białowieża Forest has been ongoing already for a long time. The disputes are mostly focused on seeking answers to two questions: how to protect these unique forest ecosystems and whether forest management threatens their naturalness. The discussion has grown stronger after the recent, enormous outbreak of Ips ypographus in the Forest.

The Białowieża Forest has been managed for years with no significant negative effect. However, antagonists of foresters blame forest management for degradation of the Forest’s ecosystems, which is caused by favoring the economic value of timber expected to be harvested in keeping with the management plans of 3 forest districts located in the Białowieża Forest. At any rate, such assumption, has nothing to do with reality. During this discussion the idea to extend the national park for all the Białowieża Forest revived.

In this paper, we reviewed the economic, social and ecological dimensions which should be taken into consideration before making a decision on extending the Białowieża National Park. It should be underlined that the Park’s area is already under the strict protection; furthermore, 2/3 of the area of neighboring managed forests are under legal protection (the nature reserves, NATURA 2000, the so-called reference forests, etc.). All things considered, we cannot find any reasonable purpose (ecological, financial or social) for expanding the Park’s area from 10 500 ha (present status) to 62 500 ha (after extension). Also, we are convinced that sustainable forest management conducted in managed parts of the Białowieża Forest, which comprises the fulfillment of all forest functions and services, should not be perceived as a signifcant threat to naturalness of the Forest’s ecosystems.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR STRONG REDUCTION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSION IN LIME AND CEMENT MANUFACTURE
Authors: Villachica Carlos A. , Villachica Joyce G.
Published: November 2017

The cement and lime industries are responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions [1]. 35% of this CO2 share comes from fuel combustion to heat and decompose limestone to produce lime or “clinker” in an open atmosphere while the remaining 65% comes from limestone rock itself. Due to the new technology, high grades of both lime and CO2 were obtained faster and at much lower than conventional temperatures and CO2 was fully captured and utilized when using an HEVA reactor for limestone calcination. Clinker, a precursor of cement, was partly obtained at lower temperature when starting from HEVA lime and fine quartz after mechanochemical pretreatment.
NEW POSSIBILITIES OF CALCULATING THE VOLUMES OF EXTRACTED MASSES IN THE SURFACE MINING OF BROWN COAL
Authors: Vrublová Dana , Kapica Roman , Gibesová Beáta , Mudruňka Jaroslav
Published: November 2017

The companies engaged in brown coal mining are looking for ways of managing the mining process as efficiently as possible. The principal mining technology used for brown coal mining in our country, but also in Germany and Poland, are wheel excavators. The evolving GNSS technology has enabled designing and realisation of systems for determining the spatial position of the excavator wheel. The visualisation of the wheel's spatial position and tracking of its real-time motion is performed in the Czech Republic by the program Mine Model developed by the company KVASoftware. One of the most important tasks of mine surveyors is the calculation of the volumes of the extracted masses. The described system performs this task in real-time. This article describes an application that is used to automate volume calculations.
SUPPLY CHAINS OF MINERAL RAW MATERIALS AND MONTANISTIC TOURISM
Authors: Schejbal Ctirad
Published: November 2017

Supply chains in the mineral raw material industry take different forms depending on requirements, the placement of resources and points of consumption, and the nature of geological, morphological and botanical landscape type. Hitherto, in the context of montanistic tourism, the attention is paid primarily to the objects associated with the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources. Professionally and touristically, processes of transport of mineral raw materials and products of their processing can be interesting. Therefore, during the selection, development and implementation of montanistic tourism products, it will be useful to focus on these parts of a supply chain, especially if they are implemented in areas with high levels of geodiversity and biodiversity.
Morphological Diversity of Seeds in O. cumana Accessions from Republic of Moldova
Authors: Duca Maria , Boicu Adriana
Published: November 2017

The seed morphology of 38 samples representing
Nationalism and African Communal Identity in Marguerite Abouet’s and Clement Oubrerie’s Aya de Yopougon
Authors: Ajah Richard Oko
Published: November 2017

Nationalism has become a contested construct because scholars doubt its ideological authenticity and global migratory consciousness, which promotes transcultural / transnational identity, and problematizes its raison d’être. Though Abouet and Oubrerie’s graphic novel could be read as a portrayal of the emerging urban center and its postmodern identities, this study rather investigates how Aya de Yopougon galvanizes juvenile nationalistic consciousness through age-long African communal identity. Using the postcolonial theory, the paper argues that the epistemology of nationalism, as a forerunner of nationhood, has been inherently encapsulated in African communal identity as manifested in the lives of middle-class dwellers of Yopougon, a suburb of Abidjan. It further deconstructs the symbolic Eurocentric paradigms of nationalism because nationalistic consciousness is located in the African definition of “family” and “community” revealed in the setting of Yopougon which contrasts with other spaces that bear the emblem of nationhood in the novel. Yopougon is not Anderson’s “imagined community”; its inhabitants reflect African communal identity that is located in gender complementarities and civic interdependence. The paper concludes that communalism could be an African brand of modern nationalism, used to develop the nationalistic and communalistic consciousness of the Ivorian youths who are faced with crude realities of a postcolonial society.
Investigating the Relationship Between Big Five Personality Traits and Cultural Intelligence on Football Coaches
Authors: Devin Hassan Fahim
Published: November 2017

In this descriptive – correlative study we examined the relationship between big five personality traits with cultural intelligence in 113 active soccer coaches in the city of Mashhad in north-eastern of Iran. Anget. al (2004) cultural intelligence (CI) and Costa & McCrae (1992) Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI questionnaires were used to obtain coaches’ rate of cultural intelligence and personality traits. The results of the study revealed a significant positive relationship between personality traits (except for neuroticism) with Cultural intelligence. A significant reverse relationship was observed between neuroticism and Cultural intelligence. A significant difference was observed between coaches with A and B coaching degree, in comparison with C and D coaching degree in terms of cultural intelligence. No significant difference was observed between these two groups regarding personality traits. Our results show that some of the personality characteristics are crucial and related to a capability to function effectively in diverse settings.
Evolution of Voids in Mg/Al Diffusion Bonding Process
Authors: Long Luping , Liu Wensheng , Ma Yunzhu , Wu Lei , Tang Siwei
Published: November 2017

The closure process of voids was very crucial for diffusion bonding, voids behaviors in Mg/Al bonding process were investigated, and the control mechanisms of diffusion at different predominant process parameters were discussed in this paper. Finite element simulation was utilized to investigate the influence of thermal residual stresses on the appearance of secondary voids. The results showed that: the dominant mechanism of void closure was plastic deformation in the initial stage of Mg/Al diffusion bonding. Numerical results indicated that secondary voids could be easily generated in the regions where tensile residual stress gradient achieves the maximum, corresponding to area that Al3Mg2 layer at the nearby Al/Al3Mg2 interface, the segregation of voids deteriorated the performances of the bonded joints.
Care of the S: Dynamics of the mind between social conflicts and the dialogicality of the self
Authors: Madzia Roman
Published: November 2017

The paper deals predominantly with the theory of moral reconstruction in George H. Mead’s thinking. It also points out certain underdeveloped aspects of Mead’s social-psychological theory of the self and his moral philosophy, and attempts to develop them. Since Mead’s ideas concerning ethics and moral philosophy are anchored in his social psychology, the paper begins with a description of his theory and underlines some problematic areas and tries to solve them. The most important of these, as the author argues, is the hypothesis that social conflicts should be seen as the root of reflective, discursive thinking. Unlike some of his contemporaries (such as Vygotsky), Mead failed to appreciate this aspect of the genesis of the dynamics of the self.
Macroscopic Model for Momentum Transport in Down-Flow Fluidization
Authors: Benítez-Olivares Guillermo , Valdés-Parada Francisco J. , Alicia Meraz-Rodríguez Mónica , Soria-López Alberto
Published: November 2017

Down-flow fluidization is an attractive unit operation because it allows having a smooth circulation of the fluid and the solid support material as well as an uninterrupted and controlled operation of the fluid. In addition, since the solid support material is less dense than the fluid, the pump energy consumption required for bed expansion is smaller in comparison with upward fluidization. Momentum transport in fluidized beds is usually modeled by macroscopic models, which are expressed in terms of effective-medium coefficients, by making analogies with transport in porous media. In practice, it is desirable to derive these models and to predict the involved coefficients in a reliable manner. For this reason, in this work we derive a macroscopic model for the hydrodynamics of down-flow fluidization, using the method of volume averaging obtaining a model with the form of Darcy’s law with a correction in the relative velocity of the fluid to the solid. A salient feature of the model is that it allows predicting the apparent permeability coefficient in different geometries, and under different transport conditions. Also, the average model obtained can be used for both types of fluidization, because it is not restricted by the flow direction.
Effects of Classical Background Music on Stress, Anxiety, and Knowledge of Filipino Baccalaureate Nursing Students
Authors: Evangelista Kevin , Macabasag Romeo Luis A. , Capili Brylle , Castro Timothy , Danque Marilee , Evangelista Hanzel , Rivero Jenica Ana , Gonong Michell Katrina , Diño Michael Joseph , Cajayon Sharon
Published: November 2017

Previous work on the use of background music suggests conflicting results in various psychological, behavioral, and educational measures. This quasi-experiment examined the effect of integrating classical background music during a lecture on stress, anxiety, and knowledge. A total of 42 nursing students participated this study. We utilized independent sample t-test and multivariate analysis of variance to examine the effect of classical background music. Our findings suggest that the presence or absence of classical background music do not affect stress, anxiety, and knowledge scores (Λ = 0.999 F(3, 78) = 0.029, p = 0.993). We provided literature to explain the non-significant result. Although classical music failed to establish a significant influence on the dependent variables, classical background music during lecture hours can be considered a non-threatening stimulus. We recommend follow up studies regarding the role of classical background music in regulating attention control of nursing students during lecture hours.
Influence of the Random System Parameters on the Nonlinear Dynamic Characteristics of Gear Transmission System
Authors: Wang Jingyue , Wang Haotian , Wang Huan , Guo Lixin
Published: November 2017

In order to analyze the influence of the random parameters of the system on the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the gear transmission system, considering the random perturbation of damping ratio, gear backlash, meshing frequency, meshing stiffness and the low frequency excitation caused by torque fluctuation, the random vibration equations of three-degree-of-freedom gear transmission system are established according to the Newton’s law. The motion differential equations are solved by the Runge–Kutta method. The effects of different random parameters such as load ratio, tooth frequency ratio, damping ratio, gear backlash and meshing stiffness on the dynamic response of the gear transmission system are analyzed in light and heavy loads and low and high speeds.
Self-Aeration Modelling Using a Sub-Grid Volume-Of-Fluid Model
Authors: Lopes Pedro , Leandro Jorge , Carvalho Rita F.
Published: November 2017

The accurate prediction of self-aerated flow is not always easy to obtain, particularly if the computational performance is the main concern. Two-fluid formulation is suitable to simulate the dispersed air in a continuous water phase (e.g. bubbly flows) in a fine mesh, whereas the interface tracking methods are used for sharp interfaces with two continuous and contiguous phases (e.g. free-surface flows). Several approaches have emerged to combine both methods; however all found a gap in the transition between resolved and unresolved scales of air at the interface. Including a source term that predicts the self-aeration process is viewed as a promising step to overcome such difficulty. In this work, we added to the volume-of-fluid formulation an extra advection-diffusion equation connected to a source of air at the free surface to simulate the dispersed bubble phase. One-way coupling and two-way coupling versions of this model are tested along with sensitivity tests to show the accuracy of the new source term that does not require calibration. The location of the aeration is analysed and investigated. Results are obtained in terms of free-surface flow depths, air–concentration profiles and velocity fields and compared to experimental data acquired in a scaled stepped spillway model with good agreement. The free-surface given by the air-entrainment model is in good agreement in both non-aerated and aerated zone of the spillway.
Effect of the addition of mixture of plant components on the mechanical properties of wheat bread
Authors: Wójcik Monika , Dziki Dariusz , Biernacka Beata , Różyło Renata , Miś Antoni , Hassoon Waleed H.
Published: November 2017

Instrumental methods of measuring the mechanical properties of bread can be used to determine changes in the properties of it during storage, as well as to determine the effect of various additives on the bread texture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the mixture of plant components on the physical properties of wheat bread. In particular, the mechanical properties of the crumb and crust were studied. A sensory evaluation of the end product was also performed. The mixture of plant components included: carob fiber, milled grain red quinoa and black oat (1:2:2) – added at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 % – into wheat flour. The results showed that the increase of the addition of the proposed additive significantly increased the water absorption of flour mixtures. Moreover, the use of the mixture of plant components above 5% resulted in the increase of bread volume and decrease of crumb density. Furthermore, the addition of the mixture of plant components significantly affected the mechanical properties of bread crumb. The hardness of crumb also decreased as a result of the mixture of plant components addition. The highest cohesiveness was obtained for bread with 10% of additive and the lowest for bread with 25% of mixture of plant components. Most importantly, the enrichment of wheat flour with the mixture of plant components significantly reduced the crust failure force and crust failure work. The results of sensory evaluation showed that the addition of the mixture of plant components of up to 10% had little effect on bread quality.
« Textes flottants » : l’exemple d’Abū Šāma. Une écriture de l’histoire dans le Proche-Orient aux VIIe–IXe/XIIIe–XVe siècles
Authors: Roiland Muriel , Sublet Jacqueline
Published: November 2017

Abū Šāma lived as an historian and a biographer in 7th/13th-century Damascus. Although he took care to transmit a fair copy (
Applying the GOCE-based GGMs for the quasi-geoid modelling of Finland
Authors: Saari Timo , Bilker-Koivula Mirjam
Published: November 2017

The gravity satellite mission GOCE made its final observations in the fall of 2013. Since the re-entry to the Earth’s atmosphere, the full cycle of the GOCE data has been published by ESA. At first, we evaluated all the GOCE-based global geoid models over Finland using terrestrial gravity and GNSS-levelling data. The most suitable model was selected as a global background model for the Finnish quasi-geoid calculations.

Next, we combined the chosen model with terrestrial gravity data of Finland and surrounding areas. Quasi-geoid models with different modifications were calculated using the GOCE DIR5 model up to spherical harmonic degree and order (d/o) 240 and 300, and the high resolution EIGEN-6C4 (includes the complete GOCE data) model up to degree and order 1000 and 2190.

The calculated quasi-geoid models were validated to the measurements on site with two independent GPS-levelling datasets. The best quasi-geoid models with GOCE gave standard deviations of 2.6 cm (FIN_DIR5 d/o 240) and 2.3 cm (FIN_DIR5 d/o 300) in Finland. For the high resolution model FIN_EIGEN-6C4, the results were 1.8 cm (d/o 1000) and 1.7 cm (d/o 2190). In addition, the results were compared with the latest geoid models available in Finland (FIN2005N00, NKG2004, NKG2015, EGG2008). The sub-2-centimetre (and near 2 cm, when using the GOCE-based models) accuracy is an improvement over the previous and current Finnish geoid models.
Texture and Gene Expression Analysis of the MRI Brain in Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Bustamam Alhadi , Sarwinda Devvi , Ardenaswari Gianinna
Published: November 2017

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that can cause problems with human memory, thinking and behavior. This disease causes cell death and nerve tissue damage in the brain. The brain damage can be detected using brain volume, whole brain form, and genetic testing. In this research, we propose texture analysis of the brain and genomic analysis to detect Alzheimer’s disease. 3D MRI images were chosen to analyze the texture of the brain, and microarray data were chosen to analyze gene expression. We classified Alzheimer’s disease into three types: Alzheimer’s, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Normal. In this study, texture analysis was carried out by using the Advanced Local Binary Pattern (ALBP) and the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). We also propose the bi-clustering method to analyze microarray data. The experimental results from texture analysis show that ALBP had better performance than GLCM in classification of Alzheimer’s disease. The ALBP method achieved an average value of accuracy of between 75% - 100% for binary classification of the whole brain data. Furthermore, Biclustering method with microarray data shows good performance gene expression, where this information show influence Alzheimer’s disease with total of bi-cluster is 6.
Original Research. Transluminal Contrast Attenuation Gradient Is Associated with Coronary Plaque Vulnerability — a Computed Tomography Angiography-based Study
Authors: Orzan Marius , Hodas Roxana , Dobra Mihaela , Rat Nora , Chitu Monica , Benedek Imre
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the transluminal contrast attenuation gradient (TAG), a new CT imaging-derived marker of functional significance of a coronary stenosis, is directly associated with the vulnerability degree of atheromatous coronary plaques. Material and methods: This is a prospective study on 21 patients with 30 atheromatous plaques in the coronary arteries, who underwent cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for assessment of coronary plaques. Results: Twelve plaques were classified as vulnerable (40%) and 18 plaques (60%) as non-vulnerable. Plaques associated with a TAG value above 10 HU exhibited in a significantly higher proportion CCTA markers of plaque vulnerability, as compared to plaques in which the attenuation gradient was below 10 HU. TAG values >10 HU were associated with a higher amount of plaque volume (107.4 ± 91.2 mm3 vs. 56.0 ± 37.5 mm3, p = 0.009), necrotic core (32.5 ± 36.9 mm3 vs. 3.1 ± 3.2 mm3, p = 0.0003), and fibro-fatty tissue (17.7 ± 16.3 mm3 vs. 4.0 ± 2.6 mm3, p = 0.0002), as compared to those lesions with TAG values below 10 HU. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between TAG values and CCTA features of plaque instability: necrotic core (r = −0.73, p <0.0001), fibrofatty tissue (r = −0.63, p = 0.0002), and plaque volume (r = −0.48, p = 0.006). Conclusions: In patients with coronary artery disease, contrast attenuation gradient along the coronary plaques, determined by CCTA, correlates with CT markers of plaque vulnerability. Vulnerable coronary plaques are associated with a higher functional significance than the stable ones with a similar anatomic profile.
Checklist of Champion Trees in The Czech Republic
Authors: Úradníček Luboš , Šrámek Martin , Dreslerová Jaromíra
Published: November 2017

An increasing number of people all around the world have become interested in remarkable and magnificent trees in recent years. Accessible databases of champion trees are available. Unfortunately, the Czech Republic does not have a single database of remarkable or champion trees. We have old tradition to find and describe an old and monumental trees in our country. In 1899 the first book was issued about it. Many of the biggest specimens are already registered in the Monumental Trees database, which is run by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, registered a total of 25,598 memorable trees in 2017. Not all remarkable or champion trees are designated as memorable. Due too we present the known data on champion trees in an independent checklist. There are shown 116 species of trees with their girth and other information as height, GPS coordinate etc. from various sources. This checklist is a basis for a future one national database. When comparing the champion trees of the Czech Republic with the databases of other European states, particularly that of Monumental Trees, it emerges that we are not far from coming first. The Czech champion tree, Vejda's Lime Tree in Pastviny (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) measured 1,305 cm at girth in 2015. We would like to prepare one integrated Czech database of remarkable trees and champion trees by help of the Professor August Bayer Foundation as soon as possible.
Diffraction, microstructure and thermal stability analysis in a double phase nanocrystalline Al20Mg20Ni20Cr20Ti20 high entropy alloy
Authors: Rameshbabu A.M. , Parameswaran P. , Vijayan V. , Panneer R.
Published: November 2017

An effort has been made to develop a new composition of AlMgNiCrTi high entropy alloy (HEA) with a distinct properties includes squat density, intense strength and hardness, superior corrosion resistance, better oxidation resistance, high temperature resistance, fatigue load and crack resistance to congregate the necessity of aircraft applications. The equivalent atomic percentage for the above defined composition is established using analytical correlation for molar and atom renovation by trial and error method. The alloy is synthesized by powder metallurgy technique through mechanical alloying. Succeeding to mechanical alloying it is elucidated that the metal powder is primarily composed of single BCC solid solution with crystallite magnitude <10 nm. It is also observed that the alloy is thermally stable at prominent temperature about 800°C as it is retained its nanostructure which was revealed using differential scanning caloriemetry (DSC). This alloy powder was consolidated and sintered using spark plasma sintering at 800°C with 50 Mpa pressure to a density of 98.83%. Subsequent to sintering, Titanium carbide FCC phase evolved along with the BCC phase. The alloying behavior and phase transformation were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The homogeneity of the composition is confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The hardness of the alloy is found to be 710±20 HV. The evolutions of the phases and hardness imply that this alloy is apposite for both high strength and high temperature applications.
Reliability analysis of the power supply system of closed-circuit television system used at a highway toll collection point
Authors: Rosiński Adam
Published: November 2017

The article presents issues concerning the power supply systems of closed-circuit television systems used at a highway toll collection point. The general diagram of the power supply system was presented, and then the reliability analysis was conducted. This enabled to develop a relationships graph, on the basis of which the Chapman–Kolmogorov system of equations describing it was created. On this basis, it was possible to set the relationships allowing to calculate the probability values of the system’s staying (in symbolic terms) in the following functional states: of full ability SPZ, of non-full ability SZB1 and SZB2, and of unfitness SB.
RAMS analysis of railway vehicles’ lifecycle
Authors: Szkoda Maciej , Kaczor Grzegorz
Published: November 2017

The presented paper investigates the issues concerned with the RAMS analysis with the reference to the railway means of transport. The RAMS analysis includes the quantitative and qualitative indicators of degree, that the system and its components will meet all the assumed functions preserving the requirements of the availability and safety. RAMS is a long-term process, resulted from the applied tools and techniques throughout the life cycle of railway means of transport. The overall guidelines related to the development of RAMS features are included in PN-EN 50126 Railway Applications - The Specification and Demonstration of Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS).
Geometrical analysis of profile of certain heavy terrain sections exerting dynamic loads on the chassis components of off-road vehicles
Authors: Luty Witold , Mieteń Marcin
Published: November 2017

The paper presents the results of measurements concerned with the changes of profile height observed on selected heavy terrain road sections. Based on the results of direct measurements, primary indicators and amplitude frequency characteristics have been determined. The characteristics of these roads profiles have been presented as a function of path frequency, and also as a function of the vehicle wheels’ excitation frequency observed while driving at a certain, constant speed. The results presented serve as a source of information on specific heavy terrain road sections exerting dynamic loads on the vehicle’s chassis components while driving in off-road conditions.
Application of K1/3 weather coefficient to tropical cyclone avoidance
Authors: Szymański Maciej , Wiśniewski Bernard
Published: November 2017

The article presents the results of an application of K1/3 weather coefficient to tropical cyclone avoidance manoeuvre on the example of a tropical cyclones GASTON in the North Atlantic in. Avoidance manoeuvre was planned with the use of the Bon Voyage ORS (Onboard Routing System) of the AWT and also with the use of the programme CYKLON. The routes considered in the Bon Voyage system were generated by the route optimization algorithms of the system and routes programmed manually were generated by the system operator. Weather coefficient K1/3 was utilized as an index of safety of navigation in decision making regarding the ultimate route choice of all route variants generated and programmed in both decision making support systems. Results obtained point at the legitimacy of utilizing several decision support systems in solving the problem of tropical cyclone avoidance manoeuvre.
Assessment methods of production processes reliability – state of the art
Authors: Chlebus Maciej , Werbińska-Wojciechowska Sylwia
Published: November 2017

In the paper, authors focus on a problem of reliable performance of production processes. Reliability analyses of production systems regard considering many different factors and requirements. As a result, the paper discusses the basic definitions from the area of production engineering and reliability theory. Based on the literature research, there is proposed a basic classification of methods for production processes reliability assessment. Later, authors focus on the development of a multidimensional approach to production process reliability assessment. The work ends up with summary and directions for further research.
Teaching methodology of the diagnosing process on the example of the fire alarm system
Authors: Paś Jacek , Dąbrowski Tadeusz , Wiśnios Michał
Published: November 2017

The article presents a method of teaching the process of diagnosing the technical and functional condition of the fire alarm system (SSP). The fire alarm system’s laboratory model is a representation of a real fire alarm system. The lecturer has the opportunity to inflict several different independent damage. The aim of the laboratory exercise is to familiarize students with the methodology and structure of the fire alarm system diagnosing process.
High attainment of optimal nutritional and growth status observed among Greek pediatric cystic fibrosis patients: results from the GreeCF study
Authors: Poulimeneas Dimitrios , Petrocheilou Argiri , Grammatikopoulou Maria G. , Kaditis Athanasios G. , Loukou Ioanna , Doudounakis Stavros E. , Laggas Dimitrios , Vassilakou Tonia
Published: November 2017

Background:

Pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients suffer high rates of undernutrition, subject to several parameters. We aimed to assess growth and nutritional status of Greek children and adolescents with CF.

Methods:

Eighty-four patients (35 boys) formed the sample. Anthropometrics and FEV

Results:

In the total sample, 6.0% of the patients were underweight, 4.8% stunted, 8.3% wasted and 17.9% in nutritional failure, whereas 59.5% attained the ideal BMI for CF. FEV

Conclusions:

The examined CF patients appear to be thriving. Unlike published research, the participants’ sex, gene mutation and acquisition of pathogens did not affect growth.
Hydro-sedimentary flow modelling in some catchments Constantine highlands, case of Wadis Soultez and Reboa (Algeria)
Authors: Balla Faiza , Kabouche Nabil , Khanchoul Kamel , Bouguerra Hamza
Published: November 2017

Erosion is a major phenomenon that causes damage not only to soil and agriculture, but also to the quality of the water amounting to tonnes of matter annually transported on the earth's surface. This fact has attracted the interest of researchers to understand its mechanism and explain its causes and consequences. This work is a comparative study of water erosion in the two semi-arid catchments of Wadi Soultez and Wadi Reboa; located in the North-East of Algeria. The approach adopted for the quantification of sediment transport consists on researching the best regressive model to represent the statistical relation between the sediment yield and the measured water discharge at different scales: annual, seasonal and monthly. The available data cover 27 years from 1985-2012. The results show that the power model has given the best correlation coefficient. Results have indicated that Wadi Reboa transported an average of 14.66 hm3 of water and 0.25 million tonnes of sediments annually. While Wadi Soultez has transported 4.2 hm3 of water and 0.11 million tonnes of sediments annually. At a seasonal scale, sediment amounts have showed significant water erosion in autumn with around 44% and secondarily in the spring with 29% in Wadi Soultez. Unlike Wadi Reboa, sediment transport represents 32% and 46% in autumn and spring respectively. Based on the obtained sediment amounts; it is found that the physical factors: such as steep reliefs, vulnerable lithological nature of rocks and poor vegetal cover, have significantly contributed in accelerating soil erosion.
Impact of urbanization on the sediment yield in tropical watershed using temporal land-use changes and a GIS-based model
Authors: Bello Al-Amin D. , Hashim Noor B. , Haniffah Ridza M.
Published: November 2017

Abundant rainfall areas promote sediment yield at both sub-watershed and watershed scale due to soil erosion and increase siltation of river channel, but it can be curtailed through planned urbanization. The urbanization of Skudai watershed is analysed from historical and future perspective. A GIS-based model (Hydrological Simulation Programme-FORTRAN-HSPF) is used to modelled sediment flow using basin-wide simulation, and the output result is utilized in evaluating sediment yield reduction due to increased urbanization by swapping multiple temporal land-use of decadent time-steps. The analysis indicates that sediment yield reduces with increase urban built-up and decrease forest and agricultural land. An estimated 12 400 tons of sediment will be reduced for every 27% increase in built-up areas under high rainfall condition and 1 490 tons at low rainfall. The sensitivity analysis of land-use classes shows that built-up, forest and barren are more sensitive to sediment yield reduction compared to wetland and agricultural land at both high and low rainfall. The result of the study suggests that increased urbanization reduced sediment yield in proportion to the rainfall condition and can be used as an alternative approach for soil conservation at watershed scale independent of climate condition.
Thermo-mineral waters of Hammam Meskoutine (north-east Algeria): Composition and origin of mineralization
Authors: Benamara Abdelwaheb , Kherici-Bousnoubra Houria , Bouabdallah Fouzia
Published: November 2017

The extreme north-eastern Algeria, in particular the Guelma city conceals thermal springs, whose waters circulating at great depths allow the rain-waters to warm up (according to the average geothermal gradient of 1°C per 33 m) and to acquire a mineralization which depends on the traversed rock. The goal of this research work was to determine mineralization origin of the thermo-mineral waters of Hammam Meskoutine (Algerian N-E). A hydro-chemical study involved analyses of a number of physical and chemical parameters of waters such as: temperature, hydrogen potential, electrolytical conductivity, Cl-, SO4 2-, HCO3 -, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+. The data processing on the diagram revealed two dominating chemical facies: sulphate-magnesium and bicarbonate magnesium. With a high conductivity in excess of 2300 μS·cm-1, the temperature reaches 97°C. Calculation of the saturation index shows that the waters are supersaturated in carbonate minerals (calcite, dolomite and aragonite) and less saturated with evaporite minerals (halite, anhydrite, sylvite and gypsum). The reconstitution in dissolved salts reveals a dominant salt rich in calcium bicarbonates, in calcium sulphates and secondarily in magnesium salts. Geological sections used in the study zone affirm that the chemical composition of the spring waters comes from the neritic limestone dissolution and the gypso-saline complex of Hammam Meskoutine.