bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Battery Balancing for Battery Packs
Authors: Gallardo-Lozano Javier , Lateef Abdul , Romero-Cadaval Enrique , Milanés-Montero M. Isabel
Published: May 2013

In electric vehicle applications, it is necessary to use series strings of batteries since the required voltage is higher than the one that can be obtained from a single battery. Due to several factors, imbalance of batteries in these battery systems is usual and an important factor that has to be taken into account. Many balancing methods have been developed with a lot of different advantages, but all of them also have a lot of disadvantages such as complexity and/or high cost, which are the common problems that can be found in most of these equalization methods. In the present work, a low cost and very simple equalization method is proposed, in which a novel control is applied to a shunting transistor topology. It allows the transistors to regulate the amount of current that goes through each battery cell in the string depending on their State of Charge (SOC), during the charging process. This control ensures that the least charged cells to be charged faster, and the most charged ones to be charged more slowly. Design criteria are discussed and simulation results are carried out in a generic battery low power application which proves the control method. Fast equalization with a low complexity and cost is obtained
Low-Amplitude Anisotropic Wave Train Events during Passage of Interplanetary Magnetic Clouds / Mazas Amplitūdas Anizotropiju Viļņu Parādību Secība Starpplanētu Magnētisko Mākoņu Rašanās Laikā
Authors: Agarwal R. , Mishra R.K.
Published: May 2013

The work presents a continuation in the series related to the long-term space observations made by ground-based neutron monitoring stations. The cosmic ray intensity variation is considered as affected by interplanetary magnetic clouds during low-amplitude anisotropic wave train (LAAWT) events. It was observed that the solar wind velocity is higher than normal (> 300 km/s) while the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength is lower than normal on the arrival of magnetic cloud during LAAWT events. The proton density is found to remain significantly low at high solar-wind velocity, which was expected. The north/south component of interplanetary magnetic field turns southward one day before the arrival of cloud and remains in this direction after that. The cosmic ray intensity is found to increase with the solar wind velocity. It is noteworthy that the cosmic ray intensity significantly increases before and 90 h after the arrival of such a cloud, and decreases gradually after its passage. The north/south component of IMF (Bz) is found to significantly correlate with latitude angle (Ө) and disturbance storm time index Dst, whereas the geomagnetic activity index (Ap) significantly anti-correlates with these parameters, decreasing with (Ө) and Dst increasing on the arrival of interplanetary magnetic cloud during LAAWT events.
Internet Between Utopia and Dystopia
Authors: Hetland Per
Published: May 2013

The Internet has often been envisioned as a technological utopia, framed by the rhetoric of hope. However, after studying the popular discourse, three meta-narratives are identified: utopian narratives containing the pro-innovation position; dystopian narratives containing the anti-diffusion position; technology-as-risk narratives containing the control position. While narratives of anti-diffusion are more or less invisible, narratives of control are surprisingly absent from the scientific discourse about the Internet. The present article sets out to explore narratives of control as they were presented in the Norwegian press during the 1995-2006 period. We have also studied how the expectancy cycles of the Internet fluctuate over time within this period. The study supports two general conclusions: (1) the expectancy cycles for the Internet in the mass media fluctuate in a manner comparable with the stages of the innovation-decision process and; (2) the control position promotes individual, social, technological and institutional control, and is more prominent when the Internet is lower on the media agenda.
The Self and the Institution
Authors: Kaare Birgit Hertzberg
Published: May 2013

Media researchers have not been much preoccupied with a genre named Digital Storytelling. Since its origin in the early 90s, it has spread from California to the rest of the United States and has been evolving for several years now as a media practice around the globe. I therefore want to draw more attention to digital storytelling, here understood as a specific genre developed at the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS) in California and defined as a short, first-person video narrative that combines voice recordings, still and moving images, and music or other sounds (www.storycenter.org). Such storytelling is regarded as both a movement and a method; and it is in its idea a short personal story, about the self. In the subtitle of his book Digital Storytelling, the leader of the center, Joe Lambert, highlights that this type of narratives are Creating Community through Capturing Lives of individuals (Lambert 2009). This genre is embedded in a democratic and empowering ideology. Along these lines, the main concern of this article is to discuss whether a change can be observed in the digital storytelling genre from an individualistic perspective to a more collective perspective - a shift from narrating selves to narrating communities. In examining this question, this work draws upon 45 films produced by bachelor students at the University of Oslo in 2010 and 2011.
Testy specjalistyczne w mammografii z detektorem filmowym
Authors: Fabiszewska Ewa , Grabska Iwona , Pasicz Katarzyna , Kukołowicz Paweł , Oborska-Kumaszyńska Dominika , Orlef Andrzej , Zielińska-Dąbrowska Sylwia
Published: May 2013

W opracowaniu przedstawiono zestaw testow specjalistycznych, ktore zdaniem Polskiego Towarzystwa Fizyki Medycznej, powinny być wykonywane w mammografii z detektorem filmowym. Dokument ten powstał z inicjatywy Zarządu Głownego Polskiego Towarzystwa Fizyki Medycznej i został opracowany, na podstawie dostępnych publikacji oraz obowiązującego prawa, przez fizykow z Zakładu Fizyki Medycznej Centrum Onkologii w Warszawie we wspołpracy z zespołem konsultantow powołanych przez Zarząd Głowny PTFM.
A Study in Polish Housing Conditions. Methodology and Building Typology Characteristics
Authors: Stachura Ewa
Published: May 2013

The attributes of the housing environment constitute an important part of the quality of living. Flats and houses, as other products, fulfill the complex needs of users, starting with the provision of shelter and a sense of safety, to satisfaction associated with the social context of occupancy and the perception of its aesthetic values. The housing environment, more than other functional aspects of architecture, shapes the structure of modern cities, and its high quality standards are reflected in the urban potential that promotes economic growth.

The new paradigm of sustainable consumption, which is becoming widely popular all over the world, affects housing needs and modifies the housing preferences in Poland. Changes should be monitored in reference to current housing needs in Poland, to have a better view on new trends, as present-day housing conditions affect consumers’ needs and preferences. Knowledge of the relations between the qualitative aspects of housing conditions and expectations should support architects, urban planners and local authorities in creating a functional and aesthetic housing environment endowed with the attributes attractive to occupants.

The paper is focused on presenting certain aspects of the present-day housing conditions in Poland. Out of extensive research material resulting from empirical studies, issues that concern the types of settlements, occupancy period, form of ownership (flats or houses) and utilized space have been selected. The derived information enables the evaluation and interpretation of the quality of the housing environment and the occupants’ aspirations.
Using Forecasts in Developers Investing Activities
Authors: Salachna Daniel
Published: May 2013

The number of future sales of residential real estate in the primary developer depends mainly on the factor of demand, consumer needs for housing in established market conditions. One way to determine the future market capacity for the construction of residential demand forecasts.

The company is in a very favorable position, having a reliable forecast of future demand. Forecast has an impact on the ability to achieve the intended purpose of building and as a result allows you to minimize the risk of return on invested capital at the same time ensuring a profit.

Placed forecast future sales of apartments in the time horizon of two years in advance, taking into account a series of standardized construction, contains processed numerical data on a quarterly sale by X developer in the years from 2008 to 2012.

Erected on the basis of forecast model and found very useful model to predict seasonal fluctuations in demand numerical sale in the test development company.
Primary and Secondary Residential Real Estate Markets in Poland – Analogies in Offer and Transaction Price Development
Authors: Dittmann Iwona
Published: May 2013

The paper presents the results of a comparison of the development of mean offer and transaction prices per 1m2 in primary and secondary residential real estate markets in 16 provincial capital cities in Poland, during the time period from the 3rd quarter of 2006 to the 3rd quarter of 2012. The quarterly data came from the residential real estate price database of the National Bank of Poland (NBP). The research concerns the dependencies in the residential real estate market between the following four price categories: offer prices in the primary market, transaction prices in the primary market, offer prices in the secondary market and transaction prices in the secondary market. For each city, the dynamics of each price category per 1m2, the existence of a linear correlation between the individual mean price categories in chosen subintervals and their convergence and variability in time were studied and compared.
Evaluation of the Applicability of Statistical Methods in Studies on Price Dynamics on the Real Estate Market
Authors: Kokot Sebastian , Bas Marcin
Published: May 2013

The specific character of the real estate market is the reason why observations of transaction prices seen as statistical variables are taken in a non-standard way. In the traditional approach each time period or specific moments of time are attributed with one observation of a studied variable per one object. In the case of the real estate market, this is not possible since transactions relate to different objects, i.e., properties, and occur at irregular, or even random, moments. This is why traditional methods used to examine the dynamics of economic phenomena must be adapted to specific conditions on the real estate market. Keeping that in mind, the aim of this paper is to adapt classical statistical examination methods of dynamics to specific conditions of the real estate market followed by the actual examination of the dynamics of real estate prices in three sub-segments of the housing market in Szczecin. On its basis, the authors evaluate various methods of examining real estate price dynamics in terms of their applicability in real estate appraisal procedures and, in a broader perspective, present characteristic phenomena that can be observed on the real estate market.
The Problem of Competition on Real Estate Market on the Example of the Local Housing Market in Olsztyn
Authors: Kuryj-Wysocka Oksana , Wiśniewski Radosław
Published: May 2013

In the economic theory, competition is considered to be a fundamental principle of the free market. Due to the competition, customers get lower prices, better service quality, more and more choices. The competition in the real estate market is a very important factor in its development. Buying or selling real estate is often one of the most important financial transactions, which require the purchaser. With the reference to the above, the participants of the real estate market need to analyse a number of transactions and do a detailed understanding of the market before making a decision and finding a deal that meets all the expectations which will not be diverging significantly from remaining offers functioning in the given area of the market. The phenomenon of competition is very advantageous for buyers of a real estate, because it shows a wide range of various possibilities which one should consider before making a final choice.

Times of crisis trigger a tendency of the growing competition in the property market, what results in a decrease in real estate prices. This article brings up the issue of price and non-price competition on the real estate market and the influence which it exerts on the decision of the purchaser. The aim of this paper is to present the phenomenon of the competition at three levels (levels), by examining what relationship occurs between the entities functioning on the market, what occurs between entities and objects, and how the entities, i.e. individual real estate, compete with each other. This study will be conducted with methods of statistical analysis of the market, however Herfindahl-Hirschman Index will be used to measure competition on the local real estate market.
Integration of Occupational Safety to Contractors` or Subcontractors` Performance Evaluation in Construction Projects
Authors: Kozlovská Mária , Struková Zuzana
Published: May 2013

Several factors should be considered by the owner and general contractor in the process of contractors` and subcontractors` selection and evaluation. The paper reviews the recent models addressed to guide general contractors in subcontractors’ selection process and in evaluation of different contractors during the execution of the project. Moreover the paper suggests the impact of different contractors’ performance to the overall level of occupational health and safety culture at the sites. It deals with the factors influencing the safety performance of contractors during construction and analyses the methods for assessing the safety performance of construction contractors. The results of contractors’ safety performance evaluation could be a useful tool in motivating contractors to achieve better safety outcomes or could have effect on owners` or general contractors’ decision making about contractors suitability for future contracting works.
Multi-Functioning in Virtual Monitoring of Thin-Walled Bridges
Authors: Tesár Alexander
Published: May 2013

Multi-functioning in virtual monitoring of thin-walled bridges is treated in present paper. The approach enables multiple functions in virtual monitoring of bridges made of integrated thin-walled members with their hierarchical configuration. Theoretical, numerical and experimental in situ assessment of the problem is presented. Some results of structural application are submitted.
Evaluation of Facility Management by Multivariate Statistics – Factor Analysis
Authors: Singovszki Miloš , Vranayová Zuzana
Published: May 2013

Facility management is evolving, there is no exact than other sciences, although its development is fast forward. The knowledge and practical skills in facility management is not replaced, on the contrary, they complement each other. The existing low utilization of science in the field of facility management is mainly caused by the management of support activities are many variables and prevailing immediate reaction to the extraordinary situation arising from motives of those who have substantial experience and years of proven experience. Facility management is looking for a system that uses organized knowledge and will form the basis, which grows from a wide range of disciplines. Significant influence on its formation as a scientific discipline is the "structure, which follows strategy". The paper deals evaluate technology building as part of an facility management by multivariate statistic - factor analysis.
State of the Art in the Utilization of Deck Bridges with Encased Filler-Beams in the Standard Construction Practice
Authors: Kvočák Vincent , Kožlejová Viktória , Chupayeva Katerina
Published: May 2013

Deck bridges with encased filler-beams have been used in construction for a long time. Nowadays they are employed mainly in the refurbishment of railways and in road construction. Regarding the method of construction, they can be divided into monolithic/cast-in-place (constructed fully in its final location) or prefabricated/precast structures (built at another location and then transported to their final location for placement in the full structure). Both methods of construction have certain advantages and disadvantages. Decision-making and selecting a better alternative depends on the building conditions and a means of transport (whether a road or railway) running on the bridge.
Interaction Between Salt Stress and Angular Leaf Spot (pseudomonas syringae pv lachrymans) in Cucumber
Authors: Chojak Joanna , Kuźniak Elżbieta , Świercz Urszula , Sekulska-Nalewajko Joanna , Gocławski Jarosław
Published: May 2013

We studied the effects of sequentially applied salt stress and Pseudomonas syringae pv lachrymans (Psl) infection in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Infection development, shoot and root growth potential, the concentrations of chlorophyll and proline as well as electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation and H2O2 production were determined. Cucumber plants were first exposed to salt stress and irrigated for seven days with 50 or 100 mM NaCl and thereafter inoculated by Psl. Abiotic stress compromised the defence response to pathogen and disease severity was the highest in 100 mM NaCl-treated plants. The reduced performance of salinized plants under biotic stress could be related to salt stressinduced plant growth inhibition with leaf expansion being the most sensitive to salinity, decreased chlorophyll content, increased electrolyte leakage and prolonged H2O2 accumulation in leaves implying perturbations in redox homeostasis. The response of NaCl-treated and control plants to bacterial infection differed in terms of H2O2 generation and lipid peroxidation. This study confirmed that proline is an important component of local and systemic responses to salt stress and infection. The results contribute to our knowledge of the nature of plant response to a combination of abiotic and biotic stresses
Detection of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Roots of Strawberry Plants Fertilized with Organic Bioproducts
Authors: Lisek Anna , Sas Paszt Lidia , Sumorok Beata
Published: May 2013

In organic farming, mineral fertilizers are replaced by various preparations to stimulate plant growth and development. Introduction of new biopreparations into horticultural production requires an assessment of their effects on the growth and yielding of plants. Among the important indicators of the impact on plants of beneficial microorganisms contained in bioproducts is determination of their effectiveness in stimulating the growth and yielding of plants. Moreover, confirmation of the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the roots and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the rhizosphere is also necessary. In addition to conventional methods, molecular biology techniques are increasingly used to allow detection and identification of AM fungi in plant roots. The aim of this study was identification and initial taxonomic classification of AM fungi in the roots of ‘Elkat’ strawberry plants fertilized with various biopreparations using the technique of nested PCR.

Tests were performed on DNA obtained from the roots of ‘Elkat’ strawberry plants: not fertilized, treated with 10 different biopreparations, or fertilized with NPK. Amplification of the large subunit of ribosomal gene (LSU rDNA) was carried out using universal primers, and then, in the nested PCR reaction, primers specific for the fungi of the genera Glomus, Acaulospora, and Scutellospora were used. Colonization of strawberry roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was determined on the basis of the presence of DNA fragments of a size corresponding to the types of the fungi tested for.

As a result of the analyses, the most reaction products characterizing AM fungi were found in the roots of plants treated with the preparation Florovit Eko. The least fragments characteristic of AM fungi were detected in the roots of plants fertilized with NPK, which confirms the negative impact of mineral fertilizers on the occurrence of mycorrhizal fungi in the roots of strawberry plants. The roots of plants fertilized with Tytanit differed from the control plants by the presence of one of the clusters of fungi of the genus Glomus and by the absence of a cluster of fungi of the genus Scutellospora. In the roots of plants treated with other biopreparations there were reaction products indicating the presence of fungi of the genera Glomus, Scutellospora and Acaulospora, like in the roots of the control plants. The results will be used to assess the suitability of microbiologically enriched biopreparations in horticultural production.
The Role of Cultivars and Sowing Date in Control of Broad Bean Weevil (Bruchus Rufimanus Boh.) in Organic Cultivation
Authors: Szafirowska Anna
Published: May 2013

During 2010-2011 the studies were conducted on the cultivation of three broad bean cultivars Windsor Biały, Makler and Bartom with organic and conventional method.

The aim of research was to determine the influence of cultivar and sowing date on the seed damage caused by broad bean weevil and on the total seed yield. Seeds were sown on April 10 and 20th. At the harvest the yield was divided into following grades: marketable, small seeds, damaged by Bruchus rufimanus Boh. and diseased. Plants selected on each plot were examined towards the relation between plant architecture and seed damage. The effect of applied treatments on seed yield and damage was found. The lowest percentage of injured seeds presented cv. Makler irrespectively on sowing date and growing method. The differences were proved statistically. Delay of sowing restricted the percent of damaged seeds but also decreased the yield in both growing methods. Cluster located at upper parts of a plant contained lower amount of damaged seeds.
The Effect of Storage in Controlled Atmosphere on the Quality and Health-Promoting Components of Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea bar. Italica)
Authors: Badełek Ewa , Kosson Ryszard , Adamicki Franciszek
Published: May 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of storage conditions on the quality and health-promoting components of broccoli. Broccoli heads cv. Marathon F1 were stored at 0°C for 100 days in controlled atmospheres containing: 1) 15% CO2 - 3% O2, 2) 10% CO2 - 3% O2, 3) 8% CO2 - 1% O2, 4) 5% CO2 - 3% O2. In the control treatment, broccoli heads were stored in normal atmosphere in crates lined with PE film. Before and after storage, chemical analyses were performed for the content of ascorbic acid, total sugars and glucosinolates - sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Additionally, after storage the quality of broccoli heads was assessed visually on a 1-10 point scale, and the percentage of marketable heads was determined. The total content of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol in fresh broccoli was lower in comparison with stored broccoli. The sulforaphane content in fresh broccoli was about twice as high as that of indole-3-carbinol. Storage in an atmosphere consisting of 5% CO2 - 3% O2 was more favourable in comparison with the other gas concentrations in terms of glucosinolate content. A decrease in the content of ascorbic acid and total sugars during storage was noted in all the treatments. The highest loss of these components occurred in broccoli stored in an atmosphere consisting of 15% CO2 and 3% O2. Broccoli heads stored in normal atmosphere completely lost their market quality due to decay, but the quality of broccoli kept in CA was satisfactory.
Influence of Storage Conditions on Flavonoids Content and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Shallot (Allium Cepa Var. Ascalonicum Backer) Hybrid Cultivars
Authors: Pudzianowska Marta , Gajewski Marek , Przybył Jarosław L. , Buraczyńska Agnieszka , Gaczkowska Olga , Matuszczak Marta , Dziechciarska Marta
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to determine changes in the content of flavonoids in fleshy scales of shallot bulbs in relation to different compositions of atmosphere during storage. Also antioxidant activity of the bulbs was determined. Bulbs of shallot cvs. Bonilla F1, Conservor F1 and Matador F1 were stored in two storage seasons at the normal atmosphere (NA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) of the 4 compositions: 5% CO2 + 5% O2, 5% CO2 + 2% O2, 2% CO2 + 5% O2, 2% CO2 + 2% O2. The temperature of storage was 0-1°C and RH 65%. Before and after 7-month storage the bulbs were examined in respect of flavonoids content and antioxidant activity (AA). Flavonoids were identified in methanolic extracts with HPLC, AA was determined with FRAP and DPPH assays. Three flavonoid compounds were identified in the plants extracts. Quercetin 3,4’ di-O-glucoside and quercetin 4’-glucoside (spiraeoside) were present in the highest amounts. CA conditions influenced content of flavonoids in the bulbs. The highest content after storage was observed at gas composition of 5% CO2 + 5% O2. Two major flavonoid compounds, quercetin 3,4’-di-O-glucoside and quercetin 4’-O-glucoside (spiraeoside) showed the increasing tendency, however not all changes were significant. No significant differences were observed between cultivars, but ‘Bonilla’ F1 showed slightly higher flavonoids content than the other ones. Investigated cultivars did not differ in respect of AA, measured both with DPPH and FRAP assay. There was no significant influence of storage conditions on DPPH level, while FRAP level was influenced significantly. Bulbs from 5% CO2 + 2% O2 composition were characterized by the highest FRAP values and the bulbs stored at normal atmosphere - by the lowest.
Effect of temperature on the growth of broccoli (brassica oleracea l. var. italica plenck) cv. fiesta
Authors: Kałużewicz Alina , Krzesiński Włodzimierz , Knaflewski Mikołaj , Lisiecka Jolanta , Spiżewski Tomasz , Frąszczak Barbara
Published: May 2013

Three-year studies on the influence of temperature on vegetative growth and growth of broccoli heads (Brassica oleracea var. italica cv. Fiesta) were carried out at the Experimental Station “Marcelin” of Poznań University of Life Sciences in Poland. The relationship between temperature sum day-degree, number and area of leaves as well as head diameter was estimated. Likewise relationship between number and area of leaves and head diameter was established. The correlations were described using linear, curvilinear and segment linear regression. The relationship between temperature sum day-degree and number of leaves was linear, whereas the correlation between temperature and area of leaves and head diameter was curves function. On the basis of segment linear regression it was found that in the period when slow growth of heads was observed (the size of up to about 1.5 cm), the area of leaves increased the fastest. It occurred between the 24th and 27th day after planting. The fastest growth of broccoli heads was noted, when the plant had about 18 leaves and area 4900 cm2. In the period of rapid head growth, the increase of sum temperature of 100 day-degree resulted in head diameter increase by 3.5 cm.
Carotenoids, ergosterol and tocopherols in fresh and preserved herbage and their transfer to bovine milk fat and adipose tissues: A review
Authors: Kalač Pavel
Published: May 2013

The requirements of cattle for the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E, their provitamins and some carotenoids have increased under conditions of intensive husbandry with insufficient provision of fresh forage, their cheapest natural source. Moreover, bovine milk fat and adipose tissues participate in the intake of these micronutrients by humans. Four major carotenoids occurring in forage crops are lutein, all-trans-β-carotene, zeaxanthin and epilutein. Fresh forage is their richest source. Losses are significantly higher in hay as compared with silage, particularly if prepared from unwilted herbage. Maize silage is a poor source of carotenoids as compared with ensiled grasses and legumes. Ergosterol contents in forages increase under environmental conditions favourable for the growing of moulds, particularly at higher humidity and lower temperatures. Credible data on changes of ergosterol during herbage preservation, particularly drying and ensiling, have been lacking. Alpha-tocopherol is the most important among eight related compounds marked as vitamin E. It is vulnerable to oxidation and herbage ensiling is thus a safer preservation method than haymaking. As with carotenoids, maize silage is a poor source of α-tocopherol. Overall, information on factors affecting the content of ergosterol and tocopherols in fresh herbage, on changes during forage preservation and on transfer to bovine fats has been much more limited than data for β-carotene.
Biological control of Aspergillus niger, the cause of Black-rot disease of Allium cepa L. (onion), by Penicillium species
Authors: Khokhar Ibatsam , Haider Muhammad Saleem , Mukhtar Irum , Mushtaq Sobia
Published: May 2013

The purpose of the study was to explore the control of the onion black rot pathogen, Aspergillus niger, with Penicillium species as biological control agents. Fourteen Penicillium species were isolated from the rhizosphere of different plants. In dual culture agar plate assays, these isolates showed very high antagonistic effects on the growth of A. niger mycelium. Penicillium roqueforti and P. viridicatum greatly inhibited the growth of A. niger by 66% and 60%, respectively, followed by P. bilaii (57%) and P. olsonii (53%). However, it was also observed that the Penicillium species completely overgrew the A. niger colony. The study revealed that some species of the genus Penicillium possessed a high antagonistic effect on the onion black rot pathogen.
Macro Element Content in Fertilized Forest Soils in Spruce (Picea Abies (L.) H. Karst.) Stands in Latvia
Authors: Ermane E. , Bardule A. , Balcerbule Z. , Gigele R.
Published: May 2013

The present paper provides an overview of analysis conducted with soil samples from depths up to 80 cm, obtained in the Klive area from a spruce stand owned by JSC “Latvijas Valsts meži”. Also test fertilization attempts were made with the use of ash- and potassium-based artificial fertilizers (K2SO4). The content of macro elements (K, Ca, N, and C) was determined in the soil samples in the course of the analysis. The obtained results indicate that the content of K and Ca decreases at greater horizontal depths of the soil. Nutrients are subsequently being leached away from the soil. A higher C/N ratio at the horizontal depth of up to 10 cm in the soil means a higher content of organic substances in the aforementionned depth of the soil. The stability of nutrients in this horizon is higher.
Nutrition Recommendations for Estonian Fishermen (Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
Authors: Roots O.
Published: May 2013

Nutrition survey of coastal fishermen was conducted in May 2010, when the fishing season was at its peak. More than half of the participants in the survey eat fish and fish products in April and May more than during the second half of the year At that time fishermen and their families eat fish the most. Thus, the amount of toxins found in the course of the survey, which the fishermen and their family members were exposed to, is greater than the average of the year. Based on an earlier monitoring of dioxins, the presence of dioxins can be stated to depend greatly on the type, age, size and other biological characteristics of the fish, and also on the fat content in the consumed fish. It is not recommended for coastal fishermen and their family members to consume Baltic herring over 22 cm long (more than 8 year old) more than a couple of times a month. At present the Baltic herring in Estonian coastal waters is mostly 2-4 years old and eight-year-old Baltic herring forms a couple of per cent from the catch.
Novel Analytical Approach for the Determination of Zirconium and Yttrium in Ysz Powders
Authors: Zarkov A. , Zalga A. , Tautkus S. , Kareiva A.
Published: May 2013

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods for the determination of zirconium and yttrium in YSZ specimens have been suggested in this study. The calibration graph for zirconium and yttrium was linear in the range of 0.08-0.4 and 0.1-0.6 μg/mL, respectively. The proposed analytical procedure was applied for the determination of zirconium and yttrium in the YSZ samples synthesized by aqueous sol-gel method. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for zirconium was in the range from 0.6 to 4.5%, for yttrium it was from 0.6 to 3.6%. The achieved results demonstrated that the suggested procedure could be successfully applied for the analysis of YSZ powders with satisfactory accuracy.
The communist world from dawn till dusk. a political geography perspective
Authors: Solarz Marcin Wojciech
Published: May 2013

The article presents the territorial evolution of the communist world from its beginning up until the present day. It argues that the communist world was created in 1917 and that it has survived the end of the Cold War. It shows various ways of understanding its nature in the past as well as in present times and shows the variability and ambiguity of the communist world, including its territorial dimension, thereby encouraging reflection and discussion.
Fixed points of Kannan mappings in metric spaces endowed with a graph
Authors: Bojor Florin
Published: May 2013

Let (X; d) be a metric space endowed with a graph G such that the set V (G) of vertices of G coincides with X. We define the notion of G-Kannan maps and obtain a fixed point theorem for such mappings
Spherical Product Surfaces in E4
Authors: Bulca Betül , Arslan Kadri , Bayram Bengü (Kılıç) , Oztürk Günay
Published: May 2013

In the present study we calculate the coefficients of the second fundamental form and curvature ellipse of spherical product surfaces in E4. Otsuki rotational surfaces and Ganchev-Milousheva rotational surfaces are the special type of spherical product surfaces in E4. Further, we give necessary and sufficient condition for the origin of NpM to lie on the curvature ellipse of such surfaces. Finally we get the necessary condition for Ganchev-Milousheva rotational surfaces in E4 to become flat or Chen type. We also give some examples of the projections of these surfaces in E3
On a Class of Sets Via Grill : A Decomposition of Continuity
Authors: Mandal Dhananjoy , Mukherjee M. N.
Published: May 2013

In the present article, a class of sets, called Ϟ-semiclosed sets, which is a subclass of the class of semi-closed sets of Levine [7], is introduced and studied in a grill topological space (X, τ, Ϟ), where Ϟ is a grill on X. Two types of functions are then introduced which ultimately lead us to achieve a new decomposition of a continuous function
A certain class of quadratures with even Tchebychev weights
Authors: Udovičić Zlatko , Udovičić Mirna
Published: May 2013

We are considering the quadrature formulas of “practical type” (with five knots) for approximate computation of integral [xxx] where w(·) denotes (even) Tchebychev weight function. We prove that algebraic degree of exactness of those formulas can not be greater than five. We also determined some admissible nodes and compared proposed formula with some other quadrature formulas.
Noor Iterative Approximation for Solutions to Variational Inclusions with k-Subaccretive Type Mappings in Reflexive Banach Spaces
Authors: Zhang Shuyi , Guo Xinqi , Wang Jun
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we introduce and study a new class of nonlinear vari- ational inclusion problems with Lipschitz k-subaccretive type mappings in real reflexive Banach spaces. The existence and uniqueness of such solutions are proved and the convergence and stability of Noor iterative sequences with errors are also discussed. Furthermore, general conver- gence rate estimates are given in our results, which essentially improve and extend the corresponding results in Chang[1, 2], Ding[3], Gu[5, 6, 7], Hassouni andMoudafi[8], Kazmi[9], Noor[11, 12], Siddiqi and Ansari[13], Siddiqi, Ansari and Kazmi[14] and Zeng[16].
Tzitzeica-Type centro-affine invariants in Minkowski spaces
Authors: Bobe Alexandru , Boskoff Wladimir G. , Ciucă Marian G.
Published: May 2013

In this article we introduce three centro-affine invariant functions in Minkowski spaces. Tzitzeica curves and Tzitzeica surfaces may be defined in this new context. Our main results allow us to understand the connections between Tzitzeica curves and surfaces in Minkowski spaces and the original Tzitzeica curves and surfaces from the Euclidian space
First and second cohomology group of a bu ndle
Authors: Manea Adelina
Published: May 2013

Let (E, π, M) be a vector bundle. We define two cohomology groups associated to π using the first and second order jet manifolds of this bundle. We prove that one of them is isomorphic with a Čech cohomology group of the base space. The particular case of trivial bundle is studied
On non-commutative Minkowski spheres
Authors: Stachó Lászlo L. , Werner Wend
Published: May 2013

The purpose of the following is to try to make sense of the stereo- graphic projection in a non-commutative setup. To this end, we consider the open unit ball of a ternary ring of operators, which naturally comes equipped with a non-commutative version of a hyperbolic metric and ask for a manifold onto which the open unit ball can be mapped so that one might think of this situation as providing a noncommutative analog to mapping the open disk of complex numbers onto the hyperboloid in three space, equipped with the restriction of the Minkowskian metric. We also obtain a related result on the Jordan algebra of self-adjoint operators
3 - Fold Local index theorem
Authors: Teleman Nicolae
Published: May 2013

Although this is a slightly modified version of the paper [23], it has to be seen as preliminary work.

3-Fold Local Index Theorem means Local (Local (Local Index Theorem))). Local Index Theorem is the Connes-Moscovici local index theorem [4], [5]. The second ’’Local” refers to the cyclic homology localised to a certain separable subring of the ground algebra, while the last one refers to Alexander-Spanier type cyclic homology. Localised cyclic homology had already appeared in the literature, see Connes [3], Karoubi [9] [10], Loday [12].

The Connes-Moscovici work is based on the operator R.(A) = P - e associated to the elliptic pseudo-differential operator A on the smooth manifold M, where P . e are idempotents, see [4], Pg. 353.

The operator R(A) has two main merits: it is a smoothing operator and its distributional kernel is situated in an arbitrarily small neigh- bourhood of the diagonal in M x M.

The operator R(A) has also two setbacks: -i) it is not an idempotent and therefore it does not have a genuine Connes-Karoubi-Chern character in the absolute cyclic homology of the algebra of smoothing operators, see Connes [2], [3], Karoubi [9] [10] ; -ii) even if it were an idempotent, its Connes-Karoubi-Chern character would belong to the cyclic homology of the algebra of smoothing operators with arbitrary supports, which is trivial.

This paper presents a new solution to the difficulties raised by the two setbacks.

For which concerns -i), we show that although R(A) is not an idem- potent, it satisfies the identity (R(A))2 = R(-A) - [R(A).e + e.R(A)]. We show that the operator R(A) has a genuine Chern character provided the cyclic homology complex of the algebra of smoothing operators is localised to the separable sub-algebra A = C + C.e, see Section 7.1.

For which concerns -ii), we introduce the notion of local cyclic homology; this is constructed on the foot-steps of the Alexander-Spanier homology, i.e. by filtering the chains of the cyclic homology complex of the algebra of smoothing operators by their distributional support, see Section 6.

Using these new instruments, we give a reformulation of the Connes- Moscovici local Index Theorem, see Theorem 8.1, Section 8. As a corollary of this theorem, we show that the local cyclic homology of the algebra of smoothing operators is at least as big as the Alexander-Spanier homology of the base manifold.

The present reformulation of Connes-Moscovici local index theorem opens the way to new investigations, see Section 9.
On Hopf-Galois extensions of linear categories
Authors: Stănescu Anca
Published: May 2013

We continue the investigation of H-Galois extensions of linear categories, where H is a Hopf algebra. In our main result, the Theorem 2.2, we characterize this class of extensions in the case when H is finite dimensional. As an application, we prove a version of the Duality Theorem for crossed products with invertible cocycle.
An Extension of Nice Bases on Ulm Subgroups of Primary Abelian Groups
Authors: Danchev Peter
Published: May 2013

Suppose A is an Abelian p-group and is an ordinal such that A/pα A is a direct sum of countable groups. It is shown that A has a nice basis if, and only if, pα A has a nice basis. This strengthens an earlier result of ours in Bull. Allah. Math. Soc. (2011) proved when α< ω2.
Oxidation of Sputtered Deposited Carbon Studied by Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance
Authors: Yadav Amar Prasad
Published: May 2013

The oxidation behavior of a sputtered carbon electrode has been investigated in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution with the help of an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The mass change response of the carbon coated Au-QCM during potential cycling showed an increase of mass due to adsorption of water or bisulfate ion just after observation of an anodic peak for the oxidation of hydroquinone. A mass loss due probably to the evolution of CO2 gas was observed at potential above 1.3 V vs. SHE during anodic scan. During cathodic scan, a loss of mass due to release of water or bisulfate ion was accompanied by the reduction of quinone to hydroquinone. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jncs.v28i0.8111 Journal of Nepal Chemical Society Vol. 28, 2011 Page: 80-83 Uploaded Date: May 24, 2013
Mott-Schottky Analysis of Laboratory Prepared Ag2S-AgI Membrane Electrode
Authors: Rajbhandari A. , Manandhar K. , Pradhananga R. R.
Published: May 2013

Mott-Schottky analysis has been carried out to study the semiconducting behavior of Ag2S-AgI material, which is used as membrane material in iodide ion sensors. Polycrystalline Ag2S-AgI materials with mixing ratios 1:1wasprepared by co-precipitation method and Mott-Schottky analysis was carried out. The impedance was recorded using a Solartron 1280 Schlumberger frequency response analyzer at 5 KHz and 10 mV perturbing signal. A straight line with a positive slope is observed between + 0.2 V to -0.2 V (SSE) indicating n-type semiconductor behavior of polycrystalline Ag2S-AgI membrane. The donor concentration ND was calculated from the slope using dielectric constant of Ag2S-AgI. The values obtained are ~ 6 orders of magnitude lower than in metals. This is an important implication for the charge and potential distribution at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface. The Mott Schottky analysis hasshown that the present materials are n-type semiconductors with donor defect concentration of 7.4x1017/cm3. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jncs.v28i0.8113 Journal of Nepal Chemical Society Vol. 28, 2011 Page: 89-93 Uploaded Date: May 24, 2013
Phytochemical Investigation and Antibacterial Activity of Bergenia ligulata
Authors: Rajbhandari M. , Khatri H. R. , Lalk M. , Gewali M. B. , Lindequist U.
Published: May 2013

In the course of screening of plant extracts for antimicrobial activity, the methanolic extract of Bergenia ligulata (Saxifragaceae) exhibited antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria. Fractionation of ethylacetate soluble phase of the methanol extract led to the isolation of bergenin (1), 11-O-p-hydroxybenzoylbergenin (2), 6-O-galloylarbutin (3) and epiafzelechin (4). Except bergenin, other compounds were isolated for the first time from B. ligulata. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jncs.v28i0.8118 Journal of Nepal Chemical Society Vol. 28, 2011 Page: 110-114 Uploaded Date: May 24, 2013
Agarwood Production - A Multidisciplinary Field to be Explored in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Selina , Islam Md Tavir , Zulkefeli Mohd , Khan Sirajul Islam
Published: May 2013

Agarwood or eaglewood (Aguru in Bengali) is the most expensive wood in the world, which is an occasional product of a few genera of Aquilaria and Gyrinops in the plant family Thymelaeaceae. Agar is a scented product, oleoresin, obtained from pathological conditions of the wood of live trees containing many aromatic substances. Various bacteria and fungi have been found to be associated with Agarwood formation, although it is still not absolutely clear which are important or even necessary. The quality of agar mostly depends on the plant species and the fungal species involved, as well as, certain other unknown factors. The issues are now to explore the new sources of agarwood to protect the endangered plant species, to ensure agar formation in 100% of the planted trees, upgrade in quality and most possibly quantity of agar yield per tree simultaneously minimizing the maturation time. Both physical and chemical stresses like mechanical wound and induction have long been practiced to enhance agarwood yield as well as fungal inoculation. Specificity of fungal infection is a minor criterion of agarwood formation rather than the plants physiological state, immune responses and presence of inducer. The agarwood production could be a multifaceted field of prospects in Bangladesh. The cultivation of new Aquilaria and Gyrinops plants and selection of appropriate inocula and inducers should be the priority objective. A multidisciplinary approach could be initiated with the experts of forestry, mycology, biochemistry and microbiology to achieve the goal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijpls.v2i1.15132 International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Vol.2(1) 2013: 22-32
Scales and drivers of local adaptation in Brassica nigra (Brassicaceae) populations
Authors: Bischoff Armin , Hurault Basile
Published: May 2013

• Premise of the Study: Although there is much empirical evidence for local adaptation in plant populations, spatial scales and drivers are still poorly understood. We used the annual species Brassica nigra to (1) test scales of differentiation and adaptation among coastal wetland and inland river‐valley populations and (2) analyze herbivory as a potential driver of local plant adaptation.

• Methods: In a common garden experiment, we compared seven populations collected at different geographic scales in both habitat types. To evaluate adaptation to herbivory, we removed the aphid Brevicoryne brassicae from half of the plants. In a reciprocal transplant experiment, we tested local adaptation in two coastal and two river‐valley populations. Natural colonization by dominant herbivore species was recorded.

• Key Results: In the common garden, the river‐valley populations showed a higher performance than the coastal ones, whereas large‐scale differentiation within habitats was small. Such a differentiation among plant populations was also found in spontaneous infestation by several herbivore groups but not in the plant response to aphid removal. In the reciprocal transplant experiment at natural sites, both plant populations performed better in their home habitat, indicating local adaptation to environmental differences between coastal and river‐valley sites. A lower aphid infestation on local plants suggests a contribution of herbivores to local plant adaptation and illustrates the need for reciprocal transplant experiments to evaluate this contribution.

• Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that adaptive differentiation among habitats may be stronger at relatively small scales than large‐scale adaptation within these habitats. It provides new insights into the role of herbivory in driving local plant adaptation.