bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Central Pulse Pressure and Its Hemodynamic Determinants in Middle-Aged Adults With Impaired Fasting Glucose and Diabetes
Authors: Chirinos Julio A. , Segers Patrick , Gillebert Thierry C. , De Buyzere Marc L. , Van daele Caroline M. , Khan Zubair A. , Khawar Umair , De Bacquer Dirk , Rietzschel Ernst R. ,   on behalf of the Asklepios Investigators
Published: April 2013

OBJECTIVE

Pulse pressure (PP), a strong predictor of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes, is a composite measure affected by several hemodynamic factors. Little is known about the hemodynamic determinants of central PP in type 2 diabetes or whether abnormalities in central pulsatile hemodynamics are already present in individuals with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). In a population-based study, we aimed to compare central PP and its hemodynamic determinants among adults with normal fasting glucose (n = 1654), IFG (n = 240), and type 2 diabetes (n = 33).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We measured carotid pressure, left ventricular outflow, aortic root diameter, carotid artery flow, and distension in order to measure various structural and hemodynamic arterial parameters.

RESULTS

IFG was associated with a greater mean arterial pressure (MAP) but was not associated with intrinsic aortic stiffening or abnormal aortic pulsatile indices after adjustment for MAP. After adjustment for age, sex, and MAP, type 2 diabetes was associated with a higher aortic root characteristic impedance (Zc), aortic root elastance-thickness product (Eh), and aortic root pulse wave velocity (but not aortic root diameter), a greater carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and lower total arterial compliance and wave reflection magnitude. Carotid size, Zc, distensibility, or Eh did not significantly differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 2 diabetes, but not IFG, is associated with greater large artery stiffness, without abnormalities in aortic root diameter or carotid stiffness. Subjects with type 2 diabetes demonstrate a decreased reflection magnitude, which may indicate an increased penetration of pulsatile energy to distal vascular beds.
Risk factors associated with nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome in horses
Authors: Norman Tracy E. , Chaffin M. Keith , Bissett Wesley T. , Thompson James A.
Published: April 2013

Objective—To determine risk factors associated with the development of nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome (NCS) in horses.

Design—Retrospective case-control study.

Animals—242 horses referred for endoscopic evaluation of the upper portion of the respiratory tract (121 horses with NCS and 121 control horses).

Procedures—Medical records of horses that had an endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway performed between January 2003 and December 2008 were reviewed. Signalment, housing management, and season of evaluation were recorded and reviewed for each horse. The associations between clinical signs and endoscopic findings were evaluated by the use of a prospective logistic model that included a Bayesian method for inference.

Results—Breed and sex had no significant effect on the risk of having NCS. The risk that a horse had NCS increased significantly with age. Exclusive housing in a stall was protective against the development of NCS. In addition, the amount of pasture turnout had a dose-related effect, with exclusive pasture turnout positively correlated with increased risk of developing NCS, compared with a mixture of pasture turnout and stall confinement. Horses were significantly more likely to be evaluated because of clinical signs of the syndrome during the warm months of the year.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The risk factors for NCS identified in this study may support chronic environmental exposure to an irritant or infectious agent as the cause of NCS. Information gained from this study should be useful for investigating the cause of NCS.
National Health Information Centre Task Regarding the Data Availability on Rare Diseases in the SR / Úloha národného centra zdravotníckych informácií v dostupnosti údajov o zriedkavých chorobách v SR
Authors: Baráková A. , Hlava P. , Safaei Diba Ch. , Vallová Z.
Published: April 2013

Effective management of any group of diseases in the population, including rare diseases, needs to know the basic epidemiological parameters. The issue of rare diseases in the concept of state health policy has absented in many countries due to the difficulty of diagnosis, treatment and subsequent care of such patients. There is no conception of collection and processing of data regarding rare diseases, neither is there any unified conception of diagnosis, treatment, and overall health care of patients with rare diseases. The central availability of data concerning rare diseases is very low for different medical specialisations which deal with this issue. There exist only partial pieces of information, which are spread across different workplaces. The SR should participate in European information network on rare diseases. The SR is a member of ICBDSR (http://www.icbdsr.org) but not EUROCAT (http://www.eurocat-network.eu/), which is necessary to be changed!

The National Health Information Centre (NHIC) is a source of rare diseases in the following databases: National register of congenital anomalies, National cancer registry, Registry of patients with diabetes mellitus 1, National register of congenital anomaly of heart. The key to the knowledge of the real state of disease incidence rate in the population is an effective collaboration between relevant partners (including implementation of systematic control mechanisms), which is a basis for success.
Practical Experience with Providing Specialized Social Services for Rare Disease Patients / Praktické skúsenosti v poskytovaní špeciálnych sociálnych služieb pre pacientov so zriedkavými chorobami
Authors: Madunová A. , Duračinská M.
Published: April 2013

Organization of Muscular Dystrophy in the Slovak Republic (OMD in SR) is the only specific organization in Slovakia which associates children and adults with muscular dystrophy and other types of neuromuscular diseases (hereafter only NMD) and their families. The organization was founded as an independent public association in 1993. It has been providing social counselling and other specialized social services for its members and clients. In its early years, it performed the community service and nonprofit activities on a voluntary basis; today, a professional team of nine takes part in its activities, seven of which are people with extensive disability, plus two assistants. This change could take place thanks to having obtained the status of a protected workplace in 2009. In accordance with EURORDIS recommendations, OMD in SR takes care of activities in 3 different areas: information services and help line, therapeutic recreational programmes, and respite care services.

As a part of the information service, it provides specialized social counselling for disabled people via phone, email, in person or in the field − at a patient’s place. The organization also publishes its own quality magazine Ozvena (ECHO), which is distributed free-of-charge to all members four times a year. People with NMD are involved in the creation of the magazine from the position of experts and patients. The organization is particularly devoted to Recreational activities the camps for children with NMD, especially boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Activities organized every year include also integrative national meetings of members. The group of relief services includes providing specialized social services in the Personal Assistance Services Agency founded under OMD in SR. It provides wide-range service for 180 personal assistance users in Bratislava region; however, counselling covers the whole Slovakia.

For a long time, the organization has been making effort to change regulations in the legislation which concern several aspects essential for people with NMD. Slovakia is not doing enough to provide financial support for functioning of patient organizations − the subsidy system does not take them into account and donation support is non-existent. A tool for change could and should be the National Plan for Rare Disease, which will not be really implemented without providing subsidies for patient organizations working in the area of rare diseases. In 2012, the organization became a member of EURORDIS and Alliance TREAT - NMD.
Flow of a Visco-Elastic Fluid Past a Porous Plate in a Rotating System
Authors: Guria M. , Jana R.N.
Published: April 2013

An analysis is made on a steady flow of an incompressible visco-elastic fluid (of small memory) past a porous plate subject to uniform suction or blowing. The fluid and the plate rotate in unison with uniform angular velocity about an axis perpendicular to the plate. It is shown that for a visco-elastic fluid of small memory, a boundary layer is formed for uniform suction or blowing at the plate. It is found that the primary velocity increases whereas the secondary velocity increases near the plate and decreases away from the plate with an increase in the elastic parameter. The secondary flow shows flow reversal for a large elastic parameter. It is found that both primary and secondary velocities increase near the plate and decrease away from the plate with an increase in the rotation parameter. It is also found that the shear stress due to primary flow increases with an increase in either the elastic parameter or rotation parameter. On the other hand, the shear stress due to secondary flow decreases with an increase in the elastic parameter while it increases with an increase in the rotation parameter. The temperature distribution in the boundary layer is also determined. It is shown that elasticity leads to an increase in heat transfer at the plate.
Unsteady Convection Flow of a Magnetomicropolar Fluid Past a Vertical Porous Plate
Authors: Jain N.C. , Gupta P. , Sharma B.
Published: April 2013

The paper deals with an unsteady two dimensional laminar slip flow of a viscous incompressible magnetomicropolar fluid past a semi infinite porous plate embedded in a porous medium. The flow is under the influence of a transverse magnetic field and heat source/sink. The free stream velocity follows an exponentially increasing or decreasing small perturbation law. The porous surface absorbs the fluid with time varying suction velocity. Expressions are obtained for velocity and temperature fields, mean angular velocity, skin friction and the Nusselt number.
Unsteady Three-Dimensional Mhd Flow Due to Impulsive Motion with Heat and Mass Transfer Past a Stretching Sheet in a Saturated Porous Medium
Authors: Rajagopal K. , Veena P.H. , Pravin V.K.
Published: April 2013

The development of velocity, temperature and concentration fields of an incompressible viscous electrically conducting fluid, caused by impulsive stretching of the surface in two lateral directions and by suddenly increasing the surface temperature from that of the surrounding fluid in a saturated porous medium is studied. The partial differential equations governing the unsteady laminar boundary layer flow are solved analytically. For some particular cases, closed form solutions are obtained, and for large values of the independent variable asymptotic solutions are found. The surface shear stress in x and y directions and the surface heat transfer and surface mass transfer increase with the magnetic parameter and with permeability parameter and the stretching ratio, and there is a smooth transition from the short-time solution to the long-time solution.
Surface Waves in Fibre-Reinforced Anisotropic Solid Elastic Media under the Influence of Gravity
Authors: Sethi M. , Gupta K.C. , Gupta And Manisha D.
Published: April 2013

The aim of the present paper is to investigate surface waves in an anisotropic, elastic solid medium under the influence of gravity. First, a theory of generalised surface waves was developed and then it was employed to investigate particular cases of waves, viz., Stoneley and Rayleigh, Love type. The wave velocity equations were obtained for different cases and they are in well agreement with the corresponding classical result, when the effect of gravity, viscosity as well as parameters for fibre-reinforcement of the material medium are ignored.
Vibrations in a Fluid-Loaded Poroelastic Hollow Cylinder Surrounded by a Fluid in Plane-Strain Form
Authors: Shanker B. , Nath C.N. , Shah S.A. , Reddy P.M.
Published: April 2013

Plane-strain vibrations in a fluid-loaded poroelastic hollow cylinder surrounded by a fluid are investigated employing Biot’s theory of wave propagation in poroelastic media. The poroelastic hollow cylinder is homogeneous and isotropic, while the inner and outer fluids are homogeneous, isotropic and inviscid. The frequency equation of the fluid-loaded poroelastic cylinder surrounded by a fluid is obtained along with several particular cases, namely, fluid-loaded poroelastic cylinder, fluid-loaded bore, poroelastic cylinder surrounded by a fluid and poroelastic solid cylinder submerged in a fluid. The frequency equations are obtained for axially symmetric, flexural and anti-symmetric vibrations each for a pervious and an impervious surface. Nondimensional frequency for propagating modes is computed as a function of the ratio of thickness to the inner radius of the core. The results are presented graphically for two types of poroelastic cylinders and then discussed.
Stored Energy of Plastic Deformation in Tube Bending Processes
Authors: Śloderbach Z. , Pająk J.
Published: April 2013

The paper presents an aproximate analytic method for determination of the stored energy of plastic deformation during cold bending of metal tubes at bending machines. Calculations were performed for outer points of the tube layers subjected to tension and compression (the points of maximum strains). The percentage of stored energy related to the plastic strain work was determined and the results were presented in graphs. The influence and importance of the stored energy of plastic deformation on the service life of pipeline bends are discussed.
Hydromagnetic Flow Past an Exponentially Accelerated Isothermal Vertical Plate with Uniform Mass Diffusion in the Presence of Chemical Reaction of first Order
Authors: Muthucumaraswamy R. , Valliammal V.
Published: April 2013

An exact solution of an unsteady flow past an exponentially accelerated infinite isothermal vertical plate with uniform mass diffusion in the presence of a transverse magnetic field has been studied. The plate temperature is raised to Tw and the species concentration level near the plate is also made to rise Cʹw . The dimensionless governing equations are solved using the Laplace-transform technique. The velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are studied for different physical parameters such as the magnetic field parameter, chemical reaction parameter, thermal Grashof number, mass Grashof number, Schmidt number, time and a. It is observed that the velocity decreases with increasing the magnetic field parameter.
Development of Smart Underfrequency Load Shedding System
Authors: Chuvychin Vladimir , Petrichenko Roman
Published: April 2013

The paper describes possibility to apply innovation technology of Smart Grid for power system emergency automation. Operational characteristics of existing emergency automation and new suggested one are compared in the paper. The method for liquidation of drawback of existing automation is suggested. The paper describes the developed mathematical model of intellectual underfrequency load shedding system and its operational algorithms.
Pigmentary properties of rutile TiO2 modified with cerium, phosphorus, potassium, and aluminium
Authors: Gleń Marta , Grzmil Barbara
Published: April 2013

The influence of different modifiers, phosphorus, potassium, aluminium, and cerium on the pigmentary properties of TiO2 was studied. The phase composition and distribution of modifiers in prepared TiO2 products was investigated using XRD analysis, the selective leaching method, and ICP-AES technique. The optical properties, photoactivity, morphology, and surface area of modified TiO2 were determined by spectrophotometric, fluorescent, SEM, and BET measurements. The research was directed towards obtaining a pigmentary TiO2 with the highest possible photostability. It was found that the final calcination temperature, at which the anatase-rutile transformation rate was > 97 %, depended on the kind and amount of the modifiers introduced into hydrated titanium dioxide. In comparing the colour of TiO2 products modified with Ce, it was found that the addition of K to the TiO2 series caused an increase in all the optical properties examined. The presence of K and Al in TiO2 modified with Ce resulted in decreased photocatalytic activity. The photostability of TiO2 modified with Ce and K improved with an increase in P2O5 content. The highest photostability was measured for the TiO2-CePKAl series. It was concluded that the differences in both the optical properties and photoactivity of TiO2 depended on its phase composition and the distribution of modifiers in the products obtained.
Radiographic Quality Assessment of Welded Joints in Building Structures Produced According to Requirements of Standard En-1090-2, Quality Level “B +” / Radiograficzna Ocena Jakosci Złaczy Spawanych W Konstrukcjach Budowlanych Wykonywanych Według Wymagan Normy En-1090-2, Na Poziomie Jakosci „B+”
Authors: Staniszewski K. , Sikora S. , Czuchryj J.
Published: April 2013

While assessing the quality of welded joints it may become necessary to establish various quality levels in the same joint or implement specific requirements for an already adopted quality level. The latter case can be observed in standard EN 1090-2, in which additional requirements were adopted for quality level B and thus a new quality level designated as B+ was created. Most of the additional requirements are concerned with imperfections detected by means of radiography. For this reason it was necessary to compare the principles governing the assessment of the quality of welded joints from radiographic examination point of view, according to the requirements of standard EN ISO 5817 and those of EN 1090-2. A conducted comparative analysis aims at optimising the aforesaid principles in relation to the requirements presented therein.
Die Forging of High-Strength Magnesium Alloys – the Structure and Mechanical Properties in Different Heat Treatment Conditions / Kucie Matrycowe Wysokowytrzymałych Stopów Mg – Struktura I Własciwosci Mechaniczne W Róznych Stanach Obróbki Cieplnej
Authors: Płonka B. , Lech-Grega M. , Remsak K. , Korczak P. , Kłyszewski A.
Published: April 2013

The object of this study was to develop parameter of the die forging process, such as feedstock temperature and to investigate her impact on the structure and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys in different heat treatment conditions. Tests were carried out on a 2,5MN maximum capacity vertical hydraulic press using forgings of sample (model) shapes. Then, based on the results obtained in previous work, research was carried out to develop for items forged from magnesium alloys the parameters of heat treatment to the T5 and T6 condition in the context of achieving possibly homogeneous and fine-grained structure and, consequently, high mechanical properties.
Evaluation of Drawability of Titanium Welded Sheets / Ocena Tłocznosci Spawanych Blach Tytanowych
Authors: Lacki P. , Adamus J. , Wieckowski W. , Winowiecka J.
Published: April 2013

In the paper experimental and numerical results of sheet-metal forming of titanium welded blanks are presented. Commercially pure titanium Grade 2 (Gr 2) and Ti6Al4V titanium alloy (Gr 5) are tested. Forming the spherical cups from the welded Gr 2 || Gr 5 blanks, and uniform Gr 2 and Gr 5 blanks is analysed. Numerical simulations were performed using the PamStamp 2G v2012 program based on the finite element method (FEM). Additionally, drawability tests using the tool consisting of die, hemispherical punch and blank-holder were carried out. Thickness changes and plastic strain distributions in the deformed material are analysed. The obtained results show some difficulties occurring during forming of the welded blanks made of titanium sheets at the same thicknesses but at different grades. It provide important information about the process course and might be useful in design and optimization of the sheet-titanium forming process.
Characteristics of Plasticity and Microstructure of Hot Forming Magnesium Alloys Mg-Al-Zn Type / Charakterystyki Plastycznosci I Mikrostruktura Odkształcanych Na Goraco Stopów Magnezu Typu Mg-Al-Zn
Authors: Kuc D. , Hadasik E. , Schindler I. , Kawulok P. , Sliwa R.
Published: April 2013

The paper presents analysis of plasticity characteristics and microstructure of magnesium alloys for hot plastic treatment with different aluminium content (3÷8%). Tests were conducted for assessment of susceptibility of tested alloys to hot plastic deformation. A tensile test was run in temperature from 250 to 450°C. Based on the results, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and reduction of area (Z) were determined for samples. Conducted compression tests allowed to specify the flow stress and microstructure changes after deformation. The activation energy in hot forming was determined for investigated alloys. The parameters of the process where flow is significantly influenced by twin formation in microstructure were determined. A varied plasticity of tested alloys was found depending on aluminium content. Test results will be useful in development of forging technology of selected construction elements which serve as light substitutes for currently used materials.
The Use of Renewable Energy in the Form of Methane Via Electrolytic Hydrogen Generation / Zastosowanie Odnawialnej Energii W Formie Metanu Na Drodze Elektrolitycznej Produkcji Wodoru
Authors: Hashimoto K. , Kumagai N. , Izumiya K. , Takano H. , Zabinski P.R. , El-Moneim A.A. , Yamasaki M. , Kato Z. , Akiyama E. , Habazaki H.
Published: April 2013

Extrapolation of world energy consumption from 1990 to 2010 indicates the complete exhaustion of world reserves of oil, natural gas, uranium and coal by 2040, 2043, 2046 and 2053, respectively. For the survival of all people in the whole world, intermittent and fluctuating electricity generated from renewable energy should be supplied in the form of usable fuel to all people in the whole world. We have been working on research and development of global carbon dioxide recycling for the use of renewable energy in the form of methane via electrolytic hydrogen generation using carbon dioxide as the feedstock. We created energy-saving cathodes for hydrogen production, anodes for oxygen evolution without chlorine formation in seawater electrolysis, and catalysts for methanation of carbon dioxide and built pilot plants of industrial scale. Recent advances in materials are described. Industrial applications are in progress.
Electrodeposition of Silver-Indium Alloys from Non-Cyanide Electrolytes / Elektoosadzanie Stopów Srebrowo-Indowych Z Elektrolitów Nie Zawierajacych Cyjanków
Authors: Dimitrova N. , Dobrovolska T. , Krastev I.
Published: April 2013

Non-cyanide electrolytes for silver-indium alloys deposition investigated in order to adjust electrolysis conditions thus to observe the formation of spatio-temporal structures onto the electrode surface. It was established that the electrolytes for silver-indium deposition prepared with the excess of thiocyanate and iodide complexing agents are stable in time. The alloy electrodeposition is of a regular type where the silver is the more positive metal. The observed oscillations of the potential during galvanostatic deposition of indium in the thiocyanate solution are suggested to appears due to the formation/destruction of some passive layers on the electrode surface. Spatio-temporal structures could be observed during electrodeposition of the alloy from thiocyanate electrolytes.
The Impact of Ankle Joint Stiffening by Ski Equipment on Maintenance of Body Balance
Authors: Gustyn Mirosław
Published: April 2013

Introduction. In the initial phase of ski lessons, the skier encounters a completely new situation. The maintenance of body stability, which is influenced by various factors, attracts his entire attention. The aim of this study was to define the impact of ankle joint stiffening by ski equipment on the maintenance of body balance. Material and methods. The research was conducted on 13-member group aged 20 to 24. All the subjects were male students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Bia³a Podlaska (graduates of the ski instructor course). Each participant carried out three postural exercises on the KISTLER dynamometric platform. Then the same exercises were performed with ski boots and skis. Two parameters were used for the analysis of body balance, namely the COP path length and the surface area of the stabilogram. Results. It was stated in the study that ankle joint stiffening while standing on both skis did not have a negative impact on the postural stability. In majority of the tested subjects while standing on one ski, a considerable increase in the both analysed parameters occurred in relation to the same exercises performed without ski boots. That being so, it can be inferred that ski equipment causes deterioration of body stability. Moreover, it was noticed as a result of putting on ski boots and skis that body fluctuations increased slightly in relation to the growth of the base of support defined by the ski length and ski width setting. Conclusions. On this basis, it was concluded that ski equipment does not have a negative influence on the maintaining body balance. The growth of body fluctuations during exercises is insignificant in relation to the increase of body base area. It is necessary to find new ways of compensating for body fluctuations in order to maintain body balance with ski equipment on.
Tourism and Local Governments in Hungary: The Position of Tourism in Local Council Committees of Local Governments
Authors: Kozma Gábor , Michalkó Gábor , Radics Zsolt
Published: April 2013

Introduction. The objective of this paper is to investigate the position of tourism in the committee structure of the local councils of Hungarian local governments. Material and methods. The data were sourced from websites of the settlements concerned and all the results obtained statistically evaluated using the method of descriptive statistics. Results. From the data available, we can clearly determine the role of tourism in the committees of local governments, as well as the direction of changes after the 2010 election. The results also clearly identified the factors that determine the role of tourism in local council committees and the sectors that constitute the same committees with tourism. Conclusions. The role of tourism in committees of local councils is fundamentally unfavourable and the situation deteriorated after the 2010 election. The role of tourism in committees of local councils is closely related to the size of the population and the role of tourism in the given settlements.
Invasion of the predatory mosquito Culex (Lutzia) fuscanus in the western desert parts of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Singh Himmat , Marwal Robin , Mishra Anusha , Vir Singh Karam
Published: April 2013

The breeding of Culex (Lutzia) fuscanus WIEDEMAN was recorded during entomological surveys in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. A detailed study of its biology has been carried out with reference to seasonal variation and breeding. Stable breeding populations of Culex fuscanus, a mosquito whose larvae are predacious and feed on other mosquito larvae, were found at seven localities in Jodhpur. Its larvae were found breeding in association with Anopheles, Aedes and Culex species in outdoor cemented tanks, mostly in the shade of trees. This is the first report of this species from the desert district of western Rajasthan.
Description of Land Fragmentation in Latvia and its Prevention Opportunities
Authors: Platonova Dace , Jankava Anda
Published: April 2013

Already during the Land Reform, land properties of several land parcels were formed in the rural areas. Another factor that benefits to the fragmentation of farm properties is development of land market because buying or renting land for farm size building, it is not always possible to find adjacent land plot. Consequently, the land fragmentation not only makes land management difficult, but also increases the transport costs. With this rural land tenure system, competitive and efficient agricultural production cannot be discussed, so a large part of rural areas remains untreated. It was found that there is a strong correlation between the area of land parcels and their management - the smaller the area of a land parcel by the agricultural land, the greater the chance that it would not be managed, and vice versa, the greater the area, the more it is cultivated, that is, managed. Land consolidation is performed as the farm land use optimization activities in other countries. Land consolidation can be one of the efficient means for rural development, it can encourage formation of competitive agricultural production structure, giving farmers the opportunity to create holdings with a small number, but bigger size and better-shaped land plots. Thus, more income and opportunities to expand types of farming are created.
Support Vector Machine and Probability Neural Networks in a Device-Free Passive Localization (DFPL) Scenario
Authors: Deak Gabriel , Curran Kevin , Condell Joan , Deak Daniel , Kiedrowski Piotr
Published: April 2013

The holy grail of tracking people indoors is being able to locate them when they are not carrying any wireless tracking devices. The aim is to be able to track people just through their physical body interfering with a standard wireless network that would be in most peoples home. The human body contains about 70% water which attenuates the wireless signal reacting as an absorber. The changes in the signal along with prior fingerprinting of a physical location allow identification of a person’s location. This paper is focused on taking the principle of Device-free Passive Localisation (DfPL) and applying it to be able to actually distinguish if there is more than one person in the environment. In order to solve this problem, we tested a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier with kernel functions such as Linear, Quadratic, Polynomial, Gaussian Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) in order to detect movement based on changes in the wireless signal strength.
Snort IDS Hybrid ADS Preprocessor
Authors: Saganowski Łukasz , Andrysiak Tomasz
Published: April 2013

The paper presents hybrid anomaly detection preprocessor for SNORT IDS - Intrusion Detection System [1] base on statistical test and DWT - Discrete Wavelet Transform coefficient analysis. Preprocessor increases functionality of SNORT IDS system and has complementary properties. Possibility of detection network anomalies is increased by using two different algorithms. SNORT captures network traffic features which are used by ADS (Anomaly Detection System) preprocessor for detecting anomalies. Chi-square statistical test and DWT subband coefficients energy values are used for calculating of normal network traffic profiles. We evaluated proposed SNORT extension with the use of test network.
Fast 3D Segmentation of Hepatic Images Combining Region and Boundary Criteria
Authors: Reska Daniel , Boldak Cezary , Kretowski Marek
Published: April 2013

A new approach to the liver segmentation from 3D images is presented and compared to the existing methods in terms of quality and speed of segmentation. The proposed technique is based on 3D deformable model (active surface) combining boundary and region information. The segmentation quality is comparable to the existing methods but the proposed technique is significantly faster. The experimental evaluation was performed on clinical datasets (both MRI and CT), representing typical as well as more challenging to segment liver shapes.
Control Algorithms for Inductors Movement in Induction Heated Calenders
Authors: Frązyk Andrzej , Urbanek Piotr , Kucharski Jacek
Published: April 2013

Fixed, placed at regular distances inductors for induction heating of a rotating steel cylinder do not provide sufficiently uniform temperature profile along cylinder axis required by modern technologies,. The article examines the influence of inductors movement along the cylinder axis on the reduction of pick-to- pick temperature amplitude.
Silhouette Processing Via Mathematical Morphology with Pose-Aware Structuring Elements Based on 3D Model
Authors: Jabłoński Mirosław
Published: April 2013

In the paper, the method of poseaware silhouette processing is presented. Morphological closing is proposed to enhance segmented silhouette object. The contribution of the work is adaptation of structuring element used for mathematical morphology erosions and dilations. It is proposed to use camera parameters, 3D model of the scene, model of the silhouette and its position to compute structuring element adequate to the individual projected to the camera image. Structuring element computation and basic morphology operators were implemented in OpenCL environment and tested on parallel GPU platform. Comparison with utility software packages is provided and results are briefly discussed.
Multistage Segmentation of Lamellae Colonies Based on Directional Filter Bank and PCA Analysis
Authors: Jopek Łukasz , Babout Laurent , Janaszewski Marcin , Postolski Michał
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a new approach to segment heavily 3D textured images such as the one of lamellar titatnium alloys obtained from X-ray tomography. The presented method considers NSDFB and gradient from gray-level value to recognize directionality of structure in the image. Second level of classication is needed due to the high complexity of the titanium alloys structure. During the segmentation algorithm takes into account the interaction between objects.
Hardware Implementation of IDCT Fast Algorithms for Still Images Decompression in the Jpeg Standard
Authors: Koryciak Sebastian , Dąbrowska-Boruch Agnieszka , Wiatr Kazimierz
Published: April 2013

Many algorithms are used in JPEG standard for compression of still images, but the most demanding one is the DCT. The fast discrete cosine transform is the basic transform which occur in most coding algorithms. In the case of images it is performed on 8×8 pixel blocks. Paper presents comparison of IDCT algorithms concentrated on amount of arithmetic operations, multiplications, and number of pipelined steps. Results are achieved by implementing each one in programmable device FPGA (xc6vlx240t).
On a Real-Time First-Order Difference Evaluation
Authors: Ostalczyk Piotr , Duch Piotr
Published: April 2013

A subject of this paper is a real-time evaluation of the first-order backward difference of a measured signal with noise. It is wellknown that a difference evaluation strongly increase a noise amplitude so the signal prefiltering is necessary. A very short review of practically used filters is given. To perform the pre-filtering operation one mainly apply linear filters characterized by their impulse response shape: finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR). To enhance the filtering operation one successfully apply so called adaptive filters and these described by non-linear characteristics. In this paper a simple non-linear filtering algorithm is proposed and examined in the first-order backward difference of a measured signal.
Logistic Regression Realized with Artificial Neuron and Estimation Formulas
Authors: Korohoda Przemysław , Grabska-Chrząstowska Joanna
Published: April 2013

In the paper an experiment is described, that was designed and conducted to verify hypothesis that artificial neuron with sigmoidal activation function can efficiently solve the task of logistic regression in the case when the explaining variable is one-dimensional, and the explained variable is binomial. Computations were performed with 12 sets of statistical parameters, assumed for the generation of 65356 sets of data in each case. Comparative analysis of the obtained results with use of the reference values for the regression coefficients indicated that the investigated neuron can satisfactory perform the task, with efficiency similar to that obtained with classical logistic regression algorithm, when the teaching sets of input data, corresponding with output values 0 and 1, do not allow for simple separation. Moreover, it has been discovered that the simple formulas estimating the statistical distributions parameters from the samples, offer statistically superior assessment of the regression coefficient parameters.
Prediction of Closing Prices on the Stock Exchange with the Use of Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Paluch Michał , Jackowska-Strumiłło Lidia
Published: April 2013

Article describes, the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for predicting values of Stock Exchange shares. Rules of Stock Exchange functioning, principles of technical analysis and the most important stock market indices are described, which support investors, who plan to make transactions. ANN of Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) type, and a moving window method are applied. A hybrid method is also proposed, in which time series of CLOSE values as a function of the following trading days are used to stock market indices calculation, such as moving averages and oscillators, which are applied to ANN inputs. Research was conducted for 80 companies, selected from the 1218 companies functioning on Stock Exchange. The achieved maximum error in one day ahead CLOSE value prediction is 1,31%.
Evolutionary Algorithms Approach for Cutting Stock Problem
Authors: Romanowski Andrzej , Nowotniak Robert , Kawecki Kacper , Jaworski Tomasz , Chaniecki Zbigniew , Grudzień Krzysztof
Published: April 2013

This paper contain study of three algorithms for optimisation of use of materials for cutting process. Cutting Stock Problem (CSP) and one dimensional guillotine cat variant of the CSP is introduced. Afterwards three different way of solving the problem are presented. For each of theme one algorithm is proposed. First is creating all the possible solutions and choosing the best one. Second is trying to recreate a human thinking process by using a heuristic search. Third one is inspired by an evolution process in the nature. Design and implementation of each of them is presented. Proposed algorithms are tested and compared to each other and also to the other known solutions.
Vision Based System for Position Recognition of Small Mobile Robots
Authors: Więckowski Łukasz , Sobków Zbigniew St. , Garbacz Maciej , Zaczyk Mieczysław
Published: April 2013

This paper presents application for motion trajectory recogniction of small mobile robots, based on vision system. The image is acquired by camera put over the workspace. The appliciton realised in LabView environment enable detect and set coordinate of each mobile robots marked using various colors.
Assessment of Drought Tolerance Indices in Bread Wheat Genotypes Under Different Sowing Dates
Authors: Mohammadi S. , Janmohammadi M. , Javanmard A. , Sabaghnia N. , Rezaie M. , Yezdansepas A.
Published: April 2013

The capability of a genotype to achieve acceptable yield over a broad range of sub-optimum and suitable conditions is extremely imperative. Late planting and end-season drought stress are two main factors limiting wheat yield in northwest of Iran. In a 2-year field experiment at Miandoab, Iran, the ability of several selection indices to identify drought resistant genotypes under different sowing dates and moisture conditions were evaluated. Six genotypes of differing response to water scarcity were planted at 20-d intervals on three dates from 11 October to 20 November. Drought resistance indices were utilized on the basis of grain yield under end-season drought (Ys) and normal (YN) conditions. Evaluation of MP, HARM, GM, STI, TOL, SSI, RDI, YSI and Yr indicated that late sowing (20 Nov) significantly decreased drought tolerance in all investigated genotypes. However, yield comparisons under normal and terminal drought stress conditions revealed that promising lines (C-81-4, C-81- 10, C-81-14 and C-82-12) had better performance than local checks (Zarrin and Alvand). Furthermore under both moisture conditions C-81-10 genotype had the greatest grain yield. Based on drought indices like as MP, GMP, STI and HARM C-81-10 genotype introduced as the most tolerant genotype to end-season drought stress. Grain yield showed a positive and significant correlation with HARM, GMP, MP, STI and YI indices were more efficient for recognizing high performance genotypes under different sowing dates and diverse moisture stress.
Agro-Economic Evaluation of Various Maize Hybrids Under Different Planting Patterns
Authors: Saqib M. , Zamir M.S.I. , Tanveer A. , Ahmad A.U.H.
Published: April 2013

An experiment was carried out at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to assess the agro-economic performance of two maize hybrids (SIPRA-4444 and TS- 13) under five different sowing patterns viz. ridge sowing 60 cm apart rows, bed sowing 60 cm apart rows, 60 cm apart single row strips, 90 cm apart double row strips and 120 cm apart triple row strips. The results indicated that the hybrids and the sowing patterns had a significant influence on the grain yield of maize. SIPRA-4444 produced maximum grain yield (6.02 tha-1) as compared to TS-13 (5.80 tha-1). Among the planting methods, ridge sowing produced highest grain yield (7.13 t ha-1). The interactive effect of hybrids and sowing methods showed that the hybrid SIPRA - 4444 produced maximum yield when it was sown on 60 cm apart ridges. From economic point of view, maximum net income of Rs. 114172 and benefit to cost ratio of (2.37) was obtained when the hybrid SIPRA-4444 was sown on 60 cm spaced ridges.
Influence of Different Fertilization Level of Zinc Sulphate and Plant Density on the Breakage Susceptibility of Triticale Seeds
Authors: Shahbazi F. , Sharafi R. , Biranvand F. , Tolabi N.Z.
Published: April 2013

In order to determine the effects of different fertilization level of zinc sulphate and plant density on the breakage susceptibility of triticale seeds an experiment was conducted during 2011 growing season, at the experimental research station of Lorestan University, Iran. A factorial experiment was conducted with 3×3 treatments and three replications in a completely randomized block design (CRBD). Factors included three plant densities (200, 300 and 400 plants/m2) and three levels of zinc sulphate (0 - control, 40 and 60 kg/ha). The harvested seeds were then subjected to impact energies of 0.05 and 0.1 J at constant moisture content of 15% using an impact test apparatus. The analysis of variance showed that fertilization level of zinc sulphate (at the 1% probability level), plant density (at the 5% level) and interaction between two variables (at the 5% level) significantly influenced breakage susceptibility of triticale seeds. The average values of percentage breakage of seeds decreased from 32.592 to 16.9268% as the fertilization level of zinc sulphate increased from 0 to 60kg/ha. As the plant density increased from 200 to 400 plants/m2 the percentage breakage of seeds decreased from 27.942 to 21.350%. Increasing the impact energy from 0.05 to 0.1 J caused an increase in the percentage breakage of seeds from 14.07 to 36.9%.
Soil Erosion and Conservation Measures in Moldavian Plateau
Authors: Ailincăi C. , Jităreanu G. , Bucur D. , Ailincăi Despina
Published: April 2013

The long-term experiments carried out at the Agricultural Research Station of Podu-Iloaiei, Iaşi County, Romania, tried to establish some fertilization systems for getting efficient yield increases, which maintain or increase the content of organic carbon from soil. These trials were set up on a 16% slope field, with a cambic Chernozem soil, which has a clayey-loam texture, a neuter to weakly acid response and a mean supply in nutrients. Analyzes performed on soil profiles after 44 years, on land with a slope of 16% and slope length of 310 m, shows that the entire length of slope soil fertility were very different, being influenced by processes of erosion and silting. Soil organic carbon, the depth of 0-20 cm, was between 45.94 t / ha, the foot slope and 27.45 t / ha in the mid-slope area with strong erosion. From the results obtained on erosion in different crop rotations, we have found out that in 16% slope fields from the Moldavian Plateau, soil losses by erosion were diminished below the allowable limit of 3-4 t/ha/year only in case of 4 year-crop rotations with two reserve fields, cultivated with legumes and perennial grasses, which protect soil. Annual soil losses by erosion, registered during the last 30 years, in the Moldavian Plateau, were between 0.246 t/ha in perennial grasses, on the second year of vegetation, and 8.976 t/ha in sunflower. The fertilization of wheat and maize crops at the rate of N80P80 + 60 t/ha manure has determined the increase with 5.5 t/ha (7.8%) in the content of organic carbon from soil, as compared to the rate of N140P100.
Natural Occurence of Deoxynivalenol and Ochratoxin a in Conventional Maize Hybrids and their Biosafety Compared with GM Equivalents
Authors: Muhammad S.A.
Published: April 2013

Familiarity based approval of the newly developed GM cereal events is based upon the stable and safe consumption of conventional grains. The level of concentrations of mycotoxins and biomolecules establishes the criteria for premarket evaluation of genetically modified cereals e.g. MON 810 maize. The objective of the present study was to comparatively evaluate food biosafety of the conventional and GM maize. Grain samples from the harvest lot of 10 maize hybrids in the year 2011 were collected arbitrarily. Well ground and homogenized samples were analysed for the deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA) mycotoxins. Contamination rates and levels of DON and OTA were low and did not exceed the maximum levels, indicating their possible safe use as food and feed under the EC regulation 1881/2006.The samples were further analysed for the possible effect of mycotoxin concentration upon that of starch and proteins. The study reveals the absence of any negative impact of the presence of mycotoxins upon these biomolecules as their concentrations lie within the normal range. A comparative review of data for the mycotoxins in conventional maize grains invalidate the argument from the producers of GM maize hybrids that conventional hybrids are inferior for food biosafety with respect to mycotoxins.
Home, Exile, and Unease in Brian Friel’s Globalized Drama since 1990:Molly Sweeney, The Home Place, andHedda Gabler (after Ibsen)
Authors: Russell Richard Rankin
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT:

The Irish playwright Brian Friel has often explored the same dynamic and unique event of place as phenomenologist Edward Casey explored in his writings. In Molly Sweeney (1994), Friel shows how this supposedly “disabled” woman gains agency through creating conversations between the living and the dead and thus populating her mind with a rich community. In The Home Place (2005), Friel elegizes the dislocated landlord Christopher Gore and suggests that Margaret and the local singers are briefly liberated from their poverty while singing Thomas Moore’s music. In his Hedda Gabler (after Ibsen) (2008), Friel affirms the imagination through the emplaced collaboration between Thea Elvsted and George Tesman, a collaboration that will help them recreate Eilert Loevborg’s manuscript (even as Hedda kills herself, representing the death-dance of frenetic modernity). In these plays written during Ireland’s rapid globalization, Friel privileges dynamic, often heterogeneous communities that transcend time, space, and gender through the imagination.