bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information unfitness as a factor constraining Automatic Identification System (AIS) application to anti-collision manoeuvring
Authors: Felski Andrzej , Jaskólski Krzysztof
Published: May 2018

Common use of shipboard AIS creates conditions for the use of a new kind of dynamic data in the situation
of the risk of collision. AIS position report is a source of supplementary information derived from error
leveraged radar measurement. However, in view of the results of the studies there are opinions with regard
to inconsistent AIS dynamic data in the process of decision-making by the officer of the watch. By taking
into consideration the recordings of the studies and technical specification of AIS it can be concluded that
the results of inconsistent data have significant role in collision avoidance manoeuvring.
Graphical interpretation of the power of energy losses and power developed in the hydrostatic drive and control system elements
Authors: Skorek Grzegorz
Published: May 2018

This publication presents, analyses and compares the areas of the power fields of energy
losses occurring in the elements of two hydraulic systems with different structures of the
hydraulic linear motor speed control.
Proteomics of the Spermatozoon
Authors: Ballescá Jl , Oliva Rafael
Published: May 2018

The study of the sperm proteins is crucial for understanding its normal function and alterations in infertile patients. The sperm is a highly specialized cell with a very large flagella, with little cytoplasm and a highly condensed nucleus. The most abundant proteins in the nucleus of mammalian sperm are the protamines. The main functions of the protamines are the condensation of the DNA, possibly contributing to the generation of a more hydrodynamic sperm head and to the protection of the genetic message. However, in addition to protamines, about 5.0-15.0% of the paternal genome is also complexed with histones and histone variants. It has also demonstrated a differential distribution of genes in regions associated with histone and protamine-associated regions, suggesting a potential epigenetic relevance in embryonic development. More recently, detailed lists of proteins have been described corresponding to the different compartments of the sperm cell thanks to the application of recent proteomic techniques based on mass spectrometry (MS). Differential proteomics is also being applied to identify the presence of protein abnormalities found in infertile patients
Human Seminal Plasma Proteome Study: a Search for Male Infertility Biomarkers
Authors: Davalieva Katarina , Kiprijanovska S , Noveski P , Plaseska-Karanfilska D , Plaseski T , Kocevska B
Published: May 2018

Seminal plasma is a potential source of biomarkers for many disorders of the male reproductive system including male infertility. Knowledge of the peptide and protein components of seminal fluid is accumulating especially with the appearance of highthroughput MS-based techniques. Of special interest in the field of male infertility biomarkers, is the identification and characterization of differentially expressed proteins in seminal plasma of men with normal and impaired spermatogenesis. However, the data obtained until now is still quite heterogeneous and with small percentage of overlap between independent studies. Extensive comparative analysis of seminal plasma proteome is still needed in order to establish a potential link between seminal plasma proteins and male infertility.
Study of the Hepatitis C Virus in the Republic of Macedonia
Authors: Plaseska-Karanfilska Dijana , Kiprijanovska S , Sukarova-Stefanovska E , Noveski P , Polenakovic M , Chalovska V
Published: May 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem. It is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and the most common indication for liver transplantation. The therapy for eradication of HCV infection is successful in only 50.0-80.0% of patients and is highly dependent on the HCV genotype. Molecular detection and characterization of HCV in the Republic of Macedonia started in 1990. Since then, more than 4000 samples have been analyzed at the Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (RCGEB) “Georgi D. Efremov,” Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. The prevalence of HCV infections in the healthy population of the Republic of Macedonia was found to be 0.4%, while it varies between 23.0 and 43.0% in different at-risk groups of patients. The prevalence of HCV genotypes, according to associated risk factors in HCV infected patients from the Republic of Macedonia, was analyzed. We found genotype 1 to be predominant in a group of hemodialysis patients, while genotype 3 was predominant in intravenous (IV) drug users. Association of six polymorphisms in the Oligoadenylate synthetase (OASL)-like interferonstimulated gene with a sustained virological response was also analyzed. Our preliminary results suggest that non ancestral alleles in four of the six studies polymorphisms in OASL gene are associated with sustained virological response among HCV infected patients in R. Macedonia.
Molecular Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Recent Advances and Clinical Implications
Authors: Dörk Thilo , Bogdanova N
Published: May 2018

Over the last few years, evidence has been accumulated that several susceptibility genes exist that differentially impact on the lifetime risk for breast or ovarian cancer. High-to-moderate penetrance alleles have been identified in genes involved in DNA double-strand break signaling and repair, and many low-penetrance susceptibility loci have been identified through genome-wide association studies. In this review, we briefly summarize present knowledge about breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes and discuss their implications for risk prediction and therapy.
Badania korozyjne statków powietrznych w aspekcie zwiększania resursów oraz eksploatacji wg stanu technicznego
Authors: Barszcz Piotr
Published: May 2018

Prace realizowane przez ITWL, instytucje krajowe i zagraniczne wskazują na to, że badania
korozyjne są ważnym elementem procesu zwiększania resursów i eksploatacji wg
stanu technicznego statków powietrznych. Do badań skorodowania oraz degradacji pokryć
ochronnych należy podchodzić systemowo, przede wszystkim prowadzić: analizę zgromadzonych
danych charakteryzujących proces eksploatacji pod kątem korozji i degradacji
pokryć ochronnych; pomiary korozji atmosferycznej celem oceny korozyjności atmosfery
i szacowania częstości wykonywania przeglądów korozyjnych oraz przeglądy korozyjne.
Dopiero analiza tak scharakteryzowanych danych może pozwolić na bezpieczną eksploatację
elementów konstrukcji SP zgodnie z ich stanem technicznym. W niniejszej pracy
przedstawiono podejście do badań korozyjnych praktykowane w ITWL.
A method to assess reliability and life of selected aircraft components suffering from cumulative effect of destructive processes – an outline
Authors: Tomaszek Henryk , Kaleta Ryszard , Zieja Mariusz
Published: May 2018

There are two main directions to be distinguished while investigating into the wear-and-tear
processes going on within the aircraft’s structural components throughout the operational
phase.

The first one covers the efforts to explain the physics of the wear-and-tear processes
whereas the second one has been intended to generate mathematical models that describe
the way how the effects of the wear-and-tear processes accumulate and provoke
changes in values of diagnostic parameters.

This paper represents the second line of interest and covers the model that formalises the
process of the accumulation of effects of the aircraft component’s wear-and-tear up to the
moment the permissible boundary condition is reached.

What has been used in the below-presented model is the distribution of time of the aircraft
structure in service up to the moment the diagnostic parameter reaches the boundary
condition. Finally, a numerical example has been presented.
Uszkodzenia prądnic i styczników lotniczych w trudnych warunkach operacyjnych
Authors: Gębura Andrzej , Radoń Tomasz
Published: May 2018

W artykule omówiono uszkodzenia wybranych lotniczych urządzeń elektroenergetycznych
eksploatowanych na pokładach śmigłowców wojskowych w Iraku i Afganistanie. W czasie
przedłużania resursów układów elektroenergetycznych autorzy zwrócili uwagę na liczne,
nietypowe dla wcześniej wykonywanych podobnych badań na terenie naszego kraju, zużycia
niektórych agregatów statków powietrznych. Wynikają one z intensywności lotów
i specyfiki działań operacyjnych, ale przede wszystkim z warunków klimatycznych. Zdaniem
autorów, wiele z zaobserwowanych uszkodzeń urządzeń elektroenergetycznych
może wystąpić w statkach powietrznych eksploatowanych w kraju. Oczywiście ze względu
na znacznie niższą intensywność eksploatacji oraz oddziaływania czynników środowiskowych
tego typu uszkodzenia wystąpią znacznie później.

Autorzy skupili się na dwóch grupach agregatów i związanych z nimi czynników destrukcji:

1. Maszyny elektryczne wirnikowe chłodzone powietrzem. Drobnoziarnisty piasek zasysany
wraz z powietrzem powoduje szybkie ścieranie lakierów izolacyjnych wewnątrz tych
maszyn. Rzadkie, ale intensywne deszcze są przyczyną powstawania ognisk korozyjnych,
które powodują m.in. zwiększanie objętości nabiegunników. To z kolei powoduje
ścinanie izolacji uzwojeń, skutkujące przebiciami do masy i znacznym spadkiem mocy
maszyny elektrycznej.

2. Styczniki i elektromagnesy teoretycznie szczelne. Przez ich mikroszczeliny dostaje się
jednak pył, który blokuje przemieszczanie się elementów ruchomych.
Badanie przydatności biokomponentów i generacji do paliw stosowanych do turbinowych silników lotniczych
Authors: Dzięgielewski Wojciech , Gawron Bartosz
Published: May 2018

W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono wyniki oceny przydatności biokomponentu I generacji
pochodzenia roślinnego - estrów metylowych wyższych kwasów tłuszczowych (FAME) -
jako komponentu do paliwa stosowanego do zasilania turbinowych silników lotniczych.
Przedstawiona analiza dotyczy zarówno badań właściwości fizykochemicznych przygotowanych
mieszanek paliwa Jet A-1 z różną ilością dodatku FAME, jak również opiera się na
wynikach uzyskanych na stanowiskach silników turbinowych. Wyniki pracy wskazują na
praktyczny brak możliwości wykorzystania biokomponentu I generacji typu FAME w lotnictwie.
Jednakże uzyskane rezultaty wskazują, że można poszukiwać zastosowania tego
typu biokomponentu w silnikach turbinowych w innych dziedzinach niż lotnictwo.
Capacitance and Leakage Current Balancing for Supercapacitive Energy Storage System / Kapacitāšu Un Noplūdes Strāvu Balansēšana Superkondensatoru Enerģijas Uzkrājējsistēmai
Authors: Latkovskis L. , Sirmelis U. , Grigans L. , Cernovs J. , Kroics K.
Published: May 2018

In the paper, the problem of voltage imbalance in supercapacitor bank caused by different capacitances and leakage resistances is considered. The authors propose capacitance balancing in combination with passive resistor voltage balancing as an efficient method for decreasing the cell voltage imbalance and increasing the effective energy capacity of supercapacitor bank. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated theoretically and verified experimentally on eight supercapacitor cells.
Epr Spectrum Angular Dependences In Liyf4 Crystal / Epr Spektru Leņķiskās Atkarības Liyf4 Kristālā
Authors: Antuzevics A. , Fedotovs A. , Rogulis U.
Published: May 2018

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements have been made for two perpendicular planes in a LiYF4 crystal before and after x-ray irradiation at room temperature. Analysis of the EPR spectrum angular dependence shows the presence of two defects - an impurity ion, which was embedded during the crystal growth process, and an x-ray induced defect with the g-factor of approx. 2.0. Spectral parameters and possible defect models are discussed.
Attraction at first fright? What Datton & Aron really demonstrated almost 40 years ago
Authors: Szczucka Katarzyna
Published: May 2018

Almost four decades have passed since Dutton and Aron (1974) published their classic article in JPSP in which they
present the results of three studies. According to interpretations of the results done by the authors, the suffi cient condition
of obtaining the effect of increased sexual attraction toward the object (an attractive woman) - which must be present
shortly after or while waiting to become an aversive stimulus - is the induction in the subjects of a strong autonomic
arousal. This can be done via crossing a high suspended bridge or anticipating the receipt of strong electric shocks.
However, the results of reanalysis do not allow such a conclusion. In the article the author presents the results of secondary
analysis and lists methodological, theoretical and interpretative incoherences.
The Right to Privacy and Private Detective Activities in Lithuania
Authors: Bilius Mindaugas
Published: May 2018

Private detectives have been providing their services in Lithuania for about a decade; however, only now has the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania started to discuss whether it is expedient and necessary to regulate the activities of private detectives by means of a separate law. One of the goals of a separate legal regulation of private detective activities is the protection of human rights, particularly the right to privacy. This article examines the provisions of national and international legislative acts related to the private life of a person, and assesses the opportunities of a private detective to provide private detective services without prejudice to the provisions of applicable legislative acts. The article concludes that a private detective is not an authorized (public) authority and there is no possibility to assess in each case whether the interests of a person using the services of private detectives are more important than those of other persons, which would allow for violating their rights to private life. The limits of an individual’s right to privacy can only be narrowed by a particular person, giving consent to making public the details of his/her private life. It is the only opportunity for a private detective to gather information related to the private life of a citizen. Currently applicable legislative acts in Lithuania do not provide for opportunities for private subjects to collect personal data without that person’s consent. This right is granted only to public authorities and with the court’s permission
Scientists of the State, Science of the State, and the State: Austrian and German Public Lawyers in the Short 20th Century Part 1: The Age of Catastrophe, 1914-1945
Authors: Puff Roman
Published: May 2018

Between the First World War and the end of the Cold War, Germany and Austria, whose legal cultures were highly interdependent in terms of persons, conceptions, and institutions, saw eleven or twelve fundamentally different regimes, depending on the interpretation of Austria’s status from 1938-45. Lawyers often ensured the legal functioning of these regimes and legitimized their existence. This again affected their notions of law, legality, and justice, and of the principles underlying these concepts, as well as their personal preferences and societal roles.

Based on the analysis of about two hundred biographical sketches of Austrian and German lawyers, mostly from the field of public (international) law, of about 2,500 contributions to the leading “(Österreichische) Zeitschrift für öffentliches Recht” from 1914 to 1945, and of the respective legal history-literature, this contribution analyzes the relation of Austrian and German lawyers to their respective states and regimes, and outlines the typical patterns of how they were affected by regime changes and how they reacted to them.

Proceeding from this analysis, in the second part of this study, the relation between lawyers and the state until the end of the cold war will be illustrated and it will be shown that some typical patterns in the lawyers’ reaction to regime changes can be identified. Also the impact the state-lawyers-relation had on the development of Austria and Germany to stable, functioning democracies will be outlined.
Book Reviews: Rebel Cities; States of War: Enlightenment Origins of the Political; and the Communist Postscript
Authors: Giedraitis Edvardas , Kalpokas Ignas , Bundza Mindaugas
Published: May 2018

This article contains three book reviews, each of which relates in its own way to the larger academic category of political theory. The reviewed books are: Rebel Cities (2012) by David Harvey, States of War: Enlightenment Origins of the Political (2012) by David William Bates, and The Communist Postscript (2009) by Boris Groys.
Application of Phytoremediation in Restoring Sustainable Development to the Environment: Economic and Soil Conditions
Authors: Pszczółkowski Wiktor , Romanowska-Duda Zdzisława , Pszczółkowska Agata , Grzesik Mieczysław , Wysokińska Zofia
Published: May 2018

The objective of this article is a presentation of priority questions and relations involving economic and soil conditions for the application of phytoremediation technology in restoring sustainable development to the environment. The analysis looks at the justifiability of the application of phytoremediation in restoring a balanced environment as an alternative method to costly land recultivation aimed at eliminating pollutants—a solution that is impossible in the case of large areas. The cost effectiveness of the use of phytoremediation in the recovery of trace element in the soil through the process of phytoremediation was demonstrated. The quality of soils as found in the Voivodeship of Łódź was analyzed from the point of view of potential application of the phytoremediation method, taking into account subdivision by heavy metals found in the soils as well as their origins and properties. Grades of soil purity are presented and border values of heavy metal content were identified.
Social Aspects of Transnational Corporations’ Activities in the New EU Member States
Authors: Witkowska Janina
Published: May 2018

Water resources are among the most valuable resources of the natural environment. The sustainable and integrated management of these resources is the basis of European water policy. Pursuant to the Water Framework Directive, all waters in the European Union should achieve a state considered at least good by the year 2015. Just how this objective can be met continues to be a topic of discussions in some of the Member States. There exist serious problems and delays in performing and implementing the provisions of the Directive in most EU countries. What is more, the state of the water economy in several countries, including Poland, has been criticized by the European Commission. Many challenges stand before European water policy. They require solutions on a global and local level. This article presents current key problems and planned directions for EU water policy development, subjected to analysis and assessment. Note is taken on the newest initiative of the European Commission in the area of water policy, especially the plan for protecting Europe’s water resources—the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources
Health statistics in international databases and their cartographic visualization
Authors: Štampach Radim , Geryk Edvard
Published: May 2018

For health system management, relevant data and information are necessary. The first part of the paper describes databases of the important health data providers WHO, OECD, IARC and Eurostat. It analyses whether they are in discrepancy and whether it is possible to combine data from different databases. Cartographic visualization can be used for the analysis of situations and also for the publishing of statistics and other information. Selected international providers offering health maps are evaluated in the second part of the paper. There are differences in the possibilities offered to the user and in the quality of the provided maps.
Why Put ‘Class’ in the Creative Class?
Authors: Mo Aaron
Published: May 2018

This paper pinpoints the problematic use of grouping creative people as a social class. Observations of the ‘creative clusters’ in Lower East Side (New York) and Islington Mill (Manchester) are used to illustrate this point. Instead, creative actors should be seen as a unique blend of work practices, and have different philosophical and aesthetic appreciation of art, which in turn influences their spatial and geographical consumption patterns inside a building and/or city. This observation questions the use of ‘class’ in Richard Florida’s (2002) The rise of the Creative Class, and consequently asks if place-making practitioners should adopt one-size-fits-all creative policies
Creative Firms as Change Agents in Creative Spaces
Authors: Kourtit Karima , Nijkamp Peter
Published: May 2018

This paper focuses attention on a quantitative analysis of the creative sector. After a selective and concise literature review, it discusses three important methodological advances, viz. a spatial-econometric approach, a non-parametric business performance analysis based on Data Envelopment Analysis, and finally, a comprehensive and integrated modelling framework in which a so-called ‘Flying Disc’ model is used as a tool for specifying and estimating a Structural Equations Model. The paper offers finally some concluding remarks.
Towards a ‘Benchmarking Raster’: a Selection of Indicators to Measure and Assess Policies for Cultural and Creative Industries
Authors: Montalto Valentina , Iglesias Maria , Kern Philippe
Published: May 2018

Research has devoted considerable attention to the contribution of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) to economic growth and innovation. Measuring and evaluative tools have played an increasingly important role in meeting the demand for the accountability of public money supporting this sector. Nevertheless, creativity remains an elusive subject for policy-makers. One of the major obstacles in adopting CCI policies is the difficulty in apprehending the value of support actions for cultural and creative enterprises. The present research is a first attempt to create a harmonised and simple set of indicators (the ‘benchmarking raster’) to assess local policies targeting economic development of CCIs. It has been completed in the framework of the INTERREG- funded CREA.RE network with the aim to encourage the authorities of small and medium-sized cities and regions to further invest Structural Funds in CCIs. It is also expected to contribute to CCI-focused economic development strategies (or Smart Specialisation Strategies).
Gaussian semigroups on homogeneous banach spaces
Authors: Duchoň Miloslav
Published: May 2018

The object of this paper is a study of a Cauchy problem by Gaussian semigroups methods on the 2π-torus in the setting of homogeneous Banach spaces. The approach is similar to that in: [Butzer, P. L.-Berens, H. Semi-Groupsof Operators and Approximation. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1967].
The zodiac killer ciphers
Authors: Raddum Håvard , Sýs Marek
Published: May 2018

We describe the background of the Zodiac killer’s cipher, and present a strategy for how to attack the unsolved Z340 cipher. We present evidence that there is a high degree of non-randomness in the sequence of ciphertext symbols in this cipher, suggesting it has been constructed in a systematic way. Next, we use this information to design a tool for solving the Zodiac ciphers. Using this tool we are able to re-solve the known Z408 cipher.
A point estimator of the probability difference of overall treatment effect–simulation study
Authors: Krajíčková Pavla
Published: May 2018

One of the aims of the meta-analysis of clinical trials is to deter- mine the efficacy of a new type of treatment. This efficacy is commonly measured by the difference between the efficacy of a standard treatment and the new treatment. For binary data the difference can be measured by a probability difference. We investigate, by simulations and using box plots, the basic statistical properties of the point estimator of the probability difference of overall treatment effects in the meta-analysis based on multicentre trials for various chosen situations. This estimator was suggested in Dokoupilova (2011).
Criterion-robust designs for the models of spring balance weighing
Authors: Filová Lenka , Harman Radoslav
Published: May 2018

In the paper we consider the linear regression model of the first degree on the vertices of the d-dimensional unit cube and its extension by an intercept term, which can be used, e.g., to model unbiased or biased weighing of d objects on a spring balance. In both settings, we can restrict our search for approximate optimal designs to the convex combinations of the so-called j-vertex designs. We focus on the designs that are criterion robust in the sense of maximin efficiency within the class of all orthogonally invariant information functions, involving the criteria of D-, A-, E-optimality, and many others. For the model of unbiased weighing, we give analytic formulas for the maximin efficient design, and for the biased model we present numerical results based on the application of the methods of semidefinite programming.
Estimation of ma(1) model based on rounded data
Authors: Guo Meihui , Li Gen-Liang
Published: May 2018

Most recorded data of continuous distributions are rounded to the nearest decimal place due to the precision of the recording mechanism. This rounding entails errors in estimation and measurement. In this study, we consider parameter estimation of time series models based on rounded data. The adjusted maximum likelihood estimates in [Stam, A.-Cogger, K. O.: Rounding errors in autoregressive processes, Internat. J. Forecast. 9 (1993), 487-508] are derived theoretically for the first order moving average MA(1) model. Simulations are performed to compare the efficiencies of the adjusted maximum likelihood estimators with other estimators.
Planning of experiments for a nonautonomous ornstein-uhlenbeck process
Authors: Lacko Vladimír
Published: May 2018

We study exact optimal designs for processes governed by mean- -reversion stochastic differential equations with a time dependent volatility and known mean-reversion speed. It turns out that any mean-reversion It¯o process has a product covariance structure.We prove the existence of a nondegenerate optimal sampling design for the parameter estimation and derive the information matrix corresponding to the observation of the full path. The results are demonstrated on a process with exponential volatility.
Notes on A Preimage-Resistant Hash Function
Authors: Folláth János
Published: May 2018

Bérczes, Folláth and Pethő constructed a preimage-resistant hash function. In this paper to investigate the avalanche criterion of this function, we will generalize the results of Coulter and Mathews regarding planar polynomials. At the same time a necessary and sufficient condition for being planar is given for Dembowski-Ostrom monomials. In the even characteristic case both a weaker asymptotic statement and practical test results are presented regarding the avalanche criterion.
Ventilator-associated pneumonias in children ( i ) - diagnostic criteria, etiology and pathogenesis
Authors: Yankov Ivan V. , Shmilev Tonyo Il.
Published: May 2018

Ventilator-associated pneumonias have been estimated to be the second most common nosocomial infections among children treated in intensive care units. They occur in mechanically ventilated patients through intubation tube or tracheostomy, the infl ammation usually involving the lung parenchyma. The ventilator-associated pneumonia is associated with a longer antibiotic treatment, greater duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and higher mortality rates in children. The condition is also associated with a higher cost of the treatment. This paper reviews and comments in detail the criteria formulated by the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNSI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonias in children. The disease etiology is associated with the typical causes of nosocomial infections in this age: P. aeruginosa, E. coli and K. pneumoniae. The pathogenesis of the condition is inadequately studied but the aspiration of gastric contents and immune defi ciency are proven risk factors. Two mechanisms have a major role in the development of the disease - micro-aspiration of gastric contents and colonization of the lower airways with pathogens.
Fluctuations of the Number of Critical Points of Random Trigonometric Polynomials
Authors: Nicolaescu Liviu I.
Published: May 2018

Denote by Znthe number of critical points of a random trigonometric polynomial of degree ≤ n We prove that as ν→∞ the expectation of Zν is asymptotic to 2ν √⅗ while its variance is asymptotic to δ∞νwhere δ∞≈ 0.35.
Positive stable realizations for fractional descriptor continuous-time linear systems
Authors: Kaczorek Tadeusz
Published: May 2018

A method for computation of positive asymptotically stable realizations of fractional descriptor continuous-time linear systems with regular pencil is proposed. The method is based on the decomposition of the improper transfer matrix into strictly proper matrix and a polynomial matrix. A procedure for decomposition of a positive asymptotically stable realization is given and illustrated by a numerical example.
Analysis and design of thermo-mechanical interfaces
Authors: Dems K. , Mróz Z.
Published: May 2018

An elastic structure subjected to thermal and mechanical loading with prescribed external boundary and varying internal interface is considered. The different thermal and mechanical nature of this interface is discussed, since the interface form and its properties affect strongly the structural response. The first-order sensitivities of an arbitrary thermal and mechanical behavioral functional with respect to shape and material properties of the interface are derived using the direct or adjoint approaches. Next the relevant optimality conditions are formulated. Some examples illustrate the applicability of proposed approach to control the structural response due to applied thermal and mechanical loads.
Incremental method of Young modulus updating procedure in topology optimization
Authors: Kutyłowski R. , Rasiak B.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a new Young modulus updating procedure as an extension to the SIMP method used for topology optimization. In essence, the modified Young modulus updating procedure consists in taking into account in a given optimization step not only the material density from the preceding step, but also the increment in density in the two preceding steps. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain a solution in cases in which the classic SIMP method failed. The variational approach was adopted and the structure’s strain energy was minimized under constraints imposed on body mass. FEM was used to solve numerical examples. The numerical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method, particularly for structures with relatively long spans.
Improved aeroelastic design through structural optimization
Authors: Nowak M.
Published: May 2018

The paper presents the idea of coupled multiphysics computations. It shows the concept and presents some preliminary results of static coupling of structural and fluid flow codes as well as biomimetic structural optimization. The model for the biomimetic optimization procedure was the biological phenomenon of trabecular bone functional adaptation. Thus, the presented structural bio-inspired optimization system is based on the principle of constant strain energy density on the surface of the structure. When the aeroelastic reactions are considered, such approach allows fulfilling the mechanical theorem for the stiffest design, comprising the optimizations of size, shape and topology of the internal structure of the wing.
Configurational forces for growth and shape regulations in morphogenesis
Authors: Ciarletta P. , Ambrosi D. , Maugin G.A.
Published: May 2018

Morphogenetic theories investigate the mechanisms of creation and regulation of definite biological forms in living organisms. The incredible diversity of shapes and sizes is generated through a barely unknown coordination of biochemical processes occurring at molecular levels. Such a crosstalk not only defines the rules of a robust scheme of matter differentiation, but it also has the capacity to adapt with respect to some variations of the environmental conditions. In this work, we propose a continuum model of growth and mass transport for biological materials during morphogenetic processes. Using the theory of configurational forces, we define the thermomechanical bases for understanding how both the mechanical and the biochemical states can orchestrate growth. The model is successfully applied to describe the morphogen-driven growth control in the imaginal wing disc of Drosophila melanogaster.
Extremum principles for biological continuous bodies undergoing volumetric and surface growth
Authors: Ganghoffer J.F.
Published: May 2018

The volumetric and surface growth of continuum solid bodies is considered, in the framework of the thermodynamics of open systems exchanging mass, work and chemical species (nutrients) with their environment. More specifically, we address the issue of setting up extremum principles for such growing bodies. A general three-field variational principle is set up, based on the so-called zero potential, which is a byproduct of the grand potential. The stationnarity conditions of those potentials deliver balance laws for generalized volumetric and surface Eshelby tensors, leading further to the identification of the material forces for growth.
On constrained stochastic controllability of dynamical systems with multiple delays in control
Authors: Sikora B. , Klamka J.
Published: May 2018

Linear, continuous stochastic dynamical systems with multiple delays in control are studied in the paper. Their relative stochastic controllability with constrained control is discussed. The definitions of various type of constrained relative and absolute stochastic controllability for linear systems with delays in control are introduced. Criteria of relative and absolute stochastic controllability with constrained control are established. Constraints on control values are considered. Mutual implications between constrained relative stochastic controllability of systems with and without delays are studied as well as implications between constrained relative and absolute stochastic controllability of systems with delay in control.
Characteristics of the use of coupled hidden Markov models for audio-visual polish speech recognition
Authors: Kubanek M. , Bobulski J. , Adrjanowicz L.
Published: May 2018

This paper focuses on combining audio-visual signals for Polish speech recognition in conditions of the highly disturbed audio speech signal. Recognition of audio-visual speech was based on combined hidden Markov models (CHMM). The described methods were developed for a single isolated command, nevertheless their effectiveness indicated that they would also work similarly in continuous audiovisual speech recognition. The problem of a visual speech analysis is very difficult and computationally demanding, mostly because of an extreme amount of data that needs to be processed. Therefore, the method of audio-video speech recognition is used only while the audiospeech signal is exposed to a considerable level of distortion. There are proposed the authors’ own methods of the lip edges detection and a visual characteristic extraction in this paper. Moreover, the method of fusing speech characteristics for an audio-video signal was proposed and tested. A significant increase of recognition effectiveness and processing speed were noted during tests - for properly selected CHMM parameters and an adequate codebook size, besides the use of the appropriate fusion of audio-visual characteristics. The experimental results were very promising and close to those achieved by leading scientists in the field of audio-visual speech recognition.
Rheological scaling properties of starch solutions in dimethylsulfoxide
Authors: Ptaszek Paweł , Łukasiewicz Marcin , Ptaszek Anna , Grzesik Mirosław
Published: May 2018

The possibility of scaling viscoelastic properties of starch solutions in relation to biopolymer concentration was presented in this study. An application of this empirical method enabled to widen the observation horizon of viscoelastic properties. It was also determined that the scope of its applicability is limited by amylose content in the solution. In high amylose solutions, for which up to 40% (w/w) concentration was the highest one obtained, calibration caused the formation of master curve in the widest frequency range. Determined values of scaling coefficients aC changed exponentially in starch concentration function in the solution. For waxy starch solutions of maximum concentration equal to 20% (w/w), scaling did not significantly widen the observation window. Based on master curves constructed in such way, continuous relaxation spectra H(λ) were determined using Tikhonov regularisation method. Their structure indicates advantageous of viscous elements in the process of viscoelastic phenomena formation.
Triple-layer based control strategy for molten carbonate fuel cell – hybrid system
Authors: Milewski Jarosław , Miller Andrzej
Published: May 2018

Based on mathematical modelling and numerical simulations, a control strategy for a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Hybrid System (MCFC-HS) is presented. Adequate maps of performances with three independent parameters are shown. The independent parameters are as follows: stack current, fuel mass flow and compressor outlet pressure. Those parameters can be controlled by external load, fuel valve and turbine-compressor shaft speed, respectively. The control system is purposed to meet many constraints: e.g. stack temperature, steam-to-carbon ratio, compressor surge limitation, etc. The aim is to achieve maximum efficiency of power generated within these constraints. Governing equations of MCFC-HS modelling are given. An operational line of the MCFC-GT system is presented which fulfils several constraints (temperature difference, cell temperature, etc.) The system is able to achieve efficiency of more than 62% even in part-load operation.
Calculation of vapour - liquid - liquid – equilibria in quaternary systems
Authors: Wyczesany Andrzej
Published: May 2018

A method of parameters fitting to the experimental vapour - liquid - liquid equilibrium (VLLE) data is presented for the NRTL and the Uniquac equations for six quaternary mixtures. The same equations but with coefficients taken from the simulator Chemcad database were also used for calculation of the VLLE for the same mixtures. The calculated equilibrium temperatures and compositions for all the three phases were compared with the experimental data for these four cases. The investigated models were also applied for calculation of the compositions and temperatures of ternary azeotropes occurring in the considered quaternary mixtures. The computed values were compared with the experimental ones to appreciate the model's accuracy and to confirm whether the model correctly predicts the presence of homo- or heteroazeotrope. The NRTL equation with coefficients fitted to the VLLE data proved to be the most accurate model. For the mixtures containing water, ethanol and two different hydrocarbons this model shows particularly high accuracy. In three cases the mean deviations between the calculated and measured temperatures do not exceed 0.25 K, and for the fourth mixture the difference equals 0.33. Besides, the mean deviations between the calculated and the measured concentrations in the gas and liquid phases, with one exception do not exceed 1 mole %.
Thermochemical analysis of a flue gas-driven biomass gasification
Authors: Litka Rafał , Kalisz Sylwester
Published: May 2018

One of the methods of obtaining energy from renewable sources is the technology of indirect cofiring of biomass. It consists in the gasification of secondary fuel and combustion of the generated gas in the boiler together with its primary fuel. The paper presents a thermodynamic analysis of the use of the boiler flue gases as the converting medium in the process of indirect co-firing - a technology which is being developed at the Institute of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery of the Silesian University of Technology. The basis of the analysis are the data resulting from variant calculations conducted with the use of the Gaseq program. The calculations were made for various compositions of gasified fuel and the converting medium, variable fuel/oxidiser ratios and variable gasification temperatures. As a result, the equilibrium composition and the calorific value of the generated gas were obtained. The main optimisation objective adopted here was the nondimensional efficiency coefficient, which is the ratio of the chemical energy of products to the chemical energy of the process reactants.
Harvesting Energy and Hydrogen from Microbes
Authors: Sobieszuk Paweł , Zamojska-Jaroszewicz Anna , Kołtuniewicz Andrzej
Published: May 2018

This article presents a critical mini-review of research conducted on bioelectrochemical reactors with emphasis placed on microbial fuel cells (MFC) and microbial electrolysis cells (MEC). The principle of operation and typical constructions of MFCs and MECs were presented. The types of anodes and cathodes, ion-selective membranes and microorganisms used were discussed along with their limitations.
Metrological conditions of strain measurement optoelectronic method by the use of fibre bragg gratings
Authors: Kisała Piotr
Published: May 2018

This article presents a linear strain measurement method insensitive to temperature variations and using fibre Bragg gratings. Two Bragg gratings were applied with periods selected to obtain partial coverage of their spectrum characteristics. One of the gratings was subjected to a tension strength. Placing both gratings in one thermal chamber allowed - through ensuring the same thermal conditions - to obtain insensitivity of the entire scheme to temperature variations. The gratings were recorded on the same optical fibre and reacted to temperature variations in the same degree. Value of strain was indicated based on the transmission spectrum characteristic of two grating schemes. The use of transmission, not reflectance, characteristics of the gratings allowed for a direct measurement of the spectrum, without having to use a coupler or optical circulators, and at the same time, this allowed to simplify the strain detection scheme. We proposed applying the continuous wavelet transform with characteristics of the spectrum scheme of two gratings for improvement of static properties. Especially, the thermal linearity and stability of the sensor was improved. For a strain range up to 750 μe, the non-linearity error of processing characteristic obtained was 0.45%. Thermal stability of the scheme proposed was defined as relative sensitivity of the power to temperature variations. The mean value of such relative sensitivity of the scheme proposed in the temperature scope of 21ºC-95ºC, amounted to 0.195.
Stress and strain measurements in static tensile tests
Authors: Adamczak Stanisław , Bochnia Jerzy , Kundera Czesław
Published: May 2018

The paper deals with the accuracy of measurements of strains (elongation and necking) and stresses (tensile strength) in static room-temperature tensile strength tests. We present methods for calculating measurement errors and uncertainties, and discuss the determination of the limiting errors of the quantities measured for circular and rectangular specimens, which is illustrated with examples.
Measurement Data Processing in Spectrophotometric Analysers of Food
Authors: Morawski Roman Z.
Published: May 2018

Spectrometry, especially spectrophotometry, is getting more and more often the method of choice not only in laboratory analysis of (bio)chemical substances, but also in the off-laboratory identification and testing of physical properties of various products, in particular - of various organic mixtures including food products and ingredients. Specialised spectrophotometers, called spectrophotometric analysers, are designed for such applications. This paper is on the state of the art in the domain of data processing in spectrophotometric analysers of food (including beverages). The following issues are covered: methodological background of food analysis, physical and metrological principles of spectrophotometry, the role of measurement data processing in spectrophotometry. General considerations are illustrated with examples, predominantly related to wine and olive oil analysis.
Digital Finite Impulse Response Notch Filter with Non-Zero Initial Conditions, Based on an Infinite Impulse Response Prototype Filter
Authors: Kocoń Sławomir , Piskorowski Jacek
Published: May 2018

In this paper a concept of finite impulse response (FIR) narrow band-stop (notch) filter with non-zero initial conditions, based on infinite impulse response (IIR) prototype filter, is proposed. The filter described in this paper is used to suppress power line noise from ECG signals. In order to reduce the transient response of the proposed FIR notch filter, optimal initial conditions for the filter have been determined. The algorithm for finding the length of the initial conditions vector is presented. The proposed values of the length of initial conditions vector, for several ECG signals and interfering frequencies, are calculated. The proposed filters are tested using various ECG signals. Computer simulations demonstrate that the proposed FIR filters outperform traditional FIR filters with initial conditions set to zero.
The impact of CO2 compression systems on the compressor power required for a pulverized coal-fired power plant in post-combustion carbon dioxide sequestration
Authors: Witkowski Andrzej , Majkut Mirosław
Published: May 2018

The aim of this paper is to analyze various CO2 compression processes for postcombustion CO2 capture applications for 900 MW pulverized coal-fired power plant. Different thermodynamically feasible CO2 compression systems will be identified and their energy consumption quantified. A detailed thermodynamic analysis examines methods used to minimize the power penalty to the producer through integrated, low-power compression concepts. The goal of the present research is to reduce this penalty through an analysis of different compression concepts, and a possibility of capturing the heat of compression and converting it to useful energy for use elsewhere in the plant.
Heart rate turbulence in mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis in boxers
Authors: Noszczyk-Nowak A.
Published: May 2018

Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is a new electrocardiographic parameter used in human medicine to predict the possibility of death in patients with cardiac diseases. There is no information about HRT in healthy dogs and those with cardiac diseases. The aim of the present study was to compare the HRT in healthy Boxers dogs with Boxers with mild and moderate subaortic stenosis (SAS), to disclose the relationship between HRT and specific echocardiographic parameters and to evaluate if HRT can be used as a prognostic value in dogs with aortic stenosis. The study revealed significantly lower values of turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) HRT dogs with SAS (TO = -0.76 ± 2.6, TS = 7.1 ± 3.21) in compared with healthy dogs (TO = -7.45 ± 9.72, TS = 14.33 ± 8.76). TO values correlated with the left ventricular mass (LVM)/body mass factor (r = 0,32; p = 0.048). Based on the results obtained it can be stated that dogs with SAS have a compromised baroreceptor response, which can influence the mortality of the animals with described cardiac defect.