bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Quartzite Quarries Wastes in Civil Construction
Authors: Cabello Mario L. , Peres Antonio E.C. , Martins Afonso H. , Pereira Carlos A.
Published: April 2013

The extraction of the dimension stone quartzite in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, has been done mostly in small quarries, at very low recovery levels, generating approximately six million tons of waste by year. The aim of this investigation is to study the application of the quartzite waste as aggregate in the civil construction. Laboratory tests of crushing and grinding were done to assess the technical and economic viability of reducing the size of coarse material rendering it adequate to be used as raw material in industrialized mortars and concrete pre-molded components. Samples of concrete using quartzite waste as aggregate were molded in proportions and water content used in the production of pre-molded components and the final compressive strength was assessed. Then, samples of mortars with quartzite waste as aggregate were molded with variations in proportion, water content and top size of aggregates, to assess the workability and final compressive strength. It was concluded that with a single stage of crushing, the waste generated could be used in the production of pre-molded components. An additional stage of grinding would be required for use of a larger amount of quartzite waste in the production of mortars. The alkali-aggregate reaction was not considered in this study.
The Example of the Quartzite from the "Upper Quartzite Formation" from Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (Northern Portugal); Its Characterization to Use as Natural Stone
Authors: Aires Sílvia , Noronha Fernando , Carvalho Cristina , Casal Moura António , Farinha Ramos João
Published: April 2013

Metaquartzite from Serra da Garraia and Zebras were studied. These rocks belong to the "Upper Quartzite Formation" of the “Parautochthonous Complex”. They are light grey and present, sometimes, a brownish patina. The quarries range from 2 to 10m high and 25 to 40m long. This study consists on the petrographic, chemical and physical-mechanical characterization of these rocks, aiming the determination of their potential as natural stone. The petrographic studies revealed that the rocks are formed by quartz and white mica and accessory opaque minerals (titanomagnetite, magnetite, and hematite) and zircon. The petrographic studies and SiO2 and Al2O3 values revealed a different evolution for Garraia and Zebras in terms of textural maturity and mineralogical differentiation. The studies allowed the distinction between quartzites and quartz phyllites. The physical-mechanical analyses attest that all the studied rocks can be used as natural stones.
On the Use of Thermal Properties for Characterizing Dimension Stones
Authors: Amaral Paulo , Correia António , Lopes Luís , Rebola Paula , Pinho António , Carrilho Lopes José
Published: April 2013

The use of dimension stones in architecture and civil engineering implies the knowledge of several mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. Even though it has been usual practice to measure physical and mechanical properties of dimension stones the same is not true for thermal properties such as thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, and heat production. These properties are particularly important when processes related with heating and cooling of buildings must be considered. Thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity are related with the way thermal energy is transmitted and accumulated in stones; heat production has to do with the amount of radioactive elements in the rocks and so with the environmental impact of radioactivity and public health problems. It is important to start to measure on a routine basis those four thermal properties in rocks and, in particular, in dimension rocks so that their application can be improved and optimized. With this is mind three sets of different rock types (granites, limestones, and marbles) were collected to measure the thermal conductivity, the thermal diffusivity, and the specific heat capacity with the objective of characterizing them in terms of those properties. Since the same set of rocks has also been studied for other physical properties, a correlation amongst all the measured properties is attempted. For each rock type several samples were used to measure the thermal conductivity, the thermal diffusivity, and the specific heat capacity, and average values were obtained and are presented. As an example, for granites the thermal conductivity varies between 2.87 and 3.75 W/mK; for limestones varies between 2.82 and 3.17 W/mK; and for marbles varies between 2.86 and 3.02 W/mK. It is hoped that measuring thermal properties on dimension stones will help to better adequate them to their use in civil engineering as well as to adequate their use in terms of a CE product.
Examples of the Use of Non-Invasive Techniques for the Evaluation of Stone Decay in Portugal
Authors: Dionísio Amélia , Martinho Edite , Grangeia Carlos , Almeida Fernando
Published: April 2013

Today experts agree that precise damage diagnosis is the key to comprehensive characterization, interpretation, rating and prediction of stone damage. It provides vital information for monument conservation and sustainable preservation. Better understanding of the stones used in monuments and the factors, processes and characteristics involved in stone decay is therefore essential to the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage. A frequent and major obstacle to studying stone decay in monuments is the impossibility of touching or obtaining samples for study in the laboratory or even in-situ. The aim of this paper is to present the results of three non-invasive geophysical (3-D electrical resistivity and seismic refraction) and geochemical (soluble salts typology and distribution) techniques, that were used to diagnose stone damage in case studies involving Portuguese cultural heritage. Different techniques were applied based on decay typology or observed phenomena.
Finite Element Model Development Applied to Portuguese Granites for Contact Analysis of Two Dowel Fixing Conditions Used in Cladding
Authors: Pires Vera , Pacheco André , Infante Virginia , Amaral Pedro M. , Rosa Luis Guerra
Published: April 2013

The present work sets out a finite element model for contact analysis of two different dowel fixing conditions for granite cladding. To be used in building facades as cladding materials and ornamental stones, Portuguese granites Cinzento de Alpalhão (SPI) and Amarelo de Vila Real (AVR) are considered with dowel-hole anchorage systems. FEM for contact analysis was developed (with ANSYS software) for two different dowel fixing conditions: one with regular plastic cap and the other with a fast curing mortar. Differences on strain fields between both granites with the different dowel fixing conditions were studied. Contact analysis for SPI and AVR materials show that the different dowel fixing conditions originate different strain fields. FEM results explain how different contact conditions influence the overall system stiffness (stone panel – fixing element – dowel) obtained in the dowel-hole anchorage strength tests for both granites.
Influence of the Mineralogical and Mortar Components on the Adherence of Some “Granites”
Authors: Nogami Lizandra , Paraguassú Antenor B. , Rodrigues José E. , Ribeiro Rogério P.
Published: April 2013

Rock plate setting can be performed with metal inserts or by mortar adhesion. For mortar setting, the adhesion bond strength values, as a rule, should be above 1 MPa. In the present work, tests with eight types of “granite” tiles were performed to compare the adherence of five types of mortars. The rocks chosen were: Red Brasilia (syenogranite), Black Indian (migmatite), Green Labrador (charnockite), Black Sao Gabriel (hypersthene diorite), Rose Jacaranda (nebulitic migmatite syenogranite), Fantastic Blue (biotite monzogranite megaporphyritic serial gneissified), Grey Swallow (monzogranite) and Yellow Ornamental (garnet porphyroblastic gneiss), which do not have similar petrographic and sawability characteristics, thereby resulting in different initial roughness values of the plates obtained by breaking apart the blocks on the gangsaw machine, which use granulated steel as an abrasive element. The adherence of these rocks with the mortars was determined in the rough surface as well as in the polished surface by the pullout traction test, standardized for ceramics. The results showed that the mortar adhesion is related to roughness, to mineralogy and to the texture of these rocks. To verify this relationship, tensile bond strength tests were performed with the main mineral components of these rocks using single crystals with known optical orientation. Moreover, the microstructure study of the standard substrate/mortar/rock set was also performed.
Relationship between Breaking Moments at the Dowel Hole and at Flexure under Concentrated Load of Ornamental Stones
Authors: Patronis Michael , Laskaridis Kostas , Niaou Maria
Published: April 2013

During its more than ten-year active life, numerous tests have been performed at LITHOS Laboratory for determining various physical mechanical properties on a significant variety of ornamental stones from Greece and abroad, in compliance with the applicable EN Standards. Given the somewhat evident similarity observed for the breaking mechanism on specimens during determination of the breaking load at dowel hole (EN 13364) and that of flexural strength under concentrated load (EN 12372), an attempt has been made to correlate the relevant results. The objective was to investigate the possibility of creating a potential practical tool for a first estimation of the breaking load at dowel hole, having performed only the much simpler flexural strength determination test. After the appropriate statics approach that has been developed for each test to simulate the relative breaking mechanisms followed by the specimens and the analysis of all the data available, it has been revealed that a linear relationship combining the breaking moments exerted on the specimens in both the aforementioned tests may be established. Taking into account the wide range and diversity of the types of ornamental stones employed, the correlation coefficient calculated for the linear equation describing this relationship is considered sufficient for serving the objective set for this experimental research work.
Natural Stone Testing Specification for a New Facade System
Authors: Amaral Pedro M. , Camposinhos Rui S. , Lello José C.
Published: April 2013

This paper discusses in detail the materials properties that should be evaluated for producing large prestressed natural stone cladding panels made of limestone, marble and granite. The work underlines the importance of having standard test procedures used to determine the stone properties employed in the design and dimensioning of prestressed panels. A case-study using 2 types of stones (granite and limestone) is presented to exemplify the application of the stone characterisation under the scope of the technical specification. When safety requirements consider the environmental aspects of the application, the design and dimensioning of the panels must consider the decay of the properties evaluated under the corresponding natural stone specification.
Stone Materials, Constructions Techniques and Alterations in Historic Buildings: Examples from Minas Gerais, in Brazil and from the Braga and Viseu Districts in Portugal
Authors: Costa Antônio Gilberto
Published: April 2013

The use of stone materials in constructions and in the art of sculpture in Brazil, as well as the related constructions techniques employed, was strongly influenced by Portugal between the mid-sixteenth century and the early nineteenth century. One of those techniques consisted of erecting the whole constructions using stone materials, without the use of mortar, by solely juxtaposing smaller and larger stones. Some remaining buildings and descriptions dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century, involving the use of carved stone in “mineiro” – or Minas Gerais – constructions, known as minhota, or made in the fashion of Minho, bear proof to the use of that technique and, specially, to the influence this ancient Portuguese province had on the constructing style and on the way of working the stones in Minas Gerais. However, when we consider the frequency with which that technique was used, there is evidence that the use of “stone blocks” was much more common in certain regions of Portugal such as in constructions situated in the district of Braga, in the old province of Minho. Also from Portugal, from the old province of Beira Alta, there should be considered beautiful examples of constructions featuring the use of the dry stone technique which involved utilizing blocks of granitic rock as those seen in the Viseu district. In addition to the description of the stone materials utilized in these buildings, both Brazilian and Portuguese, and in the production of several sculptural elements associated with some of these architectural sets, evidence is provided which shows the occurrence of very similar deterioration processes which are responsible for the imprinting of certain features into these cultural assets, identified by the loss of materials and formation of crusts due to biological colonizations.
Assessing Fracturing in Weathered Granites: The Example of the Mondim de Basto Granite (Northern Portugal)
Authors: Sousa Luís M.O. , Oliveira Alcino S. , Alves Irene M.C.
Published: April 2013

Fracturing is the most limiting factor in the extraction of large blocks of granite for gang saw processing and should be carefully studied in the exploration stage. This paper presents the results of the fracturing evaluation of the granite from the quarries of Mondim de Basto, located in the north of Portugal. This very weathered granite has a high market demand and its commercial value is controlled by its yellowish brown colour. The fracturing was evaluated based on the mean/median joint spacing, as well as the volumetric joint count. The results stress the difficulty in obtaining large blocks since few places have the appropriate degree of jointing.
Phase and Crystal Structure Behaviour of Bi1-xRxFeO3 (R = Er, Tm, Yb)
Authors: Kuz Olena , Prots Yurii , Vasylechko Leonid
Published: April 2013

The title compounds were prepared by sintering of the stoichiometric amounts of the oxides of the constituent elements at 820 °C in air. X-ray powder diffraction examinations revealed that the polar R3c phase in the Bi1-xRxFeO3 systems with R = Er, Tm and Yb do not exceed 7, 4 and 3 mol.% of rare earth, respectively. Partial substitution of the Bi sites by Er and Tm in BiFeO3 reduces the temperature of the ferroelectric phase transition R3c–Pbnm on 30–60 K.
Integrated Thick-Film P-i-p+ Structures Based on Spinel Ceramics
Authors: Klym Halyna , Hadzaman I. , Shpotyuk O. , Fu Q. , Luo W. , Deng J.
Published: April 2013

Multilayered temperature/humidity sensitive thick-film p-i-p+ structures based on spinel-type semiconducting ceramics of different chemical composition Cu0.1Ni0.1Co1.6Mn1.2O4 (with p+-type of electrical conductivity), Cu0.1Ni0.8Co0.2Mn1.9O4 (with p-type of electrical conductivity) and magnesium aluminate i-type MgAl2O4 ceramics, as well as p-p+ and p-p+-p structures were fabricated and studied. Temperature-sensitive thick-film structures possess good electrophysical characteristics before and after long-term ageing test at 170 оС, the relative electrical drift being no more than 1 %. Increase of number of thick-film layers from two to three results in the improvement temperature sensitivity of thick-film structures. It is shown, that just prepared humidity-sensitive thick films in one-layered performance posses good linear dependence of electrical resistance from relative humidity without hysteresis in the range of 40-99 %. Losses of the sensitivity of these elements in time at the normal physical condition are connected with degradation process on contact area. The integrated spinel-type p-i-p+ thick-film structures show humidity-sensitivity within one-order change of electrical resistance and are stable in time. These structures are shown to be successfully applied for integrated environmental sensors.
TiO2-Acrylate Nanocomposites Elaborated by UV-Curing with Tunable Properties
Authors: Burunkova J.A. , Denisyuk I.Y. , Bulgakova Vera , Kokenyesi Sandor
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Homogeneous TiO2–acrylate nanocomposite with low optical scattering were prepared by UV curing. The surface of the nanoparticles was modified by carbonic acids to control the aggregation between the nanoparticles. Effects of TiO2 content on the properties of nanocomposite (transmission, refractive index, mechanical properties, internal structure) were investigated. Depending on the composition of the matrix hard materials with high refractive index or light sensitive layers for holographic recording can be obtained. The first are interesting for medical applications, the last for photonics. For example, TiO2 nanocomposite was used for in situ fabrication of holographic gratings by interference lithography. Formation of the grating samples with high diffraction efficiency (20 %) is based on the light-stimulated mass-transport processes in the polymerized layer during the recording without any additional treatments. The relief formation has been investigated by AFM measurements too. These materials are designed for applications in integrated optics, elements of optics, in nanolithography.
Growing Features and Luminescence of Bi3+ Ions in Gd3Ga5O12 Epitaxial Films
Authors: Luchechko Andriy P. , Syvorotka Igor I. , Zakharko Yaroslav , Syvorotka I.M.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Excitation and emission spectra under UV and X-ray excitations, as well as the luminescence decay kinetics of Gd3Ga5O12: Bi single crystalline films were studied. The emission spectra observed in the spectral region 350-700 nm at room temperature consist two elementary bands peaked at 446 and 521 nm. The influence of growth conditions on the luminescent properties of Gd3Ga5O12: Bi3+ garnet have been revealed. The integral and relative intensities of the luminescence bands depend on the excitation wavelength. The Bi3+ decay curves of all investigated films show non-single exponential behavior at room temperature.
The Effect of Faraday Rotation Enhancement in Nanolayered Structures of Bi - Substituted Iron Garnets
Authors: Berzhansky Vladimir N. , Shaposhnikov Alexander N. , Karavainikov Andrey V. , Prokopov Anatoly R. , Mikhailova Tatyana V. , Kharchenko Nikolai F. , Lukienko Irene N. , Kharchenko Yuriy N. , Miloslavskaya Olga V. , Kotov Viacheslav A. , Belotelov Vladimir I.
Published: April 2013

The effect of considerable enhancement of Faraday rotation (FR) and figure of merit (Q) in Bi, Gd, Al-substituted iron garnets plus Bi2O3 (Bi, Gd, Al: YIG / Bi2O3) nanocomposite films on Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG) substrates was found. It reached threefold enhancement of the FR and twofold of the Q one. These films were produced by reactive ion beam sputtering of appropriate targets and following separate annealing. In addition it was determined that in double layer Bi-substituted yttrium iron garnet (Bi: YIG) nanostructures on GGG substrates the upper layer (0.5 – 3.0 nm) considerably affects the magneto-optical properties of the “thick” (8.0 – 10.0 nm) bottom layer. The possible reasons of these effects are discussed.
Thick Epitaxial YIG Films with Narrow FMR Linewidth
Authors: Syvorotka Igor I. , Syvorotka I.M. , Ubizskii Sergii B.
Published: April 2013

The La-doped yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films with thickness up to 130 μm were grown by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) method. All grown thick films demonstrate “mirror” and “striation” types of surface morphology that depend from film growth temperature and thickness. Addition of B2O3 is favourable to a change the surface morphology into a “mirror” one. The mechanisms of the morphological changes are discussed. It was found that the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidth appreciably depends from surface morphology of grown films. For thick films with “mirror” surface the FMR linewidth is less than 0.8 Oe and more than ten times less in comparison with films with “striation” surface.
Structural and Magnetic Properties of Sintered Materials on the Basis of Zinc Oxide
Authors: Virt Igor , Rudyi Igor , Kurilo Ivan , Lopatynskyi Ivan , Frugynskyi Marian , Pavlovskyi Yuriy , Tsmots Volodymyr , Hadzaman Ivan , Havrylziv Andriy
Published: April 2013

Structural and magnetic properties of ceramics Zn1-xCoxO and Zn1-xCrxO are studied. Average sizes of grains are determined by scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic field dependences of magnetic susceptibility are investigated by Faraday method. The relevant theoretical models are chosen.
Effect of Direct Transport Current and Heat Treatment on Resistive Properties of Bismuth-Based Ceramic High-Temperature Superconducting Oxides of Various Compositions
Authors: Nikoghosyan Sergey K. , Harutunyan V.V. , Baghdasaryan V.S. , Mughnetsyan E.A. , Zargaryan E.G. , Sarkisyan A.G.
Published: April 2013

The effect of direct transport current (I) and heat treatment on resistive properties of bismuth-based ceramic high-temperature superconducting oxides of various compositions is studied by temperature dependent resistivity (r) measurements at fixed points in the vicinity of liquid nitrogen temperature in the presence of Earth's uncompensated magnetic field. It is shown that the observed results are significantly dependent on the sample preparation and post-processing conditions as well as on the measurement temperature. The results obtained are interpreted within the framework of the theory of Josephson weak links modified under the impact of self magnetic field of the sample’s transport current. An attempt is also done to find an analogy between the dependence of the characteristic parameters on the transport current in the case of heat treatment and on the dose when the samples are irradiated by various types of ionizing radiation.
Solid-State Catalysts Based on Bentonites and Pd(II) Cu(II) Complexes for Low-Temperature Carbon Monoxide Oxidation
Authors: Rakitskaya Tatyana L. , Kiose Tatyana A. , Zryutina Anna M. , Gladyshevskii Roman E. , Truba Alla S. , Vasylechko Vladimir O. , Demchenko P.Yu. , Gryschouk G.V. , Volkova V.Ya.
Published: April 2013

The results of testing of Pd(II)-Cu(II)/Bent catalyst samples in the reaction of CO oxidation with air oxygen are presented. Bentonites from three Ukrainian deposits: Gorbskoye, Dashukovskoye, and Kirovogradskoye were used as supports. Natural bentonites, their modified forms, and the catalysts based on them were characterized by X-ray diffraction phase analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and chemical analysis. It has been found that the activity of Pd(II) Cu(II)/Bent catalysts increases with increasing amorphous silica content and with decreasing pH of their water suspensions.
Synthesis, Structure and Luminescence Properties of Rare-Earth Double Phosphates
Authors: Terebilenko Katerina V. , Slobodyanik Nikolay S. , Zatovsky Igor V. , Baumer Vaycheslav N.
Published: April 2013

The main crystallization trends of rare-earth complex oxides from alkaline phosphate-molybdate (tungstate) melts have been studied in a light of structure - luminescence properties relationships. The regions of formation MI3RE(PO4)2, REPO4 and MI2RE(PO4)(MVIO4) from self flux systems MI–P–RE–O (MI–alkaline metal; MVI–Mo, W) have been defined. The influence of MI/MVI ratio in the initial melt has been shown to play the key role in solid phase formation and structural peculiarities of REOx polyhedral condensation of compounds obtained.
The Size Factor as Criterion for the Formation of M14Cu24O41 Phases
Authors: Zaremba Oksana , Gladyshevskii Roman E.
Published: April 2013

The size factor was analyzed as criterion for the formation of M14Cu24O41 phases. Attempts to replace Sr and/or Ca in Sr8Ca6Cu24O41, the best-known spin-ladder compound, by Mg or Ba were carried out. No significant solubility was observed for Mg, whereas the Ca atoms, and up to 4 Sr atoms per formula unit in Sr14Cu24O41, could be replaced by Ba. Based on the present investigation and literature data the minimum “critical” value of the average radius of the cations M above which an M14Cu24O41 phase is formed was found to be close to 1.21 Å and the maximum “critical” value close to 1.40 Å.
Augustine’s baptism: Its significance once and today
Authors: Van Oort Johannes
Published: April 2013

The article describes in broad outline Augustine’s baptism in Milan (386) and stresses its significance for Augustine’s transition from Manichaean Christianity to Nicene Catholic Christianity.
Metateoretiese vertrekpunte ten opsigte van wetenskaplike navorsing in die Liturgiek
Authors: De Klerk Barend J.
Published: April 2013

Om die nuwe ontwikkelings in die Liturgiek grondig te kan beoordeel, moet na die metateoretiese onderbou van die verskillende standpunte gekyk word. Wanneer ’n navorser op die terrein van die Liturgiek nie hierdie wendings in sy metateoretiese vertrekpunte verreken nie, kan sodanige navorser of meegesleur word deur hierdie denkrigtings, of aan die ander kant, impulsief reaksionêr ’n onwetenskaplike oordeel daaroor uitspreek. Die navorsingsartikel het daarom ten doel om die eie reformatoriese metateoretiese vertrekpunte ten opsigte van die Liturgiek te probeer formuleer en om vas te stel wat die invloed daarvan is in die konteks van wendings in die denkklimaat asook die leefwêreld en kultuur waarin die wetenskaplike taak uitgevoer word. Hierdie navorsingsartikel het verder ten doel om ’n voorbeeld daar te stel hoe hierdie metateoretiese beskouing ’n navorsingsprojek kan stuur. Die wyse waarop God in die doop werksaam is en die effek daarvan op vergifnis en versoening in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, is die voorbeeld van hoe ’n navorsingsprojek in die wetenskap van die Liturgiek aangepak kan word.
The influence of a large group teaching strategy on the self-regulated learning of tertiary mathematics learners
Authors: Roux Annalie
Published: April 2013

Self-regulation is important in developing lifelong learners, especially in the case of pre-service teachers who will soon be models of self-regulation in their own classrooms. In many instances, teaching at tertiary level is characterised by traditional teaching methods in large classes. In this study a particular large group instructional strategy was examined to determine whether it had an influence on learners’ self-regulation. A quantitative pre-test post-test design was used which included the study habits field of the Study Orientation questionnaire in Mathematics at the beginning and end of the semester. In a second questionnaire learners rated their experience of the large group teaching strategy according to a five-point Likert Scale and completed an open-ended question that was included to yield possible additional explanations for the results obtained from the closed questions in the questionnaire about large group teaching. A spreadsheet was used to process and summarise the data. Descriptive statistics were used. The results showed that there was no improvement in learners’ self-regulation. Analysis of the open-ended question revealed that learners were lacking various aspects of self-regulation, such as time management and appropriate study habits, including the willingness to do to more than practise only the prescribed problems.
Do Language Fluency and Other Socioeconomic Factors Influence the Use of PubMed and MedlinePlus?
Authors: Gavino A. , Callaghan F. , Fontelo P. , Sheets L.
Published: April 2013

Background: Increased usage of MedlinePlus by Spanish-speakers was observed after introduction of MedlinePlus in Spanish. This probably reflects increased usage of MEDLINE and PubMed by those with greater fluency in the language in which it is presented; but this has never been demonstrated in English speakers. Evidence that lack of English fluency deters international healthcare personnel from using PubMed could support the use of multi-language search tools like Babel-MeSH.

Objectives: This study aims to measure the effects of language fluency and other socioeconomic factors on PubMed MEDLINE and MedlinePlus access by international users.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed server pageviews of PubMed and MedlinePlus from various periods of time, and analyzed them against country statistics on language fluency, GDP, literacy rate, Internet usage, medical schools, and physicians per capita, to determine whether they were associated.

Results: We found fluency in English to be positively associated with pageviews of PubMed and MedlinePlus in countries with high literacy rates. Spanish was generally found to be positively associated with pageviews of MedlinePlus en Español. The other parameters also showed varying degrees of association with pageviews.

Conclusions: After adjusting for the other factors investigated in this study, language fluency was a consistently significant predictor of the use of PubMed, MedlinePlus English and MedlinePlus en Español. This study may support the need for multi-language search tools and may increase access of health information resources from non-English speaking countries.

Citation: Sheets L, Gavino A, Callaghan F, Fontelo P. Do language fluency and other socioeconomic factors influence the use of PubMed and MedlinePlus? Appl Clin Inf 2013; 4: 170–184

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-01-RA-0006
Experimental quantification of contact freezing in an electrodynamic balance
Authors: Hoffmann N. , Kiselev A. , Rzesanke D. , Duft D. , Leisner T.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Heterogeneous nucleation of ice in a supercooled water droplet induced by an external contact with a dry aerosol particle has long been known to be more effective than freezing induced by the same nucleus immersed in the droplet. However, the experimental quantification of contact freezing is challenging. Here we report an experimental method allowing to determine the temperature dependent ice nucleation probability of size selected aerosol particles. The method uses supercooled charged water droplets suspended in a laminar flow of air containing aerosol particles as contact freezing nuclei. The rate of droplet–particle collisions is calculated numerically with account for Coulomb attraction, drag force and induced dipole interaction between charged droplet and aerosol particles. The calculation is verified by direct counting of aerosol particles collected by a levitated droplet. By repeating the experiment on individual droplets for a sufficient number of times, we are able to reproduce the statistical freezing behavior of a large ensemble of supercooled droplets and measure the average rate of freezing events. The freezing rate is equal to the product of the droplet–particle collision rate and the probability of freezing on a single contact, the latter being a function of temperature, size and composition of the contact ice nuclei. Based on these observations, we show that for the types of particles investigated so far, contact freezing is the dominating freezing mechanism on the time scale of our experiment.
Numerical model of crustal accretion and cooling rates of fast-spreading mid-ocean ridges
Authors: Machetel P. , Garrido C. J.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. We designed a thermo-mechanical model for fast spreading mid-ocean ridge with variable viscosity, hydrothermal cooling, latent heat release, sheeted dyke layer, and variable melt intrusion possibilities. The model allows to take into account several accretion possibilities as: the "gabbro glacier" (G), the "sheeted sills" (S) or the "mixed shallow and MTZ lenses" (M). Viscosity contrasts of 2 to 3 orders of magnitude between the hot and cold phases have been tested. We also explored hydrothermal cooling according to various cracking temperatures for crustal rocks. Hence, the model allows exploring various near ridge motions and thermal patterns that induce various cooling histories for gabbros. According to the assumed opening-closure temperature range, the cooling rates sample the near-ridge structure or record areas farther from the ridge. As an analogy to experimental petrology we called ICR the cooling rates sampled near the ridge and SRC the cooling rates sampled far from the ridge where the flow tends to laminar and conductive patterns. The results emphasize that the cooling rates may significantly depend on the choice of this opening-closure temperature range. The results show that numerical modeling of thermo-mechanical properties of the lower crust's may bring information to study the hypotheses related to the ridge accretion structure, hydrothermal cooling and thermal state at the fast-spreading ridges.
Impacts of tropical cyclones on hydrochemistry of a subtropical forest
Authors: Chang C. T. , Hamburg S. P. , Hwong J. L. , Lin N. H. , Hsueh M. L. , Chen M. C. , Lin T. C.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Tropical cyclones (typhoons/hurricanes) have major impacts on the biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, but the stochastic nature and the long intervals between storms means that there are limited data on their effects. We characterized the impacts of 14 typhoons over six years on hydrochemistry of a subtropical forest plantation in Taiwan, a region experiencing frequent typhoons. Typhoons contributed 1/3 of annual rainfall on average, but ranged from 4% to 55%. The stochastic nature of annual typhoon related precipitation poses a challenge with respect to managing the impacts of these extreme events. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that typhoon-related rainfall is not significantly correlated with wind velocity, the current focus of weather forecasts. Thus little advance warning is provided for the hydrological impacts of these storms. The typhoons we studied contributed approximately one third of the annual input and output of most nutrients (except nitrogen) during an average 9.5d yr−1 period, resulting in nutrient input/output rates an order of magnitude greater than during non-typhoon period. Nitrate output balanced input during the non-typhoon period, but during the typhoon period an average of 10 kg ha−1 yr−1 nitrate was lost. Streamwater chemistry exhibited similarly high variability during typhoon and non-typhoon periods and returned to pre-typhoon levels one to three weeks following each typhoon. The streamwater chemistry appears to be very resilient in response to typhoons, resulting in minimal loss of nutrients.
Integration of remote sensing, RUSLE and GIS to model potential soil loss and sediment yield (SY)
Authors: Kamaludin H. , Lihan T. , Ali Rahman Z. , Mustapha M. A. , Idris W. M. R. , Rahim S. A.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Land use activities within a basin serve as one of the contributing factors which cause deterioration of river water quality through its potential effect on erosion. Sediment yield in the form of suspended solid in the river water body which is transported to the coastal area occurs as a sign of lowering of the water quality. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine potential soil loss using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model and the sediment yield, in the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) environment within selected sub-catchments of Pahang River Basin. RUSLE was used to estimate potential soil losses and sediment yield by utilizing information on rainfall erosivity (R) using interpolation of rainfall data, soil erodibility (K) using field measurement and soil map, vegetation cover (C) using satellite images, topography (LS) using DEM and conservation practices (P) using satellite images. The results indicated that the rate of potential soil loss in these sub-catchments ranged from very low to extremely high. The area covered by very low to low potential soil loss was about 99%, whereas moderate to extremely high soil loss potential covered only about 1% of the study area. Sediment yield represented only 1% of the potential soil loss. The sediment yield (SY) value in Pahang River turned out to be higher closer to the river mouth because of the topographic character, climate, vegetation type and density, and land use within the drainage basin.
Flowering dynamics, nectar secretion and insect visitation of Phacelia campanularia A. Gray
Authors: Wróblewska Anna
Published: April 2013

In the years 2004-2006, flowering dynamics and nectar secretion of Phacelia campanularia A. Gray flowers as well as the insect visitation rate were studied in the climatic conditions of Lublin, Poland. The flowering of phacelia started in the middle of June and lasted for 1.5 up to 2 months. Full bloom occurred between the third and fifth week of the flowering period of this taxon. For the study period, the average weight of nectar produced by 10 flowers was 75.64 mg, weight of sugars 11.31 mg, while their concentration in the nectar was 20.2%. Among the entomofauna foraging on the flowers of phacelia, honey bees were predominant, with their proportion among the pollinators accounting for 84.8%.
The Effect of Water Stress on the Gas Exchange Parameters, Productivity and Seed Health of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)
Authors: Pszczółkowska Agnieszka , Fordoński Gabriel , Kulik Tomasz , Olszewski Jacek , Płodzień Krystyna , Łojko Maciej
Published: April 2013

The present pot experiment studied the effect of different soil moisture contents (60 - 70% CWC (capillary water capacity) - control; 30 - 35% CWC - water stress) on buckwheat productivity, the gas exchange parameters and health of buckwheat nuts. It was found that water deficit affected adversely certain biometric features investigated (plant height, number of nuts per cluster) and caused a decrease in seed weight per plant. It was also shown that water stress reduced the values of the investigated gas exchange parameters (photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, intercellular-space CO2 concentration, and stomatal conductance) relative to the control treatment. Different soil moisture contents did not have a clear effect on fungal colonization of seeds. The multiplex PCR assays did not enable the detection of the genes responsible for mycotoxin synthesis. Under water deficit conditions, an increase was found in the content of albumin and globulin fractions as well as of glutelin fractions.
The effect of foliar nutrition of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) with magnesium salts and urea on gas exchange, leaf yield and quality
Authors: Borowski Edward , Michałek Sławomir
Published: April 2013

In a pot experiment conducted in a phytotron, the effectiveness of foliar nutrition of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) with different magnesium salts with and without the addition of 0.5% CO(NH2)2 was studied. Magnesium was applied 3 times in the form of solutions of MgSO4 x 7H2O, Mg(NO3)2 x 6H2O, MgCl2 x 6H2O, C4H6O4Mg x 4H2O, compared to water as the control treatment. The obtained results showed that foliar feeding of spinach with inorganic magnesium salts was an efficient method for supplementing the Mg level in plants during the growing period. But the application of a metalo-organic complex in the form of magnesium acetate (C4H6O4Mg x 4H2O) at a concentration of 1.7%, in spite of a similar effect on leaf Mg content, induced phytotoxic symptoms in the form of chlorotic and necrotic spots on the leaves. The application of the solutions of inorganic magnesium salts had a significant effect, resulting in more intensive leaf gas exchange (stomatal conductance, transpiration and photosynthesis) and an increase in leaf yield. Magnesium sulphate affected the abovementioned processes in the most effective way, while magnesium acetate had a negative impact. Foliar feeding of spinach with the magnesium salts resulted in an increased leaf content of protein, chlorophyll, carotenoids, nitrates and proline, but a decrease in vitamin C content. The addition of urea to the applied magnesium salt solutions increased the plant gas exchange rates and the leaf content of protein, chlorophyll, carotenoids, nitrates and proline, but it decreased the content of vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.
Effect of sulfur fertilization on the sanitary state of plants of the family Brassicaceae
Authors: Kurowski Tomasz P. , Majchrzak Barbara , Jankowski Krzysztof
Published: April 2013

The experiment was carried out in the years 2006-2008 in Bałcyny (N=53°35'49"; E=19°51'20"). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sulfur fertilization on the sanitary state of spring oilseed rape, winter oilseed rape, white mustard and Chinese mustard as well as on the species composition of fungi colonizing their seeds. Sulfur fertilization had a beneficial effect on the health of Brassicaceae plants infested by Alternaria blight, grey mould, Sclerotinia stem rot, Phoma stem canker and Verticillium wilt, but it had a varying effect on the occurrence of powdery mildew. Alternaria alternata and Penicillium spp. were isolated most frequently from Brassicaceae seeds. In general, more fungi (including pathogenic to Brassicaceae) were isolated from the seeds of plants grown in non-sulfur fertilized plots. Pathogens occurred primarily on the seed surface, and their number decreased after surface disinfection of seeds.
The effect of irrigation and foliar fertilization on the colonization of american ginseng (Panax quinquefolium l.) diseased parts by different micro-organisms
Authors: Pastucha Alina , Kołodziej Barbara
Published: April 2013

Field studies on the health of American ginseng cultivated in the Lublin district on poor sandy soil were conducted in the years 2004-2006. The studies involved treatment combinations with irrigation and without irrigation as well as foliar fertilization with Alkalin PK and Resistim of American ginseng plants. Mycological analysis was made of diseased ginseng parts with the aim of determining the quantitative and qualitative composition of fungi-like organisms and fungi threatening the cultivation of this plant. Fungi from the genera of Cylindrocarpon, Fusarium and the following species Alternaria alternata, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, as well as fungi-like organisms: Pythium irregulare and Phytophthora sp., were isolated from the infected parts of ginseng. The smallest number of fungi was isolated from the plants growing on the plots without irrigation and those where foliar application with Alkalin PK was applied.
Influence of crop rotation and meteorological conditons on biodiversity of weed communities in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Jastrzębska Magdalena , Wanic Maria , Kostrzewska Marta K.
Published: April 2013

The paper presents the analysis of changes in weed biodiversity in spring barley cultivated in the years 1990-2004 in crop rotation with a 25% proportion of this cereal (potato - spring barley - sowing peas - winter triticale), when it was grown after potato, and in crop rotation with its 75% proportion (potato - spring barley - spring barley - spring barley), when it was grown once or twice after spring barley. In the experiment, no weed control was applied. Every year in the spring (at full emergence of the cereal) and before the harvest, the composition of weed species and numbers of particular weed species were determined, and before the harvest also their biomass. On this basis, the constancy of species in particular years, Shannon-Wiener species diversity indices and diversity profiles according to Rényi were determined. Weed species richness increased linearly at all plots during the 15-year period. Chenopodium album was a constant and dominant species in terms of weed species density and biomass year after year. The quality of the plot had no clear influence on the diversity of weeds in barley. Weed density and biomass showed high year-to-year variability and a positive correlation with the amount of precipitation and a negative correlation with temperature during the period of the study. The significance of the correlation between the productivity of barley and weed diversity was not confirmed.
Types of hazel (Corylus spp.) and alder (Alnus spp.) pollen seasons in Sosnowiec 1997 - 2007 (Poland)
Authors: Dąbrowska-Zapart Katarzyna
Published: April 2013

This paper investigates pollen seasons for Corylus spp. and Alnus spp. for the years 1997-2007 in Sosnowiec, southern Poland. The research was conducted by means of the volumetric method using a Burkard-type spore trap. The duration of pollen seasons was determined by means of the 98% method. The aim of this study was to distinguish the types of the course of hazel and alder pollen seasons using cluster analysis, including non-hierarchical clustering of multi-feature objects - k-means clustering. The pollen seasons were divided into five types because of considerable variations from one year to another. For both taxons one dominant type was found, which was characterized by a very long period of compact pollen release with low values of the pollen count and by the occurrence of several maximums divided by periods of a lower pollen count. This work contains only a preliminary analysis on the types of pollen seasons because of relatively short data set. Future research on a larger series of measurements should be proved.
The grass pollen season dynamics in relation to the meteorological conditions in Cracow, southern Poland, 1991 - 2008
Authors: Myszkowska Dorota
Published: April 2013

The aim of the study was to analyse the grass pollen season dynamics in Cracow in 1991-2008 and to find the relationship between the meteorological conditions and season parameters. The pollen season started on average on the 138th day of the year (±10 days) and ended on the 211th day (±10 days). The median of the SPI value (calculated by the 95/90% method) was 2041, peak concentration - 111 pgm-3 (achieved on average on the 34th day of the season/173th day of the year). The average temperature in April-May showed the greatest effect on the start and end of the season (negative correlation). Tmean of the third decade of June influenced the season end (rs negative). Tmean of April-May correlated negatively with the time of peak concentration. Rainfall in January and April influenced the season start. Relative sunshine in March-April was related to the season start, in the third decade of June it was related to the season end (negative correlation), in March-April it influenced the time of peak concentration (positive correlation), while in January-March the peak concentration (positively). Cloudiness in February-May and also in the third decade of June had an impact on the season end and time of peak concentration (positive correlation). Humidity in February influenced the season start (negatively). The SPI value was influenced by relative sunshine (positively) in February-May, by humidity in April, and cloudiness in February-March (negatively).
Gas exchange parameters in leaves and ears of winter wheat Tricitum aestivum L. and its productivity under fungicide control conditions
Authors: Jarmołkowicz Joanna K. , Olszewski Jacek
Published: April 2013

A research experiment was conducted in which rates of photosynthesis and transpiration were measured in leaves and ears of two winter wheat varieties grown under fungicide control conditions and without fungicide control. A LI-COR 6400 portable gas exchange system was used in the investigations. In most cases the fungicide Juwel was shown to have no effect on the gas exchange processes, whereas the other of the fungicidal agents applied - Swing - significantly decreased the gas exchange rates measured. Measurements of gas exchange parameters in ears showed that the intensity of gas exchange was low, in particular at the later stage of ear development. But the applied fungicide caused higher release of CO2 into the atmosphere than its uptake. Furthermore, the applied fungicides were found to significantly increase grain yield compared to the control treatment, both in the first and second year of the study. Among the tested varieties, 'Nutka' was characterized by higher productivity, in spite of lower 1000 kernel weight. However, this cultivar developed longer ears with a larger amount of grains.