bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rolling wear of tin coatings induced by non-uniform hertzian stress distribution
Authors: Neubrand J. , Bilgen C. , Weiss H.
Published: January 2014

The wear of TiN coatings in dry rolling contact with a non-uniform Hertzian stress distribution has been studied. Wear behaviour was observed in situ and the mechanisms of damage were examined by optical and electron microscopy and laser profiling. Changes of friction coefficient, weight, residual stress, percentage of undamaged TiN, and surface roughness were also observed. The failure mechanism of TiN coated SAE 52100 steel running against steel rollers was dominated by microcracking, transfer of material, and fatigue; that of TiN against TiN (both on M2 tool steel substrates) was principally adhesive failure, which occurred at the near surface carbides in the steel. Tests involving TiN coated rollers running against TiN coated rollers lasted 39 800 rolling contact cycles, whereas TiN versus steel failed after 8600 cycles and steel versus steel after less than 1700 cycles.
QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISATION OF THIN FILM STRUCTURES
Authors: Rożniatowski K. , Kurzydłowski K. , Ralph B.
Published: January 2014

The properties of thin films are functions of film structure and hence of production route. The structure of thin films consists of macro- and microscale features such as grains, together with pits, cracks, and inclusions, all of which are characterised by their spatial distribution, size, and shape. Some basic definitions and methods that can be used to characterise quantitatively the microstructures of thin films are presented. Examples are given for TiN films produced by plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition and physical vapour deposition.
TRIBOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COBALT-SILICON NITRIDE COMPOSITE COATINGS
Authors: Rajiv E. P. , Iyer A. , Seshadri S. K.
Published: January 2014

Cobalt-silicon nitride composites were produced on mild steel by conventional electrocodeposition from a sulphate bath. These deposits showed better performance than pure cobalt in friction and wear tests against a hardened steel disc under dry sliding conditions. Changes of load and sliding velocity at the interface were also found to influence the tribological performance.
10th IFHT Congress
Authors:   none
Published: January 2014

The 10th Congress of the International Federation of Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering, incorporating the 3rd ASM Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering Conference in Europe, covered all aspects of these technologies in an extensive technical programme linked to an impressive poster display, reports XIAOYING LI of the School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham.
GLOW DISCHARGE PLASMA CHROMISING
Authors: Meng J. , Wu H. , Zou G. , Li W. , Zeng M. , Wei X.
Published: January 2014

The layer morphology and structure resulting from the glow discharge plasma chromising of steels containing 0·22, 0·45, 1·0, and 1·2%C are discussed. The growth kinetics of chromium and carbide layers has been investigated; the relationship between layer thickness and chromising time follows a parabolic law. An equation for growth of the surface carbide layer as a function of matrix carbon activity and chromising time has been derived. The calculated and measured values are in good agreement. It is shown that ion bombardment accelerates chromising.
ELECTRON BEAM SURFACE ENGINEERING OF ALUMINIUM BRONZE
Authors: Shi z. , Bell T.
Published: January 2014

Electron beam surface melting has been carried out on a complex aluminium bronze, CA104. The structural changes have been studied using optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X -ray diffraction analysis. The effect of surface melting on hardness, rolling–sliding wear resistance and friction coefficient, and electrochemical corrosion properties has been investigated. It was found that the surface melting transformed the original α + K structure into a martensitic one. Consequently, the hardness was almost doubled in the melted region. Subsequent tempering further increased the hardness. When running against a hardened steel in dry rolling–sliding wear both the weight loss and the coefficient of friction were reduced by surface melting. Electrochemical corrosion tests also showed an improvement in corrosion resistance in simulated cooling water after surface treatment.
Phase selection during solidification of AISI 420 and AISI 440C tool steels
Authors: Colaço R. , Vilar R.
Published: January 2014

In the present work the influence of solidification conditions on the primary solidification modes of two martensitic stainless tool steels (AISI 420 and AISI 440C) is analysed, with the aim of establishing a basis for the selection of the laser treatment parameters that lead to the most favourable microstructures. Kurz, Giovanola, and Trivedi s solidification model is used to analyse the competition between δferrite and austenite during solidification. The theoretical calculations are compared with experimental results obtained after laser surface melting of AISI420 and AISI 440C with scanning speeds from 1 × 10−3 to 2 × 10−1 m s−l. Calculated results are in good agreement with experimental observations and it is shown that, although the equilibrium solidification mode of both steels used is δferrite, the precipitation of primary austenite from the liquid is kinetically favoured.
New method for low temperature gaseous nitriding of iron
Authors: Inia D. K. , Arnoldbik W. M. , Vredenberg A. M. , Boerma D. O.
Published: January 2014

A new method for obtaining nitride layers in iron at low temperatures is presented. In this method, bulk iron is coated with a thin layer of nickel and is then treated in an NH3/H2 atmosphere at a temperature of 325°C. Analysis by elastic recoil detection, X-ray diffraction, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry shows that nitride layers are formed in Fe which is covered with a Ni layer, while uncovered Fe is oxidised by impurities in the gas. The influence of the Ni layer is discussed. It is shown that it is possible to obtain pore free iron nitride layers at low temperatures.
Erosion characteristics of surface hardened Ni–Al bronze
Authors: Kawazoe T. , Ura A. , Saito M. , Nishikido S.
Published: January 2014

Surface hardness characteristics and erosion resistance of Ni–Al bronze produced by three kinds of quenching have been determined to assess their potential as surface treatments for marine propellers. Flame, high frequency, and laser processing were employed as the surface hardening treatments. Microstructures and distributions of alloying elements were examined using microscopy, computer image analysis, and EP MA. Jominy and ultrasonic erosion tests were also conducted to evaluate the depth of surface hardening andresistance to propeller cavitation erosion. The experiments revealed that Ni–Al bronze has quenching characteristics closely related to those of steel and that bronze surface hardened by flame quenching is about 1·5 times harder than as cast. It was also found that lame quenching is the most suitable technique for surface treatment of propellers.
Surface engineering: Fundamentals to applications
Authors:   none
Published: January 2014

Ample evidence of the economic importance of surface engineering was provided by the three day strand focusing on the discipline within the Institute of Physics Annual Congress in Leeds on 24–27 March. Coverage ranged from engineering coatings to atomic scale studies of surface structure.
Experimental Study of Chromium PVD Coatings on Brass Substrates for the Watch Industry
Authors: Koch M. , Ebersbach U.
Published: January 2014

Chromium coatings on brass substrates produced by the physical vapour deposition process with layer thicknesses of 0·3–5 μm have been investigated with regard to the structural, mechanical, and chemical properties of the layer and coated system. The Cr layers have a fine columnar structure with a crystallite size between 10 and 20 nm as determined by X-ray measurements. The conical columnar shaped crystals made visible by scanning tunnelling microscopy exhibit column diameters in the range 20–60 nm at the surface.The microhardness of the coated system under load HL was 15 000–25 000 MPa, twice as high as that of the substrate. In the scratch test of the coated system cohesive destruction of the coatings was observed a critical load values of 0·1–0·4 N. In corrosion tests the Cr coatings produced by stationary sputtering were mainly dense but occasionally slightly porous. The anodic current density-potential curves for dense Cr films (thickness ∼ 5 μm) are discussed in comparison with several other Cr based materials.
Heat Treatment for Inhibition of Hydrogen Absorption in Ni Plated Steels
Authors: Kuo H. S. , Wu J. K.
Published: January 2014

Hydrogen permeation transients for Ni plated steels were Ineasured at 25°C as a function of heat treatment. Nickel plating on steel significantly reduced the permeation rate and effective diffusivity. The hydrogen barrier efficiency of 8 μm Ni pl{lted steel approached 100% after heat treatment at 850°C for 2 h. The reduction in hydrogen absorption resulted from the outer diffusive layer of Ni–Fe alloy formed at the nickel/steel interface.
Methodology for measuring contact pressure to cause failure of ceramics and coatings using softer blunt cones
Authors: Waddington C. P. , Zhang L. Y. , Brookes E. J. , Brookes C. A.
Published: January 2014

This paper presents results of experiments on the ability of ceramic surfaces to withstand the pressures developed beneath circular contacts which are significantly lower than the indentation hardness of those surfaces. First, a simulated fatigue curve for magnesium oxide crystals is discussed, which establishes a limiting mean pressure below which the surface will not fail by fatigue. This pressure is 0·41 GPa for (001) surfaces of magnesium oxide and compares with the indentation hardness of around 6 GPa. It is shown that the conventional mechanism of fatigue of crystalline solids operates, i.e. dislocation multiplication, work hardening, and crack initiation by dislocation interaction on specific crystallographic planes. Second, it is shown that the same experimental approach can be taken to evaluate the integrity of diamond coatings on single crystal (001) silicon substrates. In addition, it is shown that the mean contact pressure to induce failure is reduced under contact fatigue conditions.
Comparison of coating failure induced by indentation and bending test
Authors: Angélélis C. , Ducarroir M. , Felder E. , Ignat M. , Scordo S.
Published: January 2014

When applying a coating on to a substrate for any use, a fundamental consideration is its mechanical stability. Generally this is assessed by a scratch test, but owing to the complex stress field involved and the numerous parameters acting on the acoustic emission, with this test even intersample comparison is unreliable. Silicon–carbon films, applied by CVD on to a steel substrate in a microwave device, were tested by Vickers and Rockwell indentation and a three point bending test to initiate damage. The damage induced is described and discussed and the qualitative results are compared. It is shown that features related to the strength and adhesion of the deposit can be deduced from knowledge of the values of the external forces applied in the tests.
Hydrogen free tetrahedral carbon film preparation and tribological characterisation
Authors: Tay B. K. , Shi X. , Flynn D. I. , Sun Z.
Published: January 2014

Amorphous carbon containing very little hydrogen and having a highly tetrahedral structure was deposited by the filtered cathodic vacuum arc technique. The tribological properties of the films produced were determined by an ultralow load depth sensing nanoindenter to examine their dependence on the carbon ion energy. An optimum ion energy of around 80 to 90 eV has been found, which coincides with the energy at which the Sp3 content and film density reach maximum values. At this ion energy, the hardness, modulus, and critical load of a 60 nm film on sapphire exhibit maximum values of 60 GPa, 580 GPa, and 7 mN, respectively. The frictional coefficient shows a minimum of 0·16. The use of a continuous stiffness technique with sapphire substrates registered improvements of 43 and 68% in hardness and modulus over the same film on silicon using a normal loading and unloading indentation technique. The modulus to hardness ratio of close to 10 for these samples confirms that there is a great improvement in modulus.
Surface modification of Ti–6Al–4V alloy using metal arc heat source
Authors: Khan T. I. , Fowles D.
Published: January 2014

The surface alloying of materials such as Ti–6Al–4V is necessary to improve their wear resistance for use in tribological applications. Conventional nitriding techniques involve long processing times and the latest technology of laser processing, although widely used, is expensive. In this preliminary study, it is shown that a tungsten metal arc heat source is capable of accurate surface melting to a depth of 2 Inm and more and, when used in a controlled atmosphere of pure nitrogen or a mixture of nitrogen and argon, can produce a wear resistant surface alloy. The use of standard microhardness techniques together with wear assessment methods shows superior wear behaviour over the untreated titanium alloy. Metallographic and X-ray diffraction techniques suggest that this is a result of the formation of TiN in the resolidified region.
Fabrication of functionally graded TiN coating by reactive plasma spraying
Authors: Fukumoto M. , Itoh Shigekazu , Itoh Shogo
Published: January 2014

The fundamental nature of the nitriding of solid state Ti alloy by rf plasma has been investigated. A linear relationship was found between the thickness of the nitride layer and the square root of nitriding time. It therefore seems that the plasma nitriding process is diffusion dominated. The diffusion rate of nitrogen in the Ti alloy (Rd) was estimated from the experimental results obtained, and the plasma spraying of Ti powder was conducted with a deposition rate less than Rd. By using this process, it was possible to fabricate a thick nitride coating at a high deposition rate; the degree of nitriding of the coating could be controlled by changing the deposition rate. On the basis of this result, a functionally graded coating, whose composition changed from the coating/substrate interface to the coating surface, was fabricated by changing the deposition rate. Wear tests demonstrated that the wear resistance of the nitride coating was equivalent to that of a nitrided layer on the Ti alloy.
Integrated infrared sensor system for on line monitoring of thermally sprayed particles
Authors: Blain J. , Nadeau F. , Pouliot L. , Moreau C. , Gougeon P. , Leblanc L.
Published: January 2014

The structure and properties of thermally sprayed coatings depend directly on the state of the particles before impact on the substrate or the already deposited coating layers. Monitoring particle parameters can thus provide a unique tool for optimising coating properties as well as controlling spraying processes during coating deposition. In this paper, a new optical sensing device for on line monitoring of temperature, velocity, diameter, and trajectory of in flight particles during coating production is described. Thermal radiation emitted by in flight particles is collected by a sensing head that can be attached to the gun providing continuous monitoring of the spray process. The collected radiation is transmitted through optical fibres to a detection cabinet located away from the dusty environment around the operating spray gun. Tests were carried out on two identical plasma torches with significant differences in deposition efficiency. Measured particle flowrates were in agreement with efficiency differences.
Improvement of Gas Nitriding Process by Prior Surface Quality Control
Authors: Haase B. , Stiles M. , Dong J.
Published: January 2014

Thermochemical processes for metal surface modification such as nitriding and nitrocarburising are sequences of physicochemical, chemical, and metallurgical reactions. The heterogeneous reaction in particular (formation of atomic nitrogen at the surface, from adsorbed ammonia in nitriding or from nitrogen in plasma nitriding) is not yet fully understood. Nevertheless, the nitriding and nitrocarburising processes are broadly applied, especially in the automotive industry, to form wear and corrosion resistant surfaces for motor and gear components. Steel manufacturing affects not only the shape of a workpiece but also its surface structure and composition. Different steels and metal compounds (oxides and phosphates), as exist in the form of surface layers on industrial parts after machining, have been nitrided in several gas atmospheres to explore possible mechanisms of reaction inhibition or acceleration with the aim of developing a more reproducible nitriding process. For most materials examined, functionally clean reference specimens seldom showed the highest nitrogen concentrations.
Wear Behaviour of Steel and Titanium Treated by Pulsed IoN Implantation
Authors: Feugeas J. , Grigioni G. , Sánchez G. , da Costa A. Rodriguez
Published: January 2014

Ion beams generated by plasma guns operated in detonation mode follow the energy spectral lawdN/dE ≍ E–3·5(number of ions N with energy E), with E in the range 20–500 keV, and a time duration ∆t of 200-400 ns. These pulsed ion beams were used to implant nitrogen ions into steel and pure Ti. The results show a reduction in the wear rate of stainless steel by a factor of 10, and of high speed steel by a factor of 2, and also a reduction in friction coefficient. In addition, in autotempering steel and Ti, an increase in Vickers microhardness by a factor of between 2 and 3 was measured. The XPS and X-ray diffraction measurements also show high nitrogen concentration in the surface layers, with the nitriding producing the desired stoichiometry for tribological purposes. A studyof the temperature evolution of the substrate owing to the pulsed nature of the beams (heating rate around 15 K ns–1, temperature gradients of around 1500 K μm–1, and peak temperatures near the melting point) shows that it plays an important role in the surface modification process.
Thermal sprayed piston ring coatings for tomorrow's heavy duty engines
Authors: Delaët M.
Published: January 2014

Plasma arc sprayed coatings are under development at Perfect Circle Europe because of the large numberof possible coating materials, ensuring a wide range of tribological properties. Spraying parameters are of great importance in improving coating structure and hence coating wear, adhesion, cohesion, and corrosion resistance. First of all the plasma gas was studied; experiments were then conducted to optimise the spraying parameters. To a greater extent than the spraying parameters, it was found that the powder formulation has a major influence on the coating tribological properties. Several powders have been studied with the aim of reducing the ring–liner system wear. Tests on idealised specimens coupled with engine tests help to characterise the tribological behaviour of some molybdenum based coatings.
Morphological modelling of surfaces
Authors: Jeulin D.
Published: January 2014

For various types of surfaces, such as rough surfaces, coatings, and interfaces, there is a need for morphological characterisation and modelling. Morphological properties of surfaces obtained from image analysis techniques can be used to provide quantitative data on surface topography, including size distribution of peaks and valleys, connectivity, geodesic properties, and statistical properties. Several types of surface modeling are introduced: the generation of random surfaces reproducing the textures of rough surfaces by means of random function models imitating some physical process, for which probability properties can be determined; the generation of surfaces by combining surface morphology and simulation of surface evolution during a deformation process (shot peening, indentation); and the generation of coating layers from lattice-gas models which reproduce the deposition of particles on to a substrate.
Wear testing of hard coatings: More than wear rate?
Authors: Celis J.-P. , Stals L. , Vancoille E. , Mohrbacher H.
Published: January 2014

The present paper describes how in depth analysis and modelling of wear data obtained from uni- and bidirectional wear tests were used to determine criteria for the selection of materials for tribological applications. Different wear modes in unidirectional ball on disc tests were linked to a load to roughness dependence between body and counterbody. The displacement of the ball is described using a particle flux model and the wear rate in bidirectional fretting tests is discussed, including a new concept based on dissipated frictional energy. The merits of the various approaches used to measure wear in tribological systems are also discussed.
Stress-strain curves at near surface of zinc phosphate coated steel
Authors: Dubar L. , Dubois A. , Bricout J. P. , Oudin J.
Published: January 2014

New homogeneous stress-strain curves were determined for a material made of a thin reactive zinc stearate/phosphate bilayer coating and a neighbouring parent steel in order to improve the accuracy of contact friction database contents. The new procedure involves Brinell hardness testing, the tests being performed within a wide range of loadings. The stress-strain curves were plotted from inverse method calculations which refer to non-linear finite element modelling of the indented zone. The coating and the neighbouring steel were considered as homogeneous materials.
Mechanical properties of TiN thin films investigated using biaxial tensile testing
Authors: Shojaei O. R. , Kruml T. , Karimi A. , Martin J. L.
Published: January 2014

Mechanical properties of TiN thin films were investigated using bulge test measurements performed on square freestanding membranes. For this purpose, both sides of n type Si(1OO) wafers were first coated by a layer of low stress SiN thin films (thickness t = 465 nm). The square windows of side 2a = 4 mm were then made using standard micromachining techniques to obtain freestanding SiN membranes. The edges of the windows were usually aligned with the [110] directions of the underlying Si wafer in order to make perfect squares bounded by (111) planes. These specimens were then coated by a layer of TiNx (0·84 < x < 1·3), using the rf magnetron sputtering method. Bulge testing was first conducted on an SiN film to determine its proper residual stress and Youngs modulus, which were found to be (σi = 227 ± 15 MPa and E = 225 ± lO GPa respectively. Then the composite membrane made of TiNx together with underlying SiNy was bulged and the related load-displacement variation was measured. Finally, using a simple rule of mixtures formula, the elastic mechanical properties of TiNx coatings were determined. Both the Young s modulus and residual stress increased with bias voltage, N/Ti ratio, and coating density. In contrast, the effect of substrate temperature below 600°C was found to be less significant than that of other parameters. Scanning electron microscopy of cross-sectioned specimens showed that coating growth occurs by the formation of equiaxial nanocrystallites, 10-30 nm in size, leading to columnar morphology beyond a thickness of 100-150 nm. The columns are nearly perpendicular to the film surface. The bulge test results are discussed in terms of coating microstructure and chemical composition determined by means of electron probe microscopy.
Effect of ceria coatings on growth stresses in wustite scales at 800°C
Authors: Buscail H. , Larpin J. P. , Sciara E. , Gerard N.
Published: January 2014

This paper discusses the influence of CeO2 surface modification on the stress developed during pure iron oxidation (oxygen partial pressure = 2 × 10−3 Pa, T = 800°C). Dn blank and coated specimens, the compressive stress varies from −400 ± 80 to −150 ± 100 MPa during the 30 h oxidation test. The in situ XRD compressive stress level determined from the FeO scale is not strongly dependent on the presence of a ceria coating under conditions where no strong epitaxial relationships exist between FeO and an uncoated specimen. Surface modification with low pressure starting conditions induces epitaxial relationships between the FeO scale and iron. This leads to a high in situ compressive stress in the oxide scale, indicating that epitaxial relationships can be a source of stress in an oxide scale. Compressive stress in the scale can be reduced by the use of a ceria coating, known to prevent epitaxial relationships.
Fatigue behaviour of HVOF coated M50 steel rolling elements
Authors: Ahmed R. , Hadfield M.
Published: January 2014

An experimental approach using a modified four ball machine has been used to investigate the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) performance and failure modes of WC-12Co coated rolling elements deposited by the high velocity oxyfuel (HVOF) process. The rolling elements were in the form of12·7 mm diameter M50 bearing steel rolling element balls. The RCF tests were conducted under various tribological conditions of contact loading in conventional steel ball bearing and hybrid ceramic bearing configurations. Results indicate that the rolling elements failed at contactloads above 2·4 GPa and that the failure mode was coated delamination at the coating/substrate interface. Moreover, an appreciable amount of surface wear was observed on the surface of the rolling elements after the RCF tests. The test results and failure modes are discussed in thecontext of the coating/substrate microhardness results, elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) regimes, surface observation of the failed areas using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), slip analysis, frictional torque measurements, and stress contours developed by finite element modelling ofthe coated rolling element ball. Solutions to resist interfacial delamination are also discussed
Modelling of concentration, flow stress and residual stress due to surface hardening with interstitial solutes
Authors: Blush Jason J.
Published: January 2014

Low solute concentration interstitial diffusion was modelled to show the effects of an interstitial solute on flow stress, residual stress and hardness. In the present paper, the Ti–N system is used as an example to model this process. However, the concept is general and can be applied to similar systems that benefit from the hardening treatment. Profiles of solute concentration as a function of distance into the sample are shown for various combinations of pressure, temperature and time. It is shown that hardness, flow stress and residual stress all increase in magnitude with solute concentration. Large residual stresses are created in the hardened layer which are sustained owing to the corresponding increase in flow stress.
International projects in surface engineering in collaboration with Professor Tom Bell
Authors: Baan M. K.
Published: January 2014

After his death, Professor Tom Bell will be remembered and missed for many years at the University of Miskolc, where the community of material scientists has been privileged to collaborate with him for a period of 15 years. Moreover, several students will learn from him in the future, even if they can never more meet him personally, but will study surface engineering from his video presentations.
Quantitative prediction of the effect of genetic variation using hidden Markov models
Authors: Liu Mingming , Watson Layne T , Zhang Liqing
Published: January 2014

Background

With the development of sequencing technologies, more and more sequence variants are available for investigation. Different classes of variants in the human genome have been identified, including single nucleotide substitutions, insertion and deletion, and large structural variations such as duplications and deletions. Insertion and deletion (indel) variants comprise a major proportion of human genetic variation. However, little is known about their effects on humans. The absence of understanding is largely due to the lack of both biological data and computational resources.

Results

This paper presents a new indel functional prediction method HMMvar based on HMM profiles, which capture the conservation information in sequences. The results demonstrate that a scoring strategy based on HMM profiles can achieve good performance in identifying deleterious or neutral variants for different data sets, and can predict the protein functional effects of both single and multiple mutations.

Conclusions

This paper proposed a quantitative prediction method, HMMvar, to predict the effect of genetic variation using hidden Markov models. The HMM based pipeline program implementing the method HMMvar is freely available at https://bioinformatics.cs.vt.edu/zhanglab/hmm.
Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in patients with pulmonary actinomycosis
Authors: Park Ji Young , Lee Taehoon , Lee Hongyeul , Lim Hyo-Jeong , Lee Jinwoo , Park Jong Sun , Cho Young-Jae , Park Young Sik , Lee Chang-Hoon , Lee Sang-Min , Yoon Ho Il , Yim Jae-Joon , Yoo Chul-Gyu , Kim Young Whan , Han Sung Koo , Lee Choon-Taek , Lee Jae Ho
Published: January 2014

Background

There have been few studies of pulmonary actinomycosis, which is an uncommon anaerobic infection. Consequently, the optimal therapeutic regimen, appropriate duration of treatment, long-term prognosis, and factors predicting prognosis are not well established.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of histopathologically confirmed cases of pulmonary actinomycosis seen between November 2003 and December 2012.

Results

The study included 68 patients with a mean age of 58.4 ± 11.6 years. Of the 68, initial surgery was performed in 15 patients (22.1%), while the remaining 53 (77.9%) received antibiotic therapy initially. In the initial antibiotic group, 45/53 (84.9%) were cured without relapse (median antibiotic duration 5.3 months). 5/53 (9.4%) patients were refractory medically (median antibiotic duration 9.7 months), and 3/53 (5.7%) experienced a recurrence (median time to relapse 35.3 months). In the initial surgery group, 14/15 (93.3%) were cured and treatment failure occurred in one (6.7%). In the multivariate analysis, the absence of an antibiotic response at 1 month was the only independent factor associated with a poor treatment outcome, with an adjusted odds ratio of 49.2 (95% CI, 3.34–724.30). There was no significant difference in treatment outcome based on the size of the parenchymal lesion, comorbidities, whether intravenous antibiotics were used, antibiotic therapy duration, or whether the initial treatment was surgical.

Conclusions

Antibiotic treatment with or without surgery was effective for treatment of pulmonary actinomycosis. Nevertheless, treatment failure or recurrence occurred in a considerable proportion of patients, especially those resistant to the initial antibiotic treatment.
Cross-layer design of adaptive modulation and coding for multicast system with random network coding
Authors: Kim Jinwoo , Kim Kyung A , Jeong Jin S , Kang Chung G
Published: January 2014

This paper deals with a cross-layer design that combines link adaptation in the physical layer with random network coding for layered video multicasting in a cellular system. The objective is to design the optimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) threshold for adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) that can satisfy the target frame loss rate (FLS) under a delay constraint associated with real-time multicasting services. A common uplink feedback channel shared by all users is introduced to reduce the redundant transmission of the random network-coded packets, so that no unnecessarily redundant transmission can be made when the multicast packet is successful for all receivers, avoiding the overhead of the uplink wireless resource associated with each user for individual feedback. Based on our analytical results on spectral efficiency for the cellular system, we show that the aggressive AMC design approach with the common feedback channel in the multicast system outperforms all other approaches.
Removal of dichloromethane from waste gas streams using a hybrid bubble column/biofilter bioreactor
Authors: Abtahi Mehrnoosh , Naddafi Kazem , Mesdaghinia Alireza , Yaghmaeian Kamyar , Nabizadeh Ramin , Jaafarzadeh Nematollah , Rastkari Noushin , Nazmara Shahrokh , Saeedi Reza
Published: January 2014

The performance of a hybrid bubble column/biofilter (HBCB) bioreactor for the removal of dichloromethane (DCM) from waste gas streams was studied in continuous mode for several months. The HBCB bioreactor consisted of two compartments: bubble column bioreactor removing DCM from liquid phase and biofilter removing DCM from gas phase. Effect of inlet DCM concentration on the elimination capacity was examined in the DCM concentration range of 34–359 ppm with loading rates ranged from 2.2 to 22.8 g/m3.h and constant total empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 200 s. In the equal loading rates, the elimination capacity and removal efficiency of the biofilter were higher than the corresponding values of the bubble column bioreactor. The maximum elimination capacity of the HBCB bioreactor was determined to be 15.7 g/m3.h occurred in the highest loading rate of 22.8 g/m3.h with removal efficiency of 69%. The overall mineralization portion of the HBCB bioreactor was in the range of 72-79%. The mixed liquor acidic pH especially below 5.5 inhibited microbial activity and decreased the elimination capacity. Inhibitory effect of high ionic strength was initiated in the mixed liquor electrical conductivity of 12.2 mS/cm. This study indicated that the HBCB bioreactor could benefit from advantages of both bubble column and biofilter reactors and could remove DCM from waste gas streams in a better manner.
A genome-wide association study follow-up suggests a possible role for PPARG in systemic sclerosis susceptibility
Authors: López-Isac Elena , Bossini-Castillo Lara , Simeon Carmen P , Egurbide María Victoria , Alegre-Sancho Juan José , Callejas Jose Luis , Roman-Ivorra José Andrés , Freire Mayka , Beretta Lorenzo , Santaniello Alessandro , Airó Paolo , Lunardi Claudio , Hunzelmann Nicolas , Riemekasten Gabriela , Witte Torsten , Kreuter Alexander , Distler Jörg H W , Schuerwegh Annemie J , Vonk Madelon C , Voskuyl Alexandre E , Shiels Paul G , van Laar Jacob M , Fonseca Carmen , Denton Christopher , Herrick Ariane , Worthington Jane , Assassi Shervin , Koeleman Bobby P , Mayes Maureen D , Radstake Timothy RDJ , Martin Javier ,   Spanish Scleroderma Group
Published: January 2014

Introduction

A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) comprising a French cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) reported several non-HLA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing a nominal association in the discovery phase. We aimed to identify previously overlooked susceptibility variants by using a follow-up strategy.

Methods

Sixty-six non-HLA SNPs showing a P value <10-4 in the discovery phase of the French SSc GWAS were analyzed in the first step of this study, performing a meta-analysis that combined data from the two published SSc GWASs. A total of 2,921 SSc patients and 6,963 healthy controls were included in this first phase. Two SNPs, PPARG rs310746 and CHRNA9 rs6832151, were selected for genotyping in the replication cohort (1,068 SSc patients and 6,762 healthy controls) based on the results of the first step. Genotyping was performed by using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays.

Results

We observed nominal associations for both PPARG rs310746 (PMH = 1.90 × 10-6, OR, 1.28) and CHRNA9 rs6832151 (PMH = 4.30 × 10-6, OR, 1.17) genetic variants with SSc in the first step of our study. In the replication phase, we observed a trend of association for PPARG rs310746 (P value = 0.066; OR, 1.17). The combined overall Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis of all the cohorts included in the present study revealed that PPARG rs310746 remained associated with SSc with a nominal non-genome-wide significant P value (PMH = 5.00 × 10-7; OR, 1.25). No evidence of association was observed for CHRNA9 rs6832151 either in the replication phase or in the overall pooled analysis.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a role of PPARG gene in the development of SSc.
Constitutive patterns of gene expression regulated by RNA-binding proteins
Authors: Cirillo Davide , Marchese Domenica , Agostini Federico , Livi Carmen Maria , Botta-Orfila Teresa , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano
Published: January 2014

Background

RNA-binding proteins regulate a number of cellular processes, including synthesis, folding, translocation, assembly and clearance of RNAs. Recent studies have reported that an unexpectedly large number of proteins are able to interact with RNA, but the partners of many RNA-binding proteins are still uncharacterized.

Results

We combined prediction of ribonucleoprotein interactions, based on catRAPID calculations, with analysis of protein and RNA expression profiles from human tissues. We found strong interaction propensities for both positively and negatively correlated expression patterns. Our integration of in silico and ex vivo data unraveled two major types of protein–RNA interactions, with positively correlated patterns related to cell cycle control and negatively correlated patterns related to survival, growth and differentiation. To facilitate the investigation of protein–RNA interactions and expression networks, we developed the catRAPID express web server.

Conclusions

Our analysis sheds light on the role of RNA-binding proteins in regulating proliferation and differentiation processes, and we provide a data exploration tool to aid future experimental studies.
Comparison of human adult stem cells from adipose tissue and bone marrow in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Semon Julie A , Maness Catherine , Zhang Xiujuan , Sharkey Steven A , Beuttler Marc M , Shah Forum S , Pandey Amitabh C , Gimble Jeffrey M , Zhang Shijia , Scruggs Brittni A , Strong Amy L , Strong Thomas A , Bunnell Bruce A
Published: January 2014

Introduction

While administration of ex vivo culture-expanded stem cells has been used to study immunosuppressive mechanisms in multiple models of autoimmune diseases, less is known about the uncultured, nonexpanded stromal vascular fraction (SVF)-based therapy. The SVF is composed of a heterogeneous population of cells and has been used clinically to treat acute and chronic diseases, alleviating symptoms in a range of tissues and organs.

Methods

In this study, the ability of human SVF cells was compared with culture-expanded adipose stem cells (ASCs) and bone-derived marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as a treatment of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35–55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalitis in C57Bl/6J mice, a well-studied multiple sclerosis model (MS). A total of 1 × 106 BMSCs, ASCs, or SVF cells were administered intraperitoneally concomitantly with the induction of disease. Mice were monitored daily for clinical signs of disease by three independent, blinded investigators and rated on a scale of 0 to 5. Spinal cords were obtained after euthanasia at day 30 and processed for histological staining using luxol fast blue, toluidine blue, and hematoxylin and eosin to measure myelin and infiltrating immune cells. Blood was collected from mice at day 30 and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Results

The data indicate that intraperitoneal administration of all cell types significantly ameliorates the severity of disease. Furthermore, the data also demonstrate, for the first time, that the SVF was as effective as the more commonly cultured BMSCs and ASCs in an MS model. All cell therapies also demonstrated a similar reduction in tissue damage, inflammatory infiltrates, and sera levels of IFNγ and IL-12. While IFNγ levels were reduced to comparable levels between treatment groups, levels of IL-12 were significantly lower in SVF-treated than BMSC-treated or ASC-treated mice.

Conclusions

Based on these data, it is evident that SVF cells have relevant therapeutic potential in an animal model of chronic MS and might represent a valuable tool for stem cell-based therapy in chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. SVF offers advantages of direct and rapid isolation procedure in a xenobiotic-free environment.
The role and place of advanced professional training in the system of tourism education
Authors: Фодоря Анна , Fodorya Anna
Published: January 2014

The paper analyzes the problems and prospects of the development of the system of advanced professional

training in tourism. One of the problems of the tourism industry, which is closely related to the activities of specialized educational institutions, is the disparity between the nature of demand and supply in the

labor market industry. The necessity of improving the system of vocational education and the transition

to a practice-oriented teaching, the development of new educational programs for advanced professional

training and the introduction of new teaching methods are substantiated. The main problems to be solved in

the system of advanced professional training in tourism are revealed. It is noted that advanced professional

training in tourism for teachers will establish a system of continuing education, enabling them to learn new

technologies and skills needed to manage a successful teaching in the present conditions, and to enhance

students’ employability and subsequent successful career in tourism.
Monumental sculpture and battle of ideologies: history and current challenges
Authors: Федулин Александр , Fedulin Aleksandr , Багдасарян Вардан , Bagdasaryan Vardan
Published: January 2014

Genesis of phenomenon «battles of monuments» is investigated in the article. Particular historic role of monumental sculpture in ideological propaganda is proved. «Crucial points» of «battles of monuments» in history and modern life are revealed. Ideological component of battle against Soviet symbolics is considered.
Estrogen receptor beta in prostate cancer: friend or foe?
Authors: Nelson Adam W , Tilley Wayne D , Neal David E , Carroll Jason S
Published: January 2014

Prostate cancer is the commonest, non-cutaneous cancer in men. At present, there is no cure for the advanced, castration-resistant form of the disease. Estrogen has been shown to be important in prostate carcinogenesis, with evidence resulting from epidemiological, cancer cell line, human tissue and animal studies. The prostate expresses both estrogen receptor alpha (ERA) and estrogen receptor beta (ERB). Most evidence suggests that ERA mediates the harmful effects of estrogen in the prostate, whereas ERB is tumour suppressive, but trials of ERB-selective agents have not translated into improved clinical outcomes. The role of ERB in the prostate remains unclear and there is increasing evidence that isoforms of ERB may be oncogenic. Detailed study of ERB and ERB isoforms in the prostate is required to establish their cell-specific roles, in order to determine if therapies can be directed towards ERB-dependent pathways. In this review, we summarise evidence on the role of ERB in prostate cancer and highlight areas for future research.
Minimum energy control of positive continuous-time linear systems with bounded inputs
Authors: Kaczorek Tadeusz
Published: January 2014

The minimum energy control problem for positive continuous-time linear systems with bounded inputs is formulated and solved. Sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution to the problem are established. A procedure for solving the problem is proposed and illustrated with a numerical example.
EFFECTS OF FLAX SEED SUPPLEMENTATION TO LACTATING GOATS ON MILK FATTY ACID CONTENT
Authors: Ingvortová Miroslava , Čermák Bohuslav , Zábranský Luboš , Šimková Anna , Švejdová Kateřina , Šoch Miloslav
Published: January 2014

Goat milk is very valuable and desired food for its high digestibility and unique composition, because contains only small amount of milk protein casein, thus is suitable for casein allergy. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of pastures located in lessfavoured areas of Czech Republic and to investigate the influence of that quality on the content of fatty acids in goat milk. Two groups of goats were fed ad libitum intake of meadow hay and concentrate supplements, for experimental group contained 0.1 kg of flaxseed. Results of experimental group shows reduced SFA and increased content of MUFA and PUFA. Flax seed supplementation has an positive effect on increasing CLA in milk fat
EFFECT OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY OF CATTLE HOUSING WATERBEDS ON COMFORT, HEALTH AND MILK PRODUCTION
Authors: Šimková Anna , Šoch Miloslav , Švejdová Kateřina , Zábranský Luboš , Novák Pavel , Brouček Jan , Čermák Bohuslav , Pálka Václav , Šimák-Líbalová Kristýna
Published: January 2014

A new housing technology double-chamber cow waterbeds should provide the animals with greater comfort improve their health and increase milk production. The study was carried out in the stable for dairy cows and heifers. They were stabled in free-stall housing. Rubber mattresses had been replaced with double-chamber cow waterbeds. The aim of the study was to determine their effect on comfort, health, occurrence of mastitis, count of somatic cells, total milk production. The study confirmed the reduction of number of animals with injuries of feet and incidence of mastitis. The values of somatic cells in milk were constant. Positive effect was shown with fluent increase in milk production. It increased the number of cows and heifers lying in the boxes.
MEASURING THE BODY SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF ANIMALS USING A THERMOGRAPHIC CAMERA
Authors: Švejdová Kateřina , Šoch Miloslav , Šimková Anna , Zábranský Luboš , Novák Pavel , Brouček Jan , Čermák Bohuslav , Pálka Václav , Šimák-Líbalová Kristýna
Published: January 2014

in this experiment it was used contactless measurement method using a thermographic camera. Surface temperatures were recorded from three different parts of the animal,(the surface of the core body, the eyes and the udde)r. The aim of this study was to determine how much the temperature values that are obtained using the thermographic camera are accurate.. Its accuracy depends on many factors such as particularly good settings of the thermographic camera, a microclimate of environment, an emissivity of measured object, the character and colour of the coat or the degree of muscles. It was also monitor the correlation of the measured surface temperatures with a rectal temperature, which is an indicative of the internal body temperature.
Riemann Integral of Functions from ℝ into Real Banach Space
Authors: Narita Keiko , Endou Noboru , Shidama Yasunari
Published: January 2014

In this article we deal with the Riemann integral of functions from R into a real Banach space. The last theorem establishes the integrability of continuous functions on the closed interval of reals. To prove the integrability we defined uniform continuity for functions from R into a real normed space, and proved related theorems. We also stated some properties of finite sequences of elements of a real normed space and finite sequences of real numbers. In addition we proved some theorems about the convergence of sequences. We applied definitions introduced in the previous article [21] to the proof of integrability.
Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of beebread, and its influence on the glioblastoma cell line (U87MG)
Authors: Markiewicz-Żukowska Renata , Naliwajko Sylwia K. , Bartosiuk Emilia , Moskwa Justyna , Isidorov Valery , Soroczyńska Jolanta , Borawska Maria H.
Published: January 2014

Beebread is processed pollen stored in the cells of the honeycomb, with the addition of various enzymes and honey, which undergoes lactic acid fermentation. Ethanolic extracts (EBBs) were obtained from three different samples of beebread from Poland. Assays were carried out for the determination of chemical composition (GC/MS), for the total phenolic content, and for the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The effects of beebread extracts (10, 20, 30, 50, 100 μg/mL) on the viability of the glioblastoma cell line (U87MG) were studied after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Our results indicated a time-dependent inhibitory effect on the viability of U87MG cells treated EBB. The main inhibitory effect of EBB was observed after 72 h; EBB treatment decreased cell viability to 49 - 66%.