bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Applicability of the 1980 Hague Abduction Convention in Muslim Countries: Particular Reference to the Malaysian Position
Authors: Hamid Abdul Ghafur , Hak Nora Abdul , Zin Najibah Mohd , Jani Hidayati Mohamed
Published: December 2017

In response to the increasing number of traumatic international child abduction cases, the Hague Abduction Convention (the Convention) has been adopted to secure the return of abducted children to their home country. Most Muslim countries are, however, not yet parties to the Convention. This article seeks to investigate the reason for this phenomenon, focusing in particular on the Convention’s compatibility with basic tenets of Islamic law. The article also evaluates Malaysian domestic legislation and case law in order to assess whether Malaysia is in a position to be a party to the Convention. The article finds that although there are a few areas of concern, no serious incompatibility between Shari’ah and the Convention exist, and that more dissemination is required to quash misconceptions about the Convention among Muslim countries. The article concludes with recommendations for Muslim countries in this crucial area of protecting the best interests of our children.
The draft genome of Brucella abortus strain Ba col-B012, isolated from a dairy farm in Nariño, Colombia, bring new insights into the epidemiology of biovar 4 strains
Authors: Pacheco-Montealegre Mauricio , Patiño Rocío E. , Torres Ligia , Jiménez Sabrina , Rodríguez José Luis , Caro-Quintero Alejandro
Published: December 2017

Brucellosis is a commonly diagnosed zoonosis that causes infertility and abortion in cattle, it is acquired from handling of infected animals or consuming contaminated milk or milk products. In Colombia, it belongs to the official notifiable disease list, despite its relevance little is known about the origin, epidemiology and the genetic constituents of the strains circulating in dairy farms. Here we present the draft genome of B. abortus Ba Col-B012, an isolate obtained from a female Holstein belonging to a dairy farm in Nariño, Colombia. This genome comprises 3,234,714 bp and 3018 predicted protein-encoding genes. Using comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis, we found that the strain Ba Col-B012 clustered with known biovar 4 variants. The analysis of the core genes allowed the identification of polymorphisms only present in biovar 4 genomes, these regions are proposed as possible targets for identification by PCR. The sequencing of B. abortus Ba Col-B012 genome provides important insights to improve the diagnosis and the epidemiology of this disease and represents the first report of the biovar 4 in Colombia.
Sample-based integrated background subtraction and shadow detection
Authors: Varghese Arun , G Sreelekha
Published: December 2017

This paper presents an integrated background subtraction and shadow detection algorithm to identify background, shadow, and foreground regions in a video sequence, a fundamental task in video analytics. The background is modeled at pixel level with a collection of previously observed background pixel values. An input pixel is classified as background if it finds the required number of matches with the samples in the model. The number of matches required with the samples in the model to classify an incoming pixel as background is continuously adapted at pixel level according to the stability of pixel observations over time, thereby making better use of samples in dynamic as well as stable regions of the background. Pixels which are not classified as background in the background subtraction step are compared with a pixel-level shadow model. The shadow model is similar to the background model in that it consists of actually observed shadowed pixel values. Sample-based shadow modeling is a novel approach that solves the highly difficult problem of accurately modeling all types of shadows. Shadow detection by matching with the samples in the model exploits the recurrence of similar shadow values at pixel level. Evaluation tests on various public datasets demonstrate near state-of-the-art background subtraction and state-of-the-art shadow detection performance. Even though the proposed method contains shadow detection processing, the implementation cost is small compared with existing methods.
The peer review process for awarding funds to international science research consortia: a qualitative developmental evaluation
Authors: Gregorius Stefanie , Dean Laura , Cole Donald C , Bates Imelda
Published: December 2017

Background: Evaluating applications for multi-national, multi-disciplinary, dual-purpose research consortia is highly complex. There has been little research on the peer review process for evaluating grant applications and almost none on how applications for multi-national consortia are reviewed. Overseas development investments are increasingly being channelled into international science consortia to generate high-quality research while simultaneously strengthening multi-disciplinary research capacity. We need a better understanding of how such decisions are made and their effectiveness.

Methods: An award-making institution planned to fund 10 UK-Africa research consortia. Over two annual rounds, 34 out of 78 eligible applications were shortlisted and reviewed by at least five external reviewers before final selections were made by a face-to-face panel. We used an innovative approach involving structured, overt observations of award-making panel meetings and semi-structured interviews with panel members to explore how assessment criteria concerning research quality and capacity strengthening were applied during the peer review process. Data were coded and analysed using pre-designed matrices which incorporated categories relating to the assessment criteria.

Results: In general the process was rigorous and well-managed. However, lack of clarity about differential weighting of criteria and variations in the panel’s understanding of research capacity strengthening resulted in some inconsistencies in use of the assessment criteria. Using the same panel for both rounds had advantages, in that during the second round consensus was achieved more quickly and the panel had increased focus on development aspects.

Conclusion: Grant assessment panels for such complex research applications need to have topic- and context-specific expertise. They must also understand research capacity issues and have a flexible but equitable and transparent approach. This study has developed and tested an approach for evaluating the operation of such panels and has generated lessons that can promote coherence and transparency among grant-makers and ultimately make the award-making process more effective.
On the properties of k-balancing and k-Lucas-balancing numbers
Authors: Ray Prasanta Kumar
Published: December 2017

The k-Lucas-balancing numbers are obtained from a special sequence of squares of k-balancing numbers in a natural form. In this paper, we will study some properties of k-Lucas-balancing numbers and establish relationship between these numbers and k-balancing numbers.
Improvement of the contract system in the sphere of purchase based on geological-economic monitoring
Authors: Дадыкин Валерий , Dadykin Valeriy , Дадыкина Ольга , Dadykina Olga
Published: December 2017

The questions of optimizing the reproduction indices of mineral and raw materials base are determined by the Budget Code of the Russian Federation and Federal Law No. 44-FZ of 05.04.2013 and are caused by a discrepancy between the economic interests of participants in the procurement process. Rosnedra, as a state customer, organizes purchases. The subjects entering into relations with the state customer in the stage of determining the supplier are legally independent geological organizations with their own means of production. The main indicator of their activity is maximization of revenue and profits from fulfillment of orders. For federal, regional and local government bodies, the goal is to maintain geological services markets, develop a regional mineral resource base. It follows that economic motivations of potential participants do not always coincide, and sometimes even contradict each other. In our opinion, one of the ways to maintain reproductive cycles of the mineral resource base is to use geoinformation systems in geological exploration modeling through the classification of methods and tools, determining composition of the modules consisting of indicators, conducting their peer review. The purpose of the study is to analyze and systematize the provisions of the contract system in the procurement segment and propose the ways to improve it, based on geological and economic monitoring, to group monitoring indicators into three interacting functional blocks within a single data warehouse: mineral resource base, mineral resource complex and mineral resources potential. The research methodology includes analysis of subsoil users operating in the region; deposits with industrial categories; deposits with geological reserves; soil areas containing predictive resources of category P1; soil areas containing predictive resources of category P2; soil areas containing predictive resources of category P3. As a result, the authors carry out an expert assessment of the limit values of indicators for the mining zones of the Bryansk region, on the basis of which it is concluded on the feasibility of use of geological and economic monitoring with respect to information support of the contract system in the procurement sphere.
Long-term experiment on the effect of thinnings in the upland artificial stands of quercus robur in the southern forest-steppe
Authors: Истомина Яна , Istomina Yana , Каплина Наталья , Kaplina Natalia
Published: December 2017

The results of a 60-year experience on the effect of thinning on the stability and productivity of the stand of English oak of artificial origin in the Tellerman experimental forestry of the Institute of Forestry of the Russian Academy of Sciences have been summed up. Cleaning cuttings was carried out on permanent trial plots in 2 ways - by the grassroots method and by method of V.G. Nesterov with an intensity of up to 35% in stock 3 times. In the long-term dynamics, the ranking of stands on the average height and diameter, the number of trunks and the sum of cross-sectional areas, stock and total productivity, given by the intensity and the method of thinning, was mainly preserved. With increasing felling intensity, regardless of their method, relative increment and change in the stock have increased. In conditions of periodic moisture deficiency and accompanying damage to the leaves by insects, the stands could not restore previous trajectory of stock after the third felling. After 60 years of age, the stock of forest stands has not practically increased. Regardless of the intensity and the method, cleaning cutting contributed to the stability of growth rate of the stands. In the control, the stock decreased as a result of wave detachment, including large trunks. The stock of large trunks by the age of 80 years in the options with cutting was higher than in control one by an average of 17%. In order to reduce the risk of stock reduction by the age of ripeness in the upland oak forests of the southern forest-steppe, it is recommended to limit the period of intensive cutting up to 40 years. In this case, the trees will be able to form well-developed crowns at the end of the period of rapid growth. During unfavorable periods there is a decrease in the productivity of plantations and a decrease in the effect of thinning, which is important to take into account when predicting the growth of stands.
Physicochemical Properties of Repetitive Heat-treated Ginger and Its Quantitative Conversion of Gingerol to Shogaol
Authors: Yang Byung Wook , Park Hyeon Sook , Park Joung Whan , Baik Moo Yeol , Kim Byung Yong , Kim Hye Kyung , Hahm Young Tae
Published: December 2017

Ginger was steamed at 121°C and 1.5 lb/in2 for 30 min, dried at 60°C for 12 h, and each step was repeated nine times. During processing, the lightness (L* value) and yellowness (b* value) decreased from 85.65±0.33 and 26.99±0.20 in the non-treated ginger to 56.91±0.25 and 16.69±0.06 in ginger treated for the ninth treatment. On the other hand, redness (a* value) increased from -1.51±0.03 to 7.34±0.08 on the eight treatment and then decreased to 7.21±0.04 on the ninth theatment. The contents of 6-gingerol decreased from 3.257±0.067 mg/g in the non-treated ginger to 0.567±0.036 mg/g on the theatment, whereas the contents of 6-shogaol increased from 1.299±0.050 mg/g to 2.999±0.089 mg/g on the sixth treatment and decreased to 2.099±0.039 on the ninth treatment. The contents of 10-gingerol decreased slightly from 1.106±0.125 mg/g to 0.806±0.026 mg/g. Unlike the 6- and 10-gingerol, the contents of 8-gingerol did not change greatly, with values between 0.916±0.005 mg/g and 1.106±0.005 mg/g being observed during processing. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities were increased from 43.42±11.45% in the non-treated ginger to 100% on the sixth treatment and then decreased to 51.98±7.36% on the theatment. The antioxidative activity was retained during processing.
Release Profile and Antimicrobial Activity of Nisin Control-released from Agar Gel Foods
Authors: Zong Yicheng , Han Jung Hoon , Oh Yeong Ji , Min Sea C.
Published: December 2017

The release profiles of nisin from nisin-incorporating gel foods and the antimicrobial activities of the gels on the growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta in an aqueous system containing the gels have been investigated. A linear regression model was applied to determine the diffusion coefficient (D) for the diffusion of nisin in the gel. The antimicrobial activities of nisin released from 1, 2 and 3% (w/v) agar gels on the growth of B. thermosphacta in a broth medium with and without nisin were investigated. The D decreased from 1.2×10-2 to 8.2×10-3 and 6.4×10-3 cm2/s as the agar concentration in the gel increased from 1 to 2 and 3% (w/v), demonstrating the diffusion rate in the gels can be controlled by the agar concentration in gel. The agar gel incorporating nisin inhibited the B. thermosphacta growth in the broth medium by prolonging the lag phase. The growth inhibition was enhanced by the addition of nisin in the medium. The results of this study exhibited that the gel food is a feasible nisin delivery system with a controlled release achieved by the adjustment of agar concentration in the system, demonstrating the potential of nisin-incorporating gel for preserving particulate-containing drinks.
Frozen Food Thawing and Heat Exchanging Performance Analysis of Radio Frequency Thawing Machine
Authors: Kim Jinse , Park Seok Ho , Choi Dong Soo , Choi Seung Ryul , Kim Yong Hoon , Lee Soo Jang , Park Chun Wan , Han Gui Jeung , Cho Byoung-Kwan , Park Jong Woo
Published: December 2017

This study investigated the effects of 27.12 MHz radio frequency (RF) heating on heat transfer phenomena during the thawing process of frozen food. To determine the velocity of the RF thawing machine, samples were frozen at -80°C and subjected to different power treatments. The phase change times (-5 to 0°C) of frozen radish were 30, 26, 13, and 8 min; those of pork sirloin were 38, 25, 11, and 5 min; those of rump were 23, 17, 11, and 6 min; those of chicken breast were 42, 29, 13, and 9 min; and those of tuna were 25, 23, 10, and 5 min at 50, 100, 200, and 400 W, respectively. The heating limit temperatures of the radish, pork sirloin, rump, chicken breast, and tuna samples were 19.5, 9.2, 21.8, 8.8, and 16.8°C at 50 W; 23.5, 15.5, 27.3, 12.3, and 19°C at 100 W; 42, 26.9, 45.7, 22.1, and 39.4°C at 200 W; and 48.5, 54.7, 63.6, 57.3, and 44.9°C at 400 W. These results suggest that high-power RF improves thawing velocity and heating limit temperatures, and that an improvement on the operation of the RF thawing machine, according to food temperatures, is needed.
A Study on the Utilization of By-products from Honeyed Red Ginseng: Optimization of Total Ginsenoside Extraction Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Lee Eui-Seok , You Kwan-Mo , Kim Sun-Young , Lee Ka-Soon , Park Soo-Jin , Jeon Byeong-Seon , Park Jong-Tae , Hong Soon-Taek
Published: December 2017

This study was carried out to extract ginsenosides in by-products from honeyed red ginseng. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction conditions. Based on D-optimal design, independent variables were ethanol (extraction solvent) concentration (30-90%, v/v), extraction temperature (25-70°C), and extraction time (5-11 h). Extraction yield (Y1) and total ginsenosides (Y2) in the extract were analyzed as dependent variables. Results found that extraction yield increased with increasing extraction temperature and time, whereas it was decreased with increasing ethanol concentration. Similar trends were found for the content of ginsenosides in the extracts, except for ethanol concentration, which was increased with increasing ethanol concentration. Regression equations derived from RSM were suggested to coincide well with the results from the experiments. The optimal extraction conditions for extraction yield and total ginsenosides were an extraction temperature of 56.94°C, ethanol concentration of 57.90%, and extraction time of 11 h. Under these conditions, extraction yield and total ginsenoside contents were predicted to be 84.52% and 9.54 mg/g, respectively.
Quality and Antioxidant Properties of Cookies Supplemented with Cabbage Powder
Authors: Lee Yeong Mi , Lee Jun Ho
Published: December 2017

The feasibility of incorporating cabbage powder (CP) as a value-added food ingredient into convenient food products was investigated using cookie as a model system. CP was incorporated into cookies at amounts of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% (w/w) based on total weight of wheat flour. pH level and moisture content of cookie dough decreased and increased significantly, respectively, with increasing levels of CP (p<0.05), whereas density was not directly affected by levels of CP incorporation. The spread ratio of cookies and their hardness increased significantly while the loss rate decreased significantly with increasing levels of CP (p<0.05). In terms of color, lightness and yellowness decreased while redness increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing levels of CP. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were significantly elevated by CP addition, and they increased significantly as CP concentration increased in the formulation (p<0.05). Finally, consumer acceptance test indicated that the higher than 4% of CP incorporation had an adverse effect on general consumer preferences. In contrast, cookies with moderate levels of CP (2%) were recommended based on overall scores to take advantage of the antioxidant properties of CP without sacrificing consumer acceptability.
English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in ESP contexts. Students' attitudes towards non-native speech and analysis of teaching materials
Authors: Calvo-Benzies Yolanda Joy
Published: December 2017

This paper focuses on non-native accents in ESP classrooms. In particular it looks at native and non-native speakers of English accents used in the audio material accompanying six ESP textbooks. In a second study, a group of undergraduate ESP students of Law and Tourism were asked to assess some of the non-native speakers accents found in these materials, focussing on aspects such as fluency, pronunciation, intelligibility and foreign accent. More specifically, they were asked to rate the following non-native accents of speakers in English: French, German, Polish, Chinese and Spanish. Results from the first part of the study show that native speaker models continue to be present in ESP textbooks to a far higher degree than non-native ones. In the second part, the non-native accents that students rated most positively were those of German and Polish speakers, and those seen in the most negative terms were French and Spanish. In general, the Law students tended to value native accents more than non-native ones, whereas students of Tourism broadly accept both native and non-native accents.
How VIPs and IT-professionals behave in Russian. The use of loan abbreviations in Russian analytical composites
Authors: Tarasova Elizaveta
Published: December 2017

The current research is focused on the English N+N pattern, which is widely reported to have been borrowed into Russian under the influence of numerous compounds that have entered Russian recently. The data used for analysis include loanwords with N+N structure (e.g., бизнесмен [businessman], арт-магазин [art shop]), a considerable proportion of which are units with loan abbreviations in the leftmost (modifying) position (e.g., пиар-директор [pi’ar direktor] ‘PR director’, ВИП-места [vip-mesta] ‘VIP seats’). The paper looks at the general principles of assimilation using Krysin’s (1975) framework to understand whether it is possible to talk about changes in the Russian morphology under the influence of lexical borrowing. The analysis of the Russian N+N data to date allows for two explanations for the growing productivity of the analytical pattern. One of these is the revival of the superficially similar Russian N+N morphological pattern which had fallen out of productivity. The other explanation concerns the necessity of preserving the meaning of the loan and its conceptual value, which may otherwise be affected in the process of derivational assimilation.
Oral findings in West syndrome – A Case Report
Authors: Badnaware Sheetal Dilip , Dedhia Shely Pratik , Desai Rajiv , Kakade Adesh
Published: December 2017

West syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy syndrome which is characterized by triad of infantile spasms, EEG findings (hypsarrhythmia) and developmental delay. Very few literatures is available on the dental findings and management of West syndrome. This case report presents a 8 year old male child with cryptogenic form of West syndrome having a history of multiple clusters of infantile spasms and typical dental findings. Dental treatment of the case has been discussed and preventive measures and treatment of west syndrome has been described.  KeywordsWest syndrome; White spot lesion; General anesthesia.
Evolução da contribuição do Sistema Aquífero Urucuia para o Rio São Francisco, Brasil
Authors: Gonçalves Roger Dias , Engelbrecht Bruno Zanon , Chang Hung Kiang
Published: December 2017

O Sistema Aquífero Urucuia (SAU) é o mais importante da bacia hidrográfica do Rio São Francisco; possui produtividade elevada, mantém uma vasta área de irrigação e representa aproximadamente 41% da disponibilidade hídrica subterrânea de toda a bacia. Seu escoamento de base é o principal responsável por manter as vazões do Rio São Francisco nas estações secas, de maneira que o conhecimento da variação dessa contribuição ao longo do tempo é de suma importância. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o comportamento temporal e estimar a contribuição do SAU em todas as sub-bacias tributárias do Rio São Francisco. Foram utilizadas informações de 45 estações fluviométricas distribuídas em todo o SAU, analisadas pelo método de mínimos locais para separação de escoamentos superficial e subterrâneo em hidrogramas.  A média do fluxo de base é de aproximadamente 200 mm/ano (570 m³/s). Dentre os ciclos presentes no último século, o mais marcante e presente em toda a extensão do aquífero teve seu pico em 1980, com 280 mm/ano (792 m³/s) de contribuição para o Rio São Francisco; desde então apresenta padrão de queda contínua, totalizando uma diminuição de 49% (390 m³/s). Independente dos efeitos causadores desta queda, naturais e/ou antrópicos, é preponderante a tomada de medidas para garantir a sustentabilidade destes recursos, visto que a diminuição sistemática de água potável acarreta em grandes estresses socioeconômicos.
Eje 2. El cine argentino y español: épocas, aportes y debates: Precariado, Ley de Medios y Tercer Cine: el cine comunitario del Gran Buenos Aires y los abuelos de Berazategui
Authors: Molfetta Andrea
Published: December 2017

Nuestro equipo de investigación estudia la compleja dinámica intersubjetiva, social y cultural del cine independiente producido en el Gran Buenos Aires Sur entre 2004 y 2014. La investigación está diseñada en tres etapas que buscan en la matriz interdisciplinaria la clave para la comprensión de la complejidad y riqueza política del cine en y de los suburbios hoy. Se trata de un cine realizado por colectivos de producción, formación que empodera al precariado (Standing, 2011) de esta capital sudamericana.Pensamos que la práctica cinematográfica es una estrategia de visibilidad y autolegitimación que empodera a los sectores sociales donde se hace cine y comunicación comunitaria, y hay tres factores que determinan esta carácter politizado: primero, la producción emancipada de contenidos se da en el horizonte de la revolución digital y la Ley de Medios Audiovisuales; segundo, hay una valorización del impacto económico de las políticas culturales, en términos de transferencia y multiplicación de saberes profesionales y generación de espacios de trabajo en el campo de la comunicación comunitaria. El tercero es que el sentido político de este cine se profundiza cuando observamos que la práctica cinematográfica articula otras prácticas comunitarias vinculadas a la salud, la Economía Social y Solidaria (ESS), el medio ambiente, la educación continua y la participación popular, desenvolviendo una relación de resistencia/colaboración frente al Estado y la industria. Finalmente, podemos afirmar que el sentido político del cine y la comunicación comunitarios está en la generación de una revolución molecular (Guattari, 1978) en las subjetividades que lo producen.
Sobre los autores
Authors: Culturas Revista
Published: December 2017

Sobre los autores
La emigración española contemporánea bajo una mirada interdisciplinar
Authors: Betrisey Débora , Cortés Almudena , Moncó Beatriz
Published: December 2017

El interés despertado por la emigración española en los últimos años ha constituido un ámbito discursivo de confrontación dentro de diversos campos especializados (burocráticos, políticos, mediáticos, etc.) dónde, los actores sociales involucrados desde diversas posiciones político-ideológicas, intentan imponer una visión legítima sobre dicha temática. De esta forma, la emigración al igual que la inmigración se vuelve objeto de lucha y confrontación en el campo político y social dando lugar a discursos basados en concepciones economicistas en términos de costes /beneficios que permiten ocultar los procesos de dominación y desigualdad que están en el origen y en la reproducción del fenómeno migratorio (Sayad, 2010).
Photon interaction parameters of different tissues of human organs
Authors: Manjunatha H. C. , Seenappa L. , Sridhar K. N. , Hanumantharayappa Chikka
Published: December 2017

For proper planning in the radiography of different parts of human organs, knowledge of the photon interaction parameters in different tissues of human organs are essential. Studied the x-ray and gamma photon interaction parameters such as  linear attenuation coefficient, half value layer, tenth value layer, mean free path and effective electron density of almost all tissues of human organs [Adipose tissue,  Blood, Brain, Breast, Cell Nucleus, Eye Lens, GI tract, Heart, Kidney, Liver, Lung , Lymph, Muscle, Ovary, Pancreas, Cartilage, Red marrow, Spongiosa, Yellow marrow, Skin, Spleen, Testis, Thyroid, Skeleton cortical bone, Skeleton cranium, Skeleton femur, Skeleton humerus,Skeleton mandible, Skeleton ribs (2nd,6th), Skeleton ribs (10th), Skeleton sacrum, Skeleton spongiosa, Skeleton vertebral column (C4) and Skeleton vertebral column (D6, L3)]. The present work is useful in the planning of radiography for different organs. This work also gives useful information for radiotherapy and dosimetry.
Gamma Radiation Induced Intestinal Proteomic Modulation in Mice: A Two Dimensional Electrophoretic Analysis
Authors: Bajaj Sania , Singh Abhinav , Kalita Bhargab , Yashavarddhan M.H. , Ranjan Rajiv , Farooqi Humaira , Gupta Manju Lata
Published: December 2017

Exposure to high doses of radiation causes serious injuries in gastrointestinal tract, by affecting biomolecules of the tissue. To demonstrate the modulation of intestinal proteome by ionising radiations, we analysed changes in protein expression in 9 Gy irradiated C57BL/6 mice at 24 h and 72 h by using two dimensional electrophoresis technique. A total of 19 protein spots with statistical significance (fold change>1.5 and P<0.05) were found to be differentially expressed. Of these 07 spots were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and peptide mass fingerprinting techniques which matched with the known proteins documented in the online database. These proteins belong to biological-functional categories like cytoskeleton system, molecular chaperones, DNA damage response, and stress response. These identified radiation induced proteins can help in understanding the mechanisms behind the intestinal injuries and thus can become potential targets for therapeutics and also aid in drug development.
Radiation Countermeasures: Current Status
Authors: Haritwal Teena , Gupta Noopur , Tiwari Mrinalini , Surve Sarvesh , Agrawala Paban Kumar
Published: December 2017

Deleterious effects of ionising radiation leading to significant morbidity and mortality have been studied elaborately. A range of synthetic, semisynthetic and herbal compounds have been screened as radiation countermeasure agents and a number of promising radiation countermeasure agents are under development. Amifostin is the only drug which has been approved by the United State Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA), but that too for use in a defined population under strict medical supervision. Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor/filgrastim, γ-tocotrienol, genistein are at an advanced stage of development and are tested on higher animal models as per required norms of FDA. Herbal compounds are also considered very safe and of high value as radiation countermeasure agents owing to various properties like antioxidant, immunomodulation activity etc. Histone deacetylase inhibitors such as Trichostatin A, Diallyl sulphide, Sulforaphane are being viewed as very promising radiomitigating agents by our laboratory and active research in the same direction is going on. Infusion of hematopoietic stem cells and growth factors are in practice as potent therapeutics. This review gives an overview on various radioprotectors, radiomitigators and therapeutic agents either available or under development currently.
Modelling, Simulation and Mechatronics Design of a Wireless Automatic Fire Fighting Surveillance Robot
Authors: Madhevan B. , Sakkaravarthi R. , Singh G. Mandeep , Diya R. , Jha Durgesh Kumar
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study is to design and develop an autonomous fire proof rescue robot. The robot is designed in such a way, that it can traverse through fire and hazardous situations. Further, it will sense and communicate information regarding these situations in real time with the server. The robot is fixed with multi-sensors and further, a driver circuit has been integrated for communication in these hazardous situations through Zigbee and a data acquisition system (DAQ). In mechanical design first, a 3D solid model is generated using Solid works software to understand the basic structure of robot which provides information regarding robotic platform, size and location of various components. The developed fire fighting robot is a predominately outdoor ground-based mobile robotic system with onboard subdual systems that can traverse autonomously in the hazardous environment. The robot is designed such that it can traverse into the fire and send information regarding the fire behaviour and also the images of the victim’s location by using a camera. Further, a mathematical model which describes the kinematics and dynamic behaviour of robot motion are done. V-REP is used to create the simulation of the robot in a fire simulated fire environment. Finally, for the path planning, various techniques are discussed such as V-REPs inbuilt path planning module, A*, Fuzzy logic and artificial potential fields.
Detection of Nitro-aromatic Compound in Soil and Sand using Time Gated Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Gulati Kamal Kumar , Gambhir Vijayeta , Reddy M. N.
Published: December 2017

Laser based time-gated Raman Spectroscopy experiments for detection and identification of nitro-aromatic sample which premixed with soil and sand in different concentrations are conducted. A back-scattered stand-off Raman spectroscopy set-up using a frequency double Nd:YAG pulsed laser (532 nm, 8 ns, 10 Hz) was employed to evaluate samples made up of standard nitro- aromatic compounds, p-nitro Benzoic acid (PNBA) premixed with soil and sand at different concentrations. A sensitive ICCD detector was used to capture the weak Raman signals buried in high background noise at optimised experiments parameters like laser pulse energy, ICCD gate width, background subtraction, number of laser pulses averaging etc. p- nitro benzoic acid up to 5 per cent (v/v) concentration in sand with appreciable signal to noise ratio has been detected. This feasibility study also becomes relevant to evaluate the remnants for post-blast detection of explosives in terrorist attack as most of the explosives used in such attacks contain nitro-aromatic based high energetic explosives.
Channel Estimation for Frequency Division Duplexing Multi-user Massive MIMO Systems via Tensor Compressive Sensing
Authors: Wang Qingzhu , Wei Mengying , Zhu Yihai
Published: December 2017

To make full use of space multiplexing gains for the multi-user massive multiple-input multiple-output, accurate channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) is required. However, the large number of users and antennas make CSIT a higher-order data representation. Tensor-based compressive sensing (TCS) is a promising method that is suitable for high-dimensional data processing; it can reduce training pilot and feedback overhead during channel estimation. In this paper, we consider the channel estimation in frequency division duplexing (FDD) multi-user massive MIMO system. A novel estimation framework for three dimensional CSIT is presented, in which the modes include the number of transmitting antennas, receiving antennas, and users. The TCS technique is employed to complete the reconstruction of three dimensional CSIT. The simulation results are given to demonstrate that the proposed estimation approach outperforms existing algorithms.
Impregnable Defence Architecture using Dynamic Correlation-based Graded Intrusion Detection System for Cloud
Authors: Umamaheswari K. , Sujatha S.
Published: December 2017

Data security and privacy are perennial concerns related to cloud migration, whether it is about applications, business or customers. In this paper, novel security architecture for the cloud environment designed with intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) components as a graded multi-tier defense framework. It is a defensive formation of collaborative IDPS components with dynamically revolving alert data placed in multiple tiers of virtual local area networks (VLANs). The model has two significant contributions for impregnable protection, one is to reduce alert generation delay by dynamic correlation and the second is to support the supervised learning of malware detection through system call analysis. The defence formation facilitates malware detection with linear support vector machine- stochastic gradient descent (SVM-SGD) statistical algorithm. It requires little computational effort to counter the distributed, co-ordinated attacks efficiently. The framework design, then, takes distributed port scan attack as an example for assessing the efficiency in terms of reduction in alert generation delay, the number of false positives and learning time through comparison with existing techniques is discussed.
Agrupación funcional de especies vegetales para la restauración ecológica de ecosistemas de montaña, Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Vasquez Valderrama Maribel Yesenia , Solorza-Bejarano Jairo
Published: December 2017

Los ecosistemas de montaña están sometidos a diversos factores de perturbación que requieren el desarrollo de procesos de restauración ecológica, orientados a su recuperación estructural y funcional. En este estudio se analizaron los atributos funcionales de las especies vegetales de ocho especies vegetales incorporadas en áreas piloto de investigación en restauración ecológica presentes en Bogotá. Se registró el área foliar (AF), área foliar específica (AFE), contenido foliar de materia seca (CFMS), densidad de madera (dB), altura máxima (Hmax) y hábito de crecimiento de Ageratina aristei, Abatia parviflora, Baccharis latifolia, Myrcianthes leucoxyla, Solanum oblongifolium, Vallea stipularis, Viburnum triphyllum y Xylosma spiculifera. Se encontraron tres grupos funcionales, los cuales presentan características de especies exclusivamente adquisitivas o adquisitiva-conservativa, lo que sugiere diferentes mecanismo y estrategias y mecanismos de adaptación a las condiciones de recuperación de las áreas perturbadas.
Cross country study of school environment effects on reading comprehension performance
Okul ortamlarının okuduğunu anlama performansı üzerinde etkisinin ülkeler arası incelenmesi
Authors: Yıldırım Özen
Published: December 2017

Reading comprehension skills is in the basic skills that are tried to gain in students. It is likely that a person who has not reached the reading comprehension skill will face many difficulties, whether in daily life or professional life.In the study, the characteristics of school environment of different countries have been determined and the similarities and differences between the countries have been revealed based on the results. The sample included students from Netherlands, Korea and Turkey in PISA 2009 practice. Data was used from reading achievement test and from school questionnaire. For analyzes two levels of Hierarchical Linear Models was used. According to the findings, the most valuable and common variable is the school size, than student behavior for Holland and Korea. The number of the girl at school and student-teacher ratio variables are significant for Turkey.Extended English abstract is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.ÖzetÖğrencilerde kazandırılmaya çalışılan temel beceriler içerisinde okuduğunu anlama becerisi gelmektedir.  Okuduğunu anlama becerisine erişememiş bir birey günlük hayatta ve profesyonel hayatta birçok zorlukla karşılaşması muhtemeldir. Araştırmada, öğrencilerin okuduğunu anlama performanslarıyla ile ilişkili olduğu düşünülen okul düzeyindeki değişkenlerin etkisi araştırılmıştır. PISA 2009 uygulamasına katılan Hollanda, Kore ve Türkiye’deki öğrenciler örneklemi oluşturmaktadır. Veri toplama araçları PISA 2009 okuma becerileri testi ve okul anketleridir. İki düzeyli Hiyerarşik Doğrusal Modellerler kullanılarak analizler yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre Hollanda ve Kore’de öğrencinin okuduğunu anlama performansı okul içi davranışlar ve okul mevcuduna göre değişmektedir. Türkiye’de öğrencilerin okuma performansları öğrenci öğretmen oranına ve okuldaki kız öğrenci oranına göre değişmektedir.
Well-posedness of evolution equations with time-dependent nonlinear mobility: A modified minimizing movement scheme
Authors: Zinsl Jonathan
Published: December 2017

We prove the existence of nonnegative weak solutions to a class of second- and fourth-order nonautonomous nonlinear evolution equations with an explicitly time-dependent mobility function posed on the whole space {{{\mathbb{R}}^{d}}}, for arbitrary {d\geq 1}. Exploiting a very formal gradient flow structure, the cornerstone of our proof is a modified version of the classical minimizing movement scheme for gradient flows. The mobility function is required to satisfy – at each time point separately – the conditions by which one can define a modified Wasserstein distance on the space of probability densities with finite second moment. The explicit dependency on the time variable is assumed to be at least of Lipschitz regularity. We also sketch possible extensions of our result to the case of bounded spatial domains and more general mobility functions.
Modelling of the Separation Process of the Potato Stack
Authors: Hutsol Taras , Firman Jurii , Komarnitsky Sergiy
Published: December 2017

The most time consuming and the least mechanized process of potato cultivation is its harvesting. Therefore, now, as never before, we have faced a problem concerning the improvement of the existing and construction of new devices for potato harvesting and their provision to the cultivation industry. It requires further development of theoretical, complex and extensive research on the phenomenon of separation of the potato stack, which will enable justification of optimal work modes of the existing separating devices and will be used for the synthesis of basically new, more advanced separators
Assessment of Sowing Quality of Radish Seeds with Working Unit of Pneumatic Seeder
Authors: Kowalczuk Józef , Zarajczyk Janusz , Tatarczak Jarosław , Niedziółka Ignacy , Szmigielski Marek , Zarajczyk Karol , Kowalik Krzysztof
Published: December 2017

The objective of the research was assessment of the sowing quality of radish seeds with the sowing unit of “MAX PNEUAMTIC” S 156 pneumatic seeder. Tests were carried out on the original laboratory stand. They proved that at the assumed range of the working speed within 2.5 to 4.0 km·h−1 and rotations of the sowing disc between 23 and 37 rot·min−1, the most favourable results concerning precision of seeds spacing in a row were obtained at the speed between 2.5 and 3.0 km·h−1. The increase of the speed above 3.0 km·h−1 caused deterioration of the seeds sowing quality through statistically significant reduction of the single sowing participation and the increase of the empty sowings participation.
Energy Input on Cover Crop Cultivation
Authors: Majchrzak Leszek , Piechota Tomasz , Piskier Tomasz
Published: December 2017

The research was carried out in 2015-2016 at the Research Station Brody belonging to Poznan University of Life Sciences. The experiment was assumed with blocks randomized in four replications. The aim of the study was to determine the size and structure of energy inputs incurred on cover crops cultivation in different soil tillage systems. The cumulative energy consumption methodology was used to analyse the energy expenditure on field pea and white mustard seed. Based on the research, it was found that sowing field pea as a cover crop as compared to white mustard increased the cumulative energy input by 63.2%. Applied sowing technologies, regardless of cover crop species, reduced cumulative energy use by 22.5% (strip tillage) and direct sowing by 40.7% as compared to traditional tillage. The structure of energy input depended on the type of used cover crop species, which was based on the energy value of the seed used. The value of the energy efficiency index for growing both cover crop species increased with the simplification of the tillage.
Assessment of Particular Qualities of Carrot Availalbe in Selected Retailers in Krakow
Authors: Wrona Paulina , Pogoń Krystyna , Dróżdż Magdalena
Published: December 2017

The objective of the paper was assessment of the selected qualities of carrot from retailer's shops, organic and traditional food shops in Krakow. The following quality parameters of the fruit pulp were investigated: content of extract, sugars, polyphenols, nitrite, flavonoids, beta-carotene, colour, and antioxidant activity. The investigation shows that the content of nitrogen (V) in the samples of carrot from traditional cultivations was higher than in case of carrot from organic crops, and in case of a sample from traditional cultivation it exceeds the admissible norms. However, the research which was carried out provides no justification for the statement that the content of nitrate (III) depends on the production system of carrot. The research on the content of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of juice proved the increased antioxidant ability of carrot that was traditionally cultivated with reference to carrot cultivated organically. However, the differences were not statistically confirmed. Beta-carotene content in all samples was comparable regardless the cultivation system. Content of extracts, total carbohydrates and sucrose was significantly higher for carrot from traditional crops than for eco-carrot.
An iterative method for solving minimization, variational inequality and fixed point problems in reflexive Banach spaces
Authors: Jolaoso Lateef Olakunle , Ogbuisi Ferdinard Udochukwu , Mewomo Oluwatosin Temitope
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we propose an iterative algorithm for approximating a common fixed point of an infinite family of quasi-Bregman nonexpansive mappings which is also a solution to finite systems of convex minimization problems and variational inequality problems in real reflexive Banach spaces. We obtain a strong convergence result and give applications of our result to finding zeroes of an infinite family of Bregman inverse strongly monotone operators and a finite system of equilibrium problems in real reflexive Banach spaces. Our result extends many recent corresponding results in literature.
Application of fluorescent markers for homogeneity assessment of grain mixtures based on maize content
Authors: Matuszek Dominika B. , Wojtkiewicz Krystian
Published: December 2017

The paper presents test results for the assessment of the tracer content in a three-component (green peas, sorghum, maize) feed mixture that is based on the fluorescent method. The homogeneity of mixtures was determined on the basis of the maize content (as the key component), which was treated with fluorescent substance: tinopal, rhodamine B, uranine and eosin. The key components were wet-treated with fluorescent substances with different concentrations. Feed components were mixed in a vertical funnel-flow mixer. 10 samples were collected from each mixed batch. Samples were placed in a chamber equipped with UV light and, then, an image recorded as BMP file was generated. The image was analysed by means of the software programme Patan. On the basis of the analyses conducted, data on the maize content marked with a fluorescent marker were obtained. Additionally, the content of the key component was determined in a conventional manner – using an analytical scale. Results indicate the possibility of using this method for homogeneity assessment of the three-component grain mixture. From these tests, fluorescent substances that can be applied in the case of maize as a key component, together with their minimum concentrations, were identified: tinopal 0.3%, rhodamine B 0.001%.
Rhetorical questions or rhetorical uses of questions?
Authors: Špago Džemal
Published: December 2017

This paper aims to explore whether some rhetorical questions contain certain linguistic elements or forms which would differentiate them from answer-eliciting and action-eliciting questions, and thereby hint at their rhetorical nature even outside the context. Namely, despite the fact that the same questions can be rhetorical in one context, and answer-eliciting in another, some of them are more likely to be associated with rhetorical or non-rhetorical use. The analysis is based on extensive data (over 1200 examples of rhetorical questions taken from 30 plays by two British and two American writers), and the results are expected to give an insight into whether we can talk about rhetorical questions or just a rhetorical use of questions.