bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brief Morning Exposure to Bright Light Improves Subjective Symptoms and Performance in Nurses with Rapidly Rotating Shifts
Authors: Tanaka Katsutoshi , Takahashi Masaya , Tanaka Mika , Takanao Tomoki , Nishinoue Nao , Kaku Akiko , Kato Noritada , Tagaya Hirokuni , Miyaoka Hitoshi
Published: May 2011

Brief Morning Exposure to Bright Light Improves Subjective Symptoms and Performance in Nurses with Rapidly Rotating Shifts: Katsutoshi Tanaka, et al. Department of Occupational Mental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University—

Objective

To investigate whether or not brief bright light (BL) exposure on workday mornings can improve health, performance and safety in nurses with rapidly rotating shifts.

Methods

We conducted a randomized crossover study involving registered nurses at a teaching hospital working a two‐shift system including the night shift. Participants were instructed to expose themselves to BL for 10 min on workday mornings.

Results

A total of 61 participants were enrolled in the present study. Thirty‐one participants Received BL exposure in the irst month, and the other 30 Received it in the second month. Significant improvements were noted in the BL periods compared with the non‐BL periods for self‐assessed sleepiness at 10:00 on day‐shift days evaluated using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, self‐assessment of night sleep for day‐shift days using the Visual Analogue Scale and for fatigue assessed using the Checklist Individual Strength Questionnaire. The estimated mean difference for each scale (95% conidence interval) was –0.55 (–0.91, –0.20), 0.37 (0.04, 0.70) and –2.13 (–3.78, –0.48), respectively. Mean response time evaluated using the psychomotor vigilance task test (PVT) showed significant improvement in the BL periods compared with the non‐BL periods. No statistically significant differences were observed for sleepiness at 14:00, depression, number of PVT lapses or frequency of perceived adverse events and near misses.

Conclusion

Our indings suggest that brief BL exposure on mornings preceding a day shift is effective in improving sleepiness and performance during day‐shift work, subjective nighttime sleep on day‐shift days, and perceived fatigue for the preceding two weeks in rapidly rotating shift nurses.
Geotechnical design for the Port Botany expansion project, Sydney
Authors: Davies Philip R. E. , McIlquham James D.
Published: May 2011

This paper describes ground treatments, foundation preparations and geotechnical design for extensive reclamations and retaining structures forming the Port Botany expansion project in Sydney, Australia. The 63 ha reclamation, up to 30 m deep, is constructed from dredged Botany Bay sands, which are retained by over two hundred 20 m high counterfort and blockwork gravity wall units. These berth structures are founded on vibrocompacted sand backfill placed within a submerged trench excavated into natural fissured clays. The design involved detailed assessment of stability and movement behaviour for the reclamation and berth structures. Geotechnical compliance testing criteria were developed for reclamation fill materials to provide compaction and material quality assurance. In particular, acceptance criteria for berth structure foundations and retained backfill were developed to verify the strength and stiffness of fills so as to meet design requirements at key time milestones following handover of the works. The main fill verification tool utilised cone penetration tests, for which screening rules and site-specific acceptance criteria were developed. Methods of fill compaction included dynamic compaction, vibrocompaction and impact roller compaction. The relative performance of these methods is discussed, along with compliance testing results, effects of vibrocompaction on wall structures, fill variability and actual compared with predicted performance of compacted sand fills.
Behaviour of compacted silt used to construct flood embankment
Authors: El Mountassir Gráinne , Sánchez Marcelo , Romero Enrique , Soemitro Ria A A
Published: May 2011

This paper investigates the unsaturated mechanical behaviour of a fill material sampled from flood embankments located along the Bengawan Solo River in Indonesia. In order to gain a better understanding of this fill material, in situ tests were carried out alongside an extensive laboratory programme. Two different phenomena related to changes in moisture content of the embankment fill material are experimentally studied herein: (a) volumetric collapse and (b) variation in shear strength with suction. At low densities, similar to those found in situ, the material exhibited significant volumetric collapse behaviour. Triaxial tests carried out under saturated, suction-controlled and constant water content conditions indicate that the shear strength of the material increased with suction; in particular the effective angle of friction increased from 24·9° under saturated conditions to 35·8° under air-dried conditions.
Use of red gypsum in soil mixing engineering applications
Authors: Hughes Paul N. , Glendinning Stephanie , Manning David A. C. , White Maggie L.
Published: May 2011

This paper describes a laboratory trial to test the effectiveness of a waste-based binder as a cement replacement for deep in situ soil stabilisation. The binder is composed of red gypsum, a co-product of the production of white pigment titanium dioxide, and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), with a small addition of lime to increase soil pH and enable pozzolanic reactions to occur. The waste binder was mixed with a number of typical UK soils and cured for 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days in wet and dry conditions. Samples were then tested for undrained shear strength and stiffness, and results compared with values exhibited by soils mixed with Portland cement. Selected samples were also subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis. Results showed that, while not achieving strengths as high or hardening as rapid as samples mixed with Portland cement, samples mixed with the gypsum–GGBS binder achieved high strengths and stiffness, and demonstrated that gypsum–GGBS binders have the potential to be used as cement replacements in ground improvement.
A Microvisual Study of the Displacement of Viscous Oil by Polymer Solutions
Authors: Buchgraber M.. , Clemens T.. , Castanier L. M. , Kovscek A. R.
Published: May 2011

Of the various enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) polymer formulations, newly developed associative polymers show special promise. We investigate pore and pore-network scales because polymer solutions ultimately flow through the pore space of rock to displace oil. We conduct and monitor optically water/oil and polymer-solution/oil displacements in a 2D etched-silicon micromodel. The micromodel has the geometrical and topological characteristics of sandstone. Conventional hydrolyzed-polyacrylamide solutions and newly developed associative-polymer solutions with concentrations ranging from 500 to 2,500 ppm were tested. The crude oil had a viscosity of 450 cp at test conditions. Our results provide new insight regarding the ability of polymer to stabilize multiphase flow. At zero and low polymer concentrations, relatively long and wide fingers of injectant developed, leading to early water break-through and low recoveries. At increased polymer concentration, a much greater number of relatively fine fingers formed. The width-to-length ratio of these fingers was quite small, and the absolute length of fingers decreased. At a larger scale of observation, the displacement front appears to be stabilized; hence, recovery efficiency improved remarkably. Above a concentration of 1,500 ppm, plugging of the micromodel by polymer and lower oil recovery was observed for both polymer types. For tertiary polymer injection that begins at breakthrough of water, the severe fingers resulting from water injection are modified significantly. Fingers become wider and grow in the direction normal to flow as polymer solution replaces water. Apparently, improved sweep efficiency of viscous oils is possible (at this scale of investigation) even after waterflooding. The associative- and conventional-polymer solutions improved oil recovery by approximately the same amount. The associative polymers, however, showed more-stable displacement fronts in comparison to conventional-polymer solutions.
Chemical Degradation of Polyacrylamide Polymers Under Alkaline Conditions
Authors: Levitt David B. , Pope Gary A. , Jouenne Stephane
Published: May 2011

Hydrolysis of polyacrylamide (PAM) -based polymers is rapid and extensive under the alkaline conditions typical of alkaline/ surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding. Even at room temperature, significant hydrolysis occurs within 1 to 2 months in the presence of sodium carbonate. While this implies that polymers used in ASP floods will rapidly become susceptible to precipitation with divalent cations, in most cases the alkali present will be the most sensitive component to precipitation, so this may be a moot point. Also, autoretarding kinetics under alkaline conditions limit hydrolysis at 100°C, whereas complete hydrolysis occurs under neutral conditions. Furthermore, in-situ hydrolysis of initially unhydrolyzed PAM is proposed as a promising strategy for ASP floods because the injectivity of the unhyrolyzed PAM will be greater than that of hydrolyzed PAM (HPAM) because of its lower initial viscosity. The lower initial viscosity is not a disadvantage because once it has been hydrolyzed in-situ, its viscosity will increase.
Cumulative-Gas-Production Distribution on the Nikanassin Tight Gas Formation, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Solano Nisael , Zambrano Liliana , Aguilera Roberto
Published: May 2011

271 wells producing exclusively from the Nikanassin and equivalent formations in a very large area of more than 15,000 km2 in the Western Canada Sedimentary basin (WCSB), Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, have been evaluated with a view to determine the distribution of cumulative gas production and the possibilities of intensive infill drilling.

The Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Nikanassin formation is generally characterized as a tight gas formation with low values of permeability (typically a fraction of millidarcy) and low porosities (usually less than 6%). It is likely that natural microfractures and slot pores dominate the productivity of the formation. The study area was divided into six smaller narrow areas (A through F) approximately parallel to the northwest/southeast-trending thrust belt of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Area A is located to the west of the deformation edge, Area B is on the deformation edge, and Areas C through F are located to the east. Area C is the deepest and closest to the thrust belt, whereas Area F is the shallowest and farthest from the thrust belt.

Cumulative production characteristics within each area were evaluated with a variability distribution model (VDM) developed recently for naturally fractured reservoirs. The evaluation of each one of the six areas (271 wells) resulted in coefficients of determination, R2 greater than 0.99 in all cases. The results indicate that the gas cumulative production distribution per well is more homogeneous along the deformation edge (Area B), in which 80% of the wells contribute approximately 50% of the cumulative production. The highest heterogeneity was found in Area F (the shallowest), with 80% of the wells contributing only 25% of the cumulative gas production. Areas A, C, D, and E have more or less the same distribution with 80% of the wells contributing between 35 and 45% of the cumulative gas production. In preliminary terms, there is an association between the cumulative-production distribution and lateral variations of borehole breakouts in the Nikanassin formation on a transect perpendicular to the deformation belt of the WCSB.

Analysis of the distributions leads to the conclusion that the Nikanassin is a very heterogeneous formation and that there is significant potential for massive drilling to efficiently drain the formation. The possibilities of horizontal wells and multistage hydraulic-fracturing jobs are being investigated at this time.
Study of Alkaline/Polymer Flooding for Heavy-Oil Recovery Using Channeled Sandpacks
Authors: Wu Yongge , Dong Mingzhe , Shirif Ezeddin
Published: May 2011

For heavy oils with viscosities ranging from 1000 to 10 000 mPa·s in western Canada, primary production and waterflood together can recover only 8–15% of original oil in place (OOIP) at their economic limits because of the adverse mobility ratio, severe water channeling, low reservoir pressure, and formation voidage. These heavy oils usually have a relatively high content of acids that can react with alkalis to form in-situ surfactants. The loosely consolidated sandstone formations in which these oils are deposited are characterized by high porosity, high permeability, and low reservoir temperature. These reservoir conditions are favorable for polymer application. Therefore, there is a potential to improve waterflood in these reservoirs by applying alkaline/polymer (A/P) flooding.

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study of A/P flooding for heavy-oil recovery, including viscosity measurements, flood tests conducted in channeled sandpacks, residual-resistance-factor (FRR) determination, and residual-oil-distribution tests. A heavy oil with a viscosity of 1,202 cp and an acid number of 1.07 (mg of KOH/g of oil) and produced brine collected from a heavy-oil reservoir in Alberta are used in this study. We found that the distribution of the injected chemical solution within the high-permeability channels leads to the diversion of the subsequently injected chemical solution to low-permeability zones with higher oil saturation because of the formation of blockage in the channel zones. Consequently, pressure buildup during chemical-slug injection is the key to the improvement of displacement efficiency. Flood tests also show that A/P flooding is more efficient than either alkaline flooding or polymer flooding. The optimal formulation for the heavy oil used in this study is 0.4% NaOH + 0.2% Na2CO3 + 1000 mg/L polymer, with a tertiary oil recovery of 25–30% of OOIP above that from waterflooding. Analysis of the results of the residual-oil distributions in the channeled sandpacks at the end of A/P flooding show that A/P flooding can effectively improve the sweep efficiency of waterflooding for the heavy oil.
Rate-Decline Analysis for Fracture-Dominated Shale Reservoirs
Authors: Duong Anh N.
Published: May 2011

Traditional decline methods such as Arps’ rate/time relations and their variations do not work for wells producing from supertight or shale reservoirs in which fracture flow is dominant. Most of the production data from these wells exhibit fracture-dominated flow regimes and rarely reach late-time flow regimes, even over several years of production. Without the presence of pseudoradial and boundary-dominated flows (BDFs), neither matrix permeability nor drainage area can be established. This indicates that matrix contribution is negligible compared with fracture contribution, and the expected ultimate recovery (EUR) cannot be based on a traditional concept of drainage area.

An alternative approach is proposed to estimate EUR from wells in which fracture flow is dominant and matrix contribution is negligible. To support these fracture flows, the connected fracture density of the fractured area must increase over time. This increase is possible because of local stress changes under fracture depletion. Pressure depletion within fracture networks would reactivate the existing faults or fractures, which may breach the hydraulic integrity of the shale that seals these features. If these faults or fractures are reactivated, their permeabilities will increase, facilitating enhanced fluid migration. For fracture flows at a constant flowing bottomhole pressure, a log-log plot of rate over cumulative production vs. time will yield a straight line with a unity slope regardless of fracture types. In practice, a slope of greater than unity is normally observed because of actual field operations, data approximation, and flow-regime changes. A rate/ time or cumulative production/time relationship can be established on the basis of the intercept and slope values of this log-log plot and initial gas rate.

Field examples from several supertight and shale gas plays for both dry and high-liquid gas production, and for oil production were used to test the new model. All display the predicted straightline trend, with its slope and intercept related to reservoir types. In other words, a certain fractured flow regime or a combination of flow types that dominate a given area or play because of its reservoir-rock characteristics and/or fracture-stimulation practices all produce a narrow range of intercepts and slopes. An individualwell performance or EUR can be derived that is based on this range if the best 3-month average or the initial production rate of the well is already known or estimated. The results show that this alternative approach is easier to use, gives a reliable EUR, and can be used to replace the traditional decline methods for unconventional reservoirs. The new approach is also able to provide statistical methods to analyze production forecasts of resource plays and to establish a range of results of these forecasts, including probability distributions of reserves in terms of P90 (lower side) to P10 (higher side).
Innovative Alternative to Full-Field Compositional Modeling-Case Study of the North Kuwait Jurassic Complex
Authors: Ghorayeb Kassem , Aziz Rafi Mohammad , Limsukhon Manoch , Al-Anzi Ealian
Published: May 2011

The North Kuwait Jurassic complex (NKJC) consists of six fields with four potential reservoirs in a naturally fractured Jurassic carbonate formation. Current understanding of the complex has led to 12 subdivisions of the area and potentially 48 separate compartments (segments) in the complex. These subdivisions are defined by fault boundaries supported by a combination of variations in fluid composition, initial pressures, and free-water levels estimated from capillary pressure and log saturation data.

Multiscenario production forecasts based on integrated full-field modeling were needed in the process of building a field-development plan (FDP) for the NKJC. An integrated asset modeling (IAM) framework is adopted in which multiple separate reservoir models are coupled through global constraints to meet gas-delivery targets.

We present the results of a feasibility study to select the optimal modeling strategy for the complex. We discuss available options to simulate multiple reservoirs, which, although isolated based on the current understanding of compartmentalization, need to meet global production targets. We show that using multiple-reservoirs integration through a controller to couple the separate reservoir models through global production targets/limits provides an optimal simulation framework for the NKJC—the flexibility and computational efficiency of multiple segment models and the comprehensiveness of full-field simulation modeling.

The solution uses a black-oil delumping technique to obtain compositional wellstreams while running black-oil simulation models. The feasibility study demonstrated that black-oil delumping enables the composition and component molar rates of a producing well from a black-oil reservoir simulation to be reconstituted accurately. Comparison of results obtained from a compositional model to those obtained from a black-oil model using black-oil delumping shows excellent agreement.

The adopted simulation framework provided us with all the benefits of a compositional full-field simulation model while adding two advantages (i.e., computational speed and flexibility). Full computational advantages of black-oil modeling are obtained while preserving the reservoir details required for an accurate prediction of well and reservoir behavior.
A Two-Stage Poisson Model for Testing RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Auer Paul L. , Doerge Rebecca W
Published: May 2011

RNA sequencing technology is providing data of unprecedented throughput, resolution, and accuracy. Although there are many different computational tools for processing these data, there are a limited number of statistical methods for analyzing them, and even fewer that acknowledge the unique nature of individual gene transcription. We introduce a simple and powerful statistical approach, based on a two-stage Poisson model, for modeling RNA sequencing data and testing for biologically important changes in gene expression. The advantages of this approach are demonstrated through simulations and real data applications.
Two Case Reports on the Use of Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GCP) Against Bladder Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Capodice Jillian L , Cammack A S , McKiernan James M , Katz Aaron E
Published: May 2011

We followed two subjects with resected stage Ta superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder who had not received intravesicle bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and received supplementation with the agent Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GCP) in an IRB approved study. The observation period was 12 months for both cases. After the yearly oral dosage of GCP, there was no recurrence in either of the subjects as determined by cytoscopy, urine cytology, and fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis of urine (UrovysionTM FISH Assay). The intravenous pyelogram (IVP), obtained at baseline and after 12 months, was also negative. There were no adverse events over the course of treatment and had full patient compliance and tolerability of the GCP agent in both cases.
Rent Control Rationing and Community Composition: Evidence from Massachusetts
Authors: Sims David P
Published: May 2011

This paper investigates whether rent control affects community socioeconomic composition. In particular, do rent controls increase the presence of poor and minority residents in a locale? Theoretically, the effect of rent control on community composition is ambiguous, as it depends upon several factors including willingness to occupy controlled apartments, landlord imposed rationing mechanisms, and spillover effects of rent controlled housing on uncontrolled units. Using census data on how Cambridge, Massachusetts and nearby communities responded to the state imposed end of rent control, I find evidence that rent control increased the presence of minority residents but also decreased the proportion of poor residents. This evidence is robust to alternate control areas and several specification checks. I also find that despite its positive impact on minority membership, rent control is associated with an increase in traditional measures of residential segregation.
Building Microfinance Associations: Goals, Implementation and Policy Implications
Authors: Hudak Kristen
Published: May 2011

With increasing emphasis being placed on professionalism and a self-sustaining financial model, microfinance institutions are joining forces in national associations. This research explores the stated goals of these associations and the challenges they face in implementation, through content analysis and case studies of Sri Lanka and Nepal. It finds that microfinance associations are not focused solely on representing and advocating for the interests of their members. Rather, this function is often combined or even overshadowed by important capacity building services. In some cases, associations are even filling gaps in formal regulatory oversight. At the same time, they face challenges of institutionalization and heterogeneous membership.
It's Civil Society, Stupid! A Review of Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the World by Michael Edwards
Authors: Meyer Michael
Published: May 2011

With Small Change: Why Business Wont Save the World, Michael Edwards delivers a powerful critique of the movement he calls philanthrocapitalism. This review tracks his main arguments and summarizes the book's content. Despite a few weaknesses in sourcing its arguments, the book is strongly recommended both to academics and to practitioners, especially to the prophets and disciples of the venture philanthropy and social business.
Editor's Note
Authors: Young Dennis R
Published: May 2011

Our second issue clearly illuminates the international and far ranging scope of nonprofit-related policy issues worldwide. Topics include, micro finance associations in developing countries, recent trends in nonprofit-government relations, an examination of Policy Research Organizations, tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals, and corporate laws role in stimulating the growth of the nonprofit sector.
Interpopulation genetic-ecological variation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Serbia
Authors: Lucic Aleksandar , Isajev Vasilije , Cvjeticanin Rade , Rakonjac Ljubinko , Novakovic Marijana , Nikolic Ana , Mladenovic-Drinic Snezana
Published: May 2011

The genetic-ecological variation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in
Serbia was studied in the populations at five localities in western and
south-western Serbia. Three groups of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
populations were differentiated based on genetic research (seed protein
analysis) and plant community research. The first group consists of Scots
pine populations on Sargan (FMU ?Sargan?) and on Tara (FMU ?Kaluderske
Bare?), where the forests belong to the community of Scots pine and Austrian
pine (Pinetum sylvestris-nigrae Pavlovic 1951). The second group covers the
localities Stolovi (FMU ?Radocelo-Crepuljnik?) and Zlatar (FMU ?Zlatar I?),
where the forests belong to the community of Scots pine and spruce (Piceo
abietis-Pinetum sylvestris Stefanovic 1960). The third group comprises the
Scots pine population on Pester (FMU ?Dubocica-Bare?) which belongs to the
community of Scots pine with erica (Erico-Pinetum sylvestris Stefanovic
1963). Cluster analysis was performed on the basis of seed protein data and
showed that there are three groups of Scots pine populations. The three
populations coincide with plant communities. The community of Scots pine with
erica (Erico-Pinetum sylvestris Stefanovic 1963) recorded on Pester at the
locality ?Dubocica- Bare? in the area of FE ?Golija? Ivanjica, is a special
Scots pine population displayed at the greatest distance from all other
populations in the cluster analysis dendrogram.
Variability of yield determining components in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and their correlation with seed yield
Authors: Marjanovic-Jeromela Ana , Marinkovic Radovan , Ivanovska Sonja , Jankulovska Mirjana , Mijic Anto , Hristov Nikola
Published: May 2011

Designing breeding programs for rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars with
improved seed and oil yields require information about the genetic
variability of traits effecting seed and oil production. This investigation
was undertaken in order to examine phenotypic and genetic variability,
broad-sense heritability, genetic gain under selection and interrelationships
of some agronomic and seed quality traits of investigated genotypes.
Genotypes, years and their interaction showed significant variation for all
studied characters. Phenotypic variability coefficients were higher than
genetic ones. Broad-sense heritability estimates ranged from 12.66% (for
ripening period) up to 52.12% (for days to first pods filling). Expected
genetic gain was lowest for days to maturity (0.45%) and highest for height
to the first lateral branch (12.94%). The analysis of genetic correlations
revealed that seed yield per plant is highly and positively associated with
pods per plant, oil content, plant height and ripening period, although
significant negative correlations were found between seed yield per plant and
leaves per plant, days to maturity, protein content, days to first pods
filling, days to flowering, height of the first lateral branch and 1000 seed
weight. Genetic path-coefficient analysis indicated that pods per plant and
oil content were the most important components of seed yield per plant. Their
direct effects on seed yield per plant were p=0.472 and p=0.082,
respectively. Protein content had highly significant negative direct effect
on seed yield (p=-0.365), followed by 1000 seed weight (p=-0.017) and height
to the first lateral branch (p=-0.081). These observations will support the
selection of genotypes with desired traits for further rapeseed seed and oil
yield improvement.
Effect of different proportions of exotic germplasm on grain yield and grain moisture in maize
Authors: Nastasic Aleksandra , Ivanovic Mile , Stojakovic Milisav , Stanisavljevic Dusan , Treskic Sanja , Mitrovic Bojan , Drazic Slobodan
Published: May 2011

Two main questions in programs introgressing exotic maize germplasm into
temperate materials are the choice of available exotic sources to work with,
and the proportion of exotic germplasm that should be incorporated into
adapted germplasm. The objective of this study was to compare effects of
different proportions of tropical maize inbred line NC298 in hybrids male
parent on grain yield and grain moisture content, using method of orthogonal
polynomials. Methods of direct crosses and backcrosses were used to form four
hybrid groups (six hybrids each) containing 0, 25, 50 and 75 percent of
tropical exotic germplasm, respectively, by their male parent (or one half of
mentioned proportions in the corresponding hybrids). The linear components of
the germplasm proportions sum of squares, were significant (p<0.01) for both
grain yield and moisture content and the cubic effect (p<0.05) for grain
yield only. Results in this study clearly suggested backcross foundation
populations with an adapted line to be appropriate selection sources for both
grain yield and grain moisture content.
Interrelationship between grain yield and physiological parameters of winter wheat nitrogen nutrition efficiency
Authors: Nikolic Olivera , Zivanovic Tomislav , Kraljevic-Balalic Marija , Milovanovic Milivoje
Published: May 2011

This paper deals with interrelationship between grain yield and some
physiological parameters of wheat plant nitrogen nutrition efficiency as well
as interrelationships between these parameters and some yield related traits
(biological yield, grain harvest index). The aim of such investigation is to
affirm possibilities of using physiological parameters of wheat plant
nitrogen nutrition efficiency as criterions in breeding on its grain yield.
The investigation, conducted as three years field trials, included 30 wheat
cultivars and perspective lines. There were studied: nitrogen content in the
above - ground part of plant at anthesis, in grain, in straw and total
nitrogen content at maturity, nitrogen harvest index, nitrogen reutilization,
post - anthesis nitrogen accumulation and physiological efficiency of
nitrogen. The positive and statistically high significant relationships
between nitrogen content in the above - ground part of plant at anthesis, in
grain and in straw, total nitrogen content at maturity, nitrogen
reutilization and post - anthesis accumulation as physiological parameters
and grain yield were registered in investigated material. Most of listed
parameters, important by grain yield aspect, can be studied easily and
measured before wheat vegetative period ends. The investigated parameters can
be recommended as criterions for selecting of parental pairs and evaluating
progeny in breeding of wheat on grain yield, considering to their determined
interrelationships and their measurability.
Inheritance of quantitative traits in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)
Authors: Yadav H.K. , Singh S.P.
Published: May 2011

Generation mean analysis was carried out using five parameter model on five
cross combinations with five generations i.e. parents, F1s, F2s, and F3s
randomly selected from partial diallel breeding experiment. The aim of study
was to investigate the mode of gene actions involved in the inheritance of
quantitative traits viz. days to 50% flowering, plant height, leaves/plant,
capsules/plant, capsule size, capsule weight/plant, seed yield/plant and
opium yield/plant. C and D scaling test showed the presence of non allelic
interaction in the inheritance for all the traits except for plant height,
seed yield/plant (ND1001xIS13) and capsule size (NBR5xND1002) which showed
non interacting mode of inheritance. In general, the interaction effect
together i.e. additive x additive [i] and dominance x dominance [l] found in
higher magnitude than the combined main effects of additive [d] and dominance
[h] effects for all the traits in all the five crosses. Dominance effect [h]
was found pronounced for most of the traits except days to 50% flowering
where additive effect [d] was found prevalent. Among the interaction effects
dominance x dominance [l] was predominant over additive x additive [i] for
all traits in all the five crosses except capsules/plant and capsule size in
cross ND1001xNBRI11 and leaves/plant and opium yield/plant in cross
NBRI5xND1002. As per sign of dominance (h) and dominance x dominance (l)
duplicate epistasis were noticed for all the traits except plant height and
leaves/plant in cross ND1001xUO1285. Potence ratio indicated presence of over
dominance for almost all the traits. Substantial amount of realized
heterosis, residual heterosis in F2 and F3 progenies and high heritability
with moderate to high genetic advance in F2 progeny and significant
correlation among important traits in desirable direction were observed. A
breeding strategy of diallel selective mating or biparental mating in early
segregating generation followed by recurrent selection may be used for
genetic improvement.
Evaluation of morphological traits, dry matter yield and quality of Lolium perenne L. autochthonous populations from Serbia through multivariate analysis
Authors: Sokolovic Dejan , Lugic Zoran , Radovic Jasmina , Zivanovic Tomislav , Babic Snezana , Simic Aleksandar , Maletic Radojka
Published: May 2011

Due to specific climatic conditions, perennial ryegrass breeding in Serbia is
focused on resistance or tolerance to abiotic stress factors, especially to
drought and high temperatures. These traits should be associated with high
dry matter yield and quality. Therefore, most frequently used initial
material is autochthonous populations and ecotypes adapted to local
agro-ecological conditions, but knowledge about their variability of
important traits for breeding is missing. Pre-selection evaluation of ten
populations of perennial ryegrass originating from Serbia is presented in
this paper. Twenty five traits were investigated during the two-year period
and processed using analysis of variance and multivariate statistical methods
(cluster and principal components analysis). The goal was to determine
diversity and genetic distances of investigated populations by phenotyping
and to define traits considerably affecting the variability and
discrimination of populations. On cluster diagram two groups of population
are observed, but geographic origin of populations (lowland, hilly,
mountainous habitat) was not influence to clustering of collection. Factor
analysis has clarified that first seven principal components (PC) described
almost 95%. The traits which show high correlation coefficients with first
principal component were plant height in first cut, leaf length and width, DM
of generative tillers, spike and spikelet length and 1000 seed weight, and
with second principal component time of heading, terminal internode length,
DM of vegetative tillers, spikelet number and FSU. It can be concluded that
variability between populations was high and that differences of population
were mainly affected by most important traits for breeding, such as
components of dry matter production and some seed yield components.
Development of sunflower hybrids tolerant to tribenuron methyl
Authors: Jocic Sinisa , Malidza Goran , Cvejic Sandra , Hladni Nada , Miklic Vladimir , Skoric Dragan
Published: May 2011

Discovery of tribenuron-methyl resistant wild Helianthus annuus L. population
(ANN-KAN) created an opportunity for expansion of sunflower herbicide
resistance breeding program. The aim of this study was development of
sunflower hybrids resistant to tribenuron-methyl. Creation of
tribenuron-methyl resistant hybrids would enable the use of a wider palette
of herbicides for sunflower, more efficient chemical control of Cirsium
arvense and more economically profitable post-emergence control of some
annual broad-leaves weeds in sunflower. Original populations SURES-1 and
SURES-2 are homozygous for resistance to tribenuron-methyl. F1 generations
produced from the crossings are completely resistant to tribenuron-methyl,
pointing out to dominant way of inheritance of this trait. Studies on the
exact number of genes controlling the resistance are in progress.
Tribenuron-methyl resistance was transferred from original populations into a
number of female and male inbred lines of cultivated sunflower. These inbred
lines could enable creation of a number of hybrids resistant to
tribenuron-methyl. Hybrids SUMO-1-PR, SUMO-2- OR and SUMO-3 are resistant to
doubled application dose of tribenuron-methyl. Agronomical characteristics
of these hybrids are on the level with the leading conventional sunflower
hybrids.
Genotype specificity in nitrogen nutrition of malting barley
Authors: Popovic Vera , Glamoclija Djordje , Malesevic Miroslav , Ikanovic Jela , Drazic Gordana , Spasic Marija , Stankovic Sasa
Published: May 2011

A three-year trial (2003-2005) was conducted under agro ecological conditions
of Timocka Krajina (the experiment farm of Technological Research Center in
Zajecar). Research object were six malting barley genotypes, which were
top-dressed with the following amounts of nitrogen in the course of growing
season: 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg ha-1. A non-fertilized variant served as a
control. The obtained results indicated that the tested genotypes reacted to
increased amounts of nitrogen by changing their morphological and biological
characteristics as well as the technological values of grain. The
effectiveness of the applied nitrogen depended significantly on the
distribution of rainfall in periods of highest water uptake by malting
barley.
Recycling of mill scale in sintering process
Authors: El-Hussiny N.A. , Mohamed F.M. , Shalabi M.E.H.
Published: May 2011

This investigation deals with the effect of replacing some amount of Baharia
high barite iron ore concentrate by mill scale waste which was characterized
by high iron oxide content on the parameters of the sintering process., and
investigation the effect of different amount of coke breeze added on
sintering process parameters when using 5% mill scale waste with 95% iron ore
concentrate. The results of this work show that, replacement of iron ore
concentrate with mill scale increases the amount of ready made sinter, sinter
strength and productivity of the sinter machine and productivity at blast
furnace yard. Also, the increase of coke breeze leads to an increase the
ready made sinter and productivity of the sintering machine at blast furnace
yard. The productivity of the sintering machine after 5% decreased slightly
due to the decrease of vertical velocity.
Interaction of silver nanopowder with copper substrate
Authors: Sopousek J. , Bursík J. , Zálesák J. , Bursíková V. , Broz P.
Published: May 2011

Addition of lead into tin based solders represents a serious health risk and
environmental problem. Lead-free solders represent one of the ways to remove
pollution of lead into environment, nevertheless, new advanced joining
methods have to be considered. Aggregation effect of nanoparticles studied in
this work seems to be an interesting alternative. It was found experimentally
that Ag nanopowder annealed at temperatures above silver oxide decomposition
forms continuous Ag layer and yields a firm junction between copper plates.
Oxide layer is observed at the Cu-Ag interface. The oxide interlayer
thickness reflects the temperature and annealing time. Microstructure of
prepared experimental joints, composition profiles and local mechanical
properties were studied on cross-sectional samples by analytical electron
microscopy and depth-sensing indentation technique.
Nano pores evolution in hydroxyapatite microsphere during spark plasma sintering
Authors: Lin C. , Xiao C. , Shen Z.
Published: May 2011

Micron-spherical granules of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles were prepared
by powder granulation methods. Through subsequent sintering, porous HAp
microspheres with tailored pore and grain framework structures were obtained.
Detailed microstructure investigation by SEM and TEM revealed the correlation
of the pore structure and the necking strength with the sintering profiles
that determine the coalescence features of the nanoparticles. The partially
sintered porous HAp microspheres containing more than 50% porosity consisting
of pores and grains both in nano-scale are active in inducing the
precipitation of HAp in simulated body fluid. The nano-porous HAp
microspheres with an extensive surface and interconnecting pores thus
demonstrate the potential of stimulating the formation of collagen and bone
and the integration with the newly formed bones during physiological bone
remodeling.
The effect of K2O on the crystallization of niobium germanate glasses
Authors: Matijasevic S.D. , Tosic M.B. , Grujic S.R. , Stojanovic J.N. , Zivanovic V.D. , Nikolic J.D.
Published: May 2011

The effect of K2O content on the crystallization of niobium germanate glasses
with 22.7- 24.27 wt% of GeO2 and 54.59-57.48 wt% of Nb2O5 was examined. The
glasses crystallize by primary crystallization and the formed crystalline
phases were K6Nb6Ge4O26, K3.8Nb5Ge3O20.4 and KNbO3. Increasing the K2O
content caused a decrease in the GeO2 content of the primary phases. The
effect of the K2O content on the kinetics of primary crystallization was
analyzed. It was demonstrated that an increase of the K2O content decreased
the activation energy of crystal growth at first of the crystallization peaks
(Ec1). At second crystallization peaks the activation energies of crystal
growth increased (Ec2).
Kinetics of the Bray-Liebhafsky oscillatory reaction perturbed by polymer supported cobalt catalyst
Authors: Maksimovic J.P. , Cupic Z.D. , Loncarevic D. , Pejic N. , Vasiljevic-Radovic D. , Anic S.
Published: May 2011

The Bray-Liebhafsky (BL) oscillatory reaction generated in the batch reactor
at 62- 68 oC was perturbed by cobalt(II)-nitrate, supported on the
macroreticular copolymer of poly-4-vinylpyridine with divinylbenzene
(Co-PVPDVB). The kinetic data was analyzed of the complex pathways of the
hydrogen peroxide decomposition in the examined BL reaction. The obtained
results confirm that the kinetics of the BL reaction in the presence
Co-PVPDVB comes partially from the Co-catalyst and partially from the
macroreticular copolymer support.
Microstructures and mechanical properties of ZA27-Al2O3 composites obtained by powder metallurgy process
Authors: Bozic D. , Stasic J. , Rajkovic V.
Published: May 2011

This paper describes a study of the microstructures and mechanical properties
of Zn matrix composites reinforced by 10 wt.% Al2O3 particles of 0.7 ?m
average size. Commercial Zn-Al-Cu (ZA27) alloy was gas atomized and the
resulting powder was mixed with an Al2O3 powder, and then hot pressed into
cylindrical pellets. Metal powder and powder mixtures were pressed at 230?C,
for 45 min under the pressure of 150 MPa. The compressive strength testing
was performed in the temperature range from 20?C to 160?C, with a deformation
rate of 2.4?10-3s-1. The microstructures and the fracture surface of the
samples were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy.
Development of new material for the environmental-friendly energy generation processes
Authors: Ristic S. , Jovicevic A. , Kocic S. , Spasojevic M. , Maricic A.
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to develop a new material which has high hydrogen
storage capacity and hydrogen absorption/desorption rate. This material, which
is based on cobalt powder onto which palladium was chemically deposited can
be used in environmentally friendly energy generation processes, thus
ensuring preventive protection of human health. Hydrogen absorption was
investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and by measuring
hydrogen pressure under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions in a chamber
containing either pure cobalt powder either cobalt powder onto which
palladium was chemically deposited (Co-0.003 Pd). The mechanism of hydrogen
absorption has been described. It was noticed that palladium catalyses
hydrogen absorption by dissociating the adsorbed H2 molecules into H atoms
more rapidly on its own atoms than on cobalt ones. The catalysis of
dissociation of H2 molecules enabled hydrogen absorption into Co-0.003 Pd
powder to occur at lower temperatures. The results of this study enable
integration of technological and public health investigation in order to
ensure preventive protection of human health through enviromental protection.
Isothermal kinetics of titanium-oxo-alkoxy clusters formation
Authors: Baros Z.Z. , Adnadjevic B.K. , Pavlovic V.B.
Published: May 2011

In this article, the influences of titanium tetraisopropoxide Ti(OR)4 (R =
Pri) concentration, molar ratio, h = [H2O]/[Ti(OR)4], and temperature, on the
formation kinetics of the titanium-oxo-alkoxy clusters (TOAC), were studied.
The TOAC formation isothermal kinetics was monitored by measuring absorbance
changes versus time in the reaction mixture at predefined wavelength ? = 350
nm. It was determined that the isothermal rate of clusters formation is a
power law function of titanium tetraisopropoxide concentration and the molar
concentration of water (cw). The kinetic parameters ? and ? were calculated.
The apparent activation energy Ea values in the clusters formation reaction
has been calculated and correlated with the change of titanium
tetraisopropoxide concentration and molar ratio. The model for mechanism of
TOAC formation is proposed.
Association between anthropometric indexes and cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Luksiene Dalia , Petkeviciene Janina , Jureniene Kristina , Klumbiene Jurate , Smalinskiene Alina , Tamosiunas Abdonas
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to assess the associations of the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and risk factors of IHD in the Lithuanian population aged 25 to 70 years. The cross-sectional health survey was carried out in Kaunas, which is the second largest city in Lithuania, and in five regions randomly selected from the northern, southern, eastern, western and central parts of Lithuania. Data from 2048 subjects (936 men and 1112 women) were analyzed. In both sexes, the odds ratios for reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, high fasting blood glucose, and hypertension rose with an increasing quartile of BMI, WC, and WHtR. The likelihood of having IHD was statistically significantly higher in the fourth quartile of these anthropometric measures when compared to the first one. Comparison of the logistic regression models revealed that the models with WHtR best fit the prediction of IHD risk. Compared with BMI and WC, WHtR showed a stronger association with IHD and its risk factors in the Lithuanian adult population.