bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shorelines displacement in the Saronic gulf area during the last 18.000 years and the Kihrea Paleolake
Authors: ΜΑΡΙΟΛΑΚΟΣ Η. , ΘΕΟΧΑΡΗΣ Δ.
Published: August 2018

The wider area of Attica region and generally the Saronic Gulf contains a significant part of the history and mythology of the ancient Hellenic world. Without overreacting, it could be said that it is one of the most sacred regions of Ancient Greece and perhaps is the only region in the whole world that is related to the birth of so many gods, goddesses and heroes. This fact is linked to the paleo-climatic and geo-environmental changes that have been taken place in the Aegean and Peri-Aegean area and especially in the Saronic Gulf. As it is known, during the last 18000 years, which is after the end of the last glacial period, the climatic changes related to temperature rise had as a consequence the rise of the sea level by 125 m at least. The sea level rise had as a result significant changes in the natural environment and mainly to the distribution of coastlines and coastal areas. The rise of the sea level had also as a result the flooding of closed hydrological basins with changes in their physico-geographical function by changing them initially to lakes and in time to basins. Prehistoric man witnessed these changes in his environment and he attributed them to various gods, sometimes to destructive gods and sometimes to protective ones. All these are mentioned in several myths of Greek mythology. Therefore, the aim of this paper is the correlation of several of those myths with the physicogeographical and geological changes that took place mainly during prehistoric times in order to attempt their interpretation. We will try to approach the mythological relationship of Salamis nymph, the daughter of Asopos river and Metopi, with god Poseidon, in relation to the physicogeographical changes in the greater area between the island of Salamis and Elefsis area during the last 18000 years. The area which, nowadays, is being occupying by the bay of Elefsis. In this area 18.000 years BP there was a closed hydrological basin, which is a morphological depression that did not communicate with the sea, during that time the Saronic Gulf shoreline was located about 30 km away. The data collected up to today do not allow us to say that it was a lake during that period, however, something very possible especially during 10000 BP and 5000 BP. We named this paleo-lake "Kichrea Lake" as a tribute towards Kihreas, the son of Poseidon and Salamis nymph. At this point it is worth mentioning that Salamina and her sister Aegina were both daughters of Asopos river, a river that is located in Aegina Island and that today unfortunately has been renamed to Skoteini stream.
The floating mire of Voulkaria lake (Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania
Authors: ΜΠΟΥΖΙΝΟΣ Α. , ΠΑΠΑΖΗΣΙΜΟΥ Σ. , ΧΡΗΣΤΑΝΗΣ Κ. , ΤΖΕΔΑΚΗΣ Π. Κ.
Published: August 2018

The 940-ha-large Voulkaria lake is located in a Quaternary graben at the northwestern edge of Aitoloakarnania province, Western Greece. It is a shallow lake with a maximum depth of 2.5 m. A small fen forms at the southern shore of the lake. Neogene sediments (marls, sandstones and conglomerates) and alluvial deposits form the northwestern and southeastern parts of the graben, while red soils (terra rossa) cover the northern part. Helophytes thrive along the shore of the lake. The dominant species are Phragmites australis, Scirpus lacustris, Cladium mariscus, Typha spp., Salix spp. Helophytic vegetation also grows on a floating mat which consists of aquatic plants and roots of some helophytes. Peat displays a homogenous matrix. The degree of humification after von Post ranges between 7-8. The peat contains mainly fine roots, epidermic fragments of Phragmites australis, fruits and seeds from Cladium mariscus, Carex spp. and woody tissues of Salix spp. Moisture and ash contents lie between 56-82% and 37-63%, respectively. Palynomorphs of upland and helophytic vegetation were recognized in the sediments. Radiocarbon dating suggests that peat accumulation started some 1450 years ago. The floating mire of Voulkaria lake is one of the most important wetlands of Amvrakikos Gulf. It consists a unique ecosystem in our country, the conservation of which should be of high priority because of its ecological value.
Palaegeographic evolution of the Kerinthos coastal area (NE Evia island) during the late Holocene
Authors: MAROUKIAN H. , PALYVOS N. , PAVLOPOULOS K. , NICOLOPOULOS E.
Published: August 2018

Preliminary results of a detailed study on the palaeogeographic evolution of the Kerinthos coastal archaeological area (N. Evia island) are presented. The coastal setting of Kerinthos has been subjected to important changes during the Late Holocene, under the influence of eustatic sea-level rise, progradation of the Voudhoros river alluvial plain, and tectonic uplift. Subsurface stratigraphie data indicate that Peleki, a naturally sheltered coastal embayment that has been partially infilled by Voudhoros alluvia since at least the Classical period, had been previously a shallow, low-energy brackish water coastal environment - since at least 5000 B.P. Coastal tectonic uplift of the order of 3 m during the last 5 millennia is inferred from 14C dated marsh deposits (0.6 mm/ yr minimum mean uplift rate).
Drainage evolution and river flooding related to tectonic and human activities
Authors: ZELILIDIS A.
Published: August 2018

Flooding events accompanied by destruction of human infrastructure many times are related with evolution of river drainage. If towns were built or will be built on or near an abandoned channel it is dangerous because if this channel is the misfit element of a reverse drainage basin, it could change again to its original flow forming a re-established drainage. In this case, the abandoned channel could become active, and in the area of the wind gap large gorges could be formed, with consequent impact on human activities. Also, we can predict that in the next e.g. ?100 years: a) The reverse drainages of Olvios and Rethis rivers, will remain stable, whereas the antecedent drainage of Piros and Selemnos rivers could change to a reverse drainage.
Paleomagnetism and magnetic fabrics of the Almopias, Thessaly and Milos volcanics. Implications for the regional deformation
Authors: ATZEMOGLOU A. , KONDOPOULOU D. , ZANANIRI I.
Published: August 2018

New palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic data obtained from the plio-quaternary volcanics in Almopias (NW Greece) are presented, together with existing ones from two other localities (Thessaly and Milos) in the Aegean extensional area. In most cases a stable component, slightly deviated from the expected direction, has been identified. Rock magnetic analysis reveals the presence of either magnetite (Thessaly), hematite (Milos) or both (Almopias) The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility reaches significant levels for only part of the samples whereas the anisotropy ellipsoid could be defined in only one case (Almopias). The existing structural data for the three areas, together with fault plane solutions provide a representative deformation pattern. Comparison of -small- rotation angles and possible rotation of the stress field has been possible in the case of Almopias.
Case Report: Root resorption caused after pulp death of adjacent primary molar
Authors: Azab Maha M. , Moheb Dalia M. , El Shahawy Osama I.
Published: August 2018

Necrotic decayed primary molars with necrotic pulp tissues may show periapical involvement and root resorption. In this case report, a pediatric patient with a very common chief complain and clinical picture of necrotic badly decayed molar, introduced a very interesting case when radiographic investigation was performed, which showed that root resorption of the adjacent healthy molar occurred. The current report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to report such finding in primary dentition.
Factors influencing malignant mesothelioma survival: a retrospective review of the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank cohort
Authors: Amin Waqas , Linkov Faina , Landsittel Douglas P. , Silverstein Jonathan C. , Becich Michael J.
Published: August 2018

Background: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare but deadly malignancy with about 3,000 new cases being diagnosed each year in the US.  Very few studies have been performed to analyze factors associated with mesothelioma survival, especially for peritoneal presentation. The overarching aim of this study is to examine survival of the cohort of patients with malignant mesothelioma enrolled in the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB).  

Methods: 888 cases of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma cases were selected from the NMVB database, which houses over 1400 cases that were diagnosed from 1990 to 2017. Kaplan Meier’s method was performed for survival analysis. The association between prognostic factors and survival was estimated using Cox Hazard Regression method and using R software for analysis.

Results:The median overall survival (OS) rate of all MM patients, including pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma cases is 15 months (14 months for pleural and 31 months for peritoneal).  Significant prognostic factors associated with improved survival of malignant mesothelioma cases in this NMVB cohort were below the age of 45, female gender, epithelioid histological subtype, stage I, peritoneal occurrence, and had treatment that consisted of combining surgical therapy with chemotherapy. Combined surgical and chemotherapy treatment was associated with improved survival of 23 months in comparison to single line therapies.

Conclusions:There has not been improvement in the overall survival for patients with malignant mesothelioma over many years with current available treatment options. Our findings show that combined surgical and chemotherapy treatment is associated with improved survival compared to local therapy alone.
Point-of-care ultrasound use in the pre-hospital setting
Authors: Delorenzo Ashleigh , Meadley Ben
Published: August 2018

In the pre-hospital setting, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic tool that can provide additional clinical information to assist with pre-hospital management strategies and choice of hospital destination. Studies describing the clinical utility of paramedic-performed POCUS in the pre-hospital setting are lacking; however with the right training and education, paramedics are able to adequately obtain high-quality ultrasound images. Despite this, education programmes vary widely and a standardised approach is yet to be defined. The technology of ultrasound devices continues to evolve and in future, the transmission of ultrasound images to the receiving hospital should be a minimum requirement. While some studies report that POCUS influences pre-hospital management, data are lacking as to whether this improves patient outcomes. The authors have demonstrated the potentially significant role of POCUS in pre-hospital care; however this assessment modality does not replace physical examination, clinical experience and clinical decision-making.
Death notification delivery and training methods
Authors: Walker Eoin
Published: August 2018

For a paramedic, delivering a death notification (DN) is one of the most difficult and stressful messages they will have to communicate in practice. Stress and anxiety in both recipients and paramedics have been documented through a limited literature base. The current review seeks to understand the existing educational tools and training around DN, and evaluates the applicability of these in the pre-hospital environment.
Urinary tract infection profile among a hospitalized newborn: a single center study in Iran, 2006-2015
Authors: Sabzehei Mohammad K. , Basiri Behnaz , Shokouhi Maryam , Eghbalian Fatemeh
Published: August 2018

Background: Urinary tract infection in infants is associated with septicemia and genitourinary anomalies. This study was aimed at investigating the frequency, clinical signs, and anomalies in infants hospitalized for urinary tract infection.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all infants with urinary infection who were hospitalized in the neonatal ward of Be’sat Hospital from 2006 to 2015.Results: Of 79 infants with urinary infection, 62% were male and 87.3% were term infants. The mean age at admission was 16.62±7.17 days, and the mean weight was 3276±478.23 grams. The most frequent clinical sign and the most common pathogen reported were prolonged jaundice (62%) and Escherichia coli (69.6%), respectively. Of the samples, 93.7% were obtained by suprapubic aspiration, 23% had leukocytosis, and 2.5% had urosepsis. In urinalysis examination, 81% had pyuria and 19% had positive nitrate. Among 25.3% infants who had abnormal ultrasound findings, the most abnormal finding was mild bilateral hydronephrosis and 6.3% of the infants had abnormal voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) in which vesicoureteral reflux was the most frequent finding.Conclusion: It showed that a prolonged jaundice in infants should be considered as a strong factor predicting urinary tract infection.
MEMBEDAH SERVANT LEADERSHIP PERSONAL KEFARMASIAN (Sebuah Studi Kasus Apoteker PT. Kimia Farma Apotek UB Semarang)
Authors: Wisudasari Ita Zonia , Mas'ud Fuad , Rahardja Eddy
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this research is to analyze the characteristics of servant leadership and servant leadership competence conducted Apothecary built by the Apothecary at PT. Kimia Farma UB Semarang.From this research is expected  to contribute the development of science in general and the field of human resources management in particular and as a reference when further research is conducted, especially on those who want to learn about servant leadership.Another goal is that management  is expected to use as a material consideration or input to PT. Kimia Farma UB Semarang as a guide in competition Pharmacist to have leadership servant leadership that synergize with professionThe participants of this research consisted of 10 people, consisting of 7 (seven) person Apothecary and 3 (three) Apothecary Assistant. The ten participants representing structural position of PT. Kimia Farma UB Semarang. Determination of informants using snowball sampling method. This research method is qualitative analysis tool used is the technique of triangulation and member check.The result of the analysis showed that all participants of PT. Kimia Farma UB Semarang proved the characteristics of servant leadership and servant leadership competence can be built by the pharmacist. Expected Pharmacist as a leader able to build a communication that can synergize existing resources to maximize the potential of subordinates to be successful
GEN Y LEADER: QUALITATIVE PHENOMENOLOGY LEADERSHIP STUDIES IN PLN APD JATENG & DIY
Authors: Akmalaputri Arsyadany Ghana , Yuniawan Ahyar , Djastuti Indi
Published: August 2018

This qualitative phenomenological study to examine and compare the style and character of Gen Y leadership with the style and character of Gen X leadership in PT. Perusahaan Listrik Negara Area Pengatur Distribusi Jawa Tengah & Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. The study was conducted through in-depth interviews and direct observation of selected respondents. The questions are (i) Gen X (old) leadership in preparing the cadre to deal with change, (ii) Gen Y's leadership in responding to the company's target challenge in the face of change.The respondents of this study were the group of Gen Y leaders and the group of Gen X leaders at PT. PLN APD Jateng & DIY. The method used is qualitative phenomenology. It is used because the purpose of this study to reveal the meaning of concept or phenomenon of experience based on the awareness that occurs in some individuals in PT. PLN APD Jateng & DIY.The results showed that Gen Y Leader at PT. PLN APD Jateng & DIY provides an understanding of organizational achievement targets to staff or subordinates in typical millennial youth. In addition to coaching, mentoring and counseling (CMC) and streamlining the WhatsApp Group (WA), they also often hang out together. The leadership cadre preparation process continues unabated, through an active WA Group 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 30 days in a month. While the leaders of Gen X only use the CMC, code of conduct (CoC), and the person in charge (PIC) for the pattern of regeneration. The results also show that in addition to being very open to differences, Gen Y's leaders are also very tolerant of conflict in working relationships.
ANALISIS PENGARUH TECHNOLOGY READINESS TERHADAP MINAT MENGGUNAKAN TCASH DI KOTA SEMARANG
Authors: Pratiwi Mirna Tria , Indriani Farida , Sugiarto J.
Published: August 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana cara meningkatkan minat menggunakan TCASH di kota Semarang. Penelitian ini menguji pengaruh beberapa variabel terhadap minat menggunakan yaitu technology readiness, persepsi kemudahan, dan persepsi manfaat.Sampel penelitian ini adalah pengguna smartphone di Kota Semarang, dengan jumlah sebanyak 105 orang. Pengambilan data dilaksanakan dengan menggunakan kuisioner, yang berisi 15 pertanyaan untuk menjawab 6 hipotesis yang diajukan. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah Structural Equation Model (SEM) yang diolah dengan software AMOS 22.Berdasarkan hasil pengujian hipotesis, terdapat 5 hipotesis yang diterima dan 1 hipotesis yang ditolak. Uji hipotesis menunjukkan bahwa technology readiness berpengaruh signifikan positif terhadap persepsi kemudahan, persepsi manfaat, dan minat menggunakan. Persepsi kemudahan berpengaruh signifikan positif terhadap persepsi manfaat dan minat menggunakan. Untuk meningkatkan minat menggunakan TCASH dapat dilakukan dengan meningkatkan technology readiness dan persepsi kemudahan terhadap produk TCASH.
The landscape of trauma, pain and hope in Jim Crace’sThe Pesthouse
Authors: Chalupský Petr
Published: August 2018

Jim Crace likes to refer to himself as a “landscape writer” and indeed, in each of his eleven novels he has created a distinct yet recognizable imaginary landscape or cityscape. This has led critics to coin the term “Craceland” to describe the idiosyncratic milieux he creates, which, through his remarkably authentic and poetic rendering of geography and topography, appear to be both other and familiar at the same time. InThe Pesthouse2007, the milieu is the devastated America of an imagined future, a country which has deteriorated into a pre-modern and pre-industrial wasteland so hostile to sustainable existence that most of its inhabitants have become refugees travelling eastwards to sail to a new life on another continent. Franklin and Margaret, two such refugees, are leaving their homes not only to flee misery and destitution, but also the trauma and pain occasioned by the loss of their relatives. Using geocriticism as a practice and theoretical point of departure, this article presents and analyses the various ways in which Crace’s novel renders and explores its spaces, landscapes and places, as well as how it links them with the transformation of the protagonists’ psyches and mental worlds.
Hate crime trauma and pain: Affiliation, becoming and in-Betweenness in The Laramie Project
Authors: Lacko Ivan
Published: August 2018

Tectonic Theater Project’s documentary/verbatim theatre work entitled The Laramie Project charts the intricacies of the process of a hate crime victim’s search for and acquisition of identity (becoming) and the concurrent success and failure of the community to engage in this process (affiliation). The productions, as well as the film version, of The Laramie Project tackle the crucial importance of understanding the grey area between the state of becoming (part of) something and being excluded from it (in-betweenness). This liminality, reflecting Victor Turner’s illustrious ideas of “betwixt and between”, shall serve to explore The Laramie Project as an attempt to show the facets of social and cultural affiliation and becoming, as well as an instrument to put them to use in socially and politically relevant theatre. The paper will seek to show how Tectonic Theater Project’s work scrutinizes the significance of “in-betweenness” and employs it to communicate a message that is both humanistic and aesthetic.
Romancing the crucifixion in biblical rewritings by Phillip Pullman and Colm Tóibín
Authors: Rychter Ewa
Published: August 2018

This paper focuses on how the romance mode is used to re-narrativize the trauma of Jesus’s crucifixion in two contemporary biblical rewritings: Pullman’s The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ 2010 and Tóibín’s The Testament of Mary 2012. Reflecting on the process of the composition of the Bible, these novels resort to romance in order to invite a critical reflection on different narrativizations of the traumatic event, dependent as they are on both conservative and more subversive effects of romance. As some characters rely on the strategies of traditional spiritual romance in order to alleviate their pain, others cynically resort to a dualistic vision to establish and consolidate power, and still others make use of the excess and disarticulation of romance to do justice to the absolute horror of the event, the novels draw attention both to the comforting and subversive function of Christian scripture. Adding a metafictional dimension to the narrative of crucifixion, the novels expose the way in which religious scriptures can become ideological instruments, and signal the potentially dangerous effects of the renewed significance of religion today.
Initiation and Tolerance of Macro-Damage of First Ply (FBF) in a Process of Damaging of Hybrid Multi-Ply Structures Due to Reinforcement Archtecture
Authors: Pieniak D.
Published: August 2018

The objective of this paper was study and analysis of damaging process of multi-ply structure applied in dentistry. The aim was to analyze and experimentally evaluate tolerance of macro-damage of first ply (FPF - first ply failure) of multi-ply composite. A studied structure of composite makes a carrying structure for dental applications e.g. adhesive bridges. Influence of reinforcement structure on the residual carrying capacity of the studied multi-ply materials has been demonstrated. It has been shown that the type of fiber and fiber ribbon architecture play a major role in strength of studied reinforcements. Structures included in the study differ by the moment of macro-damage occurrence, carrying capacity and residual stiffness.
Reference intervals for 33 biochemical analytes in healthy Indian population: C-RIDL IFCC initiative
Authors: Shah Swarup A.V. , Ichihara Kiyoshi , Dherai Alpa J. , Ashavaid Tester F.
Published: August 2018

Background

In 2011, the IFCC Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL) initiated a worldwide multicenter study on references values facilitating the implementation of country-specific reference intervals (RIs). There has been no well-designed RI study in India. This study aims to derive RIs for 33 major biochemical analytes in carefully selected healthy Indians as defined in C-RIDL protocol.

Methods

A total of 512 healthy Indians were recruited. Sera collected from overnight fasting blood samples were measured collectively for the analytes. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) and nested analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to identify the potential sources of variation (SV) of test results. RI were derived by both parametric and non-parametric methods for comparison. The need for secondary exclusion by latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method was examined.

Results

MRA results indicated that both age and BMI were apparent SV for many analytes in both sexes. ANOVA revealed that partition of RIs by gender and age was required for 17 analytes (TC, HDL-C, TG, hsCRP, ALB, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, TBil, Urea, CRE, UA, Fe, TTR, CK and IgM) and 5 (Glu, ALB, TC, ALP and Urea), respectively. RIs by parametric method were generally narrower than by non-parametric method, reflecting distorted peripheral distributions of test results. The LAVE method had no appreciable effect on RIs possibly due to inconsistency among abnormal values of related analytes.

Conclusions

This study has for the first time provided comprehensive RIs information in healthy Indians. The final RIs adopted were those derived by parametric method without LAVE procedure.
Semiquantitative Assessment of Dishevelled-3 Phosphorylation Status by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Hamáková Kateřina , Potěšil David , Bernatik Ondřej , Červenka Igor , Rádsetoulal Matěj , Bryja Vitězslav , Zdráhal Zbyněk
Published: August 2018

The focus of this paper is the human Dishevelled 3 protein (hDvl3), an essential component of the Wnt signalling pathway that contributes to their regulation. Mass spectrometry-based analysis of hDvl3 phosphorylations induced by eight associated kinases was performed revealing several dozens of phosphorylation sites. The main outcome of this study was the description of Dvl phosphorylation “patterns” induced by individual kinases
Capillary Isotachophoresis Determination of Trace Oxidized Glutathione in Blood
Authors: Bodor Robert , Nečasová Andrea , Pechová Alena , Masár Marián
Published: August 2018

A capillary isotachophoresis (CITP) method performed in a column-coupling apparatus has been developed for the simultaneous determination of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) concentrations in blood samples. The determination of GSSG and GSH concentrations in biological samples is important because of their roles in oxidative stress. Different concentrations of a leading ion in the coupled columns (concentration cascade) and a large volume (37 µ ) of the injected sample facilitated a GSSG concentration of between 2 and 25 µmol/l. A reaction between iodoacetate and GSH under alkaline conditions was used to prepare the sample in order to avoid oxidation of GSH to GSSG. This step eliminated the main source of systematic errors with regard to the determination of the GSSG concentration. A linear relationship (R2=0.9969) between the zone length of S-(carboxymethyl)glutathione (the product of the reaction between GSH and iodoacetate) and the concentration of GSH (40-120 µmol/l) was obtained. The method was applied to the analysis of bovine blood samples that had been diluted by a factor of ten with satisfactory results
Study on a Motor Bearing Fault Diagnosis Method Using Improved EWT Based on Scale Space Threshold Method
Authors: Zhao Huimin , Zuo Shaoyan , Fang Jian , Deng Wu
Published: August 2018

Empirical Wavelet Transform (EWT) is a novel non-stationary signal analysis method that can effectively identify different mode components in signals. However, due to the lack of processing noise and unstable signals caused by the Fourier spectrum adaptive segmentation problem, an improved EWT (FCMEWT) method based on the scale space threshold method and fuzzy C-means is proposed to decompose the vibration signal into an empirical mode with physical meaning. The FCMEWT method firstly scales the spectrum of the original vibration signal, and then uses the fuzzy C-means method to classify the spectrum in order to obtain the spectrum division interval. The vibration signal is decomposed into a set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) components, which are performed Hilbert transform for extracting the frequency of each component through the power spectrum. Finally, Pearson correlation coefficient between each IMF component and the original signal is calculated to obtain the correlation coefficient threshold in order to determine the final IMF component. In order to verify the effectiveness of FCMEWT method, the vibration signal motor bearing is selected in this paper. The FCMEWT method is compared with the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) methods. The results show that the FCMEWT method can effectively solve the problem of Fourier spectrum segmentation in the EWT method, takes on better adaptive segmentation characteristics, and can effectively extract fault feature frequency of motor bearing. The fault diagnosis method can not only effectively extract motor bearing fault characteristics, but also has better diagnosis result than EMD and EEMD methods.
Effect of composition changes and aeration time on the structure and rehydration of innovative freeze-dried gels
Authors: Ciurzyńska Agnieszka , Pisarska Agata , Olsiński Ignacy , Panfiluk Anna Maria , Ostap Magdalena Sylwia , Lenart Andrzej
Published: August 2018

This paper seeks to explain the structural effect on selected properties of freeze-dried gels with different compositions and aeration times. Herein, sugars and citric acid were added to gels with low-methoxyl pectin, mixtures of xanthan gum and locust bean gum, as well as xanthan gum and guar gum, in order to obtain a strawberry model. Strawberry pulp was also added to hydrocolloids to develop an innovative strawberry product. All samples were aerated for 3 and 7 min, and freeze-dried. Composition changes were found to modify the structure of the examined samples and properties. Freeze-dried gels with low-methoxyl pectin seemed to reflect the best approach towards obtaining an innovative strawberry product with a tailored structure, as they had the best water absorbent capacity, and the most attractive and delicate structure. Samples with a mixture of hydrocolloids were more compact. Aeration time did not significantly affect the examined parameters, while the addition of sugar and citric acid increased them. The strawberry pulp experiment confirmed the strawberry model (with low-methoxyl pectin gels, and sugar and citric acid), which had the finest structure and the best rehydration properties.
Changes of surface energy partitioning caused by plastic mulch in a cotton field
Authors: Ai Zhipin , Yang Yonghui , Wang Qinxue , Han Shumin , Yang Yanmin , Wang Quan , Qiu Guoyu
Published: August 2018

Widely used in croplands, plastic mulch can significantly change land surface properties and energy partitioning. However, the magnitude of these modifications caused by plastic mulch (and its variations) on leaf area index remain largely unclear. Field experiments were, therefore, conducted to analyse the differences in energy partitioning between plastic mulch and non-plastic mulch conditions in cotton fields in arid Tarim Basin. Each component net radiation, surface soil heat flux, sensible heat and latent heat was either measured or estimated at different growth stages of the cotton crop. Results showed that the effects of plastic mulch on field energy partitioning was most evident when leaf area index was less than 1.0. During this period, net radiation decreased mainly due to the increase of surface reflectance. Surface soil heat flux and sensible heat were also increased due to the increase of surface temperature. Finally, latent heat decreased after plastic mulch application. As over 20% of net radiation was allocated to the soil surface under plastic mulch at the seedling stage, this suggests that surface soil heat flux should not be ignored for evaluating surface energy balance at the seedling stage under plastic mulch conditions.
Effects of iron nano-complex and Fe-EDDHA on bioactive compounds and nutrient status of purslane plants
Authors: Tavallali Vahid
Published: August 2018

Nanoparticles serve as a new fertilization method utilised in agriculture, and their potential effect on medicinal crops has been mainly unexplored. In the present study, using ultrasonic irradiations, a novel nano-sized iron complex has been prepared from aminolevulinic acid and iron (III) nitrate under greenhouse conditions. The obtained Fe nano-sized energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy complex has been characterized by two methods, i.e. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and spectra. The morphology and size of the nano-complex were also determined using transmission electron micrographs and showed an acceptable size in the nano range (5-25 nm). In this work, purslane plants were supplied with Fe (III)-aminolevulinic acid asa new nano-sized complex and Fe-EDDHA. The mineral nutrient concentrations, total phenolic, ascorbic acid contents and antioxidant activity were the highest in the plants treated with the Fe-ALA nano-complex. Catechin was the predominant phenolic compound in all treated plants. The Fe nano-complex at the rate of 0.2% induced extra high-value phenolic compounds. The shoot Fe, Zn, N, Mg, Ca and K contents were also higher in the plants treated with the Fe nano-complex than in both the control group and the plants treated with Fe-EDDHA. In general, the nutritional and pharmaceutical quality of Portulaca oleracea L. improved when using the nano-sized Fe-ALA complex as a new iron source.
Influence of sugar beet storage duration on root responseto non-destructive impacts
Authors: Trnka Jan , Kumbár Vojtěch , Nedomová Šárka , Pytel Roman , Buchar Jaroslav
Published: August 2018

For the purpose of this paper, sugar beet roots were loaded by creating the impact of aluminium bars falling from different heights. The time history of the force at the contact between the sugar beet root and the bar was measured. The response of the sugar beet root to the impact was evaluated in terms of surface displacement. This displacement was measured using a laser vibrometer. The displacement was studied in the time and frequency domain during the postharvest period, up to 71 days after crop collection. The measured parameters describing the sugar beet response were significantly sensitive to the storage duration, namely in the frequency domain. Correlations between the storage duration and the main parameters of both the force and surface displacement were identified (p < 0.05).
Simulation of Automotive Starter Faults
Authors: Dziubiński Mieczysław , Siemionek Ewa , Plich Mieczysław , Drozd Artur , Toborek Krzysztof
Published: August 2018

The article presents a new diagnostic method of a motor starter based on the analysis of the starter’s power and the Hall effect. Using the Matlab Simulink program the wear and tear impact of the starter sleeves on power characteristics was simulated. For the analysis of the flux propagation and the distribution of magnetic induction for selected states of the wear and tear of the sleeve the QuickField program was used. Within the experimental tests, registration of the distribution of magnetic induction was conducted by the Hall sensor placed in the link slot. The model and the tests made it possible to develop diagnostic patterns within the OBD diagnostics.
Military Pilot Training
Authors: Melnarowicz Wladyslaw
Published: August 2018

The article presents the description of the current systems of training military aircraft pilots. Particular attention has been paid to the trends of change aimed at reducing the cost of purchasing school aircraft and the burden on the entire training and aircraft operation system. Over the past 3 years, the annual Pilot Training Conference in London has dominated the issue of increasing the effectiveness of training pilots of combat aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle operators. The results of training experiments were presented on this conference, which presented the abandonment of intermediate airplanes training process of military pilots. The results of different researches allowed to state, that on a well-designed school airplane, such as the Pilatus PC-21, one can train both basic and advanced trainings and then train pilots directly to the combat aircraft. Of course, all this training process should be intensively supported by the modern mission simulator of the 5th generation. This allows the thesis to be a future, innovative training system that significantly reduces the training costs of a combat aircraft pilot without affecting the quality of the training.
Dynamic Properties Modeling of the Thermoelectric Fire Sensors in the Aircraft Fire Suppression System
Authors: Szelmanowski Andrzej , Zieja Mariusz , Głyda Krzysztof
Published: August 2018

The paper presents selected results of work at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in the concerning modeling the dynamic properties of fire detectors used in aviation fire protection systems. In order to determine the conditions of false fire signals, the simulation models of thermoelectric fire detectors have been developed. Simulation models were tested in Matlab-Simulink computational packages for various methods of heating and cooling the sensors (among others, changes in ambient air temperature of the sensor, caused by the EWU exhaust gas diffusers were simulated – these diffusers are used to distribute flue gases from helicopter engines).
Method of Formulating the Required Number of Vehicles for Delivery Aircrafts in Aviation Fuel
Authors: Żurek Józef , Ziółkowski Jarosław
Published: August 2018

An important part of the air base logistic system is the supply sub-system. In military operations the main delivery can be focused on munitions and aviation fuel. Effective management of the supply stream and the reliability of vehicles in the air base logistic system affect the quality of operations, which can be measured by on time provisions, economic factors and the reliability of vehicles. At present the number of tankers in the air base logistic system is based on experiences.
The Application of Probability Elements in Optimizing Supply of Spare Parts and Components in Aviation
Authors: Grzesik Norbert , Iwan Tomasz
Published: August 2018

The paper undertakes the problem of managing exploitation support of aviation equipment in terms of spare parts and subassemblies taking into account variable conditions, resulting from different intensity of aircraft and helicopter operation. It covers the practical aspects of planning stocks of material resources in connection with the applicable operating systems and failure of aircraft at the airbase level. By using statistical elements and probabilistic models it indicates the possibility of increasing the availability of parts and aircraft components, which in the long run will make a positive impact on the level of equipment technical efficiency. The article points to the need to minimize the expenditure involved and to avoid redundant, useless aircraft spare parts and components. Therefore, it is aimed at increasing the efficiency of material management, improving safety and developing exploitation systems in terms of technical reliability.
The Concept of Monitoring Blades of Rotor Machines with the Identification of their Vibration Frequency
Authors: Rokicki Edward , Lindstedt Paweł , Manerowski Jerzy , Spychała Jarosław
Published: August 2018

The paper presents the basis of a new method for monitoring the technical condition of rotating blades during their operation. Utilizing the measurement of blade tip instantaneous speed under subsequent sensors, enables direct determination of the blade vibration frequency. The method utilizes a diagnostic model in the form of amplitude amplification W2
ij
and phase shift φ
ij of a diagnostic signal y(t) resulting from the operation of the blade and the signal from its environment, when the blade tip passes under a cascade of blade tip instantaneous speed sensors. The adopted diagnostic model, indirectly takes into account the current surrounding of a blade without the need to measure it [12, 14]. Evaluation of the blade technical condition in real time and static analysis shall be performed on the basis of the vibration process parameter analysis. The suggested method may play an important role in the diagnostics of rotor machine blades during their operation.
Failure of the holotranscobalamin assay in vitamin B12-deficient patients
Authors: Knoepfel Christiane , Michel Blanco Martine , Nydegger Urs , Risch Lorenz , Renz Harald , Risch Martin
Published: August 2018

Background

It has been demonstrated that vitamin B12 determinations fail, especially in patients with pernicious anemia with high titers of intrinsic factor antibody. Consistent with this finding, we observed a case of falsely normal holotranscobalamin (HoloTC) results in a patient with pernicious anemia and severe vitamin B12 deficiency. We aimed to investigate whether such a situation can also be seen in other individuals.

Methods

Within the frameworks of the SENIORLAB study and routine samples from a mixed patient population referred to a laboratory for investigation of B12 status, we searched for study participants displaying a normal HoloTC level (≥50 pmol/L) together with a decreased total vitamin B12 level (<125 pmol/L). Thereafter, we determined whether samples with discrepant biochemical markers (i.e. low vitamin B12, normal HoloTC) also had increased functional markers of vitamin B12 deficiency (methyl malonic acid [MMA], homocysteine [Hcy]) and/or a low value of Fedosov’s combined indicator of vitamin B12 status (<−0.5).

Results

The prevalence of a normal HoloTC level and low total vitamin B12 level among the group of healthy seniors (n=1451) was 0.21% (95% confidence interval [CI], CI, 0.08–0.6%). Among the 106,635 routine samples with concurrent HoloTC and total vitamin B12 determination, 176 (i.e. 0.17%, 95% CI, 0.14–0.19%) had discrepant biochemical markers. Among them, 24 who were identified as having discrepant biochemical markers and a diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency could be confirmed with functional markers.

Conclusions

Initial and isolated screening for vitamin B12 deficiency using a HoloTC cut-off of ≥50 pmol/L in a small subset of patients may reveal false-negative (normal) results, meaning that patients with vitamin B12 deficiency may remain undetected.
Biochemical and Physiological Changes in Response to Salinity in Leaves and Roots of Two Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Genotypes
Authors: Bouthour Donia , Kalai Tawba , Gouia Houda , Chiraz Chaffei-Haouari
Published: August 2018

Salt stress is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity in many regions of the world. To understand the molecular basis of the salt stress response, two wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivars, Karim and Azizi, which are of agronomic significance in Tunisia, were grown under non-saline and saline conditions (100 mM). Leaves and roots of control and salt-stressed plants were harvested after 11 days of salt treatment.

Karim cultivar may behave as a typical Na+ include, which compartmentalizes Na+ within the leaf cell vacuoles where it could be used as an osmoticum to lower the osmotic potential necessary for the maintenance of the plant hydric status. While, accumulation of K+ was greater in Karim cultivar compared to Azizi, in both organs, presenting an important manifestation of salinity tolerance. Significant changes in metabolism of antioxidative system were observed, with an increase in protein tyrosine nitration, which indicates that salinity stress induces a nitro-oxidative stress.
Pre-Sowing Seed Treatments with Silicon Nano-Iron and Nano-Silicon Particles on Germination of Dragonhead
Authors: Sabaghnia Naser , Yousefzadeh Saeed , Janmohammadi Mohsen , Mohebodini Mehdi
Published: August 2018

Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science widely exploited in agriculture in recent years. In this investigation, application of nanotechnology in agriculture via application of some nano-particles (nano-iron and nano-silicon) have been investigated in seed priming of dragonhead. Seeds were subjected to pre-hydration treatments by factor nano-silicon dioxide as; (S1) 0 mM or distilled water, (S2) 1 mM concentration and (S3) 2 mM concentration and and factor nano-iron oxide as; (F1) 0 Mm or distilled water, (F2) 1 mM concentration and (F3) 2 mM concentration. Germination percent, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root length, shoot length, dry weight of the seed residue, root dry weight and shoot dry weight were measured. Analysis of variance showed significant variation for the main effect of nano-silicon dioxide as well as nano-iron dioxide in root length and dry weight of the seed residue. The interaction effect of nano-silicon × nano-iron priming treatments were significant in all of the measured traits except germination percentage and root fresh weight. The highest germination percentage was recorded in S2-F3, S3-F1 and S3-F3 while the root fresh weight was high in S2-F3 and treatments S1-F1 following to S2-F3 and S3-F2 produced the highest shoot fresh weight. Also, S2-F3 has the highest root length (16.1 cm) and the highest shoot length (18.4 cm). The best treatment combination suitable for obtaining of high values of germination characteristics of dragon-head was identified as S2-F3 (1 mM nano-silicon dioxide plus 2 mM nano-iron dioxide).
Analysis of anticancer efficiency of combined fractionated radiotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy via mathematical modelling
Authors: Kuznetsov Maxim B. , Gubernov Vladimir V. , Kolobov Andrey V.
Published: August 2018

One of the relatively new modalities in treatment of cancer is antiangiogenic therapy (AAT), which stops the formation of new blood vessels, thus leading to nutrient deprivation of a tumor. It has been discovered that it can cause transient alleviation of intratumoral hypoxia, which has induced interest in investigation of its combination with radiotherapy (RT), since presence of oxygen stimulates efficiency of the latter. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown ambiguous results concerning such combined treatment, indicating a need for theoretical investigation. For that purpose, we have developed a spatially-distributed mathematical model of tumor growth and combined RT with AAT. Model simulations in a physiologically justified range of parameters suggest that outcome of addition of AAT to RT should depend on the tumor radiosensitivity: under its low values, when RT de facto serves as a palliative therapy, inclusion of AAT may prolong patient’s survival; however, under high tumor radiosensitivity, AAT may compromise curative effect of RT.
Winning or not losing? The impact of non-pain goal focus on attentional bias to learned pain signals
Authors: Schrooten Martien G.S. , Van Damme Stefaan , Crombez Geert , Kindermans Hanne , Vlaeyen Johan W.S.
Published: August 2018

Background and aims

Insights into the nature of cognitive bias, including attentional bias to threat signals, are considered pivotal to understanding (chronic) pain and related distress. It has been put forward that attention to pain-related threat is normally dynamic and relates to the motivational state of the individual. In this experiment we aimed (i) to replicate the finding that attentional bias for pain signals in healthy participants can be reduced when a non-pain goal is pursued, and (ii) to extend this finding by taking into account the outcome focus of the non-pain goal. We hypothesised that the reduction in attentional bias for pain signals by concurrent non-pain goal pursuit would be stronger with non-pain prevention goals than with promotion goals.

Methods

Healthy university students performed an attentional bias task (i.e. spatial cueing task) containing visual cues that signalled the possible occurrence of a painful stimulus (electrocutaneous stimulus at tolerance level) or its absence, in combination with a non-pain goal task (i.e. digit naming task). The non-pain goal was either related to acquiring a positive outcome (gaining money depending on digit-naming performance; promotion goal group, n=31) or related to avoiding a negative outcome (losing money; prevention goal group, n=31). A standard attentional bias task served as the control condition (control group, n=31).

Results

Spatial cueing effects were larger for pain cues than for no-pain cues, indicating attentional bias for pain signals. The pattern of results suggests that this effect was indeed reduced in the goal groups as compared to the control group, but there was no significant group difference.

Conclusions

We found no statistically-significant evidence for the impact of non-pain goal pursuit or outcome focus on pain-related attentional bias. At best, there were indications of a reduced attentional bias for pain signals with non-pain goal pursuit that was either promotion- or prevention focused.

Implications

These data add to the small but growing body of literature on the assumed relevance of motivational context in explaining variations in attentional bias. The results trigger new questions on the nature and assessment of pain-related attentional bias, and more specifically attentional bias for fear-conditioned pain signals (versus safety signals), from a motivational perspective.