bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the irisin, preptin and adropin levels in the blood serum of Alburnus tarichi
Authors: Caf F. , Algul S. , Koyun M.
Published: September 2017

Irisin, preptin and adropin are three newly discovered peptides that play critical roles in regulating energy homeostasis in various vertebrates.The purposes of this study were to measure the serum concentrations of preptin, adropin and irisin in the Alburnus tarichi and to investigate the relationship of these peptides to the weight, gender and length of this the fish, which will provide useful information for future biotechnology purposes aimed at improvements in aquaculture production. This study used 12 adult A. tarichi (6 female and 6 male) obtained from Van Lake (Van, Turkey). The serum irisin, preptin and adropin levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to determine correlations between the levels of these three hormones and fish body weight and length.  No statistically significant correlations were detected between the serum irisin, adropin and preptin levels and A. tarichi body weight (p = 0.921, r = -0.031; p = 0.08, r = 0.519; p = 0.461, r = -0.235, respectively) or length (p = 0.901, r = -0.040; p = 0.105, r = 0.490; p = 0.236, r = -0.369, respectively).Thus, serum levels of these hormones are independent of fish gender, body weight and length.
Relationship between MCP1 (-2518A>G) gene variants and ovarian cancer in Turkish population
Authors: Attar R. , Yilmaz S. G. , í‡akmakoğlu B. , Duman S. , Yildirim G. , Görmüş U. , ć°sbir T.
Published: September 2017

The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene polymorphism(-2518A>G)  in the regulatory region of the MCP-1 protein has been reported to be associated with cancer risk. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship of MCP-1 (-2518A>G) gene polymorphism and ovarian cancer. MCP-1 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction from blood samples ofovarian cancer patient (n=56) and a control groups (n=52).There was a significant difference in MCP1 (-2518A>G) genotypes between the patient and control groups (p=0.049; x2=6.042). AA carriers were significantly higher in the control group (p=0.014) whereas AG genotype and G allele carriers were significantly higher in the ovarian cancer group (p=0.029, p=0.014, respectively). This study suggests that MCP-1 (-2518A>G) AG genotype and G allele could be considered as risk factor for susceptibility to ovarian cancer.
Genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of Alternanthera Bettzickiana, an important ethno-medicinal plant
Authors: Akhtar M. F. , Sharif A. , Saleem M. , Saleem A. , Akhtar B. , Raza M. , Ijaz H. , Shabbir M. , Ali S. , Sharif A. , Nasim M. B. , Peerzada S.
Published: September 2017

The present study was carried out to investigate the mutagenic and cytotoxic potential of n-hexane and aqueous-methanolic whole plant extracts of Alternanthera bettzickiana. Aqueous-methanolic and n-hexane extracts of Alternanthera bettzickiana extracts were assessed for the mutagenic potential with Salmonella tester strains TA-100 and TA-102 in the presence and absence of the rodent enzyme activation system and cytotoxic potential was assessed by MTT assay. Aqueous-methanolic extract showed the presence of saponins, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids and glycosides. However n-hexane extract revealed the presence of tannins and terpenoids only. It was found that a concentration as low as 15mg/mL of both extracts was more mutagenic to the TA 102 tester strain than TA-100. Hexane whole plant extract of Altenanthera bettzickiana was more mutagenic than aqueous-methanolic extract considering revertant colonies of TA 100 strain. Aqueous-methanolic and n-hexane whole plant extracts of Altenanthera bettzickiana showed higher mutagenic potential in the presence of the enzyme activation system. Mutagenicity of aqueous-methanolic extract increased with an enzyme activation system in case of TA 100 whereas mutagenicity of n-hexane extract decreased in the presence of the enzyme activation system with TA 100 and TA 102 strains. Aqueous-methanolic and n-Hexane whole plant extracts of Alternanthera bettzickiana showed an IC-50 of 493 and 456 µg/mL in BHK-21 cells respectively. It can be concluded that Altenanthera bettzickiana exhibited mutagenic activity in a bacterial reverse mutation assay with and without enzyme activation systems. However, it showed limited cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells.
Atypical bacterial etiology of acute respiratory infections and clinical characterizations among Iranian children
Authors: Halaji M. , Hashempour T. , Pouladfar G. R. , Ghasabi F. , Khashei R.
Published: September 2017

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children younger than 5 years of age are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae are prevalent causative agents of ARIs, worldwide. We sought M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae in respiratory samples from Iranian children with ARIs.  From November 2014 to April 2015, respiratory samples of 150 children aged 1 month to 15 years old were screened for presence of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture methods were used to detect these bacteria in respiratory samples in the form of throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates. A questionnaire containing demographic and clinical information has been filled up for all participants in this study. Our obtained data showed that out of 150 tested samples, 7 (4.7%) were PCR positive for M. pneumoniae and only one (0.7%) positive sample for C. pneumoniae was detected. However, none of the tested samples was detected M. pneumoniae using the bacterial culture method. All patients with ARIs due to M. pneumoniae showed up with sore throat and flu like symptoms. According to our data, PCR method is more sensitive than culture for detection of M. pneumoniae. With regards to our results, it appears that M. pneumoniae and especially C. pneumoniae were infrequent causative agents in our studied population.
Risk factors associated with oral and maxillofacial benign tumors: A case-control study
Authors: Fang H-J.
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for oral and maxillofacial benign tumors (OMFBTs). A total of 138 patients diagnosed with OMFBTs between September 2010 and September 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data including demographic characteristics, smoking and drinking status, dietary habit, oral hygiene and tumor related family history were collected and compared with 134 cases of healthy people who visited the hospital for physical examination during the same time. Logistic regression analysis was performed for multivariable regression analysis. OMFBTs was associated with smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day, accumulated cigarette consumption more than 30, accumulated cigarette package consumption more than 1000, present smoking and drinking, passive smoking before 18 years old, initial smoking age more than 20 years old and alcohol consumption more than 50 g/d (P < 0.05). Consumption of meat, fish, seafood, fruits and vitamin tablets were associated with lower risk of OMFBTs. Non-conditional logistic regression analyses indicated that the independent risk factors of OMFBTs included accumulated cigarette consumption, passive smoking before the age of 18, meat-free, fish-free, fruit-free, vitamin tablets-free, frequency of tooth brushing lower than once a day, not routinely attending oral examination, wearing denture and drinking alcohol (P < 0.05). Smoking and drinking should be discouraged in dental patients. Keeping a good dietary habit and routinely attending oral examination are highly encouraged.
On the regularity of solutions to the plastoelasticity problem
Authors: Cellina Arrigo
Published: September 2017

We prove the local regularity of solutions to the problem of minimizing

∫
Ω

[

L
∞

⁢

(

∇
⁡
v

⁢

(
x
)

)

+

f
⁢

(
x
)

⁢
v
⁢

(
x
)

]

⁢

𝑑
x

 

on 
⁢

u
0

+

W
0

1
,
∞

⁢

(
Ω
)

,

\int_{\Omega}\bigl{[}L_{\infty}(\nabla v(x))+f(x)v(x)\bigr{]}\,dx\quad\text{on%
}u^{0}+W^{1,\infty}_{0}(\Omega),

where

L
∞

{L_{\infty}}

is either

1
2

⁢

|
ξ
|

2

{\frac{1}{2}\lvert\xi\rvert^{2}}

for

|
ξ
|

≤
1

{\lvert\xi\rvert\leq 1}

and

+
∞

{+\infty}

for

|
ξ
|

>
1

{\lvert\xi\rvert>1}

, or a more general convex, extended-valued function.
Restriction on the re-export of medicinal products and the supervision of compliance with it by public administration bodies
Authors: Peráček T. , Vojtech F. , Srebalová M. , Pekár B. , Mikušová-Meričková B. , Horvat M.
Published: September 2017

After years of mainly expert discussions (not only in the Slovak legal environment), the concept of and legislation on re-export offer a sort of solution provided for in the Act no. 306/2016 Coll. Said act amends the key legislation in this field, namely the Act no. 362/2011 Coll. on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices and on the amendment of certain acts, as amended (hereinafter referred to as the “Act on Medicinal Products”) and the Act no. 363/2011 Coll. on the Scope and Conditions of Payments for Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Dietetic Foods from Public Health Insurance and on the amendment of certain acts, as amended (hereinafter referred to as the “Act on Payments”). The topic of the paper belongs in the area of medicinal products and pharmaceutical services, it offers, however, significant overlaps in the area of the constitutional, administrative and European law and is aimed at multidisciplinary research into the issue of the reverse export (re-export) of medicinal products. Besides these laws, also the Constitution of the Slovak Republic (“SR”) and the sources of the European Law have to be taken into account in relation to the subject in question. The main aim of legislation in this area of law was restriction on the re-export of selected products and protection of patients from adverse impacts of such business activity. The aim of the paper is the authors’ effort to analyse the issue of the re-export of medicinal products within the context of the adopted Act no. 306/2016 Coll., whose legislative solution is inevitable for the protection of life and health of the population of the Slovak Republic.
GNU Radio Based Testbed (GRaTe-BED) for Evaluating the Communication Link of Unmanned Aerial Systems
Authors: Szabó András
Published: September 2017

UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) are commonly used in 3D (dull, dirty and dangerous) missions, because these are not endangering the operators life, while reduce maintenance costs and increase maneuvering capabilities. Despite of these advantages we should consider the possible vulnerabilities of this technology as well. Unmanned vehicles can be controlled via direct communication link, or they can work in a preprogrammed mode. Usually the preprogrammed mode is based on radio navigation systems, so we can draw a conclusion that both depend on the RF environment. In this paper I analyze a possibility to effectively evaluate the communication link of an UAS. Developers have to consider several key factors (type of operation, endurance, payload type and size, propulsion, communication link, etc.) during the development process. They are also responsible that the final product meets the predefined requirements. On the other side commercial UAS owners should have a possibility to compare and evaluate the UAS before the acquisition. Finally, operators and frequency management entities need tools to diagnose the possible sources of interference regarding the unmanned vehicles. To understand the consequences of interference in the RF spectrum we have to be able to measure the quality of the communication link in different usage scenarios. In my research I evaluate the usage of SDRs (Software Defined Radios) in RF Test and Evaluation processes. After analyzing the possibilities for a flexible testbed, I demonstrate the usability with some measurements in the GNU Radio signal processing framework.
Der Beitrag der Gebäudeautomation zum energieeffizienten
Gebäudebetrieb
Authors: Felsmann Clemens
Published: September 2017

Die energetischen Aufwendungen, die im Zusammenhang mit
der Nutzung von Gebäuden entstehen, lassen sich mit
Hilfe energieeffizienter Gebäudesysteme minimieren.
Die Gebäudeautomation ist unverzichtbarer Bestandteil dieser Systeme und
sichert über die Steuerung, Regelung und das
Management der gebäudetechnischen Anlagen die bedarfsgerechte
Energieversorgung. Im Rahmen
öffentlich-rechtlicher Nachweise zur Einhaltung von
Mindestanforderungen oder für optimierte Investitionsentscheidungen
sollte die Effektivität von Gebäudeautomationssystemen und deren
Beitrag zur Gesamtenergieeffizienz von Gebäuden quantifiziert werden
können. Im folgenden Beitrag werden geeignete
Berechnungsansätze beschrieben.
Automatically enabled analytics in buildings and smart homes
Authors: Dibowski Henrik
Published: September 2017

Building analytics are critical
for detecting faults, initiating appropriate maintenance
actions and ensuring a faultless and energy-efficient
operation. Their setup however is
cost-expensive, as it requires
considerable effort of qualified engineers. Besides
that, analytics are typically
equipment-centric, but unaware of
other parts of a building and how things are
interrelated. To improve that, this
article presents a knowledge-based approach that is
based on a rich ontology model for Building Automation System
(BAS). Complemented by a specification of the
analytics, an automatic setup of analytics can be
enabled. Furthermore, a fault
propagation approach is presented that can determine how faults propagate in
BAS. It can interrelate and combine the analytics and
create an overall picture and improved comprehension of BAS and their
behavior.
Vorausschau in frühen Planungsphasen der Gebäudeautomation
Authors: Kabitzsch Klaus , Mai Tuan Linh , Lehmann Matthias , Wollschlaeger Bastian , Engelien Heike , Eichenberg Elke
Published: September 2017

Die Planung der
Gebäudeautomation (GA) wird durch zahlreiche Brüche in fachlicher
(Gewerketrennung) und zeitlicher Hinsicht (Planungsphasen)
behindert. Eine integrale Herangehensweise kann nur
durch Stärkung der frühen Planungsphasen erreicht
werden. Dafür wird eine wissensbasierte
Methoden- und Toolunterstützung
vorgestellt, die nur wenig Mehraufwand
kostet.
Modellbasierte Inbetriebnahme und online-Konfiguration von Gebäudeautomationssystemen
Authors: Scholz André , Becker Uwe , Fay Alexander
Published: September 2017

Ein Gebäudeautomationssystem (GA-System) ist durch eine Vielzahl
von automatisierten Funktionen geprägt. Die Planung und Auslegung
eines GA-Systems ist daher ein aufwändiger und
fehlerträchtiger Vorgang. Um eine frühzeitige Funktionsanalyse
und Fehlererkennung zu gewährleisten, wurde ein Ansatz für
eine effiziente Erstellung eines funktionalen Modells für die GA
entwickelt, mit dem ein GA-System simuliert, ausgelegt und
konfiguriert werden kann. Dieser Ansatz wurde nun weiterentwickelt, um
die Parameter aus dem Modell für die Inbetriebnahme, die
online-Diagnose und die online-Anpassung des GA-Systems zu nutzen.
Stability of routine biochemical analytes in whole blood and plasma/serum: focus on potassium stability from lithium heparin
Authors: Dupuy Anne Marie , Cristol Jean Paul , Vincent Bruno , Bargnoux Anne Sophie , Mendes Mickael , Philibert Pascal , Klouche Kadda , Badiou Stéphanie
Published: September 2017

Background:

Blood specimens are transported from clinical departments to the biochemistry laboratory by hospital courier service, sometimes over long distances. The aim of this study was to assess the stability of common biochemical analytes in venous blood under our routine transport conditions and to evaluate analyte stability after prompt or delayed centrifugation.

Methods:

We investigated pre- and postanalytical contributions of 32 biochemical analytes in plasma and serum samples from 10 patients (healthy adults and patients from intensive care units). Differences in analyte concentrations between baseline (T0) and different time intervals (2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h) following storage after prompt and delayed centrifugation were reported. Evaluation was against the total change limit as described by Oddoze et al. (Oddoze C, Lombard E, Portugal H. Stability study of 81 analytes in human whole blood, in serum and in plasma. Clin Biochem 2012;45:464–9).

Results:

The majority of analytes were stable with delayed separation up to 12 h, except for potassium, C-peptide, osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), bicarbonate and LDH. After prompt centrifugation and storage at 4°C, stability was greatly increased up to 48 h for most analytes. LDH and bicarbonate had the lowest stability after centrifugation; therefore, no reanalysis of these analytes in a centrifuged tube can be allowed.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of analyte stability is crucial to interpret biological analysis with confidence. However, centrifugation prior to transport is time consuming, and the transfer of plasma or serum from a primary tube to a secondary tube increases the risk of preanalytical errors. For analytes that are stable in whole blood for 24 h or more, it seems that there is no benefit to centrifuge before transport.
Common ground across globalized English varieties: A multivariate exploration of mental predicates in World Englishes
Authors: Deshors Sandra C. , Götz Sandra
Published: September 2017

This study tests for similarities and differences in the uses of near-synonymous mental predicates by speakers of different ENL and ESL speech communities to capture whether, and if so to what degree, speakers of different first and second language English varieties use the four near-synonymous predicates semantically differently. Specifically, we focus on I believe, I think, I suppose and I guess in eight native and second-language varieties of English (i.e. American, British, Canadian, Irish, Hong Kong, Indian, Singapore and New Zealand). We adopt a multivariate modeling approach to analyze mental predicates annotated for six semantic variables (verifiability, epistemic mode, epistemic class, epistemic type, evaluation and negotiability) as well as genre. Our findings show the usefulness of exploring Englishes through the lens of semantic structure. Although, on the surface, two groups of English varieties emerge with different preferential patterns of predicates (British, Indian, Irish and Singapore vs. Canadian, Hong Kong and American), at a more abstract level, those predicates share similar semantic combinatory patterns common to all varieties in focus. It emerges that modeling the development of Englishes based on theoretical frameworks that account for simultaneous development of generic (i.e. common to all Englishes) and specialized (i.e. specific to individual Englishes) linguistic patterns may be beneficial. At a time when English has become a worldwide language shaped by globalization, the present study adds to the discussion on the developmental pathways that characterize the evolution of non-native Englishes in the twenty-first century.
A Time-Fractional Diffusion Equation with Generalized Memory Kernel in Differential and Difference Settings with Smooth Solutions
Authors: Alikhanov Anatoly A.
Published: September 2017

In this paper, an a priori estimate for the corresponding
differential problem is obtained by using the method of the energy
inequalities. We construct a difference analog of the Caputo
fractional derivative with generalized memory kernel (L1 formula).
The basic properties of this difference operator are investigated
and on its basis some difference schemes generating approximations
of the second and fourth order in space and the

(

2
-
α

)

{(2-\alpha)}

-th
order in time for the generalized time-fractional diffusion equation
with variable coefficients are considered. Stability of the
suggested schemes and also their convergence in the grid

L
2

{L_{2}}

-norm with the rate equal to the order of the approximation error are
proved. The obtained results are supported by numerical
calculations carried out for some test problems.
Some microelectrochemical methods for the investigation of passivity and corrosion
Authors: Fushimi Koji , Nakagawa Ryogo
Published: September 2017

Microelectrochemical approaches using a microcapillary cell (MCC), scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), and in situ ellipsomicroscopy for studying heterogeneous passive or corroding surfaces of materials are reviewed. An MCC can be used to investigate the localized behavior of a site of interest on a material by various electrochemical methods, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. SECM has often been used for imaging corroding surfaces or passive films on materials. Moreover, the use of a liquid-phase ion gun, a mode of SECM that forms a local aggressive environment at the solution/material interphase, can reveal the depassivation mechanism and kinetics of the surface of a material. The heterogeneous growth or degradation of a thin passive film on a material has been monitored using in situ ellipsomicroscopy, and a depassivation site has been successfully found before a film breakdown is initiated. These microelectrochemical methods are useful for monitoring the heterogeneous distribution of a passive film and for investigating the heterogeneity of the passivity of materials.
Growth of passive oxide films on iron and titanium under non-stationary state
Authors: Ohtsuka Toshiaki
Published: September 2017

Growth of passive oxides on iron and titanium under the non-stationary state was studied during constant current density (CD) oxidation and potential sweep oxidation. Increase and decrease of the thickness of the passive oxide film were determined from the relation between dissolution and growth CDs. By using rotating Fe disc-Pt ring electrode, the CDs of the dissolution from the oxide to solution and the growth of the passive oxide on iron were simultaneously measured. From the ratio of the growth CD to the dissolution CD and the pH dependence of the growth CD, a possible mechanism was discussed. Next, the growth of passive oxides on iron in pH 8.4 borate solution and on titanium in 0.1msulfuric acid solution during the potential sweep oxidation was examined by using three-parameter ellipsometry. Oxide growth was initially delayed when the sweep in the positive direction was started, and then the oxide film linearly grew with the potential increase. It was found that the oxide growth rate influenced the properties of the oxide film. The electric field in the oxide film during the non-stationary growth was discussed, concerned with the CD of the oxide film formation.
Development of novel surface treatments for corrosion protection of aluminum: self-repairing coatings
Authors: Chiba Makoto , Yamada Chinami , Okuyama Haruka , Sugiura Minori , Pletincx Sven , Verbruggen Hilke , Hyono Atsushi , Graeve Iris De , Terryn Herman , Takahashi Hideaki
Published: September 2017

Two types of self-repairing coatings for the protection of Al and its alloys are reviewed: (1) organic coatings with capsules containing repairing agent and (2) porous anodic oxide films with inhibitor solution stored in the pores of the oxide film. First, polyurethane microcapsules containing liquid surface-repairing agents were synthesized and polyurethane coating with the capsules was painted on Al alloy specimens. After mechanical damage to the coating, self-repairing occurred by the reaction of water vapor in the air with the repairing agents released from the capsules. Second, porous-type anodic oxide films were formed on Al alloys, and the pores of the anodic oxide films were filled with inhibitor solutions, followed by application of a covering polyurethane layer. Inhibitors released from the pores efficiently protected the Al alloy substrate from corrosion arising from induced mechanical damage.
Endoscopic imaging using surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Kim Yong-il , Jeong Sinyoung , Jun Bong-Hyun , Lee Yun-Sang , Lee Yoon-Sik , Jeong Dae Hong , Lee Dong Soo
Published: September 2017

In this review, we assessed endoscopic imaging using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). As white-light endoscopy, the current standard for gastrointestinal endoscopy, is limited to morphology, Raman endoscopy using surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles (SERS endoscopy) was introduced as one of the novel functional modalities. SERS endoscopy has multiplex capability and high sensitivity with low autofluorescence and photobleaching. As a result, multiple molecular characteristics of the lesion can be accurately evaluated in real time while performing endoscopy using SERS probes and appropriate instrumentation. Especially, recently developed dual modality of fluorescence and SERS endoscopy offers easy localization with identification of multiple target molecules. For clinical use of SERS endoscopy in the future, problems of limited field of view and cytotoxicity should be addressed by fusion imaging, topical administration, and non-toxic coating of nanoparticles. We expect SERS endoscopic imaging would be an essential endoscopic technique for diagnosis of cancerous lesions, assessment of resection margins and evaluation of therapeutic responses.
Modreg: A Modular Framework for RGB-D Image Acquisition and 3D Object Model Registration
Authors: Kornuta Tomasz , Stefańczyk Maciej
Published: September 2017

RGB-D sensors became a standard in robotic applications requiring object recognition, such as object grasping and manipulation. A typical object recognition system relies on matching of features extracted from RGB-D images retrieved from the robot sensors with the features of the object models. In this paper we present ModReg: a system for registration of 3D models of objects. The system consists of a modular software associated with a multi-camera setup supplemented with an additional pattern projector, used for the registration of high-resolution RGB-D images. The objects are placed on a fiducial board with two dot patterns enabling extraction of masks of the placed objects and estimation of their initial poses. The acquired dense point clouds constituting subsequent object views undergo pairwise registration and at the end are optimized with a graph-based technique derived from SLAM. The combination of all those elements resulted in a system able to generate consistent 3D models of objects.
Keypoint-Less, Heuristic Application of Local 3D Descriptors
Authors: Harasymowicz-Boggio Bogdan , Chechliński Łukasz
Published: September 2017

One of the most important topics in the research concerning 3D local descriptors is computational efficiency. The state-of-the-art approach addressing this matter consists in using keypoint detectors that effectively limit the number of points for which the descriptors are computed. However, the choice of keypoints is not trivial and might have negative implications, such as the omission of relevant areas. Instead, focusing on the task of single object detection, we propose a keypoint-less approach to attention focusing in which the full scene is processed in a hierarchical manner: weaker, less rejective and faster classification methods are used as heuristics for increasingly robust descriptors, which allows to use more demanding algorithms at the top level of the hierarchy. We have developed a massively-parallel, open source object recognition framework, which we use to explore the proposed method on demanding, realistic indoor scenes, applying the full power available in modern computers.
Postharvest properties of sweet cherry fruit depending on rootstock and storage conditions
Authors: Dziedzic Ewa , Błaszczyk Jan , Kaczmarczyk Elżbieta
Published: September 2017

‘Regina’ sweet cherry fruit (Prunus avium L.) harvested from trees grown on vigorous and semi-dwarfing rootstocks was stored in normal atmosphere (NA) at 8°C and 2°C, and in a controlled atmosphere (CA) 3% O2 + 5% CO2 at 2°C for two weeks. At harvest time, the fruits differed in the measured quality parameters (firmness, soluble solids content - SSC, titratable acidity - TA) depending on the rootstock. The storage conditions and the rootstocks significantly influenced the fruit quality parameters after storage. Generally, reduced fruit firmness and TA, and higher SSC and SSC/TA ratio were observed at the end of the storage period. Among the rootstocks, the lowest soluble solids content was found in the fruit from trees on the vigorous F12/1 rootstock. The lower storage temperature decreased the SSC independently of the storage atmosphere composition. Firmer fruit was found in CA 2°C compared with the other two treatments. The greatest loss of weight was found after fruit storage in NA 8°C. The extent of fruit decay depended on the season, storage conditions and the rootstock. Storage in NA 8°C of the fruit grown on F12/1 rootstock resulted in the highest percentage of fungal decay. The best retention of the green colour of the peduncle was noted in CA 2°C. The findings on how the rootstocks affect sweet cherry fruit properties can be useful for sweet cherry breeding programmes, as well as for sweet cherry crop production and storage technologies.
Denitrification of water using ZnO/Cu as the photocatalyst
Authors: Rahmani Ehasn , Rahmani Mohammad
Published: September 2017

The ZnO:xCu photocatalyst was prepared with reacting media, namely, water method followed by wet impregnation to deposit Cu on the ZnO nano particles. X-ray diffraction was used to perform crystallography and the determination of the ZnO:xCu particle size. Fourier transform infrared was employed for the detection of chemical bonds in the synthesized photocatalyst. The nanoparticle morphology was studied by field emission scanning electron microscope. The elemental composition of the synthesized catalysts was evaluated with X-ray fluorescence technique. Diffuse reflection spectroscopy analysis was performed to investigate the light absorption of the ZnO:xCu catalysts. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared ZnO:xCu nanoparticles was studied for the removal of nitrate from the aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate (50 mg·l−1) under UV irradiation. Results indicated that the ZnO:xCu photocatalyst has high photocalytic activity to remove nitrate from water. Moreover, complete degradation was achieved after 2.5 h.
Life cycle assessment of solvent extraction as a low-energy alternative to distillation for recovery of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from process waste
Authors: Tozzi Paul V. , Wisniewski Christian M. , Zalewski Nicholas J. , Savelski Mariano J. , Slater C. Stewart , Richetti Frank A.
Published: September 2017

This case study investigates low-energy alternatives to distillation for the recovery of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) from solvent waste in the manufacture of resin precursors. Evaluation includes environmental and economic life cycle assessment of solvent recovery and reuse using batch distillation, solvent extraction, and solvent extraction at a sister plant. Solvent extraction at the sister plant involved shipment of hazardous waste to a facility with existing solvent recovery equipment and lower purity standards for NMP. The amount of processing required to recover useful NMP is reduced, increasing reductions in life cycle emissions and damages to the environment. Extraction at the sister plant recovered 98% of the NMP at a purity of 97.1 wt% from aqueous waste containing 17 wt% NMP. Extraction at the sister plant reduced total and CO2 life cycle emissions by 61% and 59%, respectively. Compared to the distillation recovery alternative, extraction at the sister plant results in reductions of 32% and 33% for total and CO2 life cycle emissions, respectively. Annual operating costs were reduced by 80%, with no capital investment, due to utilization of existing equipment. This resulted in a 10-year net present value (NPV) of $4.20 million, whereas distillation resulted in a 10-year NPV of $3.12 million.
An efficient green synthesis of 5H-spiro[benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline-6,3′-indolin]-2′-ones catalyzed by iodine in ionic liquids
Authors: Zhang Mei-Mei , Wang Yue , Liu Jian-Quan , Wang Xiang-Shan
Published: September 2017

Benzene-1,2-diamine was treated with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde in EtOH, and the product was reduced with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of Fe(C) without separation to give 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)aniline (1). Reactions of compound 1 with isatins in the presence of iodine in an ionic liquid furnished 5H-spiro[benzo[4, 5]imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline-6,3′-indolin]-2′-ones in high yields.
Employee Satisfaction with Training Opportunities and its Relation to Internal Marketing
Authors: Treľová Silvia , Olšavský František
Published: September 2017

The article aims to find a link between employee training and satisfaction with educational activities and marketing efforts of the organization. Qualification growth of employees is closely connected to the organization’s success. Since obstacles in education hinder achieving desirable results, they need to be identified and overcome.

Theoretical background and knowledge was confronted with data collected in primary research. Interviewing was used as the method and questionnaire as the instrument. Data were statistically analysed and results of chi-square were calculated in software Statgraphics.

Testing the relationship between barriers in training involvement of employees and their socio-economic characteristics proved that, gender, age, education level, sector of economy, length of current employment, and income satisfaction are independent. The only relevant dependence is apparent in case of fear of failure which is a barrier indicated for low income people.

This article clarifies the state of satisfaction with education possibilities of employees through identifying of the main barriers and concludes consequences for sustainable growth of organization.
Other economico-social factors of the saving process
Authors: Grigorescu Adriana , Oprisan Oana , Condrea Elena
Published: September 2017

Savings and investments are not unconditioned universal ways for the economic development and growth of a country. They accomplish only the motor role in a healthy macroeconomic ambiance, but in the context of a coherent and consistent long-term policy, as well. Only in these circumstances it can become reality the virtuous circle of high savings – large investments – economic growth.

For the insuring of the sustainability of the economic growth there will be the need of more effort, which indicates the fact that success is obtainable and that the political efforts in this direction will be rewarded.
Violence, Faith, and Women in Romanian Literature
Authors: Chandra Giti , Bădulescu Sanda-Marina
Published: September 2017

This essay offers a gendered reading of the confluence of violence and faith in Romanian literature, through a reading of two texts: Tatiana Bran’s “Deadly Confession”, and Elie Wiesel’s “Night”. While the former looks at the violence visited upon women in the context of religion and faith, the latter seeks to locate the place of women in the course of the loss of faith in a male context. The essay embeds these readings within the larger context of women and violence in Romanian literature from the 19thcentury to the present. While the instance of Bran’s novel serves as representative of much of this literature, the example of Wiesel’s autobiographical narrative is uniquely contextualized by the field of Holocaust literature. Nevertheless, it is possible to see these two readings – one, a woman authored text of violence against women, the other, a male authored text of women as a refuge from violence – as complementing each other in the ways in which women respond to faith and the loss of faith.
The impact of international energy price on Romanian macroeconomic
Authors: Xiao Yukun
Published: September 2017

The recent decade has witnessed wild swings in International Energy price, and there is no doubt that a large fluctuation in energy prices will have an impact on a country’s macro economy. This study examines the impact of international energy price on Romanian macroeconomic –CPI, exchange rate and industrial product – by using Granger causality test and quantiles regression. We find that the international energy price can affect the CPI and industrial product of Romania, while it can’t influence exchange rate at all. Also when energy price increase and decrease, it will have different impact on Romanian macroeconomic.
Research & Development through a gender lens – the case of Romania and Iceland
Authors: Zamfir Ana-Maria , Hjálmarsdóttir Erla Hlín
Published: September 2017

For many years, gender equality has been on the agenda of various stakeholders from different sectors of activity and from different levels of action. However, information regarding the participation of women to research and development remains scarce and insufficient for assessing the progress towards equality related goals in this area. This paper aims to explore the participation of women to the research & development sector in two selected European countries – Romania and Iceland. Thus, the present study is focused on the presence of women in a highly specialized sector that contributes to the creation of a competitive, knowledge-based society. Data on research and development personnel are analyzed from a comparative perspective in order to assess how Romania and Iceland perform in the field of gender equality in research and development sector. The findings of this paper show that women are still underrepresented in specific sectors of performance, as well as in some fields of science. Due to data lacking, analysis on the presence of women in management position in research and development couldn’t be performed. So, better and more comparable statistics on gender equality issues in science is needed for ensuring a more accurate image of women participation.
Modulation of transforming growth factor-β/follistatin signaling and white adipose browning: therapeutic implications for obesity related disorders
Authors: Pervin Shehla , Singh Vineeta , Tucker Alexandria , Collazo Javier , Singh Rajan
Published: September 2017

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of diabetes, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease and other related metabolic conditions. Obesity develops from perturbations in overall cellular bioenergetics when energy intake chronically exceeds total energy expenditure. Lifestyle interventions based on reducing total energy uptake and increasing activities including exercise have proved ineffective in the prevention and treatment of obesity because of poor adherence to such interventions for an extended period of time. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has an extraordinary metabolic capacity to burn excess stored energy and holds great promise in combating obesity and related diseases. This unique ability to nullify the effects of extra energy intake of these specialized tissues has provided attractive perspectives for the therapeutic potential of BAT in humans. Browning of white adipose tissue by promoting the expression and activity of key mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) represents an exciting new strategy to combat obesity via enhanced energy dissipation. Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily including myostatin and follistatin have recently been demonstrated to play a key role in regulating white adipose browning both in
Evaluation of the Influence of Wind-Driven Rain on Moisture in Cellular Concrete Wall Boards
Authors: Alsabry A. , Nikitsin V.I. , Kofanov V.A. , Backiel-Brzozowska B.
Published: September 2017

The non-stationary moisture level of a cellular concrete wall board in a heated utility building located in the northern part of the town of Brest (Belarus), depending on the climatic influence, was assessed in this work. The results were obtained both in a calculation experiment and a physical test. It was observed that the main reason for the high moisture levels in cellular concrete is wind-driven rain intensifying the process of free capillary moisture transfer. A comparative analysis of the results of the physical test and the calculation experiment showed that the THSS software elaborated by the authors was able to predict the actual moisture levels of the shielding structure under study accurately enough when precise data concerning the thermal and physical characteristics of the materials as well as the occurring climatic influences were submitted.
Effect of Induced Magnetic Field on MHD Mixed Convection Flow in Vertical Microchannel
Authors: Jha B.K. , Aina B.
Published: September 2017

The present work presents a theoretical investigation of an MHD mixed convection flow in a vertical microchannel formed by two electrically non-conducting infinite vertical parallel plates. The influence of an induced magnetic field arising due to motion of an electrically conducting fluid is taken into consideration. The governing equations of the motion are a set of simultaneous ordinary differential equations and their exact solutions in dimensionless form have been obtained for the velocity field, the induced magnetic field and the temperature field. The expressions for the induced current density and skin friction have also been obtained. The effects of various non-dimensional parameters such as rarefaction, fluid wall interaction, the Hartmann number and the magnetic Prandtl number on the velocity, the induced magnetic field, the temperature, the induced current density, and skin friction have been presented in a graphical form. It is found that the effect of the Hartmann number and magnetic Prandtl number on the induced current density is found to have a decreasing nature at the central region of the microchannel.
Modeling of Two-Wheeled Self-Balancing Robot Driven by DC Gearmotors
Authors: Frankovský P. , Dominik L. , Gmiterko A. , Virgala I. , Kurylo P. , Perminova O.
Published: September 2017

This paper is aimed at modelling a two-wheeled self-balancing robot driven by the geared DC motors. A mathematical model consists of two main parts, the model of robot’s mechanical structure and the model of the actuator. Linearized equations of motion are derived and the overall model of the two-wheeled self-balancing robot is represented in state-space realization for the purpose of state feedback controller design.
Measurements of Temperature of CNC Machine Tool Ball Screw Utilising IR Method
Authors: Zapłata J.
Published: September 2017

In numerous papers it is proposed to use IR measurements of feed axis ball screw temperature distribution in order to compensate CNC machine tool thermal errors. The paper aims to validate reliability of the IR measurements in application to the feed axes ball screws. The identification of key factors influencing the accuracy of the IR measurements of ball screw temperature distribution has been conducted. A test-bench utilizing a ball screw assembly with built-in temperature sensors was introduced and the experimental data are presented along with conclusions.
Influence of Cooling Lubricants on the Surface Roughness and Energy Efficiency of the Cutting Machine Tools
Authors: Jersák J. , Simon S.
Published: September 2017

The Technical University of Liberec and Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg investigated the influence of cooling lubricants on the surface roughness and energy efficiency of cutting machine tools. After summarizing the achieved experimental results, the authors conclude that cooling lubricants extensively influence the cutting temperature, cutting forces and energy consumption. Also, it is recognizable that cooling lubricants affect the cutting tools lifetime and the workpiece surface quality as well. Furthermore, costs of these cooling lubricants and the related environmental burden need to be considered. A current trend is to reduce the amount of lubricants that are used, e.g., when the Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) technique is applied. The lubricant or process liquid is thereby transported by the compressed air in the form of an aerosol to the contact area between the tool and workpiece. The cutting process was monitored during testing by the three following techniques: lubricant-free cutting, cutting with the use of a lubricant with the MQL technique, and only utilizing finish-turning and finish-face milling. The research allowed the authors to monitor the cutting power and mark the achieved surface quality in relation to the electrical power consumption of the cutting machine. In conclusions, the coherence between energy efficiency of the cutting machine and the workpiece surface quality regarding the used cooling lubricant is described.
Comparative Analysis of Buckling Load of Circular and Corrugated Tubes by Utilizing Key Performance Indicators
Authors: Ur Rahim Mohammad Reyaz , Akhtar S. , Bharti P.K.
Published: September 2017

The performance of buckling load of tubular structures under quasi-static axial loading is quite appreciable, numerous tubes of various cross-section have been extensively investigated and corrugated sections have been designed to further improve the performance. In this paper, a carefully designed set of key performance indicators (KPIs) is utilized to assess and compare the buckling load of circular and corrugated tubes. A series of diagrams related to KPIs with various parameters of tubes are presented to demonstrate the influence of sectional configuration on the performance of tubes as well as the effect of the material on the potential of the same. The work is inestimable to engineering designs and applications, and further studies on the buckling load of other configurations.
A pragmatic analysis of L2 Spanish requests: Acquisition in three situational contexts during short-term study abroad
Authors: Czerwionka Lori , Cuza Alejandro
Published: September 2017

This study examines pragmatic acquisition of requests for English-speaking learners of Spanish. This research expands upon previous work by investigating the acquisition of second language requests during a short-term immersion program (6 weeks) in Madrid, Spain and in three situational contexts: food and drink, general merchandise, and familial. Data were collected using an experimental computerized oral discourse completion task. Requests made by learners (501 requests) and native speakers (224 requests) were compared considering personal deictic orientation and directness of the requests. For learners, shifts from speaker-oriented to hearer-oriented requests indicated greater pragmatic development in food and drink and familial contexts. Results are discussed considering pragmatic developmental stages and differential results in the three contexts.
A socio-cognitive approach to pragmatic inference
Authors: Jiang Wangqi
Published: September 2017

The dominant trend in contemporary pragmatics has been information-biased, focusing on how information is transmitted from speaker to hearer, while the social and cultural side of communication has not been given the attention it deserves for effective communication. To redress the balance, this paper will expose the problems caused by the bias in information-based principles of Horn and Levinson, first taking the interpretation of
Bogans, lawyers and teachers: On the interactional achievement of word meanings
Authors: Rowen Roslyn , Haugh Michael
Published: September 2017

The extent to which context, including pragmatic processes, plays a role in understanding the meaning of words has been long debated by scholars working at the interface of pragmatics and semantics. In this paper, we consider how the meanings of
Exploiting the social meanings of urban vernaculars: Differentiating effects of Citélanguage in advertising
Authors: Koeman Joyce , Marzo Stefania
Published: September 2017

Due to several migration flows in Flanders many urban areas have become increasingly multicultural and multilingual, as is the case in the former ghettoized areas (