bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survival analysis on data streams: Analyzing temporal events in dynamically changing environments
Authors: Shaker Ammar , Hüllermeier Eyke
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we introduce a method for survival analysis on data streams. Survival analysis (also known as event history analysis) is an established statistical method for the study of temporal “events” or, more specifically, questions regarding the temporal distribution of the occurrence of events and their dependence on covariates of the data sources. To make this method applicable in the setting of data streams, we propose an adaptive variant of a model that is closely related to the well-known Cox proportional hazard model. Adopting a sliding window approach, our method continuously updates its parameters based on the event data in the current time window. As a proof of concept, we present two case studies in which our method is used for different types of spatio-temporal data analysis, namely, the analysis of earthquake data and Twitter data. In an attempt to explain the frequency of events by the spatial location of the data source, both studies use the location as covariates of the sources.
A Canonical Correlation Analysis of Relationships Between Growth, Compositional Traits and Longevity, Lifetime Productivity and Efficiency in Polish Landrace Sows
Authors: Sobczyńska Magdalena , Blicharski Tadeusz , Tyra Mirosław
Published: March 2014

Relationships between performance test traits (growth rate, backfat thickness, loin depth, lean meat percentage, exterior, phenotypic selection index) and longevity traits (length of productive life, number of litters, total number of weaned pigs, number of weaned piglets per year, number of litters per year) in Landrace sows were evaluated using canonical correlation analysis. The data set consisted of 23,012 purebred sows that farrowed from 1994 to 2011 in 161 herds. The first three canonical correlations (0.37, 0.25, 0.07) were highly significant (P<0.0001). Correlations of the first canonical variate with the original measured variables indicated that sows with high values for this variate had lower growth rate (r=-0.31) and loin depth (r=-0.43), greater backfat thickness (r=0.23), as well as being older at birth of their last litter (r=0.98). These sows also had a greater number of litters (r=0.94) and better lifetime efficiency (r=0.61 and r=0.70 for number of weaned piglets per year and number of litters per year, respectively). Canonical loadings for the second canonical function indicate that sows with high values for the second set of variates had high growth rate (r=0.79) and phenotypic selection index (r=0.83), excellent conformation (r=0.62), as well as better efficiency in pig production (r=0.67). The squared multiple correlations show that the first canonical variate of the performance traits is a poor predictor of longevity (0.13) and nearly useless for predicting efficiency traits (0.07). Performance test traits explain 11% of the variance in the variables of longevity and lifetime productivity, whereas dependent variables explain only 3% of the variance in performance test traits. The relationships between performance test data and subsequent lifetime productivity or longevity were significant and unfavourable but low for Polish Landrace population
Assessment study of static-PPP convergence behaviour using gps, glonass and mixed gps/glonass observations
Authors: Farah Ashraf
Published: March 2014

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) has been used for the last decade as a cost-effective alternative for the ordinary DGPS-Differential GPS with an estimated precision sufficient for many applications. PPP requires handling different types of errors using proper models. PPP precision varies with the use of observations from different satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and mixed GPS/GLONASS) and the duration of observations. This research presents an evaluation study for the variability of Static-PPP precision based on different observation types (GPS, GLONASS and mixed observations) and observation duration. It can be concluded that Static-PPP solution using mixed observations is offering similar accuracy as the one using GPS-only observations and saving 15 minutes observation time. For 30 minutes of observation duration, mixed observations offers improvement percentages of 14%, 26% and 25% for latitude, longitude and height respectively.
Noise sensitivity of selected kinematic path following controllers for a unicycle
Authors: Libal U. , Płaskonka J.
Published: March 2014

In the paper a path following problem for a wheeled mobile robot of (2,0) type has been considered. The kinematic model of the robot was derived with respect to the Serret-Frenet frame. Two kinematic control algorithms - Samson and Morin-Samson - have been tested taking into account their sensitivity to a white noise with a zero mean appearing in the one of state variables. The properties of path following errors have been analysed using statistical techniques. The conclusions related to an acceptable level of noise and a range of applicability of the presented algorithms have been reached.
The relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of directly bonded copper-alumina ceramics joints
Authors: Pietrzak K. , Olesinska W. , Kalinski D. , Strojny-Nedza A.
Published: March 2014

The effect of phase transformations induced in the surface layer of alumina ceramics during its direct joining with copper activated with oxygen or titanium on the mechanical strength of the ceramic/copper joints was examined. The materials used in the experiments were an alumina single crystal, alumina ceramics (97.5 wt% Al2O3), the cermet mixtures: Cu-Cu2O with 10-50 wt% of Cu2O, copper with 5 wt% of Ti, and copper with 5 wt% of Ti and 10 wt% of Ag. The microstructure of the transition layer was examined by the X-ray diffraction method (XRD), scanning electron microscopy method (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The mechanical strength of the joints was measured using the three-point bending method. The amount of oxygen optimal for the joining process was determined. It has been demonstrated that the cohesion of the joints depends not only on the formation of the individual phases but also, or even primarily, on the microstructure of the transition layer formed between them.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for the minimum energy control of positive discrete-time linear systems with bounded inputs
Authors: Kaczorek T.
Published: March 2014

The minimum energy control problem for the positive discrete-time linear systems with bounded inputs is formulated and solved. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of solution to the problem are established. A procedure for solving of the problem is proposed and illustrated by a numerical example.
Basic set of experiments for determination of mechanical properties of sand
Authors: Sawicki A. , Mierczyński J.
Published: March 2014

A basic set of experiments for the determination of mechanical properties of sands is described. This includes the determination of basic physical and mechanical properties, as conventionally applied in soil mechanics, as well as some additional experiments, which provide further information on mechanical properties of granular soils. These additional experiments allow for determination of steady state and instability lines, stress-strain relations for isotropic loading and pure shearing, and simple cyclic shearing tests. Unconventional oedometric experiments are also presented. Necessary laboratory equipment is described, which includes a triaxial apparatus equipped with local strain gauges, an oedometer capable of measuring lateral stresses and a simple cyclic shearing apparatus. The above experiments provide additional information on soil’s properties, which is useful in studying the following phenomena: pre-failure deformations of sand including cyclic loading compaction, pore-pressure generation and liquefaction, both static and caused by cyclic loadings, the effect of sand initial anisotropy and various instabilities. An important feature of the experiments described is that they make it possible to determine the initial state of sand, defined as either contractive or dilative. Experimental results for the “Gdynia” model sand are shown.
Real-time motion tracking using optical flow on multiple GPUs
Authors: Mahmoudi S.A. , Kierzynka M. , Manneback P. , Kurowski K.
Published: March 2014

Motion tracking algorithms are widely used in computer vision related research. However, the new video standards, especially those in high resolutions, cause that current implementations, even running on modern hardware, no longer meet the needs of real-time processing. To overcome this challenge several GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) computing approaches have recently been proposed. Although they present a great potential of a GPU platform, hardly any is able to process high definition video sequences efficiently. Thus, a need arose to develop a tool being able to address the outlined problem.

In this paper we present software that implements optical flow motion tracking using the Lucas-Kanade algorithm. It is also integrated with the Harris corner detector and therefore the algorithm may perform sparse tracking, i.e. tracking of the meaningful pixels only. This allows to substantially lower the computational burden of the method. Moreover, both parts of the algorithm, i.e. corner selection and tracking, are implemented on GPU and, as a result, the software is immensely fast, allowing for real-time motion tracking on videos in Full HD or even 4K format. In order to deliver the highest performance, it also supports multiple GPU systems, where it scales up very well
Vertical vibrations of composite bridge/track structure/high-speed train systems. Part 1: Series-of-types of steel-concrete bridges
Authors: Podworna M. , Klasztorny M.
Published: March 2014

A new series-of-types of single-span simply-supported railway composite (steel-concrete) bridges, with a symmetric platform, has been designed according to the Polish bridge standards. The designed bridges/viaducts are located on the main railways of the classification coefficient k = +2. A ballasted track structure adapted to high operating speeds has also been designed. The ultimate limit states and the limit states corresponding to the bridges undertaken are collected and discussed. The bridges have been designed in accordance with contemporary art engineering, with geometric and material optimization, avoiding overdesign. A new methodology of numerical modelling and simulation of dynamic processes in composite bridge/ballasted track structure/high speed train systems, developed in Part 2 and Part 3, has been applied and implemented in a problem-oriented computer programme. A new approach to predicting forced resonances in those systems is formulated and tested numerically. It has been proved that in the case of typical structural solutions of bridges and ballasted track structures, it is necessary to introduce certain limitations for operating speeds of trains
Extracellular matrix in tumours as a source of additional neoplastic lesions - a review
Authors: Madej Janusz A.
Published: March 2014

The review describes the role of cells of extracellular matrix (ECM) as a source of neoplastic outgrowths additional to the original tumour. The cells undergo a spontaneous transformation or stimulation by the original tumour through intercellular signals, e.g. through Shh protein (sonic hedgehog). Additionally, cells of an inflammatory infiltrate, which frequently accompany malignant tumours and particularly carcinomas, may regulate tumour cell behaviour. This is either by restricting tumour proliferation or, inversely, by induction and stimulation of the proliferation of another tumour cell type, e.g. mesenchymal cells. The latter type of tumour may involve formation of histologically differentiated stromal tumours (GIST), which probably originate from interstitial cells of Cajal in the alimentary tract. Occasionally, e.g. in gastric carcinoma, proliferation involves lymphoid follicles and lymphocytes of GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue), which gives rise to lymphoma. The process is preceded by the earlier stage of intestinal metaplasia, or is induced by gastritis alone. This is an example of primary involvement of inflammatory infiltrate cells in neoplastic progression. Despite the numerous histogenetic classifications of tumours (zygotoma benignum et zygotoma malignum, or mesenchymomata maligna et mesenchymomata benigna), currently in oncological diagnosis the view prevails that the direction of tumour differentiation and its degree of histologic malignancy (grading) are more important factors than the histogenesis of the tumour.
Prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in dogs in central-eastern Poland and histopathological changes caused by this infection
Authors: Osińska Barbara , Demiaszkiewicz Aleksander W. , Pyziel Anna M. , Dolka Izabella
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of canine dirofilariosis in four provinces of central-eastern Poland and to describe pathological changes occurring during the course of this parasitosis. A total of 188 dogs aged from one and a half up to 16 years were examined for dirofilariosis. Blood samples were analysed for the presence of microfilariae using Knott method, as well as the method of Kingston and Morton. Pathomorphological examination of two dogs was also performed. Histological sections were stained with H&E, AB-PAS, van Gieson, and von Kossa methods. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria repens were found in blood samples of dogs that originated from the Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, and Podlaskie provinces. The mean prevalence of that species was 12.7%. Autopsy revealed the adult nematodes in the subcutaneous connective tissue. Microscopic examinations indicated the presence of microfilariae in the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart muscle, and intestines. Necrotic foci, thrombosis, and infiltrations of different intensity with eosinophils in internal organs were also observed. Significant lesions in different internal organs together with the presence of numerous microfilariae suggest their important role in the disease process.
Pathomorphological changes in the alimentary system of Japanese quails naturally infected with Eimeria tsunodai
Authors: Gesek Michał , Welenc Joanna , Tylicka Zofia , Otrocka-Domagała Iwona , Paździor Katarzyna , Rotkiewicz Agnieszka
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate pathomorphological changes in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum of Japanese quails naturally infected with Eimeria tsunodai. Samples of the intestines were collected from 6-week-old cockerels and hens before laying and from laying quails aged 12, 24, and 48 weeks. The tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, PAS method according to McManus, and Ziehl-Neelsen method. Morphometric and morphological analyses of coccidia revealed that Eimeria tsunodai was responsible for the infection. Different developmental stages of the coccidia were observed almost exclusively in the caecum, and they led to the complete damage of caecal mucosa. The main changes observed in the caecum involved mucosal damage, atrophy of the folds and crypts, and mucosal desquamation. No significant inflammation changes were detected. The degree of damage to caecal mucosa increased with age and the greatest damage was noted at the age of 48 weeks. Eimeria tsunodai infections occur in Japanese quails during the entire laying period. Different developmental stages of coccidia are responsible for total damage to caecal mucosa.
Effect of temperature on the growth kinetics of Salmonella Enteritidis in cooked ham
Authors: Szczawińska Małgorzata Ewa , Szczawiński Jacek , Łobacz Adriana
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study was to determine a growth rate of Salmonella Enteritidis in cooked ham stored under different temperatures and to compare usefulness of the mathematical models for describing the microbiological data. The samples of cooked pork ham were inoculated with the mixture of three Salmonella Enteritidis strains and stored at 5°C, 10°C, 15°C for 21 d, and at 20°C and 25°C for 5 d. The number of salmonellae was determined at 10 periods of storage at each temperature. From each sample a series of decimal dilutions were prepared and plated onto Brilliant Green Agar. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24-48 h under aerobic conditions. The colonies grown on culture media were counted, bacterial counts were multiplied by the appropriate dilutions, and number of bacteria (colony-forming units) was calculated. The bacterial counts were transformed into logarithms and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The experiment was performed in five replicates. The obtained growth curves of bacteria were fitted to primary growth models, namely Gompertz, logistic, and Baranyi models. The goodness-of-fit test was evaluated by calculating mean square error and Akaike’s criterion. Growth kinetics values from the modified Gompertz and logistic equations were calculated. It was found that in samples of ham stored at 5°C and 10°C for 21 d, the number of bacteria remained almost at the same level during storage. In samples stored at 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C growth of salmonellae was observed. It was found that logistic model gave in most cases the best fit to obtained microbiological data describing the behaviour of S. Enteritidis in cooked ham. The growth kinetics values calculated in this study from logistic equations can be used to predict potential S. Enteritidis growth in cooked ham stored at 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C.
Concentration of lead, cadmium, and mercury in tissues of European beaver (Castor fiber) from the north-eastern Poland
Authors: Giżejewska Aleksandra , Spodniewska Anna , Barski Dariusz
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in the liver, kidneys, and muscles of European beavers (Castor fiber) and thus to evaluate the degree of heavy metals contamination in Warmia and Mazury region in Poland. The study was conducted on free-living beavers captured in region of Warmia and Mazury during autumn 2011. Concentrations of the elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The presence of the metals was detected in all individual tissue samples. Mean Pb and Hg concentrations were relatively low. However, the high mean Cd level, especially in the kidneys (7.933 mg/kg) and liver (0.880 mg/kg) was demonstrated. Despite the fact that region of Warmia and Mazury is considered to be “ecologically clean”, the conducted studies indicate that systematic monitoring for the presence of heavy metals is necessary not only in industrialised but also in agricultural regions, as well as in natural ecosystems.
Recurrent respiratory disorders in Polish Konik horses - clinical and laboratory findings
Authors: Niedźwiedź Artur , Jaworski Zbigniew
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of chronic respiratory disorders in Polish Konik horses maintained in a stable and pasture, under condition typical for pleasure horses in Poland. The study was conducted on 14 adult horses, consistent with regard to environment and living conditions. The horses were divided into two groups: seven horses not affected by any respiratory problem (control group) and seven horses with history of lower airway disease (study group). Clinical and laboratory evaluation, endoscopic examination, bronchoalveolar lavage, tracheal wash, and lung ultrasound were performed in all horses. Median (25th and 75th percentiles) for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid differential cell count in control horses was 55.8 (49.8 and 59.1) of macrophages, 41 (38.5 and 45.9) of lymphocytes, and 5.1 (4.1 and 5.3) of neutrophils, whereas in the study group they were 32.8 (25.9 and 35.7) of macrophages, 59.8 (51.3 and 64.8) of lymphocytes, and 38.1 (34.8 and 41.1) of neutrophils. It was concluded that chronic respiratory disorders in Polish Konik horses were probably caused by recurrent airway obstruction.
Evaluation of the influence of transport and adaptation stress on chosen immune and oxidative parameters and occurrence of respiratory syndrome in feedlot calves
Authors: Wernicki Andrzej , Urban-Chmiel Renata , Puchalski Andrzej , Dec Marta
Published: March 2014

Immune and oxidative parameters were evaluated as indicators of the influence of stress on the occurrence of respiratory syndrome in feedlot calves. The study was carried out on 60 2 and a half-month-old Simmentaler calves transported at feedlot. Mean daily feed consumption, daily weight gain, and behavioural activity were evaluated. Blood was collected on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of feedlot. Serum NO ions, lipid peroxidation, acute phase proteins, IgG, and IgM were determined. The calves showed a decrease in feed consumption during the first 7 d of the feedlot. Sporadic stereotypies were noted. NO concentration showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase on days 7 and 14. Concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increased (P < 0.05) on days 1 and 3. IgM concentration was found to be considerably lower on days 14 and 28. Serum haptoglobin level showed a significant increase in stressed calves on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 of the feedlot. Based on these results, it can be suggested that stressors associated with transport and adaptation to the feedlot induce a stress reaction in calves, resulting in behavioural disorders, reduced weight gain, suppression of the humoral immunity and increased morbidity during the first weeks. These parameters seem to be crucial in evaluating the animals' health and welfare.
Transcriptomic profiling of peripheral blood nucleated cells in dogs with and without clinical signs of chronic mitral valve disease
Authors: Garncarz Magdalena , Hulanicka Magdalena , Parzeniecka-Jaworska Marta , Garncarz Jacek , Jank Michał
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study was to demonstrate differences in the gene expression of signalling pathways between healthy dogs and dogs with chronic mitral valve disease in different heart failure groups. Blood samples were collected from 49 dogs of various breeds between 1.4 and 15.2 years of age. Isolated RNA samples were analysed for quality and integrity and the gene expression profile was determined. The study demonstrated that nucleated cells from peripheral blood can be used to assess the status of heart failure in dogs. Furthermore, significant differences in the expression of the genes were noticed between healthy dogs and dogs with clinical signs of chronic mitral valve disease. This is a preliminary non-invasive study showing the feasibility of genetic testing from peripheral blood nucleated cells, which at the same time has made it possible to set the future directions of genetic studies in clinical cases of canine chronic mitral valve disease.
Expression of α and β oestrogen receptors within the claustrum in rabbit males
Authors: Matysek Małgorzata , Krakowska Izabela , Lonc Grzegorz , Lalak Roman
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of α (Erα) and β (Erβ) oestrogen receptors in rabbit male’s claustrum, and thus to examine whether oestrogens may influence nerve cells’ functions of this structure. The material for the study was obtained from the brains of seven rabbits. To detect the presence of Erα and Erβ, specific monoclonal antibodies were used. The expression of Erα and Erβ was demonstrated in proper claustrum, as well as in the nucleus endopiriformis. For Erβ, the reaction occurred mainly in the cell nucleus, whereas Erα was localised predominantly in the neuron cytoplasm. For both Erα and Erβ, the nuclear and cytoplasmic localisation was observed in a small percentage of the examined cells. The obtained results may indicate oestrogen influence on the brain area and also suggest a further research on oestrogen-dependent pathways in males, which still remain greatly unexplored.
Investment performance of hedge funds
Authors: Aspadarec Waldemar
Published: March 2014

Economic function of hedge funds is exactly the same as the one performed by investment funds. In both cases managers are in charge of investors’ money. Investors hope that if they withdraw their money, they will recover their contribution and fair return. The first section of the article presents the essence of hedge funds. The second section discusses measures for assessing the effects of investment policy pursued by hedge funds. The third section analyses the investment performance of hedge funds compared to S&P 500 index. The results of the analysis enabled the author to state that hedge funds achieve considerably higher rates of return regardless of market situation.
Vulnerability to foreign macroeconomic shocks – an empirical study in cross-industry perspective. Example of 2008–2009 global crisis in Europe*
Authors: Domańska Agnieszka , Serwa Dobromił
Published: March 2014

The paper analyses the factors explaining the vulnerability of the European countries’ industries to foreign trade and production downturn in the years 2008-2009 and attempts to identify branches and industries (or their features significant in this context) that most greatly contributed to the last crisis transmission in Europe, mainly through the slump in their trade. Among those factors we took into particular consideration: the level of specialization versus diversification of the export basket and production, trade openness in the cross-country and cross-industry perspective, the intra-industry/inter-industry structure of trade and the financial openness.
Model of Financial Crisis Contagion: A Survey-based Simulation by Means of the Modified Kaplan-Meier Survival Plots
Authors: Roszkowska Paulina , Prorokowski Łukasz
Published: March 2014

The aim of this paper is to present a broad picture and novel aspects of the financial crisis contagion with respect to the stages of crisis contagion and its propagation factors. We employ a pioneering approach to a simulation of the financial crisis contagion by embarking on a qualitative query rather than on empirical data (i.e. by adopting an international investor’s perspective by conducting the qualitative query backed by semi-structured interviews with financial markets’ participants). Building on modified Kaplan-Meier Survival Plots, we suggest a model for the financial crisis contagion based on international linkages between markets, with particular attention paid to spot vulnerabilities in regulatory frameworks that allowed for the crisis to spread. Simulation results showed that there were several phases of crisis contagion in Europe, and different countries (regions) were contained via different paths, propagated by different factors with not equal intensity. The diversity of European countries’ susceptibility is evident not only when comparing advanced markets to the emerging ones, but also within these groups. Hereto, both international investment practitioners, as well as pan European market authorities should analyse with scrutiny the links emerging from the simulation, so that to develop sound and efficient investment strategies or impose tailor-made regulations for financial markets.
Structure of a decision support subsystem in real estate management
Authors: Renigier-Biłozor Małgorzata
Published: March 2014

This study proposes a decision support subsystem in real estate management. Owing to the complex and multi-layered character of the discussed problem, only selected aspects of real estate management are discussed in this paper. The described system will play the role of a relatively simple and effective “assistant” which is expected to maximize the effectiveness of a decision and shorten decision-making time. The author has made an attempt to develop a subsystem as an adviser to subjects operating in the real estate management. This system was developed accounting for and combining the classical economic and real estate market theories with the implementation of non-classical methods in the data mining category in an effort to increase its effectiveness. The rough set theory has been proposed as a tool that supports analytical processes. Fuzzy logic best reproduces expert knowledge, and it is one of the most effective tools for solving “vaguely defined” problems.

The given work is an attempt to prove the hypothesis that: the reduction of uncertainty in the real estate management decision-making process is possible by the development of the advisory system based on the rough set theory. The main aim of this work is to increase the efficiency and efficacy of entities operating in the real estate management, thus influencing the effectivness of the entity and management.
Interest rates and changes in zloty deposits of households in Poland
Authors: Skikiewicz Robert
Published: March 2014

The article presents the results of analyses on the impact of interest rates on changes in zloty deposits of households. In the article a comparison was made of the effects of using the two chosen methods of extracting the cyclical component in time series and the impact on performance of interest rates as predictors of cyclical turning points of deposits. The obtained results indicate that the choice of the method influences the identification of turning points. Irrespectively of the method used to extract a cyclical component, the interest rate on new deposits performs better than the interest rate on outstanding amounts of deposits in predicting turning points of zloty deposits of households.
The price bubble morphology
Authors: Tyc Waldemar
Published: March 2014

The article presents a discourse on the mechanism by which price bubbles emerge and burst. For idealization purposes the author assumes that even though price bubbles emerge in various markets, their morphology differs from market to market, be it the hi-tech stock (or, more generally, the stock market), the real estate market (where land is of fixed supply) or the housing market. The sources of their diversification lie in the type and weight of the causes of their appearance, the differences between their causative and functional determinants and the market feedbacks. Any interpretation of the nomological diversification of price bubbles (in the sense of their categorisation) requires looking at the system pragmatics and the market in which they emerge. Thus the designations of economic systems and the specifics of markets constitute both the economic and the institutional environment of their origin. They also constitute the necessary context for their understanding and interpretation, as price bubbles rise and collapse within specific functional structures of an economic system.
Efficiency estimation for permanent magnets of synchronous wind generators
Authors: Serebryakov A. , Levin N. , Sokolov A. , Kamolins E.
Published: March 2014

Application of wind generators opens wide possibilities for raising the efficiency of low- and medium-power wind generators (WGs). The mass of generators in the proposed version is smaller, their reliability higher, while maintenance costs are lower. At the same time, the use of high-energy permanent magnets in generators of enhanced power comes up against some obstacles, which can be overcome through proper orientation of magnetization at creation of a magnetic field in the airgap of electrical machine. In this regard, it might be preferable to use magnets with indirect action on the airgap instead of those with direct action. A convincing example of the former variant is a generator with tangentially oriented magnetization of permanent magnets. In the work, an attempt is done to prove the advantages of such installation in modern low- and medium-power WGs
Investigation of daily covering material for biocells
Authors: Bendere R. , Smigins R. , Medne O. , Berzina- Cimdina L. , Rugele K.
Published: March 2014

Bioreactor landfilling, with the acceptance of landfill Directive 1999/31/EC has lost its actuality in European Union; at the same time, this method can still be used for acceleration of biowaste degradation and biogas production. One of the possibilities to reduce the disposal of biowaste is to use biocells for its anaerobic pre-treatment before landfilling. The daily filling up of such a cell requires isolation of the main volume to limit gas emissions, reduce smells, etc. Bioprocesses that are of the utmost importance for biocell treatment are often not taken into account in selection of materials to be used as daily landfill covers. Based on physical, chemical and biological methods the investigations have been carried out into different covering materials offered in the market, with identification of parameters that are the most important for daily covering the biocells. It is found that the materials fitted best this purpose should be of biological origin and consist of small bio-particles with large surface, without the inhibitors of anaerobic processes such as sulphuric compounds.
Determination of two-liquid mixture composition by assessing its dielectric parameters 2. modified measuring system for monitoring the dehydration process of bioethanol production
Authors: Vilitis O. , Shipkovs P. , Merkulovs D. , Rucins A. , Zihmane-Ritina K. , Bremers G.
Published: March 2014

In Part 2 of the work we describe a modified measuring system for precise monitoring of the dehydration process of bioethanol production. This is based on the earlier proposed system for measuring the concentration of solutions and two-liquid mixtures using devices with capacitive sensors (1-300pF), which provides a stable measuring resolution of ± 0.005 pF at measuring the capacitance of a sensor. In this part of our work we determine additional requirements that are to be imposed on the measuring system at monitoring the ethanol dehydration process and control of bioethanol production. The most important parameters of the developed measuring system are identified. An exemplary calculation is given for the thermocompensated calibration of measuring devices. The results of tests have shown a good performance of the developed measuring system.
Research into the 3d roughness of a rough surface
Authors: Avisane A. , Rudzitis J. , Springis G.
Published: March 2014

One of the most important parameters in determination of the deformation associated with roughness is its height on the surface. The authors study the density of probability distribution as related to the surface peak height (SPH) and estimate the mathematical expectation (ME) of SPH for the roughness values above a determined deformation level. In the contact theory, the surface is modelled as a normal random field described by the Nayak SPH formula. Since this formula is practically inapplicable in the engineering tasks, the authors propose to replace it by a simpler distribution law. For this purpose the former is compared with two other formulas obeying the most known probability distribution laws: of normal distribution (Gauss’) law and Rayleigh’s law. Comparison of these three formulas made it possible to derive a simpler yet sufficiently precise one. In the work, the numerical values of the density of SPH probability distribution and the relevant ME values at different deformation levels for all three formulas.
PREDICTION OF THE NET INDICATED EFFICIENCY AND PUMPING LOSSES OF A THROTTLED SI ENGINE AT PART LOAD
Authors: Miklánek Ľubomír , Macek Jan
Published: March 2014

SHRNUTÍ

Tato studie popisuje vliv změny indikovane učinnosti vysokotlake časti pracovniho cyklu (hiHP) na indikovanou učinnost celeho cyklu (hi) a pumpovnich ztrat (pro udrženi konstantni hodnoty středniho efektivniho tlaku) pro připad zažehoveho motoru škrceneho v sacim traktu v nizkem zatiženi. Za učelem zjištěni těchto zavislosti byl sestrojen jednoduchy matematicky model. Model umožňuje počitat vztahy mezi indikovanou učinnosti vysokotlake časti pracovniho cyklu, indikovanou učinnosti celeho cyklu a take středni hodnotou tlaku v průběhu saciho zdvihu pistu (ps). Navrženy model byl kalibrovan a nasledně verifikovan pomoci experimentalně pořizenych dat. Experimentalni prace byly provedeny na testovacim zažehovem, čtyřvalcovem motoru s pohonem na zemni plyn, pracujici se stechiometrickou koncepci a vybavenym take třicestnym katalyzatorem. Cilem experimentů bylo navic najit řešeni pro dalši zvyšeni učinnosti vysokotlake časti v porovnani s optimalnim konvenčnim nastavenim motoru. I když samozřejmě existuje jednoduchy způsob pro změnu (sniženi) hodnoty indikovane učinnosti vysokotlake časti pracovniho cyklu pouhym rozladěnim optimalni hodnoty předstihu zažehu, tato varianta nebyla cilem vyzkumu autorů. Z tohoto důvodu byla pro tento učel ve finale zvolena varianta s aplikaci specialni zapalovaci svičky do každeho valce motoru. Jak ze simulaci tak z experimentů bylo zjištěno, že se zvyšenim indikovane učinnosti vysokotlake časti pracovniho cyklu dochazi ke zvyšeni jak indikovane učinnosti celeho cyklu tak take pumpovnich ztrat a obraceně, což se předpokladalo.
DESIGN ASSISTANCE SYSTEM APPLICATIONS FOR SIMULATION OF IC ENGINE DYNAMICS
Authors: Tichánek Radek , Bogomolov Sergii
Published: March 2014

SHRNUTÍ

Design Assistance System (DASY)[1] umožňuje použit přistup, kdy konstrukter/vypočtař potřebuje propojit všechny aspekty navrhu pro dosaženi optimalniho řešeni. Tento članek je zaměřen na prezentaci vybranych vypočetnich metod a jejich integrace do DASY. Metody kombinuji CAD konstrukčni navrhy současti spalovaciho motoru s modely pro vypočet dynamiky klikoveho a rozvodoveho mechanismu. Vypočetni modely jsou řešeny v komerčnim softwaru nebo přimo v DASY. Koncept pro navrhovani zdvihove křivky ventilů je představen jako zastupce metod, ktere mohou byt řešeny přimo v DASY pomoci Gauss-Newtonovy iteračni metody. Vyvinute koncepty mohou byt dale začleneny do modelu celeho motoru nebo vozidla diky blokove struktuře DASY
COMMON RAIL INJECTOR LEAK TESTING
Authors: Scholz Celestýn , Starý Petr
Published: March 2014

SHRNUTÍ

Članek popisuje obecne možnosti zjišťovani vnitřni a vnějši těsnosti jednotlivych časti injektoru pro vysokotlaky palivovy system Common Rail. Na konkretnim injektoru Bosch pro motor Cummins se presentuje vlastni metoda měřeni těsnosti trysky, kuličkoveho ventilu a vnitřni časti tyčky ovladajici jehlu trysky. Testovani teto vnitřni časti injektoru je důležite pro ověřeni vlivu uprav, ktere jsou potřebne pro měřeni a vyzkum pohybu jehly trysky.
Removal of vanadium, potassium and iron from spent vanadium catalyst by leaching with citric acid at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Mazurek Krzysztof
Published: March 2014

The effect of time, temperature, the catalyst particle size and the ratio of the catalyst weight to the leaching solution volume (S:L) on the treatment of spent vanadium catalyst components was determined using citric acid solutions at atmospheric pressure. The optimal parameters of catalyst leaching in 10% acid solutions at atmospheric pressure are: T = 323 K, t = 4 h, the particle size of less than 0.160 mm, the S:L ratio below 0.1. Under these conditions it was possible to dissolve about 90% of vanadium and potassium compounds and more than 60% of iron compounds contained in the catalyst. These results fall within the scope of research on a comprehensive method for recovering spent vanadium catalyst components.
ANFIS based prediction of the aluminum extraction from boehmite bauxite in the Bayer process
Authors: Mihajlović Ivan , Đurić Isidora , Živković Živan
Published: March 2014

This paper presents the results of nonlinear statistical modeling of the bauxite leaching process, as part of Bayer technology for alumina production. Based on the data, collected during the year 2011 from the industrial production in the alumina factory Birač, Zvornik (Bosnia and Herzegovina), nonlinear statistical modeling of the industrial process was performed. The model was developed as an attempt to define the dependence of the Al2O3 degree of recovery as a function of input parameters of the leaching process: content of Al2O3, SiO2 and Fe2O3 in the bauxite, as well as content of Na2Ocaustic and Al2O3 in the starting sodium aluminate solution. As the statistical modeling tool, Adaptive Network Based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) was used. The model, defined by the ANFIS methodology, expressed a high fitting level and accordingly can be used for the efficient prediction of the Al2O3 degree of recovery, as a function of the process inputs under the industrial conditions.
Linking process variables and newsprint properties in Mazandaran Wood and paper Industries
Authors: Hadi Moradian Mohammad , Resalati Hossein
Published: March 2014

Pulp and paper industries have provided great research opportunities to control systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between 80 process variables of CMP tower and stock preparation, and 17 newsprint quality properties in Mazandaran Wood and Paper Industries (MWPI). After the preparation of two suitable data series considering the time needed for pulp to paper, the relations between process dependent and newsprint independent variables were determined using partial least squares (PLS) regression. As a result, two PLS models were developed. The first model with 4 latent vectors categorized and related CMP tower variables and the second one, through 8 latent vectors connected stock preparation variables with paper properties. PLS regression coefficients determined how much the most influencing process variables impact each paper properties
There's Something about Mary
Authors: Benjamin Shanna Greene
Published: March 2014

Little more than a decade after publishing Invisible Man (1952), Ralph Ellison published “Out of the Hospital and under the Bar” (1963): an excised chapter of the novel that portrayed Mary Rambo—a black woman represented stereotypically in the published manuscript—as a necessary agent in the protagonist's emergence from the paint-factory hospital. As scholars have contested the significance of this chapter and Mary's representation in it, the Invisible Man drafts, made available to the public in 1998, reveal that this chapter is more significant than previously thought: this section of the novel underwent more revision than any other and is the sole portion of the drafts to be published as a narrative unto itself. This essay explains how the expurgated chapter reveals how voice, agency, and memory affect Invisible Man's physical and psychological ascent and confirms Ellison's deep respect for the wisdom imbedded within black folk culture. By reading Mary Rambo alongside her peers who also represent a folk past—namely Trueblood, Peter Wheatstraw, and Brother Tarp—this essay offers early evidence of Ellison's image of the modern black protagonist and prompts us to imagine what might have been had Invisible Man been able to experience the fullness of Mary's folk wisdom as Ellison had originally conceived.
Building the Neo-Archive
Authors: Johnson Erica L.
Published: March 2014

Dionne Brand's memoir, A Map to the Door of No Return: Notes to Belonging, touches on the author's childhood in Trinidad and adulthood in Canada but is equally concerned with understanding and intervening in the larger histories among which Brand situates her identity. A lush work of memories, poetry, and criticism, the work presents vignettes from the author's life alongside her meditations on writing, history, mapmaking, and most important for this essay, the archives. Brand's memoir is replete with supporting materials that range from ffteenth-century journals and letters to contemporary critical theory, from geographers' logs to films and pop culture. Her sources are rich and varied, and they can be broken down into three general types: the historical archives written during the “age of exploration” and the slave trade; the contemporary archives of newspapers and journals; and the creative archive of postcolonial writers, or what I am calling the neo-archive. Brand's memoir participates in an entire genre of postcolonial and in particular Caribbean literature that addresses the colonial archive. She thus provides a singular overview of the neo-archive by bringing many of these texts into dialogue with one another, and she explores as well the dialogue between such texts and the dozens of archival fragments she incorporates into her self-portrait.
Telling Stories of Trafficking
Authors: Hua Julietta
Published: March 2014

Human trafficking has gained attention world-wide, and stories about victimization and violence help to define the so-called underground activities of trafficking. Rather than ask what counts as an instance of human trafficking, this essay considers how we come to see one situation as trafficking and not another. The essay asks what is at stake in prioritizing certain narratives over others, and what such prioritizing takes for granted.
Ethical issues of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sarker Jyotirmoy
Published: March 2014

Clinical trials involve the application of different medical interventions on human participants. Randomized controlled trials involve different groups of human subjects undergoing different clinical interventions. This process ensures bias free subject allocation which leads to a way to statistically establish the research result. Strict ethical guidance is necessary from selection of participants to the analysis of trial results. Without proper guidance the trial participants would be subjected to unethical experiments. Before starting the randomized controlled trials the investigators must meet all ethics issues. The institutional review board (IRB) must check whether all ethical demands are met or not before permitting the research. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i1.18441 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5(1): 1-4
Institutional Review Board (IRB): its role and responsibility in making research ethical
Authors: Nurunnabi Abu Sadat Mohammad
Published: March 2014

This is a review article prepared as a part of the assignment in the educational activity and training on research ethics titled Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Research arranged by the Bangladesh Bioethics Society (BBS), Dhaka, Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Department of Bioethics of National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA, through video conferencing between September 25 and November 13 of 2013. The search was confined to Google, HINARI and PubMed published articles. Besides, some guidelines on roles and responsibilities of Institutional Review Board (IRB) were taken into consideration. Key words used for searching were institutional review board, ethical review committee and ethical research. A total of 18 journal articles and some guidelines were selected for this writing. The systemic review from the databases revealed some important discussions on research, ethical research, roles and responsibilities of IRB/ERC and its challenges, and national/institutional research strategies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i1.18442 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5(1): 5-10