bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análise de necessidades com base em gênero para orientar a produção de material didático em espanhol: gêneros profissionais do ramo imobiliário
Authors: Labella-Sánchez Natalia
Published: June 2014

Considerando que a análise de necessidades é fundamental para estruturar o ensino de línguas para fins específicos e para identificar os conteúdos a serem ensinados (DUDLEY-EVANS; ST. JOHN, 1998; RAMOS et al., 2004), este artigo objetiva trazer algumas reflexões teórico-metodológicas a respeito de uma análise de necessidades com base em gêneros de texto. Para isso, utilizamos a proposta de análise do sistema de atividades de Bazerman (2005). O resultado de tal análise permitiu identificar os conjuntos de gênero que caracterizam o contexto laboral dos profissionais do ramo imobiliário e propiciou subsídios para direcionar uma futura elaboração de material didático em torno a gêneros, já que os dados revelaram quais gêneros de texto precisam ser utilizados em espanhol pelos corretores e em quais situações comunicativas isso ocorre dentro do sistema de atividade.
Longitudinal shear resistance of composite slabs
Authors: Hicks Stephen James , Pennington Andrew Fawcett , Jones Audsley Sarah
Published: June 2014

Composite slabs using cold-formed profiled steel sheeting are widely used in multi-storey steel-framed buildings. This paper presents the results from a comprehensive test programme that considers the longitudinal shear resistance of composite slabs with two types of trapezoidal profiled sheeting, where the only parameter that was varied was the yield strength of the steel. Although the ductility of high-strength steel material used in two of four test series was low, the longitudinal shear behaviour for all of the composite slabs was deemed to be ductile according to Eurocode 4, which meant that the partial connection method was permitted. However, the longitudinal shear resistance was shown to be significantly lower in the specimens that used the higher-strength steel, which clearly demonstrates that the rules given in Eurocode 4, annex B.3.1 for reducing the number of tests lead to unconservative design values. To remedy this situation, an amendment is proposed.
Ecological risks and opportunities from engineered artificial flooding as a means of achieving environmental flow objectives
Authors: Bond Nick , Costelloe Justin , King Alison , Warfe Danielle , Reich Paul , Balcombe Stephen
Published: June 2014

Restoration of floodplain ecosystems through the reinstatement of floods is often hampered by insufficient water as a result of competing human demands. An emerging alternative approach relies on floodplain infrastructure – such as levees, weirs, regulators, and pumps – to control water levels within floodplains without requiring landscape‐scale overbank floods. This technique, albeit water efficient and capable of achieving some ecological targets, does not mimic the hydraulics, hydrodynamics, and lateral connectivity of natural floods. Engineering approaches like this may risk detrimental ecological outcomes, including reductions in biotic connectivity, river–floodplain productivity, and water quality, and thus may fail to support the range of ecological processes required to sustain healthy river–floodplain systems. Here, we review the potential benefits, risks, and mitigation options associated with engineered artificial flooding. Given the growing challenge of equitable water allocation, further research on and monitoring of engineered floods as a tool to sustain floodplain ecosystems are urgently required.
Long‐term experimental warming and nutrient additions increase productivity in tall deciduous shrub tundra
Authors: DeMarco Jennie , Mack Michelle C. , Bret-Harte M. Syndonia , Burton Mark , Shaver Gaius R.
Published: June 2014

Warming Arctic temperatures can drive changes in vegetation structure and function directly by stimulating plant growth or indirectly by stimulating microbial decomposition of organic matter and releasing more nutrients for plant uptake and growth. The arctic biome is currently increasing in deciduous shrub cover and this increase is expected to continue with climate warming. However, little is known how current deciduous shrub communities will respond to future climate induced warming and nutrient increase. We examined the plant and ecosystem response to a long‐term (18 years) nutrient addition and warming experiment in an Alaskan arctic tall deciduous shrub tundra ecosystem to understand controls over plant productivity and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage in shrub tundra ecosystems. In addition, we used a meta‐analysis approach to compare the treatment effect size for aboveground biomass among seven long‐term studies conducted across multiple plant community types within the Arctic. We found that biomass, productivity, and aboveground N pools increased with nutrient additions and warming, while species diversity decreased. Both nutrient additions and warming caused the dominant functional group, deciduous shrubs, to increase biomass and proportional C and N allocation to aboveground stems but decreased allocation to belowground stems. For all response variables except soil C and N pools, effects of nutrients plus warming were largest. Soil C and N pools were highly variable and we could not detect any response to the treatments. The biomass response to warming and fertilization in tall deciduous shrub tundra was greater than moist acidic and moist non‐acidic tundra and more similar to the biomass response of wet sedge tundra. Our data suggest that in a warmer and more nutrient‐rich Arctic, tall deciduous shrub tundra will have greater total deciduous shrub biomass and a higher proportion of woody tissue that has a longer residence time, with a lower proportion of C and N allocated to belowground stems.
A Situational Analysis of the Status of Midwifery in North Africa and the Middle East
Authors: Ghérissi Atf , Brown Judith Marie
Published: June 2014

Midwives from the Middle East and North African (MENA) region convened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2012 to engage for the first time ever in a discussion concerning regional strategic interventions to strengthen midwifery and the work of midwives in the Arab countries. The workshop was an opportunity to establish a culture of positive and balanced collaboration and mutual understanding among midwives and between midwives and other maternity care professionals including nurses and obstetricians. Key challenges and opportunities in midwifery in the MENA region were identified. Participants agreed on strategic goals to strengthening midwifery education, regulation, and associations in the MENA region.
Gas Flow Tightly Coupled to Elastoplastic Geomechanics for Tight- and Shale-Gas Reservoirs: Material Failure and Enhanced Permeability
Authors: Kim Jihoon , Moridis George J.
Published: June 2014

We investigate coupled flow and geomechanics in gas production from extremely low-permeability reservoirs such as tight- and shale-gas reservoirs, using dynamic porosity and permeability during numerical simulation. In particular, we take the intrinsic permeability as a step function of the status of material failure, and the permeability is updated every timestep. We consider gas reservoirs with the vertical and horizontal primary fractures, using the single- and dynamic double-porosity (dual-continuum) models. We modify the multiple-porosity constitutive relations for modeling the double porous continua for flow and geomechanics. The numerical results indicate that the production of gas causes redistribution of the effective-stress fields, increasing the effective shear stress and resulting in plasticity. Shear failure occurs not only near the fracture tips but also away from the primary fractures, which indicates the generation of secondary fractures. These secondary fractures increase the permeability significantly, and change the flow pattern, which, in turn, causes a change in the distribution of geomechanical variables. From various numerical tests, we find that shear failure is enhanced by a large pressure drop at the production well, a high Biot's coefficient, and low frictional and dilation angles. Smaller spacing between the horizontal wells also contributes to faster secondary fracturing. When the dynamic double-porosity model is used, we observe a faster evolution of the enhanced-permeability areas than that obtained from the single-porosity model, mainly because of a higher permeability of the fractures in the double-porosity model. These complicated physics for stress-sensitive reservoirs cannot properly be captured by the uncoupled or flow-only simulation, and, thus, tightly coupled flow and geomechanical models are highly recommended to describe accurately the reservoir behavior during gas production in tight- and shale-gas reservoirs and to design production scenarios smartly.
Shale Gas Characterization and Property Determination by Digital Rock Physics
Authors: Almarzooq Anas , AlGhamdi Tariq , Koronfol Safouh , Dernaika Moustafa , Walls Joel
Published: June 2014

Unconventional shale reservoirs differ largely from conventional sandstone and carbonate reservoirs in their origin, geologic evolution and current occurrence. Shale is a wide variety of rocks that are composed of extremely fine-grained particles with very small porosity and permeability values in the order of few porosity units and nano-darcy range, respectively. Shale formations are very complex at the core scale, and exhibit large vertical variations in lithology and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) at a small scale that renders core characterization and sweet spot detection very challenging. Shale formations are also very complex at the nano-scale pore level where the pores have different porosity types that are detected within the kerogen volume. These complexities led to further research and development of advanced application of high resolution X-ray CT scanning on full diameter core sections to characterize shale mineralogy, porosity and rock facies so that accurate evaluation of the sweet spot locations could be made for further detailed petrophysical and petrographic studies.

In this work, argillaceous shale gas cores were imaged using high resolution dual energy X-ray CT scanning. This imaging technique produces continuous whole core scans at 0.5mm spacing and derives accurate bulk density and effective atomic number (Zeff) logs along the core intervals which were crucial in determining lithology, porosity, and rock facies. Additionally, integrated XRD data and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) analysis were acquired to confirm the mineral framework composition of the core. Smaller core plugs and subsamples representing the main variations in the core were extracted for much higher resolution X-ray CT scanning and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. Porosity was mainly found in organic matter and was determined from 2D and 3D SEM images by image segmentation process. Horizontal fluid flow was only possible through the organic matter and the simulations of 3D FIB-SEM volumes by solving Stokes equation using Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM).

A clear trend was observed between porosity and permeability while correlating with identified facies in the core. Silica-rich facies gave higher Phie-K characteristics compared to the low clay-rich facies. This is mainly caused by pressure compaction effect in the soft clay-rich samples. High percentages of organic matter were not found to be good indication for high porosity or permeability in the clay-rich shale samples. The depositional facies was found to have great effect on the pore types, rock fabric and reservoir properties. The results and interpretations entailed in this study provide further insights and enhance our understanding of heterogeneity of the organic rich shale reservoir rock.
Gray Box Modeling of Supercritical Nimbin Extraction from Neem Seeds
Using Methanol as Co-Solvent
Authors: Zahedi G. , Azizi S. , Hatami T. , Sheikhattar L.
Published: June 2014

In this paper yield of nimbin extraction from neem seeds using supercritical carbon dioxide with methanol as
co-solvent has been studied. In this case mass transfer coefficient in terms of Sherwood number has been estimated by a
neuro-fuzzy network. Then the estimated mass transfer coefficient has been fed to the system model which is set of partial
differential equations. The proposed gray box model was validated with experimental data.
Death by Water: Precautionary Water Submersion for Intravitreal Injection of Retinoblastoma Eyes
Authors: Francis Jasmine H , Xu Xiaoliang L , Gobin Y. Pierre , Marr Brian P , Brodie Scott E , Abramson David H
Published: June 2014

There is growing interest in intravitreal injections of chemotherapy for retinoblastoma. However, concerns for potential tumor seeding through the needle track has prompted the use of risk-reducing precautionary methods. Presented here is a novel technique, which can be easily replicated, requires minimal sophisticated equipment and with laboratory data supporting its concept. Sterile distilled water submersion for 3 minutes renders retinoblastoma cells nonviable and can be employed as a precautionary method following intravitreal injection in the technique described here.
Traumatic Dislocation of Implanted Collamer Phakic Lens: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Moshirfar Majid , Stagg Brian C , Muthappan Valliammai , Vasavada Shail A
Published: June 2014

Purpose :

Present a case of dislocation of an Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) that occurs after blunt trauma and review the published literature on this topic.

Methods :

Case report and literature review using PubMed.

Results :

A 44 year-old male presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of blurry vision after blunt trauma to the left eye. Three years prior, he had undergone bilateral ICL placement for high myopia. On examination, the superotemporal haptic was noted to be dislocated into the anterior chamber, but there was no endothelial touch by the dislocated lens. The patient had an associated hyphema that was medically managed, and 2 weeks after the injury, the patient underwent ICL repositioning. A review of the literature was performed and five previous cases of ICL dislocation were identified. Three of these occurred after blunt trauma. One of these cases was associated with endothelial touch and decompensation and eventually required a descement’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).

Conclusion :

Dislocation of ICLs after blunt trauma is a rare but important potential sequela of the procedure and can lead to corneal decompensation if there is lens-endothelial touch. All patients who suffer blunt dislocation of ICL should be followed long-term after repositioning for signs of endothelial loss and dysfunction.
Improved Glucose Control With Weight Loss, Lower Insulin Doses, and No Increased Hypoglycemia With Empagliflozin Added to Titrated Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin in Obese Inadequately Controlled Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Rosenstock Julio , Jelaska Ante , Frappin Guillaume , Salsali Afshin , Kim Gabriel , Woerle Hans J. , Broedl Uli C.
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the efficacy and safety of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, added to multiple daily injections of insulin (MDI insulin) in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients inadequately controlled on MDI insulin ± metformin (mean HbA1c 8.3% [67 mmol/mol]; BMI 34.8 kg/m2; insulin dose 92 international units/day) were randomized and treated with once-daily empagliflozin 10 mg (n = 186), empagliflozin 25 mg (n = 189), or placebo (n = 188) for 52 weeks. Insulin dose was to remain stable in weeks 1–18, adjusted to meet glucose targets in weeks 19–40, then stable in weeks 41–52. The primary end point was change from baseline in HbA1c at week 18. Secondary end points were changes from baseline in insulin dose, weight, and HbA1c at week 52.

RESULTS

Adjusted mean ± SE changes from baseline in HbA1c were −0.50 ± 0.05% (−5.5 ± 0.5 mmol/mol) for placebo versus −0.94 ± 0.05% (−10.3 ± 0.5 mmol/mol) and −1.02 ± 0.05% (−11.1 ± 0.5 mmol/mol) for empagliflozin 10 mg and empagliflozin 25 mg, respectively, at week 18 (both P < 0.001). At week 52, further reductions with insulin titration resulted in changes from baseline in HbA1c of −0.81 ± 0.08% (−8.9 ± 0.9 mmol/mol), −1.18 ± 0.08% (−12.9 ± 0.9 mmol/mol), and −1.27 ± 0.08% (−13.9 ± 0.9 mmol/mol) with placebo, empagliflozin 10 mg, and empagliflozin 25 mg, respectively, and final HbA1c of 7.5% (58 mmol/mol), 7.2% (55 mmol/mol), and 7.1% (54 mmol/mol), respectively. More patients attained HbA1c <7% (<53 mmol/mol) with empagliflozin (31–42%) versus placebo (21%; both P < 0.01). Empagliflozin 10 mg and empagliflozin 25 mg reduced insulin doses (−9 to −11 international units/day) and weight (−2.4 to −2.5 kg) versus placebo (all P < 0.01) at week 52.

CONCLUSIONS

In obese, difficult-to-treat patients with T2DM inadequately controlled on high MDI insulin doses, empagliflozin improved glycemic control and reduced weight without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia and with lower insulin requirements.
Two Cases of Scimitar Syndrome Associated with Multiple Congenital Skeletal Anomalies and Lacking Abnormalities by Genomic Microarray Analysis
Authors: Lloyd Isaac E. , Rowe Leslie R. , Erickson Lance K. , Paxton Christian N. , South Sarah T. , Alashari Mouied
Published: June 2014

Scimitar syndrome is a congenital anomaly occurring in approximately 1/50 000 births, consisting of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, right lung hypoplasia, and several associated defects. The condition generally has significant morbidity and mortality, but the underlying cause is poorly understood. In this report, we describe 2 autopsy cases of Scimitar syndrome associated with multiple skeletal anomalies and attempt to characterize possible genetic abnormalities in this condition. In light of these findings, we discuss the embryology and direct timing during development of the anomalies associated with this syndrome.
The Adaptive Ability of Cornus Stolonifera Michx. ´Kelseyi´ in Changing Environment
Authors: Bartošová Krajčovičová Daniela , Šajbidorová Viera
Published: June 2014

Water represents one of the limiting environmental factors having impact on all the processes in plants. Water stress is considered as the most significant cause of photosynthesis defects. Measuring fluorescence of chlorophyll a is one of the methods revealing defects in the photosynthetic aparatus. The examination has been carried out on the plants Cornus stolonifera Michx. ´KELSEYI´ cultivated in two different irrigation regimes (a regime with 40% substrate saturation and a controlling regime with 60% substrate saturation). We have used a fluorometer HANSATECH FMS 1 to measure modulated fluorescence of chlorophyll a. A three-week period of measurement was set between June and August during two years of experiments (2011 and 2012). The selected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv /Fm - maximum quantum efficiency of PSII; ΦPSII - effective quantum yield of PSII; Rfd - chlorophyll fluorescence decrease ratio and NPQ - non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching, proved to be insensitive to given water deficit. Cornus stolonifera Michx. ´KELSEY´ appears to be a woody plant capable of water efficiency.
The Effects of Dietary Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) Oil Supplementation on Broiler Feeding Behaviour, Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality Characteristics
Authors: Symeon George K , Athanasiou Anastasios , Lykos Nikos , Charismiadou Maria A. , Goliomytis Michael , Demiris Nikos , Ayoutanti Anna , Simitzis Panagiotis E. , Deligeorgis Stelios G.
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with cinnamon oil on growth performance, behaviour, carcass traits and meat quality of broilers. One hundred and thirty-five Cobb 700 day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned into three equal treatment groups with three replicates (pens) of fifteen chickens each. The dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet as control (C) and basal diet supplemented with 0.5 (C1) or 1.0 (C2) ml of cinnamon oil per kg of feed. On day 49, 5 birds from each pen (15 per treatment) were slaughtered and the pectoralis major muscle samples were collected for meat quality evaluation. No effect of cinnamon oil supplementation on the probability of a bird standing at the feeder or the drinker was observed until the age of 17 days. Moreover, cinnamon oil supplementation did not affect body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. No significant differences were also found in internal organs’ weights and carcass characteristics among the treatments, although cold carcass weight was the lightest in the C1 group. At the same time, colour parameters, pH24, cooking loss, intramuscular fat and shear values were not affected by diets. The extent of lipid oxidation in raw pectoralis major muscle stored at 4ºC for up to 9 days or at -20ºC for up to 6 months was also not influenced by the dietary treatment. The present findings suggest that cinnamon oil at the selected concentrations may not have the potential to improve broiler growth performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics.
Effect of Different Environmental Conditions on Some Haematological Parameters in Cow
Authors: Mazzullo Giuseppe , Rifici Claudia , Caccamo Gino , Rizzo Maria , Piccione Giuseppe
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to establish physiological responses of Piemontese cows to different environmental conditions (ambient temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index). To this end, 43 clinically healthy Piemontese cows aged 2-12 years were used to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions on haematological parameters. For each period, ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded by means of a data logger and the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated as indicator of thermal comfort for cattle. Blood samples were collected at 4 time points under different environmental conditions (T1, T2, T3 and T4) and analysed for haematological parameters. One way repeated measure analysis of variance showed a statistically significant effect of time (P<0.0001) on RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Plt, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils. The majority of haematological values obtained in the present study, even though within the physiological range for cattle, showed that variations in haematological parameters are related to changes in ambient temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index. These results provide insight into the physiological responses of Piemontese cows to different environmental conditions, allowing to better evaluate its ability to adapt and cope with environmental stress.
Comparative Investigation of Mechanical–Physical Characteristics of Biodegradable and Non-Degradable Yarns
Authors: Krikštanavičienė Kira , Stanys Sigitas , Jonaitienė Vaida
Published: June 2014

This article presents the results from investigations of tensile tests, absorbency test and degradation test of biodegradable and non- or partly biodegradable yarns produced from pure poly hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV), poly (lactide acid) (PLA), isotactic polypropylene (iPP) polymers and their blends. The results indicate that mechanical-physical properties of PHBV are improved by adding PLA and iPP to PHBV. The main results indicate that the PHBV/PLA and PHBV/iPP (70/30) blends had better mechanical properties than pure PHBV, as well as improved immiscibility and the same or lower degradation in sodium chloride solution, respectively. The PHBV/PLA and PHBV/iPP blends showed a tendency for lower crystallinity and stiffness of the yarns, rendering them less stiff and fragile. The absorption tests showed that absorption dynamic process depends on the structure and raw materials of the yarns. The disinfectant in all samples is absorbed faster than blood. Research results showed that pure PHBV yarns have good hydrophobic properties, compared with pure PLA and iPP yarns. The use of additional PLA and iPP polymers changed the wetting behaviour of yarns. Absorption time of blended yarns in disinfectant liquid decreases and absorption time in the case of blood significantly increases in comparison with PLA and iPP yarns and decreases compared with PHBV yarns. The degradation tests (within 90 days in a solution of sodium chloride) showed that pure PHBV and PHBV/PLA blends degraded at different rates but with the loss of the same weight, while pure PHBV and PHBV/iPP blends degraded at the same rate, but PHBV/iPP blends had worse destruction results. Such improvements are expected to be important for the practical application of PHBV in some fields
Investigation about the Manufacturing Technique of the Composite Corner Fitting Part
Authors: Wang Peng , Legrand Xavier , Soulat Damien
Published: June 2014

Textile composite reinforcement forming has been employed in many aeronautic industries as a traditional composite manufacturing process. The double-curved shape manufacturing may be difficult and can lead to defects when the composite parts have high curvatures and large deformations. Compared with the textile composites forming, surface 3D weaving can demonstrate directly the geometry of final composite part without the stages involved in 2D product. The weaving in three directions is completely designed and warp and weft yarns are always perpendicular to the surfaces of the final 3D ply. These two manufacturing techniques are applied to produce an important piece of aircraft: the corner fitting. The 3D weaving results are compared with the experimental forming by a punch as same geometry as the corner fitting part. The conveniences and limits of each technique are investigated. The comparisons show particularly a perfect final 3D fabric with homogeneous fibre volume fraction performed by the surface 3D weaving technique.
Use of Ornamental Trees in Dating of Abandoned Cemeteries on the Example of Thuja Occidentalis and Thuja Orientalis
Authors: Opała Magdalena , Majgier Leszek
Published: June 2014

Due to the lack of maintenance, abandoned cemeteries are often incorporated into the landscape. In many cases the information about the age of the cemetery is unavailable. To find out the approximate time of the formation of the cemetery the information recorded in the annual tree and shrub rings can be used. One of the most common tree species, planted for ornamental and symbolic purposes on the cemeteries, are Thuja orientalis and Thuja occidentalis. Alien to the Polish flora, these species adapted well to the local habitat and climatic conditions. The paper presents an attempt to apply dendrochronological dating to determine the age of the abandoned cemeteries in the region of the Great Masurian Lakes, part of the Masurian Lake District (north-eastern Poland). The study included five abandoned cemeteries. In total, 15 cores were taken from the trees. After applying the standard dendrochronological method, local chronologies for the studied species were established. The research indicated that the oldest found specimens - over 70 yrs old - are Thuja occidentalis individuals growing at the Słabowo cemetery. At the other sites the specimens of both Thuja species date back to the 1960s and early 1970s. Compared to the historical information regarding the age and origin of the studied objects, thujas growing there are much younger than the age of the cemeteries foundation. The presented method proved to be very helpful in understanding the time of Thuja occidentalis and Thuja orientalis introduction at the investigated cemeteries.
Tectonic Setting of the Poszukiwaczy Skarbów Cave and the Groby Cave (Kraków Gorge, Western Tatra Mts., Poland)
Authors: Szczygieł Jacek , Gaidzik Krzysztof
Published: June 2014

The study area is located in the Tatra Mts., the part of Western Carpathians. In the Poszukiwaczy Skarbów Cave and the Groby Cave a tectonics structures has been documented. The structural analysis were made. In both caves the following joints set have been identified from 4 maximum of statistic analysis: 157/85 (max.I), 143/63 (max.II), 58/63 (max.III), 304/70 (max.IV). Nevertheless joint set participation of individual caves development have been diverse. In the development of the Poszukiwaczy Skarbów Cave, the most important joint set were latitudinal which is conjugate with fractures of III. maximum. This crossing of joints sets contribute to development of the main chamber. Maximum III has been very important in the evolution of passages of the Groby Cave. Conjugated with joint of max. IV determined the conduit direction. Entrance chamber formed in this place because the overthrust disintegrated a rocks there.
Mechanism of Rhabdophane-(La) And Lanthanite-(La) Formation during Reduction of Bioavailabe Nutrients in Water based on SEM and XRD Study
Authors: Szopa Krzysztof , Banasik Kamila , Krzykawski Tomasz
Published: June 2014

This study presents results of SEM and XRD investigation of products formed after La-rich bentonite application into water containing PO43- and CO32- ions. The main product of the investigated reaction with phosphate and carbonate anions is rabdophane-(La) and lanthanite-(La), respectively. Studied material has adaptation in many water reservoirs only for phosphorus ions reduction. Further studies might find application in case of reduction others hazardous ions. They could be precipitated in the same fast and effective way, to other stable, nontoxic mineral phases.
Turbulent Sensible Heat Flux in Łódź Obtained from Scintillometer Measuerments – Comparison of Free and Mix Algorithms
Authors: Zieliński Mariusz , Fortuniak Krzysztof , Pawlak Włodzimierz
Published: June 2014

The primary aim of this paper was to present the results of turbulent sensible heat flux (QH) measurements with Scintillometer Scintec BLS900 (LAS). The theoretical background of scintillation method has been presented as well as two different ways of sensible heat flux computation from LAS. The measurements presented here were conducted from April to December 2011. Diurnal and partially annual variability of QH has been analyzed, moreover the mean diurnal course of QH in considered months has been prepared. In order to choose the optimal method of QH computation from LAS the results obtained with three different Monin-Obuchov similarity theory functions as well as free convection assumption has been compared. In first case it has been proved that sensible heat flux differs significantly depending on chosen universal function. In turn in case of free convection assumptions it has been revealed that it is valid only for very unstable conditions. Therefore it does not apply to long-time heat flux measurement in case of Łódź. Nevertheless, this study has shown that scintillation method is valuable and reasonable source of path-averaged QH estimates in considered city.
Triassic fluid mobilization and epigenetic lead-zinc sulphide mineralization in the Transdanubian Shear Zone (Pannonian Basin, Hungary)
Authors: Benkó Zsolt , Molnár Ferenc , Lespinasse Marc , Billström Kjell , Pécskay Zoltán , Németh Tibor
Published: June 2014

A combined fluid inclusion, fluid inclusion plane, lead isotope and K/Ar radiometric age dating work has been carried out on two lead-zinc mineralizations situated along the Periadriatic-Balaton Lineament in the central part of the Pannonian Basin, in order to reveal their age and genetics as well as temporal-spatial relationships to other lead-zincfluorite mineralization in the Alp-Carpathian region. According to fluid inclusion studies, the formation of the quartzfluorite- galena-sphalerite veins in the Velence Mts is the result of mixing of low (0-12 NaCl equiv. wt. %) and high salinity (10-26 CaCl2 equiv. wt. %) brines. Well-crystallized (R3-type) illite associated with the mineralized hydrothermal veins indicates that the maximum temperature of the hydrothermal fluids could have been around 250 °C. K/Ar radiometric ages of illite, separated from the hydrothermal veins provided ages of 209-232 Ma, supporting the Mid- to Late-Triassic age of the hydrothermal fluid flow. Fluid inclusion plane studies have revealed that hydrothermal circulation was regional in the granite, but more intensive around the mineralized zones. Lead isotope signatures of hydrothermal veins in the Velence Mts (206Pb/204Pb = 18.278-18.363, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.622-15.690 and 208Pb/204Pb = 38.439-38.587) and in Szabadbattyán (206Pb/204Pb = 18.286-18.348, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.667-15.736 and 208Pb/204Pb = 38.552-38.781) form a tight cluster indicating similar, upper crustal source of the lead in the two mineralizations. The nature of mineralizing fluids, age of the fluid flow, as well as lead isotopic signatures of ore minerals point towards a genetic link between epigenetic carbonate-hosted stratiform-stratabound Alpine-type lead-zinc-fluorite deposits in the Southern and Eastern Alps and the studied deposits in the Velence Mts and at Szabadbattyán. In spite of the differences in host rocks and the depth of the ore precipitation, it is suggested that the studied deposits along the Periadriatic-Balaton Lineament in the Pannonian Basin and in the Alps belong to the same regional scale fluid flow system, which developed during the advanced stage of the opening of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. The common origin and ore formation process is more evident considering results of large-scale palinspastic reconstructions. These suggest, that the studied deposits in the central part of the Pannonian Basin were located in a zone between the Eastern and Southern Alps until the Early Paleogene and were emplaced to their current location due to northeastward escape of large crustal blocks from the Alpine collision zone
Mineralogical, geochemical and micromorphological evaluation of the Plio-Quaternary paleosols and calcretes from Karahamzall, Ankara (Central Turkey)
Authors: Küçükuysal Ceren , Kapur Selim
Published: June 2014

We present the mineralogical, micromorphological, and geochemical characteristics of the paleosols and their carbonates from Karahamzall, Ankara (Central Turkey). The paleosols include calcretes of powdery to nodular forms and alternate with channel deposits. The presence of pedofeatures, such as clay cutans, floating grains, circumgranular cracks, MnO linings, secondary carbonate rims, traces of past bioturbation and remnants of root fragments are all the evidence of pedogenesis. Bw is the most common soil horizon showing subangular-angular blocky to granular or prismatic microstructures. Calcretes, on the other hand, are evaluated as semi-mature massive, nodular, tubular or powdery forms. The probable faunal and floral passages may also imply the traces of life from when these alluvial deposits were soil. The presence of early diagenetic palygorskite and dolomite together with high salinization, high calcification and low chemical index of alteration values are evidence of the formation of calcretes under arid and dry conditions. δ13C compositions of the carbonates ranging from -7.11 ‰ to -7.74 ‰ VPDB are comformable with the world pedogenic carbonates favouring the C4 vegetation; likely δ18O compositions of the carbonates are between -3.97 ‰ and -4.91 ‰ which are compatible with the paleosols formed under the influence of meteroic water in the vadose zone
Lower Miocene plant assemblage with coastal-marsh herbaceous monocots from the Vienna Basin (Slovakia)
Authors: Kvaček Zlatko , Teodoridis Vasilis , Kováčová Marianna , Schlögl Ján , Sitár Viliam
Published: June 2014

A new plant assemblage of Cerová-Lieskové from Lower Miocene (Karpatian) deposits in the Vienna Basin (western Slovakia) is preserved in a relatively deep, upper-slope marine environment. Depositional conditions with high sedimentation rates allowed exceptional preservation of plant remains. The plant assemblage consists of (1) conifers represented by foliage of Pinus hepios and Tetraclinis salicornioides, a seed cone of Pinus cf. ornata, and by pollen of the Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, Pinus sp. and Cathaya sp., and (2) angiosperms represented by Cinnamomum polymorphum, Platanus neptuni, Potamogeton sp. and lauroid foliage, by pollen of Liquidambar sp., Engelhardia sp. and Craigia sp., and in particular by infructescences (so far interpreted as belonging to cereal ears). We validate genus and species assignments of the infructescences: they belong to Palaeotriticum Sitár, including P. mockii Sitár and P. carpaticum Sitár, and probably represent herbaceous monocots that inhabited coastal marshes, similar to the living grass Spartina. Similar infructescences occur in the Lower and Middle Miocene deposits of the Carpathian Foredeep (Slup in Moravia), Tunjice Hills (Žale in Slovenia), and probably also in the Swiss Molasse (Lausanne). This plant assemblage demonstrates that the paleovegetation was represented by evergreen woodland with pines and grasses in undergrowth, similar to vegetation inhabiting coastal brackish marshes today. It also indicates subtropical climatic conditions in the Vienna Basin (central Paratethys), similar to those implied by other coeval plant assemblages from Central Europe
Recent Nitrogen Deposition In Poland Monitored With The Moss Pleurozium Schreberi
Authors: Kapusta Paweł , Szarek-Łukaszewska Grażyna , Godzik Barbara , Łopata Barbara
Published: June 2014

In this study, atmospheric deposition of nitrogen was determined for Poland by moss biomonitoring. Nitrogen content was measured in the moss Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. sampled in 2010 from 320 sites evenly distributed throughout the country. Mosses (green parts) contained an average 1.56% nitrogen. The result places Poland among the European countries most polluted by airborne nitrogen. The highest nitrogen concentrations were found in mosses from the central and southern parts of the country, and the lowest in samples from some eastern and northern regions. Multiple regression showed that this variability was due mostly to nitrogen emissions from agricultural and industrial areas (moss nitrogen was positively associated with the consumption of mineral nitrogen fertilizers and the magnitude of particulate pollution). Some details of the spatial variability of the nitrogen data indicate that local and regional point sources of pollution (e.g., chemical plants) played an important role in shaping the nitrogen deposition pattern
Susceptibility of naked oat cultivars to seed sprouting
Authors: Zieliński Andrzej , Simlat Magdalena , Wójtowicz Tomasz , Moś Maria
Published: June 2014

The production of economically important cereals is accompanied by the phenomenon of sprouting which in naked cultivars may limit their reproduction and usability. The objective of the work is to evaluate the susceptibility to sprouting in naked oat cultivars, and to test the usefulness of sprouting indices. In the years 2008–2010 for seeds of 8 cultivars, differing in the degree of sprouting damage, the coefficient of sprouting (Cs) was determined. Germinability (GF), dynamics (GD) and average germination time (GAT) were determined for seeds germinating in the presence of abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and under control conditions. Basing on the falling number (FN) in consecutive days of the sprouting induction, alpha-amylase activity was determined. The highest values of Cs were found in 2008, the year with the highest total rainfall and temperature. In the presence of ABA the GF decreased by 21%, the GAT was 4.7 days longer, and the GD decreased by 55% compared with other substrates. An increase in alpha-amylase activity contributed to a 50%, on average, decrease in FN at 10°C and 30°C after 48 and 24 h of incubation, respectively. In the analyzed years the greatest resistance to sprouting was found for Bullion seeds.
Genotyping of Vitis vinifera L. within the Slovak national collection of genetic resources
Authors: Dokupilová Ivana , Migliaro Daniele , Mihálik Daniel , Crespan Manna , Kraic Ján
Published: June 2014

Microsatellites were used as a very effective tool for genetic diversity analysis and characterization of 51 grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) accessions from the national collection of genetic resources. Genetic diversity was relatively high, 8.91 alleles were detected per analysed microsatellite locus in average, and fifty-one accessions were distinguished into 45 groups. Distribution of recent Slovak cultivars across the dendrogram accented both their genetic diversity and the effectiveness of the national breeding program in maintaining genetic diversity and generating new genetic variants. Each cultivar was different from the others and twelve of them contained 77.6% of the total genetic diversity of the whole analysed set. Microsatellite patterns were also able to confirm parentage in selected Slovak cultivars. An unusual phenomenon of triallelism was also detected in one of the analysed accessions. The present study has initiated molecular characterization within the national grapevine genetic resource collection and their comparison with well-established international cultivars.
Edge Detection on Images of Pseudoimpedance Section Supported by Context and Adaptive Transformation Model Images
Authors: Kawalec-Latała Ewa
Published: June 2014

Most of underground hydrocarbon storage are located in depleted natural gas reservoirs. Seismic survey is the most economical source of detailed subsurface information. The inversion of seismic section for obtaining pseudoacoustic impedance section gives the possibility to extract detailed subsurface information. The seismic wavelet parameters and noise briefly influence the resolution. Low signal parameters, especially long signal duration time and the presence of noise decrease pseudoimpedance resolution. Drawing out from measurement or modelled seismic data approximation of distribution of acoustic pseuoimpedance leads us to visualisation and images useful to stratum homogeneity identification goal. In this paper, the improvement of geologic section image resolution by use of minimum entropy deconvolution method before inversion is applied. The author proposes context and adaptive transformation of images and edge detection methods as a way to increase the effectiveness of correct interpretation of simulated images. In the paper, the edge detection algorithms using Sobel, Prewitt, Robert, Canny operators as well as Laplacian of Gaussian method are emphasised. Wiener filtering of image transformation improving rock section structure interpretation pseudoimpedance matrix on proper acoustic pseudoimpedance value, corresponding to selected geologic stratum. The goal of the study is to develop applications of image transformation tools to inhomogeneity detection in salt deposits.
Efficiency of the Needle Probe Test for Evaluation of Thermal Conductivity of Composite Materials: Two-Scale Analysis
Authors: Łydżba Dariusz , Różański Adrian , Rajczakowska Magdalena , Stefaniuk Damian
Published: June 2014

The needle probe test, as a thermal conductivity measurement method, has become very popular in recent years. In the present study, the efficiency of this methodology, for the case of composite materials, is investigated based on the numerical simulations. The material under study is a two-phase composite with periodic microstructure of “matrix-inclusion” type. Two-scale analysis, incorporating micromechanics approach, is performed. First, the effective thermal conductivity of the composite considered is found by the solution of the appropriate boundary value problem stated for the single unit cell. Next, numerical simulations of the needle probe test are carried out. In this case, two different locations of the measuring sensor are considered. It is shown that the “equivalent” conductivity, derived from the probe test, is strongly affected by the location of the sensor. Moreover, comparing the results obtained for different scales, one can notice that the “equivalent” conductivity cannot be interpreted as the effective one for the composites considered. Hence, a crude approximation of the effective property is proposed based on the volume fractions of constituents and the equivalent conductivities derived from different sensor locations.
Numerical Simulation of Hysteretic Live Load Effect in a Soil-Steel Bridge
Authors: Sobótka Maciej
Published: June 2014

The paper presents numerical simulation of hysteretic live load effect in a soil-steel bridge. The effect was originally identified experimentally by Machelski [1], [2]. The truck was crossing the bridge one way and the other in the full-scale test performed. At the same time, displacements and stress in the shell were measured. The major conclusion from the research was that the measured quantities formed hysteretic loops. A numerical simulation of that effect is addressed in the present work. The analysis was performed using Flac finite difference code. The methodology of solving the mechanical problems implemented in Flac enables us to solve the problem concerning a sequence of load and non-linear mechanical behaviour of the structure. The numerical model incorporates linear elastic constitutive relations for the soil backfill, for the steel shell and the sheet piles, being a flexible substructure for the shell. Contact zone between the shell and the soil backfill is assumed to reflect elastic-plastic constitutive model. Maximum shear stress in contact zone is limited by the Coulomb condition. The plastic flow rule is described by dilation angle ψ = 0. The obtained results of numerical analysis are in fair agreement with the experimental evidence. The primary finding from the performed simulation is that the slip in the interface can be considered an explanation of the hysteresis occurrence in the charts of displacement and stress in the shell.
Numerical Three-Dimensional Model of Airport Terminal Drainage System
Authors: Strzelecki Michał
Published: June 2014

During the construction of an airport terminal it was found that as a result of the hydrostatic pressure of underground water the foundation plate of the building had dangerously shifted in the direction opposite to that of the gravitational forces. The only effective measure was to introduce a drainage system on the site. The complex geology of the area indicated that two independent drainage systems, i.e., a horizontal system in the Quaternary beds and a vertical system in the Tertiary water-bearing levels, were necessary. This paper presents numerical FEM calculations of the two drainage systems being part of the airport terminal drainaged esign. The computer simulation which was carried out took into consideration the actual effect of the drainage systems and their impact on the depression cone being formed in the two aquifers.
Intended and Unintended Effects of State-Mandated High School Science and Mathematics Course Graduation Requirements on Educational Attainment
Authors: Plunk Andrew D. , Tate William F. , Bierut Laura J. , Grucza Richard A.
Published: June 2014

Mathematics and science course graduation requirement (CGR) increases in the 1980s and 1990s might have had both intended and unintended consequences. Using logistic regression with Census and American Community Survey (ACS) data ( n = 2,892,444), we modeled CGR exposure on (a) high school dropout, (b) beginning college, and (c) obtaining any college degree. Possible between-groups differences were also assessed. We found that higher CGRs were associated with higher odds to drop out of high school, but results for the college-level outcomes varied by group. Some were less likely to enroll, whereas others who began college were more likely to obtain a degree. Increased high school dropout was consistent across the population, but some potential benefit was also observed, primarily for those reporting Hispanic ethnicity.