bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Superman as Master Narrative in Wole Soyinka’s Season of Anomy
Authors: Akwanya Amechi N.
Published: October 2015

Wole Soyinka’s Season of Anomy is regarded by some as one of the masterpieces of African literature, but it presents challenges in reading, leading others, among them literary critics, to pronounce it a failure. There is therefore deep ambivalence over this novel, but it comes from the expectations with which the readers approach it. Literary works may share elements of structure, but that does not mean that they should all be read in the same way, with the same expectations. The history of criticism of African literature going back to the early 1970s has put in place a tradition in which literature is directly connected to the so-called social context as its referential and basis of intelligibility. In response, creative writing is increasingly in sync with this theory, and critics formed in this tradition expect each work to provide a window on that social context. It is taken in this article that this tradition of reading is the reason for the difficulty many have with Soyinka’s texts. Season of Anomy demands both close reading and application of heuristic devices from literary theory and criticism because it is indeed a literary work of art. The master narrative of the superman is applied here to motivate a literary analysis of the work. Opening up Season of Anomy in this way makes it apparent that we are dealing with a great work, deeply grounded in a tradition of art much older than the mid-20th-century theory of engagement, and not a failure of any sort.
An Examination of the Relationship of the 16PF Fifth Edition to a Multidimensional Model of Self-Esteem
Authors: Pietrzak Dale , Page Betsy , Korcuska James S. , Bach Gorman Amber
Published: October 2015

The regression equation needed to predict the self-esteem score from the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) Fifth Edition is not available for hand scoring. This score is derived from the Coopersmith’s Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), which is based on a unitary model of self-esteem. The SEI may be subject to gender and extroversion biases. Moreover, there is a gap in the literature on the 16PF fifth edition and self-esteem. For these reasons, we investigated the relationship of the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory–II Form AD (CFSEI-II), a multidimensional model of self-esteem, using multiple regression to the scales of the 16PF. Based on the adult sample of 234 in this study, we developed and made available to users of the 16PF split sample–validated regression equations for this multidimensional model of self-esteem.
Revisiting the Citadel and the Ghetto
Authors: Mele Christopher
Published: October 2015

The author examines the relevance of racial discourses to neoliberal urban development occurring in older, former industrial cities in the United States. Rather than treating the production of new development spaces as separate from the adjacent inner-city neighborhoods, the author focuses on the significance of race to “making sense of,” and, in turn, legitimizing the stark contrasts between revitalized enclaves and the inner city as a central component of contemporary neoliberal urban development. The concept of legibility is introduced and developed to demonstrate how ideological and discursive strategies simultaneously promote middle-class urban development enclaves and strategically account for—or make legible—the presence of minority, poor communities adjacent to them. The process of legibility is explored in waterfront developments in Camden, New Jersey, and Chester, Pennsylvania. The methods involved extensive fieldwork and semistructured interviews with city officials, employees of economic development authorities and public-private partnerships, leaders of community development organizations, and local residents from each city, conducted between 2009 and 2015. The study’s key findings incorporate an ideological dimension of race into an analysis of uneven urban development.
Controlling mRNA stability and translation with the CRISPR endoribonuclease Csy4
Authors: Borchardt Erin K. , Vandoros Leonidas A. , Huang Michael , Lackey Patrick E. , Marzluff William F. , Asokan Aravind
Published: October 2015

The bacterial CRISPR endoribonuclease Csy4 has recently been described as a potential RNA processing tool. Csy4 recognizes substrate RNA through a specific 28-nt hairpin sequence and cleaves at the 3′ end of the stem. To further explore applicability in mammalian cells, we introduced this hairpin at various locations in mRNAs derived from reporter transgenes and systematically evaluated the effects of Csy4-mediated processing on transgene expression. Placing the hairpin in the 5′ UTR or immediately after the start codon resulted in efficient degradation of target mRNA by Csy4 and knockdown of transgene expression by 20- to 40-fold. When the hairpin was incorporated in the 3′ UTR prior to the poly(A) signal, the mRNA was cleaved, but only a modest decrease in transgene expression (∼2.5-fold) was observed. In the absence of a poly(A) tail, Csy4 rescued the target mRNA substrate from degradation, resulting in protein expression, which suggests that the cleaved mRNA was successfully translated. In contrast, neither catalytically inactive (H29A) nor binding-deficient (R115A/R119A) Csy4 mutants were able to exert any of the effects described above. Generation of a similar 3′ end by RNase P-mediated cleavage was unable to rescue transgene expression independent of Csy4. These results support the idea that the selective generation of the Csy4/hairpin complex resulting from cleavage of target mRNA might serve as a functional poly(A)/poly(A) binding protein (PABP) surrogate, stabilizing the mRNA and supporting translation. Although the exact mechanism(s) remain to be determined, our studies expand the potential utility of CRISPR nucleases as tools for controlling mRNA stability and translation.
Caveat emptor NICE: biased use of cost-effectiveness is inefficient and inequitable
Authors: Dowie Jack , Kaltoft Mette Kjer , Nielsen Jesper Bo , Salkeld Glenn
Published: October 2015

Concern with the threshold applied in cost-effectiveness analyses by bodies such as NICE distracts attention from their biased use of the principle. The bias results from the prior requirement that an intervention be effective (usually 'clinically effective') before its cost-effectiveness is considered. The underlying justification for the use of cost-effectiveness as a criterion, whatever the threshold adopted, is that decisions in a resource-constrained system have opportunity costs. Their existence rules out any restriction to those interventions that are 'incrementally cost-effective' at a chosen threshold and requires acceptance of those that are 'decrementally cost-effective' at the same threshold. Interventions that fall under the linear ICER line in the South-West quadrant of the cost-effectiveness plane are cost-effective because they create net health benefits, as do those in the North-East quadrant. If there is objection to the fact that they are cost-effective by reducing effectiveness as well as costs, it is possible to reject them, but only on policy grounds other than their failure to be cost-effective. Having established this, the paper considers and seeks to counter the arguments based on these other grounds. Most notably these include those proposing a different threshold in the South-West quadrant from the North-East one, i.e. propose a 'kinked ICER'. Another undesirable consequence of the biased use of cost-effectiveness is the failure to stimulate innovations that would increase overall health gain by being less effective in the condition concerned, but generate more benefits elsewhere. NICE can only reward innovations that cost more.
Populations and samples
Authors: Campbell Malcolm
Published: October 2015

This regular series of articles will tell you about Statistics, what it is, the key concepts and approaches, statistical tests and how to choose them, and how to write up your findings. In each issue of the journal, we will focus on a different topic, see how it was applied in relevant papers, and gradually build up your understanding of this important subject.
Women's beliefs, views and practices concerning medication use during pregnancy in rural Malawi
Authors: Kabuluzi Ezereth , Campbell Malcolm , Brabin Loretta , McGowan Linda
Published: October 2015

Background/Aim:

Medication use by women of childbearing age is common and cannot be totally avoided because some pregnant women may have chronic pathological conditions that require continuous or uninterrupted treatment. Women may hold different beliefs about the use of medication during pregnancy, which affects their use. This study explores women's beliefs, views and practices concerning medication use during pregnancy.

Methods:

In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were held with 21 pregnant women (age range: 20–39 years) during their first visit to an antenatal clinic at Mitundu Community Hospital in Malawi. Data were collected using an interview guide between February and July 2010.

Results:

This is the first study in Malawi to interview women about their beliefs and views on medication use in early pregnancy. Notably, most women interviewed in this study did not rely wholly on western or traditional medicine, but used both. This was irrespective of age, parity and educational level. Three overarching themes emerged from the analytical process, namely: i) beliefs about modern and traditional medicines; ii) choice of medication during pregnancy; iii) protection from witchcraft.

Conclusions:

In general, the beliefs, views and practices of women concerning medication use during pregnancy demonstrate a reliance on superstitious or cultural beliefs to explain the causes of complications during pregnancy. Most of the women interviewed in this study had limited exposure to information, resulting in ignorance of medication use during pregnancy. Women need to be much better educated and encouraged to ask questions so that they are less accepting of superstitious beliefs.
International research roundup
Authors: Richens Yana , Odd Dawn , Brook Judy
Published: October 2015

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles from around the world that may be of interest to midwives is presented. The aim of this roundup is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
We're vegging out on winter crops
Authors: Francis-Pester Dawn
Published: October 2015

Fresh produce and healthy eating does not have to end when summer fizzles out. Find out which versatile vegetables grow well during colder spells without too much effort.
Developing relevant sport skills
Authors: Sandy  , Green Jake
Published: October 2015

In the second of a series of extracts, we examine the importance of movement skills for young children and ways of introducing them to some appropriate sporting activities.
Food for thought
Authors: Prosser Bill
Published: October 2015

Not seeing things might seem a surprise in the visual arts, yet it happens all the time. This article brings attention to some ignored items under our noses – food leftovers – and suggests a context and perspective as to why they are well worth our undivided consideration.
Reviews
Authors: Gere Charlie , Gallavardin Geraldine
Published: October 2015

The Drawn Word, Stephen Farthing and Janet McKenzie (eds) (2014) New York/London: Studio International and The Studio Trust, NY, 128 pp., ISBN: 9780983259954, pbk, £20.00

Draw to Perform2 symposium, NUM3ER London, 16–17 May 2015
FASTA Herder: a web application to trim protein sequence sets
Authors: Louis-Jeune Caroline , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A. , Perez-Iratxeta Carol
Published: October 2015

The ever increasing number of sequences in protein databases usually turns out large numbers of homologs in sequence similarity searches. While information from homology can be very useful for functional prediction based on amino acid conservation, many of these homologs usually have high levels of identity among themselves, which hinders multiple sequence alignment computation and, especially, visualization. More generally, high redundancy reduces the usability of a protein set in machine learning applications and biases statistical analyses. We developed an algorithm to identify redundant sequence homologs that can be culled producing a streamlined FASTA file. As a difference from other automatic approaches that only aggregate sequences with high identity, our method clusters near-full length homologs allowing for lower sequence identity thresholds. Our method was fully tested and implemented in a web application called FASTA Herder, publicly available at http://fh.ogic.ca/.
The Nuba Mountains between Coercion and Persuasion during Mahdist Rule (1881–98)
Authors: Ille Enrico
Published: October 2015

This article follows the attempts of Sudan’s Mahdist rulers between 1881 and 1898 to establish a military, political, and cultural foothold in the Nuba Mountains, a region now close to the southern border of Sudan and historically a mountainous retreat area. These attempts started with talks held between religious authorities in the kingdom of Tegali and Muḥammad Aḥmad before he declared himself to be the Mahdī. This exchange of arguments initiated complex relations between the Mahdist regime and the population of the Nuba Mountains, relations that, for the most part, were characterized by violence and oppression but were also permeated by persuasion and cooperation. The article aims at providing a description of these relations, based on a review of available documents from the period. In conclusion, the author highlights the point that a focus on the actions of people usually regarded as peripheral, based on the perspective of supraregional power elites, can raise important questions on the modalities of political and cultural self-determination in specific times and places and also challenge generalized narratives of historical developments as clashes between powerful cultures defined as self-contained, mutually hostile blocs.
Cosmopolitan Youth Religious Movements in Ethiopia: Ethiopian Orthodox Täwahədo Youth as Vanguard and Self-Appointed Masters of Ceremony
Authors: Zeleke Meron
Published: October 2015

The trajectories of youth religiosity have not received much scholarly attention in anthropological studies of the Horn of Africa. The present article addresses this gap through an in-depth ethnographic study of contemporary developments around the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahədo Church (EOTC). It also aims to advance the anthropological understanding of the agency of religious youth by going beyond the rupture thesis, which emphasizes generational shifts and the disruptive role of religious youth in calling for the reform of the religious practices of older generations. In contrast to this view, the thrust of the religious practices of the EOTC youth presented in this work is toward conservatism and protectionism in the context of a new competitive religious field. This article also argues against academic discourses that hint at direct links between economic deprivation and increased religiosity, authoritarianism and heightened religiosity, and the global and local religious activism resulting from new information technologies, and instead calls for an interactionist approach that looks into the interplay of these and other variables in order to account for the growing religiosity of the youth.
A Ḥadīth Fragment on Papyrus
Authors: Sijpesteijn Petra M.
Published: October 2015

A small fragment of papyrus contains a tradition ascribed to ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (d. 23/644) also known from literary sources, albeit with some variations in the text and transmission history. Written on the re-used back of an official text, it will be used to discuss how such traditions might have functioned in the written culture of the early Abbasid Empire.
L’étoile, la chaîne et le Jugement. Essai d’interprétation d’un élément de décor dans la mosquée d’Ibn Ṭūlūn
Authors: Tillier Mathieu
Published: October 2015

Up until now, one of the flat
Misalignment Consideration in Laser Diode to Circular Core Single-Mode Dispersion-Shifted/Dispersion-Flattened Fiber Excitation via Hemispherical Microlens on the Tip of the Fiber
Authors: Kamila Kiranmay , Middya Tapas Ranjan , Gangopadhyay Sankar
Published: October 2015

We report the theoretical study of excitation efficiency in the presence of possible transverse and angular misalignments in the case of excitation of single-mode circular core dispersion-shifted and dispersion-flattened fiber by laser diode via hemispherical microlens on the tip of the fiber. The present study takes into consideration limited aperture allowed by the hemispherical microlens. Employing ABCD matrix technique involving refraction of paraxial rays by a hemispherical microlens on the fiber tip, we formulate analytical expressions for the coupling efficiencies in the presence of the said misalignments. The estimations of the concerned efficiencies as well as associated losses by using our formulations will require little computations. But the results found are sufficiently accurate and the execution of our formalism is simple. Thus the prescribed analytical expressions are useful and new in the sense that prediction of coupling optics can be made accurately but in a simple manner without requiring lengthy numerical integrations concerned with conventional phase model technique. Moreover, the present study, as per our knowledge till date, being the first theoretical investigation of excitation efficiency for the said type of coupling device, will benefit the experimentalists, designers and packagers who are working in the field of optimum launch optics involving such coupler.
Mobile-assisted ESP learning in technical education
Authors: Šimonová Ivana
Published: October 2015

This paper presents research results from the field of mobile-assisted instruction of English for specific purposes for technical and engineering students. The research was structured in three phases: (1) Questionnaire 1 was applied to detect what sources of information students use in higher education, what types of mobile devices they own, what purposes they use them for, (2) how the process of instruction, particularly students´ autonomous work supported by mobile devices ran, (3) students´ feedback was collected by Questionnaire 2 to evaluate the mobile-assisted learning and provide proposals for future exploitation of mobile devices in higher technical language education. The results show students are sufficiently equipped with mobile technologies and exploit them for various purposes, including education and ESP. At the end, examples of helpful mobile applications are presented.
English as a lingua franca used at international meetings
Authors: Barančicová Jana , Zerzová Jana
Published: October 2015

The paper deals with the use of English as a lingua franca. It concentrates on the environment of international meetings where English is used as a lingua franca. The aim of the research conducted through a survey of members of a NATO working group is to find out how native and non-native speakers feel about English used as a lingua franca during international meetings and how these two groups of speakers see each other in multinational interaction from the point of view of linguistics. The sections dealing with non-native speakers concentrate on the level of knowledge of English and on how native speakers cope with the English used during the meetings. The sections dealing with the views of English native speakers should establish the approach they take towards mistakes made by non-native speakers, whether native speakers should adjust the way they speak at international meetings and how they generally view the fact that their mother tongue is used all around the world.
Induced speech errors as a tool for language description: a case study from Xong “prenasalized consonants”
Authors: Sarvestani Karl Reza
Published: October 2015

The task of language description often requires a linguist to make a choice between alternative hypotheses which cannot be satisfactorily decided by data obtained through traditional descriptive methods. This paper proposes induced speech error tasks as a means of extending the evidential base used to address descriptive questions. Much previous research has explored language-general cognitive processes underlying speech errors, but little work has investigated their potential as a tool for improving the description of language-specific phenomena. In part, this is because the collection of natural speech errors requires more time and a more certain knowledge of the structure of the language than descriptive linguists often have available. Induced speech error tasks, however, help overcome these limitations by allowing the rapid collection of speech error evidence which can aid in selection between competing analyses. Practical advice is offered for researchers considering implementing speech errors tasks in their own research. These points are then illustrated by an investigation of the segmental status of “prenasalized consonants” in Xong, an under-documented Hmongic/Miao language spoken in southern China. While traditional descriptive techniques were unable to resolve the question, a simple speech error-inducing task produced results which can be interpreted as support for a cluster analysis.
Modeling and Simulation of
Thermo-Fluid-Electrochemical Ion Flow in
Biological Channels
Authors: Sacco Riccardo , Manganini Fabio , Jerome Joseph W.
Published: October 2015

In this articlewe address the study of ion charge transport in the biological channels separating the
intra and extracellular regions of a cell. The focus of the investigation is devoted to including thermal driving
forces in the well-known velocity-extended Poisson-Nernst-Planck (vPNP) electrodiffusion model. Two extensions
of the vPNP system are proposed: the velocity-extended Thermo-Hydrodynamic model (vTHD) and
the velocity-extended Electro-Thermal model (vET). Both formulations are based on the principles of conservation
of mass, momentum and energy, and collapse into the vPNP model under thermodynamical equilibrium
conditions. Upon introducing a suitable one-dimensional geometrical representation of the channel,we
discuss appropriate boundary conditions that depend only on effectively accessible measurable quantities.
Then, we describe the novel models, the solution map used to iteratively solve them, and the mixed-hybrid
flux-conservative stabilized finite element scheme used to discretize the linearized equations. Finally,we successfully
apply our computational algorithms to the simulation of two different realistic biological channels:
1) the Gramicidin-A channel considered in [12]; and 2) the bipolar nanofluidic diode considered in [45].
Shape Correspondence Analysis for
Biomolecules Based on Volumetric
Eigenfunctions
Authors: Liao Tao , Lee Hao-Chih , Yang Ge , Zhang Yongjie Jessica
Published: October 2015

The functionality of biomolecules depends on their flexible structures, which can be characterized
by their surface shapes. Tracking the deformation and comparing biomolecular shapes are essential in
understanding their mechanisms. In this paper, a new spectral shape correspondence analysis method is introduced
for biomolecules based on volumetric eigenfunctions. The eigenfunctions are computed from the
joint graph of two given shapes, avoiding the sign flipping and confusion in the order of modes. An initial correspondence
is built based on the distribution of a shape diameter, which matches similar surface features in
different shapes and guides the eigenfunction computation. A two-step scheme is developed to determine the
final correspondence. The first step utilizes volumetric eigenfunctions to correct the assignment of boundary
nodes that disobeys the main structures. The second step minimizes the distortion induced by deforming one
shape to the other. As a result, a dense point correspondence is constructed between the two given shapes,
based on which we approximate and predict the shape deformation, as well as quantitatively measure the
detailed shape differences.
The Chinese Remainder Theorem for Strongly Semisimple MV-Algebras and Lattice-Groups
Authors: Marra Vincenzo
Published: October 2015

An MV-algebra (equivalently, a lattice-ordered Abelian group with a distinguished order unit) is strongly semisimple if all of its quotients modulo finitely generated congruences are semisimple. All MV-algebras satisfy a Chinese Remainder Theorem, as was first shown by Keimel four decades ago in the context of lattice-groups. In this note we prove that the Chinese Remainder Theorem admits a considerable strengthening for strongly semisimple structures.
The evaluation of the positioning accuracy of the EGNOS and DGPS systems based on the long-term measurements in the years 2006–2014
Authors: Specht Mariusz
Published: October 2015

The DGPS (Differential GPS) and EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) systems belong to a group of systems supporting the global satellite system GPS (Global Positioning System). These systems have significantly better navigation performance than GPS and, therefore, they are widely used in the maritime, civil and air navigation. The analysis of the positioning accuracy of GPS leads to the conclusion: from year to year the accuracy of the positioning determination increases. The effect of the permanent increasing of the GPS positioning accuracy is the parallel increasing of the positioning accuracies of all the supporting systems. In connection with the constant improvement of the precision characteristics of the above mentioned systems on one hand and the fact, that the users do not possess the current information about the actual status of these characteristics on the other hand, it is reasonable to conduct the periodical research in this area. For that purpose the long-term measurement campaigns were realized in the years 2006-2014; the values of measures, describing the positioning accuracies obtained by both systems, were determined on the basis of those campaigns.
Fuchsia’s Origins
Authors: Winnington G. Peter
Published: October 2015

Suggests that the features of Fuchsia, as depicted on the cover of the Penguin editions of the Titus books (from a MS drawing), may have been borrowed from a girl he painted in the 1930s.
Peake’s Ballads: ‘The Touch o’ the Ash’ and The Rhyme of the Flying Bomb
Authors: Winnington G. Peter
Published: October 2015

Compares Peake’s two ballads, written 20 years apart, showing their similarities and differences.
Lutheran Clergy in an Orthodox Empire. The Apppointment of Pastors in the Russo-Swedish Borderland in the 18th Century
Authors: Räihä Antti
Published: October 2015

The history of the parishioners’ right to participate in and influence the choice of local clergy in Sweden and Finland can be taken back as far as the late Medieval Times. The procedures for electing clergymen are described in historiography as a specifically Nordic feature and as creating the basis of local self-government. In this article the features of local self-government are studied in a context where the scope for action was being modified. The focus is on the parishioners’ possibilities and willingness to influence the appointment of pastors in the Lutheran parishes of the Russo-Swedish borderlands in the 18th century. At the same time, this article will offer the first comprehensive presentation of the procedures for electing pastors in the Consistory District of Fredrikshamn. The Treaty of Åbo, concluded between Sweden and Russia in 1743, ensured that the existing Swedish law, including the canon law of 1686, together with the old Swedish privileges and statutes, as well as the freedom to practise the Lutheran religion, remained in force in the area annexed into Russia. By analysing the actual process of appointing pastors, it is possible to discuss both the development of the local political culture and the interaction between the central power and the local society in the late Early Modern era.
The Conflict between Lived Religion and State Control of Poor Relief. The Case of Emma Mäkinen’s Private Orphanage at the Turn of the 20th Century
Authors: Annola Johanna
Published: October 2015

The article discusses the conflict between lived religion and the state control of poor relief in a modernizing society by analysing the case of Emma Mäkinen’s private orphanage. Emma Mäkinen’s philanthropic work among neglected children was motivated by her Evangelical Revivalist conviction. Because of her trust in the transformative power of faith, she considered it appropriate to establish an orphanage next to a shelter for ‘fallen’ women. This decision led her onto a collision course with the State Inspector of Poor Relief and the general public, who did not share her religious views but emphasized the legislative and moral aspects vis-à-vis organizing social work. The conflict demonstrates, firstly, how the ancien régime and the traditional religious authority of the Evangelical Lutheran state church in particular was challenged by individual agency in voluntary associations such as the Evangelical Revivalist Free Mission. Secondly, the case of Emma Mäkinen’s orphanage reflects how new kinds of boundaries were created by the encroaching of state control into the sphere of private philanthropy, followed by the strengthening role of scientific theories and nationalistic thinking in social work. Thirdly, the conflict opens up a view on border-crossings, thus emphasizing the undefined nature of a modernizing society.
Lutheranism and Welfare State Expertise. The Example of Heikki Waris
Authors: Lindberg Hanna
Published: October 2015

The article examines the role of Christianity in the work of Heikki Waris (1901-1989), Professor of Social Policy at the University of Helsinki from 1948 to 1968. In studies on the historical foundations of different models of welfare, Lutheranism is often mentioned as a characteristic feature of the Nordic model. Previous research has, however, not to any larger extent examined the role of religion when analysing the work of so-called welfare experts. The article draws attention to importance of Christianity and the Lutheran Church, when analysing the work of a central architect of the Finnish welfare state. The article examines how Waris’ background within the Settlement movement influenced his later academic and social political work. Furthermore, it looks at how Waris dealt with religion, Christianity, the Lutheran Church and faith in his work on social policy and social change. The connection between social policy and Christianity is analysed more closely, both in Waris’ academic texts and the reports he wrote for the Lutheran Church on the challenges of the modern world.
Simulation of Irregular Waves in a Numerical Wave Tank
Authors: Zhi-Fu Li , YuYun Shi , HuiLonga Ren , Hui Li , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel
Published: October 2015

The time domain boundary element method was utilized to simulate the propagation of the irregular waves in a numerical wave tank. The problem was solved in a time-marching scheme, upon the irregular waves being fed through the inflow boundary, in which the theoretical solution was obtained from the wave energy spectrum. The open boundary condition was modeled by the multi transmitting formula (MTF), in which the phase velocity was calculated according to the Sommerfeld’s condition. The velocity potential and wave elevation were directly obtained by integrating the free surface condition twice, with respect to time. The accuracy of the developed numerical scheme was verified by simulating the propagation of irregular waves. The numerical results show good agreements with the analytical solutions, which prove that the proposed scheme is a promising way to the simulation of wave-body interactions.
Modeling of Acoustic Field for a Parametric Focusing Source Using the Spheroidal Beam Equation
Authors: Yu Lili , Li Junhua , Shi Chaojian
Published: October 2015

A theoretical model of acoustic field for a parametric focusing source on concave spherical surface is proposed. In this model, the source boundary conditions of the Spheroidal Beam Equation (SBE) for difference frequency wave excitation were studied. Propagation curves and beam patterns for difference frequency component of the acoustic field are compared with those obtained for Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) model. The results demonstrate that the focused parametric model of SBE is good valid for a large aperture angle in the strongly focused acoustic field. It is also investigated that high directivity and good focal ability with the decreasing of downshift ratio and the increasing of half-aperture angle for the focused parametric model of SBE.
Hydraulic Analysis of Leakage from Submarine Pipe Network
Authors: Li JunHua , Fan YanTing
Published: October 2015

The leakage from submarine pipe network is investigated by a numerical model in this paper. A whole event including of the steady flow before the leakage, the transient flow during the leakage and the steady flow after the leakage is considered in the model. The numerical results of the discharge and the head compare with the theoretical solution under the condition of steady flow. Good agreement is obtained. The numerical results of the discharge and the head show that the discharge and the head in each pipe changes suddenly after the leakage occurring. The abrupt trend of the discharge in each pipe is not same completely. Some change upwards, while others downwards. However, the abrupt trend of the head is always downward. The effects of leakage discharge on the transient flow are also investigated. It is founded that the larger the leakage discharge, the more obvious the abrupt trend of the discharge and the head before or after the leakage is.
Structural Interpretation of the Qingdong Area in Bohai Bay Basin from Shipborne Gravity Data
Authors: Zhang Chunguan , Chen Jingguo , Song Mingyi , Wang Jinkuan , Yuan Bingqiang
Published: October 2015

The Qingdong area, located in Bohai bay basin, was suspected good exploration prospects. In order to study tectonic features and find out favourable petroleum prospects in the area, the gravity data at a scale of 1:50,000 were interpreted. This paper, through data processing and synthetic interpretation of the high-precision gravity data in the area, discusses characteristics of the gravity field and their geological implications, determines the fault system, analyses features of the main strata, divides structure units and predicts favourable petroleum zones. The results showed that the faults controlled the development of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic strata and the distribution of local structures in this area. The study revealed that the Qingtuozi uplift and the Kendong uplift in the north were formed in Mesozoic, and the Qingdong depression in the middle was the rift basin in Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Thicker strata in Mesozoic and Cenozoic developed in the Dongying depression and the Qingdong depression, so there is abundant hydrocarbon in these two depressions, and then the Guangligang rise-in-sag and the Qingdong rise-in-sag developed in the center in these two depressions are also favorable places for prospecting
Characteristic Studies of Micron Zinc Particle Hydrolysis in a Fixed Bed Reactor
Authors: Lv Ming , Liu Haiqiang , Nie Xin , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel
Published: October 2015

Zinc fuel is considered as a kind of promising energy sources for marine propeller. As one of the key steps for zinc marine energy power system, zinc hydrolysis process had been studied experimentally in a fixed bed reactor. In this study, we focus on the characteristics of micron zinc particle hydrolysis. The experimental results suggested that the steam inner diffusion is the controlling step of accumulative zinc particles hydrolysis reaction at a relative lower temperature and a relative higher water partial pressure. In other conditions, the chemical reaction kinetics was the controlling step. And two kinds of chemical reaction kinetics appeared in experiments: the surface reaction and the gas-gas reaction. The latter one occurs usually for larger zinc particles and high reaction temperature. Temperature seems to be one of the most important parameters for the dividing of different reaction mechanisms. Several parameters of the hydrolysis process including heating rate, water partial pressure, the particle size and temperature were also studied in this paper. Results show that the initial reaction temperature of zinc hydrolysis in fixed bed is about 410°C. And the initial reaction temperature increases as the heating rate increases and as the water partial pressure decreases. The total hydrogen yield increases as the heating rate decreases, as the water partial pressure increases, as the zinc particle size decreases, and as the reaction temperature increases. A hydrogen yield of more than 81.5% was obtained in the fixed bed experiments.
Model Tests for Shallow-Water Ship Maneuverability in Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Cai Chuang , Cai Xinyong , Li Yi
Published: October 2015

This paper conducts calibration tests on the shallow-water maneuverability of 1:100 ship models for the typical navigation fleets in Three Gorges Reservoir. Major influential factors for the maneuverability similitude between models and prototypes and for scale effect were identified. A correction method for model scale was also established through model tests. Test results indicate that, by correcting the model scales of various fleets based on scale effect, the maneuverability indexes K’ (dimensionless of K) and T’ (dimensionless of T) of ship models are suitable for shallow-water tests, and properly reflect the maneuvering characteristics of prototypes. The findings provide an experimental basis for the navigation safety in Three Gorges Reservoir.
Image Fusion for Travel Time Tomography Inversion
Authors: Liu Linan , Zhao Xiaomeng , Yin Xinghui , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel
Published: October 2015

The travel time tomography technology had achieved wide application, the hinge of tomography was inversion algorithm, the ray path tracing technology had a great impact on the inversion results. In order to improve the SNR of inversion image, comprehensive utilization of inversion results with different ray tracing can be used. We presented an imaging fusion method based on improved Wilkinson iteration method. Firstly, the shortest path method and the linear travel time interpolation were used for forward calculation; then combined the improved Wilkinson iteration method with super relaxation precondition method to reduce the condition number of matrix and accelerate iterative speed, the precise integration method was used to solve the inverse matrix more precisely in tomography inversion process; finally, use wavelet transform for image fusion, obtain the final image. Therefore, the ill-conditioned linear equations were changed into iterative normal system through two times of treatment and using images with different forward algorithms for image fusion, it reduced the influence effect of measurement error on imaging. Simulation results showed that, this method can eliminate the artifacts in images effectively, it had extensive practical significance.
Two-Stage Classification Approach for Human Detection in Camera Video in Bulk Ports
Authors: Mi Chao , Zhang Zhiwei , He Xin , Huang Youfang , Mi Weijian
Published: October 2015

With the development of automation in ports, the video surveillance systems with automated human detection begun to be applied in open-air handling operation areas for safety and security. The accuracy of traditional human detection based on the video camera is not high enough to meet the requirements of operation surveillance. One of the key reasons is that Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG) features of the human body will show great different between front & back standing (F&B) and side standing (Side) human body. Therefore, the final training for classifier will only gain a few useful specific features which have contribution to classification and are insufficient to support effective classification, while using the HOG features directly extracted by the samples from different human postures. This paper proposes a two-stage classification method to improve the accuracy of human detection. In the first stage, during preprocessing classification, images is mainly divided into possible F&B human body and not F&B human body, and then they were put into the second-stage classification among side human and non-human recognition. The experimental results in Tianjin port show that the two-stage classifier can improve the classification accuracy of human detection obviously.
Celestial Navigation Fix Based on Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Tsou Ming-Cheng
Published: October 2015

A technique for solving celestial fix problems is proposed in this study. This method is based on Particle Swarm Optimization from the field of swarm intelligence, utilizing its superior optimization and searching abilities to obtain the most probable astronomical vessel position. In addition to being applicable to two-body fix, multi-body fix, and high-altitude observation problems, it is also less reliant on the initial dead reckoning position. Moreover, by introducing spatial data processing and display functions in a Geographical Information System, calculation results and chart work used in Circle of Position graphical positioning can both be integrated. As a result, in addition to avoiding tedious and complicated computational and graphical procedures, this work has more flexibility and is more robust when compared to other analytical approaches.
Influence of Pitting Corrosion on Fatigue and Corrosion Fatigue of Ship and Offshore Structures, Part II: Load - Pit - Crack Interaction
Authors: Jakubowski Marek
Published: October 2015

In the paper has been discussed influence of stresses on general corrosion rate and corrosion pit nucleation rate and growth , whose presence has been questioned by some authors but accepted by most of them. Influence of roughness of pit walls on fatigue life of a plate suffering pit corrosion and presence of the so called „ non-damaging” pits which never lead to initiation of fatigue crack, has been presented. Possibility of prediction of pit-to-crack transition moment by two different ways, i.e. considering a pit a stress concentrator or an equivalent crack, has been analyzed. Also, influence of statistical distribution of depth of corrosion pits as well as anticorrosion protection on fatigue and corrosion fatigue has been described.
Comparing Guidelines Concerning Construction of the S-N Curve within Limited Fatigue Life Range
Authors: Strzelecki Przemysław , Sempruch Janusz , Nowicki Krzysztof
Published: October 2015

The article collates guidelines concerning experimental construction of the S-N fatigue curves within a limited fatigue life range. An attempt is made to compare these guidelines, based on experimental data recorded during rotating bending of a notched specimen made of 42CrMo4. The recorded differences in fatigue life values between the constructed curves reach the maximum of 12.2%. According to the above guidelines, the number of tests in particular test series varies from 6 to 28. Based on the performed analysis a conclusion was made that the increase in the number of tests leads to the increase of accuracy but, on the other hand, remarkably increases the time of the experiment and, consequently, its cost. In this context, it is the research worker who, taking into account a possible future use of the fatigue curve, should individually decide about its accuracy.
Laser Doppler Vibrometer Based Examination of the Efficiency of Introducing Artificial Delaminations into Composite Shells
Authors: Kustroń Kamila
Published: October 2015

During its operation, the laminate shell of the watercraft hull can be exposed to local stability losses caused by the appearance and development of delaminations. The sources of these delaminations are discontinuities, created both in the production process and as a result of bumps of foreign bodies into the hull in operation. In the environment of fatigue loads acting on the hull, the delaminations propagate and lead to the loss of load capacity of the hull structure. There is a need to improve diagnostic systems used in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of laminate hull elements to detect and monitor the development of the delaminations. Effective diagnostic systems used for delamination assessment base on expert systems. Along with other tools, the expert diagnostic advisory systems make use of the non-destructive examination method which consists in generating elastic waves in the hull shell structure and observing their changes by comparing the recorded signal with damage patterns collected in the expert system database. This system requires introducing certain patterns to its knowledge base, based on the results of experimental examinations performed on specimens with implemented artificial delaminations. The article presents the results of the examination oriented on assessing the delaminations artificially generated in the structure of glass- and carbon-epoxy laminates by introducing local non-adhesive layers with the aid of thin polyethylene film, teflon insert, or thin layer of polyvinyl alcohol. The efficiency of each method was assessed using laser vibrometry. The effect of the depth of delamination position in the laminate on the efficiency of the applied method is documented as well.
Study of Harmonic Detection Methods under Non-Ideal Conditions in Ship Power Network
Authors: Xu Xiao-Yan , Mindykowski Janusz , Tarasiuk Tomasz , Cheng Chen
Published: October 2015

An improved harmonic detection method based on average arithmetic is proposed. According to the research results, the designed solution uses an LPF (low-pass-filter) and a mean value module connected in series instead of the conventional mean value module, and simultaneously, a three-phase voltage phase-locked module instead of commonly used PLL (phase lock loop) module is applied in order to reduce the influence caused by three-phase distorted voltage and rapid variation of load. The experimental results show that the application of this solution leads to increase in the accuracy of harmonics detection for distorted three-phase voltage and rapid variation of load.
Caspases, Cell Death and Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Bălăşescu Elena , Ion Daniela Adriana , Cioplea Mirela , Zurac Sabina
Published: October 2015

Diabetic Nephropathy. In 2014 (according to data published by the World Health Organization) 9% of the global population was affected by Diabetes which was considered to be directly responsible for 1.5 million deaths just two years prior (in 2012). From the entire number of patients suffering from diabetes, approximately a quarter of them develop renal affection. Diabetic nephropathy has similar physiopathology mechanisms and ultrastructural changes in cell injury characteristics in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Cell Death. Cell Death was less studied in the renal diabetic disease, although it could represent an important pathogenic mechanism in the appearance and progression of nephropathy. At renal level the cellular loss can be explained by several mechanisms; different stimuli with cellular lesion potential can trigger apoptosis signaling with appearance of regulatory proteins having a double role (they participate in the initiation of the apoptosis path and cell death or in the ending of this process). The types of Cell Death and their relative proportion between themselves in the renal tissue have not been completely elucidated.

Caspases. Discovered in the middle of the 1990’s, Caspases are a part of the cysteine proteases family and play a role in numerous aspects of physiology (having a role in development, aging and apoptosis), but also in aspects of physiopathology of several degenerative affections, autoimmune diseases, oncologic diseases – having an important part in apoptosis, necrosis and also inflammation.