bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Studies About Knowledge and Applications of Science Mnemonics by Polish Pupils
Authors: Jurowski Kamil , Jurowska Anna , Krzeczkowska Małgorzata
Published: January 2016

Mnemonic devices are specific ways, which during coding new information apply known elements for improving subsequent access to that information in the memory. Consequently, not much is known about techniques for optimizing recall performance with mnemonic devices or the suitability of using mnemonic devices in educational applications. Moreover, in literature there are a lot of examples in chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics mnemonics approaches, however in the related literature, there is a lack of current and reliable studies for this subject. In this original work we describe mnemonic methods from this point of view in the learning and teachings of science subjects. A large trumps of this article is the demonstration of the old well-known method of the learning/teaching in the new scene. This is the first article in literature that present actual data about this topic according to learning and studying the science subjects by mnemonic studies.
Evaluation of the Usefulness of Selected Computer Programs in the Context of Educating Students of the Environmental Engineering
Authors: Krzeszowski Światosław
Published: January 2016

The article presents the evaluation of usefulness of selected computer applications applied in the process of educating students from ordered specialty Environmental Engineering who study at the Silesian University of Technology in the faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering. The evaluation was carried out by means of the analysis of questionnaires filled in by the graduates of the first cycle degree programme at the aforementioned specialty. The analysis was carried out for both, the area of application of the selected software related to the didactic process and the area of the software application in the predicted professional career of the students surveyed.
Use of the ImageJ Program to Assess the Damage of Plants By Snails
Authors: Stawarczyk Michał , Stawarczyk Kinga
Published: January 2016

Laboratory tests using image analysis are one of the types of experimental methods in plant protection. They are used in the evaluation of crop damage by pests, also useful in testing the effectiveness of active substances of plant protection products. The most popular of these analyses are the so called “circular tests”, comprising in administering to the insects and snails the fragments of leaves and measuring the amount of consumed surface. The paper presents a method of analysis of damage to lettuce leaves using ImageJ application. The way of presenting the results was also proposed. This procedure can be used in various analyses of biological sciences and evaluating the dietary preferences of pests. Access to the application ImageJ is free, and flexible configuration allows for any setting parameters of the program, the opportunity to work in different environments and low system requirements allow you to make many accurate measurements in a short time without the need to purchase expensive specialized hardware.
Ponds Syrenie Stawy in Szczecin - Changes of Selected Water Quality Chemical Indices
Authors: Poleszczuk Gorzysław , Miller Tymoteusz , Tokarz Małgorzata
Published: January 2016

The possibility of using - to a wider inference - water quality test results of stream Osowka flowing through ponds Syrenie Stawy in Szczecin (NW-Poland) - in particular the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC) and the total concentrations of nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) - conducted in the years 1994 to 2014 was analyzed. The examined indices were classified according to Official Standards currently in force in Poland. Changes of water quality as it flows through the ponds were identified. Multivariate linear regression equations were calculated, endearing statistically significant relationship between successive test indicators (yi
) and other indices (xi
) and deadlines for measurement periods (Ti
) has been made. This allowed in general to characterize water quality, determine the quality changes along the path of flow through ponds and discern what processes biohydrogeochemical within the ecosystem changes affected their quality.
Soil and Water Salinization in Ghaleh Ghazi Region, Iran
Authors: Sadeghi A. , Zehtabian Gh. , Moradi N. , Nohegar A. , Khosravi H.
Published: January 2016

Approximately 34% of soils in Asia are influenced by salts. With about 25 million ha of saline and alkaline lands, about 15% of the country, Iran has the most saline lands in Asia after China, India, and Pakistan due to its geographical position, climate and human activities. This research was done due to determine the effective factors on soil and water salinization. At the first the boundaries of this region were characterized using GIS, then landuses were determined for field survey and also soil sampling in nine landuses were done according to both factors of planting pattern and water resources in each unit. The soil profile was prepared and soil samples were obtained from surface depths of (0 - 50 cm) and some factors such as soil texture EC, SAR, pH, CaCO3, Cl and potassium were measured. For study of water resources some samples were obtained from 30 wells and also from upland runoff, then soil and water sample were analyzed and some parameters such as EC, SAR, Cl− and pH were measured. Finally, according to data base, geological map, topography map, landuse map, soil and water measured data and also field studies, soil and water salinization schedule and region status were investigated. The results showed that important factors influencing water salinization in Ghaleh Ghazi region (Iran) are geological formations located in aquifer recharge and climate condition. Important factors of soil salinization in region are irrigation with saline water, improper irrigation method, unsuitable planting method, climate condition and landform.
Grouping Bread Wheat Genotypes and Lines based on Some Morphological Traits Using Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Pasandi M. , Janmohammadi M. , Movahedi Z. , Sabaghnia N.
Published: January 2016

The knowledge about the extent of variability among bread wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) genotypes is a high value for the genetic improvement programs and the efficient genetic diversity utilization of plant materials. The objective of this research was to assess the morphological characteristics of 56 common wheat genotypes which were planted under field condition and their morphological traits were recorded. The principal components (PC) analysis, factor analysis and clustering procedure were applied to group genotypes according to similarity on the basis of the measured traits. Results showed that the first two PCs explain 41% of the total variation. The PC and factor analyses grouped genotypes into four groups while the cluster analysis grouped them into five distinct clusters. The cluster I had good resistance to yellow rust and salinity while the cluster II, had good resistance to drought, cold and salinity. The cluster III had high tolerance to cold stress and low temperatures but the cluster IV had good tolerance to drought, brown rust and yellow rust. Also, cluster V had various properties including tolerance abiotic stresses, resistance to biotic stresses, resistant to lodging and semi-dwarf property. The results of this research will support efforts of conservation and utilization of genotypes in bread wheat breeding programs.
Effect of Sowing Date and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. var. Speed Feed) Forage Production in a Summer Intercropping System
Authors: Joorabi S. , Akbari N. , Chaichi M. R. , Azizi Kh.
Published: January 2016

To evaluate the interaction effects of planting date and different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor var. Speed feed) forage production, an experiment was conducted in split plots based on a complete randomized block design in Agricultural Research Station of Khorramabad, Lorestan province, Iran. The experimental treatments comprised of three nitrogen fertilizer levels of control (N0), 100 (N1), and 150 kg per hectare (N2), assigned to main plots and three sowing dates of T1 (June, 10th), T2 (June 26th) and T3 (July 11th) assigned to subplots. Results showed that in sum of two harvests, the yield of hay, forage, leaf and shoot hay weigh in second planting date and N2 and N3 level of fertility was higher than all treatments. In the case of quality treatments the percent of crude protein in first harvest had the most amounts in first and second planting date and N1, N2 and N3 fertility levels. Crude fiber percentage in first harvest of second planting date was highest in N1, N2 and N3 levels of fertility. Treatment interactions had not any significant effect for crude fiber. The most ash percent was observed in first harvest and N1, N2 and N3 fertility level. In second harvest time N2 and N3 fertility levels were superior to the rest. Also, fat percentage in first and second planting date and N1, N2 and N3 increased than the control fertility treatment.
Pollen Sources for Honey Bee Colonies at Land with Desert Nature during Dearth Period
Authors: Abou-Shaara H.F.
Published: January 2016

Autumn is a critical period for honey bee colonies and the weak colonies during autumn are likely to be lost during winter. The colonies need good pollen sources during this period to be able to foster enough brood, to boost colonies survival ability during winter. The situation is worse in desert areas where few pollen sources are expected to be existed. Identifying the availability of pollen sources for honey bees at desert areas is very essential to present appropriate recommendations regarding colonies feeding and suitable plants to be cultivated in such areas. Thus, the study objective is to identify pollen sources for honey bee colonies during the autumn at El-Bostan region (a region with desert nature). Samples of bee bread were collected at different times during autumn. The samples were microscopically analyzed and pollen sources were then identified. Nine plants belong to six plant families (Pedaliaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae, Myrtaceae, Resedaceae, and Casuarinaceae) were classified as major pollen sources. The most abundant plants were casuarina and eucalyptus during autumn. Beekeepers are advised to supply their colonies regularly (each two weeks) with pollen substitutes or supplements during autumn at El-Bostan region. Honey bee workers tend to mix different pollen types together in bee bread when different pollen sources are available. The number of pollen sources in the bee bread can be used to assess the richness degree of any region with suitable pollen sources to honey bees. The identified pollen sources in this study are recommended to be cultivated in lands with similar desert nature, to provide honey bee colonies with protein feeding during this critical period of the year.
Ozone Concentration at Ground Level Depending on the Content of NOx and Meteorological Conditions
Authors: Kalbarczyk Robert , Kalbarczyk Eliza , Niedźwiecka-Filipiak Irena , Serafin Liliana
Published: January 2016

This study analyzed the temporal variation of tropospheric ozone (O3) in Poznan (midwestern Poland) on the basis of data collected from a State Environmental Monitoring air quality assessment station. The aim was to investigate the distribution and variation of O3 levels and to assess the relationship with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and meteorological conditions. These relationships were assessed by multiple regression analysis and cluster analysis. The O3 levels showed a high annual, seasonal and daily volatility, and were significantly influenced by meteorological conditions and NOx levels. High O3 levels were accompanied by above-average levels of radiation (Rad), air temperature (Ta
) and wind speed (Ws
), together with below-average values of NOx and humidity (Rh
). Atmospheric pressure (Ph
) had an ambiguous effect on O3 levels.
Effects of Different Irrigation Strategies on Soil Water, Salt, and Nitrate Nitrogen Transport
Authors: Xu Chi , Zeng Wen-Zhi , Wu Jing-Wei , Huang Jie-Sheng
Published: January 2016

Intermittent irrigation has attracted much attention as a water-saving technology in arid and semi-arid regions. For understanding the effect of intermittent irrigation on water and solute storage varied from irrigation amount per time (IRA), irrigation application frequency (IRAF), irrigation intervals (IRI) and even soil texture (ST), intermittent irrigation experiment was carried out in 33 micro-plots in Inner Mongolia, China. The experiment results were used for the calibration and validation of HYDRUS-1D software. Then 3 ST (silty clay loam, silty loam, and silty clay), 5 IRA (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 cm), 4 IRAF (2, 3, 4, and 5 times) and 4 IRI (1, 2, 3, and 4 days) were combined and total 240 scenarios were simulated by HYDRUS-1D. Analysis of variance (ANVOA) of simulated results indicated that ST, IRA, and IRAF had significant effect on salt and nitrate nitrogen (NO3
−-N) storage of 0-40 cm depth soil in intermittent irrigation while only ST affected soil water storage obviously. Furthermore, salt leaching percentage (SLP) and water use efficiency (WUE) of 0-40 cm depth were calculated and statistical prediction models for SLP were established based on the ANOVA using multiple regression analysis in each soil texture. Then constraint conditions of soil water storage (around field capacity), salt storage (smaller than 168 mg·cm−2), WUE (as large as possible) in 0-40 cm depth and total irrigation water amount (less than 25 cm) were proposed to find out the optimal intermittent irrigation strategies. Before sowing, the optimal irrigation strategy for silty clay loam soil was 6 cm IRA, 3 times IRAF, and 2 days IRI respectively. For silty loam and silty clay soils, IRA, IRAF, and IRI were 8 cm, 3 times, and 2 days respectively.
Evaluation of the Contact Angle of Hydrophobised Lightweight-Aggregate Concrete with Sewage Sludge
Authors: Barnat-Hunek Danuta , Smarzewski Piotr , Łagód Grzegorz , Suchorab Zbigniew
Published: January 2016

The aim of the research presented in the paper was to evaluate the feasibility of using hydrophobic preparations based on organosilicon compounds for protection treatment of lightweight aggregates modified with municipal sewage sludge. Issues related to the wettability of the surface layer of hydrophobised lightweight-aggregate concrete supplemented with sewage sludge are discussed in the paper. The experimental part of the study is focused on the physical and mechanical characteristics of lightweight-aggregate concrete and the effect of two hydrophobic preparations on the contact angle of the material. The contact angle for lightweight concrete (θw
) was determined as a function of time using one measurement liquid. The hydrophobic coatings in the structure of lightweight concrete modified with sewage sludge were shown using electron microscopy. The investigations demonstrated the effectiveness of hydrophobisation of porous lightweight concretes. On the hydrophobic surfaces, the contact angles decreased with time and depended on the preparations used. The results of the research confirm the possibility to produce lightweight aggregate-concretes modified with sewage sludge with appropriate surface protection against external moisture.
New Indices Determining Heavy Metals Migration in a Sewage Sludge
Authors: Gawdzik Andrzej , Gawdzik Jarosław , Gawdzik Barbara , Gawdzik Alicja
Published: January 2016

The four step procedure developed by the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) is the optimum means of identifying heavy metal fractions in sewage sludge samples. Using the BCR procedure enables to get the date basing on which one can calculate metal stability index which supplies information on the strength of metal bonds with mineral organic soil components. Unfortunately, very popular formulae describing this index do not possess any theoretical justification and do not generate all values in the range of [0; 1]. Hence, in this paper one has presented new formulae describing not only the stability index but also a strictly connected with it the mobility index. In addition, one has suggested that these new formulae depend on the Equivalent Population (EP) indicator.
Considerations of Impact of Venturi Effect on Mesophilic Digestion
Authors: Machnicka Alicja , Grübel Klaudiusz , Mirota Kryspin
Published: January 2016

Hydrodynamic cavitation caused by the Venturi effect is one of the most promising methods of sewage sludge pre-treatment. This study has been carried out to investigate the effect of hydrodynamic cavitation on disintegration of activated sludge foam and mesophilic fermentation. Cavitation was generated in standard Venturi tube with the diameter ratio β = d
0/d
1 = 0.30, working at σ = 0.249. Detailed Computational Fluid Design (CFD) analysis in class of k-∈ model of internal flow has been presented. Obtained analytical investigation results confirmed the effect of strong disruption of microorganism cells and release of free organic substance into the liquid phase. After a short (30 minutes) pre-treatment, chemical oxygen demand increased by 8.63 times while Müller’s disintegration degree was 50%. Moreover, undertaken mesophilic digestion trials brought significant improvement in biogas production.
Effects of Foliar Application of Titanium on Seed Yield in Timothy (Phleum pratense L.)
Authors: Radkowski Adam , Radkowska Iwona , Lemek Tadeusz
Published: January 2016

Titanium is one of a plant biostimulators. It stimulates life processes, growth and development, as well as affects physiological and biochemical pathways, often increasing biomass production and enhancing yield. An open field experiment was conducted in the years 2011-2013 in Polanowice, Poland to investigate the effects of titanium foliar fertilization on the growth of timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.). This single-factor, randomized block design study was performed in four replicates on research plots with the area of 10 m2 each. The substrate was black loess soil (chernozem) typical for top class farmland. Titanium fertilization via leaf spray was performed with a water solution of Tytanit® at three doses of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 dm3 · ha−1. Foliar fertilization with the highest dose of Tytanit® significantly increased seed yield, thousand grain weight and germination capacity. Moreover, the middle dose of Tytanit® (0.4 dm3 · ha−1) was enough to observe a positive effect on the sample.
The European AVIDICUS projects: Collaborating to assess the viability of video-mediated interpreting in legal proceedings
Authors: Braun Sabine
Published: January 2016

This paper reports on a long-term European project collaboration between academic researchers and non-academic institutions in Europe to investigate the quality and viability of video-mediated interpreting in legal proceedings (AVIDICUS: Assessment of Video-Mediated Interpreting in the Criminal Justice System).
Structural analysis of hardwood native lignins by quantitative 13C NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Balakshin Mikhail Yu. , Capanema Ewellyn A. , Santos Ricardo B. , Chang Hou-min , Jameel Hasan
Published: January 2016

Milled wood lignins from alkaline pretreated wood with very low sugar content and a wide range of syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) ratio between 1.2 and 3.0 were isolated from 12 industrially valuable hardwood (HW) species. The lignin preparations were investigated by means of a comprehensive 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodology to address the possibilities and limitations of this approach for HW native lignins and to estimate the structural variations within HW lignins. Good correlations were found for different independent methods for the quantification of major lignin moieties. The results were reliable at the C6 level and not only for relative comparison. The correlation was good between methoxyl group determinations by wet chemistry and those by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The limitations of the 13C NMR method were also pointed out. The differences in the S/G ratios can be large, but other structural deviations are less significant. Strong correlations between the S/G ratios and the amounts of other structural peculiarities could not be found by the 13C NMR approach. However, with increasing S/G ratios, the β-O-4 content showed increasing tendencies and the degree of condensation showed decreasing tendencies.
Investigation of Hot In-Place Recycling Effects on Hot Mix Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Quresh Nadeem Anwer , Khurshid Bilal
Published: January 2016

In March 2006, a hot in-place recycling (HIR) technique was employed for the first time on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2) to rehabilitate sections where the rut depth was about 40 mm. Since HIR technology was new to Pakistan, research was carried out to study the effects of recycled wearing course on overall pavement performance. This was accomplished by comparing structural adequacy of pavement and material characterization before and after recycling. Laboratory investigations included hot mix asphalt (HMA) volumeteric analysis, aggregate gradation analysis, extracted asphalt properties (penetration test and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR)) and resilient modulus. Analysis of recycled HMA wearing course indicated a reduction in modulus for a mix which was stiff and aged prior to recycling. Relative degradation of the aggregates in HMA wearing course, before and after recycling, was observed; however, it remained close to National Highway Authority (NHA) standard specifications. The research enhanced awareness of HIR among local engineers and contractors.
Application of Numerical Laplace Inversion Methods in Chemical Engineering with Maple®
Authors: Wójcik Małgorzata , Szukiewicz Mirosław , Kowalik Paweł
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the procedure of choice of the effective numerical inversion method of Laplace transform for solving of the mathematical model of gas flow was shown. Two inversion methods are evaluated in this work: the Gaver-Stehfest method, and the Dubner and Abate method. The numerical tests has been made using test functions. Based on the test results the fast and accurate method was selected and applied for modeling of the gas flow. The Gaver-Stehfest method has proven the most effective. The model was developed using the computer algebra system Maple®. Implementation of the methods were done by authors.
Macroeconomic Policies Interaction & the Symmetry of Financial Markets’ Responses
Authors: Nasir Muhammad Ali , Soliman Alaa M. , Yago Milton , Wu Junjie
Published: January 2016

This concise study analyses the symmetry of financial markets’ responses to macroeconomic policy interaction in the United Kingdom. Employing the Vector Auto-regression (VAR) model on monthly data of the British financial sector and macroeconomic policies from January 1985 to August 2008, this study found that the equity and sovereign debt markets showed identical symmetry in response to macroeconomic policy interaction.
How Far Ahead Does the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey Look?1
Authors: Bulut Umit
Published: January 2016

In monetary economics literature, there is an agreement that monetary policy has a lagged effect on inflation. As a result of this agreement, monetary policy reaction functions that include expected inflation, instead of current or lagged inflation, are established. On the other hand, there is uncertainty about how much time monetary policy needs to affect inflation. The purpose of this paper is to estimate empirically how far ahead the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey looks. In other words, the paper examines whether the CBRT takes into consideration 12-month ahead inflation expectations or 24-month ahead inflation expectations while steering interest rates. According to the results of the paper, the CBRT considers 12-month ahead inflation expectations while steering interest rates.
Financial Stability Indicators – The Case of Croatia1
Authors: Dumičić Mirna
Published: January 2016

This paper considers financial stability through the processes of accumulation and materialisation of systemic risks. To this end, the method of principal component analysis on the example of Croatia has been used to construct two composite indicators – a systemic risk accumulation index and an index reflecting the consequences of systemic risk materialisation. In the construction of the indices, the features and risks specific to small open economies were considered. Such an approach to systemic risk analysis facilitates the monitoring and understanding of the degree of financial stability and communication of macroprudential policy makers with the public.
Conceptions of Landscape-Ecological Relevance Emerged in the Czech Botany during the Second Half of Twentieth Century
Authors: Kovář Pavel
Published: January 2016

This paper summarizes those substantial theoretical concepts or methods for applications within interdisciplinary or practical uses published by Czech autors (geobotanists = ecological botanists, plant ecologists and ecophysiologists) during the second half of the 20th century, that were internationally cited. All selected thematical clusters are of landscape-ecological relevance through various contexts. Examples include the concepts of (potential) reconstructed vegetation in maps (R. Neuhäusl, Z. Neuhäuslová), linear vegetation features (corridors in landscape) and deductive classification of vegetation (K. Kopecký), analysis of soil seed bank (Z. Kropáč), dependency of macrophyte plant stands on ecodynamics (S. Hejný), dynamic periodicity in segetal vegetation (Z. Kropáč, E. Hadač, S. Hejný), anemo-orographic system explaining species richness in mountain regions (J. Jeník), productivity in grassland ecosystems (M. Rychnovská, J. Květ), elementary landscape units based on homogenity and potential vegetation (E. Hadač), landscape dispensation phenomena (V. Ložek), afforestation of coastal sandy dunes – the Netherlands, and polluted areas - the Czech Republic (J. Fanta), invasive plants and invasions into landscapes (M. Rejmánek).
Bayesian estimation of the hydraulic and solute transport properties of a small-scale unsaturated soil column
Authors: Moreira Paulo H. S. , van Genuchten Martinus Th. , Orlande Helcio R. B. , Cotta Renato M.
Published: January 2016

In this study the hydraulic and solute transport properties of an unsaturated soil were estimated simultaneously from a relatively simple small-scale laboratory column infiltration/outflow experiment. As governing equations we used the Richards equation for variably saturated flow and a physical non-equilibrium dual-porosity type formulation for solute transport. A Bayesian parameter estimation approach was used in which the unknown parameters were estimated with the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method through implementation of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. Sensitivity coefficients were examined in order to determine the most meaningful measurements for identifying the unknown hydraulic and transport parameters. Results obtained using the measured pressure head and solute concentration data collected during the unsaturated soil column experiment revealed the robustness of the proposed approach.
A stochastic approach to the operative control of flood flows through a reservoir
Authors: Jaroš Lubomír , Starý Miloš , Březková Lucie
Published: January 2016

The contribution focuses on the design of a control algorithm aimed at the operative control of runoff water from a reservoir during flood situations. Management is based on the stochastically specified forecast of water inflow into the reservoir. From a mathematical perspective, the solved task presents the control of a dynamic system whose predicted hydrological input (water inflow) is characterised by significant uncertainty. The algorithm uses a combination of simulation model data, in which the position of the bottom outlets is sought via nonlinear optimisation methods, and artificial intelligence methods (adaptation and fuzzy model). The task is written in the technical computing language MATLAB using the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox.
Numerical and physical modeling of water flow over the ogee weir of the new Niedów barrage
Authors: Herrera-Granados Oscar , Kostecki Stanisław W.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, two- and three-dimensional numerical modeling is applied in order to simulate water flow behavior over the new Niedów barrage in South Poland. The draining capacity of one of the flood alleviation structures (ogee weir) for exploitation and catastrophic conditions was estimated. In addition, the output of the numerical models is compared with experimental data. The experiments demonstrated that the draining capacity of the barrage alleviation scheme is sufficiently designed for catastrophic scenarios if water is flowing under steady flow conditions. Nevertheless, the new cofferdam, which is part of the temporal reconstruction works, is affecting the draining capacity of the whole low-head barrage project.
The impact of bridge pier on ice jam evolution – an experimental study
Authors: Wang Jun , Hua Jian , Sui Jueyi , Wu Peng , Liu Tao , Chen Pangpang
Published: January 2016

The ice jam in a river can significantly change the flow field in winter and early spring. The presence of bridge piers further complicates the hydraulic process by interacting between the ice jam and bridge piers. Using the data collected from experiments in a laboratory flume, the evolution of an ice jam around bridge piers having three different diameters has been investigated in this study. Compared to results without-pier, it was found that the formation of an ice jam in the downstream of bridge pier is faster than that in the upstream. The thickness distribution of the ice jam shows clearly different characteristics in front and behind of bridge piers at different stages of the ice jam.
Analysis of lithofacies cyclicity in the Miocene Coal Complex of the Bełchatów lignite deposit, south-central Poland
Authors: Mastej Wojciech , Bartuś Tomasz , Rydlewski Jerzy
Published: January 2016

Markov chain analysis was applied to studies of cyclic sedimentation in the Coal Complex of the Bełchatów mining field (part of the Bełchatów lignite deposit). The majority of ambiguous results of statistical testing that were caused by weak, statistically undetectable advantage of either cyclicity over environmental barriers or vice versa, could be explained if only the above-mentioned advantages appeared in the neighbourhood. Therefore, in order to enhance the credibility of statistical tests, a new approach is proposed here in that matrices of observed transition numbers from different boreholes should be added to increase statistical reliability if they originated in a homogeneous area. A second new approach, which consists of revealing statistically undetectable cyclicity of lithofacies alternations, is proposed as well. All data were derived from the mining data base in which differentiation between lithology and sedimentary environments was rather weak. For this reason, the methodological proposals are much more important than details of the sedimentation model in the present paper. Nevertheless, they did reveal some interesting phenomena which may prove important in the reconstruction of peat/lignite environmental conditions. First of all, the presence of cyclicity in the sedimentation model, i.e., cyclic alternation of channel and overbank deposits, represents a fluvial environment. It was also confirmed that the lacustrine subenvironment was cut off from a supply of clastic material by various types of mire barriers. Additionally, our analysis revealed new facts: (i) these barriers also existed between lakes in which either carbonate or clay sedimentation predominated; (ii) there was no barrier between rivers and lakes in which clay sedimentation predominated; (iii) barriers were less efficient in alluvial fan areas but were perfectly tight in regions of phytogenic or carbonate sedimentation; (iv) groundwater, rather than surface flow, was the main source of CaCO3 in lakes in which carbonate sedimentation predominated; (v) a lack of cyclic alternation between abandoned channels and pools with clayey sedimentation; (vi) strong evidence for autocyclic alternation of phytogenic subenvironments and lakes in which carbonate sedimentation predominated was found in almost all areas studied.
Planning post-summurbia: From spontaneous pragmatism to collaborative planning?
Authors: Nuga Mari , Metspalu Pille , Org Anette , Leetmaa Kadri
Published: January 2016

The possibilities to apply collaborative planning frameworks in formerly strictly planned areas that have experienced spontaneous transformations since the demise of the Soviet Union are examined in this paper. The enquiry is based on a case study of the Tartu region in Estonia, former socialist summerhouse settlements (‘summurbia’), which are experiencing a transition towards permanent residence resulting in a new year-round form of suburbia. Both the residents and local planning authorities were interviewed in order to understand the prevailing planning and building activities, as well as the social relations between these stakeholders. The collaborative planning process is then elaborated by exploring the social dynamics and learned practices of the local residents.
Dynamic Characteristics of a Tall Building Identified from Earthquake and Ambient Vibration Records
Authors: Andone Cristian , Demetriu Sorin , Aldea Alexandru
Published: January 2016

The paper presents the modal characteristics of a tall building in Bucharest (BRD-SG Tower) identified from earthquake and ambient vibration records. The building was built in the early 2000’s and has a reinforced concrete structure (inner shear wall tube and perimeter frames) with 3 underground stories, ground floor and 18 stories. The seismic instrumentation of the building consists of a seismic station with two triaxial acceleration sensors located at the top of the building (+69.6 m) and at the third basement (−9.3 m). The dynamic characteristics of the building are estimated from the seismic records from 23 earthquakes (with moment magnitudes MW between 3.7 and 6.0) that occurred during the period 2004÷2010. The results obtained from the earthquake records are compared with those obtained from 35 ambient vibration records from the period 2003 ÷ 2010.
An Approach to Some Non-Classical Eigenvalue Problems of Structural Dynamics
Authors: Sandi Horea , Borcia (†) Ioan Sorin
Published: January 2016

Two main shortcomings of common formulations, encountered in the literature concerning the linear problems of structural dynamics are revealed: the implicit, not discussed, postulation, of the use of Kelvin – Voigt constitutive laws (which is often infirmed by experience) and the calculation difficulties involved by the attempts to use other constitutive laws. In order to overcome these two categories of shortcomings, the use of the bilateral Laplace – Carson transformation is adopted. Instead of the dependence on time, t, of a certain function f (t), the dependence of its image f#
(p) on the complex parameter p = χ + iω (ω: circular frequency) will occur. This leads to the formulation of associated non-classical eigenvalue problems. The basic relations satisfied by the eigenvalues
λ

r

#(p) and the eigenvectors v

r

#(p) of dynamic systems are examined (among other, the property of orthogonality of eigenvectors is replaced by the property of pseudo-orthogonality). The case of points p = p’, where multiple eigenvalues occur and where, as a rule, chains of principal vectors are to be considered, is discussed. An illustrative case, concerning a non-classical eigenvalue problem, is presented. Plots of variation along the ω axis, for the real and imaginary components of eigenvalues and eigenvectors, are presented. A brief final discussion closes the paper.
Retrofitting the Structure of the Catalytic Cracking Reactor, from Petrobrazi Refinery, Ploieşti by Transforming the Steel Structure into a Moment Resisting Frame and Enhancing the Damping of the Structure by Means of Viscous Dampers
Authors: Vasilescu Ionuţ , Tănase Emil , Marcu Dragoş
Published: January 2016

The present paper presents the structural and seismic retrofit solution for the structure of the Catalytic Cracking Reactor, from Petrobrazi Refinery, Ploiești, Romania. The spatial truss type steel structure was designed and built during 1965-1968, following United States codes of that time. The capacity of the reactor is intended to be increased, thus its weight increases by approx. 43%. The retrofit solution had to take into consideration many criteria, not only technical, but also technological. After analyzing several possibilities, it was decided that the only feasible solution in order to fulfill all these requirements was to significantly increase the viscous damping of the structure – by introducing viscous dampers in its diagonals, accompanied by the strengthening of steel structure and changing the structural system into a moment resisting frame.
Some Remarks on my Composition Technique
Authors: Knittel Krzysztof
Published: January 2016

Krzysztof Knittel’s text about his own composition techniques, also looking at such topics as: the influence of painting on his music (e.g. the works of Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee); truth in the musical work; the application of recycling ad re-use techniques to the form of the musical work; methods of constructing the sound of the composition; links between music and historical events; rollage - a technique borrowed from the painter Jiří Kolář for the needs of St. Matthew Passion; sound installations created by Knittel with sounds of nature and civilisation; Theodor Lipps’ theory of empathy (Einfuhlung), as well as intuitive and improvised music.
“I Am a Manufacturer of Impressions.”
Authors: Przech Violetta
Published: January 2016

The collection of statements by Zbigniew Bargielski (born in 1937) describing his own oeuvre consists of texts in various forms. These include: the composer’s commentaries on his works printed in concert programmes accompanying the world premieres of his compositions; short notes in the scores; occasional reviews of compositions; the rare interviews where an open discussion of problems related to his music inspired the composer to comment; and the composer’s personal notes from different periods of his artistic activity. Valuable reference material also includes speeches by Zbigniew Bargielski recorded on audio and video devices, e.g. event documentation.

Zbigniew Bargielski’s self-commentaries deal with various aspects of musical language: structure, morphology, syntax, phonology, expression and meaning - the latter mentioned specifically in the context of the artist-audience relationship.

Additionally, self-reflection includes the definition of aesthetic preferences and the composer’s artistic “worldview” which determines the choice of ideas and the means of their musical implementation. Moreover, Bargielski considers the possibility of a “transmission” - via musical gestures - of the sphere of his own experiences. In his notes from the recent months, he attempts to describe the transformations of his own musical language, which is of special importance considering the almost sixty-year-long period of his artistic work.
Acceptance of Illness after Surgery in Patients with Breast Cancer in the Early Postoperative Period
Authors: Nowicki Andrzej , Krzemkowska Elżbieta , Rhone Piotr
Published: January 2016

The breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, both in Poland and in the world. Consequences entail a disruption in the physical, psychological and social functioning.

was to assess the acceptance of illness by patients treated for breast cancer in the early postoperative period.

The research was conducted on the group of 100 consecutive patients aged 32-80 years (median 56 years) who underwent surgery for breast cancer in the Centre of Oncology in Bydgoszcz w 2014 roku. 68 of women had mastectomy, 32 of women had conservative surgery. Polling was conducted in the early period after surgery. The original questionnaire containing closed questions the scale of acceptance of the disease (AIS) as well as mental adaptation to cancer (Mini-Mac) was used in the study.

38% of patients had high acceptance of the disease, 48% averageand 14% had low acceptance. Patients after conservative surgery had a higher average values for the mental strategies to cope with the disease, for the fighting spirit (23.1), helplessness and hopelessness (13.5), positive revaluation (23), the patients had a lower average (16.5) in the strategy to absorb anxiety. Patients after conservative surgery had a higher average for constructive style (2.6) but lower for destructive style (1.5). High level of mental coping with the disease was observed in 53%of patients with constructive style and 4% of patients with destructive style. While, a low level of mental coping with the dosease was observed in 5% of patients with constructive style and 46% of patients with destructive style.

Almost half of women after mastectomy or conservative surgery had an average acceptance of the disease. The disease was accepted best by educated women living in the cities, white-collar workers with a good economic situation. The following factors were affected the better management of the disease, in order: age, education, current occupation and economic situation, while the type of surgery did not affect better management. More than half of women, regardless of the type of surgery reflected the high level of constructive style.
Damage of Central Catheters in Home Parenteral Nutrition Patients
Authors: Błasiak Renata , Ławiński Michał , Majewska Krystyna , Gradowska Aleksandra
Published: January 2016

According to the ESPEN and ASPEN guidelines, in the case of a long-term (>3-month) parenteral nutrition should be administered via a subcutaneous central venous catheter (CVC). There are three types of mechanical complications of tunnelled central catheter: catheter rupture, occlusion by TPN depositing and thrombofibrotic occlusion.

was to analyse the incidence of complications central catheter in a group of patients receiving HPN.

Between January 2010 and June 2014, HPN was conducted in 584 patients (306 women and 278 men), ninety-nine patients were enrolled in the study: 67 women and 32 men in whom mechanical complications of central catheters were found.

Among 99 patients, 71 used the tunnelled Broviac catheter. Groshong catheters were placed only in patients receiving parenteral nutrition due to cancer. Analyses have shown differences between the older and younger in the number of mechanical complications. Younger patients were found to have a larger number of catheter complications (1.6 ± 1.1) in comparison with older patients (1.3 ± 0.7). The catheter that was most commonly damaged was the Broviac catheter 76.8%. The most frequent type of mechanical complications was catheter rupture 64.81%.

Mechanical complications of tunnelled central catheters in HPN patients can be repaired in an outpatient setting in half of the cases, which enables continuation of parenteral nutrition without the need to hospitalise the patient. The centres that conduct HPN should offer 24-hour care and help in case of problems with the central venous line to the patients.
Constitutional Commitment to Social Security and Welfare Policy
Authors: Ben-Bassat Avi , Dahan Momi
Published: January 2016

In this paper we construct an index of constitutional commitment to social security (CCSS) in seven areas: Old Age, Survivors, Disability, Unemployment, Sickness, Work Injury, and Income Support. We have found a positive connection between our measure of constitutional commitment to social security and the extent and coverage of actual measures of social security laws. The constitutional text of each nation seems to play a role in explaining the large variations in welfare state coverage around the world.
Platelet-Activating Factor Receptors Mediate Excitatory Postsynaptic Hippocampal Injury in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Bellizzi Matthew J. , Geathers Jasmine S. , Allan Kevin C. , Gelbard Harris A.
Published: January 2016

Gray matter degeneration contributes to progressive disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) and can occur out of proportion to measures of white matter disease. Although white matter pathology, including demyelination and axon injury, can lead to secondary gray matter changes, we hypothesized that neurons can undergo direct excitatory injury within the gray matter independent of these. We tested this using a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) with hippocampal degeneration in C57BL/6 mice, in which immunofluorescent staining showed a 28% loss of PSD95-positive excitatory postsynaptic puncta in hippocampal area CA1 compared with sham-immunized controls, despite preservation of myelin and VGLUT1-positive excitatory axon terminals. Loss of postsynaptic structures was accompanied by appearance of PSD95-positive debris that colocalized with the processes of activated microglia at 25 d after immunization, and clearance of debris was followed by persistently reduced synaptic density at 55 d.In vitro, addition of activated BV2 microglial cells to hippocampal cultures increased neuronal vulnerability to excitotoxic dendritic damage following a burst of synaptic activity in a manner dependent on platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) signaling.In vivotreatment with PAFR antagonist BN52021 prevented PSD95-positive synapse loss in hippocampi of mice with EAE but did not affect development of EAE or local microglial activation. These results demonstrate that postsynaptic structures can be a primary target of injury within the gray matter in autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease, and suggest that this may occur via PAFR-mediated modulation of activity-dependent synaptic physiology downstream of microglial activation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTUnraveling gray matter degeneration is critical for developing treatments for progressive disability and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). In a mouse model of MS, we show that neurons can undergo injury at their synaptic connections within the gray matter, independent of the white matter pathology, demyelination, and axon injury that have been the focus of most current and emerging treatments. Damage to excitatory synapses in the hippocampus occurs in association with activated microglia, which can promote excitotoxic injury via activation of receptors for platelet-activating factor, a proinflammatory signaling molecule elevated in the brain in MS. Platelet-activating factor receptor blockade protected synapses in the mouse model, identifying a potential target for neuroprotective treatments in MS.