bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlates of excessive daytime sleepiness in community-dwelling older adults: an exploratory study
Authors: Lima Camila Astolphi , Soares Wuber Jefferson de Souza , Bilton Tereza Loffredo , Dias Rosângela Corrêa , Ferrioll Eduardo , Perracini Monica Rodrigues
Published: August 2015

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) imposes a wide range of adverse health-related outcomes in older people, such as disability, which impair everyday activities and may increase the risk of fall. Few studies have explored EDS in Brazilian older people living in the community who are typically cared in primary health services. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of EDS and its sociodemographic, physical and mental health correlates among community-dwelling older adults. This is an exploratory, population-based study derived from Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults (FIBRA) study including adults aged 65 years and older. Participants with a score ≥ 11 points on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were considered as having excessive daytime sleepiness. A structured, multidimensional questionnaire was used to investigate sociodemographic, physical and mental health, and self-rated health variables. The sample was composed of 776 older adults, of whom 21% (n = 162) presented excessive daytime sleepiness. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that EDS is associated with obesity (OR = 1.50; 95%CI 1.02 - 2.20), urinary incontinence (OR = 1.53; 95%CI 1.01 - 2.31), poor self-rated health (OR = 1.54; 95%CI 1.06 - 2.24), and depression symptoms (OR = 1.49; 95%CI 1.00 - 2.20). Our results suggest that healthcare professionals should identify older adults with EDS and implement intervention strategies to minimize the negative impact of the co-occurrence of this condition with obesity, depression and urinary incontinence over health and quality of life.
Physiological parameters to select upland rice genotypes for tolerance to water deficit
Authors: Guimarães Cleber Morais , Stone Luís Fernando , Castro Adriano Pereira de , Morais Júnior Odilon Peixoto de
Published: August 2015

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of using physiological parameters for water deficit tolerance, as an auxiliary method for selection of upland rice genotypes. Two experiments - with or without water deficit - were carried out in Porangatu, in the state of Goiás, Brazil; the water deficit experiment received about half of irrigation that was applied to the well-watered experiment. Four genotypes with different tolerance levels to water stress were evaluated. The UPLRI 7, B6144F-MR-6-0-0, and IR80312-6-B-3-2-B genotypes, under water stress conditions, during the day, showed lower stomatal diffusive resistance, higher leaf water potential, and lower leaf temperature than the control. These genotypes showed the highest grain yields under water stress conditions, which were 534, 601, and 636 kg ha-1, respectively, and did not differ significantly among them. They also showed lower drought susceptibility index than the other genotypes. 'BRS Soberana' (susceptible control) was totally unproductive under drought conditions. Leaf temperature is a easy-read parameter correlated to plant-water status, viable for selecting rice genotypes for water deficit tolerance.
A lei de cotas na perspectiva do desempenho acadêmico na Universidade Federal de Uberlândia
Authors: Queiroz Zandra Cristina Lima Silva ,   Faculdade Católica de Uberlândia, Brazil, Miranda Gilberto José , Tavares Marcelo , Freitas Sheizi Calheira de ,   Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil,   Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil,   Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil
Published: August 2015

A discussão sobre as formas de ingresso no ensino superior no Brasil está cercada de polêmicas quanto à sua característica de seletividade e exclusão social. Com a publicação da Lei nº 12.711/2012, os percentuais de vagas destinadas às cotas sociais e raciais foram regulamentados com o intuito de democratizar o acesso ao ensino superior no Brasil. Este estudo tem o propósito de verificar se existem diferenças significativas no desempenho dos alunos ingressantes por meio de programas de cotas, quando comparados aos demais. Como procedimento metodológico, por meio de uma análise quantitativa, realizou-se um estudo descritivo dos coeficientes de rendimento dos alunos ingressantes segundo a modalidade de cota e a área de cada curso. A amostra foi composta por 2.418 alunos, ingressantes nas 78 opções de cursos de graduação ofertadas pela Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU) no primeiro semestre de 2013. Os resultados apontaram que, entre as modalidades 1, 2, 3 e 4 (modalidades de cotas estabelecidas pela Lei nº 12.711/12) e a ampla concorrência (modalidade 5), não há diferenças estatísticas de rendimento
Breast Cancer Disparities: A Multicenter Comparison of Tumor Diagnosis, Characteristics, and Surgical Treatment in China and the U.S.
Authors: Sivasubramaniam Priya G. , Zhang Bai-Lin , Zhang Qian , Smith Jennifer S. , Zhang Bin , Tang Zhong-Hua , Chen Guo-Ji , Xie Xiao-Ming , Xu Xiao-Zhou , Yang Hong-Jian , He Jian-Jun , Li Hui , Li Jia-Yuan , Fan Jin-Hu , Qiao You-Lin
Published: August 2015

Background and Objective.

Incidence of and mortality rates for breast cancer continue to rise in the People's Republic of China. The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in characteristics of breast malignancies between China and the U.S.

Methods.

Data from 384,262 breast cancer patients registered in the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program from 2000 to 2010 were compared with 4,211 Chinese breast cancer patients registered in a Chinese database from 1999 to 2008. Outcomes included age, race, histology, tumor and node staging, laterality, surgical treatment method, and reconstruction. The Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare rates.

Results.

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the most common type of malignancy in the U.S. and China. The mean number of positive lymph nodes was higher in China (2.59 vs. 1.31, p < .001). Stage at diagnosis was higher in China (stage IIA vs. I, p < .001). Mean size of tumor at diagnosis was higher in China (32.63 vs. 21.57 mm). Mean age at diagnosis was lower in China (48.28 vs. 61.29 years, p < .001). Moreover, 2.0% of U.S. women underwent radical mastectomy compared with 12.5% in China, and 0.02% in China underwent reconstructive surgery.

Conclusion.

Chinese women were diagnosed at younger ages with higher stage and larger tumors and underwent more aggressive surgical treatment. Prospective trials should be conducted to address screening, surgical, and tumor discrepancies between China and the U.S.

Implications for Practice:

Breast cancer patients in China are diagnosed at later stages than those in America, which might contribute to different clinical management and lower 5-year survival rate. This phenomenon suggests that an earlier detection and treatment program should be widely implemented in China. By comparing the characteristics of Chinese and Chinese-American patients, we found significant differences in tumor size, lymph nodes metastasis, and age at diagnosis. These consequences indicated that patients with similar genetic backgrounds may have different prognoses due to the influence of environment and social economic determinates.
Formation of the Cognitive Component of Attitude to the Professional Activity in the Learning Process
Authors: Kornilova D.S.
Published: August 2015

The formation of the cognitive component of attitude to the professional activity in the learning process promotes the development of students’ cognition, improves the organization of personnel recruitment. Hypothesis: in the employees of the customs service, the cognitive component of attitude to the profession is dominated by quality, aimed at social relevance and benefit to society. The study sample comprised 77 customs officers 22 to 52 years old. We used the “Specialized semantic differentials to estimate the work, profession and professional” by V.P. Serkin. For data processing we used the method of semantic universals. We revealed the necessary professional qualities, subjective representation of work, profession, professionals, through individual, moral, ethical, organizational qualities and evaluation of social significance. We conclude that the cognitive component of attitude to the professional activity is expressed in terms of important professional qualities and evaluation of the respondents themselves as professionals. These cognitions promote individual and professional development in education.
EVALUATION OF REED RECOURSES IN THE LUBANS LAKE AND SUBSTANTIATION OF THEIR USE IN ENERGY PRODUCTION
Authors: Čubars Edgars , Noviks Gotfrīds
Published: August 2015

The paper presents the results of evaluation of reed resources in Latvia largest lake Lubans and for comparison in the small lake Kovshu. The investigation proved that resources of reeds are sufficient to replace from 2 to7 thousand tons of different fossil fuel. Measured reed physical properties- carbon quality, ash content and structure, moisture content proved that reeds are profitable fuel for heat energy production.
BIOMASS MIXTURES AND ITS HOMOGENEITY
Authors: Kaķītis Aivars , Nulle Imants
Published: August 2015

Components of mixtures have to be in required proportion and homogeneous mixed to provide good quality of briquettes or pellets. Analyzing the mixing processes several advantages for mixing biomass with an in-flow or continuous mixer was discovered. To provide better quality of in-flow mixing process an electrical charge can be applied to the particles using corona discharge. When a sharply pointed electrode is raised to a high potential, the intense electrical field at its tip ionizes the air in its immediate vicinity. To mix particles of different bulk materials, it is necessary to give a negative electrical charge to one material, and a positive electrical charge to other material particles. The electrical charge provides mixing on a small scale, and electrostatic forces drive the process towards a perfect mixture. In this article experiments of in-flow mixer equipped with electrodes of corona discharge is described. Three different rotation frequencies (20, 35 and 50 rpm) of conveyer shaft and five different voltages (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 kV) of corona electrodes were used to evaluate impact on flow direction of balk material.
NEW GENERATION ENTERPRISE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Authors: Kampars Janis
Published: August 2015

This paper addresses common problems like poor reusability, closed vendor proprietary framework, limited customizability which are associated with use of traditional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and proposes architecture of new generation GIS. The architecture described in this paper is based on Service Oriented Architecture and open standards. It consists of Geographic Information Service Provider, Geographic Information Service Consumer and Geographic Information Mediation Infrastructure. The new generation GIS allows achieving high level of reusability both on GIS logic and orchestration layer. Its broad customizability capabilities make it suitable for wide user audience.
RAPE SEED OIL TETRAHYDROFURFURYLESTERS
Authors: Malins K. , Kampars V. , Kampare R. , Rusakova T.
Published: August 2015

The transesterification of vegetable oil using various kinds of alcohols is a simple and efficient renewable fuel synthesis technique. Products obtained by modifying natural triglycerides in transesterification reaction substitute fossil fuels and mineral oils. Currently the most significant is the biodiesel, a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters, which is obtained in a reaction with methanol, which in turn is obtained from fossil raw materials. In biodiesel production it would be more appropriate to use alcohols which can be obtained from renewable local raw materials. Ethanol rouses interest as a possible reagent, however, its production locally is based on the use of grain and therefore competes with food production so it would implicitly cause increase in food prices. Another raw material option is alcohols that can be obtained from furfurole. Furfurole is obtained in dehydration process from pentose sugars which can be extracted from crop straw, husk and other residues of agricultural production. From furfurole the tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA), a raw material for biodiesel, can be produced. By transesterifying rapeseed oil with THFA it would be possible to obtain completely renewable biodiesel with properties very close to diesel [2-4]. With the purpose of developing the synthesis of such fuel, in this work a three-stage synthesis of rapeseed oil tetrahydrofurfurylesters (ROTHFE) in sulphuric acid presence has been performed, achieving product with purity over 98%. The most important qualitative factors of ROTHFE have been determined - cold filter plugging point, cetane number, water content, Iodine value, phosphorus content, density, viscosity and oxidative stability.
RISK ANALYSIS OF THE PILLAR STRENGTH IN THE ESTONIA MINE
Authors: Pastarus Juri-Rivaldo , Sabanov Sergei , Shestakova Jekaterina , Nikitin Oleg
Published: August 2015

This paper deals with the risk analysis and assessment of the pillars strength problems in the Estonia oil shale mine. Aim of this investigation was to determine the strength parameters and predict the bearing capacity of the pillars in Estonia mine, mining block No. 3107 Methods were based on theoretical investigation and experimental data of in-situ conditions. It is given the geological description of the mining block and determined the strength parameters, moisture content and volume density of the oil shale and limestone layers. Analysis showed that the used risk analysis method is applicable for Estonian oil shale mines. The results of the risk analysis are of particular interest for practical purposes.
POSTIMPACT OF DIFFERENT FEEDSTUFFS ON GOAT MILK PRODUCTIVITY IN ORGANIC FARMING
Authors: Sprūžs Jāzeps , Šeļegovska Elita
Published: August 2015

Goats fed on high-quality and valuable forage provides the production of high quality milk and dairy products. In organic farming improper and poor feeding during lactation period reduce milk yield and quality of products. The goal of our research was to ascertain the post impact of different feedstuffs (oat meal, wheat bran, sunflower cake, rapeseed cake) on goat milk productivity and quality indices. The trial was carried out in farm “Bērzi”, Talsi district in autumn period for 60 days totally; it is, after including of these feedstuffs in feed ration. Sunflower meal fed in summer period increased in autumn period the content of goat milk fat by 6.7%, as well as by 7.5% increased protein content and decreased sugar content in milk by 0.5% compare to control. Rapeseed meal fed in summer resulted in increased milk fat by 5.1 % and decreased protein and sugar content in goat milk by 2.1 % and 1.6 % respectively in autumn period compare to control. The essential post impact p less then 0.05 on milk protein shown wheat bran which increased protein content in goat milk by 19.5% compare to control.
COMPETITION BETWEEN APPLE-TREES AND GRASS IN THE ORCHARD
Authors: Surikova Valentīna , Kārkiņš Aldis
Published: August 2015

The objective of the research was to study the possible competition between roots of apple-trees and grass under the influence of applied moisture regulation methods. No analogical research has been performed in Latvia so far. The investigation was done on the base of an existing trial planted in 1997 with cultivar `Melba` at 1.5 × 4 m planting distances. Three different treatments of soil moisture management were compared: control, sawdust mulch and fertigation. Inter-row strips were covered by grass vegetation (Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis, in proportion 1:3). The horizontal and vertical spacing of the main root mass was determined, as well as the distance and depth of the spread of grass roots from the inter- row strip into the tree strip. The results of the research show that mulching and fertigation have significant influence on the horizontal and vertical root spacing of grass grown in the inter-row strip, which can be an evidence of competition between apple-trees and grass for water and nutrients.
THE MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF METALS CONTENT IN PEAT
Authors: Teirumnieks Edmunds , Teirumnieka Ērika , Kangro Ilmārs , Kalis Harijs
Published: August 2015

Metals deposition in peat can aid to evaluate impact of atmospheric or wastewaters pollution and thus can be a good indicator of recent and historical changes in the pollution loading. For peat using in agriculture, industrial, heat production etc. knowledge of peat metals content is important. Experimental determination of metals in peat is very long and expensive work. Using experimental data the mathematical model for calculation of concentrations of metals in different points for different layers is developed. The values of the metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Sr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Se, Co, Cd, V, Mo) concentrations in different layers in peat taken from Knavu peat bog from four sites are determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. Mathematical model for calculation of concentrations of metal has been described in the paper. As an example, mathematical models for calculation of Pb concentrations have been analyzed.
INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND GENOTYPE ON THE LINSEED YIELD AND SEED QUALITY
Authors: Gruzdevienė Elvyra , Jankauskienė Zofija , Mankevičienė Audronė
Published: August 2015

The weakness of knowledge about linseed varieties and its growing features depending on genotype prevent linseed growing and seed marketing in Lithuania. The linseed varieties in Lithuania didn’t achieve yield promised in the variety description. The aim of our investigations was to establish the influence of linseed genotype on the plant productivity, agrotechnical and biological characteristic and seed quality. Nine linseed varieties: Helmi, Szafir, Symphonia, Blue Chip, Lirina, Olinette, Lu-5, Gold Merchant and Flanders were tested in year 2008. As the result of our investigations, the linseed variety Symphonia, with best productivity is recommended to grow and multiple in Lithuania.
DEFINITION AND FORMAL REPRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESSES
Authors: Bērziša Solvita
Published: August 2015

Project management information systems are used to support project management processes. The typical project management processes are defined by the project management methodologies, such as PMBOK. It is necessary to formalize representation of these processes to use them in modelling, analysis and implementation of the project management information systems. The purpose of the article is defined key processes of project management and to identify appropriate techniques and tools for their formal representation. In the article groups of the project management processes are listed and representation techniques such as UML, XPDL and YAWL are evaluated. The comparison of process representation techniques is shows that the most appropriate is XPDL. Guidelines for project management process definition using XPDL are formulated. These formalized processes further will be used in configuration of the project management information systems.
SYSTEM DYNAMICS USE IN BLOGOSPHERE DEVELOPMENT SIMULATION
Authors: Dreija Girts , Ginters Egils
Published: August 2015

Today the Latvian blogosphere is a community of almost 200 000 blogs. Blogs have become an important part of news agencies and web portals because they deliver information to the reader faster than traditional media. To forecast the computational resources and necessary funding for community development, it is necessary to design an evolutional model based on the data collected and give an insight into its evolution ways.
REZEKNES AUGSTSKOLA INFORMATION SYSTEM SERVICE ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE SOLUTION
Authors: Kijaško Mihails
Published: August 2015

The goal of this work is to analyze information about main principles of creating information systems using service oriented architecture and create RA integrated information system conceptual model. The proposed system model was developed based on service oriented architecture, with additional description of main principles. Final part contains RA information system service oriented architecture conceptual model with development principles. Using knowledge gathered from analyzes and examinations performed in this work, author gives proposals for integrated information system architecture development principles.
APPLIED RESEARCH IN THE ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPE OPTIMIZATION AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS ACCLIMATIZATION AT THE FACULTY OF LANDSCAPING OF KAUNAS COLLEGE
Authors: Markevičienė Laima , Vaidelys Jonas
Published: August 2015

Urbanizuota aplinka, jos fizinių komponentų kokybė šiuolaikinei visuomenei yra ypač svarbi, nes vis daugiau gyventojų telkiasi miestuose. Ji, be plataus spektro ekologinių reiškinių, veikia ir visuomenę. Beatodairiškas gamtinės aplinkos urbanizavimas, intensyvus naudojimas ir tarša yra viena pagrindinių šiandienos problemų. Miestų ţaliųjų plotų sistemų kūrimas, svarbus tiek urbanizuotos aplinkos optimizavimo, tiek gamtos vertybių išsaugojimo urbanizuotoje aplinkoje aspektu. Urbanizacijos procesai agresyviai skverbiasi į miestų skverus, parkus, gėlynus, todėl svarbus tampa konteinerinis ţeldinimas. Jam naudojami vienmečiai, daugiamečiai lauko ir kambariniai (vazoniniai) augalai. Straipsnyje nagrinėjami Kauno Kolegijos, kraštotvarkos fakultete Ţeldinių ir agrotechnologijų katedroje 2004 - 2008 metais atlikti taikomieji moksliniai tyrimai: „Dekoratyviųjų ir sodo augalų sortimento, technologijų ir aplinkos optimizavimas“. Introdukcijos ir aklimatizacijos aspektu nagrinėtos šios temos: „Lauko gėlių sortimento ir išplitimo kaitos analizė Lietuvos miestų bendrojo naudojimo ţeldynuose” ir „Kambarinių gėlių sortimento kaita Lietuvoje”.
RETAIL TURNOVER PREDICTION USING MODULAR ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: Zorins Aleksejs
Published: August 2015

The paper focuses on the retail turnover prediction with artificial neural networks. The artificial neural networks have the potential to learn complex, non-linear relationships within data. The main disadvantage is that neural networks are “black boxes”, so the user cannot explain the obtained results and relationships between data. The modular neural networks allow obtaining more appropriate results by splitting the task into subtasks, thus giving the user more information in the output. In many cases an additional advantage of modular neural network is more precise prediction results, which will be shown in the experimental part of this paper.
RECREATION POTENTIAL AND WATER-BASED RECREATION RESOURCES IN KARELIA (example of the Zaonezhje area)
Authors: Busarova Vera
Published: August 2015

In Republic of Karelia tourism accepted to be one of priority orientations in program on socio-economic development of region. This paper observes recreation potential of Republic Karelia. More emphasis is put on to Zaonezhje as an area with rich history and unique natural complexes. We developed a water route around islands of northern part of Onego Lake. It can become a good alternative tourist product and will be able to reduce recreation load on another popular destinations. This route can be used in school educational program also.
Biomass Yield of Different Plants for Biogass Production
Authors: Balodis Oskars , Bartuševics Jānis , Gaile Zinta
Published: August 2015

In order to investigate yield potential of plants probably suitable for biogas production preliminary field trials were carried out at Research and Study farm “Vecauce” in 2010 using eight annual plant species: maize, winter oil-seed rape, oil radish, sunflower, foxtail millet, millet, hemp and amaranth. All species (except oil radish) were represented with several varieties, and some species were harvested at 2-3 development stages. Obtained fresh biomass yield was from 33.05 (millet „Rudes‟) till 74.60 (amaranth „Raudonukai‟) t ha-1, but dry matter yield – from 6.98 (amaranth „Margiai‟) till 22.05 (winter oil-seed rape „Excalibur‟ at GS 85) t ha-1. It was self-evident that biomass yield substantially depended on used species, but also variety influence within the species was relevant. Our data clearly demonstrated substantial (p less then 0.05) harvest time influence by harvesting winter oil-seed rape and maize at three different times; the highest yield was obtained for rape at GS 85, but for maize – in early October. Studies are only at the initial stage and have to be continued.
Selection of Microbes and Conditions that Induced Bio-Cracking of Branched Hydrocarbon Squalane
Authors: Gailiūtė I. , Grigiškis S. , Žėkaitė G. , Čipinytė V.
Published: August 2015

Biological oil hydrocarbons degradation is a complicated process, influenced by hydrocarbons properties, microorganisms and environmental conditions. The aim of this work was to select microbial strain, capable of degrading heavy branched hydrocarbons for further application in environment remediation and bio-cracking. Also, it was necessary to select optimal conditions (temperature, pH, concentration and etc.) for selected microbial strain degrading heavy branched hydrocarbons. Since crude oil and its products are mixtures of various hydrocarbons, at the first step of selection the ability of the strains to degrade individual hydrocarbons was investigated. Squalane was used as a test substrate. 10 microbial cultures belonging to genus Arthrobacter and obtained from culture collection of JSC “Biocentras” were used for the investigations. Gas chromatography analysis revealed that Arthrobacter sp NJ5 strain had the highest effectiveness (67%) in degradation of heavy branched oil hydrocarbon (Squalane) to shorter chain intermediates. So, Arthrobacter sp NJ5 could be applied in bio-cracking. For the application in industry, more detailed analyses are needed.
Research On Decrease Of Outside Air Heat Pump Passive Evaporators Ice-Cover
Authors: Ilsters Andrievs , Ziemelis Imants
Published: August 2015

Two years (2009-2010) experience of the experimental use of alternative energy sources in technological processes of agriculture is analyzed. Water was heated by an outside air heat pump with passive evaporators, and used for new born piglets resting place floor heating. Experimental data were obtained by the reckoning consumption of electric energy for the operation of the heat pump’s compressor and electric heater, and by a heat meter registering the consumed heat energy. The obtained data show that the outside air heat pump with passive evaporators is working successfully during summer months, when the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump exceeds 3.5. When the outside temperature decreases under +10˚C, the heat pump evaporators become covered with hoarfrost and ice. The value of the COP and produced amount of heat energy reduce, and the electric heater often switches on. During the experimental research one of the heat pump evaporators was supplied with a ventilator, air flow from which was washing the surface of the evaporator’s plates. So the satisfactory operation of the heat pump was provided till December 10, 2009 and November 25, 2010.
Tannins of Deciduous Trees Bark As a Potential Source for Obtaining Ecologically Safe Wood Adhesives
Authors: Janceva Sarmite , Dizhbite Tatiana , Telisheva Galina , Spulle Uldis , Klavinsh Laimonis , Dzenis Marcis
Published: August 2015

The bark of deciduous trees grown in Latvia: grey alder, black alder, ash tree and goat willow were sequentially extracted using solvents of increasing polarity. The data about total content of both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds were obtained using sequentially extraction with hexane and ethanol. The highest yields of hydrophilic extractives were found for grey alder and ash tree barks (25.7% and 25.8%, respectively). Hydrophilic extract from the both alder species contained high amount (up to 12% on bark dry mass) of condensed tannins (CT) or oligomeric proanthocyanidins, whereas CT content of extract from ach tree was negligible. The main component of ethanol-water extract from alder bark was identified using 13C NMR and MALDI–TOF MS spectroscopy as a mixture of A- and B-type oligomeric procyanidins with the epicatechin units polymerization degree of 2-7. Ecologically friendly wood adhesives were obtained on the condensed tannin basis.
Experience Analysis and Sample Distribution Problems in Local Level Landscape Monitoring
Authors: Jankauskaitė Margarita , Veteikis Darijus
Published: August 2015

After summarizing experience of various countries in the field of landscape monitoring, it appears that the real changes of landscape have to be observed in a large scale (not smaller than 1:10,000) in order to avoid generalization of small landscape elements. Usually there are several levels of distributing the places of monitoring: 1) the level of sample area, when monitor territories are stratified by landscape types; 2) the level of investigation site that is distinguished inside the sample area for the more detailed research; 3) the level of transect or field investigation site, sometimes created in order to multiply the statistical data for some special aspect of monitoring. The paper offers an original method of distributing the landscape sample areas in Lithuanian territory, differing from most methods based on random choose of sample areas though thorough analysis of the analogous methods abroad was performed.
Mechanical Properties of Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) Biomass
Authors: Kronbergs Andris , Širaks Elgars , Adamovičs Aleksandrs , Kronbergs Ēriks
Published: August 2015

In Latvia approximately of 14.6% of unfarmed agricultural land can be used for herbaceous energy crop growing. Herbaceous energy crops would be as the main basis for solid biofuel production in agricultural ecosystem in future. Herbaceous energy crops as hemp (Cannabis sativa) are grown in recent years and can be used for solid biofuel production. Experimentally stated hemp stalk material ultimate tensile strength the medium value is 85 ± 9 N mm-2. The main conditioning operation before preparation of herbaceous biomass compositions for solid biofuel production is shredding. Therefore hemp stalks were used for cutting experiments. Cutting using different types of knives mechanisms had been investigated. Specific shear cutting energy for hemp samples were within 0.02 – 0.04 J mm-2. Hemp stalk material density was determined using AutoCAD software for cross-section area calculation. Density values are 325 ± 18 kg m-3 for hemp stalks. Specific cutting energy per mass unit was calculated on basis of experimentally estimated values of cutting energy and density.
Tectonic Processes Modeling For High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal
Authors: Morozov Vladislav , Tatarinov Victor , Kolesnikov Ilya , Kagan Alexander , Tatarinova Tatiana
Published: August 2015

The possibility of using deep geological formations to dispose of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is a subject raising heated debate among scientists. In Russia, the idea of constructing HLW repository in the Niznekansky granitoid massif (NKM) in Krasnoyarsk area is widely discussed. To solve this problem we are elaborating a technology associated with time – space stability prediction of the geological environment, which is subject to geodynamic processes evolutionary effects. It is based on the prediction of isolation properties stability in a structural tectonic block of the Earth’s crust for a given time. The danger is in the possibility that the selected structural block may be broken by new tectonic faults or movements on a passive fault may be activated and thus underground water may penetrate to HLW containers.
Research On Solar Energy Collector With Cell Polycarbonate Absorber
Authors: Putāns Henriks , Zagorska Viktorija , Ziemelis Imants , Jesko Zanis
Published: August 2015

A flat plate solar collector with cell polycarbonate absorber and transparent cover has been made and its experimental investigation carried out. The collector consists of a wooden box, into which, a layer of heat insulation with a mirror film and 4 mm thick cell polycarbonate sheet, as the absorber, are placed. The coherence between collector’s efficiency, heat carrier and ambient air temperature, as well as intensity of the solar radiation and heat power in the experimental investigation has been obtained. During the experimental examination the maximum temperature of the heat carrier reached 80˚C at the intensity of solar radiation about 0.8 kW/m2 and ambient air temperature around 32˚C. The efficiency of the collector reached 33-60%, depending on the intensity of solar radiation and surrounding air temperature.
Modified Lignin as an Environmentally Friendly Surfactant
Authors: Shulga G. , Shakels V. , Skudra S. , Bogdanovs V.
Published: August 2015

The effect of softwood sulphate lignin modified by its oxidation in alkaline medium on its behaviour at the air-water and oil-water interface, where rapeseed oil and technical fish fat oil served as the oil phase, was investigated. It has been found that, irrespective of the рН values of the water solution, the ability of the modified lignin to be adsorbed at the interfaces exceeds that of unmodified lignin, which is obviously caused by the pronounced differentiation of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts of the molecular structure in the oxidised lignin and the decrease in the content of the high-molecular fraction (Mw is greater than 1000) in it. At low concentrations (≤ 0.01 g/dl), the stabilising action of the modified lignin in the rapeseed oil-water emulsion is the same as that of sodium dodecyl sulphate. The enhanced surface activity of the oxidised sulphate lignin enables it not only to substitute the 30% of the mass of the commercial surfactant in the detergent composition for washing stainless steel plates, used during fish smoking, but also to upgrade its properties.
Properties of Isolated Lignin From Model Wastewater
Authors: Skudra Sanita , Shulga Galia , Shakels Vadims , Belkova Lubova , Reihmane Skaidrite
Published: August 2015

Model wastewater, imitating the hydrothermal treatment of birch wood in the basins of veneer production, was obtained under laboratory conditions. Birch lignin (BLIG) was isolated from the model wastewater by precipitation with concentarted sulphuric acid. The increase in reduced viscosity with decreasing concentration of BLIG in the water solutions indicated its polyelectrolyte behaviour. The presence of both ionized functional groups and hydrophobic aromatic fragments in the BLIG molecules favoured its surface active properties. With decreasing pH and increasing concentration, the surface activity of BLIG at the air-water and oil-water interfaces increased, indicating the enhanced hydrophobicity of lignin fragments due to the protonization of its acidic groups. The pronounced surface activity of BLIG was in accordance with the very low value of its critical micelle concentration. The dependence of the emulsion stability on the ionic strength may testify the predominant structural mechanical mechanism of the stabilization of the rapeseed oil-in-water emulsion, containing BLIG as a stabilizer. The revealed surface properties of the isolated lignin allow predicting its application for lowering surface tension in different disperse systems to prevent the coalescence and agglomeration phenomena.
Phosphorus Removal With Grass In An Apple Orchard Under Influence Of Mulch And Irrigation
Authors: Surikova Valentīna , Kārkliņš Aldis
Published: August 2015

Phosphorus leaching from intensive agriculture systems is one of major contributors responsible for pollution of ground-water and surface water bodies. The aim of this study was to determine the content of phosphorus in orchard lawn for reduction of phosphorus fertilizer application and to include the phosphorus from mown grass into P balance and turnover calculation. The investigation was done at the Latvia State Institute of Fruit–Growing in 2009. Three treatments were compared: control, mulch and fertigation. Inter-row strips were covered by grass vegetation. Grass samples were collected at the time of grass mowing. The removal of phosphorus was calculated as kilograms per hectare area. The concentration of phosphorus in the lawn and the height of grass growth were significantly influenced by the mowing time and the soil moisture treatment. These results can be a base for further studies of phosphorus turnover in an orchard, as well as for fertilizer planning and management.
Nano Scale Methods for Water Pollution Monitoring
Authors: Trumsina Eva , Kukle Silvia , Zommere Gunta
Published: August 2015

The article deals with issues related to the textiles coated with metal nanoparticles and detection of the concentrations of released particles in water. The main risks associated with the use of metal covered textiles are detaching of metal nanoparticles from the material during use and care and thus polluting the environment, or inhaled to get in a human or animal body. Nanoparticles can be detached from the textile during washing also, thus polluting the water body and making detriment to the living beings in them. This article aims to look at equipment for nanoparticle size and concentration detection in liquids. Described the world's most popular methods (Microscopy techniques, Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis) and compared to new, alternative method - Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV) electrography. Within the framework of the article analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of each method and estimated the perspective of GDV electrography for detection of metal nanoparticles in water.
Structure and Phase Changes in Natural and Synthetic Magnesium Aluminum Spinel
Authors: Skvortsova Vera , Mironova-Ulmane Nina , Riekstiņa Daina
Published: August 2015

Natural spinel crystals from Ural and Pamir deposits and synthetic magnesium aluminium spinel single crystals with different stoichiometry (MgO.nAl2O3 ) grown by Verneuil method were used. The photoluminescence (PL), its excitation (PLE) and optical absorption of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric magnesium aluminium spinel crystals containing the chromium and manganese ions and defects produced by fast neutron irradiation( fluence up to 1020cm-2, E>0.1 MeV) are investigated. The broadening of R- and N-lines takes place in synthetic stoichiometric spinel. Structure of synthetic nonstoichiometric spinels (n>1) has to be more disordered, since in addition to the site exchange the so called stoichiometric vacancies are present in the structure. The R- and N-lines broadening takes place after spinel crystals irradiation by fast neutron too. The neutron irradiation causes increasing of the spinel inversion. Furthermore the great deviation from stoichiometry leads to the local structure of α-Al2O3 formation around Cr3+ ions. The orange emission band at 570 nm is belonging to complex center “Mn2+-F+ (or F centre)”.
Natural Fibre Textile Nano-Level Surface Modification
Authors: Vihodceva Svetlana , Barloti Jānis , Kukle Silvija , Zommere Gunta
Published: August 2015

A variety of applications requires production of textile materials with specially designed surface properties. Surface coating by metallic materials have attracted a lot of attention due to their special surface properties, such as UV-absorbsion, antimicrobial, anti-fungicidal and ect. The paper describes the process of vacuum evaporation and magnetron sputtering of copper layers on cotton textile materials and analysis of the metal coated textile surface morphology by laser laboratory complex. The textile samples have been finished by magnetron sputtering and vacuum evaporation technologies and tested for bonding strength, light reflection and light passing properties. The paper presents and discusses the results of the experiment.
Changes In Distribution And Structure Of Wild Origanum Vulgare L. Populations During The Last Decade In Armenia And Implications For Conservation
Authors: Abrahamyan Armine
Published: August 2015

Armenia has a strong interest in examining the biodiversity of native plant species and assessing their conservation status. Anthropogenic threats to this biodiversity such as overpopulation, deforestation and urbanization have simultaneously hindered research and increased the need for it. Only limited information on the genetic biodiversity, population location, structure and size, and conservation status of most of these species is, however, at this time available. During 2006-2009, field studies were conducted to re-locate populations of wild Melissa officinalis L. on the basis of historical (i.e. herbarium voucher) records, and to discover new populations. The growth, phenological and habitat characteristics of the plant, and overall populations size were assessed. GPS map of present and past population distribution were created. This research provided baseline data that can be used for the development of further ex situ and in vitro strategies to conserve unique genotypes, as well as to assess the sustainability of wild populations with regard to the IUCN Red Book Criteria, of this important medicinal and culinary species in Armenia.
Yields And Quality Of Peas Varieties In Latvian Agroclimatic Conditions For Organic Farming
Authors: Agafonova L. , Vigovskis J. , Švarta A.
Published: August 2015

Article summarizes results of study detecting the best varieties of peas cultivated in Latvian organic farming conditions. Study was conducted with new varieties of two species of crop peas: Pisum arvense L. (Pink flower varieties) – Retrija, Almara and Vitra, and Pisum sativa L. (White flower varieties) – Lasma and Zaiga. All varieties were selected in Latvia. The best among white flower varieties in terms of crop productivity was Zaiga variety, where yield was 1.45-1.48 t ha-1. Among pink flower varieties of peas, the most productive was Almara variety, with crop productivity of 1.36-1.69 t ha-1. Retrija variety of peas excels other studied varieties by total protein content and taste properties.
Intellectual Geoinformation System for Earth Sciences
Authors: Beriozko Alexander , Lebedev Alexei , Soloviev Anatoly , Krasnoperov Roman , Rybkina Alena
Published: August 2015

A new technology was elaborated, combining a geoinformation system (GIS) and GIS- oriented algorithmic methods of artificial intellect (AI). Numerous thematic layers for geosciences, obtained from Russian and international scientific sources, were imported into the GIS. Technology and software for integration of AI methods within the GIS in the form of the Centralized Catalogue of Geodata Processing Algorithms (CCGPA) was developed. A GIS visualization subsystem was created to provide interaction between the GIS and its users. It performs geodata layers visualization, map operations, geodata set management, execution of CCGPA-stored algorithms and representation of application results.
Brain Cancer Antibody Display Classification
Authors: Gasparovica Madara , Aleksejeva Ludmila
Published: August 2015

This article explores real data on brain cancer. This type of biological data has a few particularities like a great number of attributes – antibodies and genes. However the number of entries is rather small because the data have to be obtained from real patients. This process is time consuming and very costly. Due to that, this research provides detailed data description as well as analyzes their particularities, type and structure. Correspondingly, classification rules are also difficult to discover. This research is dedicated to finding applications of classification methods aimed at determining interconnections that could be used to classify brain cancer. Working exactly with such unique data has a great practical value, because the data obtained can be used in future to continue the research and in practical diagnostics with the possibility to offer the data to biologists for interpretation. To speed up the obtaining of interconnections, only important attributes were used. Various methods of interconnection determination were employed. Conclusions about this type of data analysis, obtaining classification rules and the precision of obtained rules are made and directions of future work are outlined.
Relationship Between Hydrobiological And Hydrochemical Parameters Of Lakes Of Karelia As Influenced By Their Geoecological Characteristics
Authors: Kalinkina N.M.
Published: August 2015

On the data on 110 lakes of Karelia the role of natural and anthropogenic factors in the forming of hydrochemical and hydrobiological regimes is discussed. It is shown that the prognoses of hydrobiological parameters on the base of hydrochemical data using regression analyses is not possible due to high variability of data. For the purpose of reconstruction hydrobiological data the complex indexes were worked, then the classification of lakes of Karelia was done. Using the methods of multivariate statistics and the contingency tables the connections between chemical and hydrobiological parameters were investigated. The prognoses tables were calculated to reconstruct the zooplankton and zoobenthos biomass on the base of total phosphorous concentration. The precision of the prognoses varied within 55-86%.
Renewable Resourse Integration In Biodegradable Composites
Authors: Manins M. , Kukle S. , Strazds G. , Bernava A.
Published: August 2015

For a variety of applications it is desirable to produce textile materials with specially designed properties. Reinforcing 2D and 3D woven structures for fibers reinforced polymer composites were developed from renewable natural fibers and tested in this research work. Results and discussion are presented in the paper.
Breeding For Organic Farming : Obtaining And Evaluation Of Flax Somaclonal Families
Authors: Mikelsone Andra , Grauda Dace , Stramkale Veneranda , Rashal Isaak
Published: August 2015

Plant calli culture could be used as a source of genetic changes (somaclonal variation). There are known several flax varieties, bred on the basis of somaclonal variation, with improved resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, plant height, seed yield and other traits. This method is useful for obtaining the new initial material for flax breeding, including for intensification of breeding for organic farming. Goal of the study was to obtain plants-regenerants from the calli culture of the fibre flax variety ‘Vega 2’ and to evaluate their agronomical traits and resistance to powdery mildew. For obtaining plants-regenerants was used early elaborated protocol of somatic calli cultivation. Agronomically important traits, such as total and technical plant height, number of seed vessels, number of seeds in a seed vessel, and resistance to diseases were evaluated. Most of somaclonal families had higher total and technical plant height in comparison with the initial variety ‘Vega 2’. In the opposite, number of seed vessels and number of seeds in a seed vessel had a tendency to decrease. It was concluded that even changes in not desirable direction may be recognised as an indirect indicator of the rather high level of induced somaclonal variation, which can occurred also in traits, which were not evaluated during this experiment, therefore there is a potential to exploit flax somaclonal variation in applied breeding programs as an additional source of variability.