bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Study on the Adhesion and Colonization of Candida Albicans on Metal and Acrylic Piercings
Authors: Stamenov N. , Tomov G. , Denkova Z. , Dobrev I.
Published: April 2016

Oral/perioral piercing may provide an ideal environment for adhesion and colonization of microorganisms. The aim of this study is to perform an “in vitro” research on the capabilities of adhesion of Candida albicans on oral piercings made of plastic and metal. Acrylic and metal piercings were incubated with Candida albicans and then were observed using scanning electron microscopy under different magnifications. A lot of irregularities and roughness were observed on the surface of the plastic piercing unlike the surface of the metal one, which is not so rough. Nevertheless, the number of Candida albicans colonies was considerably larger on the scanned metal surface in comparison to the plastic surface. In vitro the metal surface of the piercing creates better environment for the adhesion and colonization of microorganisms than the acrylic. This could be attributed to the electrostatic forces that most likely attract Candida albicans to the metal piercing in the early stages of biofilm formation.
Serum Cystatin C in Patients with Delayed Graft Function
Authors: Boncheva M. , Gruev T. , Nikolov G.
Published: April 2016

Despite recent studies showing that serum Cystatin C (CysC) is a better marker for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than the ubiquitously used creatinine, the clinical utility of these findings remains to be evaluated. This marker is very sensitive for allograft function after renal transplantation. The concentration of CysC was compared with that of the creatinine. Decreased renal function was followed in 64 transplanted patients. Serum CysC significantly correlated with creatinine in healthy controls (r = 0.625, p < 0.0001), whereas in the transplanted patients the mean serum creatinine and CysC concentrations were: 81 ± 13 mmol/L and 0.90 ± 0.22 mg/L, respectively. Serum CysC and creatinine significantly correlated throughout the post transplantation period (r = 0.686, p < 0.001), but we confirmed differences between kinetics of these parameters. In the first four days after transplantation the CysC concentration was normalized faster than the creatinine concentration. Development of acute rejection episode (between 5 and 7 days) showed high sensitivity and specificity of the changes of CysC compared with those of creatinine.
Determining the Levels of Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone in Patients on Hemodialysis
Authors: Mihaylov R. , Pencheva B. , Stoeva D. , Marinova N. , Krivoshiev S. , Michailov G.
Published: April 2016

Vitamin D deficiency is fequently observed in chronic kidney disease. We conducted this study to determine the concentration of the above-mentioned parameters and the correlation between them in order to optimize therapy with vitamin D in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. In 53 patients on hemodialysis due to ESRD, vitamin D [Calcidiol (25(OH)D], parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus, albuminuria, albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) and other parameters have been followed up. Analysis of the levels of vitamin D has been carried out by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), the PTH is determined by the system Centaur XP, Siemens Diagnostic, Electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), and for albumin in urine we used immunological method [Miltigent microalbumin assay (Abbott Laboratories Diagnostics). We found out deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin D in 56.6% and 37.7%, as well as average 4.5 times increase in the PTH, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, albuminuria (A2 or A3), over 10 times increase in the ACR, secondary hyperparathyroidism. We registered a negative correlation between vitamin D and PTH. We confirmed the increase in creatinine and cystatin C in the patients on hemodialysis. There are few literature data for patients on hemodialysis, however, regarding the extent of the vitamin deficiency and its relationship with PTH, albuminuria, calcium, phosphorus, etc. Our data have indicated that patients on hemodialysis due to ESRD are associated with high incidence of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency.
Radial Head Arthroplasty with A Modular Prosthesis – Initial Experience
Authors: Petrov V. , Matev B. , Dikov D.
Published: April 2016

The Mason type III and IV radial head fractures are severe injuries that lead to decreased range of motion, alteration in the kinematics, the load transfer and the stability of the elbow. They are often in conjunction with ligament injuries, anterior or posterior joint dislocations and fractures of the coronoid process, the humeral capitulum and the olecranon. The resection of the head leads to elbow instability, late complications and arthrosis of the elbow. The open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in Mason type III and IV fractures is not able to restore and sustain the anatomical structure and function of the radiocapitellar joint. That is why these fractures require arthroplasty. The best results are reported with the use of metal bipolar prosthetics. We present our initial experience with radial head arthroplasty on three patients with mean follow up 18 months and a review of the English literature.
Effect of nitrogen fertilization and genotype on the yield and yield components of winter wheat
Authors: Sugár Eszter , Berzsenyi Zoltán , Árendás Tamás , Bónis Péter
Published: April 2016

The effect of N fertilization on the yield, yield components, harvest index (HI), and chlorophyll content (SPAD (soil plant analysis development) index) of winter wheat cultivars was investigated in a long-term experiment in Hungary between 2006/2007 and 2008/2009. Maximal grain yield was reached at 80 and 160 kg · ha–1 N treatments, the higher N rate did not lead to a further yield increase in any of the years. A substantial year effect was observed for the yield and yield components. A negative correlation was found between grain number and thousand-kernel weight (TKW). Mv Verbunkos gave among the varieties the highest grain yield, grain number per spike, and SPAD value. There was a significant (P<0.001) positive correlation between the yield and the number of grains per square meter (r=0.85) and between the yield and the SPAD index (r=0.59). A significant (P<0.01) negative correlation was detected between the yield and the TKW (r=–0.44) and a positive correlation between the yield and the HI (r=0.51). Regression analysis revealed a significant linear relationship between the yield and the yield components (number of grains per square meter and TKW) at the various N levels.
Antibiotics in Austrian drinking water resources, survey 2014
Authors: Inreiter Norbert , Huemer Birgit , Springer Burkhard , Humer Franko , Allerberger Franz
Published: April 2016

We surveyed antibiotics in drinking water in Austria. Testing for 37 antimicrobials was performed by online solid-phase extraction–liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectroscopy method. Selection of sample sites for drinking water resources focused on areas considered susceptible to contamination and on geographic population distribution. Sulfamethoxazole was detected in 10 (5%) of 200 samples collected in 2014. Five samples showed concentrations above the limit of quantification (2.5 ng/l). Concentrations measured were ≤8.9 ng/l, making toxic effects highly unlikely. However, even low-level concentrations of antibiotics could increase bacterial resistance. The presence of antibiotics is presently not regulated. We assume anthropogenic pollution (not animal husbandry) as source and ask for a maximum permissible value of antibiotics in drinking water.
Dwarf shrub vegetation of rock ledges and clefts in the Pamir Alai Mountains (Middle Asia: Tajikistan)
Authors: Nowak Arkadiusz , Nowak Sylwia , Nobis Marcin , Nobis Agnieszka
Published: April 2016

The paper presents the results of phytosociological researches on rocky slope vegetation in Tajikistan with the aim to establish a comprehensive syntaxonomical classification system. Field studies were conducted in 2010-2014 in Pamir Alai ranges and Pamirian plateau. Nearly 500 relevés documenting rock and scree vegetation were made according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Numerical analyses of selected 58 relevés representing dwarf shrub vegetation on rock ledges made it possible to distinguish: Ephedro glaucae- Spiraeion baldschuanicae and Ephedrion regeliano-fedtschenkoi alliances, as well as Spiraeetum baldschuanicae, Rhamnetum coriaceae, Pentaphylloidetum parvifoliae and Pentaphylloidetum dryadanthoidis associations, community of Ephedra glauca and community of Rhamnus minuta. The classification of vegetation of dwarf shrubs on rock walls occurring in the Pamir Alai Mts is proposed. Because of the species composition, physiognomy and microhabitat conditions, the plant communities were included into Artemisio santolinifoliae- Berberidetea sibiricae class Ermakov et al. 2006. The main factors determining the species composition of the classified associations seem to be the elevation above sea level.The newly described syntaxa are largely defined by species restricted to very narrow ranges in Middle Asia.
Comparison of anti-Aspergillus activity of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and commercial biocide based on silver ions and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Savković Željko D. , Stupar Miloš Č. , Grbić Milica V. Ljaljević , Vukojević Jelena B.
Published: April 2016

The antifungal activities of Origanum vulgare essential oil (EO) and of a biocide based on silver and hydrogen peroxide (Sanosil S003) against seven Aspergillus species isolated from different substrata (stone, brick, silk and paper) of cultural heritage objects in Serbia were evaluated. Microdilution, agar dilution and microatmosphere methods were used to determine minimal fungistatic and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MIC and MFC), and light microscopy to determine structural abnormalities. MIC and MFC values for O. vulgare EO ranged from 0.2 to 5 mg mL−1and for Sanosil S003 from 5 to 250 mg mL−1. Aspergillus sp. sect. fumigati was the most susceptible isolate, where MIC and MFC values were achieved at 0.5 mg mL−1for O. vulgare EO, while MIC and MFC values for Sanosil S003 were achieved at 5 and 10 mg mL−1, respectively. Morpho-physiological changes were documented in all isolates, including lack of sporulation, depigmentation of conidiogenous apparatus and conidia, and presence of aberrant fungal structures. O. vulgare EO exhibited stronger anti-Aspergillus activity than Sanosil S003, as demonstrated by the higher MIC and MFC values and fewer morpho-physiological changes observed in the tested Sanosil S003 concentrations. O. vulgare EO could be an excellent alternative to commercial biocides, with high potential in the field of cultural heritage conservation.
First Italian record of Paspalum notatum Flüggé (Poaceae) and its typification
Authors: Stinca Adriano , Galasso Gabriele , Banfi Enrico
Published: April 2016

In the present work the presence of Paspalum notatum Flüggé (Poaceae) in Italy was reported for the first time. It is a neophyte native to America, known for applications in phytoremediation. Its typification, ecology and invasiveness status are also presented.
Morphological variability of the Bulgarian endemic Betonica bulgarica Degen et Neič. (Lamiaceae) from Sinite Kamani Natural Park, Eastern Balkan Range
Authors: Grozeva Neli H. , Gerdzhikova Mariya A. , Pavlov Dimitar H. , Panayotova Galia D. , Todorova Mima H.
Published: April 2016

Four populations of Betonica bulgarica Degen et Neič. at Sinite Kamani Natural Park were morphologically tested. Intrapopulation and interpopulation variabilities were established. The rеlationship between morphological variability, number, area and ecological appurtenance of the studied populations were explored. The results demonstrated that the main source of phenotype variation is intrapopulation variability, mainly due to the age structure of populations. The most variable traits are height of stem and dimensions of leaves. The registered interpopulation variability was affected by the differences in altitude, soil type and differences in environmental conditions and soil properties. Indumentum and morphology of generative organs had taxonomic significance for distinguishing B. bulgarica from the other species in the genus, including the species that were morphologically most similar to it - Betonica officinalis L.
AirBaltic Case Based Analysis of Potential for Improving Employee Engagement Levels in Latvia through Gamification
Authors: Ērgle Daiga
Published: April 2016

In 2014, airBaltic Corporation introduced a gamified electronic platform called Forecaster with a purpose to increase its employee engagement. The article considers the approach used by the organisation, analyses results, advantages and drawbacks of the organisation, and mainly formulates recommendations for the organisation in order to improve impact on employee engagement through gamification. As a result of the research, the author proposes 8 steps that are useful and applicable to any organisation, and as such those may serve a broader purpose than just improving airBaltic Forecaster tool. The objective of the paper is to draw learnings and put forward suggestions for the organisations in Latvia that are concerned with improving their employee engagement and demonstrate how gamification can be helpful in their endeavour.
Practical Aspects of Physical and MAC Layer Security in Visible Light Communication Systems
Authors: Blinowski Grzegorz J.
Published: April 2016

Visible light communication (VLC) has been recently proposed as an alternative standard to radio-based wireless networks. Originally developed as a physical media for PANs (Personal area Networks) it evolved into universal WLAN technology with a capability to transport internet suite of network and application level protocols. Because of its physical characteristics, and in line with the slogan "what you see is what you send", VLC is considered a secure communication method. In this work we focus on security aspects of VLC communication, starting from basic physical characteristics of the communication channel. We analyze the risks of signal jamming, data snooping and data modification. We also discuss MAC-level security mechanisms as defined in the IEEE 802.15.7 standard. This paper is an extension of work originally reported in Proceedings of the 13th IFAC and IEEE Conference on Programmable Devices and Embedded Systems - PDES 2015
Noise Detection for Biosignals Using an Orthogonal Wavelet Packet Tree Denoising Algorithm
Authors: Schimmack Manuel , Mercorelli Paolo
Published: April 2016

This article deals with the noise detection of discrete biosignals using an orthogonal wavelet packet. In specific, it compares the usefulness of Daubechies wavelets with different vanishing moments for the denoising and compression of the digitalised biosignals in case of surface electromyography (sEMG) signals. The work is based upon the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) version of wavelet package transform (WPT). A noise reducing algorithm is proposed to detect unavoidable noise in the acquired data in a model independent way. The noise of a signal sequence will be defined by a seminorm. This method was developed for a possible observation during a fracture healing period. The proposed method is general for signal processing and its design was based upon the wavelet packet.
Application of High-Resolution 3D Scanning in Medical Volumetry
Authors: Chromy Adam
Published: April 2016

This paper deals with application of 3D scanning technology in medicine. Important properties of 3D scanners are discussed with emphasize on medical applications. Construction of medical 3D scanner according to these specifications is described and practical application of its use in medical volumetry is presented. Besides volumetry, such 3D scanner is usable for many other purposes, like monitoring of recovery process, ergonomic splint manufacturing or inflammation detection.

3D scanning introduces novel volumetric method, which is compared with standard methods. The new method is more accurate compared to present ones. Principles of this method are discussed in paper and its accuracy is evaluated and experimentally verified.
SMTBDD: New Form of BDD for Logic Synthesis
Authors: Kubica Marcin , Kania Dariusz
Published: April 2016

The main purpose of the paper is to suggest a new form of BDD - SMTBDD diagram, methods of obtaining, and its basic features. The idea of using SMTBDD diagram in the process of logic synthesis dedicated to FPGA structures is presented. The creation of SMTBDD diagrams is the result of cutting BDD diagram which is the effect of multiple decomposition. The essence of a proposed decomposition method rests on the way of determining the number of necessary ‘g’ bounded functions on the basis of the content of a root table connected with an appropriate SMTBDD diagram. The article presents the methods of searching non-disjoint decomposition using SMTBDD diagrams. Besides, it analyzes the techniques of choosing cutting levels as far as effective technology mapping is concerned. The paper also discusses the results of the experiments which confirm the efficiency of the analyzed decomposition methods.
Method for Filling and Sharpening False Colour Layers of Dual Energy X-ray Images
Authors: Dmitruk Krzysztof , Mazur Michał , Denkowski Marcin , Mikołajczak Paweł
Published: April 2016

An X-ray scanning and image processing have a vast range of applications in the security. An image of a content of some package being passed for example to an airplane or to the court house may help to figure out if there are any dangerous objects inside that package and to avoid possible threatening situation. As the raw X-ray images are not always easy to analyze and interpret, some image processing methods like an object detection, a frequency resolution increase or a pseudocolouring are being used. In this paper, we propose a pseudocoloring improvement over material based approach. By addition of the edge detection methods we fill and sharpen colour layers over the image, making it easier to interpret. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods using real data, acquired from a professional dual energy X-ray scanner.
Mathematical Model of Communication Delays in Wireless Networks
Authors: Krupanek Beata , Bogacz Ryszard
Published: April 2016

The paper presents a new conception of building probabilistic models of communication delays in wireless networks that basis on using a delta function sequence to describe retransmissions between a transmitter and a receiver. It is assumed that the access time of the transmitter is described by a probability density function and the communication channel established in the wireless medium is disturbed by passive or active factors which cause that the transmission can be not correct and the sent data have to be retransmitted. Theoretical considerations have been verified by measurement results obtained by using the experimental system developed for investigating delays caused by external disturbances influencing the wireless transmission. A method of identification of the proposed model parameters and verification of the identified values has been presented.
Enhanced European Coordination of Accelerator Research and Development – EuCARD2 – Global and Local Impact
Authors: Romaniuk Ryszard S.
Published: April 2016

Wide scale, European, infrastructural research projects on accelerator science and technology are under realization since 2003. CARE project was realized during the period 2003/4-2008, and next EuCARD during 2009-2013. Now during 2014-2017 there is successfully continued EuCARD2 - Enhanced European Coordination of Accelerator R&D. European accelerator R&D community prepares next continuation of the EuCARD inside the Horizon 2020. The paper presents the work developments of EuCARD. Several institutions from Poland are participating in EuCARD: NCNR in Świerk, IChTJ, technical Universites in Łódź, Wrocław and Warsaw. Realization of the project during the last 12 years gave numerable and valuable results combined with essential modernization of the European research infrastructures. From the point of view of domestic interests, where we do not have large research infrastructures, the considerable benefits are associated with the participation of young researchers from Poland - engineers and physicists, in building of the top research infrastructures. Due to such participation, high technologies are developed in several centres in the country. The EuCARD project organizes annual meetings summarizing periodically the R&D advances. The EuCARD AM2015 was held in Barcelona in April.
Distribution of Iodine and Selenium in Selected Food Commodities
Authors: Strapáč I. , Baranová M.
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of the contents of iodine and selenium in selected food commodities. Fresh food commodities were mineralized and analysed for their iodine and selenium content by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry using the calibration curve as the method for determining the contents of the elements. The average fruit and vegetables concentrations of iodine were very low. The cow’s milk, other dairy products, eggs, poultry, fresh water fish, beef, liver, and mushrooms are frequently regarded as the most important natural source of dietary iodine from common foods. The higher concentrations of selenium were recorded in the kidney, liver, pork, beef, poultry, fresh water fish, hen’s eggs, cow’s milk, other dairy products, wheat flour, fats, coffee, peppers, mushrooms and potatoes.
Analgesic Effect of Tramadol and Buprenorphin in Continuous Propofol Anaesthesia
Authors: Capík I. , Nagy O.
Published: April 2016

The objective of this study was to compare in clinical patients the analgesic effect of the centrally acting analgesics tramadol and buprenorphine in continuous intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol. Twenty dogs undergoing prophylactic dental treatment, aged 2−7 years, weighing 6−27 kg, were included in ASA I. and II. groups. Two groups of dogs received intravenous (IV) administration of tramadol hydrochloride (2 mg.kg−1) or buprenorphine hydrochloride (0.2 mg.kg−1) 30 minutes prior to sedation, provided by midazolam hydrochloride (0.3 mg.kg−1) and xylazine hydrochloride (0.5 mg.kg-1) IV. General anaesthesia was induced by propofol (2 mg.kg−1) and maintained by a 120 minutes propofol infusion (0.2 mg.kg−1min−1). Oscilometric arterial blood pressure (ABP) measured in mm Hg, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), SAT, body temperature (BT) and pain reaction elicited by haemostat forceps pressure at the digit were recorded in ten minute intervals. The tramadol group of dogs showed significantly better parameters of blood pressure (P < 0.001), lower tendency to bradycardia (P < 0.05), and better respiratory rate (P < 0.001) without negative influence to oxygen saturation. Statistically better analgesia was achieved in the tramadol group (P < 0.001). Tramadol, in comparison with buprenorphine provided significantly better results with respect to the degree of analgesia, as well as the tendency of complications arising during anaesthesia.
Ultrasound assisted three phase partitioning of peroxidase from waste orange peels
Authors: Vetal Mangesh D. , Rathod Virendra K.
Published: April 2016

Ultrasound assisted three phase partitioning (UATPP) has been explored to intensify the extraction and purification of peroxidase from orange peel (
Antioxidant properties of selected culinary spices
Authors: Słowianek Marta , Leszczyńska Joanna
Published: April 2016

Introduction: Seasonings added to food enhance its flavor and texture. Some of them can also extend their shelf-lives thanks to the presence of antioxidant compounds. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate twenty eight commercially available spices for the total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. Methods: Total phenols were estimated according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined with DPPH assay. Results: Our results showed that the most of analysed spices are rich in phenolic compounds and demonstrate good antioxidant activity. The total polyphenol content oscillated around 0.9-155.1 mg GAE/g with the lowest value for sesame and the highest for cinnamon. The DPPH radical scavenging ability expressed as % ranged from 4.1% for sesame to 94.9% for cloves. Moreover, a moderate correlation (r=0.63, p<0.05) was reported between antioxidant activity and total phenolics, revealing that phenolic compounds are the important antioxidant components in the examined spices. Conclusion: The study shows also that a lot of spices can serve as food preservatives and, at the same time, have a beneficial effect on human health.
Recalculating the White Page-GPS Love in Comme dans un film des frères Coen
Authors: Hastings Valerie
Published: April 2016

Hastings reads the novel Comme dans un film des frères Coen (2010) by Bertrand Gervais as addressing both the midlife and the blank page crisis. Indeed, the main character of this novel is a writer in his fifties who still suffers from the failure of his last novel ignored by the critics. Disenchanted, he slowly enters a world of fantasy, and falls in love with the voice of his GPS he called Gwyneth “parle trop” (speaks too much) therefore recalling the name of the actress with the same name. He gradually loses contact with his wife and his son, a successful painter, and is transformed into “the man who was not there” another character from a movie by the Coen brothers entitled The Barber: the man who was not there. Hastings asks: How could one get lost with a GPS? After the main character had initially bought his GPS for a trip in Australia in order to find his way, it started to go beyond its role as a road guide and questioned where he was in his relationship with his wife, in his career as a writer, and in his skin as a mature man. Not only was the GPS not fulfilling its purpose but also it started to ruin a fragile relationship hoping to find its way back to love during a last minute trip in Australia. Even after destroying the annoying talkative GPS, it continued to disrupt the couple in the plane on the way back to Canada. As much as Gwyneth the GPS is synonymous with escape and freedom, it is also showing the main character the wrong way, the way out of his reality, out of his family and out of his life. His attempts to free himself from Gwyneth are worthless, her image is still there, haunting his thoughts like images from a movie. But the displacement happens at another level than just the diegetic one. The confrontation of the text with moving images has consequences on the shape of the text itself. The mapping of the text on the page is influenced by this amalgam. The white page becomes a space where words are rearranged in different ways, some of which suggest poetry, other cartoons or cinematic images. The displacement of literature in areas that were previously foreign to it is at the heart of creative activity, and determines its renewal. Hastings presents the consequences resulting from the confrontation with the GPS, both on the mapping of one’s identity as well as the mapping and the shaping of the text itself.
Between logos and doxa: The Intelligence of a Machine
Authors: Duarte German A.
Published: April 2016

This paper deals with Parmenides of Elea’s way of inquiry about reality and the opposition emerging from it. In more detail, it analyses how Parmenides’ concepts of logos and doxa present some analogies with Bergson’s thoughts about duration and Time and how these theories influenced the understanding of visual media, especially the cinematographic camera. This survey will allow us to demonstrate that some scientific theories about space that accompanied the development of the cinematographic camera progressively allowed for the birth of a new understanding of this device. In the last section of this study, we will then focus on the way through which the film camera - understood as an intelligent device - passes from the sphere of doxa to the sphere of logos.
Cohabitation among Tertiary Education Students: An Exploratory Study in Bulawayo
Authors: Svodziwa Mathew , Kurete Faith
Published: April 2016

Cohabiting has been associated with a number of problems including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV and AIDS, abortions, sexual abuse and violence, low academic performance, increased cost of medical care and unwanted pregnancies. However, there is little documented information on the extent and the factors influencing cohabitation among the youth and especially among tertiary education students. This study therefore sought to fill this gap by investigating factors that lead to the prevalence and practice of cohabitation by tertiary education students. The research adopted the interpretivist philosophy. The qualitative research methodology was employed in order to understand in greater detail the behaviors, attitudes, opinions, and beliefs of the respondents on cohabitation among tertiary education students. The study used the survey research design. Primary research was conducted using questionnaire surveys that were administered to tertiary education students who participated at the Tertiary Education Sports Association of Zimbabwe in July 2016. There were 100 questionnaires distributed and 78 questionnaires were returned making 78% response rate. The respondents were randomly sampled to participate in the study. The study reflects that cohabitation among the Tertiary education students is quite common. The study noted that it is mostly caused by lack of accommodation, problems with roommates, lack of privacy and the need to be close and intimate with one's lover. In results cohabitation exposes students to premarital sex and other consequences such as unwanted pregnancies, abortion, complications and sexually transmitted infections. The study recommends that tertiary education students should be enlightened during orientations about the dangers of cohabitation. Parents should be encouraged to visit their children and find where and whom they live with while in school.
LBPV for Recognition of Sign Language at Sentence Level: An Approach Based on Symbolic Representation
Authors: Nagendraswamy H.S. , Kumara B.M. Chethana
Published: April 2016

Recognition of signs made by deaf people to produce equivalent textual description for normal people to communicate with deaf people is an essential and challenging task for the pattern recognition and image processing research community. Many researchers have made an attempt to standardize and to propose a sign language recognition system. To the best our knowledge, according to the literature survey, most of the work reported has concentrated at the fingerspelling level or at the word level, and less work at the sentence level has been reported. As sign languages are very abstract, fingerspelling or word level interpretation of signs seems to be a tedious and cumbersome task. Although existing research in sign language recognition is active and extensive, it still remains a challenge to achieve accurate recognition and interpretation of signs at the sentence level. In this paper, we made an attempt to address this problem by proposing an approach that exploits the texture description technique and symbolic data analysis concept to characterize and effectively represent a sign, taking into account the intra-class variations due to different signers or the same signers at different instances of time. In order to study the efficacy of the proposed approach, extensive experiments were carried out on a considerably large database of Indian sign language created by us. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method has shown good recognition performance in terms of F-measure rates.
Downregulation of AdipoR1 is Associated with Increased Circulating Adiponectin Levels in Serbian Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Sopić Miron , Joksić Jelena , Spasojević-Kalimanovska Vesna , Bogavac-Stanojević Nataša , Simić-Ogrizović Sanja , Kravljača Milica , Ivanović Zorana Jelić
Published: April 2016

Background:Since the rise in plasma adiponectin levels in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients has not yet been elucidated, we sought to investigate if patients on hemodialysis (HD) have altered expression of adiponectin receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) compared to healthy subjects.

Methods:This study included 31 patients with chronic kidney disease on HD and 33 healthy subjects (CG). Circulating adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA while AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA levels in PBMCs were determined by real-time PCR.

Results:Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly higher in patients compared to control group (P=0.036). After adjustment for age, BMI and creatinine, this difference became even more significant (P=0.004). In both groups adiponectin correlated with creatinine (CG: r=−0.472, P=0.006; HD: r=−0.375, P=0.038), triglycerides (CG: r=−0.490, P=0.004; HD: r=−0.488, P=0.005), insulin (CG: r=−0.386, P=0.038; HD: r=−0.506, P=0.012) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (CG: r=−0.672, P<0.001; HD: r=−0.584, P=0.001). Significantly lower expression of PBMCs AdipoR1 mRNA was found in patients compared to CG (P=0.034), while AdipoR2 mRNA levels were similarly expressed in PBMCs in both groups.

Conclusions:Complex pathological processes in CKD cause downregulation of AdipoR1 which could ultimately influence AdipoR1 protein levels leading to a state of »adiponectin resistance«.
Adventure into Peacetime Intra-Alliance Espionage: Assessment of the America-Germany Saga
Authors: Amusan Lere , Mchunu Siphiwe
Published: April 2016

Peacetime espionage is often employed by states as a means of acquiring information about competitor states in the international system. However the practice is not limited to competitor states. In a world where security concerns are an ever-present consideration for state action, acts of espionage normally reserved for use against enemies are also used against ally states. The basic premise is that while alliances are able to foster mutual trust and cooperation, they do not conclude that an ally will always be trust-worthy and faithful, most especially, when it involves issues of national interest. The international system and a need to safeguard one’s own interests and population mean that espionage, even against an ally, will remain a necessary state function and all states should therefore remain vigilant against attempts at infiltration of their state secrets. The question of peacetime intra-alliance espionage and the consequences thereof has yet to be answered and it is the purpose of this research to fill that intellectual gap. This research will look at traditionally allied countries, with a long record of cooperation, and not competing states. To achieve this, the case from 2013 of two North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies, Germany and the United States (US), are our main focus. Lessons worth drawing from this, by NATO small states members, shall be discussed.
A reflection on recent trends in wildlife protection in Italy stemming from the question of the Montecristo wild goat
Authors: Masseti Marco
Published: April 2016

The recent, almost complete disappearance of the original wild goats from the island of Montecristo, in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), raises worrying questions about the method currently employed in Italy to compile red lists of animal species requiring protection.
Spatial Kinematic Analysis of Double 4-Link Coupler Used in Low-Floor Tram Powertrains
Authors: Maniowski Michał , Czauderna Tomasz
Published: April 2016

The paper presents kinematic characteristics of the double 4-link coupler system, used in actual powertrain of low-floor trams (NGT6-Kr). The spatial kinematic model of the couplings was formulated assuming ideal joints and rigid members. The constraints equations of the mechanism were solved iteratively and differentiated to obtain the Jacobian matrix. The mobility and singularity analysis of the coupler mechanism was performed on the basis of the Jacobian matrix.

Kinematic characteristics of the single and double coupler system were analyzed for gross angular and linear axle displacements (misalignments), taking the advantage of the fully nonlinear model. The coupling system was evaluated based on criteria describing homokinetics, balancing and clearance demands, and angular displacements in the joints. These criteria were determined for different design parameters like: coupler proportions, platform shift and angle, middle shaft length.
Multiresponse Optimization of Edm Process with Nanofluids Using Topsis Method and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Prabhu S. , Vinayagam B. K.
Published: April 2016

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process with copper tool electrode is used to investigate the machining characteristics of AISI D2 tool steel material. The multi-wall carbon nanotube is mixed with dielectric fluids and its end characteristics like surface roughness, fractal dimension and metal removal rate (MRR) are analysed. In this EDM process, regression model is developed to predict surface roughness. The collection of experimental data is by using L9 Orthogonal Array. This study investigates the optimization of EDM machining parameters for AISI D2 Tool steel using Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and F-test are used to check the validity of the regression model and to determine the significant parameter affecting the surface roughness. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is used to capture the machined image at micro size and using spectroscopy software the surface roughness and fractal dimensions are analysed. Later, the parameters are optimized using MINITAB 15 software, and regression equation is compared with the actual measurements of machining process parameters. The developed mathematical model is further coupled with Genetic Algorithm (GA) to determine the optimum conditions leading to the minimum surface roughness value of the workpiece.
Fe Analysis of a Steam Turbine HP Rotor Blade Stage Concerning Material Effort, Dynamic Properties and Creep Damage Assessment
Authors: Borkowski Paweł , Głowacki Dominik , Nowakowska Agnieszka , Pawlicki Jakub , Zwolinski Janisław
Published: April 2016

This paper is concerned with the 1st stage of HP rotor blade assembly steam turbine TK 120. The methodology was focused on the selection of mechanical properties and the way of the rotor disc modeling and estimating the degree of damage caused by creep. Then the dynamic interference between the frequencies of excitation and the natural frequencies was assessed. Static calculations were performed for the cyclic sectors consisting of the disc, disc blades, spacers and shrouding, including loads as temperature, mass forces from the angular velocity and the pressure on the blades. Then, the creep analysis using a Norton’s model and the modal analysis were performed. Static analysis gave information concerning the distributions of displacements, stress and strain components. In the creep analysis, the creep displacements and stress relaxation versus time were determined and the estimated degree of damage caused by creep was evaluated at each part of the rotor disc. In the modal analysis, the natural frequencies and modes of vibrations corresponding to the nodal diameters were found. The results of modal analysis were shown in the SAFE graph. Numerical calculations have shown that the rotor disc was a well-designed structure and did not reveal any dynamic interference.
Raman spectroscopy and microwave dielectric properties of Sn substituted SrLa4Ti5O17 ceramics
Authors: Manan Abdul , Ullah Atta , Ahmad Arbab Safeer
Published: April 2016

SrLa4Ti5−xSnxO17 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) ceramics were fabricated through solid state ceramic route and their microwave dielectric properties were investigated in an attempt to tune their temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) to zero. The compositions were sintered to single phase SrLa4Ti5O17 and SrLa4Ti4.5Sn0.5O17 ceramics at x = 0 and x = 0.5, and SrLa4Ti4−xSnxO17 along with a small amount of La2Ti2O7 at x = 1. The major phase observed at x = 2 was La2Ti2O7 but along with SrLa4Ti4SnO17 and SrLa4Ti4O15 as the secondary phases. τf decreased from 117 to 23.0 ppm/°C but at the cost of dielectric constant (εr) and quality factor multiplied by resonant frequency (Qufo) which decreased from 65 to 33.6 and 11150 to 4191 GHz, respectively. The optimum microwave dielectric properties, i.e. τf = 38.6 ppm/°C, εr = 45.5 and Q
u
fo = 7919 GHz, correspond to the SrLa4Ti5−xSnxO17 composition with x = 1.
Synthesis and characterization of polyimide thin films obtained by thermal evaporation and solid state reaction
Authors: Al-Ajaj Ikram Atta , Kareem Aseel A.
Published: April 2016

In this research polyimide films were prepared by physical vapor deposition (PVD), using solid state reaction of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and p-phenylene diamine (PDA) to form poly(amic acid) (PAA) films. The resultant films were converted to polyimide by thermal treatment, usually below 300 °C. For this study, a FT-IR spectrometer has been used to measure the effect of imidization temperature on the chemical structure of the vapor-deposited thin films of aromatic PI. When temperature increased, an increase in all absorption peaks was observed. This suggests that residual PAA monomers continued to be converted into PI. The surface topology of the PI films obtained at imidization temperatures of 150, 200, 250 °C for 1 hour was further examined by using AFM atomic force microscopy. It can be clearly seen that the surface became rougher with increasing imidization temperature. The thermal stability of polyimide was also studied by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Progress and Prospects in Stretchable Electroluminescent Devices
Authors: Wang Jiangxin , Lee Pooi See
Published: April 2016

Stretchable electroluminescent (EL) devices are a new form of mechanically deformable electronics that are gaining increasing interests and believed to be one of the essential technologies for next generation lighting and display applications. Apart from the simple bending capability in flexible EL devices, the stretchable EL devices are required to withstand larger mechanical deformations and accommodate stretching strain beyond 10%. The excellent mechanical conformability in these devices enables their applications in rigorous mechanical conditions such as flexing, twisting, stretching, and folding.The stretchable EL devices can be conformably wrapped onto arbitrary curvilinear surface and respond seamlessly to the external or internal forces, leading to unprecedented applications that cannot be addressed with conventional technologies. For example, they are in demand for wide applications in biomedical-related devices or sensors and soft interactive display systems, including activating devices for photosensitive drug, imaging apparatus for internal tissues, electronic skins, interactive input and output devices, robotics, and volumetric displays. With increasingly stringent demand on the mechanical requirements, the fabrication of stretchable EL device is encountering many challenges that are difficult to resolve. In this review, recent progresses in the stretchable EL devices are covered with a focus on the approaches that are adopted to tackle materials and process challenges in stretchable EL devices and delineate the strategies in stretchable electronics. We first introduce the emission mechanisms that have been successfully demonstrated on stretchable EL devices. Limitations and advantages of the different mechanisms for stretchable EL devices are also discussed. Representative reports are reviewed based on different structural and material strategies. Unprecedented applications that have been enabled by the stretchable EL devices are reviewed. Finally, we summarize with our perspectives on the approaches for the stretchable EL devices and our proposals on the future development in these devices.
Optical and Infrared Helical Metamaterials
Authors: Kaschke Johannes , Wegener Martin
Published: April 2016

By tailoring metamaterials with chiral unit cells, giant optical activity and strong circular dichroism have been achieved successfully over the past decade. Metamaterials based on arrays of metal helices have revolutionized the field of chiral metamaterials, because of their capability of exhibiting these pronounced chiro-optical effects over previously unmatched bandwidths. More recently, a large number of new metamaterial designs based on metal helices have been introduced with either optimized optical performance or other chiro-optical properties for novel applications.

The fabrication of helical metamaterials is, however, challenging and even more so with growing complexity of the metamaterial designs. As conventional two-dimensional nanofabrication methods, for example, electron-beam lithography, are not well suited for helical metamaterials, the development of novel three-dimensional fabrication approaches has been triggered.

Here, we will discuss the theory for helical metamaterials and the principle of operation. We also review advancements in helical metamaterial design and their limitations and influence on optical performance. Furthermore, we will compare novel nano- and microfabrication techniques that have successfully yielded metallic helical metamaterials. Finally, we also discuss recently presented applications of helical metamaterials extending beyond the use of far-field circular polarizers.
Fossil Fuel Rents: Who Initiates International Crises?
Authors: Bakaki Zorzeta
Published: April 2016

Existing research suggests that both natural resource abundance and scarcity are likely to increase the risk of interstate and domestic conflict. Two crucial aspects, however, have largely been neglected in the existing literature: (1) the analysis of international crises (i.e. non-violent conflicts) and (2) the effects of different market conditions of energy resources. Especially a growing number of market participants can affect the strategic value of natural resources and, thus, the incentives for international crisis initiation. It is argued that different market structures make countries to adopt either aggressive or more peaceful behavior towards other states, and this is why I empirically then disaggregate fossil fuels along with the market that they belong to. This study examines 179 countries at the monadic level since 1980. The results suggest variation on the incentives of crisis initiation along the different fossil fuels, while I also correct for potential endogeneity issues.