bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Modal Synthesis for Composite Structures
Authors: Musil Miloš , Chlebo Ondrej
Published: May 2015

A common occurrence in engineering practice is undesirable levels of vibration in the structures of machinery, which decrease their functionality, safety, reliability and service life. Current trends in the dynamic operation of machinery inherently generate such undesirable effects. That is to say, increasing the operational capacity of a machine (higher speeds, higher loads, more changes in operational regimes, etc...) is financially counterproductive to any desired savings in the material/technological realization of such structures. One possible approach to modify the dynamic properties of the structure is through modal synthesis. This approach combines the modal properties of the real structure obtained through measurements with the modal properties of additional components obtained computationally. This approach is particularly effective if the computational model of the built structure is incorrect.
Protection of Membrane Walls of Boilers Against Earthquake Effects
Authors: Poppelka Peter
Published: May 2015

In this article we present a brief overview of the results of our design, construction, calculation and assembly work in the construction of two boilers for Chile, with the main intention of protecting their membrane walls against seismic effects
Tuning the Engine Skoda 781 for Sport Competitions
Authors: Ragan Branislav , Polóni Marián , Chríbik Andrej
Published: May 2015

This article deals with the tuning of a mass-produced engine Skoda 781.136B and its rebuilding into a racing engine. The introduction briefly describes the basic parameters of the massproduced engine. The information is then followed by a detailed description of adjustments to the pipe system, valve timing, cylinder head and crank mechanism. The article presents the benefits in terms of increasing power parameters and there is also a comparison of speed characteristics. The aim of the tuning was to increase the engine power parameters, in particular the torque in the range of 4 000-6 000 min-1, at which the engine most often operates during competitions. The adjustments and optimization of the engine have increased the power parameters in the required range of revolutions by 38-47%.
“Eyes wide shut”: Paul Ricoeur’s Biblical Hermeneutics and the Course of Recognition in John Milton’s Paradise Lost
Authors: Grzegorzewska Małgorzata
Published: May 2015

The author of the paper analyzes John Milton’s great epic narrative through the lenses of Paul Ricoeur’s biblical hermeneutics and his philosophical reflection, in particular the second chapter of the philosopher’s last book, Parcours de la Reconnaissance (The Course of Recognition), devoted mainly to the prospects and pitfalls of recognizing oneself. Two excerpts from St. Paul’s Letter to Romans (14:23b) and the Letter to Corinthians (1, 13:12) highlight the main points of reference in this argument: (1) the concept of involuntary wrongdoing and (2) the contrast between the present opacity and the projected transparency of the knowing subject, connected with the promise of seeing face-to-face, whose fulfilment is rooted in God’s antecedent knowledge of a human being. It is argued that Ricoeur’s focus on the precarious fate of the “fallible man” and his simultaneous desire to outline the destiny of the “capable man” elucidate Milton’s masterpiece evocations of the Aristotelian anagnorisis in Paradise Lost.
“When China Meets China”: Sinéad Morrissey’s Figurations of the Orient, or the Function of Alterity in Julia Kristeva and Paul Ricoeur
Authors: Czemiel Grzegorz
Published: May 2015

This article attempts to investigate the potential resonances between Paul Ricoeur’s and Julia Kristeva’s theories of otherness as applied to the study of poetry by the Northern-Irish poet Sinéad Morrissey. In all of her five poetry books she explores various forms of otherness and attempts to sketch them in verse. She confronts alterity in many ways, approaching such subjects as the relationship with the body and children, encounters with foreigners, and coming to terms with what is foreign within us. This article engages primarily with her experiences of China, which she recorded in the long poem “China” from her third collection, The State of Prisons (2005). Firstly, this article tackles the question of the body, which is interpreted on the basis of Morrissey’s “post-mortem” poems. Their reading prepares the ground for further explorations of otherness, which Morrissey locates at the very heart of human subjectivity. In this way, she also manages to establish a poetic framework for an ethical consideration of otherness. By investigating the working of the human psyche, Morrissey seems to go along the lines of Kristeva and Ricoeur, who claim that otherness is inextricably linked with the formation of human subjectivity. Taking a cue from their philosophical enquiries, the article also attempts to establish where Kristeva’s and Ricoeur’s philosophies overlap.
Spatial and morphological effects of tourism urbanisation in the Łódź Metropolitan Area
Authors: Makowska-Iskierka Marzena
Published: May 2015

The article presents the effects of urbanisation that took place from 1979 to 2004, on the space of tourism areas in the rural-urban fringe of the Łódź Metropolitan Area. The study concerns morphological changes, i.e. land use, land plot development, as well as the technological and social infrastructure of 24 destinations.
New spaces and forms of tourism in experience economy
Authors: Stasiak Andrzej
Published: May 2015

One of the best known economic theories of the early 21st c. is Pine & Gilmore’s of the experience economy (1999). This is nothing new for the tourism industry which has always been selling emotions, dreams and memories involving travel. Recently, however, it has become much more important to provide professionally (consciously and purposefully) prepared tourism products, strongly marked with emotion1. Efforts to create original experiences for tourists include not only various modifications of traditional tourism packages, but also a search for new recreation spaces and new forms of tourism. The aim of this article is to review new tourism-recreational areas (e.g. military areas, new churches, so-called ‘destination centres’, along with ordinary and extreme experience spaces), as well as new forms of travel and recreation (e.g. creative, event, sports, culinary or extreme tourism). The analysis includes those phenomena which above all are currently gaining in popularity as part of the tourist experience triad (WŁODARCZYK 2013).
The diversification of tourism space in Central Pomerania
Authors: Rydz Eugeniusz
Published: May 2015

The paper presents issues of the formation and diversification of the Central Pomeranian tourism space. The author conducted an analysis of tourism accommodation facilities and tourism assets, which allowed him to identify a number of functional subspaces within the Central Pomeranian tourism space. Particular attention was paid to recreational tourism in coastal and lake areas, as well as to selected aspects of agritourism and the role of spas in Central Pomerania.
Selected aspects of the tourist space of the Lublin Region (case study)
Authors: Świeca Andrzej , Brzezińska-Wójcik Teresa , Jóźwik Marta Jolanta , Krukowska Renata , Skowronek Ewa , Tucki Andrzej
Published: May 2015

The article presents the results of studies on the tourist space of the Lublin Region conducted so far by employees of the Department of Regional Geography and Tourism at the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. The studies, regarding the environmental and cultural tourist values, the level of management and transport accessibility, as well as selected elements of the tourism policy of the local authorities, permitted the determination of the tourist potential of spatial units (administrative and physicogeographical) with various importance and character. Areas with varied degrees of attractiveness were distinguished based on their tourist potential. Those classified as attractive and very attractive were described in detail in terms of: the degree of development of the tourist function, functional types of spatial units, perception of tourist space by users, and attitudes of the local community towards the development of tourism.
A proposal for a tourism regionalization of Poland based on the highest levels of tourism in a region
Authors: Sobotka Sławomir
Published: May 2015

The paper presents a brief review of twenty proposals for tourism regionalization of either a part of or the whole of Poland (or attempts to delimit the most attractive areas in terms of leisure), formulated between 1938 and 2012. It also analyses selected definitions of tourism regions and discusses the indicators which are proposed for the delimitation of tourism regions. Moreover, the paper attempts to indicate areas with the highest levels of tourism, in part modelled on Maria Mileska (1908-1988). It includes academic (precise) criteria for the designation of tourism regions. Some researchers’ comment that Mileska’s work is (partially) outmoded not so much from the methods employed as in the number of tourism regions and the areas covered. This should be regarded as understandable given that this regionalization was formulated at the beginning of the 1960s. Another important issue raised is the most recent tourism regionalization of Poland as prepared by Durydiwka.
Intelligent Storage System Based on Automatic Identification
Authors: Kolarovszki Peter , Vaculík Juraj
Published: May 2015

This article describes RFID technology in conjunction with warehouse management systems. Article also deals with automatic identification and data capture technologies and each processes, which are used in warehouse management system. It describes processes from entering goods into production to identification of goods and also palletizing, storing, bin transferring and removing goods from warehouse. Article focuses on utilizing AMP middleware in WMS processes in Nowadays, the identification of goods in most warehouses is carried through barcodes. In this article we want to specify, how can be processes described above identified through RFID technology. All results are verified by measurement in our AIDC laboratory, which is located at the University of Žilina, and also in Laboratory of Automatic Identification Goods and Services located in GS1 Slovakia. The results of our research bring the new point of view and indicate the ways using of RFID technology in warehouse management system.
A Traveller Information System: Minimisation of the Number of Graphs’ Nodes Involved When Processing Route Requests
Authors: Bendaoud Zakaria , Bouamrane Karim
Published: May 2015

The number of people using public transport is continuously increasing. Transport companies want to fulfil travellers’ expectations wherever possible. However, the great number of public transport companies operating in the same area can sometimes confuse travellers as to which route they should take and how to obtain the information relative to their journey. In this paper we suggest integrating several traveller information systems from different companies into the same multimodal information system, offering companies the choice not to share their data. This encourages them to join the system. Additionally, we have minimised the number of nodes involved when processing travellers’ requests in order to simplify the calculation process. To put our plan into action, we have opted for a multi-agent system coupled with the Voronoi decomposition for managing the network.
Oil Pollution in the Southeastern Baltic Sea in 2009-2011
Authors: Lavrova O. Yu. , Mityagina M.I. , Kostianoy A.G. , Semenov A.V.
Published: May 2015

From January 2009 to April 2012 a satellite survey of the central and southeastern parts of the Baltic Sea was carried out by the Space Radar Laboratory at the Space Research Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). The main attention was focused on the detection of oil pollution as well as biogenic and anthropogenic surfactant films. The basic data are high resolution radar images obtained by advanced synthetic aperture radar (ASAR) on board of the Envisat satellite of the European Space Agency. Remotely sensed data in visual and infrared (IR) bands acquired by sensors MERIS Envisat, MODIS-Terra and -Aqua, and AVHRR NOAA nearly simultaneously with the ASAR images, were processed and analysed in order to facilitate the discrimination between different types of surface pollutants, to understand a comprehensive features of meteorological and hydrodynamic processes in the sea area of investigation, and to reveal factors determining pollutants spread and drift. The regions of the most intense oil pollution are outlined.
Major Accident Prevention Risk Communication Effectiveness: A Survey in the Czech Republic
Authors: Řeháček Jakub , Dlabka Jakub , Baudišová Barbora , Danihelka Pavel
Published: May 2015

An effective communication among authorities, citizens and industry is crucial to ensure good awareness of risk and knowledge of adequate reactions in preparedness to major industrial accidents. The present risk communication system in Czech Republic was evaluated by a nationwide survey. The main research was focused on the level of knowledge about risks and appropriate reactions to an accident and on the attitudes towards existing risk communication system. The results of survey indicate that the current system is insufficient and has to be improved to fulfill the requirements of the new Seveso III directive (2012/18/EU) and to secure safety of the citizens.
An Efficacy Trial of Research-Based Curriculum Materials With Curriculum-Based Professional Development
Authors: Taylor Joseph A. , Getty Stephen R. , Kowalski Susan M. , Wilson Christopher D. , Carlson Janet , Van Scotter Pamela
Published: May 2015

This study examined the efficacy of a curriculum-based intervention for high school science students. Specifically, the intervention was two years of research-based, multidisciplinary curriculum materials for science supported by comprehensive professional development for teachers that focused on those materials. A modest positive effect was detected when comparing outcomes from this intervention to those of business-as-usual materials and professional development. However, this effect was typical for interventions at this grade span that are tested using a state achievement test. Tests of mediation suggest a large treatment effect on teachers and in turn a strong effect of teacher practice on student achievement—reinforcing the hypothesized key role of teacher practice. Tests of moderation indicate no significant treatment by demographic interactions.
Transcultural encounters on a Mediterranean island
Authors: Mifsud Dione
Published: May 2015

This article explores the decision by two universities, the University of Malta and the University of Maryland, College Park, U.S.A., to create a dual master's degree in transcultural counselling. The difficulties encountered by the two universities in creating a harmonised system encompassing tuition, assessment, accreditation and regulatory procedures will be discussed, as well as the complexities of learning and teaching and the opportunities for intercultural learning. The article explores the experiences of the students and academics as they grapple with two different philosophical and academic systems, but also with their own personal and professional differences as narrated, composed and received in their different contexts – interactional, historical, institutional and discursive. Through the narratives of the research participants a powerful tool for course evaluation was created.
Efficacy of some botanicals as insecticides on the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera : Tephritidae)
Authors: Sultana S , Aslam AFM , Ahmed FA , Howlader AJ
Published: May 2015

Efficacy of methanolic extracts of different indigenous plant parts, such as the leaves and barks of neem (Azadirachta indica); leaves of basil (Ocimum basilicum), mahua (Madhuca indica), lantana (Lantana camara), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), surjokonna (Spilanthes acmella) and flowers of golden shower (Cassia fistula), rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) and orchid (Mokara charkuan) were tested against the oviposition behavior of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera : Tephritidae). Most effective botanicals as attractants were observed in C. fistula and M. indica. In choice test, the percentage of B. cucurbitae pupae emerged were 0.0 in the leaves and barks of A. indica, 0.22 in flowers of M. charkuan, 1.43 in leaves of O. basilicum, 2.68 in leaves of L. camara, 6.83 in flowers of C. roseus, 5.51 in leaves of S. acmella, 13.27 in leaves of E. globules, 19.99 in flowers of C. fistula and 14.09 in leaves of M. indica. In nochoice test, the respective percentages of B. cucurbitae pupae emerged were 0.0, 2.19, 2.29, 11.68, 10.65, 12.34, 7.73, 6.76, 13.66 and 15.16 for the leaves of A. indica, bark of A. indica, in flowers of M. charkuan, in leaves of O. basilicum, in flowers of L. camara, in flowers of C. roseus, in leaves of S. acmella, in leaves of E. globules, in flowers of C. fistula and in leaves of M. indica. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic crude extracts of the botanicals showed that M. indica was strongly positive for steroid; C. fistula were strongly positive for alkaloid, flavonoids and glycoside and M. charkuan was weakly positive for carbohydrates, alkaloid and steroid.Bangladesh J. Zool. 41(1): 105-112, 2013
A study on-effect of hematoma and perihematomal edema volume on GCS at the time of admission in patients with spontaneous lobar and basal ganglia hemorrhage
Authors: Joarder MA , Karim AKMB , Barua KK , Hossain MA
Published: May 2015

Objective: To know effect of hematoma and perihematomal edema volume on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the time of admission in patients with spontaneous lobar and basal ganglia hemorrhage.Methods: this cross sectional study was conducted in Neurosurgery department, BSMMU to observe effect of hematoma and perihematomal edema volume on GCS at the time of admission in patients with spontaneous lobar and basal ganglia hemorrhage. The duration of study period was from November 2005 to April 2007.Results: a total 48 patients were included in the study and the variables that were analyzed included site of hematoma, volume of hematoma, perihematomal edema and the initial GCS score. Associations between the hematoma and perihematomal edema, site of hemorrhage and perihematomal edema, hematoma volume and GCS at the time of admission, perihematomal edema volume and GCS at the time of admission were evaluated. Level of consciousness (GCS) at the time of admission is the key factor in predicting outcome and neurological deterioration. In our study we found significant association between- hematoma and perihematomal edema volume, hematoma volume and GCS at the time of admission, perihematomal edema volume and GCS at the time of admission. But there was no significant association found between hemorrhage site and perihematomal edema.Conclusion: more the volume of hematoma more was the volume of perihematomal edema. More the volume of hematoma less was the GCS. More the volume of perihematomal edema less was the GCS. But we found no significant association between site of hemorrhage and perihematomal edema volume. GCS is an established predictor of outcome in patients with SICH (spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage). Accurate prediction of the outcome in ICH patients is important for several reasons: a reliable prognosis must be given to patient and relatives as soon as possible, realistic rehabilitation goals should be set and resources should be allocated in the most efficient way.Pulse Vol.7 January-December 2014 p.22-28
A case report of spinal intramedullary lipoma
Authors: Ruby FA , Ahsan S , Hassan Q , Chandy M , Parvin A
Published: May 2015

3 months old boy presented with inablility to move upper limb and cries on touching the upper limb from 1 week of age. On examination reflexes were absent in upper limb but hyper reflexia was found in lower limb. Cervical and brain MRI revealed expansion of the cervical spinal canal with smoothly marginated mass within the cervical cord which is hyperintense in T1WI, T2WI and completely loses its signal intensity in FS and gradient weighted sequences. There was no diffusion restriction and appears mostly intramedullary. MRI features were consistent with intramedullary lipoma in cervical spinal cord.Pulse Vol.7 January-December 2014 p.50-52
Enhanced Hydrogen Generation Properties of MgH2-Based Hydrides by Breaking the Magnesium Hydroxide Passivation Layer
Authors: Ouyang Liuzhang , Ma Miaolian , Huang Minghong , Duan Ruoming , Wang Hui , Sun Lixian , Zhu Min
Published: May 2015

Due to its relatively low cost, high hydrogen yield, and environmentally friendly hydrolysis byproducts, magnesium hydride (MgH2) appears to be an attractive candidate for hydrogen generation. However, the hydrolysis reaction of MgH2 is rapidly inhibited by the formation of a magnesium hydroxide passivation layer. To improve the hydrolysis properties of MgH2-based hydrides we investigated three different approaches: ball milling, synthesis of MgH2-based composites, and tuning of the solution composition. We demonstrate that the formation of a composite system, such as the MgH2/LaH3 composite, through ball milling and in situ synthesis, can improve the hydrolysis properties of MgH2 in pure water. Furthermore, the addition of Ni to the MgH2/LaH3 composite resulted in the synthesis of LaH3/MgH2/Ni composites. The LaH3/MgH2/Ni composites exhibited a higher hydrolysis rate—120 mL/(g·min) of H2 in the first 5 min—than the MgH2/LaH3 composite— 95 mL/(g·min)—without the formation of the magnesium hydroxide passivation layer. Moreover, the yield rate was controlled by manipulation of the particle size via ball milling. The hydrolysis of MgH2 was also improved by optimizing the solution. The MgH2 produced 1711.2 mL/g of H2 in 10 min at 298 K in the 27.1% ammonium chloride solution, and the hydrolytic conversion rate reached the value of 99.5%.
Identification and Validation of Evolutionarily Conserved Unusually Short Pre-mRNA Introns in the Human Genome
Authors: Shimada Makoto , Sasaki-Haraguchi Noriko , Mayeda Akila
Published: May 2015

According to the length distribution of human introns, there is a large population of short introns with a threshold of 65 nucleotides (nt) and a peak at 85 nt. Using human genome and transcriptome databases, we investigated the introns shorter than 66 nt, termed ultra-short introns, the identities of which are scarcely known. Here, we provide for the first time a list of bona fide human ultra-short introns, which have never been characterized elsewhere. By conducting BLAST searches of the databases, we screened 22 introns (37–65 nt) with conserved lengths and sequences among closely related species. We then provide experimental and bioinformatic evidence for the splicing of 15 introns, of which 12 introns were remarkably G-rich and 9 introns contained completely inefficient splice sites and/or branch sites. These unorthodox characteristics of ultra-short introns suggest that there are unknown splicing mechanisms that differ from the well-established mechanism.
Biohydrogen and Bioethanol Production from Biodiesel-Based Glycerol by Enterobacter aerogenes in a Continuous Stir Tank Reactor
Authors: Jitrwung Rujira , Yargeau Viviane
Published: May 2015

Crude glycerol from the biodiesel manufacturing process is being produced in increasing quantities due to the expanding number of biodiesel plants. It has been previously shown that, in batch mode, semi-anaerobic fermentation of crude glycerol by Enterobacter aerogenes can produce biohydrogen and bioethanol simultaneously. The present study demonstrated the possible scaling-up of this process from small batches performed in small bottles to a 3.6-L continuous stir tank reactor (CSTR). Fresh feed rate, liquid recycling, pH, mixing speed, glycerol concentration, and waste recycling were optimized for biohydrogen and bioethanol production. Results confirmed that E. aerogenes uses small amounts of oxygen under semi-anaerobic conditions for growth before using oxygen from decomposable salts, mainly NH4NO3, under anaerobic condition to produce hydrogen and ethanol. The optimal conditions were determined to be 500 rpm, pH 6.4, 18.5 g/L crude glycerol (15 g/L glycerol) and 33% liquid recycling for a fresh feed rate of 0.44 mL/min. Using these optimized conditions, the process ran at a lower media cost than previous studies, was stable after 7 days without further inoculation and resulted in yields of 0.86 mol H2/mol glycerol and 0.75 mol ethanol/mole glycerol.
Current Cervical Carcinoma Screening Guidelines
Authors: Schlichte Megan , Guidry Jacqueline
Published: May 2015

A formidable threat to the health of women, cervical carcinoma can be prevented in many cases with adequate screening. The current guidelines for cervical carcinoma screening were created as joint recommendations of the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) in 2012, and later accepted and promoted by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The 2012 recommendations underscore the utility of molecular testing as an adjunct to cytology screening for certain women and provide guidance to clinicians based on different risk-benefit considerations for different ages. This manuscript will review screening techniques and current recommendations for cervical cancer screening and human papilloma virus (HPV) testing, as well as possible future screening strategies.
Ultrafine-Grained Austenitic Stainless Steels X4CrNi18-12 and X8CrMnNi19-6-3 Produced by Accumulative Roll Bonding
Authors: Ruppert Mathis , Freund Lisa , Wenzl Thomas , Höppel Heinz , Göken Mathias
Published: May 2015

Austenitic stainless steels X4CrNi18-12 and X8CrMnNi19-6-3 were processed by accumulative roll bonding (ARB). Both materials show an extremely high yield strength of 1.25 GPa accompanied by a satisfactory elongation to failure of up to 14% and a positive strain rate sensitivity after two ARB cycles. The strain-hardening rate of the austenitic steels reveals a stabilization of the stress-strain behavior during tensile testing. Especially for X8CrMnNi19-6-3, which has an elevated manganese content of 6.7 wt.%, necking is prevented up to comparatively high plastic strains. Microstructural investigations showed that the microstructure is separated into ultrafine-grained channel like areas and relatively larger grains where pronounced nano-twinning and martensite formation is observed.
Celastrol Protects against Antimycin A-Induced Insulin Resistance in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells
Authors: Abu Bakar Mohamad , Cheng Kian-Kai , Sarmidi Mohamad , Yaakob Harisun , Huri Hasniza
Published: May 2015

Mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation are widely accepted as key hallmarks of obesity-induced skeletal muscle insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional roles of an anti-inflammatory compound, celastrol, in mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance induced by antimycin A (AMA) in human skeletal muscle cells. We found that celastrol treatment improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake activity of AMA-treated cells, apparently via PI3K/Akt pathways, with significant enhancement of mitochondrial activities. Furthermore, celastrol prevented increased levels of cellular oxidative damage where the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in cultures cells was greatly reduced. Celastrol significantly increased protein phosphorylation of insulin signaling cascades with amplified expression of AMPK protein and attenuated NF-κB and PKC θ activation in human skeletal muscle treated with AMA. The improvement of insulin signaling pathways by celastrol was also accompanied by augmented GLUT4 protein expression. Taken together, these results suggest that celastrol may be advocated for use as a potential therapeutic molecule to protect against mitochondrial dysfunction-induced insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle cells.
B-Vitamins and Bone Health–A Review of the Current Evidence
Authors: Dai Zhaoli , Koh Woon-Puay
Published: May 2015

Because of ongoing global ageing, there is a rapid worldwide increase in incidence of osteoporotic fractures and the resultant morbidity and mortality associated with these fractures are expected to create a substantial economic burden. Dietary modification is one effective approach for prevention of osteoporosis in the general population. Recently, B vitamins have been investigated for their possible roles in bone health in human studies. In this review, we provide different lines of evidence and potential mechanisms of individual B vitamin in influencing bone structure, bone quality, bone mass and fracture risk from published peer-reviewed articles. These data support a possible protective role of B vitamins, particularly, B2, B6, folate and B12, in bone health. However, results from the clinical trials have not been promising in supporting the efficacy of B vitamin supplementation in fracture reduction. Future research should continue to investigate the underlying mechanistic pathways and consider interventional studies using dietary regimens with vitamin B enriched foods to avoid potential adverse effects of high-dose vitamin B supplementation. In addition, observational and interventional studies conducted in Asia are limited and thus require more attention due to a steep rise of osteoporosis and hip fracture incidence projected in this part of the world.
An Organic Khorasan Wheat-Based Replacement Diet Improves Risk Profile of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Whittaker Anne , Sofi Francesco , Luisi Maria , Rafanelli Elena , Fiorillo Claudia , Becatti Matteo , Abbate Rosanna , Casini Alessandro , Gensini Gian , Benedettelli Stefano
Published: May 2015

Khorasan wheat is an ancient grain with previously reported health benefits in clinically healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to examine whether a replacement diet, thereby substituting all other cereal grains, with products made with organic khorasan wheat could provide additive protective effects in reducing lipid, oxidative and inflammatory risk factors, in patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) in comparison to a similar replacement diet using products made from organic modern wheat. A randomized double-blinded crossover trial with two intervention phases was conducted on 22 ACS patients (9 F; 13 M). The patients were assigned to consume products (bread, pasta, biscuits and crackers) made either from organic semi-whole khorasan wheat or organic semi-whole control wheat for eight weeks in a random order. On average, patients ingested 62.0 g dry weight (DW) day−1 khorasan or control semolina; and 140.5 g DW day−1 khorasan or control flour, respectively. An eight-week washout period was implemented between the respective interventions. Blood analyses were performed both at the beginning and end of each intervention phase; thereby permitting a comparison of both the khorasan and control intervention phases, respectively, on circulatory risk factors for the same patient. Consumption of products made with khorasan wheat resulted in a significant amelioration in total cholesterol (−6.8%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (−8.1%) glucose (−8%) and insulin (−24.6%) from baseline levels, independently of age, sex, traditional risk factors, medication and diet quality. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipoperoxidation of circulating monocytes and lymphocytes, as well as in the levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha. No significant differences from baseline in the same patients were observed after the conventional control wheat intervention phase. The present results suggest that a replacement diet with cereal products made from organic khorasan wheat provides additional protection in patients with ACS. Circulating cardiovascular risk factors, including lipid parameters, and markers of both oxidative stress and inflammatory status, were reduced, irrespective of the number and combination of medicinal therapies with proven efficacy in secondary prevention.
Evaluating Different Methods for Grass Nutrient Estimation from Canopy Hyperspectral Reflectance
Authors: Wang Junjie , Wang Tiejun , Skidmore Andrew , Shi Tiezhu , Wu Guofeng
Published: May 2015

The characterization of plant nutrients is important to understand the process of plant growth in natural ecosystems. This study attempted to evaluate the performances of univariate linear regression with various vegetation indices (VIs) and multivariate regression methods in estimating grass nutrients (i.e., nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) with canopy hyperspectral reflectance. Synthetically considering predictive accuracy, simplicity, robustness and interpretation, the successive projections algorithm coupled with multiple linear regression (SPA-MLR) method was considered optimal for grass nutrient estimation at the canopy level, when compared with the performances of 12 statistical modeling methods, i.e., univariate linear regression with nine published VIs and three classical multivariate regression methods (stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR), partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector regression (SVR)). The simple ratio index ( , is derivative reflectance) model had comparable performance to SPA-MLR model for P estimation. SPA-MLR provided comparable prediction accuracies with only three first derivative spectral bands for N (715, 731 and 2283 nm) and P (714, 729 and 1319 nm) estimations, compared with PLSR and SVR models, which used the full spectrum. Moreover, SPA-MLR provided robust prediction with the lowest bias values for N (−0.007%) and P (0.001%) estimations, and the fitting line between predicted and measured values was closer to the 1:1 line than the other models. Finally, most of the bands selected by SPA-MLR indirectly relate to foliar chlorophyll content, which suggests good physical interpretation.
Prophétie biblique et prophétie coranique
Authors: Chéno Rémi
Published: May 2015

L’islam se donne comme figure de totalisation et revendique une compréhension totale et extensive du monde. La prophétie y accomplit la loi originaire, le décret divin créateur dont la connaissance constitue un retour au sens premier, caché, toujours antérieur, toujours déjà donné. Le christianisme, en sens contraire, attend un accomplissement de tout l’humain dans le Christ, nouvel Adam qui récapitule la création. L’œuvre de l’Esprit renvoie à un « excès » ou à un « surplus » eschatologique toujours à venir et pas encore donné, sinon en figure dans le Christ.
Devenir musicien dans l’ère numérique
Authors: Garcin Pierre
Published: May 2015

Dans le domaine des musiques amplifiées, on ne peut devenir musicien qu’en se consacrant à son activité et en apprenant en situation, grâce à l’expérience acquise par la pratique. Du fait des difficultés économiques qu’elles rencontrent depuis le début des années 2000, les maisons de disques ont réduit leur budget marketing et développement, laissant aux artistes le soin de construire leur carrière lors d’une période d’autoproduction devenue plus exigeante, puisqu’en plus de devoir maîtriser toutes les étapes de la production, les musiciens doivent prouver leur potentiel commercial en construisant une audience par leurs propres moyens. Ce n’est qu’à ce prix qu’ils auront une chance d’attirer l’attention de partenaires prêts à (s’)investir dans leur projet.
Más allá de la línea de demarcación: piratas, corsarios, bucaneros y colonos invasores en Cuba y el Caribe (1529-1670)
Authors: Martínez-Fernández Luis
Published: May 2015

Este ensayo estudia la interconexión entre las guerras en Europa y una variedad de formas de incursión en el Caribe durante el siglo XVI y XVII. Con atención espacial a sucesos en la isla de Cuba este estudio recorre la evolución de actividades piraticas y la creación y desarrollo de colonias no-españolas y el establecimiento de enclaves bucaneros. Este también provee un análisis sistemático sobre el impacto de los conflictos europeos en la cuenca del Caribe. Por último, aquí se exploran los mecanismos defensivos españoles, tales como la militarización, construcción de fortificaciones y el establecimiento del sistema de flotas.
Los primeros tiempos de Cuba en la ruta antillana del café
Authors: García Álvarez Alejandro
Published: May 2015

En el presente artículo se da a conocer el proceso cafetalero en Cuba durante siglo y medio de actividad (desde su introducción al fin del dominio español sobre la isla), su transformación en objeto de comercio internacional desde finales del siglo XVIII tras la destrucción de Saint Domingue, sus etapas de auge y decadencia en la isla, el abandono de sus tierras de cultivo en favor del azúcar y la rápida difusión de su ingesta por la población de ciudades y pueblos de Cuba.
Las Antillas, nuevamente, «entre imperios» y de cómo enfrentarse al insularismo racialista para alcanzar el objetivo de una confederación regional
Authors: Buscaglia Salgado José F.
Published: May 2015

A principios del siglo XXI los pueblos antillanos vuelven a ser agentes de poca monta en un proceso de reordenamiento geopolítico a escala mundial dentro del cual el Caribe es un escenario de mayor relevancia. Un nuevo período de «entre imperios» ya se vislumbra en el repliegue de los Estados Unidos y el alza de la influencia de China en la región. Este trabajo, ubicado en la intersección de la historia, los estudios culturales y la macropolítica, es una reflexión amplia que rescata el legado del proyecto decimonónico de la Liga Antillana para proponer un posible realineamiento de fuerzas a nivel regional con miras hacia la posibilidad real de romper el complejo de insularismo, la cultura del racialismo y la sujeción política de medio milenio a potencias ultramarinas.
Methods of 3D Object Shape Acquisition
Authors: Zemcik Pavel , Spanel Michal , Krsek Premysl , Richter Miloslav
Published: May 2015

This chapter contains an overview of methods for a 3D object shape from both the surface and the internal structure of the objects. The acquisition methods of interest are optical methods based on objects surface image processing and CT/NMR sensors that explore the object volume structure. The chapter also describes some methods for 3D shape processing. The focus is on 3D surface shape acquisition methods based on multiple views, methods using single view video sequences, and methods that use a single view with a controlled light source. In addition, the volume methods represented by CT/NMR are covered as well. A set of algorithms suitable for the acquired 3D data processing and simplification are shown to demonstrate how the models data can be processed. Finally, the chapter discusses future directions and then draws conclusions.
PDE-Based Image Processing
Authors: Srivastava Rajeev
Published: May 2015

This chapter describes the basic concepts of partial differential equations (PDEs) based image modelling and their applications to image restoration. The general basic concepts of partial differential equation (PDE)-based image modelling and processing techniques are discussed for image restoration problems. These techniques can also be used in the design and development of efficient tools for various image processing and vision related tasks such as restoration, enhancement, segmentation, registration, inpainting, shape from shading, 3D reconstruction of objects from multiple views, and many more. As a case study, the topic in consideration is oriented towards image restoration using PDEs formalism since image restoration is considered to be an important pre-processing task for 3D surface geometry, reconstruction, and many other applications. An image may be subjected to various types of noises during its acquisition leading to degraded quality of the image, and hence, the noise must be reduced. The noise may be additive or multiplicative in nature. Here, the PDE-based models for removal of both types of noises are discussed. As examples, some PDE-based schemes have been implemented and their comparative study with other existing techniques has also been presented.
Hybrid GPU Local Delaunay Triangulation through Points Consolidation
Authors: Buchart Carlos , Amundarain Aiert , Borro Diego
Published: May 2015

This chapter describes a surface reconstruction method that mixes interpolating and approximating features and its implementation in graphics hardware. Hybrid methods are useful in areas such sculpting, medicine, and cultural heritage, where details must be preserved. Such cases may also contain noise (due to sampling inaccuracies) or duplicated points (in the case of the scan is done from multiple points of view), where hybrid methods provide an interesting solution. The proposed method makes use of a point projection operator to create a regular distributed and noise free set of points, which is reconstructed using local Delaunay triangulations. Both points projection and triangulation methods are studied in its basic serial version, but aiming to design parallel versions (more specifically GPU implementations) that increase their performance. The adaptations required for the parallel reconstruction are discussed, and several implementation details are given.
3D Reconstruction of Underwater Natural Scenes and Objects Using Stereo Vision
Authors: Prabhakar C.J. , Kumar P.U. Praveen , Hiremath P.S.
Published: May 2015

Over the last two decades, research community of computer vision has developed various techniques suitable for underwater applications using intensity images. This chapter will explore 3D reconstruction of underwater natural scenes and objects based on stereo vision, which will be helpful in mine detection, inspection of shipwrecks, detection of telecommunication cables and pipelines. The general steps involved in 3D reconstruction using stereo vision are provided. The brief summary of papers for 3D reconstruction of underwater environment is presented. 3D reconstruction of underwater natural scenes and objects is challenging problem due to light propagation in underwater. In contrast to light propagation in the air, the light rays are attenuated and scattered, having a great effect on image quality. We have proposed preprocessing technique to enhance degraded underwater images. At the end of the chapter, we have presented the proposed stereo vision based 3D reconstruction technique to reconstruct 3D surface of underwater objects. Ultimately, this chapter intends to give an overview of the 3D reconstruction technique using stereo vision in order to help a reader in understanding stereo vision and its benefits for underwater applications.
3D Reconstruction of Graph Objects, Scenes, and Environments
Authors: Chikatla Suhana , Bitrus-Ojiambo Ukaiko
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a basic understanding of how three-dimensional (3D) statistical visual displays aid in education. The chapter seeks to discuss the importance of surface objects, scenes, and environments reconstructed to enhance the interpretation of charts. Further described are the different types of 3D charts available: bar, line, and pie charts. The chapter also provides enlightenment about two new concepts: the “3D actual” and “3D obvious” charts. Overall, the chapter focuses on the theoretical background, pedagogical practice, usability, and applicability of using 3D surface charts. The chapter, in addition, provides explanations based on research done by Chikatla (2010), Dempsey, Chikatla, and Inpornvijit (2008), Fisher, Dempsey, and Marousky (1997), and Dempsey and Armstrong (1997).
Application of Red, Green, and Blue Color Channels in 3D Shape Measurement
Authors: Zhang Zonghua
Published: May 2015

Optical full-field measurement techniques have been widely studied in academia and applied to many actual fields of automated inspection, reverse engineering, cosmetic surgery, and so on. With the advent of color CCD cameras and DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) based color DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors, their major red, green, and blue channels have been used as a carrier to code fringe patterns. Since three fringe patterns can be simultaneously projected and captured at one shot, the acquisition time reduces to 1/3 of the value by the gray fringe pattern projection. This chapter will introduce two kinds of applications of red, green, and blue as a carrier: 1) modulation and demodulation method of coding sinusoidal fringe patterns into RGB channels of a composite color image; and 2) modulation and demodulation method of coding sinusoidal and binary fringe patterns into RGB channels of multiple composite color images. Experiments on testing the two kinds of applications were carried out by measuring the shape of objects’ surface. The results confirm that red, green, and blue channels can be used as a carrier to reduce the acquisition time.
Widely-Separated Stereo Views Turn into 3D Objects
Authors: Elias Rimon
Published: May 2015

This chapter discusses the representation of obstacles in an environment with planar ground through wide baseline set of images in the context of teleoperation. The camera parameters are assumed to be known approximately within some range according to the error margins of the sensors used such as inertial devices. The technique proposed in this chapter is based on detecting junctions in all images using the so-called the JUDOCA operator, and through homographic transformation, correlation is applied to achieve point correspondences. The match set is then triangulated to obtain a set of 3D points. Point clustering is then performed to achieve a bounding box for each obstacle, which may be used for localization purposes by itself. Finally, voxel occupancy scheme is applied to get volumetric representation of the obstacles.
Complementary Part Detection and Reassembly of 3D Fragments
Authors: Kaushik Vandana Dixit , Gupta Phalguni
Published: May 2015

This chapter presents an algorithm for identifying complementary site of objects broken into two parts. For a given 3D scanned image of broken objects, the algorithm identifies the rough sites of the broken object, transforms the object to a suitable alignment, registers it with its complementary part which belongs to the same object, and finds the local correspondence among the fragmented parts. The presented algorithm uses multiple granularity descriptors and edge extraction to detect the exact location of multiple cleavage sites in the object. It greatly reduces the amount of information to be matched and also helps in identification of the parts; as a result it reduces the computational time in the processing. It is also applicable to all triangulated surface data even in the presence of noise.
Race as a Learned Identity
Authors: Zhou Molly Y.
Published: May 2015

The chapter focuses on the concept of race as a learned identity based on lived experiences of the story teller. Her experience carried her through academic learning in two higher learning institutions in the United States in the south. Besides her learning of academic knowledge, her discovery of relationships on race in education was something not expected before her journey to the west in the US. The journey is a process of rediscovery of herself and her search for knowledge. The repositioning of herself in a racially diverse society such as the US sheds light on the complex issues on race, academic learning and issues on the support and structure of academic learning and professional development for marginalized populations in higher learning institutions. The finding revealed the question of what race is: it is not the knowledge that matters the most, it is the process of finding one's self in diversity that speaks louder on one's growth and development professionally and personally. It is the process of discovering one's race that matters.