bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of WRF-Forecasts Over Siberia: Air Mass Formation, Clouds and Precipitation
Authors: PaiMazumder Debasish , Henderson David , Molders Nicole
Published: July 2012

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was run as a regional model without data assimilation or
nudging (31 36h-simulations) for July and December 2005 over a limited area domain covering Siberia to examine
weather formation in an air-mass source region. The WRF-results were compared to NCEP1/NCAR-reanalysis,
International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, Global Precipitation Climatology Centre and Canadian Meteorological
Centre data to assess model performance and identify shortcomings. WRF is capable of predicting air-mass formation.
Simulation errors are within the error range of other models. The timing of best/worst agreement differs among quantities
depending on their sensitivity to systematic (model deficiencies) and/or unsystematic errors (e.g. initial conditions).
Overall, the WRF-results agree better with reanalysis for July than December. WRF-results and reanalysis agree best
under persistent high pressure and worst during frontal passages and transition from one pressure regime to another. In
July, WRF provides smaller diurnal amplitudes of 2m-temperature with up to 5.4 K lower, and 3.5 K higher values at
0000 and 1200 UTC than the reanalysis. In December, WRF overestimates 2m-temperature by 1.4 K. WRF-temperatures
excellently agree with the reanalysis from 700 hPa to 300 hPa. Except during frontal passages, wind-speed shows positive
bias. Typically root-mean-square errors and standard deviation of errors of wind-speed (temperature) increase (decrease)
with height. In December, WRF has difficulty predicting the position and strength of the polar jet. WRF underestimates
cloudiness and snow-depth, but overestimates precipitation. In July, predicted convective precipitation is related strongly
to boundaries between different land-cover. WRF-predicted snow-depth strongly correlates with terrain and misses the
observed fine features.
Basic Research on a Cylindrical Implant Made of Shape-Memory Alloy for the Treatment of Long Bone Fracture
Authors: Kawakita Eiji , Wang Zhuo , Kato Takaya , Inaba Tadashi , Kasai Yuichi
Published: July 2012

The internal fixing materials made from shape-memory alloys (SMAs) have recently been reported for long bone fracture. We present a new internal fixation technique using a cylindrical SMAs implant in a rat femoral fracture healing. The implant was designed in a shape to circumferentially fix the fractured bone using resilient SMA claws. To evaluate the fixing ability of the implant, three-point bending and rotation tests were performed. Fifteen female Wister rats were treated surgically as an experimental model. All rats were killed at 16 weeks postoperatively, and the radiological and histological evaluations were performed. In biomechanical test, the good fixation ability of the implant was demonstrated. In animal model, no cases of postoperative infection or death were encountered and postoperative gait was stable in all cases. Radiological examination at 16 weeks postoperatively demonstrated the implant firmly fixed to the fractured part, endosteal healing, and no callus formation in all cases. In Histological evaluation, bone union in all cases was characterized by endochondral ossification from within the medullary cavity. In conclusion, our cylindrical SMA implant provided good fixation in biomechanical tests, and achieved bone union in all 15 rats. If a larger size is designed in the future, our implant will be a clinically applicable, useful fixing material for fracture of the human long bones.
Optimization of total flavonoid compound extraction from camellia sinesis using the artificial neural network and response surface methodology
Authors: Savic Ivan , Nikolic Vesna , Savic Ivana , Nikolic Ljubisa , Stankovic Mihajlo , Moder Karl
Published: July 2012

The aim of this paper was to model and optimize the process of total
flavonoid extraction from the green tea using the artificial neural network
and response surface methodology, as well as the comparation of these
optimization techniques. The extraction time, ethanol concentration and
solid-to-liquid ratio were identified as the independent variables, while the
yield of total flavonoid was selected as the dependent variable. Central
composite design (CCD), using second-order polynomial model and multilayer
perceptron (MLP) were used for fitting the obtained experimental data. The
values of root mean square error, cross-validated correlation coefficient and
normal correlation coefficient for both models indicate that the artificial
neural network is better in prediction of total flavonoid yield than CCD. The
optimal conditions using the desirability function at CCD model was achieved
for the extraction time of 32.5 min, ethanol concentration of 100% (v/v) and
solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:32.5 (m/v). The predicted yield at these
conditions was 2.11 g/100 g of the dried extract (d.e.), while the
experimentally obtained was 2.39 g/100 g d.e. The extraction process was
optimized by the use of simplex method at MLP model. The optimal value of
total flavonoid yield (2.80 g/100 g d.e.) was achieved after the extraction
time of 27.2 min using ethanol concentration of 100% (v/v) at solid-to-liquid
ratio of 1:20.7 (m/v). The predicted value of response under optimal
conditions for MLP model was also experimentally confirmed (2.71 g/100 g
d.e.).
Performance of solar dryer chamber used for convective drying of sponge-cotton
Authors: Aissa Walid , El-Sallak Mostafa , Elhakem Ahmed
Published: July 2012

Solar dryer chamber is designed and operated for five days of July 2008.
Drying experiments are conducted for sponge-cotton; as a reference drying
material in the ranges between 35.0 to 49.5?C of ambient air temperature,
35.2 to 69.8 ?C drying air temperature, 30 to 1258 W/m2 solar radiation and
0.016 to 0.08 kg/s drying air flow rate. For each experiment, the mass flow
rate of the air remained constant throughout the day. The variation of
moisture ratio, drying rate, overall dryer efficiency, and temperature
distribution along the dryer chamber for various drying air temperatures and
air flow rates are discussed. The results indicated that drying air
temperature is the main factor in controlling the drying process and that
air mass flow rate has remarkable influence on overall drying performance.
For the period of operation, the dryer attained an average temperature of
53.68?C with a standard deviation of 8.49?C within a 12-h period from 7:00 h
to 19:00 h. The results of this study indicated that the present drying
system has overall efficiency between 1.85 and 18.6 % during drying
experiments. Empirical correlations of temperature lapse and moisture ratio
in the dryer chamber are found to satisfactorily describe the drying curves
of sponge-cotton material which may form the basis for the development of
solar dryer design charts.
The effect of compressibility, rotation and magnetic field on thermal instability of Walters’ fluid permeated with suspended particles in porous medium
Authors: Aggarwal Kumar , Verma Anushri
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of compressibility,
rotation, magnetic field and suspended particles on thermal stability of a
layer of visco-elastic Walters? (model) fluid in porous medium. Using
linearized theory and normal mode analysis, dispersion relation has been
obtained. In case of stationary convection, it is found that the rotation
has stabilizing effect on the system. The magnetic field may have
destabilizing effect on the system in the presence of rotation while in the
absence of rotation it always has stabilizing effect. The medium
permeability has destabilizing effect on the system in the absence of
rotation while in the presence of rotation it may have stabilizing effect.
The suspended particles and compressibility always have destabilizing
effect. Due to vanishing of visco-elastic parameter, the compressible
visco-elastic fluid behaves like Newtonian fluid. Graphs have also been
plotted to depict the stability characteristics. The viscoelasticity,
magnetic field and rotation are found to introduce oscillatory modes into
the system which were non-existent in their absence.
Unsteady flow and heat transfer of Jeffrey fluid over a stretching sheet
Authors: Hayat Tasawar , Iqbal Zahid , Mustafa Meraj , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: July 2012

The boundary layer flow and heat transfer of an incompressible Jeffrey fluid
have been investigated. The analytic solutions of the arising differential
system have been computed by homotopy analysis method (HAM). The
dimensionless expressions for wall shear stress and surface heat transfer are
also derived. Exact solutions of the momentum equation and numerical
solutions of the dimensionless energy equations have been obtained for the
steady-state case. The results indicate an increase in the velocity and the
boundary layer thickness by increasing the elastic parameter (Deborah number)
for a Jeffrey fluid.
Nonlinear peristaltic flow of Walter's B fluid in an asymmetric channel with heat transfer and chemical reactions
Authors: Mehmood Ullah , Mustapha Norzieha , Shafie Sharidan
Published: July 2012

In this paper, effects of heat and mass transfer on peristaltic transport of
Walter's B fluid in an asymmetric channel are investigated. The governing
equations are solved using regular perturbation method by taking wave number
as a small parameter. Expressions for the stream function, temperature
distribution, heat transfer coefficient, and mass concentration are presented
in explicit form. Solutions are analyzed graphically for different values of
arising parameters such as viscoelastic parameter, Prandtl, Eckert, Soret,
Schmidt and Reynolds number. It has been found that these parameters
considerably affect the considered flow characteristics. Results show that
with an increase in Eckert and Prandtl number temperature and heat transfer
coefficient increase while mass concentration decreases. Further, Mass
concentration also decreases with increasing Soret and Schmidt number.
A study on the mixed convection boundary layer flow and heat transfer over a vertical slender cylinder
Authors: Ellahi Rahmat , Riaz Arshad , Abbasbandy Saeid , Hayat Tasawar , Vafai Kambiz
Published: July 2012

In this investigation, the series solutions of mixed convection boundary
layer flow over a vertical permeable cylinder are constructed. Two types of
series as well numerical solutions are presented by choosing exponential and
rational bases. The resulting differential system are solved by employing
homotopy analysis method (HAM) and Pade technique which have been proven to
be successful in tackling nonlinear problems. We offer various verifications of
the solutions by comparing to existing, documented results and also
mathematically, through reduction of sundry parameters. The convergence of
the series solutions have been discussed explicitly. Comparison with existing
results reveal that the series solutions are not only valid for large (aiding
flow) but also for small values (opposing flow) of ? and the dual solutions do
not obtain in both cases.
Numerical analysis of a turbulent flow in a channel provided with transversal waved baffles
Authors: Benzenine Hamidou , Saim Rachid , Abboudi Said , Imine Omar
Published: July 2012

This article presents a computational analysis of the turbulent flow of air
in a pipe of rectangular section provided with two waved fins sequentially
arranged in the top and the bottom of the channel wall. The governing
equations, based on the k-? model with Low Reynolds Number (LRN) used to
describe the turbulence phenomena, are solved by the finite volume method.
The velocity and pressure terms of momentum equations are solved by the
SIMPLEC algorithm. The profiles of axial velocity, the velocity fields and
the drag coefficient were obtained and presented for all the geometry
considered and for selected sections, namely, upstream, downstream and
between the two waved baffles. This contribution lead to results which were
analyzed by the use of the solid, plane baffles, waved and inclined with
active degrees of 0? up to 45? with a step equal to 15 degree and directed
towards the left. Over the range of the study, the undulation of the baffles
induced with an improvement on the skin friction of about 9.91 % in the case
of ?=15?, more than 16% in the other cases, and concerning the pressure loss,
the undulation of the baffles was insured improvements starter from 10,43% in
all cases compared with the baffles of plane form.
Analytical investigation of nonlinear model arising in heat transfer through the porous fin
Authors: Rostamiyan Yasser , Ganji Domiri , Petroudi Rahimi , Nejad Khazayi
Published: July 2012

In this letter simple analytical methods called homotopy perturbation
method(HPM), variation iteration method(VIM) and perturbation method(PM) are
employed to approach temperature distribution of porous fins. also energy
balance and Darcy's model used to formulate the heat transfer equation. To
study the thermal performance, a type case considered is finite-length fin
with insulated tip. The obtained results from variation iteration method
(VIM) are compared with other analytical techniques proposed before. These
methods are homotopy perturbation method and perturbation method (PM). Also
BVP is applied as a numerical method for validation. The obtained results
shows that the VIM is more accurate, stable and more appropriate than other
techniques. Also it is found that this method is powerful mathematical tools
and can be applied to a large class of linear and nonlinear problems arising
in different fields of science and engineering specially some heat transfer
equations.
Thermal radiation effects on magneto hydro dynamic flow and heat transfer in a channel with porous walls of different permeability
Authors: Naikoti Kishan , Vadithya Meenakshi
Published: July 2012

This paper deals with the problem of thermal radiation effects on magneto
hydro dynamic flow and heat transfer in a channel with porous walls of
different permeability. The equations governing the flow are coupled
non-linear partial differential equations. By introducing the stream
function, the governing partial differential equations are reduced to
ordinary differential equations. The governing equations which are coupled
and highly non-linear are first linearized by quasilinearization technique
and obtained numerical solution by using implicit finite difference scheme.
The effects of various parameters, namely, Reynolds number R, Permeability
parameter K, Hartmann number S2, Prandtl number Pr, and Thermal radiation
parameter F, entering into the problem on the velocity field and temperature
distribution are shown graphically.
Damaged Auditor Reputation and Analysts' Forecast Revision Frequency
Authors: Cahan Steven F. , Chaney Paul K. , Jeter Debra C. , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2012

In this study, we examine the reaction of financial analysts to the events associated with the collapse of Enron and Arthur Andersen. We present evidence that the change in the frequency of downward revisions from the pre-Enron to Enron period was incrementally higher for Andersen clients than for a control sample of matched Big 4 clients. We also find evidence that Andersen clients had incrementally larger forecast errors and greater forecast dispersion than the matched control firms. Our results suggest that the damaging news about Andersen led to an abnormal increase in uncertainty about other Andersen-audited financial statements, which affected analysts' forecast activity and properties. More generally, our results suggest that analyst behavior is tempered by the analyst's perception of audit quality.
Clinical and microbiological parameters in patients with self-ligating and conventional brackets during early phase of orthodontic treatment
Authors: Pejda Slavica , Varga Marina Lapter , Milosevic Sandra Anic , Mestrovic Senka , Slaj Martina , Repic Dario , Bosnjak Andrija
Published: July 2012

Objective:

To determine the effect of different bracket designs (conventional brackets and self-ligating brackets) on periodontal clinical parameters and periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque.

Material and Methods:

The following inclusion criteria were used: requirement of orthodontic treatment plan starting with alignment and leveling, good general health, healthy periodontium, no antibiotic therapy in the previous 6 months before the beginning of the study, and no smoking. The study sample totaled 38 patients (13 male, 25 female; mean age, 14.6 ± 2.0 years). Patients were divided into two groups with random distribution of brackets. Recording of clinical parameters was done before the placement of the orthodontic appliance (T0) and at 6 weeks (T1), 12 weeks (T2), and 18 weeks (T3) after full bonding of orthodontic appliances. Periodontal pathogens of subgingival microflora were detected at T3 using a commercially available polymerase chain reaction test (micro-Dent test) that contains probes for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola.

Results:

There was a statistically significant higher prevalence of A actinomycetemcomitans in patients with conventional brackets than in patients with self-ligating brackets, but there was no statistically significant difference for other putative periodontal pathogens. The two different types of brackets did not show statistically significant differences in periodontal clinical parameters.

Conclusion:

Bracket design does not seem to have a strong influence on periodontal clinical parameters and periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque. The correlation between some periodontal pathogens and clinical periodontal parameters was weak.
Glomerular Hyperfiltration and Renal Disease Progression in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ruggenenti Piero , Porrini Esteban L. , Gaspari Flavio , Motterlini Nicola , Cannata Antonio , Carrara Fabiola , Cella Claudia , Ferrari Silvia , Stucchi Nadia , Parvanova Aneliya , Iliev Ilian , Dodesini Alessandro Roberto , Trevisan Roberto , Bossi Antonio , Zaletel Jelka , Remuzzi Giuseppe ,   for the GFR Study Investigators
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and determinants of hyperfiltration (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] ≥120 mL/min/1.73 m2), GFR decline, and nephropathy onset or progression in type 2 diabetic patients with normo- or microalbuminuria.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We longitudinally studied 600 hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria <200 μg/min and who were retrieved from two randomized trials testing the renal effect of trandolapril and delapril. Target blood pressure (BP) was <120/80 mmHg, and HbA1c was <7%. GFR, albuminuria, and glucose disposal rate (GDR) were centrally measured by iohexol plasma clearance, nephelometry in three consecutive overnight urine collections, and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, respectively.

RESULTS

Over a median (range) follow-up of 4.0 (1.7–8.1) years, GFR declined by 3.37 (5.71–1.31) mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. GFR change was bimodal over time: a larger reduction at 6 months significantly predicted slower subsequent decline (coefficient: −0.0054; SE: 0.0009), particularly among hyperfiltering patients. A total of 90 subjects (15%) were hyperfiltering at inclusion, and 11 of 47 (23.4%) patients with persistent hyperfiltration progressed to micro- or macroalbuminuria versus 53 (10.6%) of the 502 who had their hyperfiltration ameliorated at 6 months or were nonhyperfiltering since inclusion (hazard ratio 2.16 [95% CI 1.13–4.14]). Amelioration of hyperfiltration was independent of baseline characteristics or ACE inhibition. It was significantly associated with improved BP and metabolic control, amelioration of GDR, and slower long-term GFR decline on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite intensified treatment, patients with type 2 diabetes have a fast GFR decline. Hyperfiltration affects a subgroup of patients and may contribute to renal function loss and nephropathy onset or progression. Whether amelioration of hyperfiltration is renoprotective is worth investigating.
Trace element geochemistry of coals from the Southern Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain): preliminary results
Authors: Botor Dariusz
Published: July 2012

Trace element geochemistry of coals from the Southern Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain): preliminary results

Bituminous to anthracite coals from three small Stephanian intramontane coal-bearing basins (La Magdalena, Cinera-Matallana and Sabero) located along the Sabero-Gordón fault line strike-slip systems of the Southern Cantabrian Zone (SCZ) were examined. Coal rank expressed as mean vitrinite reflectance values of these Stephanian coals is in the range 0.72-3.96%. The vitrinite maceral group exceeds 72 vol. % in all of the coals. The coals are characterized by relatively variable contents of mineral matter and coal-ash. The mineral matter comprises, in the main, clay minerals, carbonates, sulphides and quartz. The coals exhibit medium-high concentrations (see for comparison Ronov et al. 1990; Kabata-Pendias, Pendias 1999; Ketris, Yudovich 2009) of the following elements (in ppm): ΣREE (53-205), Ba (300-900), As (11-57), Zn (<50-150), Cr (10-160), Rb (50-145), Co (5-26), Sc (2-24.6), Ce (17-99), Yb (1.3-4.5), Th (2.4-11.9) and U (1.1-8.1), Br (<1-14), Cs (<2-9), Eu (<0,3-1.5), Lu (0.11-0.85) and Sb (0.8-4.8), and relatively low concentrations of Sm (0.6-6.6) and Ta (<1-2). They are also characterised by relatively high Th/U values (1.31-2.29). LREE/HREE values fall in the range 24-44 (average - 30). In contrast, concentrations of Au, Ag, Hg, Ir, Ni, Se, Sn, Sr, and W are below detection limits for the applied INAA method. As the concentrations of elements are significantly higher in coal-ash, most are likely related to mineral matter in the coals.
Pyromorphite formation from montmorillonite adsorbed lead
Authors: Bajda Tomasz , Marchlewski Tomasz , Manecki Maciej
Published: July 2012

Pyromorphite formation from montmorillonite adsorbed lead

The reaction of Pb-adsorbed montmorillonite with aqueous solutions of PO4 and Cl ions results in the decrease in phosphate concentration associated with the formation of a new phase - pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl. Pyromorphite crystals range in size from hundreds of nm to several tens of μm, depending on the PO4, K, and Ca concentrations in the reacting system. A strong ion-exchange effect of K+ and Ca2+ cations on desorption of Pb2+ from Pb-adsorbed montmorillonite was observed. Also, a high concentration of cations leads to a rapid desorption of Pb and the formation of fine pyromorphite crystals. In contrast, low PO4, K and Ca concentrations result in the formation of relatively large euhedral crystals. Final Pb concentrations are much lower in experimental sets than in control experiments with no phosphate present.
Note on the stable isotope values of vein calcite in the El-Seboah peralkaline granite (SW Egypt)
Authors: Hassan Kamaleldin
Published: July 2012

Note on the stable isotope values of vein calcite in the El-Seboah peralkaline granite (SW Egypt)

Stable isotope data for carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) are used to constrain the environments of calcite formation in two veins in the El-Seboah peralkaline granite in south-western Egypt. Vein I with calcite-magnetite-goethite-hematite-quartz, and vein II with calcite-magnetite-goethite-kaolinite-hematite-quartz are texturally distinct. The calcite of each vein has characteristic δ13C- and δ18O-values: + 0.32 and -7.28‰ for vein I and + 1.16 and - 1.21‰ for vein II, respectively. The observed differences between the δ13C values of the two veins indicate that they represent two separate systems of primary dissolved inorganic carbon formed at or near equilibrium with atmospheric CO2. The δ18O values, on the other hand, indicate calcite deposition from meteoric waters which were fresh for vein I and brackish for vein II.
An overview of the association between lamprophyric intrusions and rare-metal mineralization
Authors: Štemprok Miroslav , Seifert Thomas
Published: July 2012

An overview of the association between lamprophyric intrusions and rare-metal mineralization

Granite-related rare metal districts in orogenic settings are occasionally associated with lamprophyre dikes. We recorded 63 occurrences of lamprophyres in bimodal dike suites of about 200 granite bodies related to rare metal deposits. Most lamprophyres occur in Paleozoic and Mesozoic metallogenic provinces in the northern hemisphere. Lamprophyres which are associated with rare metal deposits are calc-alkaline (kersantites, minettes, spessartites) or more rarely alkaline lamprophyres (camptonites, monchiquites) which occur in the roof zone of complex granitic bodies as pre-granitic, intra-granitic, intra-ore or post-ore dikes. Most lamprophyres are spatially associated with dominant felsic dikes and/or with mafic dikes represented by diorites or diabases. Diorites and lamprophyres occasionally exhibit transitional compositions from one to another. Lamprophyres share common geochemical characteristics of highly evolved granitoids such as enrichment in K and F, increased abundances of Li, Rb, and Cs and enrichment in some HFSE (e.g. Zr, U, Th, Mo, Sn, W). Lamprophyres in rare metal districts testify to accessibility of the upper crust to mantle products at the time of rare metal mineralization and possible influence of mantle melts or mantle-derived fluids in the differentiation of granitic melts in the lower crust.
Relationship Between Motor Variability, Accuracy, and Ball Speed in the Tennis Serve
Authors: Antúnez Ruperto , Hernández Francisco , García Juan , Vaíllo Raúl , Arroyo Jesús
Published: July 2012

Relationship Between Motor Variability, Accuracy, and Ball Speed in the Tennis Serve

The main objective of this study was to analyze the motor variability in the performance of the tennis serve and its relationship to performance outcome. Seventeen male tennis players took part in the research, and they performed 20 serves. Linear and non-linear variability during the hand movement was measured by 3D Motion Tracking. Ball speed was recorded with a sports radar gun and the ball bounces were video recorded to calculate accuracy. The results showed a relationship between the amount of variability and its non-linear structure found in performance of movement and the outcome of the serve. The study also found that movement predictability correlates with performance. An increase in the amount of movement variability could affect the tennis serve performance in a negative way by reducing speed and accuracy of the ball.
The Effect of Depth on Drag During the Streamlined Glide: A Three-Dimensional CFD Analysis
Authors: Novais Maria , Silva António , Mantha Vishveshwar , Ramos Rui , Rouboa Abel , Vilas-Boas J. , Luís Sérgio , Marinho Daniel
Published: July 2012

The Effect of Depth on Drag During the Streamlined Glide: A Three-Dimensional CFD Analysis

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of depth on drag during the streamlined glide in swimming using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The Computation Fluid Dynamic analysis consisted of using a three-dimensional mesh of cells that simulates the flow around the considered domain. We used the K-epsilon turbulent model implemented in the commercial code Fluent® and applied it to the flow around a three-dimensional model of an Olympic swimmer. The swimmer was modeled as if he were gliding underwater in a streamlined prone position, with hands overlapping, head between the extended arms, feet together and plantar flexed. Steady-state computational fluid dynamics analyses were performed using the Fluent® code and the drag coefficient and the drag force was calculated for velocities ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 m/s, in increments of 0.50m/s, which represents the velocity range used by club to elite level swimmers during the push-off and glide following a turn. The swimmer model middle line was placed at different water depths between 0 and 1.0 m underwater, in 0.25m increments. Hydrodynamic drag decreased with depth, although after 0.75m values remained almost constant. Water depth seems to have a positive effect on reducing hydrodynamic drag during the gliding. Although increasing depth position could contribute to decrease hydrodynamic drag, this reduction seems to be lower with depth, especially after 0.75 m depth, thus suggesting that possibly performing the underwater gliding more than 0.75 m depth could not be to the benefit of the swimmer.
The Development of an Information Society and Electronic Commerce in the European Union in the Context of Selected Documents of the EU and International Organisations
Authors: Hibner Jacek
Published: July 2012

Due to the rapidly growing use of the Internet, the development of electronic commerce (defined by the World Trade Organization as “the production, distribution, marketing, sale or delivery of goods and services by electronic means”1) has become one of the key aspects of today’s sustained growth. It influences productivity, facilitates the international movement of goods and services, and stimulates export and import trade. The European Union, as well as many multinational organisations, is working towards the harmonisation of their rules, and to facilitate and streamline this kind of international exchange. In this article, the author presents selected documents on electronic commerce published by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the World Trade Organization, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Chamber of Commerce and the European Union since 1994.
RADAR Signal Parameters Estimation in the MTD Tasks
Authors: Prokopenko Igor , Omelchuk Igor , Chyrka Yury
Published: July 2012

RADAR Signal Parameters Estimation in the MTD Tasks

The MTD method adaptive to current target speed, in which suboptimal iterative algorithms for the reflected signal parameters estimation are synthesized, is suggested. This method allows to detect a slowly moving targets with radial speed 3-4 times less, than for pulse-pair subtraction (PPS).
Recognition of Human Emotion from a Speech Signal Based on Plutchik's Model
Authors: Kamińska Dorota , Pelikant Adam
Published: July 2012

Recognition of Human Emotion from a Speech Signal Based on Plutchik's Model

Machine recognition of human emotional states is an essential part in improving man-machine interaction. During expressive speech the voice conveys semantic message as well as the information about emotional state of the speaker. The pitch contour is one of the most significant properties of speech, which is affected by the emotional state. Therefore pitch features have been commonly used in systems for automatic emotion detection. In this work different intensities of emotions and their influence on pitch features have been studied. This understanding is important to develop such a system. Intensities of emotions are presented on Plutchik's cone-shaped 3D model. ThekNearest Neighbor algorithm has been used for classification. The classification has been divided into two parts. First, the primary emotion has been detected, then its intensity has been specified. The results show that the recognition accuracy of the system is over 50% for primary emotions, and over 70% for its intensities.
Near-Perfect Reconstruction Oversampled Nonuniform Cosine-Modulated Filter Banks Based on Frequency Warping and Subband Merging
Authors: Parfieniuk Marek , Petrovsky Alexander
Published: July 2012

Near-Perfect Reconstruction Oversampled Nonuniform Cosine-Modulated Filter Banks Based on Frequency Warping and Subband Merging

A novel method for designing near-perfect reconstruction oversampled nonuniform cosine-modulated filter banks is proposed, which combines frequency warping and subband merging, and thus offers more flexibility than known techniques. On the one hand, desirable frequency partitionings can be better approximated. On the other hand, at the price of only a small loss in partitioning accuracy, both warping strength and number of channels before merging can be adjusted so as to minimize the computational complexity of a system. In particular, the coefficient of the function behind warping can be constrained to be a negative integer power of two, so that multiplications related to allpass filtering can be replaced with more efficient binary shifts. The main idea is accompanied by some contributions to the theory of warped filter banks. Namely, group delay equalization is thoroughly investigated, and it is shown how to avoid significant aliasing by channel oversampling. Our research revolves around filter banks for perceptual processing of sound, which are required to approximate the psychoacoustic scales well and need not guarantee perfect reconstruction.
Are there widespread peracarid species in the deep sea (Crustacea: Malacostraca)?
Authors: Brandt Angelika , Błażewicz-Paszkowycz Magdalena , Bamber Roger , Mühlenhardt-Siegel Ute , Malyutina Marina , Kaiser Stefanie , De Broyer Claude , Havermans Charlotte
Published: July 2012

Are there widespread peracarid species in the deep sea (Crustacea: Malacostraca)?

The global zoogeographic distribution of the most widespread peracarid species occurring in three or more ocean basins below 2000 m is analysed. Basing on the published data we investigated 45 peracarid species, which have a most widespread distribution and most likely are cosmopolitan. Thirty-three species have a wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere. Most species occur in the North Atlantic, however, 16 of these species occur also in the North Pacific, a more limited number of species occurs in the South Atlantic or South Pacific The Southern Ocean displays some special zoogeographic features and 22 widespread species occur there below 2000 m, including highly eurybathic ones. In total, 11 of the analysed species occur in all oceans.Eucopia australis(Lophogastrida),Munneurycope murrayi(Isopoda) andEurythenes gryllus(Amphipoda) are the species with the widest distributions. Other peracarids occurring in all oceans are: the isopodsParamunnopsis oceanicaandEurycope sarsi, the mysidCaesaromysis hispidathe lophogastridEucopia unguiculata, the amphipodMesopleustes abyssorumand the tanaidsExspina typica, Paranarthura insignisandPseudotanais nordenskioldi. No cumacean species has been reported with an ocean-wide distribution butCampylaspis glabraoccurs in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. Among plenty of rare species in each order there are only few species with wide distribution records. There is evidence from molecular genetic studies that some of the widespread peracarids represent several cryptic species, however, some,e.g. Eucopia australis, seem to be truly cosmopolitan species. Geography of sampling is biasing our view of biogeography. The history and quality of taxonomic work as well as the reliability of geo- graphic records (quality control of large databases) limits our investigations of widespread or cosmopolitan species as much as the limited knowledge of variation within most species causes difficulties in defining morpho-species with certainty.
The structure of the male reproductive system of the genus Psallus Fieber (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae)
Authors: Mróz Ewa
Published: July 2012

The structure of the male reproductive system of the genus Psallus Fieber (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae)

The paper presents information on the structure of the male reproductive system in representatives of six subgenera of the genus Psallus. The research demonstrated that the morphological layout of this system is much the same in all the species examined. There are no differences at the subgeneric level.
The latest results of ringing the Lesser Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina) in Slovakia
Authors: Danko Štefan , Mihók Jozef , Fuňák Milan
Published: July 2012

The latest results of ringing the Lesser Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina) in Slovakia

Nine new ringing recoveries of Lesser Spotted Eagles have been collected from abroad and 4 ornithological rings have been successfully read in Slovakia using a monocular up to the end of August 2008. Three of the nine records were from the wintering grounds in Botswana and Zambia (2x), 2 come from a traditional autumn migrating route (Turkey, Israel), 1 ringing recovery represents an autumn spotting in Greece, 1 comes from the spring migration from Turkey and two incomplete records from Hungary. In Slovakia, observation of an adult male shows its fidelity of to the breeding territory even after 6 or 7 years; another male has in his 5th year been nesting 18 km from the site he hatched at. The next observation in Slovakia is represented by a 3 year old non-breeding individual which occured 50 km from the site he hatched at. The final record was of a year old individual that stayed 40 km from the site he originated from. This data suggests that young birds return to Europe right after their first wintering in South Africa.
Latest data on distribution of the Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) in Bulgaria and Slovakia including population density comparison
Authors: Pačenovský Samuel , Shurulinkov Peter
Published: July 2012

Latest data on distribution of the Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) in Bulgaria and Slovakia including population density comparison

The authors provide an outline of actual knowledge on the distribution of the Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) in Bulgaria from 1900 until 2008. The most recent estimates of the species population in Bulgaria are 150-200 and in Slovakia 1500-2000 breeding pairs. On the basis of quantitative samples obtained in the Rila Mts (Bulgaria) and in the High and Western Tatra Mts, Low Tatra Mts, "Krivánska Malá Fatra" Mts, "Veľká Fatra" Mts, "Chočské vrchy" Mts, "Stolické vrchy" Mts (Slovakia) obtained densities in Bulgaria are compared with ascertained densities in similar elevations in Slovakia. In the Rila Mts, 9 territories were found / 23 km2 and average density 0.39 territories / 1 km2 was found, in 1350-2000 m elevation. In Slovakia 75-82 territories were found / 79 km2 and average density 0.95-1.04 territories / 1 km2 was found, in 800-1650 m elevation. The density of Pygmy Owls in the mountains of Bulgaria is twice as low as in the mountains of Slovakia in Western Carpathians. This is probably caused by the distribution at the edge of the distribution area of the species and an higher isolation level in the Balkans. Other evaluated factors, such as habitat quality, health of forest stands, shorter twilight and shorter owl activity in the Balkans than in the Carpathians, negative effect of streams on voice activity of the Pygmy Owls, lack of food supply or lack of breeding holes, or even possible competition with other owl species were not regarded as reasons causing differences in Pygmy Owl densities in compared areas.
Content-Based Instruction: What Can We Learn from Content-Trained Teachers’ and Language-Trained Teachers’ Pedagogies? (Enhanced)
Authors: Kong Stella
Published: July 2012

This article reports on a study of the pedagogies of two content-trained teachers and two language-trained teachers in their content-based second language (L2) classrooms at the middle-school level in two Chinese contexts: Hong Kong and Xi'an. The study aims to identify pedagogies that support content and language learning, referred to here as ‘content and language pedagogies.’ The findings suggest that while the complex content at the middle-school level leads to correspondingly more complex language use, which therefore provides a strong foundation for advancing both content and language learning, the content must be explored in depth and from different perspectives to enable complex knowledge relationships to be co-constructed by the teacher and students through the use of correspondingly complex language to support this learning. This requires teachers to be aware of language form–function relationships.
Scaffolding Inclusion in a Grade 8 Core French Classroom: An Exploratory Case Study (Enhanced)
Authors: Arnett Katy
Published: July 2012

This article reports on two components of a micro case study of a Grade 8 Core French teacher's experiences in meeting the various learner needs in her classroom. Using sociocultural theory (SCT) to unite the constructs of special education and second language (L2) education, this analysis explores the role of both global and discrete teaching strategies in balancing curricular expectations with student needs. Results suggest that the creation of an inclusive classroom environment in this classroom context is likely linked to a teacher's ability to implement known effective practices for L2 education, as these strategies seem to naturally scaffold many of the needs of the students who are included. Further, the teacher's beliefs about supporting a wide range of student needs within this classroom are also revealed as a key influence in this process.
Dynamic thinning of Antarctic glaciers from along-track repeat radar altimetry
Authors: Flament Thomas , Rémy Frédérique
Published: July 2012

Since 2002, the Envisat radar altimeter has measured the elevation of the Antarctic ice sheet with a repeat cycle of 35 days. This long and regular time series is processed using an along-track algorithm to depict in detail the spatial and temporal pattern of elevation change for the whole ice sheet. We use this dataset to examine the spatial and temporal pattern of Pine Island Glacier (PIG) thinning and compare it to the neighbouring glaciers. We also examine additional areas, especially in East Antarctica whose mass balance is poorly known. One advantage of the finer along-track spacing of measurements is that it reveals places of dynamic thinning in regions of rapid ice flow. We observe the acceleration of thinning on PIG. Over the entire basin, the volume loss increased from 7 km3 a-1 during 2002−06 to ~48 km3 a-1 during 2006-10. We also observe accelerated thinning on the lower tens of kilometres of Thwaites Glacier, with a mean thinning of 0.18 m a-1 over its entire basin during our observation period. We confirm the dynamic thinning of Totten Glacier but we do not detect significantly accelerated thinning on any glacier elsewhere than on the coast of the Amundsen Sea.
Square Wave Driver for Piezoceramic Actuators
Authors: Jakiela Slawomir , Zaslona Jan , Michalski Jacek A.
Published: July 2012

We present the circuit and performance of a square wave driver and power supply for piezoceramic actuators characterized by large capacitance, up to 3 μF. Capacitance of piezoceramic element is the key factor that limits the use of powerful actuators operating at high frequencies (kHz). It is thus important to build a driver that allows use of a possible wide set of actuators in the widest range of frequencies appropriate for the piezoelement. The driver that we report uses the properties of non-inductive resistors that allow for operation at high frequencies. Our report details the design, construction, tests and limitations of the device and its application to the control of a microfluidic valve.
Thiol- and Biotin-Labeled Probes for Oligonucleotide Quartz Crystal Microbalance Biosensors of Microalga Alexandrium Minutum
Authors: Lazerges Mathieu , Perrot Hubert , Rabehagasoa Niriniony , Compère Chantal
Published: July 2012

Two quartz crystal microbalance oligonucleotide biosensors of a toxic microalga gene sequence (Alexandrium Minutum) have been designed. Grafting on a gold surface of 20-base thiol- or biotin-labeled probe, and selective hybridization with the complementary 20-base target, have been monitored in situ with a 27 MHz quartz crystal microbalance under controlled hydrodynamic conditions. The frequency of the set up is stable to within a few hertz, corresponding to the nanogram scale, for three hour experiments. DNA recognition by the two biosensors is efficient and selective. Hybridization kinetic curves indicate that the biosensor designed with the thiol-labeled probe is more sensitive, and that the biosensor designed with the biotin-labeled probe has a shorter time response and a higher hybridization efficiency.
An Overview of Autophagy and Yeast Pseudohyphal Growth: Integration of Signaling Pathways during Nitrogen Stress
Authors: Song Qingxuan , Kumar Anuj
Published: July 2012

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to nutritional stress through the regulated activities of signaling pathways mediating autophagy and other conserved cellular processes. Autophagy has been studied intensely in yeast, where over 30 autophagy-related genes have been identified with defined roles enabling the formation of autophagic vesicles and their subsequent trafficking to the central yeast vacuole. Much less, however, is known regarding the regulatory mechanisms through which autophagy is integrated with other yeast stress responses. Nitrogen limitation initiates autophagy and pseudohyphal growth in yeast, the latter being a fascinating stress response characterized by the formation of multicellular chains or filaments of elongated cells. An increasing body of evidence suggests an interrelationship between processes responsive to nitrogen stress with cAMP-dependent PKA and the TOR kinase complex acting as key regulators of autophagy, pseudohyphal growth, and endocytosis. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding of the regulatory events controlling these processes. In particular, we explore the interplay between autophagy, polarized pseudohyphal growth, and to a lesser extent endocytosis, and posit that the integrated response of these processes in yeast is a critical point for further laboratory experimentation as a model of cellular responses to nitrogen limitation throughout the Eukaryota.
Regulation of the Autophagic Bcl-2/Beclin 1 Interaction
Authors: Decuypere Jean-Paul , Parys Jan B. , Bultynck Geert
Published: July 2012

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation process responsible for the delivery of cellular material to the lysosomes. One of the key mechanisms for control of autophagy is the modulation of the interaction between the autophagic protein Beclin 1 and the members of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1). This binding is regulated by a variety of proteins and compounds that are able to enhance or inhibit the Bcl-2/Beclin 1 interaction in order to repress or activate autophagy, respectively. In this review we will focus on this interaction and discuss its characteristics, relevance and regulation.
Achievements and Challenges in Molecular Conductors
Authors: Fukuyama Hidetoshi
Published: July 2012

Molecular solids are generally highly insulating. The creation of conducting molecular solids proved to be a major scientific challenge. As in the case of Si technology, the challenge started as impurity doping in band insulators and then developed into highly doped polymers, which are not crystalline. More conducting materials in crystalline forms have been realized in charge transfer (CT) complexes with two different kinds of molecules, where electrons are transferred between them in solids. In such CT complexes, not only conducting, but also even superconducting systems were achieved in 1980 and today more than 100 different superconductors are known. The most remarkable achievement in this direction was the realization of a truly metallic state in molecular solids based on a single kind of molecule. These are called single component molecular metals (SCMM) and consist of a rich variety of electronic properties. In these conducting molecular solids, CT and SCMM, many interesting electronic properties resulting from mutual Coulomb interactions and electron-phonon interactions have been explored so far, and these will be reviewed briefly in this article from a theoretical viewpoint. Challenges to come, based on these achievements, are also discussed at the end of this review.