bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Extracellular Matrix Developed Using Porcine Articular Cartilage and In Vitro Feasibility Study of Porcine Articular Cartilage as an Anti-Adhesive Film
Authors: Baek Ji , Kim Kyungsook , Yang Soon , Park Seung , Song Bo , Yun Hee-Woong , Jeong Sung , Kim Young , Min Byoung , Kim Moon
Published: January 2016

In this study, we examined whether porcine articular cartilage (PAC) is a suitable and effective anti-adhesive material. PAC, which contained no non-collagenous tissue components, was collected by mechanical manipulation and decellularization of porcine knee cartilage. The PAC film for use as an anti-adhesive barrier was easily shaped into various sizes using homemade silicone molds. The PAC film was cross-linked to study the usefulness of the anti-adhesive barrier shape. The cross-linked PAC (Cx-PAC) film showed more stable physical properties over extended periods compared to uncross-linked PAC (UnCx-PAC) film. To control the mechanical properties, Cx-PAC film was thermally treated at 45 °C or 65 °C followed by incubation at room temperature. The Cx-PAC films exhibited varying enthalpies, ultimate tensile strength values, and contact angles before and after thermal treatment and after incubation at room temperature. Next, to examine the anti-adhesive properties, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on Cx-PAC and thermal-treated Cx-PAC films. Scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence, and MTT assays showed that HUVECs were well adhered to the surface of the plate and proliferated, indicating no inhibition of the attachment and proliferation of HUVECs. In contrast, Cx-PAC and thermal-treated Cx-PAC exhibited little and/or no cell attachment and proliferation because of the inhibition effect on HUVECs. In conclusion, we successfully developed a Cx-PAC film with controllable mechanical properties that can be used as an anti-adhesive barrier.
Biodegradable Nanocomposite Films Based on Sodium Alginate and Cellulose Nanofibrils
Authors: Deepa B. , Abraham Eldho , Pothan Laly , Cordeiro Nereida , Faria Marisa , Thomas Sabu
Published: January 2016

Biodegradable nanocomposite films were prepared by incorporation of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) into alginate biopolymer using the solution casting method. The effects of CNF content (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 wt %) on mechanical, biodegradability and swelling behavior of the nanocomposite films were determined. The results showed that the tensile modulus value of the nanocomposite films increased from 308 to 1403 MPa with increasing CNF content from 0% to 10%; however, it decreased with further increase of the filler content. Incorporation of CNF also significantly reduced the swelling percentage and water solubility of alginate-based films, with the lower values found for 10 wt % in CNF. Biodegradation studies of the films in soil confirmed that the biodegradation time of alginate/CNF films greatly depends on the CNF content. The results evidence that the stronger intermolecular interaction and molecular compatibility between alginate and CNF components was at 10 wt % in CNF alginate films.
Marine Isonitriles and Their Related Compounds
Authors: Emsermann Jens , Kauhl Ulrich , Opatz Till
Published: January 2016

Marine isonitriles represent the largest group of natural products carrying the remarkable isocyanide moiety. Together with marine isothiocyanates and formamides, which originate from the same biosynthetic pathways, they offer diverse biological activities and in spite of their exotic nature they may constitute potential lead structures for pharmaceutical development. Among other biological activities, several marine isonitriles show antimalarial, antitubercular, antifouling and antiplasmodial effects. In contrast to terrestrial isonitriles, which are mostly derived from α-amino acids, the vast majority of marine representatives are of terpenoid origin. An overview of all known marine isonitriles and their congeners will be given and their biological and chemical aspects will be discussed.
Synthesis of Isotopically Labeled 13C3-Simazine and Development of a Simultaneous UPLC-MS/MS Method for the Analysis of Simazine in Soil
Authors: Song Yan , Guo Yangzhen , Zhang Xia , Yang Yue , Chen Shuo , She Gaimei , She Dongmei
Published: January 2016

The isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) is a highly efficient method for tackling the ion suppression in complex matrix by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), but a lack of commercial internal standards is a limiting factor for these analyses. Herein, an economical and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 13C3-simazine via a three-step procedure was developed. The isotope-labeled internal standard was used for determination of simazine residue in soil samples. The quantitation method has a limit of detection of 0.015 μg/kg and quantitation of 0.08 μg/kg. The inter-day and intra-day precision of the method were below 4.6%. Recovery values were ranged between 92.9% and 99.2%. All the samples obtained from six provinces in China contained from 1 to 62 μg/kg of simazine.
Therapeutic Potential to Modify the Mucus Barrier in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Sun Jing , Shen Xiao , Li Yi , Guo Zhen , Zhu Weiming , Zuo Lugen , Zhao Jie , Gu Lili , Gong Jianfeng , Li Jieshou
Published: January 2016

Recently, numerous studies have shown that disruption of the mucus barrier plays an important role in the exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in ulcerative colitis. Alterations in the mucus barrier are well supported by published data and are widely accepted. The use of fluorescence in situ hybridization and Carnoy’s fixation has revealed the importance of the mucus barrier in maintaining a mutualistic relationship between host and bacteria. Studies have raised the possibility that modulation of the mucus barrier may provide therapies for the disease, using agents such as short-chain fatty acids, prebiotics and probiotics. This review describes changes in the mucus barrier of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in animal models of the disease. We also review the involvement of the mucus barrier in the exacerbation of the disease and explore the therapeutic potential of modifying the mucus barrier with short-chain fatty acids, prebiotics, probiotics, fatty acid synthase, H2S, neutrophil elastase inhibitor and phophatidyl choline.
The Role of Immunotherapy in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Kocoglu Mehmet , Badros Ashraf
Published: January 2016

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy. The treatment of this disease has changed considerably over the last two decades with the introduction to the clinical practice of novel agents such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs. Basic research efforts towards better understanding of normal and missing immune surveillence in myeloma have led to development of new strategies and therapies that require the engagement of the immune system. Many of these treatments are under clinical development and have already started providing encouraging results. We, for the second time in the last two decades, are about to witness another shift of the paradigm in the management of this ailment. This review will summarize the major approaches in myeloma immunotherapies.
Scientific Production on Open Access: A Worldwide Bibliometric Analysis in the Academic and Scientific Context
Authors: Miguel Sandra , Tannuri de Oliveira Ely , Cabrini Grácio Maria
Published: January 2016

This research aims to diachronically analyze the worldwide scientific production on open access, in the academic and scientific context, in order to contribute to knowledge and visualization of its main actors. As a method, bibliographical, descriptive and analytical research was used, with the contribution of bibliometric studies, especially the production indicators, scientific collaboration and indicators of thematic co-occurrence. The Scopus database was used as a source to retrieve the articles on the subject, with a resulting corpus of 1179 articles. Using Bibexcel software, frequency tables were constructed for the variables, and Pajek software was used to visualize the collaboration network and VoSViewer for the construction of the keywords’ network. As for the results, the most productive researchers come from countries such as the United States, Canada, France and Spain. Journals with higher impact in the academic community have disseminated the new constructed knowledge. A collaborative network with a few subnets where co-authors are from different countries has been observed. As conclusions, this study allows identifying the themes of debates that mark the development of open access at the international level, and it is possible to state that open access is one of the new emerging and frontier fields of library and information science.
An Assessment of Three Different In Situ Oxygen Sensors for Monitoring Silage Production and Storage
Authors: Shan Guilin , Sun Yurui , Li Menghua , Jungbluth Kerstin , Maack Christian , Buescher Wolfgang , Schütt Kai-Benjamin , Boeker Peter , Schulze Lammers Peter , Zhou Haiyang , Cheng Qiang , Ma Daokun
Published: January 2016

Oxygen (O2) concentration inside the substrate is an important measurement for silage-research and-practical management. In the laboratory gas chromatography is commonly employed for O2 measurement. Among sensor-based techniques, accurate and reliable in situ measurement is rare because of high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the introduction of O2 in the silage. The presented study focused on assessing three types of commercial O2 sensors, including Clark oxygen electrodes (COE), galvanic oxygen cell (GOC) sensors and the Dräger chip measurement system (DCMS). Laboratory cross calibration of O2 versus CO2 (each 0–15 vol.%) was made for the COE and the GOC sensors. All calibration results verified that O2 measurements for both sensors were insensitive to CO2. For the O2 in situ measurement in silage, all O2 sensors were first tested in two sealed barrels (diameter 35.7 cm; height: 60 cm) to monitor the O2 depletion with respect to the ensiling process (Test-A). The second test (Test-B) simulated the silage unloading process by recording the O2 penetration dynamics in three additional barrels, two covered by dry ice (0.6 kg or 1.2 kg of each) on the top surface and one without. Based on a general comparison of the experimental data, we conclude that each of these in situ sensor monitoring techniques for O2 concentration in silage exhibit individual advantages and limitations.
Variations of Heavy Metals from Geothermal Spring to Surrounding Soil and Mangifera Indica–Siloam Village, Limpopo Province
Authors: Durowoju Olatunde , Odiyo John , Ekosse Georges-Ivo
Published: January 2016

Assessment of seasonal variation in concentration of heavy metals–As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn from the Siloam Geothermal Spring and their impacts on surface soils and Mangifera indica were undertaken during winter and summer seasons in South Africa. This was done to determine the environmental pollution status of surface soils and Mangifera indica around the geothermal spring. The geothermal spring water, surface soil (0–15 cm) and Mangifera indica (bark and leaves) samples were collected during 2014 winter and summer seasons. Soil and Mangifera indica samples were treated and digested using microwave and block digestion methods, respectively. The heavy metal concentrations were determined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) (Agilent 7700). The result from this study showed that levels of heavy metals were higher in summer compared to winter season for geothermal spring water, surface soil, and Mangifera indica (barks and leaves). In two-tailed tests (Mann–Whitney U-test), geothermal spring water alone showed significant differences (Z = −2.1035, p < 0.05), whereas the surface soil and barks and leaves of Mangifera indica showed no significant differences (Z = 0.053; 0; −0.524, p > 0.05) in both seasons. Some heavy metals concentrations were above the standard guidelines for drinking water and typical soil, making the soil contaminated. This is a cause for concern as it can affect the environment and the health of the inhabitants of Siloam village, who depend on the geothermal spring as their source of domestic water, irrigation, and other uses. This study also showed that Mangifera indica has a phytoremediative property, which lessens the heavy metal concentrations absorbed from the contaminated soil.
Nature–Culture Relations: Early Globalization, Climate Changes, and System Crisis
Authors: Chew Sing , Sarabia Daniel
Published: January 2016

Globalization has been on everyone’s lips in light of the contemporary conditions. It has been viewed mostly as a stage reached as a result of long-term societal changes over the course of world history. For us, globalization has been an ongoing process for at least the last 5000 years. Little attention has been paid to the socioeconomic and natural processes that led to the current transformation. With the exception of historical sociologists, there is less interest in examining the long-term past as it is often assumed that the past has nothing to teach us, and it is the future that we have to turn our intellectual gaze. This paper will argue the opposite. We believe a long-term tracing of the socioeconomic and political processes of the making of the modern world will allow us to have a more incisive understanding of the current trajectory of world development and transformations. To plead our case, we outline the emergence of the first Eurasian World Economy linking seven regions (Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, the Persian Gulf, Central Asia, South Asia, Ceylon, Southeast Asia, and China) of the world, with the exception of the Americas, starting as early as 200 BC, and the sequence of structural crises and transformations (trading networks and commodities) that has circumscribed the structures and trends of the current global system. Such consideration in our view is limited if we do not also include the relations between social systems and Nature, and the rhythms of the climate. For the latter, an awareness of the natural rhythms of the climate as well as human induced changes or climate forcing have triggered system-wide level collapses during certain early historical periods.
Les plaines du Bas-Sègre. Aspects de la climatologie locale.
Authors: Perrin René
Published: January 2016

Le climat de Lérida se différencie de celui du bassin de l'Ebre par des contrastes thermiques plus marqués, la quasi-absence de vent, l'importance des brouillards en hiver. L'arboriculture fruitière qui s'est développée récemment dans la région, est très sensible aux gelées de printemps. La ville de Lérida soumise à une forte insolation estivale, présentait dans son noyau ancien aménagé, à l'origine, par les Arabes, une remarquable adaptation à cette contrainte climatique.
Le passage international du Somport : le grand rêve des transpyrénéens
Authors: Delas Philippe
Published: January 2016

Lorsqu'on envisagea, au siècle dernier, d'établir une liaison ferroviaire entre Paris et Madrid, le choix de l'itinéraire se porta d'emblée sur un tracé par Hendaye qui apparaissait comme une évidence du point de vue français. Sans doute le passage par le Somport, qui aurait desservi Saragosse, se serait-il mieux accommodé des contraintes du relief espagnol mais il supposait le franchissement des Pyrénées. Dès lors qu'étaient construites les deux lignes littorales, par Hendaye et par Port- Bou, les projets de transpyrénéens ne revêtaient plus aucun caractère d'urgence du point de vue des liaisons internationales et la décision de construire la voie ferrée du Somport fut le résultat de longues tergiversations dans lesquelles les premiers rôles revinrent aux ingénieurs et aux collectivités locales. C'est pourtant l'intérêt tardif de l'Espagne pour une ligne aragonaise évitant la traversée des régions basques ou catalanes qui emporta en fin de compte la décision. Mais entre-temps une série de renoncements d'ordre technique avaient défiguré le projet au point de soumettre l'exploitation à des limitations de charge et de vitesse qui portaient en germe son échec. En 1970 un accident détruisit un pont, d'ailleurs fort modeste, sur le Gave d'Aspe. Depuis lors la liaison ferroviaire est interrompue.
La population de l'îlot opérationnel Saint-Pierre à Bordeaux et ses logements
Authors: Pailhé Joël
Published: January 2016

A l'intérieur du secteur sauvegardé de Bordeaux, la caractéristique d'ensemble des logements de l'îlot opérationnel Saint-Pierre est l'insalubrité et la vétusté ; mais l'analyse à l'échelon de l'îlot permet de mettre en évidence les différences spatiales qui recoupent celles des densités d'occupation. Ces dernières analysées à l'échelon de l'immeuble sont étudiées selon deux méthodes : nombre de mètres carrés par personne et nombres de personnes par logement. Dans un secteur marqué par l'importance des classes populaires (travailleurs immigrés, ouvriers du port, petits artisans) actuellement en pleine évolution, l'étude de la structure sociale à l'échelon de l'immeuble fait apparaître de très grandes différences dans la composition sociale, même dans un espace de paysage homogène. L'unité de l'ensemble est celle de ses contradictions. Les interventions publiques qui visent à la rénovation de l'îlot ne manqueront pas d'avoir des conséquences sur l'espace bâti et sur la composition sociale de la population.
Les filières d'exode rural : l'exemple d'une commune du Lot
Authors: Marconis Robert
Published: January 2016

L'auteur examine le cas de 253 élèves sortis de l'école primaire de Cardaillac, près de Figeac (Lot) entre 1934 et 1974 ; 206 dont 43 résident encore à Cardaillac ont aujourd'hui terminé leur scolarité ; les autres ont gagné Figeac ou la région parisienne. L'auteur insiste sur la relation entre la réussite scolaire et le type de profession de ces émigrés : les meilleurs élèves sont entrés dans le secteur public ou para-public. Il signale aussi l'importance des relations personnelles dans l'accès à la profession.
Les travailleurs migrants dans la Communauté urbaine de Bordeaux
Authors: Borde Jean , Barrère Pierre
Published: January 2016

Immigrant workers in Bordeaux. There are presently 36000 aliens living in the Urban Community of Bordeaux ; this is 6,2 % of the total population. The larger bulk of the alien population consists in 16000 Spaniards whose ancient presence expresses a long tradition. Then come the Portuguese and the Algerians together with peoples from other parts of North Africa : most if not all of them were quite recently attracted by the sudden increase of available non qualified jobs (public works and construction). Up to now few immigrant workers are employed in other branches of industries and trades. As far as housing and residence are concerned, these workers are quite numerous in the poor or shanty houses of some central districts of the oldest part of Bordeaux. But their demand for a better housing in some new peripheral blocks of flats, which are offered for fair rents, is increasing sharply. In spite of official assistance or private endeavour to help their social integration in the city, they generally remain apart ; and the schooling and education of their children experiment enough difficulties to illustrate clearly how uneasy is the way to any solution.
Le conflit automobile-transports en commun dans l'agglomération de Bordeaux
Authors: Marieu Jean
Published: January 2016

Individual automobile transportation versus collective transportation net : an example of conflict between various projects of town planning and management in Bordeaux. — The author does not intend to produce a comprehensive description of the present state of transportation within the boundaries of the urban agglomeration of Bordeaux. He wishes and tries to demonstrate how the idea that Bordeaux should become a one million inhabitants urban district combined with the expensive project of a semi-underground transportation system has a flatly conservative result : the individual car maintains its unrivaled empire and chaos over the whole town. He suggests that a smoother and more efficient solution to the present problem would consist in the amelioration of the existing bus transportation net ; such a solution is supported by an increased number of inhabitants who claim for a revision of the town land use scheme.
SPIRIT: Systematic Planning of Intelligent Reuse of Integrated Clinical Routine Data
Authors: Ammenwerth E. , Hackl W. O.
Published: January 2016

Background: Secondary use of clinical routine data is receiving an increasing amount of attention in biomedicine and healthcare. However, building and analysing integrated clinical routine data repositories are non -trivial, challenging tasks. As in most evolving fields, recognized standards, well-proven methodological frameworks, or accurately described best-practice approaches for the systematic planning of solutions for secon -dary use of routine medical record data are missing.

Objective: We propose a conceptual best-practice framework and procedure model for the systematic planning of intelligent reuse of integrated clinical routine data (SPIRIT).

Methods: SPIRIT was developed based on a broad literature overview and further refined in two case studies with different kinds of clinical routine data, including process-oriented nursing data from a large hospital group and high-volume multimodal clinical data from a neurologic intensive care unit.

Results: SPIRIT aims at tailoring secondary use solutions to specific needs of single departments without losing sight of the institution as a whole. It provides a general conceptual best-practice framework consisting of three parts: First, a secondary use strategy for the whole organization is determined. Second, comprehensive analyses are conducted from two different viewpoints to define the requirements regarding a clinical routine data reuse solution at the system level from the data perspective (BOTTOM UP) and at the strategic level from the future users perspective (TOP DOWN). An obligatory clinical context analysis (IN BETWEEN) facilitates refinement, combination, and integration of the different requirements. The third part of SPIRIT is dedicated to implementation, which comprises design and realization of clinical data integration and management as well as data analysis solutions.

Conclusions: The SPIRIT framework is intended to be used to systematically plan the intelligent reuse of clinical routine data for multiple purposes, which often was not intended when the primary clinical documentation systems were implemented. SPIRIT helps to overcome this gap. It can be applied in healthcare institutions of any size or specialization and allows a stepwise setup and evolution of holistic clinical routine data reuse solutions.
Genetic Gain and Inbreeding from Genomic Selection in a Simulated Commercial Breeding Program for Perennial Ryegrass
Authors: Lin Zibei , Cogan Noel O. I. , Pembleton Luke W. , Spangenberg German C. , Forster John W. , Hayes Ben J. , Daetwyler Hans D.
Published: January 2016

Genomic selection (GS) provides an attractive option for accelerating genetic gain in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) improvement given the long cycle times of most current breeding programs. The present study used simulation to investigate the level of genetic gain and inbreeding obtained from GS breeding strategies compared with traditional breeding strategies for key traits (persistency, yield, and flowering time). Base population genomes were simulated through random mating for 60,000 generations at an effective population size of 10,000. The degree of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the resulting population was compared with that obtained from empirical studies. Initial parental varieties were simulated to match diversity of current commercial cultivars. Genomic selection was designed to fit into a company breeding program at two selection points in the breeding cycle (spaced plants and miniplot). Genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) for productivity traits were trained with phenotypes and genotypes from plots. Accuracy of GEBVs was 0.24 for persistency and 0.36 for yield for single plants, while for plots it was lower (0.17 and 0.19, respectively). Higher accuracy of GEBVs was obtained for flowering time (up to 0.7), partially as a result of the larger reference population size that was available from the clonal row stage. The availability of GEBVs permit a 4‐yr reduction in cycle time, which led to at least a doubling and trebling genetic gain for persistency and yield, respectively, than the traditional program. However, a higher rate of inbreeding per cycle among varieties was also observed for the GS strategy.
Vloga interpretacije dediščine v narodnih parkih // The role of heritage interpretation in national parks
Authors: Trobec Anja
Published: January 2016

V prispevku je predstavljena vloga interpretacije dediščine pri reševanju različnih izzivov, s katerimi se srečujejo narodni parki. Na kratko je predstavljen razvoj interpretacije dediščine, ki je neločljivo povezan s samim razvojem narodnih parkov. Analizirano in ovrednoteno je udejanjanje interpretacije dediščine v Triglavskem narodnem parku v Sloveniji in v Fiordlandskem narodnem parku na Novi Zelandiji. Rezultati kažejo, da je interpretacija dediščine nepogrešljivo orodje pri upravljanju narodnih parkov, povečevanju njihove priljubljenosti, udejanjanju trajnostno zasnovanega turizma ter ozaveščanju javnosti o pomenu naravne in kulturne dediščine. Še vedno pa v narodnih parkih ostajajo številne neizkoriščene priložnosti za njeno izpopolnjenje.The article presents the role of heritage interpretation in solving the various challenges facing national parks. The evolution of heritage interpretation is presented, as it is inextricably connected to the development of the national parks themselves. The author analysed and evaluated the implementation of heritage interpretation in the Triglav National Park in Slovenia and the Fiordland National Park in New Zealand. The results show that heritage interpretation is an indispensable tool in managing national parks, increasing their popularity, implementing a sustainably devised tourism, and raising the public’s awareness on the importance of parks natural and cultural heritage. However, many opportunities for its improvement in national parks remain unused.
Kartiranje morskih travnikov s podatki mnogosnopnega sonarja // Mapping of marine meadows using multibeam sonar data
Authors: Moškon Sašo , Žibert Janez , Kavšek Branko
Published: January 2016

Prispevek obravnava metodologijo zbiranja akustičnih podatkov o morskem dnu in njihovo uporabo za kartiranje morskih travnikov. Metoda omogoča hitro in učinkovito kartiranje velikih območij morskih travnikov in zagotavlja zvezno pokritost na celotnem obravnavanem območju. V prispevku predstavimo različne akustične sisteme ter njihove prednosti in slabosti pri uporabi za kartiranje morskega dna. Opisan je postopek zajema akustični podatkov, postopek obdelave akustični podatkov, izračun značilk iz akustičnih podatkov ter metode strojnega učenja, ki so uporabljene za kartiranje. Razvita metodologija je preizkušena na realnih podatkih o morskem dnu, posnetih v slovenskem morju, na območju med Izolo in Koprom.This paper deals with the methodology of collecting acoustic data of the seabed and its use for mapping of marine meadows. The method enables fast and efficient mapping of large areas of marine meadows and provides continuous coverage throughout the region. In this paper we present various acoustic systems and their advantages and disadvantages for the mapping of the seabed. Furthermore we present acoustic data acquisition, acoustic data processing, calculation of the acoustic data features and machine learning methods used for mapping. The developed methodology was tested on real acoustic data, recorded in the Slovenian sea, in the area between Izola and Koper.
Novi raziskovalni pristopi v družbeni geografiji: participativno akcijsko raziskovanje // New research approaches in human geography: participative action research
Authors: Podmenik Dane , Bembič Maks
Published: January 2016

Participativno akcijsko raziskovanje predstavlja (radikalen) odmik od »konvencionalnih« raziskovalnih pristopov, saj združuje raziskovanje in aktivizem s ciljem reševanja družbenih problemov. Pri tem je ključni poudarek na vzpostavljanju enakovrednega odnosa med raziskovalcem in raziskovanci, ki so vključeni v procese raziskovanja. Medtem, ko lahko v mednarodni geografiji govorimo o »participativnem« obratu, to ne velja za domačo geografijo, saj se participativnemu akcijskemu raziskovanju za enkrat ne posveča večje pozornosti.We are focusing on the participative action research, which represents a (radical) deviation from ”conventional” research approaches. It combines research and activism, with the aim of solving social problems. One of the main characteristics of this approach is building an equivalent relationship between the researcher and the observers (subjects), which are jointly involved in all stages of the research. While we are witnessing the ”participative” turn in the international geography, this is not the case in the Slovenia, since there is not a lot of attention dedicated to participative action research.
Experimental Approach Regarding the Behavior of a Human Rehabilitation Exoskeleton
Authors: Copilusi Petre Cristian , Ceccarelli Marco , Margine Alexandru
Published: January 2016

In this paper an experimental research was performed in case of a human rehabilitation exoskeleton. The research aim was to evaluate the joint trajectories and the influence of the ground-foot contact by using two distinctive shapes of the exoskeleton foot. Thus an experimental motion analysis was used, called CONTEMPLAS and an exoskeleton prototype with 1DOF placed on a treadmill. The experimental activity was developed when the exoskeleton was used on walking activity. There were studied two types of foot shapes and also the generated impact of their form on the hip, knee and ankle joints trajectories during walking. The obtained results will be useful for the improvement of the exoskeleton orientation in space.
Study of Particle Motion on a Helical Vibrating Surface
Authors: Popescu Diana Ioana
Published: January 2016

The helical trough of a vibratory elevator induces, by its helical vibratory motion, a complex behavior to the transported parts. The paper analyses the displacement of a singular plate material particle on the cylindrical helix of a vibratory elevator, by decomposing the particle motion on slide and jump phases, dependent on the functional specific features of the vibratory equipment. A computer model of the particle motion was developed to study the theoretical average transportation velocity on the helical vibrating surface.
Influences of Varus Tilt on the Stresses in Human Prosthetic Knee Joint
Authors: Calafeteanu Dan , Tarniţă Daniela , Catana Marius , Tarnita Dan
Published: January 2016

In this paper the effects of varus tilt on contact stresses in the three components of total knee prostheses using 3D finite element analysis were investigated. Using Ansys simulation environment, six complex virtual models of human knee joint–prosthesis assembly obtained for six different varus tilts which increase from 176o to 191o, with an increment of 3o have been subjected to finite element analysis in order to obtain the stress maps and total displacements maps.
Crash Tests and the Loads over Driver Head in Different Side Impact Cases
Authors: Ispas Nicolae , Nastasoiu Mircea
Published: January 2016

Car occupant protection in traffic accidents is a key target of today cars manufacturers. Known as active or passive safety, many technological solutions were developing over the time for an actual better car’s occupant safety. In the real world, in traffic accidents are often involved cars from different generations with various safety historical solutions. The aims of these papers are to quantify the influences over the car driver head loads in cases of different generation of cars involved in side crashes. For each case the experimental load results can be future used to calculate Head Injury Criterion (HIC) [1]
1⁄4 Car Model for Suspension Trim Corrector Performances Evaluation
Authors: Niculescu Adrian Ioan
Published: January 2016

The paper presents a complex quarter car model obtained with ADAMS software, View module, useful in the first stage of suspension dimensioning and optimization.The model is equipped with compression and rebound stopper buffer and suspension trim corrector.The proposed quarter car model with two degrees of freedom (wheel and body) performs all these goals allowing changing:Geometrical elementsPosition of equilibrium, depending on vehicle load;Trim correction;Elastic and dissipative characteristics of the suspension and tire;Suspension stroke;Road profile, assessed either by simple or summation of harmonic functions or reproducing real roadsBuffers (for stroke limitation) position and characteristics;The models developed provide information on:Vertical stability assessed by vertical movements of the body and the longitudinal and transversal stability evaluated based on adherence characterized by wheel ground contact force and frequency of soil detachment wheel.Comfort assessed on the basis of body vertical acceleration and collision forces to the stroke ends.The body-road clearanceThe trim corrector efficiencyAll above performances evaluated function the road unevenness, acceleration, deceleration, turning regime.The damping characteristic is defined by damping forces at different speed for each strokes respectively one for rebound and other for compression.The contact force road-wheel is defined based tire rigidity law.The stopper buffer forces on rebound and compression are defined based each specific rigidity characteristics.The road excitation is realized with a function generator.The software allow the model evolution visualisation in real time, also generating the diagrams of displacements, forces, accelerations, speeds, for each elements or for relative evolution between diverse elements.The simulation was realized for unloaded and fully loaded car using a road generated by a sum of harmonic functions presented in equation (8).The excitation covers the specific frequencies area, being under the body frequencies up to the wheel proper frequencies.The realized ¼ car model, have reached the goal to evaluate the suspension trim correction advantages.The simulations confirm the trim corrector increases the suspension performances, thus for the analyzed case the trim corrector increase simultaneous:Body-ground clearance (evaluated by body higher increasing) between 18.5÷55.1 %Body stability (evaluated by maximal body displacement) between 9.8÷11.4 %Body comfort (evaluated by maximal body acceleration) between 3.4÷35.5 %Adherence (evaluated by maximal and RMS wheel-groundcontact force variation) between 7.0÷12.1 %Body and axles protection (evaluated by buffer strike force) between 10.8÷38.2 %
Modeling the Work of a Torque Converter during the Getaway Process of a Vehicle
Authors: Ilie Constantin Ovidiu , Alexa Octavian , Lespezeanu Ion , Marinescu Marin , Grosu Dănuț
Published: January 2016

The paper aims at issuing of a virtual simulation model that would be able to assess the actual working modes of a torque converter, both hydraulically and mechanically. To estimating the dynamic behavior we used the assessing equations of the converter’s performance coefficients. The rotational inertial phenomena due to the transient regimes during the getaway phase are also considered. The modeling process assumed the use of the pre-defined structures of the Simulink-Matlab and Simscape-Matlab modules. The virtual model of the torque converter was fed with the experimentally determined, performance parameters as input. The input also consisted of the inertia moments of the converter’s components. Eventually, by interrogating the simulation model, we’ve got and plotted the time histories of the converter’s impeller and turbine angular velocities during the vehicle’s getaway process.
Aspects about Implementation of Lean Manufacturing Principles for Quality Improvement in a Production System for Automotive Industry
Authors: Pascu Cristina Ileana , Gheorghe Stefan , Dumitru Ilie , Nisipasu Mihai , Ciocioi-Troaca Dragos
Published: January 2016

Now, worldwide, the Lean Manufacturing system represents the most comprehensive management philosophy within a manufacturing process. One of the basic principles of Lean Manufacturing is 5S process which involves the risks and wastes eliminating and it is considered a key of worker and equipment’s safety. Therefore, during the last years, 5S was expanded to 6S by the Safety adding. Thus, in this paper aspects about 6S process implementation on a manufacturing company of automotive components is presented. The monthly implementation extent of each 6S process indicators from 2013 until now is described, especially on the production lines of the factory. Finally, the major benefits of the introduction of the 6S principles in the company are highlighted.
Study of Emission of a Mono Cylindrical Diesel Engine Fueled with Biodiesel of Palm Oil
Authors: Tutunea Dragos , Bica Marin , Dumitru Ilie , Dima Alexandru
Published: January 2016

The demand of petroleum fuels which affect the air quality requires the use of alternative fuels to decrease the harmful emissions. In all the countries of European Union the biofuel production is stimulated and is a prime political and economic goal. The aim of this research is to evaluate the possibility to use biodiesel of palm oil in diesel engines with special emphasis on CO, CO2, HC and O2 emissions. Various blends of diesel and biodiesel of palm oil were mixed and evaluated on an experimental engine stand developed in the laboratory.
Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Bioethanol on Emission Performance of Diesel Engine for Rapeseed Biodiesel-Diesel Blends
Authors: Um Min Allah Fazal , Gruia Alexandru
Published: January 2016

Global warming and climate change are the motives to find a solution for emission reduction of diesel engines. Bioethanol is renewable fuel which can be used in diesel engine as a part of biodiesel-diesel blends. The effect of bioethanol on the emission performance of diesel engine for rapeseed biodiesel-diesel blends as a function of engine load is evaluated in this paper. KDE 6500E diesel generator is used for this purpose. Carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are recorded with the help of VLT-458 exhaust gas analyzer. Blends with higher concentrations of bioethanol have shown lower CO emissions while HC emissions increase with the increase in bioethanol concentration in the blends. CO2 emissions are recorded more at higher loads for all types of biodiesel and bioethanol concentrations than that of diesel fuel.
Recurrence Plot Analysis to Study Parameters of a Gasoline Engine
Authors: Ilie Constantin Ovidiu , Alexa Octavian , Lespezeanu Ion , Marinescu Marin , Grosu Dănuț
Published: January 2016

Modern data analysis techniques has been successfully applied in many technical disciplines to understand the complexity of the system. The growing volume of theoretical knowledge about systems dynamic's offered researchers the opportunity to look for non-linear dynamics in data whose evolution linear models are unable to explain in a satisfactory manner. One of the most recent approach in this respect is Recurrence Analysis - RA. It is a graphical method designed to locate hidden recurring patterns, nonstationarity and structural changes. RA approach have first been applied in natural sciences like physics and biology. Quickly, was adopted in economics and engineering. Meanwhile, the fast development of computer resources has provided powerful tools to perform this new and complex model. One free software which we used to perform the analysis is Visual Recurrence Analysis - VRA developed by Eugene Kononov. As is presented in this paper, the recurrence plot investigation for the analyzing of the gasoline engine shows some of the its capabilities in this domain. We chose two specific engine parameters measured in two different tests to perform the RPA. These parameters are ignition angle and engine angular speed. There were computed graphs for each of them. Graphs were analyzed and compared to obtain a conclusion. This work is an incipient research, being one of the first attempt of using recurrence plot for analyzing automotive dynamics. It opens a wide field of action for future research programs.
Study Regarding the Specific Components Performance of Assistant Robots
Authors: Dumitru Violeta
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a comparative study regarding the specific components from thermoplastic polymers and ceramic powders for a assistant robot. Experimental research targets the testing of these materials in order to optimize the vertebrae of the robot. The vertebrae are part of a miniature robot (size, weight) for exploration and interventions in a limited space. The simplicity and small size are advantageous for reliability, safety, fast installation and ease of use. Knowing the friction coefficient shows a great importance, particularly in the friction coupling in which movement occurs with low speeds.
New Formulations on Acceleration Energies in Analytical Dynamics
Authors: Negrean Iuliu , Kacso Kalman , Schonstein Claudiu , Duca Adina , Rusu Florina , Cristea Felicia , Haragas Simion
Published: January 2016

This paper presents new formulations on the higher order motion energies that are applied in the dynamic study of multibody mechanical systems in keeping with the researches of the main author. The analysis performed in this paper highlights the importance of motion energies of higher order in the study of dynamic behavior of fast moving mechanical systems, as well as in transient phase of motion. In these situations, are developed higher order time variations of the linear and angular accelerations. As a result, in the final part of this paper is presented an application that emphasizes this essential dynamic aspect regarding the higher order acceleration energies.
Determination of Displacement of the Piece Center in the Process of Centerless Grinding
Authors: Cernaianu Adrian Constantin , Tutunea Dragos , Dima Alexandru
Published: January 2016

Chatter, geometric lobbing and work piece rotation problems are the main problems which affect the centerless grinding productivity. An original method was developed and implemented to determine the displacement of the centre of the piece in centerless grinding. Until now no functional tool has been developed to solve these coupled problems. In conclusion, future trends and research work in centerless grinding technology are analyzed and discussed.
F.E.M. Simulation of the Building Frame Node Behavior during Seism
Authors: Ionescu Adriana , Burada Cristian , Negru Mihai
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a simulation made with ANSYS program on the stress and strain state of the node region of a reinforced concrete building subjected to earthquakes and equipped with devices for seism energy dissipation. This simulation includes the forces developed by the damping devices which act on these important nodes regions. The main goal of this simulation is to determine if the presence of the damping device at the supra-structure of the building is increasing the stresses and strains in the concrete and reinforcement bars of the node during earthquakes. For this study were used damping devices with damping forces depending on displacements. The results are very useful in the process of designing the damping system for the superstructure of the building and in the process of designing the reinforcements of the building nodes regions.
Unveiling the Evolution of Bivalve Nacre Proteins by Shell Proteomics of Unionoidae
Authors: Marie Benjamin , Arivalagan Jaison , Dubost Lionel , Berland Sophie , Marie Arul , Marin Frédéric
Published: January 2016

The formation of the molluscan shell nacre is regulated to a large extent by a matrix of extracellular macromolecules that are secreted by the shell forming tissue, the mantle. This so called “calcifying matrix” is a complex mixture of proteins and glycoproteins that is assembled and occluded within the mineral phase during the calcification process. While the importance of the calcifying matrix to shell formation has long been appreciated, the molecular basis that dictates nacre formation remains largely uncharacterized.Recent expressed sequence tag (EST) investigations of the freshwater mussels (Elliptio complanata and Villosa leinosa) provide an opportunity to further characterize the proteins in the bivalve shell by a proteomic approach. In this study, we have identified a total of 15 proteins from their nacre insoluble matrices. Few of these proteins, such as Pif, MSI60, Nacrein-like, Shematrin, Kunitz-like containing, Papilin-like, LamG containing, Chitin-binding containing, M-rich and Q-rich proteins, appear to be analogs, if not true homologs, of proteins previously described from the pearl oyster or the edible mussel nacre matrices. This work constitutes a comprehensive EST-based nacre proteomic study of non-pteriomorphid bivalves that concretely gives us the opportunity to describe the molecular basis of deeply conserved nacre biomineralization toolkit within nacreous shell bearing bivalves.
Data Mining Approaches to Identify Biomineralization Related Sequences
Authors: Immel Françoise , Marin Frédéric
Published: January 2016

Proteomics is an efficient high throughput technique developed to identify proteins from a crude extract using sequence homology. Advances in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) have led to increase knowledge of several non-model species. In the field of calcium carbonate biomineralization, the paucity of available sequences (such as the ones of mollusc shells) is still a bottleneck in most proteomic studies. Indeed, this technique needs proteins databases to find homology. The aim of this study was to perform different data mining approaches in order to identify novel shell proteins. To this end, we disposed of several publicly non-model molluscs databases. Previously identified molluscan shell matrix sequences were used as keyword to query annotated databases. BLAST tools and KASS program (KEGG Automatic Annotation Server) were developed to analyse other non-annotated databases. Our results suggest that the efficiency of these methods depends on the quality of the shared data. Finally, an in-house shell matrix protein database has been generated.
Staining SDS-PAGE Gels of Skeletal Matrices after Western Blot: A Way to Improve their Sharpness
Authors: Marin Frédéric , Immel Françoise , Trinkler Nolwenn , Gaspard Danièle
Published: January 2016

Denaturing 1D electrophoresis on acrylamide gels, also referred as SDS-PAGE, is a classical technique for fractionating and visualizing the macromolecular constituents of matrices associated to calcified tissues. This technique has been widely used in association with the subsequent silver nitrate staining. But because matrices associated to calcified tissues are very often glycosylated and constituted of numerous polydisperse macromolecules, the obtained pattern is frequently ‘smeary’ and discrete bands, when present on the gel, are often blurred and thickened. In this paper, we present a simple protocol that can circumvent this drawback and ‘clean’ the gels. In short, after the classical migration step of the matrix macromolecules, the gel is electro-blotted on a PVDF membrane, similarly to a Western blot, but for a shorter time (partial transfer, i.e., one hour or less). It is subsequently stained with silver nitrate. The likely effect of the transfer is to partly remove polydisperse macromolecules and to ‘sharpen’ the discrete bands. We think that this extra-step may improve in several cases the gel pictures, particularly when they are blurred. We illustrate this phenomenon with two examples taken from brachiopod and mollusc shell matrices.