bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frontline Science: Defects in immune function in patients with sepsis are associated with PD-1 or PD-L1 expression and can be restored by antibodies targeting PD-1 or PD-L1
Authors: Patera Andriani C , Drewry Anne M , Chang Katherine , Beiter Evan R , Osborne Dale , Hotchkiss Richard S
Published: September 2016

Sepsis is a heterogeneous syndrome comprising a highly diverse and dynamic mixture of hyperinflammatory and compensatory anti-inflammatory immune responses. This immune phenotypic diversity highlights the importance of proper patient selection for treatment with the immunomodulatory drugs that are entering clinical trials. To better understand the serial changes in immunity of critically ill patients and to evaluate the potential efficacy of blocking key inhibitory pathways in sepsis, we undertook a broad phenotypic and functional analysis of innate and acquired immunity in the same aliquot of blood from septic, critically ill nonseptic, and healthy donors. We also tested the ability of blocking the checkpoint inhibitors programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) to restore the function of innate and acquired immune cells. Neutrophil and monocyte function (phagocytosis, CD163, cytokine expression) were progressively diminished as sepsis persisted. An increasing frequency in PD-L1+-suppressor phenotype neutrophils [low-density neutrophils (LDNs)] was also noted. PD-L1+ LDNs and defective neutrophil function correlated with disease severity, consistent with the potential importance of suppressive neutrophil populations in sepsis. Reduced neutrophil and monocyte function correlated both with their own PD-L1 expression and with PD-1 expression on CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Conversely, reduced CD8+ T cell and NK cell functions (IFN-γ production, granzyme B, and CD107a expression) correlated with elevated PD-L1+ LDNs. Importantly, addition of antibodies against PD-1 or PD-L1 restored function in neutrophil, monocyte, T cells, and NK cells, underlining the impact of the PD-1:PD-L1 axis in sepsis-immune suppression and the ability to treat multiple deficits with a single immunomodulatory agent.
A Generalized Conditional Mean Spectrum and Its Application for Intensity-Based Assessments of Seismic Demands
Authors: Kwong N. Simon , Chopra Anil K.
Published: September 2016

When the response of a structure is influenced significantly by multiple vibration modes, the seismic demands determined by response history analyses with ground motions selected to match a single conditional mean spectrum (CMS) may be unconservative for several response quantities. An existing solution to this problem is to determine the demand as the maximum of mean demands from several CMSs. To reduce the computational effort while maintaining accuracy and precision, we introduce an alternative engineering solution that is based on a simplified version of the generalized CMS, where two specified conditioning spectral accelerations share a common hazard level. vector-valued disaggregation is developed herein to provide a single earthquake scenario for the target spectrum. The results from a realistic case study suggest that the proposed spectrum provides seismic demands that are as accurate and precise as those obtained from analyzing the structure with multiple CMSs while simultaneously reducing the computational effort by a factor of 2 or more.
Advances in understanding COPD
Authors: Anderson Gary P.
Published: September 2016

In recent years, thousands of publications on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its related biology have entered the world literature, reflecting the increasing scientific and medical interest in this devastating condition. This article is a selective review of several important emerging themes that offer the hope of creating new classes of COPD medicines. Whereas basic science is parsing molecular pathways in COPD, its comorbidities, and asthma COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) with unprecedented sophistication, clinical translation is disappointingly slow. The article therefore also considers solutions to current difficulties that are impeding progress in translating insights from basic science into clinically useful treatments.
Proximal hypospadias: we aren’t always keeping our promises
Authors: Long Christopher J. , Canning Douglas A.
Published: September 2016

Hypospadias surgery is a humbling art form. The evolution of surgical techniques has made distal hypospadias outcomes favorable, but recent publications suggest that our complication rates for proximal hypospadias are much higher than previously reported. To explain these shortcomings, we examine the literature and focus on the lack of standardized documentation, the subsequent inability to objectify the severity of the phenotype, and the underestimation of complications due to lack of long-term follow up. The variability in surgical technique and the fact that the literature abounds with small case series from single institutions also limits our ability to compare outcomes. We believe that the use of standardized and scored phenotype assessments from diagnosis through the extended postoperative period will allow for improved scientific assessment of outcomes. This will facilitate multi-institution collaboration and tabulation of outcomes, allowing rapid data accumulation and assessment for this rare disorder. As surgeons, we must follow boys through puberty into adulthood and must honestly report our results in order to advance our surgical approach to this complicated problem.
Robotics in Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Weaver Allison , Steele Scott
Published: September 2016

Over the past few decades, robotic surgery has developed from a futuristic dream to a real, widely used technology. Today, robotic platforms are used for a range of procedures and have added a new facet to the development and implementation of minimally invasive surgeries. The potential advantages are enormous, but the current progress is impeded by high costs and limited technology. However, recent advances in haptic feedback systems and single-port surgical techniques demonstrate a clear role for robotics and are likely to improve surgical outcomes. Although robotic surgeries have become the gold standard for a number of procedures, the research in colorectal surgery is not definitive and more work needs to be done to prove its safety and efficacy to both surgeons and patients.
State Administration of Retirement Age in the terms of Budget Crisis
Authors: Соловьев  , Solovev A.
Published: September 2016

The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of age on the appointment of the state pension fiscal system in our country. The problem of rising of the retirement age in Russia is given a value that is far away from the traditional context of direct influence of demographic processes on the level of pensions, on the one hand, and adaptation of the pension system to changing demographic factors, on the other. In the article the pension system for the first time is considered as a multifactorial model that corrects the degree of dependence on the mutually complex of macroeconomic and demographic factors in the different historical periods. This requires a fundamental change in the methodological approaches to the problem of rising the retirement age by using actuarial methods of forecasting. Actuarial analysis of the problem of retirement age in the work shows that the perception of the linear dependence of the age of the destination state of the demographic parameters cannot be considered as a tool for regulating the efficiency of the pension system. The results of the study are the specific parameters of actuarial assessments of the impact of demographic and macroeconomic conditions to increase the retirement age in Russia, conducted using data from the state statistics, formulated practical proposals to mitigate negative economic consequences. Conclusion: Rising the retirement age should be aimed at economic stimulation of formation of the pension rights of the insured in the long term, rather than the economy of the state budget. Methodological approaches, grounded in the work, and quantitative results of the actuarial calculations will be used in the formation of public pension policy in the preparation of the regulations to rise the retirement age, the pension formula of calculating the pension rights of insured persons, the mechanism of pension indexation.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DISEASES IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS OF KHABAROVSK KRAY
Authors: Козлов  , Kozlov Vladimir , Супрун  , Suprun Evgeniy , Евсеева  , Evseeva Galina , Морозова  , Morozova Nina , Холодок  , Kholodok Galina , Лазарь  , Lazar K.
Published: September 2016

Official ten-year statistics reports on the prevalence and structure of respiratory diseases in children and teenagers of Khabarovsk Kray were analyzed. Respiratory diseases still rank first in the general sick rate and, in 2015, they accounted for 60.3% in children under 14 years old and 33.4% in teenagers. General respiratory morbidity in children in 2015 made 1300.1‰ and 726.9‰ in children and teenagers, respectively. Analytical results give evidence of stabilization of morbidity rate in children (R=0.32) and a tendency towards increasing incidence in teenagers (R=0.71). Ten-year pneumonia prevalence in children shows no tendency towards decrease (R=0.3), whereas pneumonia incidence rate in teenagers does increase (R=0.65). During the last ten years, asthma prevalence in children of the region increased twofold and turned half as much in teenagers. In 2015, asthma morbidity made 23.95‰ in children and 17.15‰ in teenagers, which exceed all-Russia’s figures (10.4‰ in children and 20.08‰ in teenagers in 2014) and Russian Far East’s figures (9.22‰ in children and 15.38‰ in teenagers in 2014). Asthma children residing in the areas of catastrophic flood of 2013 on the Amur River were found (8.3% of cases) to have sensitization to mold fungi, primarily of Aspergillus niger species (71%). The results of the analysis show that there is a stabilization of morbidity in children (R=0.32) and a tendency to grow in teenagers (R=0.71).
Certain Application Issues of the Article 145 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation
Authors: Юрков Сергей , Yurkov Sergey
Published: September 2016

The article considers some issues of application of the Article 145 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The number of convicts under this article has been exhibited in this work, and it also identifies a number of reasons why this Article, in the author´s opinion, has almost never been applied in practice. In particular, the reasons for non-application of the Article 145 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in practice are: unwillingness of pregnant women to protect their rights in criminal process; difficulty in proving unjustified refusal to enter into an employment contract with a pregnant woman; an evaluative character of an indicia — “unreasonable refusal”; differentiation problems of crime components under the Article 145 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the administrative offences’ components provided for by the Article 5.27 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation. It is also identified that there is discriminatory provision due to absence of guidance in the Article 145 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation about such a victim, like a man who has a child under the age of three years old. The conclusion defines the necessity to decriminalize a crime under the Article 145 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
THE INFLUENCE OF SALT BATH NITRIDING VARIABLES ON HARDNESS LAYER OF AISI 1045 STEEL
Authors: Ghelloudj Elhadj , Djebaili Hamid , Hannachi Mohamed Tahar , Saoudi Abdenour , Daheche Bilal
Published: September 2016

The aim of this paper is to study and analyze the effects of a surface controlled salt bath nitriding on the microhardness of AISI 1045 steel. The nitriding process was implemented in the salt bath component at ten different times (from 1 h to 10 h) when the temperature was constant at (520ºC). The nitriding process repeated of other specimens at the same times, but the temperature was (580ºC).The microstructure of the surface layers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. Hardness profiles were measured with low-load hardness testing to determine the growth of the case depth after nitriding. Microhardness testing was carried out on samples to investigate the hardness profile at the transition from the compound to the diffusion layer. The microhardness of the surface of the nitrided sample at 520ºC and 580ºC was observed in the range of 318–430 HV0.3 and 329–421 HV0.3, respectively. Experimental results showed that the nitrides ε-Fe2-3(N, C) and γ’-Fe4(N,C) present in the compound layer increase the microhardness , It also showed that the Increasing the salt bath nitriding parameters (treatment time and temperature) increases the surface hardness and hardness profile.
THE AUTOMATIC TESTERS IN MICROHARDNESS MEASUREMENT AND ISE EFFECT
Authors: Petrík Jozef , Blaško Peter , Bidulská Jana , Guzanová Anna , Sinaiová Iveta
Published: September 2016

The measurement of micro-hardness with the applied loads 0.09807 N, 0.24518 N, 0.49035 N and 0.9807 N has been carried out by three automatic and one manually-operated micro-hardness testers. The certified reference material (CRM) was the tested sample. Each operator obtained the readings of the tester, which she/he normally operates. The measurement was repeated after thirty months. The influence of the testers and their stability, as well as applied load on the measured values of the micro-hardness and the indentation size phenomenon (ISE), were evaluated. The parametric and non-parametric tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Z-score and Total Dispersion Zone were used for the evaluation of the statistical significance of obtained factors. The ISE was evaluated using Meyer’s and Proportional Specimen Resistance model and also by Hays – Kendall approach. The variability of measured values of the micro-hardness and parameters of ISE is high despite the use of automatic hardness testers with practically excluding the impact of the operator. The results are affected by operators, used testers and by applied loads. The measurement system can’t be considered to be stable.
Incentive-Based Capital Requirements
Authors: Eufinger Christian , Gill Andrej
Published: September 2016

This paper proposes a new regulatory approach that implements capital requirements contingent on executive incentive schemes. We argue that excessive risk taking in the financial sector originates from the shareholder moral hazard created by government guarantees rather than from corporate governance failures within banks. The idea behind the proposed regulatory approach is thus that the more the compensation structure decouples the interests of bank managers from those of shareholders by curbing risk-taking incentives, the higher the leverage the bank is permitted to take on. Consequently, the risk-shifting incentives caused by government guarantees and the risk-mitigating incentives created by the compensation structure offset each other such that the manager chooses the socially efficient investment policy.

This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance.
Robust MDPs with k-Rectangular Uncertainty
Authors: Mannor Shie , Mebel Ofir , Xu Huan
Published: September 2016

Markov decision processes are a common tool for modeling sequential planning problems under uncertainty. In almost all realistic situations, the system model cannot be perfectly known and must be approximated or estimated. Thus, we consider Markov decision processes under parameter uncertainty, which effectively adds a second layer of uncertainty. Most previous studies restrict to the case that uncertainties among different states are uncoupled, which leads to conservative solutions. On the other hand, robust MDPs with general coupled uncertainty sets are known to be computationally intractable. In this paper we make a first attempt at identifying subclasses of coupled uncertainty that are flexible enough to overcome conservativeness yet still lead to tractable problems. We propose a new class of uncertainty sets termed “k-rectangular uncertainty sets”—a geometric concept defined by the cardinality of possible conditional projections of the uncertainty set. The proposed scheme can model several intuitive formulations of coupled uncertainty that naturally arise in practice and leads to tractable formulations via state space augmentation.
Sibling Caregivers of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Sociodemographic Characteristics and Material Hardship Prevalence
Authors: Sonik Rajan A. , Parish Susan L. , Rosenthal Eliana S.
Published: September 2016

In growing numbers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are outliving their parents, or at least their parents' ability to care for them. Consequently, adult siblings without intellectual and developmental disabilities are increasingly taking on primary caregiving responsibilities. However, adult siblings have received little study generally, and sibling caregivers have received even less. We used nationally representative data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to describe the social characteristics and material hardship levels of sibling caregivers, in comparison to the general working age adult population. This study finds moderate material hardship to be pervasive among sibling caregivers, though extreme levels of hardship are possibly being abated somewhat through public benefit programs. Implications for greater service needs are discussed.
Systemwide Initiative Documents Robust Health Screening for Adults With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Brown Marisa , Jacobstein Diane , Yoon Irene Seyoung , Anthony Bruno , Bullock Kim
Published: September 2016

It is well documented that adults with intellectual disability (ID) experience higher rates of a series of health conditions compared to their peers without disability. These health conditions include cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and psychiatric and behavioral disorders. With life expectancy approximating the general population, adults with ID are also now experiencing health conditions related to aging, further increasing their risk for diminished function and well-being. This increased morbidity poses new challenges in geriatric healthcare planning for this population. Relatively simple health prevention practices, such as the implementation of a health screening tool, can substantially increase disease detection and clinical activities directed toward improved health outcomes for people with ID. This study examines data collected from the District of Columbia Developmental Disabilities Administration's (DC DDA's) health screening component of its Health and Wellness Standards. Findings are presented, along with recommendations and implications for improving preventive health screening practices in the ID population.
The Reinforcement of Ableism: Normality, the Medical Model of Disability, and Humanism in Applied Behavior Analysis and ASD
Authors: Shyman Eric
Published: September 2016

The field of educating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder has ever been rife with controversy regarding issues ranging from etiology and causation to effective intervention and education options. One such basis for controversy has been between humanism, and humanistic philosophical concepts, and its fundamental differences with behaviorism, and behavioristic philosophical concepts. These differences have long been debated, and the belief that the two orientations are generally mutually exclusive has been largely maintained. Recently, however, there has been some resurgence of interest in reconciling some of the fundamental humanistic and behavioristic tenets. Most of these discussions, however, center on specific interventional methodologies as its basis without delving more deeply into the underlying philosophical issues. This article will explore some fundamental humanistic concepts that ought to be reconciled in order for behaviorism to be considered a humanistic practice. While the notion that the possibility of reconciliation is maintained, the central argument maintains that much work needs to be done on the part of behaviorism both philosophically and methodologically in order for such reconciliation to be achieved.
Biological Variation of Hemostasis Variables in Thrombosis and Bleeding: Consequences for Performance Specifications
Authors: de Maat Moniek P M , van Schie Marianne , Kluft Cornelis , Leebeek Frank W G , Meijer Piet
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Levels of hemostasis factors vary between and within individuals as a result of genetic and environmental factors and analytical variation of the assays. The current state of the art for defining analytical precision requirements for analytical testing is based on this between- and within-individual (biological) variation. However, information on biological variation in hemostasis variables is still limited.

The aim of this study was to determine the biological variation of coagulation variables involved in thrombosis and bleeding to provide a recommendation for performance specifications and to assess whether hemostasis assays fulfill the recommendation.

METHODS

We performed a longitudinal study by repeated blood sampling (in total 13 times over a 1-year period) in 40 healthy individuals and measured prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, antithrombin, factor VIII, factor IX, von Willebrand factor (VWF), protein C, and protein S. We evaluated the effect of the biological variation on parameters of analytical variation and propose required performance specifications.

RESULTS

Biological variation was highly different for various hemostasis variables: the within-subject variation ranged from 2.6% (PT) to 25.6% [VWF collagen binding (CB) activity], the between-subject variation varied from 4.1% (PT) to 31.2% (VWF:ristocetin cofactor acitivity), and the assay variation from 1.3% (PT) to 12.9% (VWF:CB).

CONCLUSIONS

With the reagents and analyzers used in this study, most of the hemostasis tests variables fulfill the current quality criteria for diagnosis and monitoring of routine hemostasis assays.
Samoocena usposobljenosti študentov zdravstvene nege na podlagi ICN-ovih kompetenc
Authors: Mlinar Reljić Nataša , Šostar Turk Sonja , Pajnkihar Majda
Published: September 2016

Uvod: Klinično usposabljanje študentov zdravstvene nege je ključnega pomena. Pomembno je, da so diplomanti usposobljeni za samostojno, humano, odgovorno in avtonomno izvajanje zdravstvene nege. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti usposobljenost študentov na rednem in izrednem študiju zdravstvene nege za samostojno izvajanje zdravstvene nege. Metode: Izvedena je bila deskriptivna opazovalna raziskava. Podatki so bili zbrani z delno strukturiranim vprašalnikom na vzorcu 134 študentov tretjega letnika študijskega programa prve stopnje Zdravstvena nega. Raziskava je potekala od januarja do marca 2012. Za analizo sta bili uporabljeni deskriptivna statistika in bivariatna analiza (test hi-kvadrat, t-test). Rezultati: Statistično pomembne razlike v samooceni usposobljenosti med študenti rednega in izrednega študija so se pokazale pri etični praksi ( R =3,6, IZR =3,5, t = 2,63, p = 0,010) in pravni praksi ( R=3,3, IZR=3,1, t = 2,69, p = 0,008). Ugotovljena je bila manj kot 80% usposobljenost pri kompetencah »redno pregledujem in popravljam negovalni načrt v sodelovanju z drugimi člani negovalnega tima in pacienti«

(χ2 = 0,27, p = 0,654) in »delegiram naloge glede na usposobljenost, strokovno znanje in izkušnje« (χ2 = 1,793, p = 0,181). Diskusija in zaključek: Raziskava je pokazala, da so študenti najbolje usposobljeni za medpoklicno zdravstveno varstvo, izboljševanje kakovosti in nadaljnje izobraževanje. Raziskavo bi bilo treba opraviti vsako študijsko leto ob zaključku tretjega letnika.
Bone Metabolism of the Patient with a Malignant Melanoma during the Entry Examination and the Check-up of Whole-body Bone Scintigraphy
Authors: Weissensteiner Jaroslav , Babušíková Eva
Published: September 2016

Malignant melanoma is a malignancy located predominantly in the skin and the incidence of melanoma increases. We compared the markers of bone metabolism – osteocalcin (OC), beta-carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CrossLaps, β-CTx) and tumour marker – human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in the serum with finding during the entry examination and the check-up of whole-body bone scintigraphy of the patient with a malignant melanoma. Serum concentrations of OC, β-CTx, HE4 were determined in 1 patient (female, age 64 years) with malignant melanoma and correlated with the presence of equivocal bone metastases detected by whole-body bone scintigraphy (the entry examination and check-up after 6 months). Concentrations of bone metabolism markers decreased during six months and we observed progress in bone metastases. The change of the markers levels during the entry examination and the check-up of the whole-body bone scintigraphy with equivocal finding of bone metastases could be a sign of a possible initiating progression of malignant melanoma despite a clinically negative finding that does not prove the progression of the disease.
Effect of Titanium and Boron on the Stability of Grain Refinement of Al-Cu Alloy
Authors: Górny M. , Sikora G. , Kawalec M.
Published: September 2016

The present research was conducted on thin-walled castings with 5 mm wall thicknesses. This study addresses the effect of the influence of different master alloys, namely: (1) Al-5%Ti-1%B, (2) Al-5%Ti and (3) Al-3%B, respectively on the structure and the degree of undercooling (ΔTα = Tα−Tmin, where Tα - the equilibrium solidification temperature, Tmin - the minimum temperature at the beginning of α(Al) solidification) of an Al-Cu alloy. The process of fading has been investigated at different times spent on the refinement treatment ie. from 3, 20, 45 and 90 minutes respectively, from the dissolution of master alloys. A thermal analysis was performed (using a type-S thermocouple) to determine cooling curves. The degree of undercooling and recalescence were determined from cooling and solidification curves, whereas macrostructure characteristics were conducted based on a metallographic examination. The fading effect of the refinement of the primary structure is accompanied by a significant change in the number (dimension) of primary grains, which is strongly correlated to solidification parameters, determined by thermal analysis. In addition to that, the analysis of grain refinement stability has been shown with relation to different grain refinements and initial titanium concentration in Al-Cu base alloy. Finally, it has been shown that the refinement process of the primary structure is unstable and requires strict metallurgical control.
Effect of the Annealing Temperature on the Microstructure and Properties of Ausferritic Nodular Cast Iron
Authors: Gumienny G. , Klimek L. , Kurowska B.
Published: September 2016

The paper presents the microstructure and selected properties of ausferritic nodular cast iron annealed at the temperature 520 and 550°C. This choice was dictated by the temperatures used in the practice of nitriding. Nodular graphite in cast iron was obtained with use of Inmold process. Cast iron containing molybdenum and copper ensuring obtaining an ausferrite in the cast iron matrix without the use of heat treatment of castings was tested. The effect of annealing temperature on the microstructure and the kind of fracture of the ausferritic nodular cast iron was presented. The effect of an annealing temperature on hardness, impact strength and the microhardness of ausferritic nodular cast iron matrix was shown too. The lamellar structure of phases in the cast iron matrix after annealing has been ascertained. There has been an increase in hardness of an annealed cast iron and microhardness of its matrix. The reduction in the impact strength of the cast iron annealed at 520 and 550°C was approximately 10-30%. Both an increase in the hardness of cast iron as well as an decrease in its impact strength is probably due to the separation of secondary carbides during the heat treatment.
Effect of Chemical Composition on Structure and Corrosion Resistance of Ni-Mn-Cu Cast Iron
Authors: Medyński D. , Janus A.
Published: September 2016

In the paper, a relationship between chemical composition of Ni-Mn-Cu cast iron and its structure, hardness and corrosion resistance is determined. The examinations showed a decrease of thermodynamic stability of austenite together with decreasing nickel equivalent value, in cast iron solidifying according to both the stable and the metastable systems. As a result of increasing degree of austenite transformation, the created martensite caused a significant hardness increase, accompanied by small decline of corrosion resistance. It was found at the same time that solidification way of the alloy and its matrix structure affect corrosion resistance to a much smaller extent than the nickel equivalent value, in particular concentration of elements with high electrochemical potential.
The Reasons of Steam Pipeline Elbow Rupture
Authors: Mesjasz A. , Piątkowski J.
Published: September 2016

In the paper the reasons for steam pipeline’s elbow material rupture, made of steel 13CrMo4-5 (15HM) that is being used in the energetics. Based on the mechanical properties in the ambient temperature (Rm, Rp0,2 and elongation A5) and in the increased temperature (Rp0,2t) it was found, that the pipeline elbow’s material sampled from the ruptured area has lower Rp0,2 i Rp0,2t by around 2% than it is a requirement for 13CrMo4-5 steel in it’s base state. The damage appeared as a result of complex stress state, that substantially exceeded the admissible tensions, what was the consequence of considerable structure degradation level. As a result of the microstructure tests on HITACHI S4200 microscope, the considerable development of the creeping process associates were found. Also the advances progress of the microstructure degradation was observed, which is substantial decomposition of bainite and multiple, with varied secretion size, and in most cases forming the micro cracks chains. With the use of lateral micro sections the creeping voids were observed, that creates at some places the shrinkage porosities clusters and micro pores.
Effect of Sand Base Grade and Density of Moulding Sands with Sodium Silicate on Effectiveness of Absorbing Microwaves
Authors: Stachowicz M.
Published: September 2016

In the paper, presented is a research on effectiveness of absorbing electromagnetic waves at frequency 2.45 GHz by unhardened moulding sands prepared of three kinds of high-silica base and a selected grade of sodium silicate. Measurements of power loss of microwave radiation (Pin) expressed by a total of absorbed power (Pabs), output power (Pout) and reflected power (Pref) were carried-out on a stand of semiautomatic microwave slot line. Values of microwave power loss in the rectangular waveguide filled with unhardened moulding sands served for determining effectiveness of microwave heating. Balance of microwave power loss is of technological and economical importance for manufacture of high-quality casting moulds and cores of various shapes and sizes. It was found that relative density influences parameters of power output and power reflected from samples of moulding sand placed in a waveguide. Absorption expressed by the parameter Pabs is not related to granularity of high-silica base: fine, medium and coarse. It was found that the semiautomatic microwave slot line supports evaluation of effectiveness of microwave absorption on the grounds of power loss measurements and enables statistic description of influence of relative density of the sandmix on penetration of electromagnetic waves in unhardened moulding sands.
Opening Material as the Possibility of Elimination Veining in Foundries
Authors: Hrubovčáková M. , Vasková I. , Benková M. , Conev M.
Published: September 2016

The main bulk density representation in the molding material is opening material, refractory granular material with a particle size of 0.02 mm. It forms a shell molds and cores, and therefore in addition to activating the surface of the grain is one of the most important features angularity and particle size of grains. These last two features specify the porosity and therefore the permeability of the mixture, and thermal dilatation of tension from braking dilation, the thermal conductivity of the mixture and even largely affect the strength of molds and cores, and thus the surface quality of castings. [1]

Today foundries, which use the cast iron for produce of casts, are struggling with surface defects on the casts. One of these defects are veining. They can be eliminated in several ways. Veining are foundry defects, which arise as a result of tensions generated at the interface of the mold and metal. This tension also arises due to abrupt thermal expansion of silica sand and is therefore in the development of veining on the surface of casts deal primarily influences and characteristics of the filler material – opening material in the production of iron castings.
Repair of Structural Steel Surface Groove by Using Flame Welding Method by Spraying Pure Iron Powder
Authors: Keyhany P. , Vahdat S.E.
Published: September 2016

To improve mechanical properties and increasing useful life of metal pieces, different methods of welding are used for repairing surface crack of metal pieces. In this research, performance of flame welding method by spraying pure iron powder evaluated for repairing surface grooves of structural steel. First, four specimens including one control specimen and other three specimens grooved specimens in depth of 1mm and in length of 12.5mm and groove width in the sizes of 0.5, 0.75 and 1mm.were prepared then, powder melted using oxyacetylene reducing flame and spraying iron powder in the flame path and attached to the inner surface of the groove and finally, the specimen repaired. Results showed that after repairing surface groove, tensile strength of the repaired specimens were reached to the tensile strength of control specimen with the margin of 2.5%.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Squeeze Casting Process using Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Patel G.C.M. , Krishna P. , Vundavilli P.R. , Parappagoudar M.B.
Published: September 2016

The near net shaped manufacturing ability of squeeze casting process requiresto set the process variable combinations at their optimal levels to obtain both aesthetic appearance and internal soundness of the cast parts. The aesthetic and internal soundness of cast parts deal with surface roughness and tensile strength those can readily put the part in service without the requirement of costly secondary manufacturing processes (like polishing, shot blasting, plating, hear treatment etc.). It is difficult to determine the levels of the process variable (that is, pressure duration, squeeze pressure, pouring temperature and die temperature) combinations for extreme values of the responses (that is, surface roughness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength) due to conflicting requirements. In the present manuscript, three population based search and optimization methods, namely genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization based on crowding distance (MOPSO-CD) methods have been used to optimize multiple outputs simultaneously. Further, validation test has been conducted for the optimal casting conditions suggested by GA, PSO and MOPSO-CD. The results showed that PSO outperformed GA with regard to computation time.
The Polaroid and the Cross. Media-Reflexivity and Allegorical Figurations in Lucian Pintilie’s The Oak (1992)
Authors: Sándor Katalin
Published: September 2016

The paper discusses the question of media reflexivity and allegorical figuration in Lucian Pintilie’s 1992 film, The Oak. Through a fictional narrative, the film reflects on the communist period from the historical context of the post-1989 transition strongly marked by the after-effects of dictatorship and by political, social and economic instability. By incorporating a diegetic Polaroid camera and a home movie, The Oak displays a reflexive preoccupation with the mediality and the socio-cultural constructedness of the image. The figurative, allegorizing tendency of the film – manifest in the subversive recontextualization of grand narratives, iconographic codes or images of art history – also foregrounds the question of cultural mediation. I argue that by displaying the non-transparency of the cinematic image and the cultural mediatedness of the “real,” the media-reflexive and allegorical-figurative discourse of the film can be regarded as a critical historical response to the social and representational crises linked to the communist era, but at the same time it may be symptomatic of the social, cultural, political anxieties of post-1989 transition.1
Looking West: Understanding Socio-Political Allegories and Art References in Contemporary Romanian Cinema
Authors: Király Hajnal
Published: September 2016

The representation of other arts in cinema can be regarded as a different semiotic system revealing what is hidden in the narrative, as a site of cultural meanings inherent to the cinematic apparatus addressing a pensive spectator, or a discourse on cinema born in the space of intermediality. In the post-1989 films of Romanian director Lucian Pintilie, painterly and sculptural references, as well as miniatures become figurations of cultural identity inside allegories about a society torn between East and West. I argue that art references are liberating these films from provincialism by transforming them into a discourse lamenting over the loss of Western, Christian and local values, endangered or forgotten in the post-communist era. In the films under analysis – An Unforgettable Summer (1994), Too Late (1996) and Tertium Non Datur (2006) – images reminding of Byzantine iconography, together with direct references and remediations of sculptures by Romanian-born Constantin Brâncuşi, participate in historico-political allegories as expressions of social crisis and the transient nature of values. They also reveal the tension between an external and internal image of Romania, the aspiration of the “other Europe” to connect with the European cultural tradition, in a complex demonstration of a “self-othering” process. I will also argue that, contrary to the existing criticism, this generalizing, allegorical tendency can also be detected in some of the films of the generation of filmmakers representing the New Romanian Cinema, for example in Radu Jude’s Aferim! (2015).1
Equivalent reliability polynomials modeling EAS and their geometries
Authors: Hassan Zahir Abdul Haddi , Udriște Constantin
Published: September 2016

In this paper we shall introduce two equivalent techniques in order to evaluate reliability analysis of electrical aircrafts systems (EAS): (i) graph theory technique, and (ii) simplifying diffeomorphism technique. Geometric modeling of reliability models is based on algebraic hypersurfaces, whose intrinsic properties are able to select those models which are relevant for applications. The basic idea is to cover the reliability hypersurfaces by exponentially decay curves. Most of the calculations made in this paper have used Maple and Matlab software.
The hyperstability of AQ-Jensen functional equation on 2-divisible abelian group and inner product spaces
Authors: EL-Fassi Iz-iddine , Kabbaj Samir
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we prove the hyperstability of the following mixed additive-quadratic-Jensen functional equation

2
f
(

x
+
y

2

)
+
f
(

x
−
y

2

)
+
f
(

y
−
x

2

)
=
f
(
x
)
+
f
(
y
)

$$2f({{x + y} \over 2}) + f({{x - y} \over 2}) + f({{y - x} \over 2}) = f(x) + f(y)$$

in the class of functions from an 2-divisible abelian group G into a Banach space.
On uniform exponential splitting for noninvertible evolution operators in Banach Spaces
Authors: Mihiţ Claudia Luminiţa , Stoica Codruţa Simona , Megan Mihail
Published: September 2016

The paper considers the general concept of uniform exponential splitting as a generalization of uniform exponential dichotomy property for evolution operators in Banach spaces.

Two characterizations in terms of integral inequalities of Datko-type respectively Lyapunov functions for uniform exponential splitting of a noninvertible evolution operator with respect to invariant projections families are obtained.
Perturbed Companions of Ostrowski’s Inequality for Absolutely Continuous Functions (I)
Authors: Dragomir Silvestru Sever
Published: September 2016

Perturbed companions of Ostrowski’s inequality for absolutely continuous functions whose derivatives are either bounded or of bounded variation and applications are given.
Secure development model for mobile applications
Authors: Majchrzycka A. , Poniszewska-Marańda A.
Published: September 2016

The development of mobile applications plays an increasingly important role in everyday lives of a visibly growing number of smartphone and tablet users. This trend contributes to changes in corporate management techniques, which now turn towards establishing new standards of data management and extending the functionalities of existing systems to enable the users to benefit from the newest technological advances by creating mobile applications. The paper presents a review of existing solutions for one of the most popular mobile platforms, Apple’s iOS, and proposes secure development model as a tool to overcome existing threats faced by mobile application developers.
Algorithms solving the Internet shopping optimization problem with price discounts
Authors: Musial J. , Pecero J.E. , Lopez-Loces M.C. , Fraire-Huacuja H.J. , Bouvry P. , Blazewicz J.
Published: September 2016

The Internet shopping optimization problem arises when a customer aims to purchase a list of goods from a set of web-stores with a minimum total cost. This problem is NP-hard in the strong sense. We are interested in solving the Internet shopping optimization problem with additional delivery costs associated to the web-stores where the goods are bought. It is of interest to extend the model including price discounts of goods.

The aim of this paper is to present a set of optimization algorithms to solve the problem. Our purpose is to find a compromise solution between computational time and results close to the optimum value. The performance of the set of algorithms is evaluated through simulations using real world data collected from 32 web-stores. The quality of the results provided by the set of algorithms is compared to the optimal solutions for small-size instances of the problem. The optimization algorithms are also evaluated regarding scalability when the size of the instances increases. The set of results revealed that the algorithms are able to compute good quality solutions close to the optimum in a reasonable time with very good scalability demonstrating their practicability.
On the 0/1 test for chaos in continuous systems
Authors: Melosik M. , Marszalek W.
Published: September 2016

In this paper we discuss in detail the resonance and oversampling features of the 0/1 test for chaos in continuous systems and propose methods to avoid those undesired features. Our method is based on certain frequency properties of the 0/1 test. When reconstructing the phase space, our approach is compared with the first minimum of the mutual information method. Several numerical results for typical chaotic systems (including memristive circuits) are included.
Characterization of Al2O3/4H-SiC and Al2O3/SiO2/4H-SiC MOS structures
Authors: Taube A. , Guziewicz M. , Kosiel K. , Gołaszewska-Malec K. , Król K. , Kruszka R. , Kamińska E. , Piotrowska A.
Published: September 2016

The paper presents the results of characterization of MOS structures with aluminum oxide layer deposited by ALD method on silicon carbide substrates. The effect of the application of thin SiO2 buffer layer on the electrical properties of the MOS structures with Al2O3 layer has been examined. Critical electric field values at the level of 7.5–8 MV/cm were obtained. The use of 5 nm thick SiO2 buffer layer caused a decrease in the leakage current of the gate by more than two decade of magnitude. Evaluated density of trap states near the conduction band of silicon carbide in Al2O3/4H-SiC MOS is about of 1×1013 eV−1cm−2. In contrast, the density of the trap states in the Al2O3/SiO2/4H-SiC structure is lower about of one decade of magnitude i.e. 1×1012 eV−1cm−2. A remarkable change in the MOS structure is also a decrease of density of electron traps located deeply in the 4H-SiC conduction band below detection limit due to using of the SiO2 buffer layer.
The European Union As A Global Economic Power
Authors: Mucha-Leszko Bogumiła , Twarowska Katarzyna
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study is to evaluate the EU economic position in 1995–2014 as well as the prospective growth potential in the global dimension up to 2025. The subject of the research is real and projected data including: GDP growth rate, main growth factors (labour, labour productivity and Total Factor Productivity), and their input to GDP growth, as well as data showing public debts and budget deficits. The analysis was conducted for the years 1995–2014 and 2015–2025. The authors' basic conclusions are: 1) the technological and economic gap between the European Union and the United States has been deepening; 2) the increasing polarisation of world economic powers and low GDP growth in the European Union limit the EU’s chances of maintaining the position as the second centre in the world economy; 3) improving the situation in public finances in the European Union as compared to the US is a factor which could raise GDP growth rates in European countries, however, there are countries whose future is in doubt due to the dramatically poor state of public finances, such as Greece, Italy, Portugal or Ireland; 4) economic growth forecasts indicate a deepening of the economic gap between the largest EU countries and the US.
Social Innovations In Companies And In Social Economy Enterprises
Authors: Furmańska-Maruszak Agnieszka , Sudolska Agata
Published: September 2016

This paper compares the way of perceiving and implementing social innovations in companies and social enterprises in Poland with those in Europe. Special attention is paid to internal social innovations, so-called workplace innovations (WPI), and the reasons and outcomes of their introduction in companies, both in Poland and in other European countries. Moreover, the paper investigates the relationship between the need for internal social innovations and positive employment relations in analyzed entities. The research findings prove that introducing innovations, including social innovations, is mainly driven by the need to improve a company’s performance. Among social innovations which both companies and social enterprises value is investment into improving employees’ work conditions. Moreover, for more than half of Polish companies and social enterprises the need for innovations is related to creating development opportunities, higher work flexibility, better social and life conditions of employees, as well as supporting employee’s reconciliation between work and family life. These reasons for introducing social innovations were also noted by both managers and employees in other European companies. The paper also shows the links between issues of internal social innovations and positive employment relationships. The presented research findings prove that positive relationships among employees are significantly and positively correlated with a broad approach to the need for introducing social innovations. Moreover, the paper points out that positive employment relations are perceived as an important outcome of workplace innovation practices in European companies.