bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating Cement Bond Quality to Stage Communication in Horizontal Tight Sand Completions
Authors: Harpel Jennifer , Brack Aaron
Published: January 2016

Cement bond logs were compared to downhole pressure and temperature gauges to understand the relationship between cement bond quality and communication between stages during horizontal fracture stimulation in a tight sand formation.

Fracturing was performed using a coiled-tubing-conveyed packer and sleeve system inside cemented casing. Pressure and temperature were recorded above and below the packer to measure communication between stages. In three wells, ultrasonic imaging tool (USIT) logs were run prior to stimulation to analyze cement bonding 360° along the lateral. USIT log evaluation, gamma ray logs and recorded pressure and temperature data were evaluated to determine the correlation between cement bond and stage isolation.

In one well, the bond log showed no cement bond in approximately half the lateral. With no other form of isolation behind pipe, communication between stages would be expected. There was virtually no communication, however, between stages according to the pressure and temperature gauge data. In the other two wells, the bond log showed excellent bond quality, but communication was seen on the bottom-hole pressure/temperature gauge during several fracturing stages. These counterintuitive results initiated further evaluation. Gamma ray logs were compared to the pressure and temperature data to determine if there was a stronger correlation between stage communication and rock quality. Other qualities of the frac design were also investigated. The results indicated that rock quality in combination with stage spacing have more of an impact on stage communication than cement bond quality. These findings have since been used to determine optimal stage spacing and to support a shift from cemented to open-hole completions.
An area matching process to estimate the hydraulic parameters using transient constant-head test data
Authors: Ufuk Şahin A. , Çiftçi Emin
Published: January 2016

A new parameter estimation methodology was established for the interpretation of the transient constant-head test to identify the hydrogeological parameters of an aquifer. The proposed method, referred as the area matching process (AMP), is based on linking the field data to the theoretical type curve through a unique area computed above these curves bounded by a user specified integration interval. The proposed method removes the need of superimposition of theoretical type curves and field data collected during the test, which may lead to the unexpected errors in assessing aquifer parameters. The AMP approach was implemented for a number of synthetically generated hypothetical test data augmented with several random noise levels, which mimic the uncertainty in site measurement together with porous media heterogeneity, and to an actual field data set available in the literature. The estimation performance of the AMP method was also compared with the existing traditional and recently developed techniques. As demonstrated by the conducted test results, the accuracy, reliability, robustness and simplicity of the proposed technique provide significant flexibility in field applications.
Constantinople Gazette about the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Colic Ljiljana
Published: January 2016

The study focuses on the articles about the annexation of Bosna and
Herzegovina, in ?Carigradski glasnik? (Constantinople gazette). With the aim
to work on the awakening of the national consciousness among Serbian people
all over the world, Constantinople gazette during the period of annexation
crises, through more than five months dedicated a great number of articles to
this problem. The corpus of the articles related with this topic consist of
more than hundred references, testifying about enormous efforts of the
editors to informed Serbian people about the political circumstances, both on
the national and international filed, especially reporting about activities
of The Serbian Government and Parliament, prominent persons as well as common
Serbian people in different countries, and places. Although being far from
the center of the events in some way Constantinople gazette is nowadays the
first class historical source about abovementioned dramatic period and
situation. These articles are not only presentation of events and facts, but
moreover alive testimony about Serbian collective attitude and feelings
toward annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the precious testimony of past
that has not yet been recognized in the full measure. Having in mind this
fact in particular, we decided to study and present this extremely important
and interesting part of Constantinople gazette.
The relationship between the pore size distribution and the thermo-mechanical properties of high alumina refractory castables
Authors: Li Yaxiong , Li Xiangcheng , Zhu Boquan , Chen Pingan
Published: January 2016

A series of high alumina refractory castables were prepared via casting with tabular alumina aggregates (0.088 – 5 mm), fine powders, and calcium aluminate cement as starting materials. The effect of the median diameter of alumina (D50 = 7.26 μm, 5.33 μm, 2.37 μm) on the thermo-mechanical properties of the refractory castables was investigated. The results indicate that the decrease in the alumina particle size from 7.26 μm to 2.37 μm has little influence on both the apparent porosity and bulk density of castables. However, the median pore size of castables fired after 1 600 °C decreased drastically from 4.7 μm to 2.4 μm correspondingly, which led to significant growth in the strength and thermal shock resistance of castables. The cold modulus of rupture and crushing strength were increased by 201 % and 120 %, respectively. At the same time, the hot modulus of rupture and elastic modulus were also increased by 143 % and 127 %, respectively. The residual elastic modulus was enhanced twice after three thermal cycles.
Street Connectivity versus Street Widening
Authors: Tasic Ivana , Zlatkovic Milan , Martin Peter T. , Porter Richard J.
Published: January 2016

Highly connected street networks increase accessibility for multimodal transport, but their effects on the efficiency of still-dominant vehicular traffic is rarely addressed. As interest increases in transforming typical suburban developments from car-oriented to multimodal environments, the effects of redesigned street networks in the period before the expected mode shift need to be clarified. This paper addresses the effects of enhanced connectivity on traffic operations and uses part of the West Valley City, Utah, network as the potential transit-oriented development (TOD). Because the predicted traffic demand for 2040 requires modifications to this network, the question is whether enhanced connectivity as a TOD-supportive approach can accommodate that demand and replace the traditional street widening solution. Twelve scenarios were modeled and evaluated: the existing state, five scenarios with different levels of street connectivity, five street-widening scenarios, and a scenario with reduced speed areas based on traffic-calming practices. Macro- and microsimulation models were used iteratively to build, calibrate, and evaluate the modeled scenarios. The results at the intersection, corridor, and network levels showed that enhanced street connectivity represented a competitive alternative to the traditional capacity expansion approaches that usually involve street widening. As connectivity increased, the network designs with enhanced connectivity accommodated more traffic than the designs with street widening and therefore opened new routes and provided a better dispersion of intrazonal traffic. New scenarios that encompass changes in mode split are proposed for future research efforts.
Transportation Issues of Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Lubin Andrea , Feeley Cecilia
Published: January 2016

Approximately 1.5 to 3.5 million Americans have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental disability characterized by social communication impairments, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. In the coming decade, a half-million persons with ASD in the United States will enter adulthood. Information on the transportation needs and challenges facing this population is limited, which hinders the development of sound policies and strategies to meet those needs successfully. This paper presents the findings from a series of focus groups conducted in New Jersey with adults with ASD and their parents or guardians. The focus groups were part of a larger study that included stakeholder interviews and a survey of this population on transportation-related issues and concerns. The findings provide evidence of the vital role of transportation in the lives of persons with ASD, especially as they seek to navigate the often difficult transition to adulthood. Transportation issues of special concern among all participants included an absence of transport options, lack of familiarity with public transportation modes, and cost factors. Parents were concerned about the safety of their adult children with ASD when they used public transportation. They also described the financial and emotional implications of being the primary transportation providers for their adult children. Adult participants with ASD discussed the difficulties of relying on their families for transportation and many conveyed a desire to use public transportation or to secure a driver's license, or both, as a means to achieve greater independence and employment success.
A Family of Iterative Methods for Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations Having Unknown Multiplicity
Authors: Ahmad Fayyaz , Serra-Capizzano S. , Ullah Malik , Al-Fhaid A.
Published: January 2016

The singularity of Jacobian happens when we are looking for a root, with multiplicity greater than one, of a system of nonlinear equations. The purpose of this article is two-fold. Firstly, we will present a modification of an existing method that computes roots with known multiplicities. Secondly, will propose the generalization of a family of methods for solving nonlinear equations with unknown multiplicities, to the system of nonlinear equations. The inclusion of a nonzero multi-variable auxiliary function is the key idea. Different choices of the auxiliary function give different families of the iterative method to find roots with unknown multiplicities. Few illustrative numerical experiments and a critical discussion end the paper.
Pharmacokinetics of Selected Anticancer Drugs in Elderly Cancer Patients: Focus on Breast Cancer
Authors: Crombag Marie-Rose , Joerger Markus , Thürlimann Beat , Schellens Jan , Beijnen Jos , Huitema Alwin
Published: January 2016

Background: Elderly patients receiving anticancer drugs may have an increased risk to develop treatment-related toxicities compared to their younger peers. However, a potential pharmacokinetic (PK) basis for this increased risk has not consistently been established yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to systematically review the influence of age on the PK of anticancer agents frequently administered to elderly breast cancer patients. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed electronic database, Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and available drug approval reviews, as published by EMA and FDA. Publications that describe age-related PK profiles of selected anticancer drugs against breast cancer, excluding endocrine compounds, were selected and included. Results: This review presents an overview of the available data that describe the influence of increasing age on the PK of selected anticancer drugs used for the treatment of breast cancer. Conclusions: Selected published data revealed differences in the effect and magnitude of increasing age on the PK of several anticancer drugs. There may be clinically-relevant, age-related PK differences for anthracyclines and platina agents. In the majority of cases, age is not a good surrogate marker for anticancer drug PK, and the physiological state of the individual patient may better be approached by looking at organ function, Charlson Comorbidity Score or geriatric functional assessment.
Profiling the Behavior of Distinct Populations of Head and Neck Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Almeida Luciana , Guimarães Douglas , Squarize Cristiane , Castilho Rogerio
Published: January 2016

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells endowed with self-renewal properties and the capacity to dynamically adapt to physiological changes that occur in the tumor microenvironment. CSCs play a central role in resistance to therapy and long-term disease recurrence. Better characterization and understanding of the available in vitro tools to study the biology of CSCs will improve our knowledge of the processes underlying tumor response to therapy, and will help in the screening and development of novel strategies targeting CSCs. We investigated the behavior of different populations of head and neck CSCs grown under ultra-low adhesion conditions. We found that invasion and adhesion differ among tumorsphere subtypes (holospheres, merospheres and paraspheres), and their tumor cell progeny also harbor distinct self-renewal and clonogenic potentials. Furthermore, holospheres contained higher numbers of head and neck CSCs, as detected by the CD44 cancer stem cell marker and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymatic activity. In addition, holospheres showed reduced proliferation (Ki67), hypoacetylation of histones, and increased expression of the BMI-1 epithelial stem cell marker, suggesting activation of stem cell programs. Collectively, our results suggest that holospheres enrich a specific population of CSCs with enhanced “stemness” and invasive potential.
Constitutive Explanations as a Methodological Framework for Integrating Thermodynamics and Economics
Authors: Herrmann-Pillath Carsten
Published: January 2016

The common approach to integrating thermodynamics and economics is subsuming thermodynamic aspects among the set of constraints under which economic activity takes place. The causal link between energy and growth is investigated via aggregate econometric analysis. This paper discusses methodological issues of aggregate analysis and proposes an alternative framework based on recent developments in philosophy of science, in particular of the life sciences. “Constitutive explanations” eschew the covering law approach to scientific explanation and concentrate on the identification of multi-level architectures of causal mechanisms that generate phenomena. This methodology has been productively employed to organize cross-disciplinary research, and I suggest that it can also provide a framework for integrating thermodynamics and economics, since this also requires the combination of several scientific disciplines. I present the example of the “rebound effect” as a kind of constitutive explanation and put it in the context of urbanization as a complex mechanism that is the defining feature of economic growth in physical terms.
Building Integrated Photovoltaics: A Concise Description of the Current State of the Art and Possible Research Pathways
Authors: Jelle Bjørn
Published: January 2016

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) offer an aesthetical, economical and technical solution to integrate solar cells harvesting solar radiation to produce electricity within the climate envelopes of buildings. Photovoltaic (PV) cells may be mounted above or onto the existing or traditional roofing or wall systems. However, BIPV systems replace the outer building envelope skin, i.e., the climate screen, hence serving simultanously as both a climate screen and a power source generating electricity. Thus, BIPV may provide savings in materials and labor, in addition to reducing the electricity costs. Hence, for the BIPV products, in addition to specific requirements put on the solar cell technology, it is of major importance to have satisfactory or strict requirements of rain tightness and durability, where building physical issues like e.g., heat and moisture transport in the building envelope also have to be considered and accounted for. This work, from both a technological and scientific point of view, summarizes briefly the current state-of-the-art of BIPV, including both BIPV foil, tiles, modules and solar cell glazing products, and addresses possible research pathways for BIPV in the years to come.
History and Productivity Determine the Spatial Distribution of Key Habitats for Biodiversity in Norwegian Forest Landscapes
Authors: Sætersdal Magne , Gjerde Ivar , Heegaard Einar , Schei Fride , Nilsen Jan
Published: January 2016

Retention forestry, including the retention of woodland key habitats (WKH) at the forest stand scale, has become an essential management practice in boreal forests. Here, we investigate the spatial distribution of 9470 habitat patches, mapped according to the Complementary Habitat Inventory method (CHI habitats), as potential WKHs in 10 sample areas in Norway. We ask whether there are parts of the forest landscapes that have consistently low or high density of CHI habitats compared to the surveyed landscape as a whole, and therefore have a low or high degree of conflict with harvesting, respectively. We found that there was a general pattern of clumped distribution of CHI habitats at distances up to a few kilometres. Furthermore, results showed that most types of CHI habitats were approximately two to three times as common in the 25% steepest slopes, lowest altitudes and highest site indices. CHI habitats that are most common in old-growth forests were found at longer distances from roads, whereas habitats rich in deciduous trees were found at shorter distances from roads than expected. Both environmental factors and the history of human impact are needed to explain the spatial distribution of CHI habitats. The overrepresentation of WKHs in parts of the forest landscapes represents a good starting point to develop more efficient inventory methods.
Propagation of Native Tree Species to Restore Subtropical Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forests in SW China
Authors: Lu Yang , Ranjitkar Sailesh , Xu Jian-Chu , Ou Xiao-Kun , Zhou Ying-Zai , Ye Jian-Fang , Wu Xun-Feng , Weyerhaeuser Horst , He Jun
Published: January 2016

Subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBLF) is a widespread vegetation type throughout East Asia that has suffered extensive deforestation and fragmentation. Selection and successful propagation of native tree species are important for improving ecological restoration of these forests. We carried out a series of experiments to study the propagation requirements of indigenous subtropical tree species in Southwest China. Seeds of 21 tree species collected from the natural forest were materials for the experiment. This paper examines the seed germination and seedling growth performance of these species in a nursery environment. Germination percentages ranged from 41% to 96% and were ≥50% for 19 species. The median length of germination time (MLG) ranged from 24 days for Padus wilsonii to 144 days for Ilex polyneura. Fifteen species can reach the transplant size (≥15 cm in height) within 12 months of seed collection. Nursery-grown seedlings for each species were planted in degraded site. Two years after planting, the seedling survival rate was >50% in 18 species and >80% in 12 species. Based on these results, 17 species were recommended as appropriate species for nursery production in forest restoration projects. Our study contributes additional knowledge regarding the propagation techniques for various native subtropical tree species in nurseries for forest restoration.
Analysis of DNA Methylation and Hydroxymethylation in the Genome of Crustacean Daphnia pulex
Authors: Strepetkaitė Dovilė , Alzbutas Gediminas , Astromskas Eimantas , Lagunavičius Arūnas , Sabaliauskaitė Rasa , Arbačiauskas Kęstutis , Lazutka Juozas
Published: January 2016

The aim of our study was to analyze the presence of 5-methyl-cytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine (5-hmC) in the genome of crustacean Daphnia pulex. First, the presence of 5-mC and 5-hmC in genomic DNA was demonstrated by using antibodies specific to either 5-mC or 5-hmC. Then, analysis of 5-mC and 5-hmC using pairs of restriction enzymes with different sensitivity to methylation and hydroxymethylation confirmed the presence of both modifications in selected regions of three genes (Cox4, Cand2 and Ephx1). To get a detailed picture of 5-hmC distribution over the D. pulex genome, we performed 5-hmC enrichment and sequenced the enriched fraction using next generation sequencing and non-enriched library (input) as a control. Comparison of input and enriched libraries showed that 5-hmC in exons is twice as frequent as in introns. Functional analysis indicated that 5-hmC abundance is associated with genes that are involved in the adenylate cyclase-activating G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, molting cycles, morphogenesis and cell fate determination. Genes that lack 5-hmC tend to be involved in the regulation of the transforming growth factor beta receptor signaling pathway and in many mRNA-related processes. Our results suggest that epigenetic modifications are present in the genome of D. pulex and most likely are involved in the regulation of gene expression of this crustacean.
Binding of Sulpiride to Seric Albumins
Authors: Da Silva Fragoso Viviane , De Morais Coura Carla , Hoppe Luanda , Soares Marília , Silva Dilson , Cortez Celia
Published: January 2016

The aim of this work was to study the interaction of sulpiride with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) through the fluorescence quenching technique. As sulpiride molecules emit fluorescence, we have developed a simple mathematical model to discriminate the quencher fluorescence from the albumin fluorescence in the solution where they interact. Sulpiride is an antipsychotic used in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. We selectively excited the fluorescence of tryptophan residues with 290 nm wavelength and observed the quenching by titrating HSA and BSA solutions with sulpiride. Stern-Volmer graphs were plotted and quenching constants were estimated. Results showed that sulpiride form complexes with both albumins. Estimated association constants for the interaction sulpiride–HSA were 2.20 (±0.08) × 104 M−1, at 37 °C, and 5.46 (±0.20) × 104 M−1, at 25 °C. Those for the interaction sulpiride-BSA are 0.44 (±0.01) × 104 M−1, at 37 °C and 2.17 (±0.04) × 104 M−1, at 25 °C. The quenching intensity of BSA, which contains two tryptophan residues in the peptide chain, was found to be higher than that of HSA, what suggests that the primary binding site for sulpiride in albumin should be located next to the sub domain IB of the protein structure.
Microbial Biofilm Community Variation in Flowing Habitats: Potential Utility as Bioindicators of Postmortem Submersion Intervals
Authors: Lang Jennifer , Erb Racheal , Pechal Jennifer , Wallace John , McEwan Ryan , Benbow Mark
Published: January 2016

Biofilms are a ubiquitous formation of microbial communities found on surfaces in aqueous environments. These structures have been investigated as biomonitoring indicators for stream heath, and here were used for the potential use in forensic sciences. Biofilm successional development has been proposed as a method to determine the postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) of remains because there are no standard methods for estimating the PMSI and biofilms are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats. We sought to compare the development of epinecrotic (biofilms on Sus scrofa domesticus carcasses) and epilithic (biofilms on unglazed ceramic tiles) communities in two small streams using bacterial automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. Epinecrotic communities were significantly different from epilithic communities even though environmental factors associated with each stream location also had a significant influence on biofilm structure. All communities at both locations exhibited significant succession suggesting that changing communities throughout time is a general characteristic of stream biofilm communities. The implications resulting from this work are that epinecrotic communities have distinctive shifts at the first and second weeks, and therefore the potential to be used in forensic applications by associating successional changes with submersion time to estimate a PMSI. The influence of environmental factors, however, indicates the lack of a successional pattern with the same organisms and a focus on functional diversity may be more applicable in a forensic context.
Concepts and Controversies in Evaluating Vitamin K Status in Population-Based Studies
Authors: Shea M. , Booth Sarah
Published: January 2016

A better understanding of vitamin K’s role in health and disease requires the assessment of vitamin K nutritional status in population and clinical studies. This is primarily accomplished using dietary questionnaires and/or biomarkers. Because food composition databases in the US are most complete for phylloquinone (vitamin K1, the primary form in Western diets), emphasis has been on phylloquinone intakes and associations with chronic diseases. There is growing interest in menaquinone (vitamin K2) intakes for which the food composition databases need to be expanded. Phylloquinone is commonly measured in circulation, has robust quality control schemes and changes in response to phylloquinone intake. Conversely, menaquinones are generally not detected in circulation unless large quantities are consumed. The undercarboxylated fractions of three vitamin K-dependent proteins are measurable in circulation, change in response to vitamin K supplementation and are modestly correlated. Since different vitamin K dependent proteins are implicated in different diseases the appropriate vitamin K-dependent protein biomarker depends on the outcome under study. In contrast to other nutrients, there is no single biomarker that is considered a gold-standard measure of vitamin K status. Most studies have limited volume of specimens. Strategic decisions, guided by the research question, need to be made when deciding on choice of biomarkers.
Effects of a Theory-Based Education Program to Prevent Overweightness in Primary School Children
Authors: Kocken Paul , Scholten Anne-Marie , Westhoff Ellen , De Kok Brenda , Taal Elisabeth , Goldbohm R.
Published: January 2016

The effectiveness of the “Extra Fit!” (EF!) education program in promoting healthy diet and physical activity to prevent and reduce overweightness among primary school children aged 9 to 11 was evaluated. A randomized controlled design was carried out in 45 primary schools (n = 1112) in the Netherlands, 23 intervention and 22 control schools. The intervention schools received the education program for two successive school years in grades (U.S. system) 4, 5, and 6 (mean 7.6 h during 16 weeks per school per year). The control schools followed their usual curriculum. No positive effects of EF! were found with regard to behavior and anthropometric measures when follow-up measurements were compared to the baseline. However, from baseline to follow-up after one and two school years, the intervention group improved their knowledge score significantly compared to the control group. Moreover, an effect was observed for mean time spent inactively that increased more in the control group than in the intervention group. In conclusion, limited intervention effects were found for the intervention on knowledge and inactivity. To improve the effectiveness of education programs, we advise focusing on parental involvement, attractive lessons to enlarge the acceptability of the program, and multi-component environmental strategies.
Significant Beneficial Association of High Dietary Selenium Intake with Reduced Body Fat in the CODING Study
Authors: Wang Yongbo , Gao Xiang , Pedram Pardis , Shahidi Mariam , Du Jianling , Yi Yanqing , Gulliver Wayne , Zhang Hongwei , Sun Guang
Published: January 2016

Selenium (Se) is a trace element which plays an important role in adipocyte hypertrophy and adipogenesis. Some studies suggest that variations in serum Se may be associated with obesity. However, there are few studies examining the relationship between dietary Se and obesity, and findings are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the association between dietary Se intake and a panel of obesity measurements with systematic control of major confounding factors. A total of 3214 subjects participated in the study. Dietary Se intake was determined from the Willett food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Obese men and women had the lowest dietary Se intake, being 24% to 31% lower than corresponding normal weight men and women, classified by both BMI and body fat percentage. Moreover, subjects with the highest dietary Se intake had the lowest BMI, waist circumference, and trunk, android, gynoid and total body fat percentages, with a clear dose-dependent inverse relationship observed in both gender groups. Furthermore, significant negative associations discovered between dietary Se intake and obesity measurements were independent of age, total dietary calorie intake, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, medication, and menopausal status. Dietary Se intake alone may account for 9%–27% of the observed variations in body fat percentage. The findings from this study strongly suggest that high dietary Se intake is associated with a beneficial body composition profile.
Wireless Sensors Grouping Proofs for Medical Care and Ambient Assisted-Living Deployment
Authors: Trček Denis
Published: January 2016

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are rapidly penetrating e-health and assisted living domains, and an increasing proportion among them goes on the account of computationally-weak devices, where security and privacy provisioning alone are demanding tasks, not to mention grouping proofs. This paper, therefore, gives an extensive analysis of such proofs and states lessons learnt to avoid possible pitfalls in future designs. It sticks with prudent engineering techniques in this field and deploys in a novel way the so called non-deterministic principle to provide not only grouping proofs, but (among other) also privacy. The developed solution is analyzed by means of a tangible metric and it is shown to be lightweight, and formally for security.
Le rôle de l'exposition dans la fusion nivale
Authors: Barrère Pierre
Published: January 2016

Les grands froids de février 1956, accompagnés de chutes de neige, ont permis d'observer dans de bonnes conditions les modalités de la fusion nivale. Au voisinage de 0°C, en atmosphère sèche et ensoleillée, le rôle de là sublimation est fondamental. Ses effets s'exercent de façon très inégale non seulement sur les versants nord et les versants sud, mais encore sur les versants est et ouest ; ceux-ci, recevant les rayons solaires l'après-midi à l'heure du maximum thermique et du minimum hygrométrique, subissent les plus fortes ablations. L'évolution morphologique des versants en est nécessairement influencée.
A CHANDRA STUDY OF TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE INTRACLUSTER MEDIUM IN 50 GALAXY CLUSTERS
Authors: Zhu Zhenghao , Xu Haiguang , Wang Jingying , Gu Junhua , Li Weitian , Hu Dan , Zhang Chenhao , Gu Liyi , An Tao , Liu Chengze , Zhang Zhongli , Zhu Jie , Wu Xiang-Ping
Published: January 2016

To investigate the spatial distribution of the intracluster medium temperature in galaxy clusters in a quantitative way and probe the physics behind it, we analyze the X-ray spectra from a sample of 50 clusters that were observed with the Chandra ACIS instrument over the past 15 years and measure the radial temperature profiles out to 0.45r
500. We construct a physical model that takes into consideration the effects of gravitational heating, thermal history (such as radiative cooling, active galactic nucleus feedback, and thermal conduction), and work done via gas compression, and use it to fit the observed temperature profiles by running Bayesian regressions. The results show that in all cases our model provides an acceptable fit at the 68% confidence level. For further validation, we select nine clusters that have been observed with both Chandra (out to ≳0.3r
500) and Suzaku (out to ≳1.5r
500) and fit their Chandra spectra with our model. We then compare the extrapolation of the best fits with the Suzaku measurements and find that the model profiles agree with the Suzaku results very well in seven clusters. In the remaining two clusters the difference between the model and the observation is possibly caused by local thermal substructures. Our study also implies that for most of the clusters the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium is safe out to at least 0.5r
500 and the non-gravitational interactions between dark matter and its luminous counterparts is consistent with zero.
DYNAMICAL INTERACTIONS MAKE HOT JUPITERS IN OPEN STAR CLUSTERS
Authors: Shara Michael M. , Hurley Jarrod R. , Mardling Rosemary A.
Published: January 2016

Explaining the origin and evolution of exoplanetary hot Jupiters remains a significant challenge. One possible mechanism for the production of hot Jupiters is planet–planet interactions, which produce them from planets born far from their host stars but near their dynamical stability limits. In the much more likely case of planets born far from their dynamical stability limits, can hot Jupiters be formed in star clusters? Our N-body simulations answer this question in the affirmative, and show that hot Jupiter formation is not a rare event, occurring in ∼1% of star cluster planetary systems. We detail three case studies of the dynamics-induced births of hot Jupiters on highly eccentric orbits that can only occur inside star clusters. The hot Jupiters’ orbits bear remarkable similarities to those of some of the most extreme exoplanets known: HAT-P-32b, HAT-P-2b, HD 80606b, and GJ 876d. If stellar perturbations formed these hot Jupiters, then our simulations predict that these very hot inner planets are often accompanied by much more distant gas giants in highly eccentric orbits.
VALIDATION OF THE CORONAL THICK TARGET SOURCE MODEL
Authors: Fleishman Gregory D. , Xu Yan , Nita Gelu N. , Gary Dale E.
Published: January 2016

We present detailed 3D modeling of a dense, coronal thick-target X-ray flare using the GX Simulator tool, photospheric magnetic measurements, and microwave imaging and spectroscopy data. The developed model offers a remarkable agreement between the synthesized and observed spectra and images in both X-ray and microwave domains, which validates the entire model. The flaring loop parameters are chosen to reproduce the emission measure, temperature, and the nonthermal electron distribution at low energies derived from the X-ray spectral fit, while the remaining parameters, unconstrained by the X-ray data, are selected such as to match the microwave images and total power spectra. The modeling suggests that the accelerated electrons are trapped in the coronal part of the flaring loop, but away from where the magnetic field is minimal, and, thus, demonstrates that the data are clearly inconsistent with electron magnetic trapping in the weak diffusion regime mediated by the Coulomb collisions. Thus, the modeling supports the interpretation of the coronal thick-target sources as sites of electron acceleration in flares and supplies us with a realistic 3D model with physical parameters of the acceleration region and flaring loop.
La transparence du marché du travail – un travail en soi
Authors: Pillon Jean-Marie
Published: January 2016

Alors qu’Internet suscite de grands espoirs pour rapprocher recruteurs et candidats, son utilisation dans la lutte contre le chômage est en fait particulièrement convenue. L’idée d’une « transparence du marché du travail », à laquelle l’usage d’Internet est associé, est en effet présente dès 1967 dans la lettre de mission de l’ANPE. L’importance attribuée à la circulation de l’information pour fluidifier le marché du travail se perpétue ainsi malgré l’installation du chômage de masse. Le discours sur la transparence tenu aujourd’hui par Pôle emploi se distingue néanmoins de par son esprit gestionnaire. L’automatisation des opérations de placement des chômeurs devrait permettre d’économiser le temps de travail des conseillers. Cette stratégie occulte la nécessaire présence d’un ou de plusieurs intermédiaires pour mettre en circulation l’information. Cet article analyse la diversité de ces opérations et la façon dont elles structurent la répartition des travailleurs et des postes de travail.
La penetración de la venta directa en España: una perspectiva internacional
Authors: Fernández Martínez José Luis , Solé Cuatrecasas Jordi
Published: January 2016

There is little scientific and academic literature in Spanish, let alone updated about the evolution and penetration of direct sales in international markets, a situation aggravated when referring to the introduction of this business model in Spain. This paper aims to conduct a quantitative study among countries and regions by comparing the penetration of this business model and business through the analysis of implementation of direct selling companies, quantifying sales force, and consumer demographics as agent, and set rates comparative international and Spanish statewide. The results show a weakness in this model penetration in Western Europe compared with both the US and the rest of the American continent, with special incidence in Spain. Certainly the reasons for these differences would be subject to a required level of analysis left open new fields of research.
Indexing of Image Features Using Quadtree
Authors: Puviarasan N. , Bhavani R.
Published: January 2016

In Content based image retrieval (CBIR) applications, the idea of indexing is mapping the extracted descriptors from images into a high-dimensional space. In this paper, visual features like color, texture and shape are considered. The color features are extracted using color coherence vector (CCV), texture features are obtained from Segmentation based Fractal Texture Analysis (SFTA). The shape features of an image are extracted using the Fourier Descriptors (FD) which is the contour based feature extraction method. All features of an image are then combined. After combining the color, texture and shape features using appropriate weights, the quadtree is used for indexing the images. It is experimentally found that the proposed indexing method using quadtree gives better performance than the other existing indexing methods.
Knowledge Transfer and Knowledge Creation in Virtual Teams
Authors: Jones Nory B.
Published: January 2016

Tacit knowledge transfer and knowledge creation represents perhaps the best means of sustainable competitive advantage through continual innovation. As organizations become more distributed in their different offices, virtual teams become more common and valuable. The question of how these virtual teams can effectively transfer tacit knowledge and create new knowledge thus becomes of importance to organizations. This chapter focuses on this issue and presents supporting evidence related to tacit knowledge transfer and creation, virtual teams, and how businesses can effectively harness capacity of virtual teams to transfer valuable tacit knowledge and create new knowledge.
Evaluating the Image of Tourist Destinations
Authors: Ispas Ana , Constantin Cristinel Petrisor , Candrea Adina Nicoleta
Published: January 2016

As the tourism marketplace is currently highly competitive, Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) need to have a thorough understanding of the actual perception of their destinations and even of the desired perception they should have to adequately implement measures to alter or maintain such images. In this context, the present chapter provides an overview of tourist destination image evaluation, from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. It outlines the role of conducting research in order to evaluate destination image as key strategic information which has to be provided to DMOs. The chapter provides a theoretical framework to destination image evaluation as well as a case study on the evaluation of a Romanian city's image as a tourist destination.
Microprocessor System for Measurement of a Thrust Generated by an Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Szymak Piotr , Bruski Stanisław
Published: January 2016

One of the most important elements of a stand for measurement of a thrust generated by an underwater vehicle UV is a microprocessor measurement system. The system is responsible for processing signals from a force sensors and then for delivering processed data to a measurement system. The paper describes the microprocessor system which was built for measurement of a thrust generated by a biomimetic underwater vehicle BUV [4].The paper includes an introduction, technical description of the measurement system and at the end, selected results of its working.
Research on Subsystem of Obstacles Detection Based on Physical Model of Biomimetic Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Szymak Piotr , Naus Krzysztof , Chmielak Maciej
Published: January 2016

One of the most important subsystems of an Autonomous Biomimetic Underwater Vehicle ABUV [3][4] is a navigation subsystem. The subsystem is responsible for safe navigation under and above the surface of water. One of the key function of the subsystem is an obstacles detection. The paper describes the tests of the obstacles detection performed by means of the physical model of the ABUV in a real environment – the marina in Gdynia.
Integration of PEM Fuel Cells and Lithium Ion Secondary Battery into a Single Hybrid Electric Energy Source – Part I: Control System
Authors: Grzeczka Grzegorz , Polak Adam , Rak Radosław
Published: January 2016

Both fuel cells and lithium-ion cells are chemical sources of electric energy. In either of these sources, energy is obtained from chemical reactions performed at the electrodes. However, different constructions of those cells causes that they are characterized by different, and in many cases opposite, properties. Their combination into a single hybrid power source can therefore lead to utilization of advantages of both of them and, at the same time, mutual elimination of their disadvantages. The article presents control assumptions, structure of control system and control algorithm of a hybrid portable electric energy source in an early stage of development – a technology demonstrator. Discussed technology demonstrator integrates PEM fuel cells with Li-ion secondary cells.
Simulation Investigations of Influence of Tooth Depth Coefficient on Dynamic Phenomena in Toothed Gear
Authors: Peruń Grzegorz
Published: January 2016

The increase of transverse contact ratio (εα) value usually allows reducing general level of gear vibroactivity. Article put to the test influence of coefficient εα value on dynamic forces in mesh zone with use of dynamic model of toothed gear. From theoretical point of view, the optimum value of transverse contact ratio is equal 2, what mean, that in mesh are always two pair of teeth. Obtainment such value of coefficient εα requires another construction of toothed wheels – wheels with HCR (High Contact Ratio) profile teeth. On result of occurrence of different deviations in toothed gears, as well as the dynamic phenomena, obtainment of continuous two-pair cooperation of gear pair is impossible and when this necessary is, solutions with near or exceed optimum value of coefficient are applied.
Review on Transmission Expansion Planning Models
Authors: Alhamrouni Ibrahim , Khairuddin Azhar , Salem Mohamed , Alnajjar Abdelrahman
Published: January 2016

Transmission expansion planning has become a complicated procedure more than any time it was with the rapid growth of the transmission networks, therefore, this work summarizes the works had been done before regarding this topic. This review classifies the existing works from many sides such as, solution methods, planning horizon and from the modeling prospective in order to facilitate the other researcher’s works in this hot area to get a feasible algorithm academically and commercially. The drawbacks of the TEP procedure and some recommendations are also included.
Prediction of Performance Equations for Household Compressors Depending on Manufacturing Data for Refrigerators and Freezers
Authors: Mahdi Louay Abdalazez , Habib Emad Esmaael , Abdalmunam Laith
Published: January 2016

A semi-empirical model has been investigated to represent household compressors. The model based on calorimeter data for two distinguished brand (Danfoss and Electrolux CUBIGEL) and compared with eight brands consisting of ninety compressors model. The calorimeter data are correlated (according to ARI standard 540-90 [1] and working refrigeration temperature cycle for ASHRAE Technical Committee 8.9[2]) as a function of refrigerant saturated evaporating temperatures from (-35 to 10) °C and swept volume range (2.24-11.15) cm3 keeping of the refrigerant saturated condensing temperature constant at 54.5 °C. The correlations were found with ten-coefficient polynomial by using Matlab software – surface fitting method for cooling capacity, power consumption, and refrigerant mass flow rate.In addition, other equations for cooling capacity, power consumption, and refrigerant mass flow rate at-23.3 °C evaporator temperature, 54.4 °C condenser temperature, and 32 °C temperature for liquid line which is the base points of the refrigerator cycle according to ASHRAE[2] , cover the range (2.42-11.15) cm3 swept volume which are created to quick choose the proper compressor.The result indicated that the surface fitting models are accurate within ± 15% deviation of compressors data of seventy-two models for cooling capacity, fifty models for power, and twenty-five models for refrigerant mass flow rate.
Neutral Networks for Fault Classification: Comparison between Feed-Forward Back-Propagation, RBF and LVQ Neural Network
Authors: Novizon  , Abdul-Malek Zulkurnain
Published: January 2016

— Neural networks are frequently used as a classifier for tasks in many classifications. However there are disadvantages in terms of amount of training data required, and length of training time. This paper, develop an intelligent diagnosis system for zinc oxide (ZnO) surge arrester fault classification. First the features were extracted from 600 ZnO surge arrester thermal images and leakage currents. Then these features were presented to several neural network architectures to investigate the most suitable network model for classifying the ZnO surge arrester fault condition effectively. Three classification models were used namely feed forward back propagation (FFBP), radial basis function (RBF) and learning vector quantization (LVQ) algorithm. The performance of the networks was compared based on resulted of misclassify and correct rate. The method was evaluated using 24 testing datasets. Comparison results showed that LVQ was the best training algorithm for the ZnO surge arrester fault classification compared to the others system. Also the LVQ is faster than FFBP and RBF.
Doped Ceria Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrolytes and their Sintering Aspects: An Overview
Authors: Datta Pradyot
Published: January 2016

Depletion of fossil fuel at an alarming rate is a major concern of humankind. Consequently, researchers all over the world are putting a concerted effort for finding alternative and renewable energy. Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is one such system. SOFCs are electrochemical devices that have several advantages over conventional power generation systems like high efficiency of power generation, low emission of green house gases and the fuel flexibility. The major research focus of recent times is to reduce the operating temperature of SOFC in the range of 500 to 700 °C so as to render it commercially viable. This reduction in temperature is largely dependent on finding an electrolyte material with adequate oxygen ion conductivity at the intended operating temperature. One much material is Gadolinia doped Ceria (CGO) that shows very good oxygen ion conductivity at the intended operation temperature. The aim of this overview is to highlight the contribution that materials chemistry has made to the development of CGO as an electrolyte.