bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects Of Friction On Stamping Process Of Sheet Metals Used In Aviation
Authors: Dyja K. , Więckowski W.
Published: November 2015

An important factor in the possibility of obtaining correct drawn parts with the desired functional properties is the friction between the stamped sheet and the tool.

The article discusses the impact of technological lubricants developed according to our own formulas, based on vegetable oils, on the stamping process taking into account the strain distributions in the drawn parts. Biodegradable lubricants based on rapeseed oil with an addition of stearic acid or boric acid were used. The results of the friction coefficient in a strip drawing test and the numerical analysis results of the stamping process of a spherical cap from sheet metal: aluminium 2024, commercially pure titanium Grade 2, steel 5604 in dry friction and lubrication conditions, are presented. Strain distributions and changes in the drawn part wall thickness were analysed.
Numerical And Experimental Analysis Of The Process Of Aviation Drawpiece Forming Using Rigid And Rubber Punch With Various Properties
Authors: Kut S. , Niedziałek B.
Published: November 2015

This paper presents the results of the numerical analysis and experimental research of the forming process of aviation drawpiece made from 0.6 mm thick Inconel 625 sheet metal. First phase of testing was conducted using rigid steel tools for drawpiece forming. Results of conducted simulations show that during rigid tool forming, the middle of the drawpiece losses stability. In consequence, rigid tool forming leads to the formation of unacceptable wrinkles on the drawpiece. Subsequent experimental research confirmed wrinkles of the metal drawpiece in this area. It was assumed that in order to eliminate this negative phenomenon, minor changes in technology and tool construction would have to be made. The drawpiece will be shaped by means of a flexible tool, than re-shaped using rigid tools. In the second phase of the research, tooling design changes have been made. They consisted of replacing the steel punch with a specially designed stamp susceptible for deformation. FEM numerical simulations were performed for flexible punch forming made of polyurethane elastomer with different hardness (50, 70, 85 and 90 Sh A). On their basis, the effect on the mechanical characteristics of the elastomeric drawing process and the formation of wrinkles was shown. They can be effectively eliminated by the use of a punch with hardness of 90 Sh A, which has also been confirmed by experimental research. In addition, the paper presents a comparative analysis of the deformations in selected actual drawpiece areas and in the elastomeric punch with hardness 90 Sh A computer model. The actual drawpiece deformation schedule and the values were determined using photogrammetric system Argus v.6.3., while the computer modeled drawpiece was based on FEM calculations performed in the MARC / Mentat system. In conclusion the difficulties as well as the advantages and disadvantages in determining the deformation of sheet metal parts were indicated using photogrammetric system Argus and FEM.
Numerical Prediction Of Deformations In Laser Welded Sheets Made Of X5CrNi18-10 Steel
Authors: Piekarska W. , Kubiak M. , Saternus Z. , Stano S. , Domański T.
Published: November 2015

The work concerns the numerical modelling of coupled thermal and mechanical phenomena occurring in the laser beam welding process. Commercial Abaqus FEA engineering software is adopted to numerical computations in order to perform a comprehensive analysis of thermo-mechanical phenomena. Created in Fortran programming language additional numerical subroutines are implemented into Abaqus solver, used to describe the power intensity distribution of the movable laser beam heat source. Temperature dependent thermomechanical properties of X5CrNi18-10 steel are adopted in the numerical analysis of stress and strain states. Mathematical and numerical models are verified on the basis of a comparison between selected results of computer simulations and experimental studies on butt-welded joints.

Numerical simulations are presented for steel sheet with a thickness of 2 mm. Temperature distributions, the shape and size of melted zone as well as residual stress and deformations are presented for analyzed elements. Numerically determined deflections are compared with the measured deflection of welded joint.
Microstructure And Functional Properties Of Prosthetic Cobalt Alloys CoCrW
Authors: Nadolski M. , Golański G. , Klimas J. , Szota M. , Szymański J.
Published: November 2015

The material subject to investigation was two commercial alloys of cobalt CoCrW (No. 27 and 28) used in prosthodontics. The scope of research included performing an analysis of microstructure and functional properties (microhardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance), as well as dilatometric tests. The examined alloys were characterized by diverse properties, which was considerably influenced by the morphology of precipitates in these materials. Alloy No. 27 has a higher corrosion resistance, whereas alloy No. 28 shows higher microhardness, better wear resistance and higher coefficient of linear expansion. Lower value of the expansion coefficient indicates less probability of initiation of a crack in the facing ceramic material.
X-Ray Phase Analysis Of Nitrided Layers Of X2CrNiMo17-12-2 Austenitic Steel
Authors: Frączek T. , Olejnik M. , Pilarska M.
Published: November 2015

This work presents the results of diffraction analyses carried out using X-ray phase analyses (XRD and GIXRD) of nitrided layers of X2CrNiMo17-12-2 austenitic steel. Plasma nitriding process was c arried out in the temperature range of 325 ÷ 400 °C and time of 2 ÷ 4 h. Hydrogen-nitrogen plasma was used as reactive atmosphere (H2 75% + N2 25%) with pressure of 150 Pa. On the basis of the X-ray analyses it was stated that the obtained nitrided layers consisted of a subsurface layer of chromium nitrides and a zone of nitrogen saturated austenite.
Transport Phenomena In Single Crystals Tl1−XIn1−XGeXSe2 (x=0.1, 0.2)
Authors: Zamurueva O.V. , Myronchuk G.L. , Oźga K. , Szota M. , El-Naggar A.M. , Albassam A.A. , Parasyuk O.V. , Piskach L.V. , Kityk I.V.
Published: November 2015

Temperature dependences of electroconductivity for single crystals Tl1−xIn1−xGexSe2 were analyzed. It was established an occurrence of thermoactivated states within the temperature range 100-300 K. The conductivity is formed by delocalized carriers within the conductivity band and the jumping conductivity over the localized states which are situated in the narrow localized states near the Fermi level. Following the performed data the activation energy was evaluated with accuracy up to 0.02 eV. The density of the localized states as well as the distribution of the energy over the mentioned states was evaluated. Additionally the average distance between the localized states is evaluated at different temperatures.
UV-Induced Anisotropy In CdBr2-CdBr2: Cu Nanostructures
Authors: El-Naggar A. M. , Albassam A. A. , Oźga K. , Szota M. , Kityk I.V.
Published: November 2015

We have found an occurrence of anisotropy in the nanostructure CdBr2-CdBr2: Cu nanocrystalline films. The film thickness was varied from 4 nm up to 80 nm. The films were prepared by successive deposition of the novel layers onto the basic nanocrystals. The detection of anisotropy was performed by occurrence of anisotropy in the polarized light at 633 nm He-Ne laser wavelength. The occurrence of anisotropy was substantially dependent on the film thickness and the photoinduced power density. Possible mechanisms of the observed phenomena are discussed.
Development Of High-Resolution Mechanical Spectroscopy, HRMS: Status And Perspectives. HRMS Coupled With A Laser Dilatometer
Authors: Magalas L.B.
Published: November 2015

Recent achievements in the development of low-frequency high-resolution mechanical spectroscopy (HRMS) are briefly reported. It is demonstrated that extremely low values of the loss angle, ϕ, (tanϕb = 1×10−5) can be measured as a function of frequency, and the precision in estimation of the dynamic modulus is better than 1×10−5 in arbitrary units. Three conditions must be fulfilled to obtain high resolution in subresonant and resonant mechanical loss measurements: (1) noise in stress and elastic strain signals must be lower than 70 dB, (2) high quality of stress and strain signals must be tested both in the frequency- and time-domains, and (3) the estimation of the mechanical loss and modulus must be verified by at least two different computing methods operating in the frequency- and time-domains. It is concluded that phase measurements in the subresonant domain are no longer determined by precision in estimation of the loss angle. Recent developments in high-resolution resonant mechanical loss measurements stem from the application of advanced nonparametric and parametric computing methods and algorithms to estimate the logarithmic decrement and the elastic modulus from exponentially damped free decaying oscillations embedded in experimental noise.

It is emphasized that HRMS takes into account the presence of noise in the stress and strain signals, which has not yet been addressed in the literature. The coupling of a low-frequency mechanical spectrometer with an in-situ laser dilatometer is suggested as a new perspective research area in Materials Science.
Mechanical Spectroscopy Of Ordered Binary Au-Cu
Authors: Tkalcec I. , Mari D. , Schaller R.
Published: November 2015

We have studied a binary Au-Cu single crystal by mechanical spectroscopy. Upon very slow cooling from high temperatures, additional relaxation peaks arise at lower frequencies in isothermal spectra after the disappearing of the Zener peak below 665 K due to ordering. A high transient peak is visible at 660 K and it progressively disappears on cooling until 625 K. Another high peak is clearly visible upon following heating until 660 K. Above that temperature it decreases in parallel with the increase of the Zener peak. If the ordered structure is obtained by slowly heating the sample that has been quenched from the disordered state, no low-frequency peak is visible in the isothermal spectra, only a much lower background, which further decreases in parallel with the reappearance of the Zener peak. The low frequency relaxations are possibly due to the movement of antiphase boundaries and twin interfaces in the ordered structures.
Internal Friction Of Phase Transformations Observed Around Room Temperature In Ga-In-Sn Eutectic Alloys
Authors: Jin Mingjiang , Li Qiang , Ying Renlong , Lu Xianwen , Jin Xuejun , Ding Xifan
Published: November 2015

The phase transformation phenomena in eutectic Ga-In-Sn alloys around room temperature are studied by thermal analysis, internal friction, and in-situ XRD methods. The results show that in addition to the solidification transformation, a novel the so-called ‘pre-solidification’ phase transition, demonstrating first-order feature, is observed prior to the crystallization during cooling. The internal friction increases when the ‘pre-solidification’ effect occurs. The shear modulus increases until crystallization. An internal friction peak is attributed to the melting process observed during heating. The mechanism of the ‘pre-solidification’ transformation in Ga-In-Sn eutectic alloy is discussed.
Finite Element Analysis Of Large Deformation Of Articular Cartilage In Upper Ankle Joint Of Occupant In Military Vehicles During Explosion
Authors: Klekiel T. , Będziński R.
Published: November 2015

The paper presents the analysis of the load of lower limbs of occupants in the armoured military vehicle, which has been destroyed by detonation of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) charge under the vehicle. A simplified model of the human lower limb focused on upper ankle joint was developed in order to determine the reaction forces in joints and load in particular segments during the blast load. The model of upper ankle joint, include a tibia and an ankle bone with corresponding articular cartilage, has been developed. An analysis of the stress distribution under the influence of forces applied at different angles to the biomechanical axis of a limb has been performed. We analyzed the case of the lower limb of a sitting man leaning his feet on the floor. It has been shown that during a foot pronation induced by a knee outward deviation, the axial load on the foot causes significantly greater tension in the tibia. At the same time it has been shown that within the medial malleolus, tensile stresses occur on the surface of the bone which may lead to fracture of the medial malleolus. It is a common case of injuries caused by loads on foot of passengers in armored vehicles during a mine or IED load under the vehicle. It was shown that the outward deviation of the knee increases the risk of the foot injury within the ankle joint.
Dry And Ringer Solution Lubricated Tribology Of Thin Osseoconductive Metal Oxides And Diamond-Like Carbon Films
Authors: Waldhauser W. , Lackner J. M. , Kot M. , Major B.
Published: November 2015

Achieving fast and strong adhesion to jawbone is essential for dental implants. Thin deposited films may improve osseointegration, but they are prone to cohesive and adhesive fracture due to high stresses while screwing the implant into the bone, leading to bared, less osteoconductive substrate surfaces and nano- and micro-particles in the bone. Aim of this work is the investigation of the cohesion and adhesion failure stresses of osteoconductive tantalum, titanium, silicon, zirconium and aluminium oxide and diamond-like carbon films. The tribological behaviour under dry and lubricated conditions (Ringer solution) reveals best results for diamond-like carbon, while cohesion and adhesion of zirconium oxide films is highest.
Roughness Influence On Macro- And Micro-Tribology Of Multi-Layered Hard Coatings On Carbon Fibre Polymer Composite
Authors: Lackner J.M. , Major B. , Waldhauser W. , Mzyk A. , Major Ł. , Kot M.
Published: November 2015

Goal of this work is the investigation of roughness influences on the abrasive wear behaviour of magnetron sputtered multi-layered, low-friction coatings on carbon-fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP). Higher coating roughness at similar CFRP quality was realized by higher deposition rates, leading to increased heat flux to the substrates during deposition. Thermal expansion of the epoxy matrix on the micro scale results in a wavy, wrinkled surface topography. Both in scratch and reciprocal sliding testing against alumina, the friction coefficients are lower for the smooth coatings, but their wear rate is higher due to low-cycle fatigue caused abrasion.
The Importance Of Surface Topography For The Biological Properties Of Nitrided Diffusion Layers Produced On Ti6Al4V Titanium Alloy
Authors: Wierzchoń T. , Czarnowska E. , Morgiel J. , Sowińska A. , Tarnowski M. , Roguska A.
Published: November 2015

Diffusion nitrided layers produced on titanium and its alloys are widely studied in terms of their application for cardiac and bone implants. The influence of the structure, the phase composition, topography and surface morphology on their biological properties is being investigated. The article presents the results of a study of the topography (nanotopography) of the surface of TiN+Ti2N+αTi(N) nitrided layers produced in low-temperature plasma on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy and their influence on the adhesion of blood platelets and their aggregates. The TEM microstructure of the produced layers have been examined and it was demonstrated that the interaction between platelets and the surface of the titanium implants subjected to glow-discharge nitriding can be shaped via modification of the roughness parameters of the external layer of the TiN titanium nitride nanocrystalline zone.
The Innovative Directions In Development And Implementations Of Hybrid Technologies In Surface Engineering
Authors: Mazurkiewicz A. , Smolik J.
Published: November 2015

The dynamics of the development of modern technology depends, to a great extent, on the possibilities of producing the innovative materials with high functionality parameters, which could be used in modern, highly advanced technological processes. Surface engineering plays a very important role in this area. This is mainly due to the fact that, for many structural materials, the possibilities of classical formation of their properties (e.g., by heat treatment or the selection of the microstructure, chemical and phase composition) have been practically used up. The material and technological achievements in the surface engineering area allow the modification of the properties of the surface layer of tool and machine components. As a result, they may be better suited to work in increasingly difficult and more demanding conditions. The hybrid technologies, combining several different methods of surface treatment in one complex technological process, are the most advanced solutions compared to already known surface engineering methods. In the article, the authors present the possibilities of shaping the functional properties of the surface layer. The authors describe problems associated with the development of the hybrid technology and provide the examples of physical modelling, design, technological development, and the practical application of a hybrid technology. In this work, the authors also identify the areas whose development is needed for more effective transfer of surface engineering innovations to business applications.
Deformation Microstructure And Texture Transformations In FCC Metals Of Medium-To-High Stacking Fault Energy: Critical Role Of Micro- And Macro-Scale Shear Bands
Authors: Paul H. , Miszczyk M. M.
Published: November 2015

Microstructure and texture development in medium-to-high stacking fault energy face centred cubic metals were investigated in order to examine the role of lattice re-orientation on slip propagation across grain boundaries and to characterize the influence of micro- and macro-scale copper-type shear bands on textural changes at large deformations. Polycrystalline pure copper (fine - and coarse - grained) and fine-grained AA1050 alloy were deformed in plane strain compression at room temperature to form two sets of well-defined macroscopic shear bands. The deformation-induced sub-structures and local changes in crystallographic orientations were investigated mostly by scanning electron microscopy equipped with high resolution electron backscattered facility. In all the deformed grains within macro- shear bands a strong tendency to strain-induced re-orientation was observed. The flat, strongly deformed grains exhibited a deflection within narrow areas. The latter increased the layers’ inclination with respect to ED and led to kink-type bands, which are the precursors of MSBs. The mechanism of macro- / micro-shear bands formation is strictly crystallographic since in all the areas of the sheared zone, the crystal lattice rotated such that one of the {111} slip planes became nearly parallel to the shear plane and the <011> direction became parallel to the direction of maximum shear. This strain-induced crystal lattice rotation led to the formation of specific macro- / micro-shear bands components that facilitated slip propagation across the grain boundaries without any visible variation in the slip direction.
Utility Of Stress-Texture Characteristics Of Structural Materials By X-Ray Technique
Authors: Bonarski J.T. , Kania B. , Bolanowski K. , Karolczuk A.
Published: November 2015

The article presents the results of residual stress analysis in selected metal-metal joints manufactured by conventional welding and explosive merging. The X-ray diffraction technique applied for advanced stress-texture measurements and data processing revealed directions and values of the principal stresses and their configuration on the surface of the examined structural elements. The obtained stress topography of the joint intersections indicates a possible path of potential cracking formed during the exploitation process and thus it becomes a very useful tool in the diagnostics of structural elements.
Non-Modulated Martensite Microstructure With Internal Nanotwins In Ni-Mn-Ga Alloys
Authors: Szczerba M.J.
Published: November 2015

The self-accommodated non-modulated martensite of Ni-Mn-Ga single crystal was studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy in the latter case using the electron backscatter diffraction technique. Three kinds of interfaces existing at different length scales were reported. The first, is the wavy and incoherent interface separating martensite variants observed on the micro-level with no-common crystallographic plane between them. The second is within a single martensite plate where the lattice rotates around one of the {110} pole to accommodate the interfacial curvature between martensite plates. Finally, at the nanoscale the third interface exists, a twin boundary separating internal nanotwins with the {112} type habit plane.
Gold Nanoparticles Like A Matrix For Covalent Immobilization Of Cholesterol Oxidase – Application For Biosensing
Authors: Wojnarowska R. , Polit J. , Broda D. , Gonchar M. , Sheregii E. M.
Published: November 2015

Gold nanoparticles are emerging as promising agents for various areas of material science as well as nanotechnology, electronics and medicine. The interest in this material is provided due to its unique optical, electronic and molecular-recognition properties. This paper presents results of preparation, characterization and biofunctionalization of gold nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have been conjugated with the cholesterol oxidase enzyme in order to prepare the active element for biosensors. Cholesterol oxidase is one of the most important analytical enzyme, used for cholesterol assay in clinical diagnostics, and there is still a necessity in improvement of existing analytical techniques, including bio-nanotechnological approaches based on modern nanosystems. The prepared bio-nanosystem was characterized by the enzyme activity test. Obtained results showed a stable binding of the enzyme with nanoparticles and preserved the bioactivity approves which gives possibility to use the prepared bio-nanosystems for analytical purposes.

The Surface Plazmon Resonance and the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering as specific for nanocurriers effects were observed what enable us to research the oscillation spectra of enzyme. These spectra were compared with ones obtained by IR-spectroscopy. The vibrational lines are attributed to chemical functional groups existing in enzyme, for example, amino acids, amide groups as well as flavin – adenine dinucleotide cholesterol oxidase prosthetic group. By this way the identified spectral lines can be used as a distinguishing mark of enzyme.
Flux Effect Onto Peritectic Phases Growth In The Zinc Coating
Authors: Kopyciński D. , Guzik E.
Published: November 2015

A model of the (Zn) – coating formation on the iron/steel substrate is proposed. The model assumes the phases’ sub-layers creation in a sequence. This sequence is referred to the Fe-Zn phase diagram. However, this sequence of phases’ appearance is perturbed by the flux presence in the zinc bath. The flux effect on the coating morphology and appearance/disappearing of some sub-layers is analysed. The phases’ formation is treated as the result of the peritectic reaction accompanying the coating solidification. A comparison of the coating formations before and after flux decay is delivered. Thus, a function which describes the flux decay is also analysed. Additionally, a ternary Fe-Zn-F(flux) phase diagram is considered. The varying zinc concentration across the phases sub-layers is described with the use of the function which determines the flux decay. The behaviour of the solidification path before and after flux decay is discussed due to the adequate equations formulated in frame of the current model.
The Brittleness Of Zn-Cu-Ti Sheet Alloys
Authors: Boczkal G. , Mikułowski B.
Published: November 2015

At temperatures below 5°C, the ductility of ZnCuTi alloy sheets is observed to suffer a drastic drop in direction transverse to the rolling direction. Studies have shown that the critical temperature at which this phenomenon occurs is strongly dependent on the alloy structure and parameters of the sheet metal production process. Quite important is also the role of micro-inhomogeneity arising in the chemical composition of the alloy matrix, directly related with the structure of intermetallic precipitates containing Cu and Ti.
Fractographic Analysis Of Selected Boron Steels Subjected To Impact Testing
Authors: Dudziński W. , Konat Ł. , Białobrzeska B.
Published: November 2015

In this paper dynamic properties of low-alloy boron steels – Hardox 500, B27 and HTK 900H in delivered state (after hardening and tempering) are considered. Charpy V-notch (CVN) test results in connection with fractography in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature region were analyzed. Obtained from CVN test the impact transition curve, not always predicts properly a behavior of materials in conditions of dynamic loading. So an analyze of character of fracture helps to evaluate the real behavior of materials. Tested samples were cut out longitudinally in relation to cold work direction. The results of CVN test for selected steels, in temperatures: −40°C, −20°C, 0°C and +20°C are presented. Regarding ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, there is a significant difference taking into account values of Charpy V energy absorbed and a character of fracture.
Experimental Investigation Of Modified Heat Treatment Of AK64-Type Al-Si-Cu Sand Cast Alloy
Authors: Cupido L.H. , Żak P.L. , Mahomed N. , Lelito J. , Piwowarski G. , Krajewski P.K.
Published: November 2015

An experimental investigation was conducted to observe and analyze the microstructural evolution of phases present in the AK64 Al-Si-Cu alloy subjected to a modified T6 heat treatment (HT). The AK64 alloy1 is the Polish alternative of the A319.0 ASM standard aluminium alloy. The modified T6 HT schedule with a higher temperature and shorter duration was applied in the solutioning process and lower quenching and higher artificial ageing temperature than the prescribed by the ASM standard were used. The cooling curves registered during the liberating of overheating and solidifying processes give important information on nucleation temperatures for the Al dendrite network, Al-Si eutectic reaction and precipitation of Cu-rich phases. Comparison of the as-cast and heat treated microstructures revealed predicted microstructural changes and also partial fragmentation of the Fe-rich phases was observed after the application of the modified HT programme.
Thermodynamic Prediction Of The Diffusion Barrier Morphology In The Al/Ni – Nano-Foil Designed For The Self-Propagating Reaction
Authors: Wołczyński W.
Published: November 2015

Thermodynamic model for the diffusion barrier formation in the Al/Ni nano-foil is presented. Two types of diffusion are distinguished in the model, boundary diffusion for substrate dissolution and bulk diffusion for solidification. The creation of two phases: Al3Ni, Al3Ni2in the diffusion barrier are predicted due to the cyclical manner of the dissolution and solidification occurrence.
Numerical Model Of Binary Alloys Solidification Basing On The One Domain Approach And The Simple Macrosegregation Models
Authors: Majchrzak E. , Mochnacki B. , Mendakiewicz J.
Published: November 2015

In the paper the thermal processes proceeding in the domain of solidifying binary alloy are considered. The mathematical model of solidification and cooling processes bases on the one domain method (or fixed domain method). In such a model the parameter called a substitute thermal capacity (STC) appears. At the stage of STC construction the macrosegregation process described by the lever arm rule or the Scheil model is taken into account. In this way one obtains the formulas determining the course of STC resulting from the certain physical considerations and this approach seems to be closer to the real course of thermal processes proceeding in domain of solidifying alloy. In the final part the examples of numerical solutions basing on the finite difference method are presented.
Numerical Optimization Of The Gating System For An Inlet Valve Casting Made Of Titanium Alloy
Authors: Fourie J. , Lelito J. , Żak P.L. , Krajewski P.K. , Wołczyński W.
Published: November 2015

The main aim of this work was to numerically investigate and optimize feeding and geometrical parameters to produce inlet valves of Ti6Al4V alloy that are free from defects, especially porosity. It was found that the change of geometry orientation as well as inlet feeder diameter and angle showed distinct relationships between geometric alteration and occurrence of porosity. Alteration in the pouring parameters such as temperature and time had none or only slight effect on occurrence or position of porosity in the valve. It was also found that investigating individual parameters of simple geometry and then utilizing these best fit results in complex geometry yielded beneficial results that would otherwise not be attainable.
Analysis of Industrial Structure, Firm Conduct and Performance – A Case Study of the Textile Industry
Authors: Lee Yueh-Chiang , Yang Yao-Hung
Published: November 2015

With the analysis of the industrial economic theory structure – conduct – performance model, the study investigates the existence of significant relationship among market structure, conduct and performance. Twelve Taiwan companies are studied during the study period from 2006 to 2012 which are analysed with fixed effect and random effect of panel data and ordinary least squares estimation. The empirical result backs the statement by “Structuralism” that market structure (market share, entry barrier and capital intensity) directly affects firm conduct (R&D intensity) and performance (ROA).
The Microclimate in Protective Fire Fighter Footwear: Foot Temperature and Air Temperature and Relative Humidity
Authors: Irzmańska Emilia
Published: November 2015

The study material consisted of two models of protective firefighter footwear. The tests were conducted on subjects in a laboratory using an ergometric treadmill. The parameters of footwear microclimate were continuously recorded using T/RH sensors. For the leather footwear, the highest foot temperature was recorded in the 50th minute of the experiment (35.8°C in the dorsal region and 37.3°C in the plantar region) and for the polymer footwear in the 60th minute of the experiment (35.4°C in the dorsal region and 37.0°C in the plantar region). In the leather footwear, the temperature of the air surrounding the feet rose from 31.0°C to 35.4°C, and then declined, but did not return to the initial level during the rest period. In turn, in the polymer footwear, the temperature rose from 29.0 to 34.7°C, and then decreased to 33.7°C following the rest period. The highest relative air humidity was recorded in the polymer footwear (96.6%), while in the leather footwear it amounted to 91%. Testing the dynamics of the microclimate during footwear use provides complete information about changes in the temperature of the skin of the foot and the temperature and relative humidity of the footwear microclimate.
Characterization of cry1Cb3 and cry1Fb7 from
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. galleriae
Authors: Huang Tianpei , Xiao Ying , Pan Jieru , Zhang Lingling , Gelbič Ivan , Guan Xiong
Published: November 2015

Two cry1-type genes encoding insecticidal crystal
proteins (ICPs) were detected by PCR-RFLP and cloned from
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. galleriae 87. The nucleotide
sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession
numbers EU679501 and EU679502, and designated as
cry1Fb7 and cry1Cb3 respectively by B. thuringiensis Delta-
Endotoxin Nomenclature Committee. cry1Cb3 shared 99%
homology with other cry1Cb genes. The existence of two
additional stop codons indicated cry1Cb3 was a silent gene.
The cry1Cb3 was 3531 bp with 38.98% G+C content and its
first open reading frame (ORF) encoded a protein of 213
amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight
of 23.8 kDa and a predicted pI value of 4.63. Five amino
acid sequence blocks (block 1, block 2, block 3, block 4
and block 5) were found in Cry1Cb3. Translation of cry1Fb7
revealed an ORF of 3525 bp with 39.12% G+C content and a
protein with a calculated molecular weight of 133.2 kDa and
a predicted pI value of 5.18. Cry1Fb7 had five amino acid
sequence blocks (blocks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) and three domains
(I, II and III), which consisted of 218 residues (Leu34 to
Ala252), 197 residues (Thr257 to Asp454), and 138 residues (Ile464
to Glu600), respectively.
Prediction of protein structural class based on
Linear Predictive Coding of PSI-BLAST profiles
Authors: Qin Yufang , Zheng Xiaoqi , Wang Jun , Chen Ming , Zhou Changjie
Published: November 2015

Knowledge of protein structure plays a key role in
the analysis of protein functions, protein binding, rational
drug design, and many other related fields and applications.
In this study, a novel feature extraction model based on
linear predictive coding (LPC) and position-specific score
matrices (PSSM) was proposed to predict structural class
from protein sequences. First, the PSI-BLAST tool was
employed to transform the original protein sequences into
PSSMs. Then, the LPC, a signal processing tool, was applied
to extract the features from PSSMs. The selected features
were finally fed to a support vector machine to perform the
prediction. Cross-validation tests on the four benchmark
datasets Z277, Z498, 1189 and 25PDB, showed a significant
leap in overall accuracy using the proposed method.
Compared to existing methods, our method achieved better
performance in prediction of protein structural class.
Adaptive regulation of glucose transport, glycolysis and respiration for cell proliferation
Authors: Toyoda Yusuke , Saitoh Shigeaki
Published: November 2015

The cell must utilise nutrients to generate energy as a means of sustaining its life. As the environment is not necessarily abundant in nutrients and oxygen, the cell must be able to regulate energy metabolism to adapt to changes in extracellular and intracellular conditions. Recently, several key regulators of energy metabolism have been reported. This review describes the recent advances in molecular regulation of energy metabolism, focusing mainly on glycolysis and its shunt pathways. Human diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, are also discussed in relation to failure of energy metabolism regulation.
Recent advances in siRNA delivery
Authors: Sarisozen Can , Salzano Giuseppina , Torchilin Vladimir P.
Published: November 2015

In the 1990s an unexpected gene-silencing phenomena in plants, the later called RNA interference (RNAi), perplexed scientists. Following the proof of activity in mammalian cells, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have quickly crept into biomedical research as a new powerful tool for the potential treatment of different human diseases based on altered gene expression. In the past decades, several promising data from ongoing clinical trials have been reported. However, despite surprising successes in many pre-clinical studies, concrete obstacles still need to be overcome to translate therapeutic siRNAs into clinical reality. Here, we provide an update on the recent advances of RNAi-based therapeutics and highlight novel synthetic platforms for the intracellular delivery of siRNAs.
Searching for Sustainability in Teacher Education and Educational Research: Experiences from the Baltic and Black Sea Circle Consortium for educational research
Authors: Salīte Ilga
Published: November 2015

The Baltic and Black Sea Circle Consortium for educational research (BBCC) was established at the beginning of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005). BBCC has obtained its name in the Third International Conference Sustainable Development, Culture, Education in the University of Vechta (Germany, 2005).

The paper will give insights into preconditions of the establishment of the international network in: (1) the stage before the Decade (2000–2004) when the UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair from Toronto and team from Daugavpils University from Latvia were started to prepare participatory action research for the reorientation teacher education towards the aim of sustainable development and (2) the stage of the Decade (2005–2014) when the network and its development continued as an open network for participation. The structure of the network provides the international environment for cooperation and welcomes new participants.

The initiative of the network’s foundation was offered by the UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair in Toronto. For the coordination the BBCC actions and self-development the Institute of Sustainable Education (2003) was established in Daugavpils University (DU) and later UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair on Interplay of Tradition and Innovation in ESD were emerged at Daugavpils University (2013).

Action research experience was viewed in current article as a complex development process and at the same time as a complex system in which attention on the adaptation and evolution of cooperative relations will be emphasis. Metaphors approach and characterisation of frames of references for reorientation education towards sustainability will be examine in order to find the answers that allow realising reorienting of teacher education towards sustainable development. The analysis will be based on the topics which were discussed in annual BBCC conference Sustainable Development. Culture. Education sections.

Conclusions will offer main assumptions from the most significant BBCC network lived experiences in teacher education which is the real heritage from ANO Decade and in future it will serve as the frame of reference for realization of UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair in DU and BBCC actions in education and educational research for sustainable development in action.
Civic Education for Sustainable Development and its Consequences for German Civic Education Didactics and Curricula of Higher Education
Authors: Brunold Andreas
Published: November 2015

Since the nineties, the principle of sustainable development has increasingly been adopted by policy makers and civil society in Germany and, of course, in many countries of the world. With the acceptance of this principle, the significance of education for sustainable development (ESD) has also been recognised. Increased awareness of the problems of environmental challenges, globalisation and poverty has meant that the concepts of environmental education, global learning, and education in development policy have been consistently oriented towards more sustainability. This leads to an increased awareness that globalisation processes must be shaped in accordance with the objectives of sustainable development, both nationally and internationally. By encouraging the idea of sustainability to take root in all areas of education systems, the World Decade of Education for Sustainable Development from 2005 to 2014 intended to take significant steps towards greater educational sustainability.

The curricula for civic education for sustainable development and global learning in Germany are, therefore of course, very closely linked to global development and globalisation processes, and because of that, they are to be seen within the mandate of the United Nations educational policy.

The paper shows, that the learning area of global development objectives is structured in an inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary manner. It carries the essential features of a domain: a delimited object area, a specific approach to the world, and the reference to a basic teaching concept in the educational policy traditions of one-world or development-policy education and global learning.

Therefore the aim is clear, that these curricula should contribute to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, towards inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, as it is mentioned in goal number 4 (United Nations, 2014).
Evaluation, Support and Promotion of Specialists’ Competitiveness Development in Modern Enterprise as Learning Organization
Authors: Katane Irena , Kristovska Ineta , Vjatere Gita , Katans Edgars
Published: November 2015

The process of globalization and the changeability of environment nowadays demand that society ensure sustainability for itself and its lifewide environment. Therefore nowadays the paradigm of personality’s and specialist’s competitiveness is changing. The old paradigm is substituted by a set of new viewpoints and concepts. The issue of ensuring the environment fostering the development of specialists competitiveness in the modern enterprise becomes even more important. Research in this sphere had three stages: 1) development of theoretically-methodological base for specialists’ competitiveness research; 2) diagnostics and evaluation of the specialists’ competitiveness in modern insurance enterprise (experimental approbation of the competitiveness research methodology); 3) development, evaluation, improvement of “The Model for Evaluation, Support and Promotion of the Staff’s Competitiveness Development in Modern Enterprise as Learning Organization” and its offer for implementation into research base n insurance enterprise. The objectives of research: 1) to investigate the specialists’ competitiveness in the modern insurance enterprise; 2) to develop and evaluate The Model for Evaluation, Support and Promotion of the Specialists’s Competitiveness Development in Modern Enterprise as Learning Organization in the contexts of information and knowledge society and sustainable development.
Gender Advantages and Gender Normality in the Views of Estonian Secondary School Students
Authors: Kuurme Tiiu , Kasemaa Gertrud
Published: November 2015

The aim of the study on Estonian secondary school students was to obtain an overview of the gender-related views and experiences of the everyday school life by students, and to analyse the school-related factors in the development of gender roles and gender-related expectations. We view gender equality as a central condition for social sustainability.

In the article, we focus on the perceptions and interpretations of the so-called normal boy and girl and the advantages of both genders at school. We analyse the experiences and the views of young people regarding their gender positioning in everyday school life vis-à-vis their views on gender equality.

The survey used in the study consisted of 50 questions, mainly open-ended. It was conducted in 10 basic and secondary schools in grades 7, 9, 10 and 12, with a total number of 649 respondents. The open answers were analysed by applying the method of thematic qualitative content analysis. The findings reveal that the perceived advantages of both genders at school and the behaviour considered as normal at school are strongly related to traditional gender stereotypes. At the same time, students claim that they are primarily people with equal opportunities. We conclude that the belief in the ideology of gender equality outweighs personal gender-related experiences.
Awakening Pre-service Teachers to Children’s Social Exclusion in the Classroom
Authors: Gedžūne Ginta
Published: November 2015

Children’s social exclusion in the classroom is a threat to the sustainability of education. Teachers should be sensitised to this issue, which raises important implications for teacher education. This paper reports on an action research study in the context of pre-service teacher education aimed at enriching prospective early childhood educators’ perspectives on children’s social exclusion in the classroom and heightening their awareness of themselves as key figures in reducing it. A teacher capable of dealing with children’s social exclusion was the focus of investigation. The students engaged in envisioning through negotiation of meaning in written critical discourse with peers in an e-learning environment (google.docs spreadsheet). Qualitative content analysis of students’ writings suggests viewing pre-service teachers’ professional development towards readiness to address children’s social exclusion in the classroom as movement along a continuum. The study also implies that the performed action research was transformative in that it contributed to a heightened awareness of children’s social exclusion in the classroom among prospective early childhood educators and their awakened commitment to become teachers capable of addressing this problem.
Identification as Incentive to Care: Pre-service Teachers’ Orientation Towards Inclusion in Nature
Authors: Gedžūne Inga
Published: November 2015

This study proposes identification with nature as a pedagogical technique in teacher education for sustainability to facilitate commitment to care about nonhuman nature, such care being an important underpinning of an inclusive and hence sustainable human-nature relationship. 29 pre-service teachers participated in a series of learning activities which involved using identification with nature combined with creative forms of expression such as eco-story and eco-poetry to reflect on the human-nature relationship. Findings from qualitative content analyses of student-generated creative writings and subsequent evaluations of the proposed learning experience support the use of identification in learning about human-nature relationships to promote care for and inclusion in nature through nuanced awareness of similitude between the human and the nonhuman.
Teachers’ Values Related to Sustainable Development in Polish and Latvian Secondary Schools
Authors: Świtała Eugeniusz
Published: November 2015

The aim of the paper is to present the results of the research on highlighting values related to sustainable development in Poland and Latvia by secondary school teachers and to compare two models by the use of action research. The research is presented as a process of identifying values mainly from the point of view of social development which is an important component of sustainable development. The research results presented below provide a picture of a comparison between Polish and Latvian secondary school teachers’ views on values related to sustainable development and the process of values education. The paper is based on the doctoral thesis of the author.
‘a Legge d’‘o Munno –Three Sketches on Spatial Justice
Authors: Russi Luigi
Published: November 2015

Andreas Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos’sSpatial Justiceexcavates the spatio-legal through a handful of innovative concepts: body, continuum, space, atmosphere, lawscape and, of course, spatial justice. This review aims to contribute to the debate around what is an admirable scholarly endeavour by offering three sketches. These aim to facilitate a sensory intuition of the leap in spatial awareness that the book encourages in the reader: Boccioni’sUnique Forms of Continuity in Space, M. Night Shyamalan’sThe Villageand Eduardo De Filippo’s playFilumena Marturano. The three sketches also introduce a reworking of Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos’s spatial thinking through a social constructionist lens, attempting to clarify a few points. How the body is a collective composed in assemblages. How space amounts to the spacingof bodies in a continuum. And how the difference between space and law collapses into the lawscape, once space is understood as “normed” by bodies moving and staying still. Finally, amidst the call of conflicting emplacements, spatial justice (‘a legge d’‘o munno, as it is named by the protagonist of De Filippo’s play) emerges as possibility for reorientation, sparked by the gradual development of appropriate resources for bodies to account for their positionings before one other, and to coordinate their re-norming of space.
Synthesis of [1,3]thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazol-7-ium and [1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1,3]thiazin-4-ium salts via regioselective electrophilic cyclization of 3-[(2-alken-1-yl)sulfanyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazoles
Authors: Slivka Mikhailo , Korol Nataliya , Rusyn Ivan , Lendel Vasyl
Published: November 2015

A convenient procedure for the regioselective preparation of [1,3]thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazol-7-ium 10 and [1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b][1,3]thiazin-4-ium salts 9 via regioselective electrophilic cyclization of 3-[(2-alken-1-yl)sulfanyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazoles 3 is reported. Direction of electrophilic heterocyclization strongly depends on nature of the alkenyl substitutent.