bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demineralization of Rajmahal Gondwana Coals by Bacteria: Revelations from X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) Studies
Authors: Singh Asha Lata , Singh Prakash K , Kumar Aniruddha , Singh Mahendra P
Published: December 2015

The present paper entails the results of the demineralization of the Rajmahal Gondwana coals of India with Pseudomonas mendocina strain B6-1 and its signatures revealed in the X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The XRD study reveals the reduction of pyrite phase in the coal samples after bacterial treatment due to bio-oxidation of pyrite and the appearance of few new phases of jarosite. Moreover, the intensity of jarosite peaks has been noticed to increase after the bacterial treatment. The FTIR spectra of the bacterial treated Rajmahal coal samples indicate shifting of the absorption peaks as compared to the control samples. The oxidation of pyrite due to the bacterial action and its conversion into jarosite is indicated by the stretching of OH bond at 630 cm−1 peak. While the bacterial action on clay minerals in all the samples is indicated by the stretching of bonds at 1114 cm−1 to 430 cm−1 peaks.
Model and Procedures for Reliable near Term Wind Energy Production Forecast
Authors: Li Jiale , Yu Xiong (Bill)
Published: December 2015

Accurate and reliable prediction of wind energy production is important for the operational management of wind farm as well as ensuring the stability of electrical grid integrated with renewable wind energy. This paper describes a new method that aims to reliably predict wind energy production based on weather forecast data. With this new method, an aerodynamic model is firstly used to predict the distribution of wind speed with elevation by use of 24-hour ahead forecasted wind speed data at three-hour intervals (which is available with common weather forecast provider). The aerodynamic model considers the influence of factors such as ground topology, types of land cover, etc. on the wind speed distribution. Based on this model, wind speed at 10-minutes time interval is simulated, which is subsequently used together with the turbine production curve to predict energy production within the next 24 hours. The model and procedures for forecasting wind energy production are validated on a 100kW utility scale wind turbine. Comparison with alternative wind energy forecast procedures show that this new model-based forecast method provide more accurate prediction of wind energy production for different seasons. Major advantages of this model include that it is based on data commonly available from weather forecast providers and is applicable to different terrain conditions.
Sensitivity of the Dynamic Response of Monopile-Supported Offshore Wind Turbines to Structural and Foundation Damping
Authors: Fontana Casey M. , Carswell Wystan , Arwade Sanjay R. , DeGroot Don J. , Myers Andrew T.
Published: December 2015

The prediction of ultimate and fatigue demands for the design of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) requires accurate simulation of the dynamic response of OWTs subject to time-varying wind and wave loads. The magnitude of damping in an OWT system significantly influences the dynamic response, however, some sources of damping, such as foundation damping, are not explicitly considered in design guidelines and may increase damping significantly compared to commonly assumed values in design. Experimental and analytical studies have estimated the magnitude of foundation damping to be between 0.17% and 1.5% of critical, and this paper investigates how increased damping within this range affects load maxima and fatigue damage for a hypothetical 5MW OWT subjected to a variety of wind, wave, and operational conditions. The paper shows that increased damping effects the greatest percentage reduction of ultimate moment demands and fatigue damage when the OWT rotor is parked and feathered. In such cases, the aerodynamic damping is relatively low, allowing for additional damping from the foundation to account for a relatively larger proportion of the total system damping. Incorporating foundation damping in design guidelines may lead to more efficient structures, which is a crucial factor in overcoming the high cost barrier associated with offshore wind development.
Statistical Estimation of Extreme Loads for the Design of Offshore Wind Turbines during Non-Operational Conditions
Authors: Stewart Gordon M. , Lackner Matthew A. , Arwade Sanjay R. , Hallowell Spencer , Myers Andrew T.
Published: December 2015

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) design standard (IEC 61400-3) for offshore wind turbines includes a design load case which considers loads on the turbine during extreme conditions, when the wind turbine is not operating and the blades are feathered. The recommendation of this design standard is to simulate 6 one-hour periods, each with wind and wave fields modeled as random processes, and to calculate design loads as the mean of the maximum from the six simulations. Previous studies have investigated this recommendation for fixed bottom offshore wind turbines and raised concerns about the stability of the estimate of the design load calculated using these guidelines. The research presented in this paper calculates statistics of extreme design loads as a function of the number of one-hour simulations considered for three offshore wind turbine support structures: a fixed-bottom turbine supported by a monopile and two floating turbines, a spar buoy and a semi-submersible. The study considers one extreme design load, the moment at the tower base, one set of 50-year metocean conditions representive of the Northeast U.S. Atlantic coast, and five combinations of wind and wave models, including linear and nonlinear representations of irregular waves. The data generated from this study are used to assess the stability of the estimate of the extreme load for various numbers of one-hour simulations for each turbine type. The study shows that, for the considered metocean conditions and models, the monopile exhibits the least stability in the estimate of the extreme load and therefore requires more one-hour simulations to have comparable stability as the two floating support structures. Explanations for this result are provided along with a probabilistic formulation for estimating variability of design loads more efficiently, using fewer one-hour simulations.
On the Effects of Directional Bin Size When Simulating Large Offshore Wind Farms with CFD
Authors: Argylex Peter , Watson Simon
Published: December 2015

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models are increasingly being used to simulate the flow through large wind farms to investigate scenarios with significant wake losses. This study investigates some of the effects caused by combining multiple simulation runs to represent the wide directional bin sizes sometimes required to ensure significant quantities of validation data and to account for wake meandering. CFD simulation results are combined using three different methods for six different directional bin sizes and compared against measurements from the Nysted offshore wind farm. Results show only small variation between averaging the model outputs uniformly or according to measured directional frequencies, whilst utilising a normal distribution reduces the variation between bin sizes. In addition, the greatest variation between results from combined multiple simulations compared to results from a single simulation occurs at the third turbine in a row. It is found that combined CFD results for the larger bin sizes are more accurate than the results for smaller bin sizes, when compared to the measured dataset with corresponding directional bin sizes.
Wind Tunnel Testing of Airfoils for Wind Turbine Applications
Authors: Kuester Matthew S. , Brown Kenneth , Meyers Timothy , Intaratep Nanyaporn , Borgoltz Aurélien , Devenport William J.
Published: December 2015

Accurate wind tunnel measurements of the lift and drag of airfoil sections are critical for the design and performance evaluation of wind turbine blades. As blades continue to increase in size, the demand for highly accurate wind tunnel results at progressively larger Reynolds numbers has also increased. Performing these wind tunnel measurements requires precise experimental control, and three challenges for these measurements are model surface quality, pressure tap effects, and model deflections under aerodynamic loading. These challenges were systematically studied in the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel using a DU96-W-180 airfoil geometry at a chord Reynolds number (Rec) of 3.0 × 106. Naphthalene sublimation showed turbulent wedges caused by surface imperfections; removing these imperfections increased the lift curve slope by 3%. Pressure tap diameter effects were investigated by placing taps of varying size at the same chord location on the airfoil. These measurements showed a steady pressure bias correlated to tap diameter when making measurements in turbulent boundary layers, and naphthalene visualizations showed a turbulent wedge created by pressure taps at the leading edge. Finally, laser distance sensors were used to measure model deflections/rotations under aerodynamic loading, improving upon the traditional angle of attack measurement. Addressing these challenges has improved the accuracy of lift measurements in the Stability Wind Tunnel and emphasized the need for precise experimental controls when performing these types of wind tunnel measurements.
A Turbulence Intensity Similarity Distribution for Evaluating the Performance of a Small Wind Turbine in Turbulent Wind Regimes
Authors: Ward Nicholas J. , Stewart Susan W.
Published: December 2015

Field tests on a Skystream wind turbine in a turbulent environment were used to study the impacts of turbulence intensity on power performance. The objective of the study was to examine the influence of turbulence intensity on the deviations in power output from their published power curves, commonly experienced by small wind turbines, such that more accurate predictions in performance can be made for future small wind projects. One-minute averaged data was used to explore the distribution of turbulence intensities experienced in several wind speed bins. It was found that the resulting turbulence intensity distributions have a similar distribution across these wind speeds and thus it was compared to four common statistical distributions. A goodness of fit study was conducted finding a gamma distribution was the best fit. This finding constitutes a more elegant approach to empirically adjusting power curves for turbulence intensity than has been suggested by previous studies.
Noise and Vibration Issues of Wind Turbines and Their Impact – A Review
Authors: Saavedra Rodolfo C , Samanta Biswanath
Published: December 2015

Wind power is a rapidly growing technology, with an estimated 35% of national end-use electricity demand to be met from wind by 2050 in the US. With such a projected rapid growth, it is necessary to improve and innovate relevant technological areas with due considerations of possible impacts of wind energy harnessing through wind turbines. This paper presents a systematic review of current literature on the issues of noise and vibration of wind turbines and their impact on human health and wild life. The paper reviews the literature on the issues of noise and vibration in wind turbines, the generation mechanisms, the propagation, the impact on human health and wild life. The current status of technology and future developments to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of wind turbine noise and vibration are also reviewed. The paper includes a review of current standards on measurement of acoustic noise of wind turbines and data analysis.
Ten things to get right for marine conservation planning in the Coral Triangle
Authors: Weeks Rebecca , Pressey Robert L. , Wilson Joanne R. , Knight Maurice , Horigue Vera , Abesamis Rene A. , Acosta Renerio , Jompa Jamaluddin
Published: December 2015

Systematic conservation planning increasingly underpins the conservation and management of marine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. Amongst other benefits, conservation planning provides transparency in decision-making, efficiency in the use of limited resources, the ability to minimise conflict between diverse objectives, and to guide strategic expansion of local actions to maximise their cumulative impact. The Coral Triangle has long been recognised as a global marine conservation priority, and has been the subject of huge investment in conservation during the last five years through the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security. Yet conservation planning has had relatively little influence in this region. To explore why this is the case, we identify and discuss 10 challenges that must be resolved if conservation planning is to effectively inform management actions in the Coral Triangle. These are: making conservation planning accessible; integrating with other planning processes; building local capacity for conservation planning; institutionalising conservation planning within governments; integrating plans across governance levels; planning across governance boundaries; planning for multiple tools and objectives; understanding limitations of data; developing better measures of progress and effectiveness; and making a long term commitment. Most important is a conceptual shift from conservation planning undertaken as a project, to planning undertaken as a process, with dedicated financial and human resources committed to long-term engagement.
FlyOde - a platform for community curation and interactive visualization of dynamic gene regulatory networks in Drosophila eye development
Authors: Koestler Stefan A. , Alaybeyoglu Begum , Weichenberger Christian X. , Celik Arzu
Published: December 2015

Motivation: Understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing eye development of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (D. m.) requires structured knowledge of the involved genes and proteins, their interactions, and dynamic expression patterns. Especially the latter information is however to a large extent scattered throughout the literature.

Results: FlyOde is an online platform for the systematic assembly of data on D. m. eye development. It consists of data on eye development obtained from the literature, and a web interface for users to interactively display these data as a gene regulatory network. Our manual curation process provides high standard structured data, following a specifically designed ontology. Visualization of gene interactions provides an overview of network topology, and filtering according to user-defined expression patterns makes it a versatile tool for daily tasks, as demonstrated by usage examples. Users are encouraged to submit additional data via a simple online form.
No-Wait Flowshop Scheduling Is as Hard as Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem
Authors: Mucha Marcin , Sviridenko Maxim
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we study the classical no-wait flowshop scheduling problem with makespan objective (F|no-wait|Cmax in the standard three-field notation). This problem is well known to be a special case of the asymmetric traveling salesman problem (ATSP) and as such has an approximation algorithm with logarithmic performance guarantee. In this work, we show a reverse connection, we show that any polynomial time α-approximation algorithm for the no-wait flowshop scheduling problem with makespan objective implies the existence of a polynomial time α(1 + ɛ)-approximation algorithm for the ATSP for any ɛ > 0. This, in turn, implies that all nonapproximability results for the ATSP (current or future) will carry over to its special case. In particular, it follows that the no-wait flowshop problem is APX-hard, which is the first nonapproximability result for this problem.
Robust Hazmat Network Design Problems Considering Risk Uncertainty
Authors: Sun Longsheng , Karwan Mark H. , Kwon Changhyun
Published: December 2015

We study robust network design problems for hazardous materials transportation considering risk uncertainty. Risk uncertainty is considered in two ways: (1) uncertainty on each link for each shipment, and (2) uncertainty on each link across all shipments. We extend an existing heuristic framework to solve these two robust network design problems and propose a Lagrangian relaxation heuristic to solve subproblems within the framework. We present our computational experiences and illustrate general insights based on real networks.
An overview of the use of compression in lower-limb chronic oedema
Authors: Elwell Rebecca
Published: December 2015

Chronic oedema in the lower limbs can be a debilitating condition and has a negative effect on a patient's quality of life. As yet, there is no known cure for this condition; however, it can be controlled and managed, and its recurrence can be prevented. One of the most common and successful ways of managing this condition is the use of compression hosiery. With an expanding knowledge base of compression hosiery, lymphoedema specialists are now able to address historical problems of poor fit and concordance. Moreover, there is a wide choice of garments available today for clinicians to use, that not only help to control and treat the oedema, but have also improved patients' quality of life because the garments are comfortable and inconspicuous. Evidence has shown that concordance is greatly increased when patients participate in their treatment and help to decide on the most suitable garment for themselves. This article gives an overview of the use of compression garments when treating lower-limb chronic oedema in patients, and explains the aspects to bear in mind when choosing and prescribing compression hosiery.
The compassionate surgeon: Lessons from the past
Authors: Brown Michael
Published: December 2015

How much are contemporary notions of 'the surgical personality' rooted in history?
Financial ramifications of inaccurate clinical coding in two common orthopaedic procedures
Authors: Tucker DM , Parry MC , Packham I
Published: December 2015

Can improving communication between surgeons and clinical coders lead to cost savings?
An accelerated training course in vascular surgery… and humility
Authors: Tanner Nicola
Published: December 2015

How an eye-opening trip to Ethiopia renewed one surgeon’s appreciation for the NHS.
To keep surgery safe, we need to tackle antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Gottlieb Grace
Published: December 2015

A look at how policy gets formed at the RCS and other institutions.
What’s Love Got to Do with It? Crowdsourcing, Curating and Love in the Neo-liberal Museum
Authors: Boylan Alexis L.
Published: December 2015

Using the Museum of Fine Art, Boston’s exhibition Boston Loves Impressionism (2014) as a case study, this article engages the problematic ways that the term ‘love’ has been mobilized to promote the ideology and technology of crowdsourcing, diminish the labour of curating and narrow the experience of art viewing. While love might have radical potential, I argue that love is increasingly used as a conservative straightening device enforcing sexual, gender and racial norms and distancing audiences from art and ideas deemed unlovable or foreign. Curating, however, can be mobilized to not merely reproduce a neo-liberal vision of love, but to promote a more inclusive and varied access point for audiences.
Exhibition Reviews
Authors: Schäfer Friederike , Roberts Bill , Zebarjad Negin , Duffy Owen , MacInnis Jordan
Published: December 2015

ALL THE WORLD’S FUTURES Curated by Okwui Enwezor, along with 89 national pavilions and 44 collateral events, 56th International Art Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia, 9 May – 22 November 2015

ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK SQUARE: ABSTRACT ART AND SOCIETY 1915–2015 Curated by Iwona Blazwick and Magnus af Petersens, Whitechapel Gallery, London, 15 January–6 April 2015

THE AGA KHAN MUSEUM COLLECTION AND THE GARDEN OF IDEAS: CONTEMPORARY ART FROM PAKISTAN Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, 18 September 2014–18 January 2015

SIMON DENNY: THE INNOVATOR’S DILEMMA Curated by Peter Eleey, with Jocelyn Miller, Museum of Modern Art PS1, New York, 3 April–7 September 2015

POLITICS OF FASHION/FASHION OF POLITICS Curated by Jeanne Beker and Sara Nickleson, Design Exchange, Toronto, 18 September 2014–25 January 2015
Conference Review
Authors: Spooner Rosie
Published: December 2015

THIS IS PARADISE: ART AND ARTISTS IN TORONTO Organized by the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and the University of Toronto Art Centre, Toronto, 28–31 May 2015
SmartCoimbra: parcerias e tendências para o desenvolvimento do Turismo na Região de Coimbra
Authors: Santos Norberto
Published: December 2015

Integrada nas intervenções SmartCities, foram realizadas diversas atividades de pesquisa, discussão e avaliação, que se organizaram em diversas áreas, de forma a valorizar a qualidade de vida e a sustentabilidade territorial e dos processos. As que aqui se dá conta tomaram em consideração o Turismo, incluídas num projeto que assumiu a designação SmartCoimbra. O interesse do texto que se segue resulta da síntese conseguida pela participação de um número significativo de stakeholders regionais, envolvidos na atividade turística. O envolvimento destes parceiros permitiu a identificação de obstáculos existentes e a proposição de estratégias de atuação. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/0871-1623_34_10
Biocaching: lazer, turismo e património
Authors: Alves Luiz , Carvalho Paulo
Published: December 2015

Uma das dimensões mais recentes do geocaching decorre da sua utilização como ferramenta de aprendizagem no domínio da biologia (com ligação ao conjunto das ciências da v ida e da terra), assumindo a designação de biocaching. Neste particular a vinculação estreita à vertente botânica (fitogeográfica) faz desta atividade uma ferramenta a considerar designadamente nas estratégias de salvaguarda e valorização do património natural biótico, além do seu potencial como atividade de lazer ao ar livre. À guisa de abordagem preliminar, pretende-se enfatizar o enquadramento teórico-conceptual subjacente a esta temática, com uma revisão de literatura científica adequada, bem como explicitar a sua vertente empírica (que inclui a apresentação das linhas gerais de um exemplo concreto de implementação em estreita articulação às árvores notáveis/de interesse público e domínios patrimoniais  complementares). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/0871-1623_34_11
From Coimbra to Figueira da Foz: field trip
Authors: Moreira Claudete , Fernandes João Luís , Santos Norberto
Published: December 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/0871-1623_34_12
Turismo juvenil: notas para a compreensão da oferta/procura Spring Breaker em Portugal
Authors: Nossa Paulo Nuno , Dias Juliana Ferreira
Published: December 2015

O Turismo juvenil assume, na atualidade uma importância crescente, não só pelo vo lume de negócios que lhe está associado, mas também pelo potencial de inovação que os jovens acrescentam à experiência de viajar. Dentro do turismo juvenil, encontramos frequentes alusões ao conceito de viagens escolares e, dentro desta tipologia, à concepção de Spring Breakers, cujas motivações e contexto organizativo carecem ainda de uma investigação sistemática orientada para o melhor conhecimento deste produto. O presente artigo propõem uma reflexão introdutória sobre o modus operandi da oferta/procura Spring Breaker em Portugal, partindo de informações colhidas na literatura e coligidas num questionário realizado em 2013. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/0871-1623_34_3
Avaliação quantitativa do valor geoturístico do geopatrimónio: caso do Litoral Sul Paraibano, Brasil
Authors: Pereira Luciano Schaefer , Nogueira Helena Marques
Published: December 2015

Uma estratégia completa de avaliação da inserção da atividade geoturística em uma determinada área baseia-se na sistematização que envolva um plano de ações sequencial: identificação, inventariação, avaliação quantitativa, classificação, conservação, valorização, divulgação e, finalmente, o monitoramento dos sítios ou locais de interesse que compõem o geopatrimónio, ou seja, aqueles elementos que representam a geodiversidade da área mapeada. Neste trabalho, propomos uma nova metodologia de avaliação quantitativa do potencial geoturístico e da necessidade de proteção de sítios, para ser aplicada no município de João Pessoa, Paraíba, e parte do litoral sul, distante 54 Km da capital. O potencial geoturístico foi determinado baseando-se em dois critérios ponderados, dos quais foram calculados seus índices de valor: valor de uso turístico, com dez indicadores, pontuados de 1 a 5, com pesos diferenciados; valor intrínseco, com sete indicadores, pontuados de 1 a 5, com pesos diferenciados. Posteriormente, a partir da necessidade de proteção dos sítios, uma vez que a atividade geoturística gera impactos onde se desenvolve, foi calculado o Índice de Vulnerabilidade dos sítios, a partir de dez indicadores, pontuados de 1 a 5, com pesos diferenciados. A Taxa de Risco Iminente, que resume aqueles sítios onde a vulnerabilidade é maior, foi calculada a partir do Índice de Vulnerabilidade, com peso 1, e dos Índices de Uso Turístico e de Valor Intrínseco que, somados, apresentavam peso 1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/0871-1623_34_6
Vernetzt - Zur Entstehung der Netzwerkgesellschaft
Authors: Apprich Clemens
Published: December 2015

Viele Technologien und Praxen, die das Web 2.0 ausmachen, sind bereits in den 1990er Jahren entstanden - und mit ihnen die Vorstellungen von sozialen Medien, nutzergenerierten Inhalten oder partizipativen Plattformen. Aus medienhistorischer Sicht ist also eine Vielzahl der damaligen Entwürfe zur Zukunft des Internet in Erfüllung gegangen, jedoch ohne die damit erhofften gesellschaftspolitischen Utopien einzulösen. Die Geschichte eines alternativen Netzdiskurses nachzeichnend, entwickelt Clemens Apprich eine mediengenealogische Perspektive, die notwendig ist, um sich mit einer zunehmend vernetzten Gesellschaft auseinanderzusetzen und in aktuelle Debatten rund um das Internet eingreifen zu können.
Cooling of led module by various radiators
Authors: Naumova A. M. , Nikolaenko Yu. E. , Kravets V. Yu. , Sorokin V. M. , Oliinyk O. S.
Published: December 2015

Given article presents the results of an experimental comparison of three radiators which are: pressed radiator made of aluminum plate (basic variant), radiator made of copper wire, and copper/water pulsating heat pipe. The radiators are intended to take off heat from the LED module with the power capacity of 10,55 W. It is established that under natural convection all three radiators can keep temperature level of the circuit board module less than 64 C that lies within the operating range. In comparison with basic variant the use of the copper wire radiator allows lowering of the temperature in the LED module center on 3.9 C, and the same value for the pulsating heat pipe is 7.1 C.
Research on Cu2ZnSnTe4 crystals and heterojunctions based on such crystals
Authors: Kovaliuk T. T. , Solovan M. N. , Mostovyi A. I. , Maistruk E. V. , Parkhomenko G. P. , Maryanchuk P. D.
Published: December 2015

The paper reports on the results of the studies of magnetic, kinetic and optical properties of Cu2ZnSnTe4 crystals. The Cu2ZnSnTe4 crystals showed diamagnetic properties (the magnetic susceptibility almost independent of the magnetic field and temperature). The Cu2ZnSnTe4 crystals possessed p-type of conductivity and the Hall coefficient was independent on temperature. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of the Cu2ZnSnTe4 crystal shows metallic character, i. e. decreases with the increase of temperature, that is caused by the lower charge carrier mobility at higher temperature. Thermoelectric power of the samples ispositive that also indicates on the prevalence of p-type conductivity. Heterojunctions n-TiN/p-Cu2ZnSnTe4, n-TiO2/p-Cu2ZnSnTe4 and n-MoO/p-Cu2ZnSnTe4 were fabricated by the reactive magnetron sputtering of TiN, TiO2 and MoOx thin films, respectively, onto the substrates made of the Cu2ZnSnTe4 crystals. The dominating current transport mechanisms in the n-TiN/p-Cu2ZnSnTe4 and n-TiO2/p-Cu2ZnSnTe4 heterojunctions were established to be the tunnel-recombination mechanism at forward bias and tunneling at reverse bias.
Calculation of characteristics of X-ray devices
Authors: Orobinskyi A. N.
Published: December 2015

Actuality of this work is related to human radiation safety during tuning and regulation of X-ray devices in the process of their development and production. The more precise the calculations for the device are, the less time is required for its tuning and regulation, and thus people are less exposed to radiation. When developing an X-ray device, it is necessary to choose an X-ray tube and filters taking into account the application domain of the device. In order to do this, one should know anode voltage, X-ray tube anode current, material and thickness of filters, i.e. to calculate these characteristics at the set quality of X-ray radiation. The known published studies do not give any solution to this problem.
The scientific novelty of this work is that it establishes the interdependence between main characteristics of the X-ray device: the function of the device defines the quality of X-ray radiation (mean photon energy and air kerma power); mean photon energy depends on the X-ray anode tube voltage and spectral resolution; air kerma power depends on anode tube voltage, current of X-ray tube anode, spectral resolution, thicknesses of the filters and their materials; spectral resolution depends on thicknesses of filters and their materials; thickness of filters depends on the material of the filter (the linear coefficient of weakening of X-ray radiation). Knowledge of interdependence of basic characteristics of the X-ray devices allowes developing simple algorithm for their calculation at the values of homogeneity coefficient from 0,8 to 1, which makes it possible to choose an X-ray tube and filters with the purpose of obtaining X-ray radiation of the set quality.
Analytical method for determining coordinates of the radiation source in a homogeneous medium
Authors: Velichko H. V.
Published: December 2015

The article considers the problem of determining the position of a radiation source in space, the wave speed and the start of radiation according to the sensors located in the same plane. Sensors (not less than five) detect the passage of the wave front and do not fix the phase of the transmitted wave. In the scientific literature, some authors approach such problem as the inverse kinematic problem, others use the range difference method.
The problem is reduced to finding the minimum of a nonlinear function of five variables. This function is the sum of the squares of the differences of the calculated and the actual time of the wave front passing through the sensor for each of the sensors. In contrast to the well-known works, where the values of parameters are found by iterative methods, in this article we obtain explicit formulas. The idea is to use the new five parameters, which explicitly determine the target value. Relatively to the new parameters, the function takes the form suitable for application of the method of least squares.
This new method for locating of a radiation source in the homogeneous isotropic environment is easier and more accurate than the existing one. It does not require specifying the initial approximation or iterating.
Perception of the nursing staff about the nurse’s role in the emergency service
Authors: Barreto Mayckel da Silva , Teston Elen Ferraz , Miranda Jamilly Grava , Arruda Guilherme De Oliveira , Marcon Sonia Silva , Valsecchi Elizabeth Amancio De Souza da Silva
Published: December 2015

Objective: to know the perception of the nursing staff about the nurse's role in emergency service. Methods: descriptive study of a qualitative approach. 30 nursing professionals participated and were active in a unit of Emergency. The data were subjected to Content Analysis, thematic modality. Results: the interviewees highlighted as nurses functions, the development of management activities; the leadership and supervision of nursing staff; and the care provided to seriously ill patients. From the perspective of nursing technicians, management activities receive great attention from nurses, rather than direct patient care. However, for nurses, managerial functions and leadership and supervision of staff converge for quality care. Conclusion: the importance of care work of nurses in emergency situations is perceived both by nursing technicians and by nurses. However, perceptions of their role as a manager still show up conflicting.
Perceptions and feelings of the family member/caregiver expressed before the patient on home care
Authors: Fogaça Naianny Jonas , Carvalho Marina Medeiros , Montefusco Selma Rodrigues Alves
Published: December 2015

Objectives: to analyze the perceptions and feelings expressed by relatives regarding the patient undergoing home care. Method: this is a descriptive and qualitative study, with data collection carried out through semi-structured interviews at home, developed with fourteen family members of patients assisted by a home care company. Data were organized by content analysis technique. Results: perceptions and feelings expressed were: insecurity, fear, anxiety, worry, feelings of deprivation of liberty and at the same time, gratitude for the care, comfort, safety and proximity to care control, preferring the admitted patients at home and rated the care as satisfactory. Conclusion: home care should be seen as an innovative humanized care modality that aims to reverse the logic of work of health professionals, which is not limited to meet the clinical needs of patients, but also provide necessary support to the families involved.
Cancer patients’ satisfaction on nursing care
Authors: Silva Luciana Da Conceição , Duprat Irena Penha , Correia Marinho Da Silva , Ramalho Havany Thayany Pereira , Lima Josemir De Almeida
Published: December 2015

Objective: to analyze the satisfaction of cancer patients on nursing care. Methods: descriptive quantitative research with 190 patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy in the High Complexity Centre in Oncology, through a questionnaire. Results: 185 respondents (97.4%; 95.0% CI 94.7 to 99.9) said they were always satisfied with the care provided, however, less than a third assessed that charisma (34.2%; 95.0% CI 27.4 to 39.5), respect for their decisions (31.6%; 95.0% CI 24.7 to 37.4) and clear communication (26.3%, CI 20.0 to 31.1) were decisive factors for their satisfaction. Conclusion:the study revealed an excellent level of patient satisfaction on nursing care, although some factors considered by users as decisive for the identification of this feeling have not been significantly identified. This justifies the need for critical reflection, in the professional’s view, that fosters the implementation of changes and to better meet the expectations and needs of the patient.
Cognitive and functional ability of elderly women practitioners of different modalities of exercise
Authors: Oliveira Daniel Vicentini de , Araújo Ana Paula Serra , Bertolini Sônia Maria Marques Gomes
Published: December 2015

Objective: to compare the functional capacity and cognitive ability of elderly women engaged in various forms of physical exercise. Methods: quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, observational and analytical study with 120 volunteers, divided into three groups of 40 elderly: water aerobics group, fitness center of the third age group and weight training group. Functional ability was assessed by functional evaluation Protocol of the Latin American Development Group for the Maturity and the cognitive ability was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: the functional capacity of elderly in the three modalities were classified as weak, showing no significant difference between groups (p = 0.082). Cognitive ability reached nearly maximum scores in the three modalities of exercise, without statistical significance (p = 0.062). Conclusion: functional capacity of elderly women is low and the type of exercise does not interfere with cognitive performance.
MicroRNA Maturation and MicroRNA Target Gene Expression Regulation Are Severely Disrupted in Soybeandicer-like1Double Mutants
Authors: Curtin Shaun J , Michno Jean-Michel , Campbell Benjamin W , Gil-Humanes Javier , Mathioni Sandra M , Hammond Reza , Gutierrez-Gonzalez Juan J , Donohue Ryan C , Kantar Michael B , Eamens Andrew L , Meyers Blake C , Voytas Daniel F , Stupar Robert M
Published: December 2015

Small nonprotein-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are present in most eukaryotes and are central effectors of RNA silencing-mediated mechanisms for gene expression regulation. In plants, DICER-LIKE1 (DCL1) is the founding member of a highly conserved family of RNase III-like endonucleases that function as core machinery proteins to process hairpin-like precursor transcripts into mature miRNAs, small regulatory RNAs, 21–22 nucleotides in length. Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) were used to generate single and double-mutants of putative soybean DCL1 homologs, DCL1a and DCL1b, to confirm their functional role(s) in the soybean miRNA pathway. Neither DCL1 single mutant, dcl1a or dcl1b plants, exhibited a pronounced morphological or molecular phenotype. However, the dcl1a/dcl1b double mutant expressed a strong morphological phenotype, characterized by reduced seed size and aborted seedling development, in addition to defective miRNA precursor transcript processing efficiency and deregulated miRNA target gene expression. Together, these findings indicate that the two soybean DCL1 paralogs, DCL1a and DCL1b, largely play functionally redundant roles in the miRNA pathway and are essential for normal plant development.
A Genome-Wide Screen with Nicotinamide to Identify Sirtuin-Dependent Pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Choy John S , Qadri Bayan , Henry Leah , Shroff Kunal , Bifarin Olatomiwa , Basrai Munira A
Published: December 2015

Sirtuins are evolutionarily conserved NAD-dependent deacetylases that catalyze the cleavage of NAD+ into nicotinamide (NAM), which can act as a pan-sirtuin inhibitor in unicellular and multicellular organisms. Sirtuins regulate processes such as transcription, DNA damage repair, chromosome segregation, and longevity extension in yeast and metazoans. The founding member of the evolutionarily conserved sirtuin family, SIR2, was first identified in budding yeast. Subsequent studies led to the identification of four yeast SIR2 homologs HST1, HST2, HST3, and HST4. Understanding the downstream physiological consequences of inhibiting sirtuins can be challenging since most studies focus on single or double deletions of sirtuins, and mating defects in SIR2 deletions hamper genome-wide screens. This represents an important gap in our knowledge of how sirtuins function in highly complex biological processes such as aging, metabolism, and chromosome segregation. In this report, we used a genome-wide screen to explore sirtuin-dependent processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by identifying deletion mutants that are sensitive to NAM. We identified 55 genes in total, 36 of which have not been previously reported to be dependent on sirtuins. We find that genome stability pathways are particularly vulnerable to loss of sirtuin activity. Here, we provide evidence that defects in sister chromatid cohesion renders cells sensitive to growth in the presence of NAM. The results of our screen provide a broad view of the biological pathways sensitive to inhibition of sirtuins, and advance our understanding of the function of sirtuins and NAD+ biology.
Diversity and Divergence of Dinoflagellate Histone Proteins
Authors: Marinov Georgi K , Lynch Michael
Published: December 2015

Histone proteins and the nucleosomal organization of chromatin are near-universal eukaroytic features, with the exception of dinoflagellates. Previous studies have suggested that histones do not play a major role in the packaging of dinoflagellate genomes, although several genomic and transcriptomic surveys have detected a full set of core histone genes. Here, transcriptomic and genomic sequence data from multiple dinoflagellate lineages are analyzed, and the diversity of histone proteins and their variants characterized, with particular focus on their potential post-translational modifications and the conservation of the histone code. In addition, the set of putative epigenetic mark readers and writers, chromatin remodelers and histone chaperones are examined. Dinoflagellates clearly express the most derived set of histones among all autonomous eukaryote nuclei, consistent with a combination of relaxation of sequence constraints imposed by the histone code and the presence of numerous specialized histone variants. The histone code itself appears to have diverged significantly in some of its components, yet others are conserved, implying conservation of the associated biochemical processes. Specifically, and with major implications for the function of histones in dinoflagellates, the results presented here strongly suggest that transcription through nucleosomal arrays happens in dinoflagellates. Finally, the plausible roles of histones in dinoflagellate nuclei are discussed.
Comparative analysis of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from bovine respiratory infections
Authors: Sellyei Boglárka , Rónai Zsuzsanna , Jánosi Szilárd , Makrai László
Published: December 2015

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of significant economic losses in the intensive beef industry worldwide. Beside numerous risk factors Pasteurella multocida, which is regarded as a secondary pathogen, may play a role in the development of the disease. Previous studies of strains from swine pneumonia revealed that there are a few clones associated with clinical disease, suggesting that some strains may be more virulent than others. This linkage may be true in the BRD, however composition of P. multocida populations in the herds are slightly characterized. Thus, we decided to perform phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of strains isolated from calves with respiratory infection at 31 different herds in Hungary. The results demonstrated the presence of two dominant strain types. At the identical taxonomic background (P. multocida subsp. multocida) with slight phenotypic variability they could be separated by trehalose fermentation capacity, α-glucosidase activity and molecular fingerprint patterns of ERIC- and M13-PCR. Independent prevalence and geographical origin of the strain types may refer to their significance in the illness, but their comparison with strains isolated from healthy individuals is taken into consideration.
Effect of 6 weeks of whole body vibration training on total and segmental body composition in healthy young adults
Authors: Rubio-Arias JA , Esteban P , Martínez F , Ramos-Campo DJ , Mendizábal S , Berdejo-del-Fresno D , Jiménez-Díaz JF
Published: December 2015

The applied use of new technologies to enhance performance and improve health has been increasing. Initially, whole body vibration training (WBVT) was used as system to improve elite athlete performance. However, this is also used to improve body composition, especially there is a great attention on the effectiveness of WBVT to reduce fat and body weight, with a potential increase in muscle tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6-week vibration-training program on total and segmental body composition in a group of physically healthy participants. The final study sample included 64 healthy young adults. Subjects were randomly allocated into the control group (CG: n = 26; 16 males and 10 females) and the experimental group (EGWBVT: n = 38; 19 males and 19 females). The program lasted six weeks with a frequency of three sessions per week and each session varied in intensity. There were not found statistically significant differences in any of the body composition variables analysed. This study suggests that a six-week vibration-training program with an increasing intensity (7.2 g−32.6 g) in healthy young adults that are not overweight did not alter total and segmental body composition.
Noscapine protects OLN-93 oligodendrocytes from ischemia-reperfusion damage: Calcium and nitric oxide involvement
Authors: Nadjafi S , Ebrahimi S-A , Rahbar-Roshandel N
Published: December 2015

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of noscapine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from opium poppy, on oligodendrocyte during ischemia/reperfusion-induced excitotoxic injury. Changes in intracellular calcium levels due to chemical ischemia and nitric oxide (NO) production during ischemia/reperfusion were evaluated as the hallmarks of ischemia-derived excitotoxic event. OLN-93 cell line (a permanent immature rat oligodendrocyte) was used as a model of oligodendrocyte. 30- or 60-minute-oxygen—glucose deprivation/24 hours reperfusion were used to induce excitotoxicity. MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay was used to evaluate cell viability. Ratiometric fluorescence microscopy using Ca2+-sensitive indicator Fura-2/AM was utilized to assess intracellular calcium levels. NO production was evaluated by Griess method. Noscapine (4 μM) significantly attenuated intracellular Ca2+ elevation (P < 0.001). Also, noscapine significantly decreased NO production during a 30-minute oxygen—glucose deprivation/reperfusion (P < 0.01). The inhibitory effect of noscapine (4 μM) on intracellular Ca2+ was greater than ionotropic glutamate receptors antagonists. Noscapine is protective against ischemia/reperfusion-induced excitotoxic injury in OLN-93 oligodendrocyte. This protective effect seems to be related to attenuation of intracellular Ca2+ overload and NO production.
Preventive effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on oxidative stress and histopathology of cardiac tissue in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Naderi R , Mohaddes G , Mohammadi M , Alihemmati A , Badalzadeh R , Ghaznavi R , Ghyasi R , Mohammadi Sh
Published: December 2015

Since some complications of diabetes mellitus may be caused or exacerbated by an oxidative stress, the protective effects of garlic (Allium sativum) were investigated in the blood and heart of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, garlic, diabetic, and diabetic+garlic. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) in male rats. Rats were fed with raw fresh garlic homogenate (250 mg/kg) six days a week by gavage for a period of 6 weeks. At the end of the 6th week blood samples and heart tissues were collected and used for determination of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and histological evaluation. Induction of diabetes increased MDA levels in blood and homogenates of heart. In diabetic rats treated with garlic, MDA levels decreased in blood and heart homogenates. Treatment of diabetic rats with garlic increased SOD, GPX and CAT in blood and heart homogenates. Histopathological finding of the myocardial tissue confirmed a protective role for garlic in diabetic rats. Thus, the present study reveals that garlic may effectively modulate antioxidants status in the blood and heart of streptozotocin induced-diabetic rats.