bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Electromagnetic Stimulation of Amaranth Seeds of Different Initial Moisture on the Germination Parameters and Photosynthetic Pigments Content
Authors: Kornarzyński Krzysztof , Dziwulska-Hunek Agata , Kornarzyńska-Gregorowicz Agnieszka , Sujak Agnieszka
Published: September 2018

The influence of stimulation with He-Ne laser light, alternating magnetic field and the combination of these factors on germination parameters of amaranth seeds and on the chlorophyll and carotenoid content in seedlings was investigated. During the stimulation the amaranth seeds had a different initial moisture content. From the germination characteristics of the seeds as the function of humidity, three maxima and one minimum value of the germination parameters (the relative germination capacity NK REL, the relative maximum germination rate SK MAX REL and the maximum germination index WK MAX) were obtained. In the majority of cases, the extremities coincided with the changes in the chlorophyll and carotenoid content in the seedlings. The presented research is innovative in the field of seed biology since no similar studies have been conducted before. It is difficult to interpret the results referring to the literature on this subject. The results can be explained as follows: the observed effect must be related to the stages of the water uptake by the seeds. The three stages of the water uptake associated with the seed germination process coincide with the maximum values in the germination parameters and with the change in the photosynthetic pigment content in seedlings.
Bacterial cell wall nanoimaging by autoblinking microscopy
Authors: Floc’h Kevin , Lacroix Françoise , Barbieri Liliana , Servant Pascale , Galland Remi , Butler Corey , Sibarita Jean-Baptiste , Bourgeois Dominique , Timmins Joanna
Published: September 2018

Spurious blinking fluorescent spots are often seen in bacteria during single-molecule localization microscopy experiments. Although this ‘autoblinking’ phenomenon is widespread, its origin remains unclear. In Deinococcus strains, we observed particularly strong autoblinking at the periphery of the bacteria, facilitating its comprehensive characterization. A systematic evaluation of the contributions of different components of the sample environment to autoblinking levels and the in-depth analysis of the photophysical properties of autoblinking molecules indicate that the phenomenon results from transient binding of fluorophores originating mostly from the growth medium to the bacterial cell wall, which produces single-molecule fluorescence through a Point Accumulation for Imaging in Nanoscale Topography (PAINT) mechanism. Our data suggest that the autoblinking molecules preferentially bind to the plasma membrane of bacterial cells. Autoblinking microscopy was used to acquire nanoscale images of live, unlabeled D. radiodurans and could be combined with PALM imaging of PAmCherry-labeled bacteria in two-color experiments. Autoblinking-based super-resolved images provided insight into the formation of septa in dividing bacteria and revealed heterogeneities in the distribution and dynamics of autoblinking molecules within the cell wall.
Cell-based RNAi screening and high-content analysis in primary calvarian osteoblasts applied to identification of osteoblast differentiation regulators
Authors: Ahmad Mubashir , Kroll Torsten , Jakob Jeanette , Rauch Alexander , Ploubidou Aspasia , Tuckermann Jan
Published: September 2018

Osteoblasts are responsible for the maintenance of bone homeostasis. Deregulation of their differentiation is etiologically linked to several bone disorders, making this process an important target for therapeutic intervention. Systemic identification of osteoblast regulators has been hampered by the unavailability of physiologically relevant in vitro systems suitable for efficient RNAi and for differentiation read-outs compatible with fluorescent microscopy-based high-content analysis (HCA). Here, we report a new method for identification of osteoblast differentiation regulators by combining siRNA transfection in physiologically relevant cells with high-throughput screening (HTS). Primary mouse calvarial osteoblasts were seeded in 384-well format and reverse transfected with siRNAs and their cell number and differentiation was assayed by HCA. Automated image acquisition allowed high-throughput analyses and classification of single cell features. The physiological relevance, reproducibility, and sensitivity of the method were validated using known regulators of osteoblast differentiation. The application of HCA to siRNAs against expression of 320 genes led to the identification of five potential suppressors and 60 activators of early osteoblast differentiation. The described method and the associated analysis pipeline are not restricted to RNAi-based screening, but can be adapted to large-scale drug HTS or to small-scale targeted experiments, to identify new critical factors important for early osteoblastogenesis.
Heterogeneity of hard skin layer in wrinkled PDMS surface fabricated by Ar ion-beam irradiation
Authors: Lee Seunghun , Byeon Eunyeon , Jung Sunghoon , Kim Do-Geun
Published: September 2018

The spatial distribution of binding states in the depth direction of a soft polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material was investigated in the hard skin layer formed by Ar ion-beam irradiation. The hard skin layer, typically considered silica-like and homogeneous, was heterogeneous, comprising a topmost layer and an intermediate layer. Impinging Ar ions transferred energy to the PDMS medium by collisional energy transfer, which was maximised at the surface and decreased gradually as the ions penetrated the PDMS. The decreasing energy transfer rate from the surface created a heterogeneous hard skin layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic depth profiling showed the existence of the topmost and intermediate layers. In the topmost layer, scission and cross-linking occurred simultaneously; Si–O bonds showed the dissociated state of SiOx (x = 1.25–1.5). Under the topmost layer, the intermediate layer showed mostly cross-linking, with Si–O bonds showing silica-like binding states of SiOx (x = 1.75–2). The spatial distribution of carbon-related bonds such as C–Si and sp3 C–C also showed heterogeneity, yielding a gradient of bond distribution. A theoretical analysis of the collisional energy transfer rate and displacement per atom showed consistency with the XPS depth profiling results.
A case of behavioural diversification in male floral function – the evolution of thigmonastic pollen presentation
Authors: Henning Tilo , Mittelbach Moritz , Ismail Sascha A. , Acuña-Castillo Rafael H. , Weigend Maximilian
Published: September 2018

Obvious movements of plant organs have fascinated scientists for a long time. They have been studied extensively, but few behavioural studies to date have dealt with them, and hardly anything is known about their evolution. Here, we present a large experimental dataset on the stamen movement patterns found in the Loasaceae subfam. Loasoideae (Cornales). An evolutionary transition from autonomous-only to a combination of autonomous and thigmonastic stamen movement with increased complexity was experimentally demonstrated. We compare the stamen movement patterns with extensive pollinator observations and discuss it in the context of male mating behavior. Thigmonastic pollen presentation via stamen movements appears to be a crucial component of floral adaptation to pollinator behaviour, evolving in concert with complex adjustments of flower signal, reward and morphology. We hypothesize that rapid adjustments of pollen presentation timing may play a significant role in the diversification of this plant group, representing a striking example for the evolutionary significance of plant behaviour.
Proteomics study of human cord blood reticulocyte-derived exosomes
Authors: Díaz-Varela Míriam , de Menezes-Neto Armando , Perez-Zsolt Daniel , Gámez-Valero Ana , Seguí-Barber Joan , Izquierdo-Useros Nuria , Martinez-Picado Javier , Fernández-Becerra Carmen , del Portillo Hernando A.
Published: September 2018

Reticulocyte-derived exosomes (Rex), extracellular vesicles of endocytic origin, were initially discovered as a cargo-disposal mechanism of obsolete proteins in the maturation of reticulocytes into erythrocytes. In this work, we present the first mass spectrometry-based proteomics of human Rex (HuRex). HuRex were isolated from cultures of human reticulocyte-enriched cord blood using different culture conditions and exosome isolation methods. The newly described proteome consists of 367 proteins, most of them related to exosomes as revealed by gene ontology over-representation analysis and include multiple transporters as well as proteins involved in exosome biogenesis and erythrocytic disorders. Immunoelectron microscopy validated the presence of the transferrin receptor. Moreover, functional assays demonstrated active capture of HuRex by mature dendritic cells. As only seven proteins have been previously associated with HuRex, this resource will facilitate studies on the role of human reticulocyte-derived exosomes in normal and pathological conditions affecting erythropoiesis.
Overexpression of Different Types of Microbial Rhodopsins with a Highly Expressible Bacteriorhodopsin from Haloarcula marismortui as a Single Protein in E. coli
Authors: Tu Cheng-Hong , Yi Hsiu-Ping , Hsieh Shiang-Yuan , Lin Hong-Syuan , Yang Chii-Shen
Published: September 2018

Microbial rhodopsins (M-Rho) are found in Archaea, Bacteria and some species of Eukarya and serve as light-driven ion pumps or mediate phototaxis responses in various biological systems. We previously reported an expression system using a highly expressible mutant, D94N-HmBRI (HEBR) from Haloarcula marismortui, as a leading tag to assist in the expression of membrane proteins that were otherwise difficult to express in E. coli. In this study, we show a universal strategy for the expression of two M-Rho proteins, either the same or different types, as one fusion protein with the HEBR system. One extra transmembrane domain was engineered to the C-terminal of HEBR to express another target M-Rho. The average expression yield in this new system reached a minimum of 2 mg/L culture, and the maximum absorbance of the target M-Rho remained unaltered in the fusion forms. The fusion protein showed a combined absorbance spectrum of a lone HEBR and target M-Rho. The function of the target M-Rho was not affected after examination with functional tests, including the photocycle and proton pumping activity of fusion proteins. In addition, an otherwise unstable sensory rhodopsin, HmSRM, showed the same or even improved stability under various temperatures, salt concentrations, and a wide range of pH conditions. This HEBR platform provides the possibility to construct multi-functional, stoichiometric and color-tuning fusion proteins using M-Rho from haloarchaea.
The extraction of natural scene gist in visual crowding
Authors: Gong Mingliang , Xuan Yuming , Smart L. James , Olzak Lynn A.
Published: September 2018

The gist of natural scenes can be extracted very rapidly and even without focal attention. However, it is unclear whether and to what extent the gist of natural scenes can break through the bottleneck of crowding, a phenomenon in which object recognition will be immensely impaired. In the first two experiments, a target scene, either presented alone or surrounded by four flankers, was categorized at basic (Experiment 1) or global levels (Experiment 2). It was showed that the elimination of high-level semantic information of flankers greatly alleviated the crowding effect, demonstrating that high-level information played an important role in crowding of scene gist. More importantly, participants were able to categorize the scenes in crowding at rather high accuracies, suggesting that the extraction of scene gist might be a prioritized process. To test this hypothesis, in Experiment 3 we compared the crowding effect of three types of stimuli, namely, scenes, facial expressions and letter “E”s. The results showed that scenes could be better categorized than the other two types of stimuli in the crowding condition. This scene gist advantage thus supported our hypothesis. Together, the present studies suggest that scene gist is highly recognizable in crowding, probably due to its prioritization in visual processing.
An in silico down-scaling approach uncovers novel constituents of the Plasmodium-containing vacuole
Authors: Matz Joachim Michael , Matuschewski Kai
Published: September 2018

During blood stage development the malaria parasite resides in a membrane-bound compartment, termed the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). The reasons for this intravacuolar life style and the molecular functions of this parasite-specific compartment remain poorly defined, which is mainly due to our limited knowledge about the molecular make-up of this unique niche. We used an in silico down-scaling approach to select for Plasmodium-specific candidates that harbour signatures of PV residency. Live co-localisation of five endogenously tagged proteins confirmed expression in the PV of Plasmodium berghei blood and liver stages. ER retention was ruled out by addition of the respective carboxyterminal tetrapeptides to a secreted reporter protein. Although all five PV proteins are highly expressed, four proved to be dispensable for parasite development in the mammalian and mosquito host, as revealed by targeted gene deletion. In good agreement with their redundant roles, the knockout parasites displayed no detectable deficiencies in protein export, sequestration, or PV morphology. Together, our approach improved the catalogue of the Plasmodium PV proteome and provides experimental genetics evidence for functional redundancy of several PV proteins.
Social media interventions for precision public health: promises and risks
Authors: Dunn Adam G. , Mandl Kenneth D. , Coiera Enrico
Published: September 2018

Social media data can be used with digital phenotyping tools to profile the attitudes, behaviours, and health outcomes of people. While there are a growing number of examples demonstrating the performance of digital phenotyping tools using social media data, little is known about their capacity to support the delivery of targeted and personalised behaviour change interventions to improve health. Similar tools are already used in marketing and politics, using individual profiling to manipulate purchasing and voting behaviours. The coupling of digital phenotyping tools and behaviour change interventions may play a more positive role in preventive medicine to improve health behaviours, but potential risks and unintended consequences may come from embedding behavioural interventions in social spaces.
Rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of aflatoxin B1 in Pu-erh tea by liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with the QuEChERS purification method
Authors: Dong Xiaoqian , Zou Bo , Zhao Xinying , Liu Songnan , Xu Wenwen , Huang Tiantian , Zong Qi , Wang Shouwei
Published: September 2018

An efficient method for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in Pu-erh tea by isotope dilution mass spectrometry coupled with QuEChERs was established.
Remarkably high catalyst efficiency of a disilaruthenacyclic complex for hydrosilane reduction of carbonyl compounds
Authors: Tahara Atsushi , Sunada Yusuke , Takeshita Takashi , Inoue Ryoko , Nagashima Hideo
Published: September 2018

0.001 mol% of Ru catalyst for the hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds (TON: up to 100 000).
Supported structure-controlled graphitic carbon nitride catalyst for dehydrochlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane
Authors: Sun Xi , Qin Yucai , Li Qiang , Liu Xi , Liu Zheng , Song Lijuan , Sun Zhaolin
Published: September 2018

The activated carbon supported carbon nitride with more ‘defects’ shows higher catalytic activity for dehydrochlorination of 1,2-DCE than the one with a high degree of polymerization.
Drastically enhanced visible light-driven H2evolution by anchoring TiO2nanoparticles on molecularly grafted carbon nitride nanosheetsviaa multiple modification strategy
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Xu Zili , Zhuang Chuansheng , Wang Heng , Xu Xiaochan , Li Tao , Peng Tianyou
Published: September 2018

An innovative multiple modification strategy has been developed for constructing the TiO2/CNX-NSs heterostructure for enhanced visible-light driven photocatalytic H2evolution.
A loop chain and a three-dimensional network assembled from a multi-dentate nitronyl nitroxide radical and M(hfac)2 (M = CoII, CuII)
Authors: Sun Juan , Xi Lu , Xie Jing , Wang Kang , Li Licun , Sutter Jean-Pascal
Published: September 2018

A unique loop chain and a 3D framework involving multidentate nitronyl nitroxide are reported and a Co complex exhibits slow magnetic relaxation.
Liquid catalysts: an innovative solution to 2D materials in CVD processes
Authors: Geng Dechao , Yu Gui
Published: September 2018

The progress in the development of liquid catalysts for producing 2D materials in CVD processes has been comprehensively presented. A complete engineering of the 2D materials on liquid catalysts is a huge step forward in the growth of novel materials and realization of next-generation technologies.
Catalyst-free synthesis of α-thioacrylic acids via cascade thiolation and 1,4-aryl migration of aryl alkynoates at room temperature
Authors: Wei Wei , Wang Leilei , Yue Huilan , Jiang Yuan-Ye , Yang Daoshan
Published: September 2018

A simple and facile catalyst-free strategy has been developed for the synthesis of α-thioacrylic acids from readily-available aryl alkynoates and thiols at room temperature under air.
Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed synthesis of indazolone-fused cinnolines via C–H coupling with diazo compounds
Authors: Su Lin , Yu Zheng , Ren Peiling , Luo Zhi , Hou Wei , Xu Hongtao
Published: September 2018

Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed C(sp2)–H activation and intermolecular coupling with diazo compounds were realized for the efficient and rapid synthesis of indazolone-fused cinnolines.
Peptide–dendron hybrids that adopt sequence-encoded β-sheet conformations
Authors: Barkley Deborah A. , Han Sang Uk , Koga Tadanori , Rudick Jonathan G.
Published: September 2018

Patterning of the amino acid residues to which dendrons are grafted encodes a β-sheet structure in peptide–dendron hybrids.
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropanes featuring vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters with a CH2F group; study of the influence of C–F⋯H–N interactions on reactivity
Authors: Cao Zhong-Yan , Wang Wenmin , Liao Kui , Wang Xiaoming , Zhou Jian , Ma Jing
Published: September 2018

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropanes with adjacent all-carbon quaternary stereocenters featuring a CH2F group is reported.
Enantioselective access to multi-cyclic α-amino phosphonates via carbene-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions between enals and six-membered cyclic imines
Authors: Sun Jun , Mou Chengli , Liu Changyi , Huang Ruoyan , Zhang Shupeng , Zheng Pengcheng , Chi Yonggui Robin
Published: September 2018

A carbene-catalyzed enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction is developed and quarternary α-amino phosphonates are afforded with encouraging anti-bacterial activities.
Analysis of beam wander effect in high turbulence for FSO communication link
Authors: Mukherjee Arka , Kar Subrat , Kumar Jain Virander
Published: September 2018

Atmospheric turbulence causes severe impairment of FSO communication link. Existing model underestimates the beam wander effect in high turbulence regime. In this paper, we model each turbulent eddy as a thin dielectric lens with Gaussian shaped refractive index profile and assume there are several sheets of eddies throughout the propagation path. We consider uniformly distributed eddy positions in a laminar sheet with Gamma distributed eddy sizes and refractive index fluctuations. We calculate mean beam wander and link availability for a given aperture size in high turbulence regime. Our simulation results show good concordance with the analytical results.
Capacity and costs for 5G networks in dense urban areas
Authors: Wisely David , Wang Ning , Tafazolli Rahim
Published: September 2018

A techno‐economic analysis of the 5G enhanced mobile broadband scenario in dense urban areas has been accomplished by radio capacity modelling of probable 5G technologies within a 1 km2 grid representing central London. Different density networks were modelled at 700 MHz (macro network), 3.5 GHz (micro network) and 24–27.5 GHz (hot spots) – together with 802.11ac access points. Using published data on network costs various deployment options have been evaluated for capacity, headline rate and capital expenditure/operating expense. It has been shown that reaching headline rates of 64–100 Mbps everywhere is possible with a number of different technology options. Massive increases in capacity (in excess of 100 Gbps/km2), however, can only be realistically achieved with a millimetre wave (outdoor) and 802.11ac (internally). The cost of deploying such capacity, however, will be several times that of LTE – the authors estimate a 4–5 times increase in costs for a 100 Mbps everywhere network that has ×100 capacity increase over existing LTE networks. The cost of rolling out 5G is becoming an important issue and this work provides one of the few published estimates of the economics of ultra‐high capacity networks.
Multi‐rate model predictive control algorithm for systems with fast‐slow dynamics
Authors: Zhang Xinglong , Farina Marcello , Spinelli Stefano , Scattolini Riccardo
Published: September 2018

This study proposes a novel multi‐rate model predictive control (MPC) scheme for linear discrete‐time systems subject to input constraints. The proposed scheme consists of two control layers, acting at two different timescales. At a slow timescale, the outputs associated with the slow dynamics are steered to their reference values while at a fast timescale, a shrinking horizon MPC regulator is designed to refine the control action computed at the slow timescale. The proposed control scheme shows to be particularly useful, not only to control systems with different open‐loop dynamics but also in cases when the controlled variables are required to have different responsiveness in a closed loop. Simulation results on a fire tube boiler example are reported, which indeed show that different dynamics can be efficiently imposed on the controlled variables, i.e. the boiler pressure and the water level, in the presence of variations of the disturbance represented by the steam output flow rate.
Improved frequency‐domain design method for the fractional order proportional–integral–derivative controller optimal design: a case study of permanent magnet synchronous motor speed control
Authors: Zheng Weijia , Luo Ying , Pi Youguo , Chen Yangquan
Published: September 2018

An improved frequency‐domain method for the fractional order controller design is proposed in this study. A proportional relation between the integral gain and derivative gain of the controller is built, while the derivative order is set to be equal to the integral order. Applying the improved method, the controller parameters can be calculated analytically according to different design requirements. The proportional coefficient between the integral and derivative gains is studied and then the model of the optimal proportional coefficient for the commonly used permanent magnet synchronous motor speed control system is built. Based on the established model, the optimal controllers are obtained analytically applying the proposed method. Motor speed control simulations and experiments are performed, comparing the performance of the controllers obtained using the proposed method and those obtained using the current frequency‐domain method and other design methods. Simulation and experimental results show that the control system obtained using the proposed method achieves the specified stability, robustness to gain variations and the optimal dynamic performance.
A research station with a two-disc cutting unit for studying the cutting process of energy
Authors: Rode Henryk
Published: September 2018

The paper presents the construction of a new research station for studying the cutting process of energy plants. The station consists of 3 basic units: a truck with drive and cutting units, a frame which is a guide for the truck moving on it, and a base for placing the plant’s stems. The station allows to determine the unitary energy of the cutting process for various rotary and travelling speeds of the cutting unit and for various sizes, spacing and angles of inclination of the cutting discs. It also allows to form freely the cut plants’ stems’ sockets.
Analysis of the load capacity of the bolt joints of collecting electrodes with the rapper rod
Authors: Nowak Andrzej , Kurz Mirosław
Published: September 2018

This article presents an analysis of the load capacity of the bolt joints of collecting electrodes with the rapper rod, made in HUCK technology. A discrete model of the system of electrodes was worked out for the analysis of stresses in bolt joints, the validation of which was made on the basis of measurement data obtained on the test bench. Two variants of joining the plates of electrodes with the rapper rod were taken into account in calculations - the first one with the correct geometry in the rapper rod, the other one with an eccentric displacement of holes in the flat bars of the rapper rod. In both variants the modelled system was loaded with the impulse force corresponding to the impact of the hammer against the anvil, with the run obtained from measurements on the test bench. These models and the related calculations were performed in the ABAQUS environment. As a result of the analyses performed, recommendations were worked out intended to eliminate cases of the destruction of bolt joints closest to the anvil of the rapper rod.
Analysis of the suitability of using the selected wind turbine blades for wind power appliances based on numerical analyses
Authors: Pytel Krzysztof , Szpin Szymon , Hudy Wiktor , Piaskowska–Silarska Małgorzata , Gumuła Stanisław
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of the suitability of the use of airfoil for wind power. Based on numerical analyses and analytical methods, information on the power factor was obtained. The analyses were carried out for the wind turbine blades and rotors of a vertical axis wind turbine. The tests were performed for the constructed profile and compared with the profile DU 06-W-200 used in the construction of a wind turbine rotors. A vertical axis wind turbine model equipped with designed blade profiles was prepared. The main predicted purpose of the device is to supply electricity to the household. The blade profile models were prepared and then a numerical analysis was performed using the CFD application. The obtained results for given wind speeds and types of profiles were compared with each other. The conducted research allowed to determine the sense of applying the unaudited profile based on the determined value of wind turbine power coefficient. Studies have shown that the accurate preparation of the optimal rotor blade with respect to flow of air stream strongly influences the characteristics of the wind turbine.
Bottom ash obtained from biomass burning in fluidised-bed boilers as a mortar component
Authors: Kępys Waldemar
Published: September 2018

The production of energy from biomass causes generation of solid waste, in the forms of fly ash and bottom ash. Owing to both economic considerations and environmental protection, it is required to recover those types of waste. The physical and economic properties of bottom ash indicate that waste ash can constitute a substitute of sand in the production of mortars. Consequently, tests were performed on the influence of bottom ash, used as sand substitute, on the mechanical properties of mortar. The test results indicated a possibility of using bottom ash as a mortar component
Design and experimental research of a quadrocopter flying robot
Authors: Suchanek Grzegorz , Ciesielka Wojciech
Published: September 2018

The drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle. Currently, many commercially available remote controlled flying toys are used to be called drones. This is an erroneous nomenclature, because the drone must have an autonomus flight function implemented. Due to it's simple mechanical construction, the most popular drones are in the form of a multirotor, in which arrangement the engines are placed in one plane. One of the most important advantages of this type of robots is the ability to maintain a certain position in space. Today, this allowed for e.g. taking photos from the air or inspecting hard-to-reach places. For use for environmental protection purposes, drone equipped with appropriate sensors and instrumentation may be used to monitor air pollution. The mechanical part of a quadrocopter flying robot was based on a TAROT frame with a 450mm engines spacing. The frame has been expanded with a dedicated set of legs to raise the clearance up to 150mm. Four dedicated EMAX MT2213 electric motors were installed on the frame, which are the main drive. They are characterized by the propeller hub-free-mounting, which minimizes possible imbalances. A single engine cooperating with a dedicated 10-inch propeller and a 4.5-inch pitch generates a maximum thrust of a 0.85kg. In the case of this system, it sums to a total of 3.4 kg. The weight of the ready to flight robot is 1.35 kg. To power the robot, a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 2.2 Ah is used, providing flight time of about 8 minutes. The basic work mode of the robot is a manual one, which means a self leveling mode with manual control. In addition to this mode, an autonomous navigation mode using GPS coordinates has been implemented. This navigation mode was also been tested during field tests. The operation of this navigation mode is very similar to the position maintaining mode, but operates on a larger scale. The robot in this mode is vectorically controlled, performing forwards/backwards and sideways movements to the set location.
Dew point temperature of wet air stream at variable pressure
Authors: Ptaszyński Bogusław , Kuczera Zbigniew , Łuczak Rafał , Życzkowski Piotr
Published: September 2018

One of the examples of how atmospheric air could be utilized includes its use as a carrier of mechanical energy transmitted by various devices, e.g. air compressors, constituting parts of various technical systems. In many of them, atmospheric air is subjected to significant changes in static pressure. This research paper specifies the effect of the variable static pressure on the dew point temperature of wet air. This issue was presented both analytically and graphically. The knowledge will allow to effectively identify these areas in which the water vapour contained in the air will be subject to phase changes, unfavourable for humans.
Energy optimization of mechatronic systems with PMSG
Authors: Tarnapowicz Dariusz , German–Galkin Sergiej
Published: September 2018

Currently, the improvement of efficiency in electricity systems is one of the key tasks facing the industry. Due to the energy criterion, the aim of the optimization of mechatronic systems is to reduce an adverse impact of the armature in the synchronous machine and limit losses in supply lines. In recent years, autonomous generating sets with Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) and ecological LNG engines are more and more often installed in power systemsThe article presents the concept of using a voltage inverter operating in the power source mode in a parallel connection with PMSG for distribution and regulation of active and reactive power
Estimation of borehole heat exchanger thermal properties
Authors: Wołoszyn Jerzy
Published: September 2018

An important issue in the design of installations with borehole heat exchangers (BHE) is knowledge of the thermo-physical properties of the grouting material and soil. The objectives of this work is to estimate the thermal conductivity and specific heat of the grouting material and the soil. The estimated values were determined on the basis of two numerical heat transport models in the borehole and using the results of the small sandbox experiment. The design of experiment technique (DOE) and the response surface methodology (RSM) were used to achieve the aim of this work. Numerical calculations were carried out with the use of the new finite element with multiple degrees of freedom (MDF) and a quasi-3D model in ANSYS package. The estimation requires minimization of four output parameters (quality criteria), and therefore it is a multiple-objectives optimization problem. Based on the DOE, RSM and multiple-objective optimization the material properties of BHE and soil was determined. For both models the discrepancies Y1P1 are below 4 %, Y2P1 are below 11.5%, Y1P2 are below 6.5 % and Y2P2 are below 11.5 %. The average discrepancies below 5 % based on the verification measurements with different operating parameters was obtained. It is noteworthy that for the two different models the same values of the estimated parameters were obtained.
Evaluation of long-term operation of combined system for heating the building and preparation of domestic hot water
Authors: Taler Dawid , Pitry Rafał , Taler Jan
Published: September 2018

The paper presents, the results of research on the operation and energy efficiency of a 186 kW gas-fired condensing boiler operating in a hybrid heat source system. The boiler co-operates with an 81.1 kW (electric) brine-to-water compressor heat pump, a 27.4 kW air-to-water heat pump and 6 flat solar collectors. A local, built-in, hybrid heat source is located in a public building and is intended to satisfy the building needs. The study was conducted over a period of 1 year - from 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015. The gas-fired boiler operates in the heating buffer system all year round. The boiler performance is characterized both in the winter and in the summer season, in terms of the amount of heat produced and the heating power. The calculations results of the heat generation efficiency obtained in the measuring period are also presented
Evaluation of the properties of coal bottom ash, as regards the possibilities of using it in biological land reclamation
Authors: Śliwka Małgorzata , Kępys Waldemar , Pawul Małgorzata
Published: September 2018

The use of waste in land reclamation projects or road works is a generally applied method of waste recycling since coal bottom ash can be used in plant substrate. This paper presents the results of research on the physical and chemical properties and the toxicity of waste originating from power stations, in the form of coal bottom ash collected from pulverisedfuel and fluidised-bed boilers. To evaluate the eco-toxicological properties of waste, a series of plant growing tests were conducted, with the use of selected plant species, as well as germination tests in water extracts of waste. The latter were intended to determine whether coal bottom ash displayed cytostatic activity, while, in the case of pot experiments, the purpose was to determine the germination rates and growths of both above-ground and underground parts of plants. The test results indicated that the influence of the tested coal bottom ash on the plant development and growth depended on physical and chemical properties of that waste. The reactions of plants were also changing depending on the proportion of waste in soil.
Financing pro-ecological investments in the Częstochowa municipal enterprise
Authors: Wrońska Magdalena , Kwarciak-Kozłowska Anna , Długosz Katarzyna , Galwa-Widera Monika
Published: September 2018

The paper presents the opportunities for funding ecological investments with the example of the Czestochowa Municipal Enterprise. Modernizations of facilities and technologies are usually very capitalintensive investments. High costs of operation and changes introduced to programs of waste management have stimulated creation of various forms of support for the enterprises, including companies involved in municipal waste management. Both Poland and the European Union provide financial support to enterprises for ecological and innovative purposes. For nearly 15 years, both national and international programs have offered their support for changes in the system of waste management. The Czestochowa Municipal Enterprise has been successful in meeting legal requirements. Subsidies from the EU operational programs (nearly a third of investments in 2004-2014) allowed for the achievement of a high level of investments. One should emphasize performance of such tasks as municipal waste sorting plant, composting facility, station of bulky waste disassembly, station of construction debris fragmentation or municipal point of dangerous waste collection. 200 points of selective waste collection have been created in the community and educational campaigns were performed concerning waste sorting. Each of these units represents a necessary component of modern and ecological waste management. Nowadays, waste landfills represent modern enterprises with huge economic potential, whereas investments and subsidies allow for the development and building infrastructure of the municipal industry which is essential in development of cities and villages.
Utilization of rigid polyurethane foam waste in removal of uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances
Authors: Węsierski Tomasz
Published: September 2018

In 2017 in Poland 12522 incidents involving hazardous substances were recorded, of which 23 have been classified as large and very large. Apart from the share of carbon monoxide, most of them concerned uncontrolled petroleum product releases. In the same year over 427 m3 of foaming agents were used. Consequently, an extremely important issue at the intervention level is the efficient and safe removal of the resulting pollution. Tests of maximal absorption proprieties with the use of the modified Westinghouse method executed on a wide range of industrially used diverse industrial toxic substances and various classes of waste of firefighting foam agents have demonstrated substantial usability of rigid polyurethane foam waste. The obtained maximal theoretical sorptivity were within the range of 1.87-5.11 kg.kg-1. It has also been proven that absorption proprieties in relation to waste firefighting foaming agents were reduced. However, the maximum absorption proprieties of the tested rigid polyurethane foam waste are much higher than those for standard mineral sorbents used in rescue operations, which indicates a high potential for their practical use for emergency services.
Direct-Injection Electron Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics Method for Analyzing Blueberry Leaf Metabolites That Inhibit Adult T-cell Leukemia Proliferation
Authors: Kai Hisahiro , Uesawa Yoshihiro , Kunitake Hisato , Morishita Kazuhiro , Okada Yoshihito , Matsuno Koji
Published: September 2018

Metabolic profiling is often used to identify possible correlations between a compoundʼs metabolic profile and biological activity. Direct-injection electron ionization-mass spectrometry “fingerprinting” is useful for characterizing biological materials. We demonstrate the utility of direct-injection electron ionization-mass spectrometry for metabolic profiling using 100 different extracts of leaves from 20 blueberry cultivars collected at 5 time points from April to December 2008. A qualitative direct-injection electron ionization-mass spectrometry method was used to profile the major and/or minor constituents in the blueberry leaf extracts. Blueberry leaf extracts could be distinguished by principal component analysis based on the absolute intensity of characteristic fragment ions. Twenty cultivars were categorized into four species, and the most appropriate discriminative marker m/z value for identifying each cultivar was selected statistically. Correlated
m/z values indicating the collection month were determined in the same analysis, and air temperature variance factors were extracted from score plots by principal component analysis. We previously reported that blueberry extracts inhibit the proliferation of adult T-cell leukemia cells. Leaves of Vaccinium virgatum collected in December of 2008 exhibited significantly greater inhibition of adult T-cell leukemia cell proliferation than other species. Highly bioactive cultivars or species were identified by direct-injection electron ionization-mass spectrometry metabolomics analysis of blueberry leaf extracts. The components extracted based on our direct-injection electron ionization-mass spectrometry analyses could be used to construct a model to predict anti-adult T-cell leukemia bioactivity. This is the first study to report a relationship between seasonal variation and bioactivity of natural products using a direct-injection electron ionization-mass
spectrometry metabolomics method.
Implementing Obstetric Venous Thromboembolism Protocols on a Statewide Basis: Results from New York State's Safe Motherhood Initiative
Authors: Friedman Alexander , Ananth Cande , Lavery Jessica , Fleischer Adiel , Chazotte Cynthia , D'Alton Mary ,   for the Safe Motherhood Initiative Venous Thromboembolism Work Group
Published: September 2018

Objective To determine whether a state-level initiative to reduce obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk affected outcomes and process measures.

Methods In 2013, the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) developed a VTE safety bundle to reduce obstetric VTE risk. A total of 117 of 124 hospitals providing obstetrical services in New York participated in SMI. Data evaluating thromboembolism events (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and thromboprophylaxis process measures were collected from March through November 2015.

Results A total of 107 hospitals, in any individual quarter, reported data on each of the VTE bundle outcomes and measures. Centers that provided low-risk care (Level 1 centers) reported the lowest rate of bundle implementation at the end of the study period (55.6%). Mechanical prophylaxis for a cesarean was common at all centers. Hospitals that adopted the bundle were more likely to provide routine pharmacologic prophylaxis for women undergoing cesarean. The risk of VTE did not differ by bundle implementation.

Conclusion While adoption of the SMI VTE bundle occurred at a majority of centers across New York, uptake was less likely at low-acuity centers. Bundle adoption was associated with implementation of recommended practices. The rare nature of VTE events underscores the need for large data samples to determine the best prophylaxis strategies.
Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Properties of the Danish Version of the Anti-Clot Treatment Scale
Authors: Comuth Willemijn , Lauridsen Henrik , Kristensen Steen , Münster Anna-Marie
Published: September 2018

Background The Anti-Clot Treatment Scale (ACTS) is a 17-item, 2-factor (Burdens and Benefits), patient-reported outcome instrument to evaluate patient satisfaction with oral anticoagulant treatment.

Objectives This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the English version of the ACTS into Danish and to subsequently validate the Danish version in a population of patients treated with dabigatran etexilate for atrial fibrillation.

Methods The ACTS was translated into Danish and culturally adapted. This prospective phase 4 study included 232 respondents who completed the Danish ACTS after 1 month of treatment with dabigatran etexilate for atrial fibrillation. Psychometric properties were evaluated. For test–retest reliability, the ACTS was measured twice, 2 weeks apart, in a subgroup of 50 stable patients.

Results Generally, a high level of treatment satisfaction was found. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a suboptimal fit for the two-factor model of the original version. Using modification indices of confirmatory factor analysis, a four-factor model had the best fit. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was acceptable at 0.78. There was good test–retest reliability with intraclass correlation at 0.80. Smallest detectable changes (SDCs) for individual patients were 5.89 points for the total ACTS, 5.57 for the reverse Burdens, and 3.34 for Benefits scores. Group SDCs were 0.39, 0.37, and 0.22 respectively. Substantial ceiling effects limit the ability to detect improvement at the high end of the scale.

Conclusion The Danish version of the ACTS has inadequate structural validity. Reliability was acceptable. Ceiling effects challenge detection of improvement of treatment satisfaction in clinical practice in this patient population.
Extremsport
Authors: Ströhle A.
Published: September 2018

Einige Extremsportler wie z.B. Reinhold Messner, Alexander Huber oder Felix Baumgartner sind auch extrem bekannt. Sind Profis oder auch Amateure im Hochleistungssport nicht ebenfalls Extremsportler? Oder gehört zum Extremsport das (Todes-)Risiko dazu? Und was ist mit Ultra-Ausdauersport? Dem interessierten Leser öffnet sich eine Welt voller Extreme. Training, Vorbereitung, Technik, Überwachung und physische und mentale Fähigkeiten tragen mit zur Sicherheit bei, sodass viele der von außen als mit hohem Risiko verbundenen Extremsportarten zwar extreme Anforderungen an den einzelnen (oder ein Team) stellen aber nicht unbedingt mit extremen Risiko assoziiert sind. Systematische Untersuchungen haben in den vergangenen Jahren Alters- und Geschlechtseffekte insbesondere bei ExtremAusdauersportlern untersucht. Psychologische und physiologische Charakteristika von Extremsportlern werden erst langsam systematisch untersucht. Der Mensch ist zu extremen Leistungen fähig, auch im Sport.
The radiation force on a rigid sphere in standing surface acoustic waves
Authors: Liang Shen , Chaohui Wang , Qiao Hu
Published: September 2018

In this paper, the theory of acoustic radiation force exerted by standing surface acoustic waves (SSAWs) on a rigid sphere in ideal fluids is extended to account for the Rayleigh angle. The conventional theory used to calculate the radiation force acting on spheres in SSAWs is developed for plane standing waves (PSWs). PSWs exclude the dependence on the Rayleigh angle, causing significant limitations in the SSAW-based application settings. The radiation force on a cylinder in SSAWs is calculated based on which spherical structure is to be further considered. The Rayleigh angle effects can amplify the force of acoustic radiation in the direction normal to the piezoelectric substrate. In addition, the Rayleigh angle plays a notable role in both the magnitude and sign of the acoustic radiation force in the direction parallel to the substrate, which is significant for manipulating spherical particles in SSAWs. Thus, our formulas have great potential in the SSAW-based applications.
Kinetic theory of electrostatic surface waves in a dusty plasma slab with electrons/ions featuring the Tsallis distribution
Authors: Shahmansouri Mehran , Lee Myoung-Jae , Jung Young-Dae
Published: September 2018

The linear excitation of surface dust-ion-acoustic waves in a semi-bounded dusty plasma and a dusty plasma slab comprising Tsallis distributed electrons and ions is studied. The propagation properties of surface modes (in semi-bounded dusty plasma) and both symmetric and anti-symmetric modes (in the dusty plasma slab) are investigated. It is found that the nonextensivity increases the phase velocities of surface modes in both dusty plasma structures, whereas the magnitude of the dust grain charge reduces the wave frequency. In the dusty plasma slab, the wave frequency of both symmetric and anti-symmetric modes decreases with the increasing number density of dust grains, also it leads to a decrease in the separation between two modes. The present investigation contributes to the physics of electrostatic surface wave structures in Saturn's E-ring or G-ring magnetosphere in which plasma components with Tsallis distribution exist.