bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economies through Application of Nonmedical Primary-Preventative Health: Lessons from the Healthy Country Healthy People Experience of Australia’s Aboriginal People
Authors: Campbell David
Published: April 2016

The World Health Organization reports noncommunicable disease as a global pandemic. While national and international health research/policy bodies, such as the World Health Organization and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, emphasize the importance of preventative health, there is a continuing distortion in the allocation of resources to curative health as a result of government failure. Government failure is, in part, the result of a political response to individual preference for certainty in receiving treatment for specific health conditions, rather than the uncertainty of population-based preventative intervention. This has led to a failure to engage with those primary causative factors affecting chronic disease, namely the psychosocial stressors, in which the socioeconomic determinants are an important component. Such causal factors are open to manipulation through government policies and joint government-government, government-private cooperation through application of nonmedical primary-preventative health policies. The health benefits of Aboriginal people in traditional land management, or caring-for-country, in remote to very remote Australia, is used to exemplify the social benefits of nonmedical primary-preventative health intervention. Such practices form part of the “healthy country, health people” concept that is traditionally relied upon by Indigenous peoples. Possible health and wider private good and public good social benefits are shown to occur across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions with the possibility of substantial economies. General principles in the application of nonmedical primary-preventative health activities are developed through consideration of the experience of Afboriginal people participation in traditional caring-for-country.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorated Glucolipotoxicity in HUVECs through TSG-6
Authors: An Xingxing , Li Lan , Chen Younan , Luo Ai , Ni Zuyao , Liu Jingping , Yuan Yujia , Shi Meimei , Chen Bo , Long Dan , Cheng Jingqiu , Lu Yanrong
Published: April 2016

Glucolipotoxicity is one of the critical causal factors of diabetic complications. Whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have effects on glucolipotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mechanisms involved are unclear. Thirty mM glucose plus 100 μM palmitic acid was used to induce glucolipotoxicity in HUVECs. MSCs and HUVECs were co-cultured at the ratio of 1:5 via Transwell system. The mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors were detected by RT-qPCR. The productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The tumor necrosis factor-α stimulated protein 6 (TSG-6) was knockdown in MSCs by RNA interference. High glucose and palmitic acid remarkably impaired cell viability and tube formation capacity, as well as increased the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, ROS levels, and cell apoptosis in HUVECs. MSC co-cultivation ameliorated these detrimental effects in HUVECs, but no effect on ROS production. Moreover, TSG-6 was dramatically up-regulated by high glucose and fatty acid stimulation in both MSCs and HUVECs. TSG-6 knockdown partially abolished the protection mediated by MSCs. MSCs had protective effects on high glucose and palmitic acid induced glucolipotoxicity in HUVECs, and TSG-6 secreted by MSCs was likely to play an important role in this process.
KRAS G12V Mutation Detection by Droplet Digital PCR in Circulating Cell-Free DNA of Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Olmedillas López Susana , García-Olmo Dolores , García-Arranz Mariano , Guadalajara Héctor , Pastor Carlos , García-Olmo Damián
Published: April 2016

KRAS mutations are responsible for resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy in colorectal cancer patients. These mutations sometimes appear once treatment has started. Detection of KRAS mutations in circulating cell-free DNA in plasma (“liquid biopsy”) by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has emerged as a very sensitive and promising alternative to serial biopsies for disease monitoring. In this study, KRAS G12V mutation was analyzed by ddPCR in plasma DNA from 10 colorectal cancer patients and compared to six healthy donors. The percentage of KRAS G12V mutation relative to wild-type sequences in tumor-derived DNA was also determined. KRAS G12V mutation circulating in plasma was detected in 9 of 10 colorectal cancer patients whose tumors were also mutated. Colorectal cancer patients had 35.62 copies of mutated KRAS/mL plasma, whereas in healthy controls only residual copies were found (0.62 copies/mL, p = 0.0066). Interestingly, patients with metastatic disease showed a significantly higher number of mutant copies than M0 patients (126.25 versus 9.37 copies/mL, p = 0.0286). Wild-type KRAS was also significantly elevated in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls (7718.8 versus 481.25 copies/mL, p = 0.0002). In conclusion, KRAS G12V mutation is detectable in plasma of colorectal cancer patients by ddPCR and could be used as a non-invasive biomarker.
Do Variants in GSTs Modify the Association between Traffic Air Pollution and Asthma in Adolescence?
Authors: Bowatte Gayan , Lodge Caroline , Lowe Adrian , Erbas Bircan , Dennekamp Martine , Marks Guy , Perret Jennifer , Hui Jennie , Wjst Matthias , Gurrin Lyle , Allen Katrina , Abramson Michael , Matheson Melanie , Dharmage Shyamali
Published: April 2016

Polymorphisms in genes involved in the oxidative stress response may partially explain the documented heterogeneous associations between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and asthma and allergies in children. We investigated whether the GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms modified the associations between TRAP exposure during the first year of life and asthma, wheeze and hay fever in adolescence. We used a birth cohort of 620 high risk infants from the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study. TRAP exposure during the first year of life was defined as the cumulative length of major roads within 150 m of each participant’s residence during the first year of life. Wheeze, asthma and hay fever were measured at ages 12 (n = 370) and 18 (n = 434) years. The associations and interactions with glutathione S-transferases (GST s) were investigated using regression models. Overall, there was no relationship between TRAP exposure during the first year of life and current asthma, wheeze and hay fever at ages 12 or 18 years. However, in GSTT1 null carriers, every 100 m increase in cumulative lengths of major road exposure during the first year of life was associated with a 2.31-fold increased risk of wheeze and a 2.15-fold increased risk of asthma at 12 years. TRAP is associated with some respiratory outcomes in carriers of genetic polymorphisms in oxidative stress metabolism genes.
The Impact of Specific Viruses on Clinical Outcome in Children Presenting with Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Gagliardi Maria , Fierabracci Alessandra , Pilati Mara , Chinali Marcello , Bassano Carlo , Saura Francesca , Giovannoni Isabella , Francalanci Paola
Published: April 2016

The presence and type of viral genomes have been suggested as the main etiology for inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy. Information on the clinical implication of this finding in a large population of children is lacking. We evaluated the prevalence, type, and clinical impact of specific viral genomes in endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) collected between 2001 and 2013 among 63 children admitted to our hospital for acute heart failure (median age 2.8 years). Viral genome was searched by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients underwent a complete two-dimensional echocardiographic examination at hospital admission and at discharge and were followed-up for 10 years. Twenty-seven adverse events (7 deaths and 20 cardiac transplantations) occurred during the follow-up. Viral genome was amplified in 19/63 biopsies (35%); PVB19 was the most commonly isolated virus. Presence of specific viral genome was associated with a significant recovery in ejection fraction, compared to patients without viral evidence (p < 0.05). In Cox-regression analysis, higher survival rate was related to virus-positive biopsies (p < 0.05). When comparing long-term prognosis among different viral groups, a trend towards better prognosis was observed in the presence of isolated Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) (p = 0.07). In our series, presence of a virus-positive EMB (mainly PVB19) was associated with improvement over time in cardiac function and better long-term prognosis.
Higher Order Methods for Nonlinear Equations and Their Basins of Attraction
Authors: Madhu Kalyanasundaram , Jayaraman Jayakumar
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we have presented a family of fourth order iterative methods, which uses weight functions. This new family requires three function evaluations to get fourth order accuracy. By the Kung–Traub hypothesis this family of methods is optimal and has an efficiency index of 1.587. Furthermore, we have extended one of the methods to sixth and twelfth order methods whose efficiency indices are 1.565 and 1.644, respectively. Some numerical examples are tested to demonstrate the performance of the proposed methods, which verifies the theoretical results. Further, we discuss the extraneous fixed points and basins of attraction for a few existing methods, such as Newton’s method and the proposed family of fourth order methods. An application problem arising from Planck’s radiation law has been verified using our methods.
Continuous Emission Monitoring of Tetrafluoromethane Using Quantum Cascade Lasers
Authors: Geiser Peter , Avetisov Viacheslav , Espinoza-Nava Luis , Menegazzo Nicola , Kaspersen Peter
Published: April 2016

Recent developments in quantum cascade lasers have enabled the development of new sensors for in-situ applications that have so far only been possible with extractive systems. In this work, a sensor is presented using a unique Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy approach to measure tetrafluoromethane, a strong greenhouse gas. The sensor was characterized in a laboratory environment indicating a long-term detection limit of 20 ppb·m and a short-term value of well below 10 ppb·m. To demonstrate the feasibility of the sensor in a real-world environment, it was installed at an Alcoa aluminum smelter. A co-located Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer allowed direct comparison measurements of both systems. General agreement between the two methods was observed, leading to the conclusion that the developed in-situ quantum cascade laser based sensor has the potential to continuously measure tetrafluoromethane at aluminum smelters.
Potential of IMU Sensors in Performance Analysis of Professional Alpine Skiers
Authors: Yu Gwangjae , Jang Young , Kim Jinhyeok , Kim Jin , Kim Hye , Kim Kitae , Panday Siddhartha
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we present an analysis to identify a sensor location for an inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the body of a skier and propose the best location to capture turn motions for training. We also validate the manner in which the data from the IMU sensor on the proposed location can characterize ski turns and performance with a series of statistical analyses, including a comparison with data collected from foot pressure sensors. The goal of the study is to logically identify the ideal location on the skier’s body to attach the IMU sensor and the best use of the data collected for the skier. The statistical analyses and the hierarchical clustering method indicate that the pelvis is the best location for attachment of an IMU, and numerical validation shows that the data collected from this location can effectively estimate the performance and characteristics of the skier. Moreover, placement of the sensor at this location does not distract the skier’s motion, and the sensor can be easily attached and detached. The findings of this study can be used for the development of a wearable device for the routine training of professional skiers.
Identification of a Large Pool of Microorganisms with an Array of Porphyrin Based Gas Sensors
Authors: Zetola Nicola , Modongo Chawangwa , Matlhagela Keikantse , Sepako Enoch , Matsiri Ogopotse , Tamuhla Tsaone , Mbongwe Bontle , Martinelli Eugenio , Sirugo Giorgio , Paolesse Roberto , Di Natale Corrado
Published: April 2016

The association between volatile compounds (VCs) and microorganisms, as demonstrated by several studies, may offer the ground for a rapid identification of pathogens. To this regard, chemical sensors are a key enabling technology for the exploitation of this opportunity. In this study, we investigated the performance of an array of porphyrin-coated quartz microbalance gas sensors in the identification of a panel of 12 bacteria and fungi. The porphyrins were metal complexes and the free base of a functionalized tetraphenylporphyrin. Our results show that the sensor array distinguishes the VC patterns produced by microorganisms in vitro. Besides being individually identified, bacteria are also sorted into Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
Development and characterization of EST‐SSR markers for Catalpa bungei (Bignoniaceae)
Authors: Wang Peng , Ma Yuzhu , Ma Lingling , Li Ya , Wang Shu'an , Li Linfang , Yang Rutong , Wang Qing
Published: April 2016

Premise of the study:

Catalpa bungei (Bignoniaceae) is a deciduous tree native to China. We developed microsatellite markers for C. bungei to investigate its population genetics.

Methods and Results:

One hundred seventy‐seven expressed sequence tag (EST)–simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs were isolated and characterized using next‐generation sequencing. Thirty of these primer pairs were polymorphic loci in 52 individuals of C. bungei. The number of alleles ranged from two to 18 with observed and expected heterozygosity values of 0.05−1.00 and 0.18−0.95, respectively. The fixation index ranged from −1.00 to 1.00 with an average of 0.32. No linkage disequilibrium was detected in any pair of loci. All markers showed good amplification results in four species (C. bungei, C. fargesii, C. duclouxii, and C. ovata) except three loci.

Conclusions:

These polymorphic markers are expected to be helpful in further studies on the systematics and phylogeography of C. bungei and related species.
NEW DISCOVERIES FROM THE ARECIBO 327 MHz DRIFT PULSAR SURVEY RADIO TRANSIENT SEARCH
Authors: Deneva J. S. , Stovall K. , McLaughlin M. A. , Bagchi M. , Bates S. D. , Freire P. C. C. , Martinez J. G. , Jenet F. , Garver-Daniels N.
Published: April 2016

We present Clusterrank, a new algorithm for identifying dispersed astrophysical pulses. Such pulses are commonly detected from Galactic pulsars and rotating radio transients (RRATs), which are neutron stars with sporadic radio emission. More recently, isolated, highly dispersed pulses dubbed fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been identified as the potential signature of an extragalactic cataclysmic radio source distinct from pulsars and RRATs. Clusterrank helped us discover 14 pulsars and 8 RRATs in data from the Arecibo 327 MHz Drift Pulsar Survey (AO327). The new RRATs have DMs in the range 23.5–86.6 pc cm−3 and periods in the range 0.172–3.901 s. The new pulsars have DMs in the range 23.6–133.3 pc cm−3 and periods in the range 1.249–5.012 s, and include two nullers and a mode-switching object. We estimate an upper limit on the all-sky FRB rate of 105 day−1 for bursts with a width of 10 ms and flux density ≳83 mJy. The DMs of all new discoveries are consistent with a Galactic origin. In comparing statistics of the new RRATs with sources from the RRATalog, we find that both sets are drawn from the same period distribution. In contrast, we find that the period distribution of the new pulsars is different from the period distributions of canonical pulsars in the ATNF catalog or pulsars found in AO327 data by a periodicity search. This indicates that Clusterrank is a powerful complement to periodicity searches and uncovers a subset of the pulsar population that has so far been underrepresented in survey results and therefore in Galactic pulsar population models.
SINGLE AND DOUBLE PHOTOIONIZATION AND PHOTODISSOCIATION OF TOLUENE BY SOFT X-RAYS IN A CIRCUMSTELLAR ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Monfredini T. , Fantuzzi F. , Nascimento M. A. C. , Wolff W. , Boechat-Roberty H. M.
Published: April 2016

The formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their methyl derivatives mainly occurs in the dust shells of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. The bands at 3.3 and 3.4 μm, observed in infrared emission spectra of several objects, are attributed C–H vibrational modes in aromatic and aliphatic structures, respectively. In general, the feature at 3.3 μm is more intense than that at 3.4 μm. Photoionization and photodissociation processes of toluene, the precursor of methylated PAHs, were studied using synchrotron radiation at soft X-ray energies around the carbon K edge using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Partial ion yields of a large number of ionic fragments were extracted from single and 2D-spectra, where electron-ion coincidences have revealed the doubly charged parent molecule and several doubly charged fragments containing seven carbon atoms with considerable abundance. Ab initio calculations based on density functional theory were performed in order to elucidate the chemical structure of these stable dicationic species. The survival of the dications subjected to hard inner shell ionization suggests that they could be observed in the interstellar medium, especially in regions where PAHs are detected. The ionization and destruction of toluene induced by X-rays were examined in the T Dra conditions, a carbon-rich AGB star. In this context, a minimum photodissociation radius and the half-life of toluene subjected to the incidence of the soft X-ray flux emitted from a companion white dwarf star were determined.
Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Erosion-free and Erosion-present Status in Psoriatic Arthritis in a Cohort Study
Authors: Touma Zahi , Thavaneswaran Arane , Chandran Vinod , Pellett Fawnda , Cook Richard J. , Gladman Dafna D.
Published: April 2016

Objective.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been recognized as a severe erosive disease. However, some patients do not develop erosions. We aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of erosion-free patients (EFP) as compared with erosion-present patients (EPP) among patients with PsA followed prospectively.

Methods.

This is a retrospective analysis conducted on patients from the Toronto PsA cohort. Patients with at least 10 years of followup and radiographs were analyzed. Radiographs were scored with the modified Steinbrocker method. Baseline (first visit to clinic) characteristics were used to predict the development of erosions with logistic regression models. To examine the effect of time-varying covariates, Cox regression models were fit for the time to development of erosions from baseline.

Results.

Among 290 patients, 12.4% were EFP and 87.6% were EPP over the study period. The mean time to development of erosion in the EPP over the course of followup was 6.8 ± 6.1 years. EFP were diagnosed with psoriasis at a younger age compared with EPP. In both models, actively inflamed joints and clinically damaged joints were predictive of the development of erosion, whereas a longer duration of psoriasis at baseline decreased the odds of developing erosion. EPP had a higher percentage of unemployment as compared with EFP at baseline and followup visits.

Conclusion.

Among patients with PsA followed for at least 10 years, 12.4% never develop erosions. The clinical and radiographic findings can ultimately assist in the stratification of a patient’s prognosis regarding the development of erosions.
Congenital tracheal defects: embryonic development and animal models
Authors: Sher Zenab Arooj , Liu Karen J
Published: April 2016

Tracheal anomalies are potentially catastrophic congenital defects. As a newborn begins to breathe, the trachea needs to maintain an appropriate balance of elasticity and rigidity. If the tracheal cartilages are disorganized or structurally weak, the airways can collapse, obstructing breathing. Cartilage rings that are too small or too rigid can also obstruct breathing. These anomalies are frequently associated with craniofacial syndromes, and, despite the importance, are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the spectrum of pathological phenotypes of the trachea and correlate them with the molecular events uncovered in mouse models.
Defining, Understanding, and Addressing Big Data
Authors: Bihl Trevor J. , Young II William A. , Weckman Gary R.
Published: April 2016

“Big Data” is an emerging term used with business, engineering, and other domains. Although Big Data is a popular term used today, it is not a new concept. However, the means in which data can be collected is more readily available than ever, which makes Big Data more relevant than ever because it can be used to improve decisions and insights within the domains it is used. The term Big Data can be loosely defined as data that is too large for traditional analysis methods and techniques. In this article, varieties of prominent but loose definitions for Big Data are shared. In addition, a comprehensive overview of issues related to Big Data is summarized. For example, this paper examines the forms, locations, methods of analyzing and exploiting Big Data, and current research on Big Data. Big Data also concerns a myriad of tangential issues, from privacy to analysis methods that will also be overviewed. Best practices will further be considered. Additionally, the epistemology of Big Data and its history will be examined, as well as technical and societal problems existing with Big Data.
Identity and Language Use Online
Authors: Hallajow Naseem
Published: April 2016

Given the deeply rooted relationship between identity and language use, this article reports on a study that explores the issue of identity as a main player in Syrian university students' language use online. In specific, it investigates how Syrian university students perform their identities through their use of language online and the types of identity transformation they experience in their online communication. To address the research questions, the study employs the case study approach in order to explore the research phenomenon very closely. The findings show that identity plays a major role in the way Syrian university students access the internet and also in the choice of language they make online.
Incorporating the Negotiation Process in Urban Planning DSS
Authors: Benatia Imene , Laouar Mohamed Ridda , Eom Sean B. , Bendjenna Hakim
Published: April 2016

Cooperation in multi-agent systems is necessary in order to perform complex tasks and lead Multi-agent System (MAS) towards its objective. Contract-Net Protocol (CNP) is one of the communication and coordination mechanisms used by multi-agent systems which prefer cooperation through interaction protocols. This paper proposes a new cooperation and negotiation protocol based on the principals of the Contact Net Protocol (CNP). The auhtors' suggested negotiation protocol is used to solve one of the problems in the context of the city planning which is the problem of election of urban projects. Their proposed protocol is intended to the decision makers in order to help them resolve the problem of the evaluation and the selection of the best urban project without the need to be together in a decision urban room.
Formal Verification of UML2 Timing Diagrams based on Time Petri Nets
Authors: Louati Aymen , Barkaoui Kamel
Published: April 2016

Unified Modeling Language (UML) is using in the design notation in industry and academia projects. Interesting by the critical Real-Time System verification, it is important to ensure its dependability in order to avoid eventual errors. In this paper, the authors aim to extend the UML diagrams by adding a formal verification stage. They tackle with the UML2 timing diagram (TD), as interaction diagram in order to describe the system's behavior in temporal way. For that, the authors give a formal description for TD using Time Petri Nets (TPN). Then, they propose a formal verification by means of Romeo Model Checker. In particular, they show how to formulate quantitative properties using TCTL (timed computation tree logic). In addition, the authors show how they can derive the TCTL formulae from Object Constraint Language-Real Time (OCLRT) constraints. Finally, they illustrate the proposed approach through a real case study.
Discovery Mechanism for Learning Semantic Web Service
Authors: Ben Mahmoud Chaker , Azaiez Ikbel , Bettahar Fathia , Gargouri Faiez
Published: April 2016

Nowadays, e-learning offers advantages over traditional learning in terms of independence. Moreover, adaptive e-learning systems take into account learner's profile, such as learning style and level of knowledge, in order to provide the most appropriate learning object. However, the essential challenge is finding and identifying the learning objects from a big corpus while ensuring their independence in different contexts. To overcome these problems of interoperability and accessibility of learning objects, the authors proposed to define a learning semantic Web service for each learning object. This service is an extension of OWLS that encompasses the description of the learning intention and the use of context that characterize a learning object. In this paper, the authors propose a new discovery mechanism based on learning intention and context use guided by the learner's intention and profile in order to offer a personalized learning path. Experimental results prove the efficiency of the proposed approach and approve its notable contribution.
Development of an Aeroelastic Flap to Increase the Aerodynamic Efficiency of a Wind Turbine’s Rotor Blade
Authors: Kortenstedde Frank , Crombag Johannes , Twardzik Michael , Langowski Julian K.A. , Stanke Benjamin
Published: April 2016

Horizontal-axis wind turbines are sophisticated technical constructions that require modern design methods for further improvement and higher economic output. Thorough understanding of the whole turbine and its components is indispensable for this aim. The technological development in the last decades indicates the progress in this area and shows the potential of optimizations due to the improvement of rotor blade aerodynamics by additional aerodynamic devices. In this project the effect of an aeroelastic flap mounted on the trailing edge of a rotor blade on energy yield was investigated. For this purpose a flexible flap of fiberglass reinforced plastic for the profile at 70% of the rotor blade span has been designed for the trailing edge and analyzed using a 2-way fluid-structure-interaction simulation. In the first step the simulation is reduced to a two-dimensional investigation using the cross-section at 70% diameter of the rotor blade. Compared to an unmodified profile, the aeroelastic flap increases the lift-to-drag-ratio of the profile in an angle of attack range between 3.5° to 9.5°. The aeroelastic flap has a positive effect on the glide ratio, similar to a non-elastic, static flap.
Turbulence Model Evaluation for Numerical Modelling of Turbulent Flow and Heat Transfer of Nanofluids
Authors: Boertz Hendrik , Baars Albert , Cieśliński Janusz T. , Smoleń Sławomir
Published: April 2016

In this work, Nusselt number and friction factor are calculated numerically for turbulent pipe flow (Reynolds number between 6000 and 12000) with constant heat flux boundary condition using nanofluids. The nanofluid is modelled with the single-phase approach and the simulation results are compared with experimental data. Ethylene glycol and water, 60:40 EG/W mass ratio, as base fluid and SiO2 nanoparticles are used as nanofluid with particle volume concentrations ranging from 0% to 10%. A prior turbulence model evaluation of k-ε-, k-ω- and k-ω-SST-model revealed substantial deviations between the tested models and resulted in applying the k-ω-SST-model for the simulation. Nusselt number predictions for the nanofluid are in agreement with experimental results and a conventional single-phase correlation. The mean deviation is in the range of 5%. Friction factor values show a mean deviation of 1.5% to a conventional single-phase correlation, however, they differ considerably from the nanofluid experimental data.
Performance of the Flat Plate Solar Collector Operated with Water-Al2O3 Nanofluid
Authors: Cieśliński Janusz T. , Dawidowicz Bartosz , Popakul Aleksandra
Published: April 2016

Solar collectors is one of the technologies absorbing energy from solar beam and utilizing it for heating purposes, displacing the need to burn fossil fuels. There are many ways to improve effectiveness of the solar collectors [1,2]. Recent method to absorb more heat from the solar beam is to modify thermal characteristics of the working fluid. For this purpose one can use nanofluids, i.e. suspensions of metallic or nonmetallic nanoparticles in a base fluid [3].
The Experimental Investigation of Scroll Expanders Operating in the ORC System with HFE7100 as a Working Medium
Authors: Kaczmarczyk Tomasz Z. , Ihnatowicz Eugeniusz
Published: April 2016

The paper presents the results of experimental investigation on the ORC system with a droplet separator (which was used to improve the quality of working medium vapour) and two scroll expanders, which operated individually. The research aimed at verifying the correctness of scroll expanders performance in the ORC installation, equipped with the electric flow heater for thermal oil as a heat source. The paper contains the characteristics of the heat exchangers installation that were obtained for the ORC system variant using a regenerative cycle. The tests were conducted for selected flow rates and various temperatures of the working medium HFE7100, glycol solution and thermal oil. The unit with a gear pump and a magnetic coupling functioned as a circulating pump. Following the results of tests carried out on two scroll expanders it may be concluded that the electric power output that was measured at the generator terminals was approximately 750 W. The maximum voltages generated by the expanders amounted to around 200 V and the maximum current was about 4 A.
Microgrinding with Diamond Electroplated Tools and with Single-Disk Lapping Kinematics
Authors: Barylski Adam , Deja Mariusz
Published: April 2016

New tools for flat grinding are the subject of the paper. Electroplated diamond tools with different grains - D64 and D107 - were used in a modified single-disc lapping machine configuration. The results from flat grinding, such as the material removal rate (MMR), surface roughness and plane-parallelism are presented in the paper. Apart from ceramic samples, the additional experiments were carried out on cemented carbide workpieces (H10S) with the use of a diamond electroplated tool (D64). SEM microscopic images of unworn and worn active tool surface are presented with abrasive grains worn by attrition and cavities in the nickel bond after the grains pull out.
Distribution of the Mechanical Properties of a Complexly Deformed Component of Low Carbon Steel Influenced by Post-Heat Treatment
Authors: Maier Petra , Lenz Frank , Tober Gerhard , Kuttig Maria
Published: April 2016

The influence of post-heat treatment on the mechanical properties of complexly deformed low carbon steel is studied in this work to improve a forming process to ensure and enhance the overall product quality. Since there is no constant deformation degree, there are big differences in the mechanical properties within the part: material seen a high deformation degree shows increased strength but decreased ductility, which carries the risk of formation of cracks. A post heat treatment reduces that risk by reducing inner stresses and work/strain hardening. This study involves two steel component varying in thickness and forming process: stretching plus bending and stretching only. Post heat treatment after cold forming is necessary to provide the safety margin needed in the application. The forming process which consists of stretching only delivers a more uniform deformation over the length of the nozzle. However, adding bending to stretching keeps the deformation degree lower and leads to a more homogenous property distribution after annealing. Material only exposed to stretching shows strong softening by deforming above critical deformation degree with resulting values below initial properties. Even during annealing of around 40 min, recrystallization took part: more globular grains can be seen. Post heat treatment also homogenizes hardness over the cross-section of the work piece. Increased hardness towards the tension and compression surface side as a result of friction between tool and work piece should be avoided to provide the safety margin also on the more local level. Annealing retrieves the yield point phenomenon and strongly increases ductility up to 35 % and reduces the ratio of tensile yield strength to ultimate tensile strength to more moderate levels of around 0.6.
Estimation and Measurement of Heat from Municipal Landfills
Authors: Várfalvi János , Kontra Jenő , Takács Ján , Krajčík Michal
Published: April 2016

At present, deposition of garbage in landfills is one of the most popular methods to dispose of solid waste produced in municipal areas. In a landfill, large amounts of organic garbage is deposited, where certain types of bacteria flourish and decompose the garbage, whereby heat is produced as by-product. During the decades of operation, considerable quantities of heat are generated in these microbiologically active zones. In such zones, the temperature is typically about 40-60 °C. Knowing this quantities could obviously help planning an energy management system. In this respect, the objective is to extract as much heat from the landfill as possible, and utilize it for applications such as space heating, domestic hot water production, greenhouses, etc. The present paper aims to outline the methods of estimation of the amount of heat that is produced in a landfill during the decades of its operation. The methodology of measurement of thermal conditions and of the heat output capacity is presented, with an example of data, collected so far.
Biodegradable Polymers for the Production of Prototypes
Authors: Beniak Juraj , Matúš Miloš , Križan Peter
Published: April 2016

Technologies dedicated to the rapid prototyping uses a wide range of materials. The mostly used plastic materials are based on polymers. It is for example an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Nylon, Polycarbonate (PC), or composites based on different polymers. New devices designed for the production of a prototype models, based on Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) are able to work with environmentally friendly and biodegradable materials as Polylactic acid (PLA). The aim of this paper is to show the possibility of using materials based on organic polymers whose properties are comparable to conventionally used polymers. Presented are measured and statistically evaluated data related to basic properties of PLA material.
Emission Production from the Incineration of Municipal Waste and Coal in Heat Sources for Solid Fuel
Authors: Vantúch Martin , Jandačka Jozef , Čaja Alexander
Published: April 2016

The article describes impacts of incinerating PET bottles and HDPE, LDPE bags in heat sources intended for combustion of solid fuels on emission load of environment. As primary fuel was intended brown coal and municipal waste was admixed in various amounts. The article describes the process of measuring and evaluating emissions during their incineration.
Feedback FEM Analysis to the Material Properties in the Simulation of Radial Pressure in the Cylindrical Chamber
Authors: Ondruška Juraj , Šooš Ľubomír , Onderová Iveta , Čačko Viliam
Published: April 2016

An article is about mechanical effect of the physic-mechanical material properties on the radial pressure in the compression chamber during the compacting process of wood. Some general methods that describe the transformation process of axial pressure into the radial pressure are shown, As well as the mathematical or experimental methods specifying dependencies and physical conditions. Mathematical finite element method in this area is very useful, but rarely used. Common problems using FEM are the proper definition of the physical material properties in a particular stage of compaction. Material properties are greatly influenced by a number of factors such as moisture, fraction size, chemical composition, current temperature, radial macro structure, axial macrostructure, current pressure and others. The chamber material and the manufacturing processes or the state of wear has an impact on the physical conditions. In terms of tensile elastic deformations, these complex effects reflect and can be merged into several properties. The conversion of axial to radial pressure indicates that some properties of the compacted material have a major impact on the process, such as friction between material and chamber, elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio. The geometry of the pressing chamber also has a significant impact. This paper does not deal so much with the pressing chamber geometry but more so with the characteristics embodied in experimentally measurable quantities. The measurement of these properties in combination with the application of FEM methods proves to be a highly progressive method for understanding the compaction process and the engineering design of compaction machines for the production of briquettes and pellets. The article urges further examination and measurement of a wider range of material properties in the densification process.
Numerical Study of Air Distribution in Combustion Chamber
Authors: Špilaček Michal , Lisý Martin , Skala Zdenek
Published: April 2016

The main goal of this article is to analyze the distribution of primary and secondary combustion air in a combustion chamber. The fuel for the combustion chamber is biomass and the main characteristics the combustion chamber must meet is to be simple, reliable, cheap and ecological. A brief summary of the importance of primary and secondary air is made and then it is compared with the results from the numerical model. The numerical model is based upon a simplified chamber geometry and the results are computed for laminar and turbulent flow. From the comparison are determined flaws of the design of the combustion chamber and outlined possible solutions for their removal and further direction of the study.
Problems with Solidification of Fly Ashes from the Municipal Solid Waste Incineration
Authors: Miškufová Andrea , Medvecová Alexandra , Kochmanová Anna , Olčák Dušan , Hronský Viktor
Published: April 2016

One of the negative aspects of MSW (municipal solid waste) incineration is production of hazardous fly ashes. MSW fly ash usually contains heavy metals like for example chromium, lead, cadmium and organic substances (dioxins, furans), soluble compounds (salts) and other harmful substances. According to environmental legislative and with respect to the environment fly ash as a hazardous waste should be stabilized before landfilling. This work deals with certain problems occurring at solidification process of MSW fly ash by cementation. This work also describes efficiency of stabilization by two different binders (slag cement and waste containing alumina and silica). Leachability tests by TCLP (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure) and compressive strength of original and solidified samples by use of uniaxial pressing were studied in order to find suitable parameters for effective stabilization.
Economics of Biomass Kiln-Drying with Vortec Tube
Authors: Kolláth Ludovít , Capek Matej , Onderová Iveta
Published: April 2016

The aim of the paper is to analyze the application possibilities of the Vortec tube in relation to its energy and economic aspects.The first part consists of an introduction, a description of the energy separation phenomenon in the Vortec tube and the application possibilities and parameters affecting Vortec tube functioning.The second part of the paper deals with the energy balance and economic operational aspects of Vortec tubes produced commercially. The energy balance consists of a thermal calculation of the Vortec tube, the energy-efficiency identification of thermal energy production and a comparison with thermal equipment used in practice. The thesis next continues with an economic analysis of the Vortec tube’s operation, connected with the production of compressed gas. The output of this part is a cost assessment of thermal energy production by means of the Vortec tube and its economic classification in the thermal resources generally used in Slovakia.The last part of the paper includes a static thermal calculation of a dryer using hot air produced by the Vortec tube from the point of view its thermal and temperature potential.
Implementation of a Test Bed for Supercapacitor Testing and Evaluation
Authors: Kho Anderson Ngap Chai , Si Kama Sherab Khee Yong , Jun Wei Hua , Pang Suh Cem , Chua Hong Siang
Published: April 2016

Please make the page settings of your word processor to A4 format (21 x 29,7 cm or 8 x 11 inches); with the margins: bottom 1.5 cm (0.59 in) and top 2.5 cm (0.98 in), right/left margins must be 2 cm (0.78 in)This paper is based on a project is entitled “Implementation of a Test Bed for Supercapacitor Testing and Evaluation” that is intended to perform tests and evaluate the behavior and characteristics supercapacitors. The test bed can perform charging and discharging of different types of supercapacitors. This implementation serves to automatically acquire the data from the testing procedure and plot in real time the graphs for monitoring the charging and discharging behaviour. From there, the test bed can determine the two significant characteristics of the supercapacitor, which are the capacitance value in Farad and the equivalent series resistance (ESR) in Ohm. The capacitance value is obtained using the measurements taken during the discharging process while the ESR is determined by measurements taken when it is charged using a constant current. The test bed can select between different modes of charging depending of the type of supercapacitor put to test. It can measure and evaluate capacitance ranges from 0.1F to 10F. This paper will discuss the methodologies that the test bed implements for testing the supercapacitors, and the results obtained from evaluation of several types of supercapacitors.
We shall be able to publish your paper in electronic form on our web page http://www.scientific.net, if the paper format and the margins are correct.
Your manuscript will be reduced by approximately 20% by the publisher. Please keep this in mind when designing your figures and tables etc. It is found the test bed can approximately read the values of supercapacitors that have low ESR ranges.
Design of Integrated Open Loop Resonator Bandpass Filter Antenna for 2.4GHz Applications
Authors: Zainuddin Nur Izzati Atiqah , Awang Mat Dayang Azra , Roslan Anis Suziyani
Published: April 2016

This paper presented the design of integrated filter antenna for 2.4GHz microwave applications. Open loop resonator bandpass filter is designed to increase the bandwidth of the antenna by producing the range of frequencies that can be accepted by the antenna structure. Direct connection between the filter structure and antenna may cause impedance mismatch and deteriorates the performance of both antenna and filter. Thus, by integrating both filter and antenna into a single module, the overall performance can be improved and increase the efficiency of the system with improved bandwidth. The design used FR4 with dielectric constant of εr = 4.7 with substrate thickness of 1.6mm. It is shown that the simulation result for the proposed integrated filter antenna produce return loss, S11=-20.009dB, gain of radiation pattern is 3.36dB and an increase of bandwidth to approximately 3.74% compare to the single structure antenna.
Elliptic Filter and Iterative Inversion Method for Buried Object Detection Applications
Authors: Munawwarah Ibrahim Puteh , Hong Ping Kismet Anak , Wei Ng Shi , Guang Yong , Rajaee Nordiana , Anyi Martin
Published: April 2016

In this paper, Forward-Backward Time-Stepping (FBTS) inversion method is used for detection, imaging and reconstruction of an unknown object in a region of interest. We consider the reconstruction parameter profiles of two-dimensional objects from measurement of the transient total electromagnetic field data contaminated with noise. A preliminary result of an Elliptic filter integrated in FBTS algorithm to suppress noise effect has been obtained. A circular shape in the region of interest is successfully detected and reconstructed.
Musculoskeletal Analysis of Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot Prototype
Authors: Mohamaddan Shahrol , Jamali Annisa , Abd Majid Noor Aliah , Mohamad Suffian Mohamad Syazwan Zafwan
Published: April 2016

Stroke is the third largest cause of death in Malaysia. Different approaches including hardware development and simulation were conducted to support the conventional rehabilitation courses. New upper limb rehabilitation robot prototype was developed for this research. The prototype consists of horizontal and vertical movement exercise. The prototype was modeled and simulated using ergonomics optimization software known as AnyBody. This paper presents the analysis of human upper limb muscles during rehabilitation exercise using virtual human model. The result shows that eleven muscle areas were affected during the rehabilitation exercise using new prototype.
Effect of Oval Defect on Propagation of Fundamental Lamb Wave
Authors: Salim M.N. , Khairy M.N.M. , Hayashi T.
Published: April 2016

Complicated Lamb wave propagation in structures can cause a misinterpretation in defect location and sizing during nondestructive inspections. A visualization of Lamb wave interactions with oval defects was carried out in our study to investigate the phenomenon of fundamental Lamb wave interaction around defect by using a reduced model of plate in ABAQUS. The visualized wave propagations with oval shape of through defects in plates demonstrated different patterns of wave interactions for the symmetric and anti-symmetric modes. The results also visualized the mode conversions around defects which converted from the incident waves. The visualized changes on the wave structures due to wave interaction with defects is important to increase our understanding on the guided wave propagation and reduce misinterpretation in nondestructive inspection when using the wave modes during inspection on large structures.
Reactivity-Mapping Tool Based on Diffusion Techniques for Characterization of Biocolloids
Authors: Smilek Jiří , Kalina Michal , Laštůvková Marcela , Türkeová Irena , Sedlacek Petr , Klučáková Martina
Published: April 2016

The universal reactivity-mapping tool was developed for characterization and study on barrier properties of selected biopolymers. The reactivity of biocolloids (humic acids) was studied by both diffusion techniques (break-through diffusion technique and non-stationary diffusion). The rate of reactivity of humic acids was compared by the interactions with basic cationic organic dye (Methylene Blue) because of the positive interactions among anionic supramolecular humic acids and cationic organic dyes were expected. The reactivity and barrier properties of biocolloids were compared by determination of fundamental diffusion parameters such as effective diffusion coefficient, sorption capacity, break-through time (the time needed for penetration of chosen organic dye through hydrogel porous barrier) or the concentration of organic dye on the interface hydrogel-solution. The original combination of simple diffusion experiments of suitable diffusion probe (organic dye) with the advantages of hydrogel porous media (simple preparation of hydrogels, the diffusion is undisturbed by convection, etc.) provides very valuable information about the reactivity of chosen biocolloids.