bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Islamic Nuance in Decorative-Ornament Architecture Art in Nusantara
Authors: Yusof Abdullah , Mat Zin Aizan Hj. Ali @ , Abdul Hamid Ahmad Faisal
Published: June 2014

The advent of Islam in Nusantara sparked new phenomena or changing not only in structure of building construction of religious places, residency and houses but also ornaments and decoration expressing value of beauty of that building. The result of this research tries to reveal how far Islamic influence is working without undermining local aspects of architecture and how Islamic architecture was influenced by other characters in ornament and decorative-ornament artwith various design and sense. Islamic nuances are substantially showed in traditional and contemporary mosque architecture, graveyard, residencies, palaces, historical building and soon and so forth. Although local elementsare clear, and so with Hinduism and Buddhism, animism, colonial influence and other foreign influences including Middle East, Africa, India and China, Islam shows its prominence in interior and exterior ornament as well as its tools.
Captura de mosquitos antropofílicos (Diptera, Culicidae) em uma área urbana da região oeste da Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Santos Isana M. dos , Calado Daniéla
Published: June 2014

A região oeste da Bahia passa por acelerado processo de desenvolvimento agrícola, o que tem gerado problemas de infraestrutura nos municípios. A falta de saneamento básico e de coleta dos resíduos são alguns desses problemas, os quais têm papel importante no aumento de criadouros disponíveis aos culicídeos. Assim, considerando as possibilidades de contato entre vetor e população humana, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a fauna de culicíeos adultos em uma área urbana no oeste da Bahia e verificar a presença de espécies de interesse em saúde pública. As amostragens de mosquitos adultos foram realizadas no município de Barreiras, de fevereiro de 2009 a janeiro de 2010, das 17h30min às 21h00min. Ao total foram capturados 1.744 mosquitos e oito gêneros foram identificados: Aedes, Coquilletidia, Culex, Limatus, Mansonia, Ochlerotatus, Psorophora e Uranotaenia. Culex quinquefasciatus foi a espécie mais frequente e abundante. Outras espécies encontradas, e que apresentam importância epidemiológica, foram Aedes aegypti e Ochlerotatus scapularis. Considerando que muitas espécies coletadas em Barreiras possuem importância epidemiológica e ocorrem mesmo durante a estação seca devido à ausência de saneamento básico, é importante que os municípios da região oeste da Bahia sejam alvo constante das atividades de vigilância epidemiológica.
Riqueza e composição de vertebrados em latrinas ativas e inativas de Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora, Mustelidae) na Amazônia Oriental, Brasil
Authors: Togura Cintia M. , Norris Darren , Michalski Fernanda
Published: June 2014

O estudo objetivou avaliar a riqueza e composição de vertebrados de médio e grande porte em latrinas ativas e inativas de ariranhas [Pteronura brasiliensis (Gmelin, 1788)], em uma Unidade de Conservação de Uso Sustentável na Amazônia Oriental Brasileira. O estudo foi realizado em 45 latrinas ao longo de 230 km nos rios Falsino e Araguari (0°55'N, 51°35'W), sendo que desse total, 24 apresentaram fezes frescas e 21 fezes velhas de ariranhas. De julho a novembro de 2012, cada latrina foi monitorada com uma armadilha fotográfica programada para operar por 24 horas. O esforço de campo resultou em 458,8 armadilhas/dia, sendo 247,5 armadilhas/dia em latrinas com fezes frescas e 211,3 armadilhas/dia com fezes velhas. Foram obtidos registros de 22 espécies de vertebrados. A maior parte das espécies registradas foram mamíferos (n = 13), seguida por aves (n = 6), e répteis (n = 3). As espécies mais frequentemente fotografadas foram paca [Cuniculus paca (Linnaeus, 1766); n = 21], jaguatirica [Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758); n =11], juriti-pupu (Leptotila verreauxi Bonaparte, 1855; n = 8), ariranha [Pteronura brasiliensis (Gmelin, 1788); n = 7], e anta [Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758); n = 6], que foram responsáveis por 55,8% de todos os registros. A maior parte dos registros (69,5%) foram obtidos em latrinas com fezes frescas e o número de espécies foi maior (n = 19) do que os registrados em latrinas com fezes velhas (n = 15). No entanto, a dissimilaridade entre a comunidade de vertebrados entre latrinas com fezes frescas e velhas não diferiu. A média de visitação em latrinas com fezes frescas foi ligeiramente superior do que em latrinas com fezes velhas, embora essa diferença tenha sido apenas marginalmente significativa. Entretanto, houve uma diminuição no número de registros de felinos [Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1821) e Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758)], marginalmente significativo em latrinas com fezes frescas. Dessa forma, a presença de fezes frescas em latrinas ativas de ariranhas parecem aumentar o registro de espécies de vertebrados, sendo especialmente importante para os grupos que apresentam guilda trófica similar.
Análise genética do caráter nuda em panículas de aveia hexaplóide
Authors: Valentini Ana Paula Fontana , Pellizzaro Kelly , Pacheco Marcelo Teixeira , Federizzi Luiz Carlos
Published: June 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar o número de genes que controlam o caráter nuda e o modo de expressão desta característica em panículas de aveia branca hexaplóide. Genitores e população segregante (nas gerações F2 e F3) foram avaliadas quanto à presença e distribuição de grãos nudas em panículas de plantas individuais de aveia. Para cada planta, um desenho da panícula principal foi desenvolvido. A partir dos desenhos obtidos nas progênies da população F2, seis classes fenotípicas distintas foram produzidas. A proporção fenotípica esperada de 3:9:4 (nuda:segregante:com casca) foi a que melhor se ajustou pelo teste do Qui-quadrado. Na geração F3, os resultados demonstraram concordância com a hipótese observada na geração F2. O caráter nuda em aveia é herdado por dois genes e a maior expressão deste caráter ocorre no terço superior das panículas. A expressão deste caráter em aveia não é completa, mesmo em genótipos homozigotos.
The use of soft silicone solid implant molded intraoperatively for pectus excavatum surgical repair
Authors: Anger Jaime , Alcalde Raphael Francisco Vesterman , Campos Jose Ribas Milanez de
Published: June 2014

Objective To describe a new surgical technique to treat pectus excavatumutilizing low hardness solid silicone block that can be carved during the intraoperative period promoting a better aesthetic result.Methods Between May 1994 and February 2013, 34 male patients presentingpectus excavatum were submitted to surgical repair with the use of low hardness solid silicone block, 10 to 30 Shore A. A block-shaped parallelepiped was used with height and base size coinciding with those of the bone defect. The block was carved intraoperatively according to the shape of the dissected space. The patients were followed for a minimum of 120 days postoperatively. The results and the complications were recorded.Results From the 34 patients operated on, 28 were primary surgeries and 6 were secondary treatment, using other surgical techniques, bone or implant procedures. Postoperative complications included two case of hematomas and eight of seromas. It was necessary to remove the implant in one patient due to pain, and review surgery was performed in another to check prothesis dimensions. Two patients were submitted to fat grafting to improve the chest wall contour. The result was considered satisfactory in 33 patients.Conclusion The procedure proved to be fast and effective. The results of carved silicone block were more effective for allowing a more refined contour as compared to custom made implants.
Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with valvular heart disease admitted to the emergency department
Authors: Moraes Ricardo Casalino Sanches de , Katz Marcelo , Tarasoutchi Flávio
Published: June 2014

Objective To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with valvular heart disease who arrived decompensated at the emergency department of a university hospital in Brazil.Methods A descriptive analysis of clinical and echocardiographic data of 174 patients with severe valvular disease, who were clinically decompensated and went to the emergency department of a tertiary cardiology hospital, in the State of São Paulo, in 2009.Results The mean age of participants was 56±17 years and 54% were female. The main cause of valve disease was rheumatic in 60%, followed by 15% of degenerative aortic disease and mitral valve prolapse in 13%. Mitral regurgitation (27.5%) was the most common isolated valve disease, followed by aortic stenosis (23%), aortic regurgitation (13%) and mitral stenosis (11%). In echocardiographic data, the mean left atrial diameter was 48±12mm, 38±12mm for the left ventricular systolic diameter, and 54±12mm for the diastolic diameter; the mean ejection fraction was 56±13%, and the mean pulmonary artery pressure was 53±16mmHg. Approximately half of patients (44%) presented atrial fibrillation, and over one third of them (37%) had already undergone another cardiac surgery. Conclusion: Despite increased comorbidities and age-dependent risk factors commonly described in patients with valvular heart disease, the clinical profile of patients arriving at the emergency department represented a cohort of rheumatic patients in more advanced stages of disease. These patients require priority care in high complexity specialized hospitals.
Ensemble algorithms for ecological niche modeling from presence‐background and presence‐only data
Authors: Drake John M.
Published: June 2014

Ecological niche modeling is central to many problems in population dynamics, conservation biology, biogeography, and evolutionary ecology. Recently, methodological advances have been achieved by adopting modeling principles from statistical and machine learning. One such principle that has not been explored is that voted ensembles of weakly tuned (underfit) models often exhibit similar bias and lower variance than individual well‐tuned models. A further contribution of machine learning is the one class support vector machine. One class support vector machines may be more suited to ecological niche modeling than classification algorithms because the “boundary estimation” property of this class of models better represents the conception of the niche as the set of environments in which populations of a species persist. This paper brings together these approaches and applies them to a data set on the distribution two‐spined blackfish (Gadopsis bispinosus) in southeastern Australia with the aim of improving performance and enriching the repertoire of methods for ecological niche modeling. First, a study of low‐bias bagging (LOBAG) applied to conventional two‐class support vector machines, an approach to presence‐background modeling, found this method to be comparable to another widely used method, MAXENT. Next, I introduce a variant of LOBAG for one class classification, LOBAG‐OC, to be used for ecological niche modeling with presence‐only data. This method performed better than other presence‐only methods (DOMAIN and BIOCLIM) and nearly as well as LOBAG and MAXENT, despite the fact that the presence‐only problem is considerably more difficult than the corresponding presence‐background problem. Results of these analyses suggest that LOBAG and LOBAG‐OC may provide robust, high‐performing solutions to the presence‐background and presence‐only modeling problems and point to ways in which ecological niche modeling may be simultaneously both improved and automated.
Increasing flexibility in rangeland management during drought
Authors: Kachergis Emily , Derner Justin D. , Cutts Bethany B. , Roche Leslie M. , Eviner Valerie T. , Lubell Mark N. , Tate Kenneth W.
Published: June 2014

Extreme droughts like the recent 2011–2013 drought impacting the central and western United States present a challenge to sustaining livestock ranching operations and the ecosystem goods and services they produce. Wyoming ranchers manage half of this drought‐prone state and are at the forefront of this challenge. We examined Wyoming ranchers' drought management strategies and how ranch characteristics affect drought management flexibility, a key component of resilience, through a mail survey. We find that many survey respondents manage drought in similar ways, by selling livestock and buying feed, highlighting the market risks associated with drought. Ranches that are larger, include yearling livestock, use shorter grazing periods, and/or incorporate alternative on‐ranch activities (e.g., hunting) use more drought management practices and thus have greater flexibility. Larger ranches experience fewer drought impacts, highlighting advantages of a larger resource base. Our findings suggest three components of national drought policy that encourages flexibility and thus increases resilience of ranches to drought: (1) encouraging forage‐sharing mechanisms; (2) promoting income diversification that is independent of climatic variability; and (3) facilitating a shift to diversified livestock production systems. These measures could increase sustainability of ranching livelihoods and provision of ecosystem services despite predicted increases in intensity and duration of future droughts.
Genetic Evaluation of Micronutrient Traits in Diploid Potato from a Base Population of Andean Landrace Cultivars
Authors: Paget Mark , Amoros Walter , Salas Elisa , Eyzaguirre Raul , Alspach Peter , Apiolaza Luis , Noble Alasdair , Bonierbale Merideth
Published: June 2014

Micronutrient malnutrition is a global health problem. An improved understanding of the genetic variation of important micronutrient traits within a potato breeding population will help devise breeding strategies for the biofortification of this important food staple. The dataset consisted of 556 individuals from 17 full‐sib diploid families grown in 2006 in Huanuco, Peru, and 1329 individuals from 32 full‐sib families grown in 2009 in Ayacucho, Peru. Genetic parameters were estimated using univariate and multivariate individual Bayesian models for micronutrient tuber content including Fe and Zn. Genetic variance was additive and heritability estimates were moderate (0.36 to 0.57) and inflated if the common environment of full‐sibs was not taken into account. Posterior modes of genetic correlation estimates between minerals, when analyzed on a dry‐weight basis, were all positive (0.04 to 0.72) and between minerals and tuber dry matter were negative (−0.14 to −0.38). On a fresh‐weight basis, genetic correlations between minerals and tuber dry matter were small but positive (0.05 to 0.18). The implications and challenges for selective breeding to enhance micronutrient content in potato tubers are discussed.
Assessment of hydrocephalus in children based on digital image processing and analysis
Authors: Fabijańska Anna , Węgliński Tomasz , Zakrzewski Krzysztof , Nowosławska Emilia
Published: June 2014

Hydrocephalus is a pathological condition of the central nervous system which often affects neonates and young children. It manifests itself as an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular system of the brain with its subsequent progression. One of the most important diagnostic methods of identifying hydrocephalus is Computer Tomography (CT). The enlarged ventricular system is clearly visible on CT scans. However, the assessment of the disease progress usually relies on the radiologist’s judgment and manual measurements, which are subjective, cumbersome and have limited accuracy. Therefore, this paper regards the problem of semi-automatic assessment of hydrocephalus using image processing and analysis algorithms. In particular, automated determination of popular indices of the disease progress is considered. Algorithms for the detection, semi-automatic segmentation and numerical description of the lesion are proposed. Specifically, the disease progress is determined using shape analysis algorithms. Numerical results provided by the introduced methods are presented and compared with those calculated manually by a radiologist and a trained operator. The comparison proves the correctness of the introduced approach.
Transient and stationary characteristics of a packet buffer modelled as an MAP/SM/1/b system
Authors: Rusek Krzysztof , Janowski Lucjan , Papir Zdzisław
Published: June 2014

A packet buffer limited to a ﬁxed number of packets (regardless of their lengths) is considered. The buffer is described as a ﬁnite FIFO queuing system fed by a Markovian Arrival Process (MAP) with service times forming a Semi-Markov (SM) process (MAP /SM /1/b in Kendall’s notation). Such assumptions allow us to obtain new analytical results for the queuing characteristics of the buffer. In the paper, the following are considered: the time to ﬁll the buffer, the local loss intensity, the loss ratio, and the total number of losses in a given time interval. Predictions of the proposed model are much closer to the trace-driven simulation results compared with the prediction of the MAP /G/1/b model.
Effect of Magnesium Addition on Properties of Al-Based Composite Reinforced with Fine NiO Particles
Authors: Zygmunt-Kiper M. , Błaz L. , Sugamata M.
Published: June 2014

An Al(Mg)-NiO composite was manufactured using combined mechanical alloying (MA) and powder consolidation methods that yielded well-consolidated and very-fine grained bulk material. Compression tests at 293 K - 773 K revealed high mechanical properties of the material. Preliminary annealing at 823 K/6 h was found to result in the flow stress reduction at 573 K - 773 K. However, the effect of preliminary annealing on the flow stress value was relatively low for Al(Mg)-NiO if comparing to similar tests performed for the Al-NiO composite. Structural observations revealed very-fine grained structure of both as-extruded and annealed Al(Mg)-NiO composites. The chemical reaction between the composite matrix and reinforcements (NiO) at sufficiently high temperatures resulted in fine grains and spinel-type particles’ development. With respect to the similarly produced Al-NiO composite, a magnesium addition was found to intensify chemical reaction between Al(Mg)-based matrix and NiO particles. As result, fine Al3Ni particles were observed in both hot-extruded material and Al(Mg)-NiO samples annealed at 823 K/6 h.
Materials Stress Diagnostics by X-Ray and Acoustic Techniques
Authors: Bonarski J.T. , Tarkowski L. , Pawlak S. , Rakowska A. , Major Ł.
Published: June 2014

Performed investigations and obtained results concerned the analysis of residual stresses in near-surface areas of coppercorundum (Cu-Al2O3) composite and silicon carbide (SiC) samples. X-ray diffraction and acoustic tomography techniques, as well as the suitable calculation procedures, allowed to locate sample-areas with extreme values of stresses residing in the examined materials. The registered texture-stress characteristics reflects inhomogeneity of the samples structure identified by means of acoustic tomography. Obtained results provide valuable information on anisotropy of physical properties of structural elements produced by the technologies applied to the examined samples.
Comparison of High Temperature Corrosion Resistance in Gaseous Environment of Alloys based on Intermetallic Phase Matrix Fe40Al5CrZrb And Steel X12CrCoNi2120
Authors: Cebulski J. , Fornalczyk A. , Pasek D.
Published: June 2014

The paper presents results of the research which aim was to compare the corrosion resistance of alloys based on intermetallic phase after Fe40Al5CrTiB crystallization and after forming the steel corrosion resistant X12CrCoNi2120 species. The tests were performed for steel at temperature of 700°C Fe40Al5CrTiB and for alloy at 1100°C and 9% O2 0.2% HCl + SO2+ 0.08 N2 environment. In the research the changes of weight after corrosion tests, observations of the surface, specified chemical and phase composition of corrosion products were made. The obtained results of the study showed a very good corrosion resistance of Fe40Al5CrTiB alloys in high temperature and environments containing oxygen, sulfur and chlorine as compared to the corrosion resistance of the steel grade X12CrCoNi2120. Results of the research conducted in this scope are the basis for further research.
Diversification of Phase Composition of Metallurgical Wastes after the Production of Cast Iron and Cast Steel
Authors: Jonczy I.
Published: June 2014

Basing on mineralogical studies, the characteristic of phase composition was carried out with respect to slags after the production of cast iron and wastes from casting moulds after the production of cast steel. Their composition is dominated by glaze, metallic precipitations and oxide phases, e.g. wustite, and they contain a considerably smaller amount of silicate phases represented by olivines, fayalite or fosterite. These wastes are characterized by different phase composition or chemical composition which depends on the technological process and charge material.
Modelling Liquid Steel Motion Caused by Electromagnetic Stirring in Continuous Casting Steel Process
Authors: Rywotycki M. , Malinowski Z. , Giełżecki J. , Gołdasz A.
Published: June 2014

The paper presents an attempt of modelling liquid steel motion triggered off by electromagnetic stirring. Steel viscosity was calculated on the basis of temperature field determined with the use of stationary heat conduction equation. Velocity field was determined using Navier-Stokes equations and stream continuity equation. Solution was obtained using the finite element method. The developed model allows to carry out quick simulating calculations of fluid flow. Stationary solution was employed, and this allowed to reduce computation time substantially.
Selected Problems from the High-Carbon Steel Wire Drawing Theory and Technology
Authors: Muskalski Z.
Published: June 2014

Use of computer programs based on finite element methods for simulations of plastic working processes allows for their wider analysis.

The theoretical studies presented in the paper, carried out using Drawing 2D, a specialized software application for modelling of the multi-stage drawing process, and their experimental verification have enabled a comprehensive analysis of many problems related to high-carbon steel wire drawing to be made, such as: drawing under hydrodynamic lubrication conditions, drawing with a change in the deformation direction, drawing with small final reductions, and high-speed drawing.
Acicular Ferrite in Micro Welding Technologies
Authors: Węgrzyn T. , Piwnik J. , Hadryś D.
Published: June 2014

Laser is widely applied in micro welding. Apart from that method, welding with micro-jet cooling could be treated as another important method for thin structure welding. Until that moment micro-jet technology is not very popular. An article presents actual information about innovate welding technology with micro-jet cooling in comparison with standard laser welding. There were given information about influence of both micro welding method on metallographic structure of thin steel welds. Amount of AF was tested in two cases.
Effect of Rare-Earth Metals Addition on Microstructure and Properties of Selected Copper Alloys
Authors: Rdzawski Z. , Głuchowski W. , Stobrawa J. , Sobota J.
Published: June 2014

Effect of addition of rare earth metals on microstructure and properties of copper alloys after casting, after cold working and after heat treatment was studies in this paper. Methodology consisted of microstructure investigations by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, distribution of alloying elements and electron backscattered diffraction results (EBSD) were presented. The mechanical properties of a wire after tension test and after hardness measurements were described. Electrical conductivity test was performed using Foerster Sigmatest and Thomson bridge. Analysis of the microstructure and mechanical properties of investigated alloys after casting and after metal working showed possibility to produce materials with preferred set of functional properties.
Characteristic of Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Cobalt, Copper and Bromine
Authors: Zygoń P. , Peszke J. , Gwozdźik M. , Nitkiewicz Z. , Malik M.
Published: June 2014

The paper presents results of studies on carbon nanotubes - as received, after cleaning and also after modification. Functional groups as well as metal nanoparticles have been attached, originating from cobalt sulphate, copper acetate and a mixture of hydrogen bromide and bromide. The surface studies on an atomic forces microscope (AFM), X-ray studies (phase composition analysis, crystallite sizes determination) as well as Raman spectroscopy studies were carried out on such nanotubes.

The surface topography studies have shown that after the modification the diameter and length of nanotubes change. Also the surface development changes, which has been determined through roughness parameter measurements.

The change of intensity, of crystallite size and of half-value width of main reflections originating from carbon for nanotubes modified in various ways have been determined using the X-ray analysis.
Influence of the Selected Factors on Thermal Fatigue of the ADI in an Aspect of its Suitability as the Material for Metal Moulds
Authors: Zych J. , Wróbel J.
Published: June 2014

The investigation results of the thermal fatigue resistance of two ADI grades (EN-GJS-1200-2 and EN-GJS-800-8) are presented in the paper. Tests were performed on the author’s research stand, by means of the resistance heating of samples acc. L.F. Coffin method. The thermal fatigue resistance is the basic criterion in assessing the material suitability for metal moulds. The maximal temperature (Tmax) of thermal cycles influence on their number, which the sample can withstand before cracking, were estimated. Structure transformations, hardness and strength changes of the austempered ductile iron (ADI) were analysed. It was found, that at cyclic heating to Tmax <500°C, the ADI retains its primary ausferritic structure, even after more than 10.000 thermal cycles. Such ADI behaviour predisposes it to be applied as a material for metal moulds used in the pressure die casting, it means mainly at casting Mg and Zn alloys as well as for small castings of Al alloys.
The Research of Properties of Experimental Ceramic Layers
Authors: Karwiński A. , Żółkiewicz Z.
Published: June 2014

In the evaporative pattern casting process, the surface of a polystyrene pattern (Styrofoam) is coated with a ceramic layer. This ceramic layer, which coats the evaporative pattern, should have specific physiochemical properties including: resistance to thermal, chemical, and erosive activity of molten metal and proper permeability for gases which are produced by the evaporative polystyrene pattern. The article presents the research results of properties of experimentally selected ceramic layers applied on a polystyrene pattern in the evaporative pattern casting process.
Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Short Carbon Fibre
Authors: Łągiewka M.
Published: June 2014

The paper constitutes the culmination of the foregoing investigations concerning the influence of short carbon fibre on the enhancement of AlMg10 alloy properties. The presented work brings forward the results of examinations of mechanical and tribological properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) based on this alloy. Composites were produced by two methods: either by gravity casting or by squeeze casting in semi-solid state of a composite suspension previously obtained through mixing of its components. The volume fraction of the reinforcing phase varied and took the value of 5, or 10, or finally 15 vol. %. Specimens cut out of the experimental castings were examined with respect both to their mechanical properties, i.e. the tensile strength and unit elongation, and to their tribological behaviour. A series of examinations of the mechanical properties proved a slight increase in tensile strength and a minor decrease in unit elongation of the examined composite materials both for gravity cast and squeeze cast specimens, as compared with the properties of pure matrix alloy. The introduction of short carbon fibre into the matrix alloy resulted also in the increased abrasive wear resistance of the examined composites in comparison to the non-reinforced matrix.
Equiaxed and Oriented Microstructure in High Chromium Cast Iron
Authors: Kopyciński D. , Guzik E. , Szczęsny A.
Published: June 2014

It has been proved that an addition of boron carbide and shredded steel scrap introduced as an inoculants to the chromium white cast iron changes the microstructure of castings. The operation increases the number of crystallization nuclei of M7C3 carbides. In this case the B4C carbides act as substrates for the nucleation of M7C3 (chromium carbides). Castings after B4C inoculation have fine grain fracture surface. Primary precipitates of chromium carbide also appeared, lowering the mechanical properties of as-cast parts. Additionally, in order to increase the mechanical properties of chromium cast iron, unidirectional solidification was used. In this case, 0.3 wt. % cerium was used as inoculant.
Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Pneumatic Powder Injection into Liquid Alloys with a Non-Submerged Lance
Authors: Jezierski J. , Janerka K. , Stawarz M.
Published: June 2014

The method of powder injection into molten metal has been widely known since tens of years and successfully utilized in various metallurgical processes. The most common is a solution with injection lance submerged under the liquid alloy surface, because it is easier apart from some of disadvantages of this approach. In this paper the authors’ complex experiments on the pneumatic injection process with non-submerged lance have been presented. The new approach on jet cone angle importance and its influence on the efficiency of the injection process has been shown. The issue of the effective jet radius that was proposed by former scientists as well as computer modelling and injection experiments recorded with high speed camera have been presented. The final comparison of the typical injection lance and developed by authors new lance with flange was presented, too. The benefits of use of a new one for the treatment of small liquid alloy volume (e.g. inoculation or alloys addition introduction) have been pointed.
A Study on Emissions from Afterburning Chambers Included in Metallurgical Thermal Equipment
Authors: Gil S. , Rozpondek M. , Bialik W.
Published: June 2014

Investigations on operational parameters of afterburning chambers included in metallurgical thermal equipment have been presented. The effects of temperature and modernization within the firing system on concentrations of nitrogen oxides and carbon oxide have been analysed. To ensure effective afterburning of gases generated during technological processes and minimisation of CO levels, the temperature in the afterburning chamber should be elevated to approximately 1053-1973 K with evenly distributed temperature within the flame. This may lead to slightly higher (by about 20 mg/m3n ) NOx concentrations.
Effect of Vetiver Grass Fiber on Soil Burial Degradation of Natural Rubber and Polylactic Acid Composites
Authors: Juntuek P. , Chumsamrong P. , Ruksakulpiwat Y. , Ruksakulpiwat C.
Published: June 2014

In this study, vetiver grass fiber was used as a natural filler in natural rubber (NR) and polylactic acid (PLA) composite. Glycidyl methacrylate grafted natural rubber (NR-g-GMA) was used as a compatibilizer. The main objective of this research is to study the degradability of PLA and PLA composites under soil burial test. It was shown that vetiver grass fiber showed a significant role in the degradability of PLA composites under soil burial condition. Mechanical properties of PLA composites dramatically decreased after burial in soil compared to those of pure PLA. Moreover, addition of vetiver grass fiber at 20 and 30 % (w/w) content led to a significant increase in weight loss of the specimens with increasing burial time. From SEM micrographs, better interfacial adhesion between PLA, vetiver grass fiber, and NR particles was observed with the addition of NR-g-GMA. This indicated that the compatibility of PLA/vetiver/NR can be improved by using NR-g-GMA. Furthermore, mechanical properties of injection molded PLA and PLA composites were compared with those of compression molded samples. Injection molded specimens of neat PLA and PLA composites showed higher tensile strength than compression molded specimens. This may be due to the result of higher fiber orientation along flow direction in injection molding.
Effect of Nanoclay Addition on Morphology and Elastomeric Properties of Dynamically Vulcanized Natural Rubber/Polypropylene Nanocomposites
Authors: Lopattananon N. , Tanglakwaraskul S. , Kaesaman A. , Seadan M. , Sakai T.
Published: June 2014

Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) nanocomposites based on 60/40 (%wt) natural rubber (NR)/polypropylene (PP) blends were prepared by melt blending in an internal mixer. Sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) was first added in natural rubber latex to obtain natural rubber/clay masterbatch, which was subsequently dynamically crosslinked while mixing with molten PP. The effect of Na-MMT content were examined concerning elastomeric properties of NR/PP blends dynamically vulcanized using phenolic resin as a curing agent. Morphology characterization observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 3D microfocus X-ray computerized tomography showed that the dynamic vulcanization with nanoclay addition changed the blend morphology from a co-continuous-like structure to droplet-like phase one, and the clay remained within NR phase in intercalated and aggregated forms. Furthermore, the presence of clay induced the decrease in crosslinking of NR, but promoted the mixing between NR and PP during dynamic vulcanization. This suggested that nanoclay worked as a kind of morphology modifier during dynamic vulcanization. The addition of clay marginally enhanced the 100 % modulus and tensile strength, but led to the decrease of the elongation at break. The optimal level of tensile strength improvement was obtained with loading of 5 phr clay. The permanent set of the NR/PP/Clay TPV nanocomposites was well maintained at the acceptable level as elastomer. The resistances to oil and heat were improved with incorporation of clay, proportional to clay loading. The experimental results indicated that the nanoclay had a positive effect on improving the 60/40 NR/PP blend morphology, which provided a little benefit to strength of the TPVs. However, the addition of nanoclay offered an improvement in oil and thermal resistances due to a combined effect of the clay dispersion and improved morphology of NR and PP blends.
Applications of Mass Spectrometry to Structural Analysis of Marine Oligosaccharides
Authors: Lang Yinzhi , Zhao Xia , Liu Lili , Yu Guangli
Published: June 2014

Marine oligosaccharides have attracted increasing attention recently in developing potential drugs and biomaterials for their particular physical and chemical properties. However, the composition and sequence analysis of marine oligosaccharides are very challenging for their structural complexity and heterogeneity. Mass spectrometry (MS) has become an important technique for carbohydrate analysis by providing more detailed structural information, including molecular mass, sugar constituent, sequence, inter-residue linkage position and substitution pattern. This paper provides an overview of the structural analysis based on MS approaches in marine oligosaccharides, which are derived from some biologically important marine polysaccharides, including agaran, carrageenan, alginate, sulfated fucan, chitosan, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and GAG-like polysaccharides. Applications of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) are mainly presented and the general applications of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) are also outlined. Some technical challenges in the structural analysis of marine oligosaccharides by MS have also been pointed out.
Characterization of Intact Neo-Glycoproteins by Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Pedrali Alice , Tengattini Sara , Marrubini Giorgio , Bavaro Teodora , Hemström Petrus , Massolini Gabriella , Terreni Marco , Temporini Caterina
Published: June 2014

In this study, an HPLC HILIC-UV method was developed for the analysis of intact neo-glycoproteins. During method development the experimental conditions evaluated involved different HILIC columns (TSKgel Amide-80 and ZIC-pHILIC), and water-acetonitrile mixtures containing various types of acids and salts. The final selected method was based on a TSKgel Amide-80 column and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and water both containing 10 mM HClO4. The influence of temperature and sample preparation on the chromatographic performances of the HILIC method was also investigated. The method was applied to the separation of neo-glycoproteins prepared starting from the model protein RNase A by chemical conjugation of different glycans. Using the method here reported it was possible to monitor by UV detection the glycosylation reaction and assess the distribution of neo-glycoprotein isoforms without laborious sample workup prior to analysis.
Fitness of Outbreak and Environmental Strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Aerosolizable Soil and Association of Clonal Variation in Stress Gene Regulation
Authors: Ravva Subbarao , Cooley Michael , Sarreal Chester , Mandrell Robert
Published: June 2014

Airborne dust from feedlots is a potential mechanism of contamination of nearby vegetable crops with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EcO157). We compared the fitness of clinical and environmental strains of EcO157 in <45 µm soil from a spinach farm. Differences in survival were observed among the 35 strains with D-values (days for 90% decreases) ranging from 1–12 days. Strains that survived longer, generally, were from environmental sources and lacked expression of curli, a protein associated with attachment and virulence. Furthermore, the proportion of curli-positive (C+) variants of EcO157 strains decreased with repeated soil exposure and the strains that were curli-negative (C−) remained C− post-soil exposure. Soil exposure altered expression of stress-response genes linked to fitness of EcO157, but significant clonal variation in expression was measured. Mutations were detected in the stress-related sigma factor, rpoS, with a greater percentage occurring in parental strains of clinical origin prior to soil exposure. We speculate that these mutations in rpoS may confer a differential expression of genes, associated with mechanisms of survival and/or virulence, and thus may influence the fitness of EcO157.
Caveat Emptor: The Dalai Lama’s Proviso and the Burden of (Scientific) Proof
Authors: Hogendoorn Rob
Published: June 2014

A more complete understanding of the Dalai Lama’s intellectual milieu and mental framework serves to contextualize and appraise his contributions to the discourse on Buddhism and Science in general, and the so-called Mind and Life Dialogues in particular. In addition to providing indispensable background information, a fuller expression of his foundational views and motives sheds light upon the idiosyncratic way the Dalai Lama engages new fields of knowledge. Thanks to the Dialogues’ format and the transparency of the Dalai Lama’s scholastic mentality, the way in which Mind and Life participants meet various challenges in practice offers enough traction to retrieve and critically appraise real-time patterns of engagement and innovation. This should prove to be instrumental in determining the Dialogues’ measure of success, at least by its own standards and stated purpose. Following this approach, the Dalai Lama’s long-time use of a proviso derived from Tsongkhapa’s reading of Middle Way philosophy as a methodological distinction that delineates the scope of Science warrants specific attention.
Combined Use of Multi-Temporal Optical and Radar Satellite Images for Grassland Monitoring
Authors: Dusseux Pauline , Corpetti Thomas , Hubert-Moy Laurence , Corgne Samuel
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of optical images, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images and the combination of both types of data to discriminate between grasslands and crops in agricultural areas where cloud cover is very high most of the time, which restricts the use of visible and near-infrared satellite data. We compared the performances of variables extracted from four optical and five SAR satellite images with high/very high spatial resolutions acquired during the growing season. A vegetation index, namely the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), and two biophysical variables, the LAI (Leaf Area Index) and the fCOVER (fraction of Vegetation Cover) were computed using optical time series and polarization (HH, VV, HV, VH). The polarization ratio and polarimetric decomposition (Freeman–Durden and Cloude–Pottier) were calculated using SAR time series. Then, variables derived from optical, SAR and both types of remotely-sensed data were successively classified using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) technique. The results show that the classification accuracy of SAR variables is higher than those using optical data (0.98 compared to 0.81). They also highlight that the combination of optical and SAR time series data is of prime interest to discriminate grasslands from crops, allowing an improved classification accuracy.
The Potential Applications of Real-Time Monitoring of Water Quality in a Large Shallow Lake (Lake Taihu, China) Using a Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter Fluorescence Sensor
Authors: Niu Cheng , Zhang Yunlin , Zhou Yongqiang , Shi Kun , Liu Xiaohan , Qin Boqiang
Published: June 2014

This study presents results from field surveys performed over various seasons in a large, eutrophic, shallow lake (Lake Taihu, China) using an in situ chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence sensor as a surrogate for other water quality parameters. These measurements identified highly significant empirical relationships between CDOM concentration measured using the in situ fluorescence sensor and CDOM absorption, fluorescence, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. CDOM concentration expressed in quinine sulfate equivalent units, was highly correlated with the CDOM absorption coefficient (r2 = 0.80, p < 0.001), fluorescence intensities (Ex./Em. 370/460 nm) (r2 = 0.91, p < 0.001), the fluorescence index (r2 = 0.88, p < 0.001) and the humification index (r2 = 0.78, p < 0.001), suggesting that CDOM concentration measured using the in situ fluorescence sensor could act as a substitute for the CDOM absorption coefficient and fluorescence measured in the laboratory. Similarly, CDOM concentration was highly correlated with DOC concentration (r2 = 0.68, p < 0.001), indicating that in situ CDOM fluorescence sensor measurements could be a proxy for DOC concentration. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between laboratory CDOM absorption coefficients and COD (r2 = 0.83, p < 0.001), TP (r2 = 0.82, p < 0.001) concentrations, suggesting a potential further application for the real-time monitoring of water quality using an in situ CDOM fluorescence sensor.
Integration of ZnO and CuO nanowires into a thermoelectric module
Authors: Zappa Dario , Dalola Simone , Faglia Guido , Comini Elisabetta , Ferroni Matteo , Soldano Caterina , Ferrari Vittorio , Sberveglieri Giorgio
Published: June 2014

Zinc oxide (ZnO, n-type) and copper oxide (CuO, p-type) nanowires have been synthesized and preliminarily investigated as innovative materials for the fabrication of a proof-of-concept thermoelectric device. The Seebeck coefficients, electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power factors (TPF) of both semiconductor materials have been determined independently using a custom experimental set-up, leading to results in agreement with available literature with potential improvement. Combining bundles of ZnO and CuO nanowires in a series of five thermocouples on alumina leads to a macroscopic prototype of a planar thermoelectric generator (TEG) unit. This demonstrates the possibility of further integration of metal oxide nanostructures into efficient thermoelectric devices.
SIGNIFICANCE OF INCORPORATING HETEROGENEITY IN A NON-CONTINUUM MACROSCOPIC MODEL FOR DENSITY ESTIMATION
Authors: Thankappan Ajitha , Vanajakshi Lelitha , Subramanian Shankar C.
Published: June 2014

The heterogeneity of traffic and the lack of lane discipline on the roads in India and other developing countries add complexity to the analysis and modeling of traffic. It is generally believed that it is important to take heterogeneity into account in traffic modeling. The aim of the present study is to check the validity of this assumption by analyzing the effect of incorporating heterogeneity in a macroscopic level traffic flow analysis. The application considered is real-time congestion analysis on Indian roads. Traffic density is considered as the congestion indicator. The measurement of density is difficult since it is a spatial parameter. It is usually estimated from other traffic parameters that can be readily measured using available sensors. A model-based estimation scheme using Kalman filtering has been employed to estimate traffic density. A non-continuum macroscopic model was attempted based on the lumped parameter approach. All the traffic variables were quantified without considering traffic lanes in order to take into account the lack of lane discipline. The effect of heterogeneity has been studied by incorporating static values of Passenger Car Units (PCU), dynamic values of Two Wheeler Units (TWU) and considering different classes of vehicles explicitly in the modeling process. The proposed estimation schemes without and with heterogeneity have been compared. The results have been corroborated using data collected from a road stretch in Chennai, India. The study shows that the significance of incorporating heterogeneity into the modeling of mixed traffic at the macroscopic level was not very significant.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC NOISE USING TWO CHANNEL SHORT-TERM MEASUREMENTS
Authors: Jagniatinskis Aleksandras , Fiks Boris , Dimitriu Delia
Published: June 2014

Research has shown that for residential area nearby (up to 50 m) exurbia roads, there are cases where the evaluation of noise impact needs more than using the calculation methods alone. Thus, in order to confirm (or not) the implementation of designed measures for noise abatement procedures in these areas, some direct acoustical measurements of traffic flow are required. The present paper deals with the development of new approach to the methodology that allows truly estimate the annual Lden value using the one short-term (till 1 h) time interval measurement. The method is based on the original extrapolation procedure that allows to adapt results obtained in representative shortterm time interval to the annual average rating time periods of day (12 h), evening (4 h) and night (8 h), for which the Lden value is assessed. The procedure is based on the statistical processing of Sound Exposure Levels (SEL) distribution histogram of all vehicles passing by and registered on the reference microphone. The sound propagation correction is evaluated by applying simultaneous measured sound levels registration on two microphones, placed in reference point and in receiver point, considering living environment. This method allows to extend results of extrapolation obtained in the reference point into desired environment point, where such extrapolation to the annual noise levels can not be done.