bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heavy metals in shallow groundwater of the urban area in Suzhou, northern Anhui Province, China
Authors: Sun Linhua , Peng Weihua
Published: August 2014

Urbanization and related human activities have brought bad effects to the environment, especially shallow groundwater systems in urban areas. In this study, sixty-three shallow groundwater samples in the urban area of Suzhou, northern Anhui Province, China were collected and analyzed for the concentrations of eight heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb and Ni). The results indicate that some of the heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd and Fe) are present below the international drinking water standards but more than half of the sources sampled do not meet the requirements for Mn, Cu and Pb. Quality assessment suggests that all of the samples have heavy metal pollution indices (HPI) lower than 100, implying that they can be used for drinking directly. However, the degrees of contamination (Cd) observed suggest that about one third of the samples are classified as heavily polluted. Heavy densities of population and traffic in the old quarter of the city are considered responsible for the pollution of the groundwater system in the city. Moreover, Cd, Pb, Ni and Mn are identified as metals affected by human activities, whereas Fe, Zn, Cu and Cr are considered to originate from the natural environment, based on the comparison of spatial distributions of HPI, Cd and heavy metal concentrations, as well as factor analysis.
Evaluation of the thickness of turbidity currents entering Dez dam reservoir using the extended shallow water model (ESWM)
Authors: Ivanovich Elfimov Valery , Hamid Khakzad
Published: August 2014

This research was developed for the evaluation of the thickness of turbidity currents coming into the reservoir of the Dez dam. In recent years, for the simulation of turbidity currents two types of mathematical models have been employed: (1) the extended shallow water model (ESWM), and (2) the suspension balance model. In this study, we used the ESWM to estimate the thickness of turbidity currents. A random study was carried out from January 2002 to July 2003 in the Dez dam reservoir. Dez dam in Iran is facing a serious sedimentation problem, and its dead volume will be quite full in the next 10 years, and now the inflow water in the hydropower conduit system is becoming turbid. Based on the values of friction dimensionless number (Nf) and dimensionless number of entrainment (NE), the regime of the turbidity currents is Negligible Friction and Negligible Entrainment in the Dez dam reservoir, and the thickness of the turbid layer is assessed as a function of concentration, settling velocity of particles and entrainment. A positive correlation between measurement and model values has shown that this model is the profitable option for estimating the thickness of turbidity currents in dam reservoirs.
The Noise Abatement Plan of an Italian Road Network: A Comparison Between Standard and Innovative Methodologies
Authors: D’Alessandro Francesco , Asdrubali Francesco , Schiavoni Samuele
Published: August 2014

The Italian legislation prescribes that the managing authorities of transportation infrastructures have to prepare
a noise control and abatement plan, using established procedures and indexes defined both at national and regional level.
The aim of the paper is to compare the standard procedure given by Umbria Region with three innovative methodologies
proposed by the authors to increase the adequacy and the quality of roads noise planning activity. Both standard and
innovative approaches require the creation of a ranking of priority to define where noise abatement actions are most
necessary. The proposed methodologies introduce at various levels a more detailed phase of noise mapping, by using
façade noise map instead of grid noise map, and define new rankings of priority based on improved location of calculation
points. More accurate and realistic noise plans allow to optimize the budget allocated for acoustic rehabilitation and to
mitigate the most critical situations. The innovative procedures can be easily transferred at European level for the
realization of Noise Action Plans requested by the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC.
Target Channel Visiting Order Design Using Particle Swarm Optimization for Spectrum Handoff in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Zheng Shilian , Zhao Zhijin , Luo Changlin , Yang Xiaoniu
Published: August 2014

In a dynamic spectrum access network, when a primary user (licensed user) reappears on the current channel, cognitive radios (CRs) need to vacate the channel and reestablish a communications link on some other channel to avoid interference to primary users, resulting in spectrum handoff. This paper studies the problem of designing target channel visiting order for spectrum handoff to minimize expected spectrum handoff delay. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) based algorithm is proposed to solve the problem. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm performs far better than random target channel visiting scheme. The solutions obtained by PSO are very close to the optimal solution which further validates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Integrative Treatment of Reflux and Functional Dyspepsia in Children
Authors: Yeh Ann , Golianu Brenda
Published: August 2014

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD) are common problems in the pediatric population, with up to 7% of school-age children and up to 8% of adolescents suffering from epigastric pain, heartburn, and regurgitation. Reflux is defined as the passage of stomach contents into the esophagus, while GERD refers to reflux symptoms that are associated with symptoms or complications—such as pain, asthma, aspiration pneumonia, or chronic cough. FD, as defined by the Rome III classification, is a persistent upper abdominal pain or discomfort, not related to bowel movements, and without any organic cause, that is present for at least two months prior to diagnosis. Endoscopic examination is typically negative in FD, whereas patients with GERD may have evidence of esophagitis or gastritis either grossly or microscopically. Up to 70% of children with dyspepsia exhibit delayed gastric emptying. Treatment of GERD and FD requires an integrative approach that may include pharmacologic therapy, treating concurrent constipation, botanicals, mind body techniques, improving sleep hygiene, increasing physical activity, and traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
Exergetic and Thermoeconomic Analyses of Solar Air Heating Processes Using a Parabolic Trough Collector
Authors: Hernández-Román Miguel , Manzano-Ramírez Alejandro , Pineda-Piñón Jorge , Ortega-Moody Jorge
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a theoretical and practical analysis of the application of the thermoeconomic method. A furnace for heating air is evaluated using the methodology. The furnace works with solar energy, received from a parabolic trough collector and with electricity supplied by an electric power utility. The methodology evaluates the process by the first and second law of thermodynamics as the first step then the cost analysis is applied for getting the thermoeconomic cost. For this study, the climatic conditions of the city of Queretaro (Mexico) are considered. Two periods were taken into account: from July 2006 to June 2007 and on 6 January 2011. The prototype, located at CICATA-IPN, Qro, was analyzed in two different scenarios i.e., with 100% of electricity and 100% of solar energy. The results showed that thermoeconomic costs for the heating process with electricity, inside the chamber, are less than those using solar heating. This may be ascribed to the high cost of the materials, fittings, and manufacturing of the solar equipment. Also, the influence of the mass flow, aperture area, length and diameter of the receiver of the solar prototype is a parameter for increasing the efficiency of the prototype in addition to the price of manufacturing. The optimum design parameters are: length is 3 to 5 m, mass flow rate is 0.03 kg/s, diameter of the receiver is around 10 to 30 mm and aperture area is 3 m2.
Investigation of a Switchable Textile Communication System on the Human Body
Authors: Bai Qiang , Swaisaenyakorn Srijittra , Lee Hyung-Joo , Ford Kenneth , Batchelor John , Langley Richard
Published: August 2014

In this paper, a switchable textile communication system working at 2.45 GHz ISM band is presented and studied for different locations within a realistic on-body environment. A 3D laser scanner is used to generate a numerical phantom of the measured subject to improve the accuracy of the simulations which are carried out for different body postures. For the off-body communications, the system is acting as an aperture coupled microstrip patch antenna with a boresight gain of 1.48 dBi. On-body communication is achieved by using a textile stripline, which gives approximately 5 dB transmission loss over 600 mm distance. The system is switched between on and off-body modes by PIN diodes. Common issues, such as shape distortion and body detuning effects which the textile antenna may experience in realistic use are fully discussed. Robust antenna performance is noted in the on-body tests, and an additional 3 dB transmission coefficient deduction was noticed in the most severe shape distortion case.
Contribution of Vertical Methane Flux to Shallow Sediment Carbon Pools across Porangahau Ridge, New Zealand
Authors: Coffin Richard , Hamdan Leila , Smith Joseph , Rose Paula , Plummer Rebecca , Yoza Brandon , Pecher Ingo , Montgomery Michael
Published: August 2014

Moderate elevated vertical methane (CH4) flux is associated with sediment accretion and raised fluid expulsion at the Hikurangi subduction margin, located along the northeast coast of New Zealand. This focused CH4 flux contributes to the cycling of inorganic and organic carbon in solid phase sediment and pore water. Along a 7 km offshore transect across the Porangahau Ridge, vertical CH4 flux rates range from 11.4 mmol·m−2·a−1 off the ridge to 82.6 mmol·m−2·a−1 at the ridge base. Stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) in pore water and sediment were variable across the ridge suggesting close proximity of heterogeneous carbon sources. Methane stable carbon isotope ratios ranging from −107.9‰ to −60.5‰ and a C1:C2 of 3000 indicate a microbial, or biogenic, source. Near ridge, average δ13C for pore water and sediment inorganic carbon were 13C-depleted (−28.7‰ and −7.9‰, respectively) relative to all core subsamples (−19.9‰ and −2.4‰, respectively) suggesting localized anaerobic CH4 oxidation and precipitation of authigenic carbonates. Through the transect there was low contribution from anaerobic oxidation of CH4 to organic carbon pools; for all cores δ13C values of pore water dissolved organic carbon and sediment organic carbon averaged −24.4‰ and −22.1‰, respectively. Anaerobic oxidation of CH4 contributed to pore water and sediment organic carbon near the ridge as evidenced by carbon isotope values as low as to −42.8‰ and −24.7‰, respectively. Carbon concentration and isotope analyses distinguished contributions from CH4 and phytodetrital carbon sources across the ridge and show a low methane contribution to organic carbon.
The Joint Influence of Gender and Amount of Smoking on Weight Gain One Year after Smoking Cessation
Authors: Locatelli Isabella , Collet Tinh-Hai , Clair Carole , Rodondi Nicolas , Cornuz Jacques
Published: August 2014

Weight gain is often associated with smoking cessation and may discourage smokers from quitting. This study estimated the weight gained one year after smoking cessation and examined the risk factors associated with weight gain in order to identify socio-demographic groups at higher risk of increased weight after quitting. We analyzed data from 750 adults in two randomized controlled studies that included smokers motivated to quit and found a gradient in weight gain according to the actual duration of abstinence during follow-up. Subjects who were abstinent for at least 40 weeks gained 4.6 kg (SD = 3.8) on average, compared to 1.2 kg (SD = 2.6) for those who were abstinent less than 20 weeks during the 1-year follow-up. Considering the duration of abstinence as an exposure variable, we found an age effect and a significant interaction between sex and the amount of smoking before quitting: younger subjects gained more weight than older subjects; among light smokers, men gained more weight on average than women one year after quitting, while the opposite was observed among heavy smokers. Young women smoking heavily at baseline had the highest risk of weight gain after quitting.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Serum Proteins from Oral Cancer Patients: Comparison of Two Analytical Methods
Authors: Yang Yan , Huang Junwei , Rabii Bahareh , Rabii Ramin , Hu Shen
Published: August 2014

Serum proteomic analysis can be a valuable approach for the discovery of protein biomarkers for early detection or monitoring of a disease. In this study, two analytical methods were compared for quantification of serum proteins in patients with oral cancer. In the first approach, we quantified serum proteins between oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy control subjects by performing in-solution digestion of serum proteins, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling of the resulting peptides, strong cation exchange (SCX) fractionation of labeled peptides and finally capillary liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the peptides. In the second approach, we first separated serum proteins with SDS-PAGE. The gel-separated proteins were then digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides were labeled with iTRAQ and analyzed with LC-MS/MS for protein quantification. A total of 319 serum proteins were quantified with the first proteomic approach whereas a total of 281 proteins were quantified by the second proteomic approach. Most of the proteins were identified and quantified by both approaches, suggesting that these methods are similarly effective for serum proteome analysis. This study provides compelling evidence that quantitative serum proteomic analysis of OSCC is a valuable approach for identifying differentially expressed proteins in cancer patients’ circulation systems that may be used as potential biomarkers for disease detection. Further validation in large oral cancer patient populations may lead to a simple and low invasive clinical tool for OSCC diagnosis or monitoring.
Surveillance Recommendations in Reducing Risk of and Optimally Managing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
Authors: Ostby Pamela , Armer Jane , Dale Paul , Van Loo Margaret , Wilbanks Cassie , Stewart Bob
Published: August 2014

Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk for the development of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a chronic, debilitating, and disfiguring condition that is progressive and requires lifelong self-management of symptoms. It has been reported that over 40% of the 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States may meet the criteria for BCRL during their lifetimes. Ongoing surveillance, beginning with pre-operative assessment, has been effective in identifying subclinical lymphedema (LE). A prospective model for surveillance is necessary in order to detect BCRL at an early stage when there is the best chance to reduce risk or slow progression. Physical methods for monitoring and assessment, such as circumferential arm measures, perometry, bioimpedance; exercise programs; prophylactic and early-intervention compression garments; and referral for complete decongestive therapy are all interventions to consider in the development of a BCRL surveillance program. In addition, supportive-educative programs and interactive engagement for symptom self-management should also be implemented. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration is integral to the success of an effective personalized medicine program in breast cancer-related lymphedema surveillance.
Fluorine-Rich Planetary Environments as Possible Habitats for Life
Authors: Budisa Nediljko , Kubyshkin Vladimir , Schulze-Makuch Dirk
Published: August 2014

In polar aprotic organic solvents, fluorine might be an element of choice for life that uses selected fluorinated building blocks as monomers of choice for self-assembling of its catalytic polymers. Organofluorine compounds are extremely rare in the chemistry of life as we know it. Biomolecules, when fluorinated such as peptides or proteins, exhibit a “fluorous effect”, i.e., they are fluorophilic (neither hydrophilic nor lipophilic). Such polymers, capable of creating self-sorting assemblies, resist denaturation by organic solvents by exclusion of fluorocarbon side chains from the organic phase. Fluorous cores consist of a compact interior, which is shielded from the surrounding solvent. Thus, we can anticipate that fluorine-containing “teflon”-like or “non-sticking” building blocks might be monomers of choice for the synthesis of organized polymeric structures in fluorine-rich planetary environments. Although no fluorine-rich planetary environment is known, theoretical considerations might help us to define chemistries that might support life in such environments. For example, one scenario is that all molecular oxygen may be used up by oxidation reactions on a planetary surface and fluorine gas could be released from F-rich magma later in the history of a planetary body to result in a fluorine-rich planetary environment.
Expression of the Arabidopsis Sigma Factor SIG5 Is Photoreceptor and Photosynthesis Controlled
Authors: Mellenthin Marina , Ellersiek Ulrike , Börger Anna , Baier Margarete
Published: August 2014

Two collections of Arabidopsis GAL4 enhancer trap lines were screened for light-intensity dependent reporter gene activation. Line N9313 was isolated for its strong light-intensity regulation. The T-DNA element trapped distant enhancers of the SIG5 promoter, which drives expression of a sigma factor involved in regulation of chloroplast genes for photosystem II core proteins. The T-DNA insertion 715 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site splits the promoter in a distal and proximal part. Both parts are sensitive to blue and red light and depend on photosynthetic electron transport activity between photosystem II and the plastoquinone pool. The mainblue-light sensitivity is localized within a 196-bp sequence (–887 to –691 bp) in the proximal promoter region It is preferentially CRY1 and PHYB controlled. Type-I and type-II phytochromes mediate red-light sensitivity via various promoter elements spread over the proximal and distal upstream region. This work characterizes SIG5 as an anterograde control factor of chloroplast gene expression, which is controlled by chloroplast signals in a retrograde manner.
E-Participation
Authors: Khasawneh Rawan T. , Abu Shamaa Rasha A. , Rabayah Wafa'a A.
Published: August 2014

E-participation is a major part of e-government initiatives; it is a window through which governments interact with their citizens and allow for a healthier democratic environment. In addition, e-participation is one of the main elements in the free democratic world that is receiving growing interest by governments, through implementing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to involve citizens. This chapter sheds light on different aspects of e-participation; it views a three dimensional picture of e-participation theories and concepts, presents a number of real life examples for successful e-participation initiatives, and ends with an example of how to measure an e-participation initiative and evaluate its success.
Dignity as the Ultimate Boundary to the Freedom of Speech
Authors: Akrivopoulou Christina M.
Published: August 2014

Freedom of speech as a prerequisite of free communication, expression, and dissemination of ideas is the most fundamental pillar of any truly democratic society. Though of extreme importance, freedom of speech is not unlimited. Therefore, in the vast majority of national legal orders the legislator as well as the jurisprudence impose limits on the freedom of speech when it reflects racism or hate against the ethnic, sexual, or religious identity of a polity's citizens. These paradigms of negative speech are widely known in the international literature, as forms of “hate speech.” The chapter offers an account of this dialogue while it adopts a principal argument in favor of imposing limits in cases of “hate speech”: the harm that hate speech may cause to human dignity. This argument has been illustrated in the book of Jeremy Waldron, The Harm in Hate Speech (Harvard University Press, 2012).
The Practice of Naming and Shaming through the Publicizing of “Culprit” Lists
Authors: Panagopoulou-Koutnatzi Fereniki
Published: August 2014

A long, seemingly endless list of names of men and women “worthy of shame,” aimed at publicly shaming them, has taken the mass media and public authorities by storm. Such public shaming practices can be traced back to the Byzantine era, when culprits were made to sit backwards on a donkey as a punishment, or the judge placed his hands in cinder and smeared their faces with black film, thus publically pillorying them, based on the conviction that a punishment's most important aspect is social stigma and shame induced by public acts. This chapter examines various examples of “public shaming” lists and the general problematic of non-discrete publicizing of a full list of names.
We-Transparency
Authors: Bani Marco , Sgueo Gianluca
Published: August 2014

“Transparency” is a term that many speculate about. According to scholars, transparency has three inter-related aims: first, to inform citizens in a simple and understandable way on the government's decisions; second, to foster civil society participation and engagement; and, third, to monitor and to prevent corruption. Notwithstanding these shared thoughts, much has to be done in liberal democracies. The European Commission estimates that corruption costs the EU economy roughly 120 billion EUR per year. The lack of transparency is both an economic and political problem, since corruption and opaque policies may develop degenerative forms of governance, which, in turn, lessens citizens' political participation and understanding on how the governmental machine functions. This “participative deficit” is common in many Western democracies. The notion of popular empowerment, the “core of democracy,” has been diluted to the point that most citizens exercise their putative sovereignty only through periodic elections of representatives and thus have extremely limited input into political processes. This deficit is further exacerbated by the fact that elected representatives in fact embody a range of competing “interests”—party, ideological, corporate—which may or may not coincide with those of the voter. This chapter explores a new concept of transparency.
ICTs, Public Access to Documents, and Transparency in the European Union
Authors: Papandreou Marios
Published: August 2014

This chapter examines the relationship between Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and transparency in the public sphere. The link between the two is rather easy to conceive: ICTs facilitate flow and management of information, which is crucial to achieve openness and accountability and advance public debate. In this chapter, the issue is examined in the context of the European Union (EU), from the point of view of public access to documents and the role of the European Ombudsman (EO). The author presents the applicable legislative framework and discusses the role of the EO in facilitating and promoting public access to documents, with emphasis on the EO's mandate, the procedure followed, and its possible outcomes. The last part of the chapter examines the decision of the EO on a recent case concerning public access to documents of interest to a wide public, whereby it is illustrated that ICTs, by facilitating access to documents and information, advance openness, transparency, good governance, and accountability.
Privacy and Accountability of Public Figures
Authors: Tziola Despina A.
Published: August 2014

Privacy uses the theory of natural rights and generally responds to new information and communication technologies. In North America, Samuel D. Warren and Louis D. Brandeis wrote that privacy is the “right to be let alone” (Warren & Brandeis, 1890) and focuses on protecting individuals. This citation was a response to recent technological developments, such as photography, and sensationalist journalism, also known as yellow journalism. Warren and Brandeis declared that information which was previously hidden and private could now be “shouted from the rooftops.” But whether the right to privacy may be limited in the case of public figures and whether public figures are accountable for their actions is up for debate. This issue is explored in this chapter through court decisions that occupied the public.
Accountability and Responsibility in the Public Sphere
Authors: Passiatas Alexandros
Published: August 2014

The impeachment process, which is constitutionally based, provides a legislative mechanism for investigating possible illegal acts from the President, the Vice President, and other civil officers of the United States. The impeachment process needs the intervention of the House of the Representatives and the Senate. The House has the responsibility to make the initial research and to determine the possibility of an official's impeachment. If the House decides that this is appropriate, the members of the House vote for the article or the articles of impeachment that explain the specific reasons upon which the impeachment is based. Then these facts and these reasons are presented to the Senate, which has the power to try all the impeachments. It is clear that the impeachment procedure is a very complex mechanism, and the US constitution gives only a skeletal guidance as to the nature of the proceedings letting the House and the Senate fill this void through their rules, procedures, and precedents. Impeachment is explored in this chapter.
The Inclusion and Design of Cultural Differences in Interactive Multimedia Environments
Authors: Turel Vehbi , Kılıç Eylem
Published: August 2014

A concern for social justice and the inclusion of cultural differences as a requirement of social justice in all learning materials, whether they are in the form of conventional materials or Interactive Multimedia Environments (IMEs), is the moral responsibility of all educators who want to contribute to humanity as well as long-lasting peace in our world. Such a responsibility requires a wide range of philosophical, political, and sociological discourses, informing multiple debates and their implications in the field of education. As a requirement of this, in this chapter, the inclusion and design of cultural differences in IMEs are focused on. The design and development stages of IMEs are categorized into six separate stages: (1) feasibility, (2) setting up a team of experts, (3) designing, (4) programming, (5) testing, and (6) evaluating (Turel & McKenna, 2013, pp. 188-190). Each stage is vital to the design and development process for cost effective and socially just IMEs. To be able to achieve cost effective and genuinely socially inclusive IMEs, a wide range of principles and guidelines need to be borne in mind at each stage. Here, the inclusion and design in IMEs of the cultural differences that need to be considered while designing and developing such environments (i.e. at stage 3 as well as 4) are focused on. Some examples of thought out and customized computerised cultural differences from an IME as well as some concrete examples from the Turkish context are given.
The Use and Design of Supplementary Visuals for the Enhancement of Listening Skills in Hypermedia
Authors: Turel Vehbi
Published: August 2014

This chapter investigates the attitudes and opinions (perceptions) of 43 language learners (LLs) towards the use of supplementary contextual visuals (SCVs) in a HME for enhancing listening skills as a part of Foreign Language Learning (FLL). Forty-three LLs' attitudes towards the use of SCVs are examined in 3 areas: (1) at the pre-listening stage in preparing for listening texts, (2) with talking-heads video at the while-listening stage, and (3) with audio-only at the post-listening stage. The study is both quantitative and qualitative in nature. The results are analysed with SPSS (i.e. descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, valid percentages, and cumulative percentages; Spearman test in Bivariate; Chi-square Test in the Crosstabs analysis; Fisher's exact Test). The results reveal that the LLs are in favour of the use of SCVs (a) at the pre-listening stage for preparation, (b) with talking-heads video at the while-listening stage, and (c) with audio-only clips at the post-listening stage. The LLs believe that SCVs could benefit them in a variety of ways that could contribute to the enhancement of their listening. There are also some significant relationships between their perceptions and some independent variables.
Determination of the Suitability of the Method Used for Evaluation Measurement Equipment Capability
Authors: Straka Ľuboslav , Kreheľ Radoslav
Published: August 2014

Complex quality evaluation of manufacturing and control process is based on assessment of capability of measuring equipment. Substantiation of measuring equipment capability is evoked by constantly growing need to prove suitability of chosen inspection method from a view of global approach to inspection process. The contribution described evaluation of capability of digital indicator within its entire measuring range (0 to 12.7 mm) by the means of measurement equipment index Cgmand Measurement equipment index Golden Device Cgmk. Evaluation of capability of the given measuring equipment digital indicator Mitutoyo was carried out by repeated measurements of standards with dimensions representing lower, middle and upper range of the measuring instrument at given accuracy of measuring equipment 2μm.
Ensuring the Reliability of an Aircraft Engine Hydraulic System
Authors: Mihalčová Janka , Šmeringai Peter
Published: August 2014

The article deals with the issue of ensuring the reliability of aircraft engines operation via hydraulic fluids properties monitoring. There are presented the results of the hydraulic fluid Aero Shell Fluid 41 (ASF 41) properties evaluation in the hydraulic system of a double-flow turbosupercharged aircraft engine AI-25TL. In the hydraulic fluid, there were observed the quantity and distribution of mechanical particles according to their size in accordance with the ISO Cleanliness Code, ISO 4406.There was also determined kinematic viscosity according to the standard EN ISO 3104+AC. FTIR analysis of the infrared spectrum was used to determine the degradation degree of the hydraulic fluid physical-chemical properties.
New Methods of Obtaining Input Data of Numerical Computations by Using Heat Treatment Simulator
Authors: Moravec Jaromír , Dobránsky Jozef , Bradáč Josef , Nováková Iva
Published: August 2014

This paper aims to present completely new method of processing experiments which leads to obtaining input data for numerical simulations of heat treatment of large scale parts. Owing to stated method it will be possible, by using experiments on small tested sample, to simulate cooling conditions comparable with cooling of large scale parts. Apart from that this method of testing makes current boundary conditions during real cooling process more accurate, but it also multiplies stated conditions e. g. by effect of movement of cooling part in hardening media. In the paper we will also present the experimentally obtained difference in cooling rates measured by normalized quench test, standard way of hardening and a method according to newly suggested methodology.
Technological Head Tilt Angle Influence Analysis to Generation of Vibration during Ceramics Material Machining by Means of AWJ Technology
Authors: Fabian Stanislav , Bicejova Luba
Published: August 2014

The thesis deals with a manufacturing system water jet technological head tilt angle influence analysis. The search is performed for two tilt angles and three speeds of the technological head shift. Frequency envelope comparative graphs are created for the head tilt angles 45o and 90o and for each of three speeds using graphical records which show vibration acceleration amplitude relation to its frequency. For each of the tilt angles summary comparative frequency envelope graphs in all analyzed speeds are created, too. On the base of the comparative frequency envelope graphs a discussion focused on results and formulated conclusion are performed. The paper presents a thematically integrated part of previous research and complements recent knowledge on technological and material parameter impact to water jet technology manufacturing system vibration generation.
Progressive Technology Diagnostics and Factors Affecting Machinability
Authors: Panda Anton , Prislupčák Marek , Pandová Iveta
Published: August 2014

The Water as an element with its force is applied to the solid substances and thus violates their. A man started to notice the power of water and gradually it began to exploit to their advantage and developed technology of machining of various materials, which brought a facility generating pressure water jet. [1] Presently cutting materials technology is an essential technology pre-production stages. Article discusses the production system with technology of abrasive water jet and is aimed at assessing the impact of selected factors of the technological process in the dividing of materials using this technology. The main part describes the influence of factors on the depth of cut and surface topography of machined in terms of roughness. At the end of the article are evaluated selected technological factors used in cutting of materials.
Interactive Monitoring of Production Process with Use of Augmented Reality Technology
Authors: Novak-Marcincin Jozef , Torok Jozef , Janak Miroslav , Novakova-Marcincinova Ludmila
Published: August 2014

Monitoring of production process as a whole is currently possible with the progressive forms of computer simulation and displaying. The paper describes conceptual solution of improved diagnostic mapping of production process with use of the technology of augmented reality. The solution presents the powerful tool for visualization of diagnostic data useful mainly in the area of inspection, control and management of production operation.
Dynamic Analysis of Worm Gear Boxes
Authors: Šmeringaiová Anna , Šmeringai Peter
Published: August 2014

The paper deals with an experimental assessment of the dynamics of gears. The experi-
mental station for dynamic tests of gears is described and methodic for assessing their dynamic characteristics is chosen. There are listed results of the dynamic analysis of worm gear boxes made to verify the correct function of the test station and the appropriateness of the chosen methodic for measurement of assessed parameters.
Diagnostics of Errors at Component Surface by Vision Recognition in Production Systems
Authors: Židek Kamil , Maxim Vladislav , Sadecký Radoslav
Published: August 2014

The article deals with the diagnostics of components surface after painting by camera system in real-time. This solution is especially suitable for implementation to automatized production line above the conveyor belt. The faults on the part surface can be detected as scratches, imperfect surface coverage and dirt stuck to the surface. The scratch detection is based on edge detectors, imperfect coverage are checked by histogram comparison and all other errors are detected by counter detectors. The developed software uses open source library OpenCV and is written in C++ language. The software solution is platform independent. Final algorithm is implemented to embedded device based on SoC.
Diagnostics of Strain Hardening Exponent and Material Constant of Steel Sheets
Authors: Fechová Erika , Kmec Jozef
Published: August 2014

This paper deals with evaluation of n strain hardening exponent and C material constant at various velocities of the strain rate according to EN 10002-1. Dependence of tensile stress on elongation is carried out at INSTRON shredder in digital form and it is directly introduced into MATLAB working environment. To determine these material parameters suitable material models (Krupkowsky model) and MATLAB programming pack, mainly its Curve Fitting toolbox, which provides the library of standard linear, nonlinear and nonparametric models (e.g. polynomial, rational, etc.), are used. At automobile crash tests kinetic energy conversion into energy of deformation (where it is necessary to know n, C) is theoretically calculated at certain velocities so that the solid parts of the car body would be protected from damage. It would be the best to compare correctness of those calculations to the test carried out at a real model or by simulation created on the computer with necessary software equipment.
Using Recycled Rubber Particles as Filler of Polymers
Authors: Valášek Petr , Müller Miroslav , Ružbarský Juraj
Published: August 2014

One of a way of a material utilization of a rubber waste originated at a recyclation of tyres is its inclusion into polymeric materials. The paper describes chosen mechanical properties of an epoxy adhesive and polyurethane filled with the waste rubber. The waste rubber was gained as one of outputs of a recycling line of a firm Gumoeko, Ltd. The filler presence influences resultant mechanical properties and decreases a price of gained materials. Defining of mechanical properties enables to specify possible application areas.
Up Milling Technology and its Outputs
Authors: Fečová Veronika , Michalik Peter , Zajac Jozef , Berthoty Jozef , Hanisko Erik
Published: August 2014

This paper deals with the up milling technology. It describes the coherencies of temperature and surface roughness achieved by this up milling process and explains the principle of up milling, briefly describes the heat generated too and shapes of chip. A main part of this paper is realization of the experiment, description of the experiment and evaluation of results shown as the resulting values of temperature and subsequent surface roughness and category of made chips. The milling is the most used technology in engineering and shape of chip is important for its transport and for economical aspect of this technology.
Bearing Units and Surface Micro-Geometry of Rolling Races in Textile Machinery
Authors: Murčinková Zuzana , Murčinko Jaromir
Published: August 2014

The paper dealt with surface micro-geometry and influence on generation of unwanted vibrations of bearing units in textile machinery. Any deviation of ideal shape of contact surface of shaft and inner bearing ring considerably influence the shape of bearing rolling race. The dimension and geometry accuracy of shaft is very important for intended lifetime, operating speed and mounting of bearing. Moreover, paper evaluates dependency of dimension and geometry shaft accuracy on bearing lifetime according to experimental measuring.
Assessment of Micro-Geometric and Macro-Geometric Parameters after Machining Composite Material with Natural Fibres
Authors: Hutyrová Zuzana , Orlovský Imrich
Published: August 2014

This paper present problem of the examination of the parameters of cutting process on the micro-geometric and macro-geometric parameters after the turning of composite material with natural reinforcement (material is combination of two different phases the plastic matrix and wood flour). The article deals with effect of feed rate and cutting speed to roundness deviation and maximum roughness depth. The results were analyzed using device of surface roughness, roundness/cylindricity and digital microscopic camera. From the result, the surface roughness are mostly influenced by feed rate.
Impact of Cutting Speed on the Resultant Cutting Tools Durability in Turning Process of Steel 100CrMn6
Authors: Duplák Ján , Michalik Peter , Kormoš Miroslav , Jurko Slavko , Kokuľa Pavel , Olexa Ľubomir
Published: August 2014

Durability of cutting tools represent to a large spectral index on the basis of which is characterized by functional work. Every manufacturer of cutting tools before the actual production of these tools during the development make a tests and prescribing them characteristics on which is possible then to predict their behavior in the actual production process. It might be argued, that these information are optimized and ideal and therefore the information which producers sells by these cutting tools, do not correspond completely with their real behavior. It is necessary that information by using experiments to verify and then review their informative value and correctness. Durability of cutting tools is often indicated for one tested material of marketing aspect, which is machined and effort of user is to achieve this variable for other machined materials, then is happened problem in the production. The problem is very short lifetime of cutting tool in machining process, where the effect is impossibility to optimize the machining process. The results of this action are excesses time caused by exchanged of cutting plate and then it is make a low production of machining industry by setting of machines, and then the factory has an economical loses. This article is focused on tested of cutting tools made by sintered carbide, where the machine material is steel 100CrMn6. This type of steel is used by manufacturer of bearings, therefore the experimental part of this article should be a helper for machining manufactures, which make effectively manage with tools by optimization of cutting parameters of cutting tools and thus increase their productivity and to achieve a higher profits.
Chilled Ceiling Adaptive Control with Application of Parameters Gained from the Chilled Ceiling System Proposal Algorithm
Authors: Čorný Ivan , Fedák Marcel , Rimár Miroslav
Published: August 2014

Chilled ceiling represents air-conditioning system in which a part of heat load is taken away by the ceiling thus decreasing the demand of cooling air amount. Chilled ceiling can only be applied with automatic air-conditioning control. The contribution presents computer program that can serve for either the proposal of chilled ceiling parameters or for chilled ceiling control algorithm.
Crystallization of Polylactic Acid Composites with Banana and Hemp Fibres by Means of DSC and XRD Methods
Authors: Bĕhálek Luboš , Seidl Martin , Dobránsky Jozef
Published: August 2014

This paper deals with the evaluation of crystalline structure and thermal properties of injection molded parts based on polylactic acid (PLA) matrix reinforced by banana and hemp natural fibres (NF). Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) methods were evaluated thermal properties and crystalline structure of PLA/NF composites, depending on the amount of natural fibres within the weight ratio of 10% up to 30%. We observed that hemp and banana fibres work like natural nucleating agents and thus subsequently improve the material properties of PLA. We also observed process of melt (primary) and cold (secondary) crystallization of PLA/NF composites depending on cooling rate.
Implementation of Method and Structure Handling Manipulation Operations to Hydroabrasive Process
Authors: Vagaská Alena , Kmec Ján , Gombár Miroslav , Michal Peter
Published: August 2014

The automation of hydro-erosion manufacturing processes comes to increase the demands on engineering works in the preparation of production, at shortening of deadlines for implementation of scientific knowledge into practice, at the design of production processes and at the economization in production processes. This process is associated with extensive utilisation of mathematical methods, using of computational procedures for specific tasks and at the utilisation of methodology of mathematics for methods of formulating solutions. During the solving of problem, there is mostly used: operational analysis, set theory, theory of structures, theory of algorithms and languages.
Modelling of the Anisothermal Phase Transformation of Austenite by Electromagnetic Sensor
Authors: Chotěborský Rostislav , Linda Miloslav , Ružbarský Juraj , Müller Miroslav
Published: August 2014

The characterization of steel microstructures is an important tool for metallurgists as mechanical properties are controlled by microstructural parameters such as grain size, phase balance and precipitates. This paper describes a model of the phase transformation of tool steel CSN 41 9436. Each of the experimental data was observed by electromagnetic sensor. The mathematic model was developed for an optimizing of tool steel heat treatment. The model was developed from one experiment and next experiments were for an evaluation of the model. A model can be satisfactory used for graphical form of the austenite phase transformation.
Experimental Investigation and Analysis of the Impact in Abrasive Mass Flow Changes with and without the Use of Sieve Analysis on Technological Head Vibrations at Hydroabrasive Cutting
Authors: Fabian Stanislav , Salokyová Štefánia
Published: August 2014

The paper presents and analyzes the experimental research results of impact in abrasive mass flow changes and sieving on technological head vibrations while cutting steel HARDOX 500 using the water jet technology. Vibrations were quantified by two basic parameters (vibrations frequency and vibrations acceleration amplitude). The experiments evaluation contains graphical dependence sets of vibrations acceleration amplitude on frequency, set of frequency spectrum envelopes and comparative graphs of frequency spectrum envelopes based on which new knowledge and recommendations have been created.
Design of Module of Moving Robot
Authors: Hatala Michal , Mičko Miroslav , Olexa Ľubomir , Michalik Peter , Čisár Ján , Kokuľa Pavel
Published: August 2014

Article deals with the design of module walking robot. When designing a walking robot construction is an important to choose correct structure of the body and legs. In practice, are mostly used constructions with the numbers of feet two, four and six. Selected variant was subsequently analyzed and optimized and was assigned appropriate material. Based on the measurements and the subsequent comparison of the results was designed suitable actuators for selected modes of motion.
Analysis of High Velocity Impact on Composite Structures
Authors: Žmindák Milan , Pelagić Zoran , Bvoc Maroš
Published: August 2014

In the recent years a big focus is subjected to the response of structures subjected to out-of-plane loading such as blasts, impact, etc. not only to homogenous materials, but also to heterogeneous materials, such as composites. Such form of loading can cause considerable damage to the structure. In the case of layered composite materials the damage can have several forms, starting from damage in layers up to delamination and full damage of the construction. This paper describes the investigation of shockwave propagation in composite structures caused by impact loading. The composite consists of carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, in which the fibers are much stiffer then the matrix. Finite element simulations were carried out for a “bird” strike impact on a composite wing leading edge. Results show a good impact resistance and good damping abilities of shockwaves.