bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Delay Announcements in Call Centers: An Empirical Approach
Authors: Akşin Zeynep , Ata Baris , Emadi Seyed Morteza , Su Che-Lin
Published: October 2016

We undertake an empirical study of the impact of delay announcements on callers’ abandonment behavior and the performance of a call center with two priority classes. A Cox regression analysis reveals that in this call center, callers’ abandonment behavior is affected by the announcement messages heard. To account for this, we formulate a structural estimation model of callers’ (endogenous) abandonment decisions. In this model, callers are forward-looking utility maximizers and make their abandonment decisions by solving an optimal stopping problem. Each caller receives a reward from service and incurs a linear cost of waiting. The reward and per-period waiting cost constitute the structural parameters that we estimate from the data of callers’ abandonment decisions as well as the announcement messages heard. The call center performance is modeled by a Markovian approximation. The main methodological contribution is the definition of an equilibrium in steady state as one where callers’ expectation of their waiting time, which affects their (rational) abandonment behavior, matches their actual waiting time in the call center, as well as the characterization of such an equilibrium as the solution of a set of nonlinear equations. A counterfactual analysis shows that callers react to longer delay announcements by abandoning earlier, that less patient callers as characterized by their reward and cost parameters react more to delay announcements, and that congestion in the call center at the time of the call affects caller reactions to delay announcements.
Iron in sea ice: Review and new insights
Authors: Lannuzel D. , Vancoppenolle M. , van der Merwe P. , de Jong J. , Meiners K.M. , Grotti M. , Nishioka J. , Schoemann V.
Published: October 2016

The discovery that melting sea ice can fertilize iron (Fe)-depleted polar waters has recently fostered trace metal research efforts in sea ice. The aim of this review is to summarize and synthesize the current understanding of Fe biogeochemistry in sea ice. To do so, we compiled available data on particulate, dissolved, and total dissolvable Fe (PFe, DFe and TDFe, respectively) from sea-ice studies from both polar regions and from sub-Arctic and northern Hemisphere temperate areas. Data analysis focused on a circum-Antarctic Fe dataset derived from 61 ice cores collected during 10 field expeditions carried out between 1997 and 2012 in the Southern Ocean. Our key findings are that 1) concentrations of all forms of Fe (PFe, DFe, TDFe) are at least a magnitude larger in fast ice and pack ice than in typical Antarctic surface waters; 2) DFe, PFe and TDFe behave differently when plotted against sea-ice salinity, suggesting that their distributions in sea ice are driven by distinct, spatially and temporally decoupled processes; 3) DFe is actively extracted from seawater into growing sea ice; 4) fast ice generally has more Fe-bearing particles, a finding supported by the significant negative correlation observed between both PFe and TDFe concentrations in sea ice and water depth; 5) the Fe pool in sea ice is coupled to biota, as indicated by the positive correlations of PFe and TDFe with chlorophyll a and particulate organic carbon; and 6) the vast majority of DFe appears to be adsorbed onto something in sea ice. This review also addresses the role of sea ice as a reservoir of Fe and its role in seeding seasonally ice-covered waters. We discuss the pivotal role of organic ligands in controlling DFe concentrations in sea ice and highlight the uncertainties that remain regarding the mechanisms of Fe incorporation in sea ice.
Gait analysis of patients with knee osteoarthritis highlights a pathological mechanical pathway and provides a basis for therapeutic interventions
Authors: Favre Julien , Jolles Brigitte M.
Published: October 2016

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and incapacitating disease affecting a large portion of the elderly population, for which no cure exists. There is a critical need to enhance our understanding of OA pathogenesis, as a means to improve therapeutic options. Knee OA is a complex disease influenced by many factors, including the loading environment. Analysing knee biomechanics during walking - the primary cyclic load-bearing activity - is therefore particularly relevant. There is evidence of meaningful differences in the knee adduction moment, flexion moment and flexion angle during walking between non-OA individuals and patients with medial knee OA. Furthermore, these kinetic and kinematic gait variables have been associated with OA progression. Gait analysis provides the critical information needed to understand the role of ambulatory biomechanics in OA development, and to design therapeutic interventions. Multidisciplinary research is necessary to relate the biomechanical alterations to the structural and biological components of OA.

Cite this article: Favre J, Jolles BM. Analysis of gait, knee biomechanics and the physiopathology of knee osteoarthritis in the development of therapeutic interventions. EFORT Open Rev 2016;1:368-374. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.000051.
Flora da Bahia: Costaceae
Authors: Jardim Alessandra Bertoso , Carneiro Torres Daniela Santos , De Oliveira Reyjane Patrícia , Giulietti Ana Maria Maria
Published: October 2016

The taxonomic treatment of the Costaceae from the state of Bahia, Brazil, is presented here. Five species are recognized, two species of Chamaecostus (C. cuspidatus and C. subsessilis) and three species of Costus (C. arabicus, C. scaber and C. spiralis). Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, notes and maps of geographic distribution of the species in Bahia are presented.
The influence of habitat and species attributes on the density and nest spacing of a stingless bee (Meliponini) in the Atlantic Rainforest.
Authors: Silva Marília Dantas , Ramalho Mauro
Published: October 2016

T. spinipes lives in perennial eusocial colonies and builds nests exposed on tree branches. Why this habitat generalist with exposed nests cannot nest successfully in forest habitats is intriguing. This study explores the hypothesis this species reaches higher densities in vegetation with open canopies and the subsidiary shading hypothesis, assuming the failure of exposed nests in closed canopy rainforest. As this species shows the basic attributes of territorial foraging groups, the hypothesis of uniform nest spacing is also tested. Comparative field data on nest density and spacing in open canopy vegetation and adjacent closed canopy forest are used to test these hypotheses. In random 40 20x200m plots in rubber groves, 18 nests were recorded. This nest density for a single stingless bee was approximately 36 times higher than in the adjacent rainforest. The high density of nests in the rubber groves is also associated with a regular spatial distribution of nests. The ostensive patrolling distances from the colonies probably operates at short distances, which still corresponds to large territorial areas for such a small stingless bee.We conclude that: this species faces powerful nesting constraints in the ever green and closed canopy of rainforest habitats; as the nest density approaches the density threshold, the patrolling mechanism regulates access to prospective nest sites; the high availability of sunny sites for nesting within the deciduous and open canopy of rubber trees favours the high nest density of T. spinipes and its wide spread distribution where this agroforestry system dominates.
Induced biotic response in Amazonian ant-plants: the role of leaf damage intensity and plant-derived food rewards on ant recruitment
Authors: Gonçalves-Souza Thiago
Published: October 2016

Although plant-ants respond to cues indicating the presence of herbivores, it remains unclear how ant workers are stimulated by herbivory cues with varying intensity. I hypothesized that ants respond more quickly to intense foliar damage, and ants inhabiting myrmecophytes that provide food resource recruit workers to any intensity of foliar damage. I tested the induced response in three ant-plant systems: two that provide food resources and another one that does not provide. I simulated leaf damage using different concentrations of foliar extracts. In all systems the plant-ant recruitment increased after damage simulations. In food providing system ants did not distinguish between different intensity damages, although one system have shown a mixed response to that intensity. This result indicates that ants defend more intensely their host plant to avoid damages that diminish food provisioning. In the non-food providing system ants responded more quickly to simulation of high foliar damage. This faster recruitment to leaves with high damage suggests that ants are searching for hot spots that potentially have more insects for feeding on. I suggested that future works could manipulate plant size and quality, and food provisioning to better understand why mutual ant-plant systems with very distinct characteristics are evolutionarily stabilized.
Diversity of flower visiting bees of Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) in fragments of Atlantic Forest in South Brazil
Authors: Diniz Mary Ellen Reis , Buschini Maria Luisa Tunes
Published: October 2016

Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) is pollinated mostly by bees and there are no restrictions for pollen collection in their flowers. This stimulated us to study the bee diversity on its flowers in two forest fragments in southern Brazil, in August and September, 2012. A total of 826 bees belonging to 39 species and four subfamilies were captured with entomological nets. Halictinae presented the greatest richness, followed by Apinae, Colletinae and Andreninae. Apis mellifera was the only common species and the most abundant, followed by Scaptotrigona bipunctata and Melipona obscurior. Seven species were classified as intermediate and 31 as rare. Highest numbers of bees were collected from 10h to 11:30, and The species richness of flower visiting bees was much higher than that of previous studies with first records of Plebeia remota and Anthrenoides paolae. Eugenia uniflora is a food source for exotic and native bees and possibly contributes to the conservation of these bees in forest fragments. In return, the bees probably act in maintaining this plant native of the Atlantic Forest.
External Morphology of Immatures of Mischocyttarus nomurae Richards (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) during the Post-embryonic Development
Authors: Rocha Agda Alves , Giannotti Edilberto
Published: October 2016

The work on this paper aimed to perform the description of the immatures and determine the number of larval instars in the post-embryonic development of Mischocyttarus nomurae Richards, a social wasp which the only works performed were the description of the specie and of the male.  Twenty colonies were collected in the city of Rio de Contas, in the region of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil and there were dimensioned 145 eggs, 349 larvae, 12 pre-pupae and 59 pupae. The eggs presented an average length of 1.03 ± 0.12mm and diameter of 0.40 ± 0.03mm. The average rate of growth of the larvae that presented five instars was 1.49. The width of the cephalic capsule of the larvae was: 1st instar 0.32 ± 0.08, 2nd instar 0.54 ± 0.06, 3rd instar 0.77 ± 0.07, 4th  instar 1.05 ± 0.10 and 5th instar 1.55 ± 0.07. The average width of the larvae of 5th instar and pre-pupae were close, where larvae of the 1st instar differed from the egg, being smaller. The average measure of the pupae was 1.85 ± 0.08. The specie presents two abdominal lobes highly projected towards and the first thoracic spiracle is 3.1 times higher than the second one. This is the first work on the biology of the specie.
Positive Attitude Program’s Impact upon Self-Concept across Childhood and Adolescence // Emociones positivas, apoyo a la autonomía y rendimiento de estudiantes universitarios: El papel mediador del compromiso académico y la autoeficacia
Authors: Coelho Vítor Alexandre , Marchante Marta , Sousa Vanda
Published: October 2016

This study aims to analyze the differential impact of social and emotional learning programs between Portuguese elementary and middle school students, and to clarify developmental and gender differences in children and adolescents self-concept. The sample included 2682 students, 1237 elementary students (4th grade; Mage = 9.24; SD = 0.72) and 1445 middle school students (7th to 9th grade: Mage = 13.30; SD = 1.32). Self-report questionnaires were administered before and after intervention. Multilevel linear modeling with a repeated measures design was used to evaluate the effects of the program on self- concept. Results show significant intervention gains in social and emotional self-concept, which differ by grade level (elementary students benefited more). There were also differences between genders, boys showed more benefits in social self-concept and girls in emotional self-concept as well as a smaller decrease in academic self-concept. Participation in the programs led to more pronounced gains for elementary school students.
Regulator Algorithms of Traffic Control Systems
Authors: Mika P
Published: October 2016

Currently known control algorithm of traffic control systems are based on a model predictive control (MPC). The MPC method implementation uses the Jacobi iteration method, which is effectively a nonlinear programming problem solving algorithm with limitation. The development objective is to reduce congestion, reduce travel time and to ensure consistent traffic flow. The MPC-based control used in any urban transport network, but the measuring system and advanced traffic management equipment is required for the proper operation. In this study, a regulative algorithm of the traffic control systems synchronization for the proper operation is presented.
In vitro application of integrated selection index for screening drought tolerant genotypes in common wheat
Authors: FARSHADFAR Ezatollah , Amiri Reza
Published: October 2016

This experiment was conducted on 20 wheat genotypes during 2010-2011 growing season at the Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. A completely randomized design with six replications was used for callus induction and a 20 × 2 factorial experiment with three replications was used for response of genotypes to in vitro drought stress. ANOVA exhibited highly significant differences among the genotypes for callus growth rate, relative fresh mass growth, relative growth rate, callus water content, percent of callus chlorosis and proline content under stress condition (15 % PEG). PCA showed that the integrated selection index was correlated with callus growth index, relative fresh mass growth, relative growth rate and proline content indicating that these screening techniques can be useful for selecting drought tolerant genotypes. Screening drought tolerant genotypes and in vitro indicators of drought tolerance using mean rank, standard deviation of ranks and biplot analysis, discriminated genotypes 2, 18 and 10 as the most drought tolerant. Therefore they are recommended to be used as parents for genetic analysis, gene mapping and improvement of drought tolerance.
Effect of mechanisation use intensity on the productivity of rice farms in southern Ghana
Authors: APIORS Emmanuel K. , Kuwornu JOHN K. M. , KWADZO George T-M.
Published: October 2016

This study analysed the effect of farm mechanisation on productivity of rice farms in southern Ghana. The empirical results of the stochastic frontier model of primary data solicited from 360 rice farmers in southern Ghana revealed that land size cultivated, agrochemical expenditure, tillage intensity, threshing intensity, education and transportation intensity were significant factors that positively influenced partial factor productivity with respect to mechanisation. On the other hand, reaping intensity, over use of fertilizers, and age of farmers negatively influenced partial factor productivity with respect to mechanisation. These results have implications for capacity building and government support to increase productivity on rice farms.
Clone candidates differentiation of grapevine Vitis vinifera'Škrlet bijeli' using aroma compounds detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Petric Ivana Vladimira , Košmerl Tatjana , Pejić Ivan , Kubanović Veronika , Zlatić Emil
Published: October 2016

The aim of this work was to investigate existence presence and stability of must specific aroma compounds (monoterpenes C13-norisoprenoids, C6-alcohols, alcohols, esters and carbonyl compounds) and which can be used to establish differences among clone candidates of 'Škrlet bijeli' (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevine variety. The compounds responsible for the varietal aroma profile were determined by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS), in must samples of ten clone candidates grown on two vineyard sites for three consecutive years. Significant variation among clone candidates is shown in 22 out of the total 35 identified aroma compounds. Significant impact of the vineyard site on the clone candidate’s aroma profile was identified. Differences in primary aroma compounds responsible for flavour of 'Škrlet bijeli' variety, linalool, terpinolen, nerol and α-terpineol, were not significant among clone candidates, while remarkable differences were established for β-damascenone. Contrary to expectation, monoterpene geraniol was not detected. Other identified aroma compounds (trans-ocimene, 2-methyl-1-butanol, myrcene, α-phelandrene, cis-ocimene and 3-methyl-1-butanol) noticeably less participate in total flavour description, but they still enable notable clone candidates discrimination.
Physiological response of grapevine Vitis vinifera L. to grapevine leafroll associated viruses (GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-1 + GLRaV-3)
Authors: Štrukelj Melita , RAZINGER Jaka , GRUBAR Barbara , ŽIBRAT Uroš , PLEŠKO Irena MAVRIČ , Vodnik Dominik , UREK Gregor
Published: October 2016

Grapevine leafroll disease is one of the most severe viral diseases of grapevine caused by Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs). Physiological processes were monitored on grapevines with single (GLRaV-1) and mixed (GLRaV-1 and GLRaV -3) viral infection under greenhouse conditions from June to September, in vegetation period 2014. In the mid of the season (July) negative effects of the virus infections on physiological processes were more severe in mixed than in single infection. The net-photosynthesis (Pn) of the leaves infected with GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3 reached only a half of the Pn in GLRaV-1 infected grapevines. Similar reduction was found for stomatal conductance, transpiration and parameters related to photochemical efficiency (electron transport rate).
The effects of intermittent negative pressure on the lower extremities' peripheral circulation and wound healing in four patients with lower limb ischemia and hard‐to‐heal leg ulcers: a case report
Authors: Sundby Øyvind H. , Høiseth Lars Ø. , Mathiesen Iacob , Jørgensen Jørgen J. , Sundhagen Jon O. , Hisdal Jonny
Published: October 2016

Peripheral circulation is severely compromised in the advanced stages of peripheral arterial disease. Recently, it was shown that the application of −40 mmHg intermittent negative pressure (INP) to the lower leg and foot enhances macro‐ and microcirculation in healthy volunteers. In this case report, we describe the effects of INP treatment on four patients with lower limb ischemia and hard‐to‐heal leg and foot ulcers. We hypothesized that INP therapy may have beneficial hemodynamic and clinical effects in the patients. Four patients (age range: 61–79 years) with hard‐to‐heal leg and foot ulcers (6–24 months) and ankle‐brachial pressure indices of ≤0.60 on the affected side were included. They were treated with an 8‐week intervention period of −40 mmHg INP (10 sec negative pressure and 7 sec atmospheric pressure) on the lower limbs. A custom‐made vacuum chamber was used to apply INP to the affected lower leg and foot for 2 h per day. After 8 weeks of INP therapy, one ulcer healed completely, while the other three ulcers were almost completely healed. These cases suggest that INP may facilitate wound healing. The theoretical foundation is that INP assists wound healing by improving blood flow to the small blood vessels in the affected limb, increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the cells.
Antibiotics in WWTP discharge into the Chaobai River, Beijing
Authors: Chunhui Zhang , Liangliang Wang , Xiangyu Gao , Xudan He
Published: October 2016

22 representative antibiotics, including 8 quinolones (QNs), 9 sulfonamides (SAs), and 5 macrolides (MCs) were selected to investigate their occurrence and removal efficiencies in a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and their distribution in the receiving water of the Chaobai River in Beijing, China. Water quality monitoring was performed in an integrated way at different selected points in the WWTP to explore the potential mechanism of antibiotics removal during wastewater treatment. Water quality of the Chaobai River was also analyzed to examine environmental distribution in a river ecosystem. The results showed that within all the 22 compounds examined, 10 antibiotics were quantified in wastewater influent, 10 in effluent, and 7 in river. Sulfadiazine (SDZ, 396 ng/L) and Sulfamethazine (SMZ, 382 ng/L) were the dominating antibiotics in the influent. Both the conventional treatment and advanced Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) system was important for the removal of antibiotics from the wastewater. And the concentrations of selected antibiotics were ranged from 0-41.8 ng/L in the effluent-receiving river. Despite the fact that the concentrations were reduced more than 50% compared to effluent concentrations, WWTP discharge was still regarded as a dominant point-source input of antibiotics into the Chaobai River.
Effects of silver nanoparticles of different sizes on cytotoxicity and oxygen metabolism disorders in both reproductive and respiratory system cells
Authors: Zapór Lidia
Published: October 2016

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in numerous industries and areas of daily life, mainly as antimicrobial agents. The particles size is very important, but still not suffi ciently recognized parameter infl uencing the toxicity of nanosilver. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of AgNPs with different particle size (~ 10, 40 and 100 nm). The study was conducted on both reproductive and pulmonary cells (CHO-9, 15P-1 and RAW264.7). We tested the effects of AgNPs on cell viability, cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial metabolic activity, lipid peroxidation, total oxidative and antioxidative status of cells and oxidative DNA damage. All kinds of AgNPs showed strong cytotoxic activity at low concentrations (2÷13 μg/ml), and caused an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at concentrations lower than cytotoxic ones. The ROS being formed in the cells induced oxidative damage of DNA in alkaline comet assay. The most toxic was AgNPs<10 nm. The results indicate that the silver nanoparticles, especially less than 10 nm, may be harmful to the organisms. Therefore, risk should be considered when using nanosilver preparations and provide appropriate protective measures when they are applied.
Treatment of wastewater from service areas at motorways
Authors: Makowska Małgorzata , Mazurkiewicz Jakub
Published: October 2016

This paper deals with wastewater treatment systems placed in motorway service areas (MSAs). In the years 2008-2009 eight of such facilities installed on the stretch of the A2 motorway between Poznań and Nowy Tomyśl were examined and analyzed. The system consists of a septic tank, a submerged aerated biofilter and an outflow filter. The volume of traffic on the highway was analyzed, the amount of water use was measured and peak factors were calculated. On this basis it was concluded that the inflows to the wastewater treatment systems in many cases exceeded the nominal design values.

Based on the analysis of effluent quality it was found that the effects of plant operation in large part did not meet the requirements. It was found that the bioreactor aeration system and the design of the suspension separator (outflow filter) should be modified. One of the solutions was to use the soil-reed bed for wastewater treatment. The treatment of wastewater from the MSAs is a task that must take into account the unusual character of these facilities and the atypical quality of the effluent.
First insights into indoor and outdoor Culicoides activity related to the risk period for Bluetongue virus transmission in Eastern Slovakia
Authors: Sarvašová Adela , Kočišová Alica , Liptáková Erika , Hiavatá Helena , Mathieu Bruno
Published: October 2016

The epizootic of Bluetongue virus (BTV) throughout Europe in 2006 revealed insufficient knowledge regarding seasonal activities, endo/exophilic and endo/exophagic behaviour of the species of the
Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in red foxes in Slovakia
Authors: Reiterová Katarína , Špilovská Silvia , Čobádiová Andrea , Hurníková Zuzana
Published: October 2016

Sera or meat juices of 177 red foxes (
Epidemiological survey on Leishmania infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and hunting dogs sharing the same rural area in Southern Italy
Authors: Piantedosi Diego , Veneziano Vincenzo , Di Muccio Trentina , Manzillo Valentina Foglia , Fiorentino Eleonora , Scalone Aldo , Neola Benedetto , Di Prisco Francesca , D’Alessio Nicola , Gradoni Luigi , Oliva Gaetano , Gramiccia Marina
Published: October 2016

Southern Italy, particularly Campania region, is an area where canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and zoonotic human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are endemic. The red fox (
Genotyping of clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba genus in Venezuela
Authors: Wagner Carolina , Reyes-Batlle María , Ysea María Alejandra Vethencourt , Pérez Mónica V. Galindo , de Rondón Carmen Guzmán , Paduani Anaibeth J. Nessi , Pérez Angelyseb Dorta , López-Arencibia Atteneri , Sifaoui Ines , de Galindo María Virginia Pérez , de Suárez Eva Pérez , Martínez-Carretero Enrique , Valladares Basilio , Piñero José E. , Lorenzo-Morales Jacob
Published: October 2016

Free-living amoebae of
The prevalence of helminth parasites in Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Anura: Ranidae) from Shanghai, China
Authors: Men Qifei , Han Hongyu , Zhao Qiping , Xia Weili , Dong Hui , Zhu Shunhai , Wang Ziwen , Li Cong , Zhu Xuelong , Huang Bing
Published: October 2016

Parasites are ubiquitous members of biotic communities. To investigate the infective status of helminth parasites in
A case of persisting massive infection of Scomberomorus commerson, a commercially exploited scombrid fish, with Cybicola armatus (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Pseudocycnidae)
Authors: Helna Ameri Kottarathil , Sudha Kappalli , Aneesh Panakkool Thamban , Piasecki Wojciech , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: October 2016

During an extensive survey of fish parasites along the Malabar coast of India we observed exceptionally high or even massive infection of the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel,
Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum in Southern Israel
Authors: Ben-Shimol Shalom , Sagi Orli , Horev Amir , Avni Yonat Shemer , Ziv Mati , Riesenberg Klaris
Published: October 2016

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by
A morphological study of Diplodiscus subclavatus (Pallas, 1760) (Trematoda: Diplodiscidae) adults from the accidental host, Viviparus contectus (Millet, 1813) (Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae)
Authors: Cichy Anna , Żbikowska Elżbieta
Published: October 2016

A phenomenon of switching of the parasite in the food chain to an accidental host is commonly observed in nature. However, there is little available data concerning the morphological descriptions of parasites that passively get into the atypical hosts and are capable, at least to some degree, of somatic growth and development of reproductive structures. A morphological survey of
Does Global English Support the Development of Social Europe?
Authors: Marácz László
Published: October 2016

The relevance of languages and multilingual communication for social policy and solidarity in the context of the nation-state has generally been recognized. However, in the context of Europeanization, this factor has been underestimated and neglected in scientific research. This paper argues that languages and multilingual communication are relevant for the design of Social Europe. In order to support this hypothesis, the paper relies on an analytical tool, the so-called floral figuration model proposed by De Swaan (1988). This model allows us to isolate social and linguistic actors and track down complex patterns of linguistic and communicative exclusion in Europe’s system of multilevel governance. These patterns also refer to international or global English or its technically adapted Brussels variety, ‘Euro-English’. From this, also follows that these patterns of linguistic and communicative exclusion must be rendered into inclusive ones before a European social policy can be realized.
Analysis of the Combustion Air Preheater from the Aluminum Melting Furnaces
Authors: Gaba Aurel , Bratu Vasile , Musat Dorian , Popescu Ileana Nicoleta , Enescu Maria Cristiana
Published: October 2016

This paper presents solutions and the equipment for preheating combustion air from scrap aluminum melting furnaces through flue gas heat recovery. For sizing convection pre-heaters, there has been developed a mathematical model which has been transcribed into a computer program in C + +. A constructive version of the pre-heater was drawn up and a recovery heat exchanger was manufactured and mounted on an aluminum melting furnace. Both the functional parameters values and the reasons causing the pre-heater worning out, as well as the steps taken for sizing and the achievement of a new air pre-heater able to bear the operating conditions of the aluminum melting furnace are shown.
Determining the Heat Regime in the Working of a Coupling with Sliding Motion
Authors: Petre Ivona , Stoian Elena Valentina , Enescu Maria Cristiana
Published: October 2016

Following the sliding motion between two surfaces a heat release occures which leads to a changing of the mechanical properties of the surfaces in contact. Amongst the factors that influence the heat release one may name the loading, the velocity, the surface topography, the surface material, the lubrication and last but not the least, the environment.

The present paper proposes a computation model to determine the temperature in the working of a coupling to which the mechanical characteristics of the materials are not affected by changes which, at their turn, lead to undesired effects.
Cognitive Linguistics’ seven deadly sins
Authors: Dąbrowska Ewa
Published: October 2016

Cognitive Linguistics is an approach to language study based on three central premises: that the function of language is to convey meaning, that linguistic description must rely on constructs that are psychologically real, and that grammar emerges from usage. Over the last 40 years, this approach to studying language has made enormous strides in virtually every aspect of linguistic inquiry, achieving major insights as well as bringing about a conceptual unification of the language sciences. However, it has also faced problems, which, I argue, must be addressed if the approach is to continue to flourish. Some of these are shared with generative linguistics, while some are peculiar to the cognitive approach. The former include excessive reliance on introspective evidence; paying only lip service to the Cognitive Commitment; too much focus on hypothesis formulation (and not enough on hypothesis testing); ignoring individual differences; and neglecting the social aspects of language. The latter include assuming that we can deduce mental representations from patterns of use and equating distribution with meaning. I conclude by sketching out how these pitfalls could be avoided.
Mass Action and Conservation of Current
Authors: Eisenberg Robert S.
Published: October 2016

The law of mass action does not force a series of chemical reactions to have the same current flow everywhere. Interruption of far-away current does not stop current everywhere in a series of chemical reactions (analyzed according to the law of mass action), and so does not obey Maxwell’s equations. An additional constraint and equation is needed to enforce global continuity of current. The additional constraint is introduced in this paper in the special case that the chemical reaction describes spatial movement through narrow channels. In that case, a fully consistent treatment is possible using different models of charge movement. The general case must be dealt with by variational methods that enforce consistency of all the physical laws involved. Violations of current continuity arise away from equilibrium, when current flows, and the law of mass action is applied to a non-equilibrium situation, different from the systems considered when the law was originally derived. Device design in the chemical world is difficult because simple laws are not obeyed in that way. Rate constants of the law of mass action are found experimentally to change from one set of conditions to another. The law of mass action is not robust in most cases and cannot serve the same role that circuit models do in our electrical technology. Robust models and device designs in the chemical world will not be possible until continuity of current is embedded in a generalization of the law of mass action using a consistent variational model of energy and dissipation.
Separation of Process Wastewater with Extractive Heterogeneous-Azeotropic Distillation
Authors: Tóth András József , Szanyi Ágnes , Haaz Enikő , Mizsey Péter
Published: October 2016

The application of vapour-liquid equilibria-based separation alternatives can be extraordinarily complicated for the treatment of process wastewaters containing heterogeneous-azeotropic. Despite dissimilar successfully tested methods for separation, there is possibility to get better distillation method by enabling the separation of more and more specific process wastewater. Extractive heterogeneous-azeotropic distillation (EHAD) is a new advance in treatment of fine chemical wastewater showing special features to cope with the treatment of highly non-ideal mixtures. This method combines the worth of heterogeneous-azeotropic and extractive distillations in one apparatus without addition of any extra materials. The study of the separations of ternary component process wastewater from the fine chemical industry shows both in the modelled and experimental results that EHAD can be successfully applied. The measured and modelled compositions at extreme purities, that is, close to 0% or 100%, can be different because of the inaccuracies of the modelling. This highlights the paramount importance of the experiments if special extra-fine chemicals with almost no impurities, e.g. of pharmacopoeial quality are to be produced by special distillation technique. This study expands the application of EHAD technique, this new field is the separation of process wastewaters.
Control of membrane fluidity: the OLE pathway in focus
Authors: Ballweg Stephanie , Ernst Robert
Published: October 2016

The maintenance of a fluid lipid bilayer is key for membrane integrity and cell viability. We are only beginning to understand how eukaryotic cells sense and maintain the characteristic lipid compositions and bulk membrane properties of their organelles. One of the key factors determining membrane fluidity and phase behavior is the proportion of saturated and unsaturated acyl chains in membrane lipids. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an ideal model organism to study the regulation of the lipid acyl chain composition via the OLE pathway. The OLE pathway comprises all steps involved in the regulated mobilization of the transcription factors Mga2 and Spt23 from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which then drive the expression of OLE1 in the nucleus. OLE1 encodes for the essential Δ9-fatty acid desaturase Ole1 and is crucial for de novo biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) that are used as lipid building blocks. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the OLE pathway, the best-characterized, eukaryotic sense-and-control system regulating membrane lipid saturation, and identifies open questions to indicate future directions.
Age-dependent features of CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2E1 functioning at metabolic syndrome
Authors: Bondarenko Larysa B. , Shayakhmetova Ganna M. , Voronina Alla K. , Kovalenko Valentina M.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Complex investigations of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms with metabolic syndrome (MS) development are limited, and specific features of adolescent’s metabolisms are generally disregarded. The aim of present study was a comparative estimation of MS-mediated changes in CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2E1 mRNA expression and enzymatic activities, as well as antioxidant system parameters of adult and pubertal rats.

Methods:

Wistar albino male rats of two age categories [young animals of 21 days age (50–70 g) and adults (160–180 g)] were divided into four groups (eight animals in each group): (1) control 1 (intact young rats), (2) control 2 (intact adult rats), (3) MS3 (young rats with MS), and (4) MS4 (adult rats with MS). The MS was induced by full replacement of drinking water by 20% fructose solution (200 g/L). After 60 days of MS modeling, the investigation of rat liver CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2E1 mRNA expressions, their enzyme-marker activities, as well as the antioxidant system parameters was conducted.

Results:

Levels of liver CYP2E1 mRNA expression increased with MS: 40% (adults) and 80% (pubertal rats). Pubertal rats had also increased CYP3A2 mRNA expression (30%) and decreased CYP2C mRNA expression (30%). Changes in CYP2E1 and CYP2C enzymatic activities were consistent with the changes of corresponding gene expressions at both age-groups with MS. Simultaneously, liver reduced glutathione contents, and glutathione transferase and reductase activities were decreased in pubertal animals.

Conclusions:

CYP isoform expression rates and glutathione system were greatly violated with MS. The greater changes were observed in pubertal rats with MS.
Information Contents of a Signal at Repeated Positioning Measurements of the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) by Laser Interferometer
Authors: Stejskal Tomáš , Kelemenová Tatiana , Dovica Miroslav , Demeč Peter , Štofa Miroslav
Published: October 2016

The input of this paper lies in displaying possibilities how to determine the condition of a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) based on a large number of repeated measurements. The number of repeated measurements exceeds common requirements for determining positioning accuracy. The total offset in the accuracy of spatial positioning consists of partial inaccuracies of individual axes. 6 basic errors may be defined at each axis. In a triaxial set, that translates into 18 errors, to which an offset from the perpendicularity between the axial pairs must be added. Therefore, the combined number of errors in a single position is 21. These errors are systemic and stem from the machine’s geometry. In addition, there are accidental errors to account for as well. Accidental errors can be attributed to vibrations, mass inertness, passive resistance, and in part to fluctuations in temperature. A peculiar set of systemic errors are time-varying errors. The nature of those errors may be reversible, for instance if they result from influence of temperature or elastic deformation. They can be also irreversible, for example as a result of wear and tear or line clogging, due to loosened connection or permanent deformation of a part post collision. A demonstration of thermal equalizing of the machine’s parts may also be observed in case of failure to adhere to a sufficient time interval from the moment the air-conditioning is turned on. Repeated measurements done on a selected axis with linear interferometer can provide complex information on the CMM condition and also on the machine’s interaction with the given technical environment.
Diagnostic systems for the nuclear fusion and plasma research in the PF-24 plasma focus laboratory at the IFJ PAN
Authors: Marciniak Łukasz , Wójcik-Gargula Anna , Kulińska Agnieszka , Bielecki Jakub , Wiącek Urszula
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a set of diagnostics dedicated to PF-24 - new medium size - plasma focus (PF) device built and operated at the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN). The PF-24 can operate at energy level up to 93 kJ and charging voltage up to 40 kV. Each condenser is connected with a specially designed spark gap with a very small jitter, which ensures a high effi ciency and a low current rise time. The working parameters of PF-24 generator make it a suitable tool for testing new detection systems to be used in fusion research. Four types of such detection systems are presented in this article: three diagnostic systems used to measure electric quantities (Rogowski coil, magnetic probe, capacitance probe), neutron counter based on beryllium activation, fast neutron pinhole camera based on small-area BCF-12 plastic scintillation detectors and high-speed four-frame soft X-ray camera with microchannel plate.
Calculation of edge ion temperature and poloidal rotation velocity from carbon III triplet measurements on the COMPASS tokamak
Authors: Tomeš Matěj , Weinzettl Vladimír , Pereira Tiago , Imríšek Martin , Seidl Jakub
Published: October 2016

A high-resolution spectroscopic system for the measurements of the CIII triplet at 465 nm was installed at the COMPASS tokamak. The Doppler broadening and shift of the measured spectral lines are used to calculate the edge ion temperature and poloidal plasma rotation. At first, the spectroscopic system based on two-grating spectrometer and the calibration procedure is described. The signal processing including detection and removal of spiky features in the signal caused by hard X-rays based on the difference in the behaviour of Savitzky-Golay and median filters is explained. The detection and position estimation of individual spectral lines based on the continuous wavelet transform is shown. The method of fitting of Gaussians using the orthogonal distance regression and estimation of the error of estimation of the rotation velocity and ion temperature is described. At the end, conclusions about the performance of the spectroscopic system and its shortcomings based on summary of results calculated from 2033 processed spectral lines measured in 61 shots are drawn and the possible enhancements are suggested.
Influence of natural radium contamination of barium chloride on the determination of radium isotopes in the water samples using α/β liquid scintillation spectrometry
Authors: Nguyen Chau , Czechowska Magdalena , Nowak Jakub , Jodłowski Paweł
Published: October 2016

The determination of radium isotopes in drinking water by liquid scintillation technique requires some reagents that are used for separating radium from water samples. One of the main reagents is BaCl2·H2O. This paper presents the study of this compound and shows that barium chloride reagent is naturally contaminated with226Ra. The 226Ra activity concentration in BaCl2·H2O reagent produced by chemical companies from Poland and other countries is equal to a few dozen Bq/kg. Furthermore, 14 mL of 0.10 M BaCl2·H2O solution is the optimum amount which should be used for the chemical procedure. At the optimum amount of barium chloride and 2-hour measurement, the detection limit of 226Ra and 228Ra of the liquid scintillation counting method is equal to 5 and 30 mBq per sample, respectively.
Supply chain collaboration within the Iranian construction industry
Authors: Bidabadi Zahra Toroghi , Hosseinalipour Mujtaba , Hamidizadeh Mohammad Reza , Mohebifar Amirhossein
Published: October 2016

Collaboration is an important factor to succeed and increase the sustainability in project management and construction, especially in a construction supply chain (CSC) that includes multiple partners. Although, in recent decades, many changes have occurred in the construction industry, there are still many problems in this area. Therefore, research in this area becomes vital because collaboration is one of the best approaches to improve CSC performance. In this study, collaborative relationship has been found to be affected by three main factors: managerial, financial and structural. However, application of collaboration in Iran is still in its inception. This comprehensive research study focuses on suitable context for implementing the collaboration method. The methodology of this research is based on interviews and a review of previous research, which identifies critical factors and positive results of use in relation to collaboration. Results of this study improve our knowledge about the role of collaboration in a CSC's performance. Analysis of data shows that managerial factors have the most positive effects on the implementation of collaboration networks in CSCs, followed by financial factors and organizational factors.
Coalescent assimilation across word-boundaries in American English and in Polish English
Authors: Kaźmierski Kamil , Wojtkowiak Ewelina , Baumann Andreas
Published: October 2016

Coalescent assimilation (CA), where alveolar obstruents /t, d, s, z/ in word-final position merge with word-initial /j/ to produce postalveolar /tʃ, dʒ, ʃ, ʒ/, is one of the most wellknown connected speech processes in English. Due to its commonness, CA has been discussed in numerous textbook descriptions of English pronunciation, and yet, upon comparing them it is difficult to get a clear picture of what factors make its application likely. This paper aims to investigate the application of CA in American English to see a) what factors increase the likelihood of its application for each of the four alveolar obstruents, and b) what is the allophonic realization of plosives /t, d/ if the CA does not apply. To do so, the Buckeye Corpus (Pitt et al. 2007) of spoken American English is analyzed quantitatively. As a second step, these results are compared with Polish English; statistics analogous to the ones listed above for American English are gathered for Polish English based on the PLEC corpus (Pęzik 2012). The last section focuses on what consequences for teaching based on a native speaker model the findings have. It is argued that a description of the phenomenon that reflects the behavior of speakers of American English more accurately than extant textbook accounts could be beneficial to the acquisition of these patterns.
Multichannel analysis of the surface waves of earth materials in some parts of Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Adegbola R.B. , Oyedele K.F. , Adeoti L. , Adeloye A.B.
Published: October 2016

We present a method that utilizes multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), which was used to measure shear wave velocities, with a view to establishing the probable causes of road failure, subsidence and weakening of structures in some local government areas in Lagos, Nigeria. MASW data were acquired using a 24-channel seismograph. The acquired data were processed and transformed into a two-dimensional (2-D) structure reflective of the depth and surface wave velocity distribution within a depth of 0–15 m beneath the surface using SURFSEIS software. The shear wave velocity data were compared with other geophysical/ borehole data that were acquired along the same profile. The comparison and correlation illustrate the accuracy and consistency of MASW-derived shear wave velocity profiles. Rigidity modulus and N-value were also generated. The study showed that the low velocity/ very low velocity data are reflective of organic clay/ peat materials and thus likely responsible for the failure, subsidence and weakening of structures within the study areas.