bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Homogenization and Micro/Nano Source of Starting Powders on Format Ion of the Single YAP Phase
Authors: Michalik D. , Pawlik T. , Plewa J. , Sopicka-Lizer M.
Published: January 2017

Manufacturing high purity polycrystalline YAlO3 (YAP) ceramics could replace monocrystalline YAP thus recently it is an interesting task for low cost producers of scintillators. The paper presents influence of different source of initial oxide powders (micro/nano powders of Y2O3 and Al2O3) and the method of their homogenization on the formation of a YAP phase. The solid state reaction method was used to prepare YAP powder or ceramic pellets. After preheating, all samples in the form of powders and pellets were heat-treated in the temperature range of 1050-1650 °C. DTA method was applied for examination of the phase crystallization in the tested system. X-ray diffraction method (XRD) was used for characterization of the phase composition. X-ray microanalysis (EDS) was used to control homogeneity in the small areas. Morphology of the resultant samples are presented on SEM pictures. The results show a significant influence of the starting powders on the homogeneity, purity and temperature of formation of the main phase.
Effectiveness of Protective Action of Coatings from Moisture Sorption into Surface Layer of Sand Moulds
Authors: Kaźnica N. , Zych J.
Published: January 2017

The results of investigations of the sorption process of surface layers of sand moulds covered by zirconium and zirconium - graphite alcohol coatings are presented in the paper. Investigations comprised two kinds of sand grains (silica sand and reclaimed sand) of moulding sand with furan resin. Tests were performed under conditions of a high relative air humidity 75 - 85% and a constant temperature within the range 28 – 33°C. To evaluate the effectiveness of coatings protective action from moisture penetration into surface layers of sand moulds gravimetric method of quantitavie moisture sorption and ultrasonic method were applied in measurements.

The optimal number and kind of coatings from the viewpoint of protection from moisture sorption were specified for furan moulding sands with quartz sand and reclaimed sand as well.

Knowledge of proper coatings selection is important due to protection from high air humidity and its adverse effects. What is more, it can allow to select the proper storage conditions of casting moulds waiting for being poured with liquid metals. This can limit the occurrence of surface defects which are caused by too high humidity of casting moulds, especially in surface layer.
Influence of Rolling Friction Coefficient on Inter-Particle Percolation in a Packed Bed by Discrete Element Method
Authors: Zhou Heng , Luo Zhiguo , Zhang Tao , You Yang , Li Haifeng , Zou Zongshu
Published: January 2017

Rolling friction representing the energy dissipation mechanism with the elastic deformation at the contact point could act directly on particle percolation. The present investigation intends to elucidate the influence of rolling friction coefficient on inter-particle percolation in a packed bed by discrete element method (DEM). The results show that the vertical velocity of percolating particles decreases with increasing the rolling friction coefficient. With the increase of rolling friction coefficient, the transverse dispersion coefficient decreases, but the longitudinal dispersion coefficient increases. Packing height has a limited effect on the transverse and longitudinal dispersion coefficient. In addition, with the increase of size ratio of bed particles to percolation ones, the percolation velocity increases. The transverse dispersion coefficient increases with the size ratio before D/d<14. And it would keep constant when the size ratio is greater than 14. The longitudinal dispersion coefficient decreases when the size ratio increases up to D/d=14, then increases with the increase of the size ratio. External forces affect the percolation behaviours. Increasing the magnitude of the upward force (e.g. from a gas stream) reduces the percolation velocity, and decreases the dispersion coefficient.
Characterization of Selected Parameters of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Membranes Based on Various Polymers and Nd-Fe-B Fillers
Authors: Rybak A. , Rybak Au. , Kaszuwara W.
Published: January 2017

In this paper magnetic organic-inorganic hybrid membranes based on EC, PPO polymer matrices and various magnetic powder microparticles were synthesized and studied. Constant pressure permeation technique and the Time Lag method were used to obtain the gas transport coefficients. The mechanical, rheological and magnetic parameters of magnetic hybrid membranes were examined. It was found that their separation and gas transport properties (D, P, S and α) were improved with the decrease in powder particle size and the increase of membrane’s remanence, saturation magnetization and magnetic particle filling. The increase of the magnetic powder addition and a decrease of its granulation improved also mechanical and rheological parameters of the tested membranes. This improvement also had a positive effect on their gas separation properties and their potential usage in the future.
Modeling of Railway Wheels Made of Austempered Ductile Iron
Authors: Giętka T. , Ciechacki K.
Published: January 2017

A person is forced to travel constantly throughout its entire life. The more modern the society, the greater the pace of life, and the greater the need to be present in many places that are distant from each other. Rail transport occupies second place in this regard, after air transport. This means of transportation has many advantages, however the time of travel requires continuous improvement, in particular, to match the competition. One factor limiting the speed of travel is inter-operation between the wheels – rail kinematic pair. When rolling on a rail, a wheel is subject to wear, which unavoidably leads to its degradation. Frequent damage to both the wheel and the rail necessitates consideration of this problem. Because any changes to the rail are very expensive and time-consuming, this paper focuses on possible changes to the wheel.

This paper is of an analytical nature and is based on sources in the literature, as well as on own simulations. The objective of the paper is to indicate the advantages of using ADI (Austempered Ductile Iron) as a material for the wheel of a railway rolling stock through analysis of available scientific materials and analysis based on a conducted simulation. The application of ADI on a large scale would certainly make a large impact on the development of railway engineering, significantly reducing the costs of manufacturing the product and its future exploitation.
The Tribological Properties and the Microstructure Investigations of Tin Babbit with Pb Addition after Heat Treatment
Authors: Leszczyńska-Madej B. , Madej M.
Published: January 2017

The results of tribological tests and microstructure examinations of tin babbit with 1.5 % Pb addition after heat treatment are presented in this paper. The specimens were annealed at 150°C for 2, 8, 24 and 48 hours and then tested for wear resistance and Brinell hardness. The wear tests were carried out using a block-on-ring tester operating under dry and wet conditions. The samples were also investigated by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
X-Ray Topography of the Subsurface Crystal Layers in the Skew Asymmetric Reflection Geometry
Authors: Swiątek Z. , Fodchuk I.
Published: January 2017

The technique of X ray topography with the asymmetric reflection geometry of X-ray diffraction presented in this paper as useful tool for structural characterization of materials, particularly, epitaxial thin films and semiconductor multi-layered crystal systems used for the optoelectronic devices. New possibilities of this technique for a layer-by-layer visualization of structural changes in the subsurface crystal layers are demonstrated for semiconductors after various types of surface treatment, such as chemical etching, laser irradiation and ion implantation.
The Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cylindrical Elements from Steel 38Mn6 after Continuous Induction Heating
Authors: Smalcerz A. , Barglik J. , Kuc D. , Ducki K. , Wasiński S.
Published: January 2017

The paper deals with the influence of induction surface hardening on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cylindrical elements made of steel 38Mn6. The first stage was based on computer simulation of the induction hardening process. The second stage - experiments were provided on laboratory stand for induction surface hardening located at the Silesian University of Technology. Microstructure tests were conducted on light and scanning microscopes. The hardness penetration pattern and thickness of hardened layer were marked. It was found that due to properly chosen parameters of the process, the appropriate properties and thickness of hardened layer were achieved.
Analysis of the Slab Temperature, Thermal Stresses and Fractures Computed with the Implementation of Local and Average Boundary Conditions in the Secondary Cooling Zones
Authors: Hadała B. , Malinowski Z. , Telejko T.
Published: January 2017

The numerical simulations of the temperature fields have been accomplished for slab casting made of a low carbon steel. The casting process of slab of 1500 mm in width and 225 mm in height has been modeled. Two types of boundary condition models of heat transfer have been employed in numerical simulations. The heat transfer coefficient in the first boundary condition model was calculated from the formula which takes into account the slab surface temperature and water flow rate in each secondary cooling zone. The second boundary condition model defines the heat transfer coefficient around each water spray nozzle. The temperature fields resulting from the average in zones water flow rate and from the nozzles arrangement have been compared. The thermal stresses and deformations resulted from such temperature field have given higher values of fracture criterion at slab corners.
Microstructure Examinations in Corners of the Low-Carbon Steel Slabs from Continuos Caster Machine
Authors: Kwinta G. , Kara S. , Kalandyk B. , Zapała R. , Pałka P.
Published: January 2017

The exposed selvedge layers in slabs cast by the continuous process should be free from surface defects, which in most cases appear in the form of cracks on the casting surface and run to its interior. In addition to the parameters of the casting process, the occurrence of such defects depends on the chemical composition of cast steel, on the segregation of surface active elements and formation of the precipitates of carbides, nitrides and other phases. Due to the frequent occurrence of defects in corners of the slabs, non-destructive testing was performed on the mechanically cleaned surfaces of slabs. The test material was low-carbon API(American Petroleum Institute API 5L standard) steel micro alloyed with Nb and Ti designed for the production of pipes to handle gas, oil and other liquid and gaseous fuels. Despite the use of different methods of inspection, i.e. ultrasonic, magnetic particle and penetrant, cracks were not traced in the examined material. Then, from the corners of the examined slabs, specimens were cut out for metallographic examinations. The main purpose of these examinations was to disclose the presence of possible cracks and micro cracks on the surfaces transversal and longitudinal to the direction of casting. At the same time, studies were conducted to establish the number and morphology of non-metallic inclusions in selvedge layers of the slab corners and axis. Additionally, hardness of the slabs was measured. The conducted studies revealed only some minor differences in the slab hardness along its axis (130 ÷ 135 HB) and in selvedge layers (120 ÷ 123 HB).
Experimental Methods of Validation for Numerical Simulation Results on Steel Flow through Tundish
Authors: Pieprzyca J. , Warzecha P. , Merder T. , Warzecha M.
Published: January 2017

The article presents experimental results on the impact of tundish flow regulator influencing the liquid steel flow course. The research was conducted based on the hybrid modelling methods understood as a complementary use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods and physical modelling. Dynamic development of numerical simulation techniques and accessibility to highly advanced and specialized software causes the fact that these techniques are commonly used for solving problems related to liquid flows by using analytical methods. Whereas, physical modelling is an important cognitive tool in the field of empirical identification of these phenomena. This allows for peer review and specification of the researched problems. By exploiting these relationships, a comparison of the obtained results was performed in the form of residence time distribution (RTD) curves and visualization of particular types of liquid steel flow distribution zones in the investigated tundish.
An Innovative Method for the Dehydration Hardening of Modified Inorganic Binders
Authors: Izdebska-Szanda I. , Kamińska J. , Angrecki M. , Palma A. , Madej W.
Published: January 2017

The results of research on the possibility of using a gaseous medium (hot air) as a hardening agent for inorganic binders were discussed, and tests on the reclamation of waste moulding sands were carried out. The research programme also included the use of a modernized test stand for hardening of foundry sands with gaseous agents and a pilot plant for the sand reclamation.

Cores made on the test stand were examined for the basic technological properties and were also used in moulds for the trial knocking out of castings.

Two types of binders were tested, i.e. a modified water glass designated as Binder A and, for comparison, a reference material which was hydrated sodium silicate R145. The hardener for the sand mixtures was hot air (the dehydration of water glass). Trials of the sand reclamation were carried out in a laboratory pilot plant, installed and operating at the Foundry Research Institute. The obtained reclaim was added in different amounts to the sand mixtures subjected to technological tests. The next step included the manufacture of test moulds, pouring them with aluminium alloy, and knocking out of castings to test the collapsibility of moulds and cores.
Fatigue Life and Microstructure after Multiple Remelting of A359 Matrix Composites Reinforced with SiC Particles
Authors: Klasik A. , Maj M. , Pietrzak K. , Wojciechowski A. , Sobczak J.
Published: January 2017

The article presents the results of fatigue life tests and microstructure examinations of A359 alloy matrix composites (F3S.10S and F3S.30S) containing 10 and 30wt% of SiC particles, subjected to multiple remelting by conventional gravity casting. Mechanical characteristics were determined in a modified low cycle fatigue (MLCF) test, enabling rapid estimation of fatigue life and other mechanical parameters in practice of any material. Qualitative and quantitative metallographic examinations were also carried out. The quantitative evaluation of microstructure was performed by computer image analysis. A set of geometrical parameters of the reinforcing particles, pores and eutectic precipitates present in the metal matrix was determined. The relationships between the mechanical parameters, structural characteristics and the number of remelting operations were presented. It was found that up to the fourth remelting, the mechanical characteristics, including fatigue life, are slightly deteriorated but decrease gradually in the subsequent operations of remelting. The observed effect is mainly due to the shrinkage porosity occurring as a result of gravity casting. To eliminate this defect, the use of squeeze casting process was recommended. It has also been shown that multiple remelting can be an easy and economically well-founded alternative to other more expensive recycling methods.
Investigation of the Results of Combined Reclamation on the Particular Stages of Grain Matrix Recovery
Authors: Łucarz M. , Dańko R. , Dereń M. , Skrzyński M.
Published: January 2017

In this article, there were presented the results of research on combined mechanical and thermal regeneration of waste moulding sand with furfuryl resin originated from one of national foundries manufacturing aluminium alloys castings. Attempts of mechanical reclamation were led on the REGMAS reclaimer enabling to realize preliminary and primary reclamation with use of two modes of mechanical interactions on waste moulding sand. In the first attempt the reclaimer worked without any additional regenerating elements, and as the second solution, the reclaimer operated with additional crushing and abrasive elements to increase the result of primary reclamation. Thermal reclamation was led in the prototypic thermal reclaimer, enabling to fully control the process of grain matrix recovery. As a result of completed investigations the small efficiency of mechanical reclamation was determined. However, use of combined regeneration allowed for obtaining grain matrix of high purity. Thermal regeneration was conducted in prototypic thermal reclaimer. Evaluation of reclaim (reclaimed material) quality was carried out in the way of iginition losses and grain-size analysis, surface morphology and also by executing of strength testing of moulding sand prepared on obtained grain matrix for the particular reclamation operations.
Prediction of Microstructure in ADI Castings
Authors: Guzik E. , Sokolnicki M. , Królikowski M. , Ronduda M. , Nowak A.
Published: January 2017

Tests were carried out on samples of low-alloy ductile iron with additions of Ni, Cu and Mo, subjected to austempering heat treatment. The samples were austenitized at 850, 900 and 950 °C, and then austempered at T = 210, 240, 270, 300 and 330 °C. The ausferritizing treatment was carried out in a salt bath for the time τ = 2 - 8 hours. Additionally, tests and studies covered samples subjected to the ausferritizing treatment at 270 °C with the time of holding castings in a bath from 2 to 24 hours. Evaluation covered the results of the ADI microstructure examinations and hardness measurements. The ADI matrix morphology was identified counting the average number of ausferrite plates and measuring their width and spacing. The regression equations HB = f (τ, T) and τ = f (HB, T) were derived to establish the, so-called, “process window”, allowing obtaining a priori the required microstructure of ADI and, consequently, the required mechanical properties, mainly hardness, shaping the functional properties of castings, abrasion wear resistance – in particular.
Parallel communicating grammar systems with context-free components are Turing complete for any communication model
Authors: Wilkin Mary Sarah Ruth , Bruda Stefan D.
Published: January 2017

Parallel Communicating Grammar Systems (PCGS) were introduced as a language-theoretic treatment of concurrent systems. A PCGS extends the concept of a grammar to a structure that consists of several grammars working in parallel, communicating with each other, and so contributing to the generation of strings. PCGS are usually more powerful than a single grammar of the same type; PCGS with context-free components (CF-PCGS) in particular were shown to be Turing complete. However, this result only holds when a specific type of communication (which we call broadcast communication, as opposed to one-step communication) is used. We expand the original construction that showed Turing completeness so that broadcast communication is eliminated at the expense of introducing a significant number of additional, helper component grammars. We thus show that CF-PCGS with one-step communication are also Turing complete. We introduce in the process several techniques that may be usable in other constructions and may be capable of removing broadcast communication in general.
Jet browser model accelerated by GPUs
Authors: Forster Richárd , Ágnes Fülöp
Published: January 2017

In the last centuries the experimental particle physics began to develop thank to growing capacity of computers among others. It is allowed to know the structure of the matter to level of quark gluon. Plasma in the strong interaction. Experimental evidences supported the theory to measure the predicted results. Since its inception the researchers are interested in the track reconstruction. We studied the jet browser model, which was developed for 4π calorimeter. This method works on the measurement data set, which contain the components of interaction points in the detector space and it allows to examine the trajectory reconstruction of the final state particles. We keep the total energy in constant values and it satisfies the Gauss law. Using GPUs the evaluation of the model can be drastically accelerated, as we were able to achieve up to 223 fold speedup compared to a CPU based parallel implementation.
Satellite image fusion using fuzzy logic
Authors: Kumaraswamy Suda , Srinivasa Rao Dammavalam , Naveen Kumar Nuthanapati
Published: January 2017

Image fusion is a method of combining the Multispectral (MS) and Panchromatic (PAN) images into one image contains more information than any of the input. Image fusion aim is to decrease unknown and weaken common data in the fused output image at the same time improving necessary information. Fused images are helpful in various applications like, remote sensing, computer vision, biometrics, change detection, image analysis and image classification. Conventional fusion methods are having some side effects like assertive spatial information and uncertain color information is an usually the problem in PCA and wavelet transform based fusion is a computationally in depth process. In order to overcome these side effects and to propose alternative soft computing fusion approach for conventional fusion methods we exploit image fusion using fuzzy logic technique to fuse two source images obtained from different sensors to enhance both spectral and spatial information. The proposed work here further compared with two common fusion methods like, principal component analysis (PCA) and wavelet transform along with quality assessment metrics. Exploratory outputs demonstrated in order that fuzzy based image fusion technique can actively retains more information compared to PCA and wavelet transform approaches while enhancing the spatial and spectral resolution of the satellite images.
Convergence Analysis of a Three Step Newton-like Method for Nonlinear Equations in Banach Space under Weak Conditions
Authors: Argyros Ioannis K. , George Santhosh
Published: January 2017

In the present paper, we study the local convergence analysis of a fifth convergence order method considered by Sharma and Guha in [15] to solve equations in Banach space. Using our idea of restricted convergence domains we extend the applicability of this method. Numerical examples where earlier results cannot apply to solve equations but our results can apply are also given in this study.
Concircular Curvature Tensor of a Semi-symmetric Non-metric Connection on P-Sasakian Manifolds
Authors: Barman Ajit , Ghosh Gopal
Published: January 2017

The object of the present paper is to study P-Sasakian manifolds admitting a semi-symmetric non-metric connection whose concircular curvature tensor satisfies certain curvature conditions
Inequalities of Čebyšev Type for Lipschitzian Functions in Banach Algebras
Authors: Boldea Marius V.
Published: January 2017

In this paper we give some Čebyšev type norm inequalities for two Lipschitzian functions on Banach algebras. Some examples for power function, exponential and the resolvent functions are also provided
A new design and a weighting strategy of a survey on tourist activity of the Croatian population
Authors: Gligorova Lidija , Kožul Marijana
Published: January 2017

Until 2014, the sample for the statistical survey Tourist Activity of the Population of the Republic of Croatia, shortly named as TADS, was a quota sample. The sample selection and the data collection for the survey in the Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) mode were conducted by a hired marketing research agency. In the summer of 2014, the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (CBS) set up its own call centre for CATI surveys. At the beginning of 2015, the CBS started developing a new probability sample design and a weighting strategy of TADS. The surveys of all the four quarters of 2015, fully conducted by the CBS, were treated as test surveys. The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate the finally accepted overlapping dual-frame survey design and a weighting procedure based on the sample data collected in all the quarters of 2015. The paper shows how the new design is incorporated in the existing circumstances in which surveys are conducted. The overlapping dual-frame survey design of TADS produces survey estimates related to the whole survey population based on two independent samples from two overlapping sampling frames (the first sampling frame consists of landline phone numbers from the phone book and the second one consists of mobile phone numbers from the phone book). In spite of a large undercoverage of the survey population in the phone book, using both phone types in TADS improves the total coverage of the survey population and relieves a problem of coverage and response bias. The applied weighting procedure is described systematically. The probability sampling allows calculating quality indicators such as standard errors of survey estimates and helps optimizing the survey process.
Anthomyzidae (Diptera) of Iturup Island (Russia: Kuril Islands)
Authors: Roháček Jindřich , Przhiboro Andrey
Published: January 2017

New records of Anthomyzidae (Diptera) from the Iturup Island (Kuril archipelago, Far Eastern Russia) are presented based on the material collected by the expedition to this island in 2011. Five species of Anthomyza are recorded, including three species new to the local dipterous fauna, viz. A. collini Andersson, 1976, A. elbergi Andersson, 1976 and A. flavosterna Sueyoshi & Roháček, 2003; moreover, A. collini is recorded from the E. Palaearctic region for the first time. Distribution and biology are reviewed for each of the seven species of Anthomyzidae known from the Iturup I. with the new information obtained. Biodiversity of Anthomyzidae in the Iturup I. is discussed with respect to the faunas known from adjacent areas.
New records of Gypsophila perfoliata (Caryophyllaceae) in Poland
Authors: Pliszko Artur
Published: January 2017

The paper presents two new records of alien Gypsophila perfoliata in Poland. It was found on 16 September 2016 in Bodzanów and Łapczyca, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland, growing on roadside slopes and in roadside ditch. The updated map of distribution is presented using the ATPOL cartogram method, and the pathways of introduction and spreading are discussed.
Automated Metabolic P System Placement in FPGA
Authors: Kulakovskis Darius , Navakauskas Dalius
Published: January 2017

An original Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) code generation tool that can be used to automate Metabolic P (MP) system implementation in hardware such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) is described. Unlike P systems, MP systems use a single membrane in their computations. Nevertheless, there are many biological processes that have been successfully modeled by MP systems in software. This is the first attempt to analyze MP system hardware implementations. Two different MP systems are investigated with the purpose of verifying the developed software: the model of glucose–insulin interactions in the Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test (IVGTT), and the Non-Photochemical Quenching process. The implemented systems’ calculation accuracy and hardware resource usage are examined. It is found that code generation tool works adequately; however, a final decision has to be done by the developer because sometimes several implementation architecture alternatives have to be considered. As an archetypical example serves the IVGTT MP systems’ 21–23 bits FPGA implementation manifesting this in the Digital Signal Processor (DSP), slice, and 4-input LUT usage.
TCP Performance in Multi-Polling Game Theory-Based IEEE 802.11 Networks
Authors: Cuzanauskas Tomas , Anskaitis Aurimas
Published: January 2017

Easy usage and integration with various applications made IEEE 802.11 one of the most used technologies these days, both at home and business premises. Over the years, there have been many additional improvements to the 802.11 standards. Nevertheless, the algorithms and Media Access Control (MAC) layer methods are almost the same as in previous Wi-Fi versions. In this paper, a set of methods to improve the total system capacity is proposed – such as efficient transmit power management based on Game Theory with a custom wireless medium protocol. The transmit power management and wireless medium protocol is verified by both simulation and real application scenarios. The results conclude that the capacity of the proposed wireless medium protocol is overall 20 percent higher than the standard 802.11 wireless medium access protocols. Additional TCP Acknowledgment filtering, which was tested together with the proposed wireless medium access protocol, can provide up to 10-percent-higher TCP throughput in high-density scenarios, especially for asymmetrical traffic cases. The conducted research suggests that efficient power management could result in lighter transmit power allocation rules that are currently set by the local regulators for current Wi-Fi devices. Thus, better propagation characteristics and wireless medium management would lead to an overall higher wireless system capacity.
The Interdependence of Leader-Member Exchange Relation and the Leadership Style: Research in Serbian Organisations
Authors: Stojanović Aleksić Vesna , Stanisavljević Milena , Bošković Aleksandra
Published: January 2017

The interdependence of leader behaviour, leadership styles and interpersonal relations with followers suggests a need to investigate various aspects of leadership from the perspective of a follower, which is the main subject of the paper. The study aims to determine the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX) in order to reach a conclusion on whether the perception of followers on the quality of LMX affects the leadership style and which style is the most commonly used. The empirical research was conducted in 2015, in the Republic of Serbia, on a sample of 100 respondents, employees in 12 organisations, using the survey method. The results show there is the highest positive correlation between high quality LMX and participatory leadership style. In the opinion of the followers, achievement-oriented style is the most common, regardless of the fact that there are high quality LMX in the majority of companies in the sample. The importance of research is in highlighting the role of followers in the process of organisational leadership, as active and equal participants. Practical contribution is reflected in giving guidance for leaders for more active involvement of followers in the decision making process and adapting leadership style to specific traits of followers and the situational circumstances. Studies of this type are not often in the local organisational theory and practice.
Between Urban and Rural: Sustainability of Small Towns in the Czech Republic
Authors: Vaishar Antonín , Zapletalová Jana , Nováková Eva
Published: January 2017

The paper analyses the position of small towns in the Czech settlement system. It deals with the definition of small towns, their geographical positions, demographic characteristics and functions in the national settlement system. A typology of small towns aimed at individual pillars of their sustainability is one of the results of the paper. The article discusses the position of small towns as part of the urban world and their position as a part of the countryside. It concludes that small towns are functionally important as rural centres. However, differences between urban and rural seem to be less important than differences among individual types of the Czech countryside (suburban, intermediate, inner periphery, borderland).
An overview of maritime pine private non-industrial forest in the centre of Portugal: A 19-year case study
Authors: Alegria Cristina , Canavarro Teixeira Maria
Published: January 2017

Portuguese national policies for forests were developed considering related themes such as climate change, forest health, fire and the protective functions of forests. In Portugal, maritime pine forest is mainly private non-industrial and its area is in decline. Therefore, the aim of this study was two-fold: first, to assess maritime pine forest characteristics over a 19-year period; second, to analyse forest cover change over that period. In the end, the implementation of state policies was explored. A study area highly forested by continuous areas of naturally regenerated maritime pine in the centre of Portugal was used. To assess maritime pine forest characteristics, two sets of inventory data collected in previous studies (1991-1996 and 2007-2010) were used. To analyse forest cover change, the official land cover maps for 1990 and 2007 were used. This study findings highlighted that study area’s trends over the past years were the following: first, the decrease of maritime pine forest areas and its management decline (stands less stable, under-stocked, with large amounts of small-diameter poles and enlarged tree size variability); second, the increase of scrubland areas; third, the increase of eucalyptus afforestation with no regard for protection areas; and fourth, the absence of native oaks or introduction of other broadleaves as recommended by the state policies. Therefore, it is argued that there is a need for effective field monitoring actions with regard to the implementation of state policies. Additionally, selective incentives are key to mobilise private non-industrial forest to achieve the goals of state forest policies.
Root biomass of Fagus sylvatica L. stands depending on the climatic conditions
Authors: Grygoruk Dorota
Published: January 2017

Fine root biomass of forest trees is a recognised indicator of environmental changes in the conditions of global climate change. The present study was carried out in six old-growth beech forests (112-140 years) located in different climatic conditions on the range border of Fagus sylvatica L. in Poland. The root biomass was investigated by soil coring method in the upper soil layers (0-5 cm, 5-15 cm and total layer 0-15 cm). The significantly greater total root biomass was found in the beech stands, which characterised by higher average precipitation and lower average annual temperatures in the period 2000-2005. The share of roots of diameter > 5 mm increased with increasing depth of top soils. Biomass of fine roots (diameter ≤ 2 mm) decreased with increasing depth of upper soil layers. The average biomass of fine roots ranged from 175.36 to 418.16 g m-2 in the soil layer 0-15 cm. The significant differences of fine root biomass were found between studied stands in the soil layers 0-5 cm and 0-15 cm. Also, it was found significant positive correlation between fine root biomass in the soil layer 0-15 cm and precipitation during the growing season in 2006. Precipitation in the study period was connected with very high rainfall in August 2006, repeatedly exceeding the long-term monthly levels. Regional climatic conditions, in that extreme weather events in growing seasons can significantly to affect changes of fine root biomass of forest trees, consequently, changes of relationships between the growth of above- and below-ground of the old-growth forest stands.
The local Langlands conjecture for p-adic GSpin4, GSpin6, and their inner forms
Authors: Asgari Mahdi , Choiy Kwangho
Published: January 2017

We establish the local Langlands conjecture for small rank general spin groups

GSpin
4

{\mathrm{GSpin}_{4}}

and

GSpin
6

{\mathrm{GSpin}_{6}}

as well as their inner forms. We construct appropriate
L-packets and prove that these L-packets satisfy the properties expected of
them to the extent that the corresponding local factors are available. We are also able to
determine the exact sizes of the L-packets in many cases.
Variable exponent Herz type Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Xu Jingshi , Yang Xiaodi
Published: January 2017

We establish the boundedness of the vector-valued Hardy–Littlewood maximal operator in variable exponent Herz spaces, which were introduced by Samko in [33].
We also introduce variable exponent Herz type Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces and give characterizations of these new spaces by maximal functions.
Multi-Objective Optimal Operation for Transmission Systems Considering Voltage Stability
Authors: Furukakoi Masahiro , Howlader Harun Or Rashid , Shigenobu Ryuto , Senjyu Tomonobu
Published: January 2017

Due to the liberalization of electric power market, many power producers are entering into the power market. Most of electric power company have been introduced renewable energies that might increase the power system uncertainty. Therefore, it is expected that rise might the likelihood of voltage instability and voltage collapse. In addition, fluctuations in supply and demand are increased by the introduction of a renewable energies. However, by using the Energy storage systems (ESS), the power fluctuations can be reduced. On account of this, we suggest the optimal operation method of the generator and the ESS by considering the voltage stability in this paper. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation results in the Matlab/simulink.
Modeling of Tea Infusion Kinetics Incorporating Swelling Kinetics
Authors: Farakte Raosaheb A. , Yadav Geeta U. , Joshi Bhushan S. , Patwardhan Ashwin W. , Singh Gurmeet
Published: January 2017

Mathematical model to predict tea infusion kinetics which accounts for swelling kinetics of tea granules is presented. Swelling kinetics of tea granules has never been taken into account for models developed so far. Differential equations (DEs) for concentration of tea constituents inside tea granule with respect to radius and time were derived. Solution methodology for these DEs is developed based on Crank-Nicholson scheme. Tea infusion profile is obtained using this model by knowing the swelling kinetics, partition constant and initial contents in tea granules. Diffusivity and product of interfacial area (As
) and backward rate constant (k
−1) are the fitting parameters. Model prediction is fitted to the experimental data published previously (R
2 = 0.90–0.98). The fitted diffusivity (3.33 × 10−10 m2/s) and Ask
−1 (2 m3/(kg.s)) predicted the infusion profile of other sized tea granules very well. This model predicts the infusion during initial stage very accurately without any empirical parameter.
Statics and Kinematics in Cyclic Behaviour of Semi-Rigid Steel Structures
Authors: Moldovan Corina - Ana
Published: January 2017

The contribution presents a set of seismic analyses of multi - storey steel structures with semi-rigid beam column connections acted upon by seismic actions. Semi-rigidity of the structures beam to column connections is conferred by two types of beam to column connections: top and seat and web angle (TSW) and end-plate (EP) joints. Computed numerical results are associated to two classes (static and kinematic) of seismic behaviour parameters expressing the two contradictory effects of semi-rigidity. On one hand, the lateral flexibility induces larger lateral displacements while, on the other hand, it attracts smaller base shear seismic forces. Also, the constitutive relation M − θrinduced into semi- rigid beam column connections by seismic actions is presented. The results are presented in their numerical form and in a comparative graphical manner allowing for relevant comments and conclusions
Impact of Tax Relief on Public Finance
Authors: Bikas Egidijus , Jurevičiūtė Lina
Published: January 2017

Tax reliefs are optional, but a very important element of the taxation system. This element is used for different purposes by a country’s government institutions. Tax reliefs are a form of tax expenditure that helps to reduce budget revenues. Tax reliefs influence individual and corporate financial behaviour and can have positive or negative effects on the economic and social factors. In the last few years, expansion of tax relief has attracted worldwide attention because of the fact that, after the global financial crisis, many countries are still suffering from fiscal deficits, and expansion of tax relief has not contributed to solving this problem. Tax reliefs are presupposed to be a fiscal policy tool of significance in various subsystems of public finances. The main aim of this article is to examine the impact of personal income tax reliefs on Lithuanian public finances. To achieve this aim, statistical information was systemized; Monte Carlo method was used to group data by horizontal rows and logical links analysed, which helped to evaluate the influence of tax reliefs on public finances. In the simulations, the Monte Carlo method helped to simulate random samples, which were then examined by adapting the conclusions of the theory of probability and mathematical statistics methods.
Is unstable reliable? Oxygen conditions in the ecological status assessment of lakes
Authors: Soszka Hanna , Pasztaleniec Agnieszka , Kolada Agnieszka
Published: January 2017

The Water Framework Directive introduces the requirement for ecological status assessment based primarily on aquatic organisms and supporting physico-chemical elements, including oxygen conditions. The criteria for assessing oxygen conditions applied in routine lake monitoring in Poland are based on the mean hypolimnetic saturation with oxygen at the peak of summer stagnation in stratified lakes, and on the oxygen content at the bottom in the summer in polimictic lakes. The currently used oxygen criteria usually cause dismay, particularly if biological elements indicate at least good ecological status and the oxygen conditions are the only reason for lowering status class. The aim of the article is to present the scale of variability of oxygen conditions in selected lakes within the last two decades and to analyse the limitations and conditions of applying this indicator in routine monitoring, assessment and classification of Polish lakes. Data from the years 1999–2015 on oxygen and thermal conditions in a set of nine benchmark lakes in Poland were examined and the reasons for changeability in water oxygenation from year to year were discussed. Alternative oxygen indicators were considered as well as oxygen standards based on fish protection requirements that have been adopted in some European countries. It was suggested that when assessing lake ecological status, data on the oxygen conditions from a number of years must be taken into consideration, e.g., for the analysis of trends in lake trophy changes or for documenting the effects of remedial actions in lake catchment areas in long time frames.
Toward “Reciprocal Legitimation” between Shakespeare’s Works and Manga
Authors: Yoshihara Yukari
Published: January 2017

In April 2014, Nihon Hoso Kyokai (NHK: Japan Broadcasting Company) aired a short animated film titled “Ophelia, not yet”. Ophelia, in this animation, survives, as she is a backstroke champion. This article will attempt to contextualize the complex negotiations, struggles and challenges between high culture and pop culture, between Western culture and Japanese culture, between authoritative cultural products and radicalized counterculture consumer products (such as animation), to argue that it would be more profitable to think of the relationships between highbrow/lowbrow, Western/non-Western, male versus female, heterosexual versus non-heterosexual, not simply in terms of dichotomies or domination/subordination, but in terms of reciprocal enrichment in a never-ending process of mutual metamorphoses.
Nonlinear optical response of some Graphene oxide and Graphene fluoride derivatives
Authors: Liaros Nikolaos , Orfanos Ioannis , Papadakis Ioannis , Couris Stelios
Published: January 2017

The nonlinear optical properties of two graphene derivatives, graphene oxide and graphene fluoride, are investigated by means of the Z-scan technique employing 35 ps and 4 ns, visible (532 nm) laser excitation. Both derivatives were found to exhibit significant third-order nonlinear optical response at both excitation regimes, with the nonlinear absorption being relatively stronger and concealing the presence of nonlinear refraction under ns excitation, while ps excitation reveals the presence of both nonlinear absorption and refraction. Both nonlinear properties are of great interest for several photonics, opto-fluidics, opto-electronics and nanotechnology applications.
The role of industrial processes in the reduction of selected greenhouse gases emission
Authors: Sadowski Maciej , Romańczak Anna , Kargulewicz Iwona
Published: January 2017

The paper presents an analysis of the selected anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG) emission sources in industrial processes, as well as the mitigation policies and measures in Annex I Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. [Text of the United Nations … 1992].The main gas in this category is carbon dioxide, but several countries have a dominant share of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with a clear upward trend in their emissions. In Poland, the majority of the GHG emissions from industrial processes come from three categories: refrigeration and air-conditioning (HFCs), cement production (CO2) and ammonia production (CO2). An analysis of the policies and measures implemented or planned in this group of countries shows that voluntary programs and agreements among governments and stakeholders are the most effective. A crucial element of the voluntary programs is the support to assist enterprises in the transition to the best low carbon technologies and practices.
Cephaloziella konstantinovae (Cephaloziellaceae, Marchantiophyta), A New Leafy Liverwort Species from Russia and Mongolia Identified by Integrative Taxonomy
Authors: Mamontov Yuriy S. , Vilnet Anna A.
Published: January 2017

In the course of a taxonomic study of the genusCephaloziella(Spruce) Schiffn. (Cephaloziellaceae, Marchantiophyta) in Asia, the new speciesCephaloziella konstantinovaeMamontov & Vilnet,sp. nov., from the eastern regions of Russia and from the Republic of Mongolia was discovered. The new species is formally described and illustrated here. Morphologically it is similar toC. divaricatavar.asperifolia(Taylor) Damsh., but differs in its leaf shape and thin-walled, inflated stem and leaf cells. The new species can be distinguished from otherCephaloziellataxa by the following characters: (i) female bracts entirely free from each other and from bracteole, (ii) perianth campanulate, (iii) cells of perianth mouth subquadrate, (iv) capsule spherical, (v) seta with 8–10 + 4–6-seriate morphology, and (vi) elaters with 1–2 spiral bands. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of nrITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and chloroplasttrnL-F sequences from 63 samples (34 species, 23 genera) confirm the taxonomical status of the new species. Five specimens ofC. konstantinovaeform a clade placed sister to a clade ofC. elachista(J. B. Jack) Schiffn. andC. rubella(Nees) Warnst.