bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain (BET) Family: Functional Anatomy of BET Paralogous Proteins
Authors: Taniguchi Yasushi
Published: November 2016

The Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain (BET) family of proteins is characterized by the presence of two tandem bromodomains and an extra-terminal domain. The mammalian BET family of proteins comprises BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT, which are encoded by paralogous genes that may have been generated by repeated duplication of an ancestral gene during evolution. Bromodomains that can specifically bind acetylated lysine residues in histones serve as chromatin-targeting modules that decipher the histone acetylation code. BET proteins play a crucial role in regulating gene transcription through epigenetic interactions between bromodomains and acetylated histones during cellular proliferation and differentiation processes. On the other hand, BET proteins have been reported to mediate latent viral infection in host cells and be involved in oncogenesis. Human BRD4 is involved in multiple processes of the DNA virus life cycle, including viral replication, genome maintenance, and gene transcription through interaction with viral proteins. Aberrant BRD4 expression contributes to carcinogenesis by mediating hyperacetylation of the chromatin containing the cell proliferation-promoting genes. BET bromodomain blockade using small-molecule inhibitors gives rise to selective repression of the transcriptional network driven by c-MYC These inhibitors are expected to be potential therapeutic drugs for a wide range of cancers. This review presents an overview of the basic roles of BET proteins and highlights the pathological functions of BET and the recent developments in cancer therapy targeting BET proteins in animal models.
Yeast Gup1(2) Proteins Are Homologues of the Hedgehog Morphogens Acyltransferases HHAT(L): Facts and Implications
Authors: Lucas Cândida , Ferreira Célia , Cazzanelli Giulia , Franco-Duarte Ricardo , Tulha Joana
Published: November 2016

In multiple tissues, the Hedgehog secreted morphogen activates in the receiving cells a pathway involved in cell fate, proliferation and differentiation in the receiving cells. This pathway is particularly important during embryogenesis. The protein HHAT (Hedgehog O-acyltransferase) modifies Hh morphogens prior to their secretion, while HHATL (Hh O-acyltransferase-like) negatively regulates the pathway. HHAT and HHATL are homologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gup2 and Gup1, respectively. In yeast, Gup1 is associated with a high number and diversity of biological functions, namely polarity establishment, secretory/endocytic pathway functionality, vacuole morphology and wall and membrane composition, structure and maintenance. Phenotypes underlying death, morphogenesis and differentiation are also included. Paracrine signalling, like the one promoted by the Hh pathway, has not been shown to occur in microbial communities, despite the fact that large aggregates of cells like biofilms or colonies behave as proto-tissues. Instead, these have been suggested to sense the population density through the secretion of quorum-sensing chemicals. This review focuses on Gup1/HHATL and Gup2/HHAT proteins. We review the functions and physiology associated with these proteins in yeasts and higher eukaryotes. We suggest standardisation of the presently chaotic Gup-related nomenclature, which includes KIAA117, c3orf3, RASP, Skinny, Sightless and Central Missing, in order to avoid the disclosure of otherwise unnoticed information.
3D Clumped Cell Segmentation Using Curvature Based Seeded Watershed
Authors: Atta-Fosu Thomas , Guo Weihong , Jeter Dana , Mizutani Claudia , Stopczynski Nathan , Sousa-Neves Rui
Published: November 2016

Image segmentation is an important process that separates objects from the background and also from each other. Applied to cells, the results can be used for cell counting which is very important in medical diagnosis and treatment, and biological research that is often used by scientists and medical practitioners. Segmenting 3D confocal microscopy images containing cells of different shapes and sizes is still challenging as the nuclei are closely packed. The watershed transform provides an efficient tool in segmenting such nuclei provided a reasonable set of markers can be found in the image. In the presence of low-contrast variation or excessive noise in the given image, the watershed transform leads to over-segmentation (a single object is overly split into multiple objects). The traditional watershed uses the local minima of the input image and will characteristically find multiple minima in one object unless they are specified (marker-controlled watershed). An alternative to using the local minima is by a supervised technique called seeded watershed, which supplies single seeds to replace the minima for the objects. Consequently, the accuracy of a seeded watershed algorithm relies on the accuracy of the predefined seeds. In this paper, we present a segmentation approach based on the geometric morphological properties of the ‘landscape’ using curvatures. The curvatures are computed as the eigenvalues of the Shape matrix, producing accurate seeds that also inherit the original shape of their respective cells. We compare with some popular approaches and show the advantage of the proposed method.
Propeller Cavitation in Non-Uniform Flow and Correlation with the Near Pressure Field
Authors: Alves Pereira Francisco , Di Felice Fabio , Salvatore Francesco
Published: November 2016

An experimental study is carried out in a cavitation tunnel on a propeller operating downstream of a non-uniform wake. The goal of this work is to establish quantitative correlations between the near pressure field and the cavitation pattern that takes place on the propeller blades. The pressure field is measured at the walls of the test section and in the near wake of the propeller and is combined with quantitative high-speed image recording of the cavitation pattern. Through harmonic analysis of the pressure data and image processing techniques that allow retrieving the cavitation extension and volume, we discuss the potential sources that generate the pressure fluctuations. Time correlations are unambiguously established between pressure peak fluctuations and cavitation collapse events, based on the Rayleigh collapse time. Finally, we design a model to predict the cavitation-induced pressure fluctuations from the derivation of the cavitation volume acceleration. A remarkable agreement is observed with the actual pressure field.
The Co-B Amorphous Alloy: A High Capacity Anode Material for an Alkaline Rechargeable Battery
Authors: Qiu Shujun , Huang Jianling , Chu Hailiang , Zou Yongjin , Xiang Cuili , Yan Erhu , Xu Fen , Sun Lixian
Published: November 2016

The Co-B amorphous alloys were prepared via a chemical reduction method by sodium borohydride, using three different cobalt salts (CoCl2·6H2O, CoSO4·7H2O, and Co(NO3)2·6H2O) as sources of cobalt. As anode materials in alkaline rechargeable batteries, the Co-B alloy prepared from CoCl2·6H2O has a maximum specific discharge capacity of 844.6 mAh/g, and 306.4 mAh/g is retained even after 100 cycles at a discharge current of 100 mA/g. When Co(NO3)2·6H2O is used as a raw material, the formation of Co3(BO3)2 worsens the electrochemical properties of the sample, i.e., a maximum capacity of only 367.0 mAh/g.
Fluid Micro-Reservoirs Array Design with Auto-Pressure Regulation for High-Speed 3D Printers
Authors: Einat Moshe
Published: November 2016

Three dimensional (3D) printing technology is rapidly evolving such that printing speed is now a crucial factor in technological developments and future applications. For printing heads based on the inkjet concept, the number of nozzles on the print head is a limiting factor of printing speed. This paper offers a method to practically increase the number of nozzles unlimitedly, and thus to dramatically ramp up printing speed. Fluid reservoirs are used in inkjet print heads to supply fluid through a manifold to the jetting chambers. The pressure in the reservoir’s outlet is important and influences device performance. Many efforts have been made to regulate pressure inside the fluid reservoirs so as to obtain a constant pressure in the chambers. When the number of nozzles is increased too much, the regulation of uniform pressure among all the nozzles becomes too complicated. In this paper, a different approach is taken. The reservoir is divided into an array of many micro-reservoirs. Each micro-reservoir supports one or a few chambers, and has a unique structure with auto-pressure regulation, where the outlet pressure is independent of the fluid level. The regulation is based on auto-compensation of the gravity force and a capillary force having the same dependence on the fluid level; this feature is obtained by adding a wedge in the reservoir with a unique shape. When the fluid level drops, the gravitational force and the capillary force decrease with it, but at similar rates. Terms for the force balance are derived and, consequently, a constant pressure in the fluid micro-reservoir segment is obtained automatically, with each segment being autonomous. This micro reservoir array is suggested for the enlargement of an inkjet print head and the achievement of high-speed 3D printing.
Rapid Screening and Identification of BSA Bound Ligands from Radix astragali Using BSA Immobilized Magnetic Nanoparticles Coupled with HPLC-MS
Authors: Liu Liangliang , Leng Juan , Yang Xiai , Liao Liping , Cen Yin , Xiao Aiping , Ma Lei
Published: November 2016

Radix astragali is widely used either as a single herb or as a collection of herbs in a complex prescription in China. In this study, bovine serum albumin functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (BSA-MN) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) were used to screen and identify bound ligands from the n-butanol part of a Radix astragali extract. The prepared BSA-MN showed sufficient magnetic response for the separation with an ordinary magnet and satisfied reusability. Fundamental parameters affecting the preparation of BSA-MN and the screening efficiency were studied and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, four bound ligands were screened out from the n-butanol part of a Radix astragali extract and identified as genistin (1), calycosin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (2), ononin (3) and formononetin (4). This effective method could be widely applied for rapid screening and identification of active compounds from complex mixtures without the need for preparative isolation.
Design of the MEMS Piezoresistive Electronic Heart Sound Sensor
Authors: Zhang Guojun , Liu Mengran , Guo Nan , Zhang Wendong
Published: November 2016

This paper proposes the electronic heart sound sensor, based on the piezoresistive principle and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) technology. Firstly, according to the characteristics of heart sound detection, the double-beam-block microstructure has been proposed, and the theoretical analysis and finite element method (FEM) simulation have been carried out. Combined with the natural frequency response of the heart sound (20~600 Hz), its structure sizes have been determined. Secondly, the processing technology of the microstructure with the stress concentration grooves has been developed. The material and sizes of the package have been determined by the three-layer medium transmission principle. Lastly, the MEMS piezoresistive electronic heart sound sensor has been tested compared with the 3200-type electronic stethoscope from 3M (São Paulo, MN, USA). The test results show that the heart sound waveform tested by the MEMS electronic heart sound sensor are almost the same as that tested by the 3200-type electronic stethoscope. Moreover, its signal-to-noise ratio is significantly higher. Compared with the traditional stethoscope, the MEMS heart sound sensor can provide the first and second heart sounds containing more abundant information about the lesion. Compared with the 3200-type electronic stethoscope from 3M, it has better performance and lower cost.
Energy-Efficient Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Deployment with Multiple Objectives for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Liu Chengyin , Jiang Zhaoshuo , Wang Fei , Chen Hui
Published: November 2016

Heterogeneous wireless sensor networks (HWSNs) are widely adopted in structural health monitoring systems due to their potential for implementing sophisticated algorithms by integrating a diverse set of devices and improving a network’s sensing performance. However, deploying such a HWSN is still in a challenge due to the heterogeneous nature of the data and the energy constraints of the network. To respond to these challenges, an optimal deployment framework in terms of both modal information quality and energy consumption is proposed in this study. This framework generates a multi-objective function aimed at maximizing the quality of the modal information identified from heterogeneous data while minimizing the consumption of energy within the network at the same time. Particle swarm optimization algorithm is then implemented to seek solutions to the function effectively. After laying out the proposed sensor-optimization framework, a methodology is present to determine the clustering of the sensors to further conserve energy. Finally, a numerical verification is performed on a four-span pre-stressed reinforced concrete box-girder bridge. Results show that a set of strategically positioned heterogeneous sensors can maintain a balanced trade-off between the modal information accuracy and energy consumption. It is also observed that an appropriate cluster-tree network topology can further achieve energy saving in HWSNs.
Simultaneous Life Detection and Localization Using a Wideband Chaotic Signal with an Embedded Tone
Authors: Liu Li , Guo Chaoyi , Li Jingxia , Xu Hang , Zhang Jianguo , Wang Bingjie
Published: November 2016

A hybrid life detection radar system which transmits a wideband chaotic signal containing an embedded single-tone is proposed. The chaotic signal is used for target localization by the time-domain correlation method and synthetic aperture technique, and the single-tone signal is used to measure the frequencies of breathing and heartbeat based on an on-chip split-ring integrated sensor and Michelson interference principle. Experimental results in free space and in through-wall scenarios demonstrate that the system can realize human detection and localization simultaneously with high range resolution, high sensitivity, and large dynamic range without complex signal processing. The range resolution is about 10 cm, and the dynamic range is 35 dB for the respiration signal detection and 25 dB for the heartbeat signal detection. Due to its good immunity to interference/jamming and high spectrum efficiency, the proposed system is suitable for post-disaster rescue, elder/infant/patient vitality monitoring, and anti-terrorism enforcement applications.
Noise Reduction Effect of Multiple-Sampling-Based Signal-Readout Circuits for Ultra-Low Noise CMOS Image Sensors
Authors: Kawahito Shoji , Seo Min-Woong
Published: November 2016

This paper discusses the noise reduction effect of multiple-sampling-based signal readout circuits for implementing ultra-low-noise image sensors. The correlated multiple sampling (CMS) technique has recently become an important technology for high-gain column readout circuits in low-noise CMOS image sensors (CISs). This paper reveals how the column CMS circuits, together with a pixel having a high-conversion-gain charge detector and low-noise transistor, realizes deep sub-electron read noise levels based on the analysis of noise components in the signal readout chain from a pixel to the column analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The noise measurement results of experimental CISs are compared with the noise analysis and the effect of noise reduction to the sampling number is discussed at the deep sub-electron level. Images taken with three CMS gains of two, 16, and 128 show distinct advantage of image contrast for the gain of 128 (noise(median): 0.29 e−rms) when compared with the CMS gain of two (2.4 e−rms), or 16 (1.1 e−rms).
Traffic Vehicle Counting in Jam Flow Conditions Using Low-Cost and Energy-Efficient Wireless Magnetic Sensors
Authors: Bao Xu , Li Haijian , Xu Dongwei , Jia Limin , Ran Bin , Rong Jian
Published: November 2016

The jam flow condition is one of the main traffic states in traffic flow theory and the most difficult state for sectional traffic information acquisition. Since traffic information acquisition is the basis for the application of an intelligent transportation system, research on traffic vehicle counting methods for the jam flow conditions has been worthwhile. A low-cost and energy-efficient type of multi-function wireless traffic magnetic sensor was designed and developed. Several advantages of the traffic magnetic sensor are that it is suitable for large-scale deployment and time-sustainable detection for traffic information acquisition. Based on the traffic magnetic sensor, a basic vehicle detection algorithm (DWVDA) with less computational complexity was introduced for vehicle counting in low traffic volume conditions. To improve the detection performance in jam flow conditions with a “tailgating effect” between front vehicles and rear vehicles, an improved vehicle detection algorithm (SA-DWVDA) was proposed and applied in field traffic environments. By deploying traffic magnetic sensor nodes in field traffic scenarios, two field experiments were conducted to test and verify the DWVDA and the SA-DWVDA algorithms. The experimental results have shown that both DWVDA and the SA-DWVDA algorithms yield a satisfactory performance in low traffic volume conditions (scenario I) and both of their mean absolute percent errors are less than 1% in this scenario. However, for jam flow conditions with heavy traffic volumes (scenario II), the SA-DWVDA was proven to achieve better results, and the mean absolute percent error of the SA-DWVDA is 2.54% with corresponding results of the DWVDA 7.07%. The results conclude that the proposed SA-DWVDA can implement efficient and accurate vehicle detection in jam flow conditions and can be employed in field traffic environments.
Epipolar Rectification with Minimum Perspective Distortion for Oblique Images
Authors: Liu Jianchen , Guo Bingxuan , Jiang Wanshou , Gong Weishu , Xiao Xiongwu
Published: November 2016

Epipolar rectification is of great importance for 3D modeling by using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) images; however, the existing methods seldom consider the perspective distortion relative to surface planes. Therefore, an algorithm for the rectification of oblique images is proposed and implemented in detail. The basic principle is to minimize the rectified images’ perspective distortion relative to the reference planes. First, this minimization problem is formulated as a cost function that is constructed by the tangent value of angle deformation; second, it provides a great deal of flexibility on using different reference planes, such as roofs and the façades of buildings, to generate rectified images. Furthermore, a reasonable scale is acquired according to the dihedral angle between the rectified image plane and the original image plane. The low-quality regions of oblique images are cropped out according to the distortion size. Experimental results revealed that the proposed rectification method can result in improved matching precision (Semi-global dense matching). The matching precision is increased by about 30% for roofs and increased by just 1% for façades, while the façades are not parallel to the baseline. In another designed experiment, the selected façades are parallel to the baseline, the matching precision has a great improvement for façades, by an average of 22%. This fully proves our proposed algorithm that elimination of perspective distortion on rectified images can significantly improve the accuracy of dense matching.
Comment on Detection of Mycotoxins in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Toxins 2013, 5, 605–617
Authors: Mendell Mark
Published: November 2016

The paper by Brewer et al. (2013) has a key methodologic ﬂaw [1].[...]
Water Footprint of Industrial Tomato Cultivations in the Pinios River Basin: Soil Properties Interactions
Authors: Evangelou Eleftherios , Tsadilas Christos , Tserlikakis Nikolaos , Tsitouras Alexandros , Kyritsis Aristotelis
Published: November 2016

Industrial tomatoes are cultivated in about 4000 ha of the Pinios river basin (central Greece), providing significant income to the farmers. In this study, the water footprint (WF) of industrial tomatoes between planting and harvest was estimated in 24 different farms for three consecutive years. The selected farms were representative of the main agro-climatic zones and soil textural classes within the river basin. Green, blue and grey WF calculations were based on datasets of the experimental plots for each farm, including irrigation water volume, meteorological, soil, and crop yield data. The results showed that the WF of tomatoes ranged from 37 to 131 m3 water/ton tomatoes with an average of 61 m3/ton. The WF variation depended mainly on crop yield, local agro-climatic and soil conditions. The green, blue, and grey WF components averaged 13, 27 and 21 m3/ton, respectively. The results reveal the importance of WF in understanding how tomato production relates to the sustainable use of freshwater and pollution at local level.
Enduracididine, a rare amino acid component of peptide antibiotics: Natural products and synthesis
Authors: Atkinson Darcy J , Naysmith Briar J , Furkert Daniel P , Brimble Margaret A
Published: November 2016

Rising resistance to current clinical antibacterial agents is an imminent threat to global public health and highlights the demand for new lead compounds for drug discovery. One such potential lead compound, the peptide antibiotic teixobactin, was recently isolated from an uncultured bacterial source, and demonstrates remarkably high potency against a wide range of resistant pathogens without apparent development of resistance. A rare amino acid residue component of teixobactin, enduracididine, is only known to occur in a small number of natural products that also possess promising antibiotic activity. This review highlights the presence of enduracididine in natural products, its biosynthesis together with a review of analogues of enduracididine. Reported synthetic approaches to the cyclic guanidine structure of enduracididine are discussed, illustrating the challenges encountered to date in the development of efficient synthetic routes to facilitate drug discovery efforts inspired by the discovery of teixobactin.
ACTUAL PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF INNOVATIVE BLINDS / INOVATYVIŲ ŽALIUZIŲ FAKTINIO EFEKTYVUMO TYRIMAS
Authors: Šiupšinskas Giedrius , Rimdžius Dovydas , Džiugaitė-Tumėnienė Rasa , Bielskus Juozas , Šlapkauskas Ignas
Published: November 2016

The paper analyses the innovative internal blinds, which allow to use the solar energy, received through a window for a heating, more efficiently and to ensure a greater air velocity due to the convection. Blinds are constructed that one side is covered with material, which absorbs the solar energy and the other side is reflective. Thus, there is an ability to control an amount of absorbed solar radiation and air supply temperature between the window and the blinds. In addition, the construction of the air to provide locating elements. The elements for air deflection are additionally foreseen in the construction. Due to the natural circulation cold air falls between the blinds and the window, then warms up and rises to the top. The paper presents an empirical and theoretical assessment of an operation of the blinds. In addition, the analysis of the experimental researches of an air flow intensity and a dependency of temperature increase from external (climatic) conditions is performed.
Straipsnyje analizuojamos inovatyvios vidinės žaliuzės, kurios leidžia efektyviau panaudoti per langą gautą saulės energiją patalpoms šildyti bei didesniam oro judrumui dėl konvekcijos užtikrinti. Žaliuzės sukonstruotos taip, kad viena jų pusė padengta saulės energiją absorbuojančia medžiaga, o kita pusė yra atspindinti. Taip atsiranda galimybė reguliuoti absorbuojamos saulės spinduliuotės kiekį bei tarp lango ir žaliuzių cirkuliuojančio oro temperatūrą. Papildomai konstrukcijoje numatyti orą nukreipiantys elementai. Šaltas oras natūralios cirkuliacijos būdu patenka tarp žaliuzių ir lango, ten sušyla ir kyla į viršų. Straipsnyje pateikiamas žaliuzių veikimo empirinis ir teorinis įvertinimas. Be to, atliekama eksperimentinių tyrimų analizė, kurios metu vertinamas sukuriamas oro srauto intensyvumas ir temperatūros kitimo priklausomybė nuo išorinių (klimatinių) sąlygų.
INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE ON DEFOLIATION PROCESS WITHIN THE TRAFFIC AREAS OF DIFFERENT INTENSITY / AZOTO DIOKSIDO ĮTAKA DEFOLIACIJOS PROCESUI SKIRTINGO INTENSYVUMO EISMO ZONOSE
Authors: Aleksandravičiūtė Vaiva , Šerevičienė Vaida
Published: November 2016

Transport caused air pollution is one of the most topical problems in the country. One of the pollutants emitted by the vehicles into the environment is nitrogen dioxide, which adversely affects the plant foliage. At nitrogen dioxide concentration of 30 µg/m3, defoliation process becomes more intense, the growth of trees becomes slower and non-specific leaf choruses symptoms become evident. The aim of research is to investigate of NO2 concentrations and assess the intensity of defoliation process within traffic areas of different intensity. To determine nitrogen dioxide content, the diffusion samplers, which are exhibited after 2 weeks and analyzed in a laboratory, are used. Crown defoliation is determined by comparing the tree to be researched with a reference tree that has all leaves (100%). The main source of nitrogen dioxide in the city is passing vehicles; therefore, research results will reflect the current situation. Transporto sukeliama oro tarša yra viena iš aktualiausių problemų šalyje. Vienas iš transporto išmetamų į aplinką teršalų yra azoto dioksidas, kuris neigiamai veikia augalų lapiją. Esant 30 µg/m3 koncentracijai azoto dioksido, suintensyvėja defoliacijos procesas, sulėtėja medžių augimas, atsiranda nespecifinės lapų chlorozės požymių. Tyrimo tikslas − ištirti NO2 koncentracijas ir įvertinti defoliacijos proceso intensyvumą skirtingo intensyvumo eismo zonose. Azoto dioksido kiekiui nustatyti naudojami difuziniai ėmikliai, kurie eksponuojami po 2 savaites ir tiriami laboratorijoje. Lajos defoliacija nustatoma lyginant tiriamą medį su etaloniniu medžiu, kuris turi visus (100 %) lapus. Mieste pagrindinis azoto dioksido šaltinis yra pravažiuojantis transportas, todėl tyrimo rezultatai atspindės esamą situaciją.
INVESTIGATION AND EVALUATION OF SPEED TABLE INFLUENCE TO TRAFFIC NOISE PROPAGATION IN RESIDENTIAL AREA / GREITĮ MAŽINANČIŲ KALNELIŲ ĮTAKOS TRIUKŠMO SKLIDIMUI GYVENAMAJAME RAJONE TYRIMAI IR VERTINIMAS
Authors: Astrauskas Tomas , Grubliauskas Raimondas
Published: November 2016

Speed table is an artificial road (street) surface irregularity, which is used to reduce speed of road traffic or maintain allowed speed limit in road (street) section. These measures are used to reduce risk for pedestrians by reducing speed of passing vehicles. Before speed table, vehicles usually reduce speed, after passing it, vehicles usually increase their speed and this could increase traffic noise. Measurements were carried out during the day time in L. Asanavičiūtės Street 5, Vilnius. Measurements were divided into two parts, inside the residential apartment building and in its environment. Near the speed table recorded sound level was 69 dB, inside the residential apartment building noise level was approximately 41 dB. In this paper speed table influence on traffic noise propagation in residential area is investigated.
Greičio mažinimo priemonė – dirbtinis kelio (gatvės) dangos nelygumas, skirtas transporto priemonių greičiui sumažinti arba leistinam greičiui palaikyti kelio (gatvės) ruože. Šių įrenginių paskirtis yra sumažinti pavojų pėstiesiems mažinant važiuojančių automobilių greitį. Automobiliai prieš greičio mažinimo priemonę greitį sumažina, pervažiavę ją, dažniausiai vėl didina greitį, todėl transporto keliamas triukšmas gali padidėti. Tyrimai buvo atlikti dienos metu L. Asanavičiūtės g. 5, Vilniuje. Tyrimai buvo išskirti į dvi dalis: tyrimai gyvenamojo pastato viduje ir tyrimai gyvenamojo pastato aplinkoje. Triukšmo lygis prie vertikaliosios trapecinės greičio mažinimo priemonės buvo 69 dB, tiriamojo gyvenamojo pastato viduje apie 41 dB. Šiame straipsnyje yra nagrinėjama greičio vertikaliosios trapecinės greičio mažinimo priemonės įtaka transporto keliamo triukšmo sklaidai į gyvenamąją aplinką.
INVESTIGATION OF HEMP WATER SORPTION CAPACITY / NATŪRALIŲ ORGANINIŲ KANAPIŲ SPALIŲ SORBENTO NAFTOS PRODUKTAMS ŠALINTI TYRIMAS
Authors: Budriūtė Eglė , Vaišis Vaidotas , Mikulskis Donatas
Published: November 2016

Effective clean-up of oil spills due to their negative environmental and economic impact is of capital importance. Clean-up of oil by sorption is considered one of the most desirable choices, because oil can be completely removed without causing any secondary pollution. Natural organic sorbents had been investigated and developed to control oil products‘ spills. Plant biomass is a renewable resource which can be converted into various materials and energy. Hemp (USO-31), as a textile industry waste, was used as an oil product sorbent material. The present study examines hemp sorption capacity of water using different fractions of hemp raw material to be used in oil/water mixtures. The experimental research revealed that water sorption capacity depends on fraction size and sorption time. The results of water sorption capacity of 2.5 and 5.0 mm after 1440 min were 4.74 and 4.67 g water/g dry sorbent, respectively. Labai svarbu efektyviai likviduoti išsiliejusius naftos produktus dėl jų neigiamo poveikio aplinkai ir ekonomikai. Naftos produktų valymo metodas pasitelkiant sorbentus yra laikomas vienu iš geriau­sių pasirinkimų, nes produktai yra absorbuojami sorbentų, nesukeliant jokios antrinės taršos. Natūralūs organiniai sorbentai buvo tiriami ir tobulinami, siekiant kontroliuoti naftos produktų išsiliejimus. Augalų biomasė yra atsinaujinantis išteklis, kuris gali būti naudojamas įvairioms medžiagoms ir energijai išgauti. Kanapių spaliai (USO-31), tekstilės pramonės atlieka, buvo tiriami kaip naftos produktų sorbentas. Buvo išnagrinėta kanapių vandens sorbcija naudojant įvairias šios medžiagos frakcijas. Eksperimentinis tyrimas parodė, kad vandens sorbcija priklauso nuo frakcijos dydžio ir sorbcijos laiko. Tyrimų metu buvo nustatyta vandens sorbcijos geba – 4,74 ir 4,67 g vandens/g sauso sorbento 2,5 ir 5,0 mm pavyzdžiams po 1440 min atitinkamai.
DAUGIAKANALIO CIKLONO PANAUDOJIMO DUJŲ SRAUTO DULKĖTUMUI MAŽINTI AGRESYVIOJE APLINKOJE TEORINIS VERTINIMAS
Authors: Chlebnikovas Aleksandras , Baltrėnas Pranas
Published: November 2016

Contaminated gas cleaning from finely divided solids is carried out using a new generation of multi-channel design cyclones. The application of these devices are separated and precipitated particles with a minimum diameter up to 2 micrometers, reaching up to 95% cleaning efficiency. Cyclones of such constructions are usually used under usual conditions at elevated temperature and low humidity. Under aggressive conditions, these devices can be clogged, and their recovery is not possible. Further studies are research into the application of constructive solutions to adapt the cyclone gas cleaning of the particulate matter under aggressive conditions. This theoretical evaluation has described the characteristics change of gas flow and particulate matters at different aggressive environment. Such conditions were loudly describe the gas-flow high-temperature range of 50–200 °C and gas-vapor stream, the humidity reaches 70–100%. Estimated aggressive conditions on the gas flow dynamics forces – pressure, resistance and centrifugal, and particulate mechanical – gravitational and adhesion strength. All parameters are evaluated in comparison with the values under normal conditions. Naujos kartos daugiakanaliais ciklonais smulkiadispersės kietosios dalelės pašalinamos iš užterštų dujų. Naudojant šiuos įrenginius, yra atskiriamos ir nusodinamos kietosios dalelės, kurių minimalus skersmuo siekia 2 mikrometrus, taip gaunama iki 95 % valymo efektyvumo. Tokios konstrukcijos ciklonai dažniausiai yra naudojami įprastomis sąlygomis, esant padidintai temperatūrai ir nedideliam drėgniui. Esant agresyvioms aplinkos sąlygoms, šie įrenginiai užsikemša, o jų regeneruoti negalima. Tolesniuose ciklono veikimo parametrų tyrimuose numatoma analizuoti, kaip, taikant konstruktyvius sprendimus, pritaikyti cikloną ir šalinti kietąsias daleles iš dujų esant agresyvioms aplinkos sąlygoms. Šioje teorinėje analizėje yra aprašomas dujų srauto charakteristikų bei kietąsias daleles veikiančių jėgų pokytis esant skirtingai agresyviai aplinkai. Tokios sąlygos buvo apibrėžtos, nustačius 50–200 °C dujų srauto temperatūros intervalą ir tiriant dujų-garų srautą, kurio drėgnis siekė 70–100 %. Įvertinta agresyvių aplinkos sąlygų įtaka, daroma dujų srauto dinamikos jėgoms – slėgio, pasipriešinimo ir išcentrinei. – ir kietųjų dalelių mechaninėms jėgoms – gravitacijos ir adhezijos. Visi vertinami parametrai palyginti su vertėmis normaliomis sąlygomis.
HERBICIDE GLYPHOSATE IMPACT TO EARTHWORM (E. FETIDA) / HERBICIDO GLIFOSATO POVEIKIO KOMPOSTINIAM SLIEKUI (E. FETIDA L.) TYRIMAI IR VERTINIMAS
Authors: Dajoraitė Greta , Žaltauskaitė Jūratė , Zigmontienė Aušra
Published: November 2016

Glyphosate is a broad spectrum weed resistant herbicide. Glyphosate may pose negative impact on land ecosystems because of wide broad usage and hydrofilic characteristic. The aim of this study was to investigate negative effects of glyphosate on soil invertebrate organisms (earthworm Eisenia fetida). The duration of experiment was 8 weeks. The range of the test concentrations of glyphosate were: 0,1, 1, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg. To investigate the glyphosate impact on earthworm Eisenia fetida the following endpoints were measured: survival, reproduction and weight. The exposure to 20 mg/kg glyphosate has led to the 100% mortality of earthworms. Glyphosate has led to decreased E. fetida reproduction, the cocoons were observed only in the lowest concentration (0,1 mg/kg). In general: long-term glyphosate toxicity to earthworms (E. fetida) may be significant. Glifosatas yra herbicidas, plačiai naudojamas piktžolėms naikinti. Dėl masinio ir netinkamo naudojimo bei didelio tirpumo vandenyje glifosatas turi įtakos sausumos ekosistemoms. Eksperimento tikslas – įvertinti skirtingų glifosato koncentracijų poveikį žieduotosioms kirmėlėms (kompostiniam sliekui Eisenia fetida L.). Tyrimas buvo vykdomas 8 savaites. Eksperimento metu buvo naudotos 0,1, 1, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg glifosato koncentracijos dirvožemyje. Glifosato poveikio kompostiniams sliekams E. Fetida įvertinti buvo tirti augimo, mirtingumo ir reprodukcijos rodikliai. Eksperimento metu nustatyta, jog didelės glifosato koncentracijos letaliai veikė kompostinį slieką. Esant didžiausiai 20 mg/kg koncentracijai, sliekų mirtingumas jau pirmąją savaitę buvo 100 %. Didėjanti glifosato koncentracija mažino kompostinio slieko E. fetida svorio prieaugius bei neigiamai veikė sliekų reprodukciją, kokonai užfiksuoti tik esant mažiausiai koncentracijai. Eksperimento pabaigoje nustatyta tendencija – kuo ilgesnis glifosato ekspozicijos laikas, tuo didesnė žala daroma dirvožemio bestuburiams (Eisenia fetida).
IMPACT OF MODIFICATED ASPHALT MIXTURES ON PAVING FUNCTIONING AND ENVIRONMENT / MODIFIKUOTŲ ASFALTBETONIO MIŠINIŲ POVEIKIS DANGOS FUKNCIONAVIMUI IR APLINKAI
Authors: Gribulis Gediminas , Čygas Donatas , Vaitkus Audrius
Published: November 2016

Atmospheric pollution began to increase in the beginning of 19th century, when the global economy and industrial development started the signal grow. The current problem of global warming is partly related with emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) to environment, which one of the sources are industrial production companies. Warm asphalt mix is usually used in the practice of Lithuania and the world for equipment of road paving. These mixes are produced in specialized asphalt mixers where stone dosing, drying and its mixing with bituminous binders are performed. The temperature of produced hot asphalt mix in mixer reach 150–180 °C and 120–160 °C of mixture laying on the road. Various pollutants, carbon dioxide, formaldehydes, and other are spread to the environment. The carried out researches in Lithuania and the world have showed that while using special additives it is possible to reduce the temperatures of warm asphalt production and laying on the road. Such reduction of temperature helps not to worsen the quality of asphalt layer, to lower the emission of pollutants to environment, to improve the conditions of road workers and to economically use the gas for production of asphalt mixes. Production technologies of different asphalt mixes, their advantages and disadvantages, and results of laboratory tests are analyzed in this article. Equipment samples of experimental road sections, using the warm mixing asphalt mixtures are given.
19 amžiaus pradžioje, ėmus sparčiai augti pasaulinei ekonomikai ir vystytis pramonei, pradėjo didėti ir atmosferos užterštumas. Dabartinė globalinė pasaulinio atšilimo problema iš dalies siejama su anglies dioksido (CO2) išmetimu į aplinką, kurio vienas iš šaltinių yra pramoninės gamybos įmonės. Automobilių kelių dangoms įrengti Lietuvos ir pasaulinėje praktikoje dažniausiai naudojami karšto asfalto mišiniai. Šie mišiniai yra gaminami specialiuose asfalto maišytuvuose, kuriuose akmens medžiagos dozuojamos, džiovinamos, maišomos su bituminiais rišikliais. Gaminamo karšto asfalto mišinio temperatūra maišytuve siekia 150–180 oC, o kelyje klojamo – 120–160 oC. Šių procesų metu į aplinką paskleidžiama įvairių teršalų: anglies dioksido, formaldehidų ir kt. Pasaulyje ir Lietuvoje atlikti moksliniai tyrimai parodė, kad naudojant specialius priedus galima sumažinti karštų asfalto mišinių gamybos bei klojimo kelyje temperatūrą. Toks temperatūros sumažinimas leidžia nepabloginti asfalto dangų kokybės, sumažinti teršalų išmetimą į aplinką, pagerinti kelyje dirbančių darbuotojų darbo sąlygas, ekonomiškiau naudoti asfalto mišinių gamybai reikalingas dujas. Šiame straipsnyje analizuojamos skirtingų asfalto mišinių gamybos technologijos, jų privalumai ir trūkumai, laboratorinių bandymų rezultatai. Pateikiami eksperimentinių kelių ruožų įrengimo pavyzdžiai, naudojant šiltojo maišymo asfalto mišinius.
FORECASTING HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATION USING SHORT DATA SETS: CASE STUDY OF LITHUANIA / PAVOJINGŲJŲ ATLIEKŲ SUSIDARYMO PROGNOZAVIMAS NAUDOJANT TRUMPAS DUOMENŲ IMTIS: LIETUVOS ATVEJIS
Authors: Karpušenkaitė Aistė , Denafas Gintaras , Ruzgas Tomas
Published: November 2016

Due to inefficient waste sorting in primary and secondary waste generation sources Lithuania fails in trying to meet EU requirements for waste management sector regarding the amount of waste flow that reaches landfills. Especially sensitive situation is with hazardous waste, which often are disposed along with municipal solid waste and with it reaches landfills and due to the fact that mechanical and biological treatment plant are only now being established in the biggest cities of Lithuania, landfills becomes a big issue. The main purpose of this research is to find out which mathematical modelling methods could be fitted and if it is possible to forecast annual hazardous waste generation by using automotive, medical and daylight lamps waste generation statistical data. This is part of a research of medical, automotive and daylight lamps waste generation forecasting possibilities. Tests on the performance of artificial neural networks, multiple linear regression, partial least squares, support vector machines and four nonparametric regression methods were conducted on two developed data sets. The best and most promising results in both cases were demonstrated by generalized additives method (R2 = 0.99) and kernel regression (R2 = 0.99). Dėl nepakankamai efektyvaus pirminio ir antrinio atliekų rūšiavimo jų susidarymo šaltiniuose, Lietuva neatitinka ES atliekų tvarkymui keliamų reikalavimų, kurie apibrėžia į sąvartynus patenkančių atliekų srauto procentinę dalį. Pavojingosios atliekos yra ypač daug dėmesio reikalaujantis atliekų tvarkymo sektoriaus aspektas, nes didelė dalis pavojingųjų atliekų kartu su komunalinių atliekų srautu patenka į sąvartynus. Mechaninio ir biologinio apdorojimo įrenginiai, kurie padėtų spręsti šią ir sąvartynų pavojingumo aplinkai problemą, daugelyje didžiųjų šalies miestų tik dabar baigiami įrengti ar pradėti statyti. Pagrindinis šio tyrimo tikslas yra išsiaiškinti, kurie matematinio modeliavimo metodai galėtų būti pritaikyti prognozuojant metinį susidarančių pavojingųjų atliekų kiekį remiantis medicininių, automobilinių ir dienos šviesos lempų atliekų susidarymo duomenimis. Tai yra medicininių, automobilinių ir dienos šviesos lempų atliekų susidarymo prognozavimo galimybių tyrimo dalis. Atliekant tyrimą su dviem duomenų imtimis buvo išbandyti dirbtinių neuronų tinklų, daugialypės tiesinės regresijos, dalinių mažiausių kvadratų, atraminių vektorių, neparametrinės regresijos ir laiko eilučių metodai. Abiejų duomenų imčių atvejais geriausi rezultatai buvo pasiekti taikant bendrųjų adityvų (R2 = 0,99) ir branduolinės regresijos (R2 = 0,99) metodus.
RESEARCH ANALYSIS OF VERMICOMPOST INFLUENCE ON BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN COMMON MEADOW-GRASS (POA PRATENSIS) / VERMIKOMPOSTO ĮTAKOS SUNKIŲJŲ METALŲ BIOAKUMULIACIJAI PIEVINĖJE MIGLĖJE (POA PRATENSIS) TYRIMŲ ANALIZĖ
Authors: Laurinaitis Domas , Zigmontienė Aušra
Published: November 2016

The more intensive growth of agricultural crops adding mineral fertilizers, environmental pollution make the soil degraded: reduce the fertility of soil, increase the concentration of heavy metals. Especially dangerous is a common, synergistic effect of heavy metals. Vermicompost optimizes pH, texture and organic material content – the soil indicators, which are the major contributors to migration of heavy metals in the soil and to the plants from it. In the article there is an investigation of vermicompost influence on bioaccumulation of heavy metals in common meadow-grass. After experimental research it is determined that immobilization of heavy metals was the best in soil-vermicompost substrate, prepared in a ratio 1:2. The cadmium (Cd) concentrations were lowest and the difference of HM content determined between roots and shoots was the most in biomass grown up in that mixture. In the underground part of plant the concentration equal to 11.10 mg/kg and in the part of above ground – 1.05 mg/kg. The situation of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) is analogous. This is the optimal ratio of mixture preparation. Intensyvesnis žemės ūkio kultūrų auginimas, tręšiant mineralinėmis trąšomis, aplinkos tarša nualina dirvožemį: sumažėja dirvožemio derlingumas, didėja sunkiųjų metalų koncentracijos. Ypač pavojingas bendras, sinergetinis sunkiųjų metalų poveikis. Vermikompostas optimizuoja dirvožemio pH, granuliometrinę sudėtį, organinės medžiagos kiekį – rodiklius, nuo kurių labiausiai priklauso sunkiųjų metalų migracija dirvožemyje ir iš jo į augalus. Straipsnyje nagrinėjama vermikomposto įtaka sunkiųjų metalų bioakumuliacijai pievinėje miglėje. Atlikus eksperimentinį tyrimą nustatyta, kad geriausiai sunkiuosius metalus „surakino“ dirvožemio-vermikomposto substratas, paruoštas santykiu 1:2. Tame mišinyje užaugintoje biomasėje kadmio (Cd) koncentracijos buvo mažiausios, o skirtumas tarp SM kiekio nustatyto šaknyse ir ūgliuose didžiausias. Požeminėje augalo dalyje koncentracija lygi 11,10 mg/kg, o antžeminėje – 1,05 mg/kg. Švino (Pb) ir vario (Cu) atvejais situacija yra analogiška. Tai optimalus mišinio ruošimo santykis.
CHANGES IN MORPHOLOGICAL INDEXES OF YOUNG ATLANTIC SALMON (SALMO SALAR L.) EXPOSED TO HEAVY METAL (ZN, CU, NI, CR, PB, CD) MIXTURE: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY / ATLANTINIŲ LAŠIŠŲ (SALMO SALAR L.) JAUNIKLIŲ MORFOLOGINIŲ RODIKLIŲ POKYČIAI VEIKIANT SUNKIŲJŲ METALŲ (ZN, CU, NI, CR, PB, CD) MIŠINIU: EKSPERIMENTINIS TYRIMAS
Authors: Sauliutė Gintarė , Svecevičius Gintaras
Published: November 2016

Morphological indexes are indicative of toxicant effects in fish. Unfortunately, morphological parameters [gill-, liver-, kidney-, viscero-, etc., somatic indexes and the integrated condition factor (CF)], are usually determined in field studies to assess the general fish condition under effect of multicomponent pollution and did not reflect the effects of specific polluting substances (e.g. heavy metals). The purpose of this study was to experimentally evaluate the effect of priority heavy metal model mixture formed based on Maximum-Allowable-Concentration accepted for Lithuanian receiving water bodies (Zn – 0.1, Cu – 0.01, Ni – 0.01, Cr – 0.01, Pb – 0.005 and Cd – 0.005 mg/L, respectively) on condition parameters of one-year-old Atlantic salmon after seven-, fourteen- and twenty eight- day exposure. Significant changes in liver-, kidney- and viscero-somatic indexes were determined, while CF and branchio-somatic-index were found to be not indicative for such kind of the exposure. Correlation analysis between the parameters studied revealed a number of meaningful patterns. The obtained data were compared with the results of the field study in salmonid rivers.
Morfologiniai rodikliai – tai toksinio poveikio žuvims indikatoriai. Šie rodikliai (įmitimo koeficientas, visceralinis, žiaunų, kepenų, inkstų ir kt. somatiniai indeksai) paprastai yra taikomi gamtiniuose tyrimuose, norint įvertinti bendrą žuvų fiziologinę būklę, veikiant daugiakomponentei taršai, neišskiriant konkrečių teršalų (pvz., sunkiųjų metalų) poveikio. Šio tyrimo tikslas – eksperimentiškai nustatyti ir įvertinti morfologinių rodiklių pokyčius po 7-ių, 14-os ir 28-ių parų ekspozicijos, veikiant atlantinės lašišos jauniklius prioritetinių sunkiųjų metalų mišiniu esant didžiausioms leistinoms koncentracijoms (DLK), nustatytoms Lietuvos vidaus vandenims: Zn – 0,1; Cu – 0,01; Ni – 0,01; Cr – 0,01; Pb – 0,005 ir Cd – 0,005 mg/l, atitinkamai. Nustatyti visceralinio, kepenų ir inkstų somatinių indeksų žymūs pokyčiai, tačiau įmitimo koeficiento ir žiaunų somatinio indekso pokyčiai buvo nereikšmingi visą ekspozicijos laikotarpį. Ištirtų rodiklių koreliacinė analizė atskleidė keletą svarbių dėsningumų. Gauti duomenys palyginti su gamtinio tyrimo lašišinėse upėse rezultatais.