bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sawing the legs off chairs in Reckless Sleepers’ A String Section
Authors: Kendall Lisa H.
Published: June 2016

‘Sawing the legs off chairs in Reckless Sleepers’ A String Section’ considers the present and presence of the moving body, as a living and lived processual, experiential archive. These artist’s pages present and represent a micro-reflection upon the moments of live, experimental, improvisatory performance, rearticulating the possibilities of amassing, revisiting and representing theatrical, performative and daily experience(s) through a specific one-woman perspective. The written micro-reflection as a strand of the archive as identified above is devised as a response to a lengthy multi-stranded association with the practice of the work and its processes, with this written micro-reflection serving to expand upon the creative knowledges of the moving body in archival dialogue with A String Section.
Attitudes and principles of making
Authors: Ellis Simon
Published: June 2016

This is a list of principles – or perhaps attitudes – of choreographic practice and making. The list is not exhaustive, and indeed comprises many ideas that are so general that they would hold for any kind of making. In such a way they demand that we consider to what extent choreographic making is special at all. Perhaps the list might – as we continue to consider the nature of choreographic practices – help to provoke our questions, our processes, our methods and our choreographies.
One Session Bilateral Carotid Stenting – Experience from Slovakian Center
Authors: Nosal V , Zelenak K , Sivak S , Michalik J , Kantorova E , Pecova R , Kurca E
Published: June 2016

Objectives: Bilateral carotid artery stenting (BCAS) in one session is relatively rare procedure. However, clear recommendations still do not exist. The aim of our study was to analyze efficacy and safety of the BCAS performed by single operator in our center.

Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 95 carotid angioplasty with stent implantation (CAS) patients performed in our center, totally 9 patients (8 males and 1 female, age 59-83, average 69) was identified where simultaneous BCAS was performed. All patients had bilateral hemodynamic significant stenosis (≥ 70 %), and all patients had symptomatic stenosis.

Results: Only 1 patient was without any complication. The most frequent complications were arterial hypotension. However, duration of stay on the Intensive Care Unit, or hospitalisation was not prolonged. From serious complications we noticed one case of periprocedural filter occlusion and one patient died 30 days after procedure. No other serious complications were in the BCAS group noticed.

Conclusion: Because of limited data it is not possible to make any clear conclusions or recommendations from the results of our study. Our data show that probably BCAS appears to be safe and effective way in the treatment of bilateral carotid artery stenosis in high-risk population.
Determination of the reactivity of CaSO4 · 2H2O
Authors: Danielik Vladimír , Fellner Pavel , Jurišová Jana , Králik Milan
Published: June 2016

Reactivity of energy gypsum was investigated. The method is based on the conversion reaction of aqueous suspension of gypsum with ammonium carbonate solution. Rate of the conversion of all investigated samples, including gypsum originating from flue gas desulphurization (FGD), was high and 80 % conversion was achieved during one hour. It was found that there is a correlation between BET specific surface and the rate of the conversion reaction.
Effect of incorporating potato dietary fibre to wheat dough on the quality of baked rolls
Authors: Lauková Michaela , Kohajdová Zlatica , Karovičová Jolana
Published: June 2016

The effect of incorporation of commercial potato dietary fibre at different levels (1, 3, 5 and 10 %) on wheat flour dough rheology, qualitative and sensory properties of baked rolls was evaluated. Potato dietary fibre exhibits good hydration properties (water holding, water retention and swelling capacity). Its addition into wheat dough increased water absorption, prolonged dough stability and dough development time. Also, it was found that the potato fibre incorporation to wheat rolls negatively affects both volume and specific volume, and cambering of baked rolls. Sensory evaluation showed that rolls with the addition of potato dietary fibre at levels 1 and 3 % had high overall acceptability.
Carbon source utilization and hydrogen production by isolated anaerobic bacteria
Authors: Jame R. , Zelená V. , Lakatoš B. , Varečka Ľ.
Published: June 2016

Five bacterial isolates were tested for their ability to generate hydrogen during anaerobic fermentation with various carbon sources. One isolate from sheep rumen was identified as Escherichia coli and four isolates belonged to Clostridium spp. Glucose, arabinose, ribose, xylose, lactose and cellobiose were used as carbon sources. Results showed that all bacterial strains could utilize these compounds, although the utilization of pentoses diminished growth yield. The excretion of monocarboxylic acids (acetate, propionate, formiate, butyrate) into medium was changed after replacing glucose by other carbon sources. Di- and tricarboxylic acids were excreted in negligible amounts only. Spectra of excreted carboxylic acids were unique for each strain and all carbon sources. All isolates produced H2 between 4—9 mmol·L−1 during the stationary phase of growth with glucose as energy source. This value was dramatically reduced when pentoses were used as carbon source. Lactose and cellobiose, starch and cellulose were suitable substrates for the H2 production in some but not all isolates. No H2 was produced by proteinaceous substrate, such as blood. Results show that both substrate utilization and physiological responses (growth, excretion of carboxylates, H2 production) are unique functions of each isolate.
CRISPR/Cas in genome defense and gene editing
Authors: Kryštofová Svetlana
Published: June 2016

Targeted genome editing using engineered nucleases such as ZFNs and TALENs has been rapidly replaced by the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered, regulatory interspaced, short palindromic/ CRISPR-associated nuclease) system. CRISPR/Cas9 technology represents a significant improvement enabling a new level of targeting, efficiency and simplicity. Gene editing mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 has been recently used not only in bacteria but in many eukaryotic cells and organisms, from yeasts to mammals. Other modifications of the CRISPR-Cas9 system have been used to introduce heterologous domains to regulate gene expressions or label specific loci in various cell types. The review focuses not only on native CRISPR/Cas systems which evolved in prokaryotes as an endogenous adaptive defense mechanism against foreign DNA attacks, but also on the CRISPR/Cas9 adoption as a powerful tool for site-specific gene modifications in fungi, plants and mammals.
Analysis of Sequence Diagram Layout in Advanced UML Modelling Tools
Authors: Ņikiforova Oksana , Putintsev Sergii , Ahiļčenoka Dace
Published: June 2016

System modelling using Unified Modelling Language (UML) is the task that should be solved for software development. The more complex software becomes the higher requirements are stated to demonstrate the system to be developed, especially in its dynamic aspect, which in UML is offered by a sequence diagram. To solve this task, the main attention is devoted to the graphical presentation of the system, where diagram layout plays the central role in information perception. The UML sequence diagram due to its specific structure is selected for a deeper analysis on the elements’ layout. The authors research represents the abilities of modern UML modelling tools to offer automatic layout of the UML sequence diagram and analyse them according to criteria required for the diagram perception.
Comparison of Video Steganography Methods for Watermark Embedding
Authors: Griberman David , Rusakov Pavel
Published: June 2016

The paper focuses on the comparison of video steganography methods for the purpose of digital watermarking in the context of copyright protection. Four embedding methods that use Discrete Cosine and Discrete Wavelet Transforms have been researched and compared based on their embedding efficiency and fidelity. A video steganography program has been developed in the Java programming language with all of the researched methods implemented for experiments. The experiments used 3 video containers with different amounts of movement. The impact of the movement has been addressed in the paper as well as the ways of potential improvement of embedding efficiency using adaptive embedding based on the movement amount. Results of the research have been verified using a survey with 17 participants.
Type Synthesis, Modelling and Analysis of the Manipulator for Wheel-Legged Robot
Authors: Szrek Jarosław , Muraszkowski Artur , Sperzyński Przemysław
Published: June 2016

The aim of this article is to present the concept of wheel-legged mobile manipulator, which is a combination of mobile platform with specially selected suspension system and a manipulator. First, a literature review was performed and own solution proposed. The kinematic structure of manipulator, selected simulation results, physical model and the concept of the control system has been presented. Geometry synthesis was used to design basic dimension. Structural synthesis was performed according to the intermediate chain method. Simulations were performed using the multibody dynamics simulation software. New approach in the field of the mobile manipulators was presented as a result.
Accuracy of Spindle Units with Hydrostatic Bearings
Authors: Fedorynenko Dmytro , Sapon Serhii , Boyko Sergiy
Published: June 2016

The work is devoted to the research of precision regularities in a spindle unit by the trajectory of the spindle installed on hydrostatic bearings. The mathematical model of trajectories spindle with lumped parameters that allows to define the position of the spindle with regard the simultaneous influence of design parameters, geometrical deviations ofform, temperature deformation bearing surfaces, the random nature of operational parameters and technical loads of hydrostatic bearings has been developed. Based on the results of numerical modeling the influence of shape errors of bearing surface of hydrostatic bearing on the statistical characteristics of the radius vector trajectories of the spindle by varying the values rotational speed of the spindle and oil pressure in front hydrostatic bearing has been developed. The obtained statistical regularities of precision spindle unit have been confirmed experimentally. It has been shown that an effective way to increase the precision of spindle units is to regulate the size of the gap in hydrostatic spindle bearings. The new design of an adjustable hydrostatic bearing, which can improve the accuracy of regulation size gap has been proposed.
Rapid Simulation of Flat Knitting Loops Based On the Yarn Texture and Loop Geometrical Model
Authors: Lu Zhiwen , Jiang Gaoming
Published: June 2016

In order to create realistic loop primitives suitable for the fast computer-aided design (CAD) of the flat knitted fabric, we have a research on the geometric model of the loop as well as the variation of the loop surface. Establish the texture variation model based on the changing process from the normal yarn to loop that provides the realistic texture of the simulative loop. Then optimize the simulative loop based on illumination variation. This paper develops the computer program with the optimization algorithm and achieves the loop simulation of different yarns to verify the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. Our work provides a fast CAD of the flat knitted fabric with loop simulation, and it is not only more realistic but also material adjustable. Meanwhile it also provides theoretical value for the flat knitted fabric computer simulation.
Allocation of oaks to Kraft classes based on linear and nonlinear kernel discriminant variables
Authors: Zawieja Bogna , Kaźmierczak Katarzyna
Published: June 2016

A method of discriminant variable determination was used to visualize the division of oak trees into Kraft classes. Usual discriminant variables and several types of kernel discriminant variables were studied. For this purpose the traits of oak (Quercus L.) trees, measured on standing trees, were used. These traits included height of tree, breast height diameter and crown projection area. The use of the Gaussian kernel and modified Gaussian kernel enabled the clearest division into Kraft classes. In particular, the latter method proved to be the most effective.
Impact of Income on Customers' Loyalty: Are Customers with Higher Income more Loyal?
Authors: Klopotan Igor , Vrhovec-Žohar Kristina , Mahič Edita
Published: June 2016

Background: Recent research on customers’ loyalty mostly focuses on several indicators, such as price, income and promotion. However, the level of income and its impacts on customers' loyalty have not been investigated in greater details.

Objectives: The main goal of this research is to investigate how different levels of income influence customers' loyalty.

Methods/Approach: This paper tries to investigate customers' attitudes towards selected loyalty determinants, based on the survey research.

Results: Several different factors which influence customers' loyalty are identified. Research results confirmed that the level of income has a significant influence on customers’ attitude towards loyalty determinants in Croatia.

Conclusions: Besides the scientific contribution, this research on customers’ loyalty also has practical implications important when undertaking further steps for developing conceptual models of customers’ loyalty.
“I’m Just Going to Buy That!”: Confronting Consumerism in Teacher Education
Authors: Ashworth Elizabeth , Steele Astrid
Published: June 2016

As educators at a faculty of education, the authors found that teacher candidates (TCs) invariably purchased new materials whenever they had an assignment requiring some form of construction activity. They were concerned about this learned, consumer behavior; lessons of moderation in using the Earth’s resources are important elements of sustainability education. Humans are consumers in both a natural and an anthropological sense, but are capable of sustainable consumerism. Therefore, the authors wanted to promote moderation/sustainable consumerism through an educational intervention in their teacher-education classes. Inspired by Selby’s (2011) third proposition for education for sustainable contraction, they revised an existing art/science integration project where constructions would be created from recycled and/or natural materials. The TCs’ constructions, process work, and Reflection papers provided insight into their creative thinking, and learning, regarding sustainable consumerism.
Perceived Affordances, Tensions, and Complementarities in the Physical and Digital Environments Frequented by Future Teachers
Authors: Pruneau Diane , Kerry Jackie , Freiman Viktor , Langis Joanne , Bizid Mohamed
Published: June 2016

Is future teachers’ contact with the physical environment significant enough for them to choose to educate their students about sustainability? These digital natives stand out from previous generations by their way of living. The research based on grounded theory was aimed at understanding future teachers’ relationships with physical and technological environments. The analysis of interviews, with Moncton and Montreal teacher education students, reveals that future teachers maintain a sporadic relation to the natural environment. They are still conscious that nature provides them calmness, rejuvenation and beauty. The Internet offers them distraction, social affiliation, personalized information, and facilitates their tasks and contact with the World. Future teachers are critical and cautious in their use of ICT but are however not much involved in the environmental cause. The research emphasizes the need to work on future teachers’ relationship to the physical environment with outdoor activities to get to know, appreciate, analyze and improve the natural and urban environments.
Primary Science Teaching – Is it Integral and Deep Experience For Students?
Authors: Timoštšuk Inge
Published: June 2016

Integral and deep pedagogical content knowledge can support future primary teachers’ ability to follow ideas of education for sustainability in science class. Initial teacher education provides opportunity to learn what and how to teach but still the practical experiences of teaching can reveal uneven development of student teachers’ professionality. The aim of the study is to describe how future primary teachers reflect on their experiences about science teaching and what components of science pedagogical content knowledge they see as meaningful. A questionnaire and interviews were used. The results reveal the deep impact of teaching practice on students’ understanding of the role of a teacher in supporting pupils’ acquisition of scientific skills. The experiences described are related more to teaching and learning in general and less with science-specific factors. Nevertheless, students described changes in mission e.g. how they learned about their role through pupils’ achievements and thinking about science. Changes in professional identity were mentioned rarely but this could point to an underestimated resource issue for teacher education. Positive changes in professional identity may help students to decide to choose more integral strategies in science teaching and thus promote more sustainability oriented teaching.
Language Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Zygmunt Tomasz
Published: June 2016

Nowadays, education for sustainable development starts covering wider and wider spheres of interest and human activity. Out of the three main spheres of interest, such as environmental, economic, and socio-cultural, the first two mentioned here seem to be given more attention than the sphere of socio-cultural activity. In this respect, the aim of the present paper is to redirect the concern of administrators, researchers and educators preoccupied with sustainability to issues such as equal opportunity, tolerance, respect, and especially foreign language education, being component parts of the socio-cultural sphere. Undoubtedly, competence in the socio-linguistic field becomes the decisive element in negotiations and international contacts which require from the language user to be tactful and tolerant. Since sustainability is not a local issue, all sustainability related problems ought to be discussed on the macro scale, which requires an internationally shared means of communication such as language. Although no name of any language appears in the paper, it becomes evident that the attention is directed towards English as an internationally recognized language or, if necessary, any other language which might serve as a means of communication on the macro scale.

In the course of discussion, both the needs and limitations appearing in the process of education for sustainable development are presented and supported by opinions and examples. The paper ends in conclusions directly related to real-life situations, and gives implications to be utilized in the educational process directed at sustainable development.
Normative Framework as the Basis for Quality Financial Reporting in the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Ranđelović Dragana , Đukić Tadija
Published: June 2016

Quality of financial reporting is the precondition for the effective functioning of capital market due to the globalization of business. In the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, during the period of socialism, accounting and preparation of annual accounts was adapted for needs of planned economy. Today, it is necessary to work on harmonization national with international legislation. Also, they need to promote a culture of financial reporting, because economic entities do not understand the essential role and importance of financial reporting for business potential. In this paper, we consider Slovenia’s, Macedonia’s and Serbia’s normative framework of financial reporting system, in order to give the assessment of the current situation and pointed out the possible directions of improvement of this process. The comparative analysis of legal and professional solutions, which regulates financal reporting system in these countries, we learned some inconsistencies of their legislation in relation to international regulations, especially in the part of financial reporting for small and micro entreprises. In Serbia and Macedonia, perceived insufficient engagement of of professional organizations and bodies, which requires the reaction of the country in terms of defining and monitoring the implementation of regulations governing the conditions and responsibility for performing accounting and auditing work. This would allow business entities to access financial sources under favourable terms, raising their competitive advantages to quality financial information within financial reports, as well as further development of entrepreneurial activity, which is the generator of the most developed economies in the world.
Common fixed point of Jungck-Kirk-type iterations for non-self operators in normed linear spaces
Authors: Akewe Hudson , Mogbademu Adesanmi
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we introduce Jungck-Kirk-multistep and Jungck-Kirk-multistep-SP iterative schemes and use their strong convergences to approximate the common fixed point of nonself operators in a normed linear Space. The Jungck-Kirk-Noor, Jungck-Kirk-SP, Jungck-Kirk-Ishikawa, Jungck-Kirk-Mann and Jungck-Kirk iterative schemes follow our results as corollaries. We also study and prove stability results of these schemes in a normed linear space. Our results generalize and unify most approximation and stability results in the literature.
New stability results of Picard iteration for contractive type mappings
Authors: Timiş Ioana
Published: June 2016

There exists several concepts of stability for fixed point iterative methods in literature. The aim of this paper is to compare two such concepts, namely one due to Harder and the second one due to Rus, in the class of contractive mappings.
On products of Fourier coefficients of cusp forms
Authors: Hofmann Eric , Kohnen Winfried
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this paper is to study products of Fourier coefficients
of an elliptic cusp form,

a
⁢

(
n
)

⁢
a
⁢

(

n
+
r

)

${a(n)a(n+r)}$

(

n
≥
1

${n\geq 1}$

) for a fixed positive integer r,
concerning both non-vanishing and non-negativity.
Tree height distribution dynamics in young naturally regenerated study plots
Authors: Kängsepp Vivika , Kangur Ahto , Kiviste Andres
Published: June 2016

Growth assessment of young stands gives the possibility of assessing forest site potential, tree species-dependent competition and developing realistic predictions for the following periods. The study is conducted in naturally regenerated broadleaves dominated stands in 2005 at Järvselja Training and Experimental Forest Center. The current study material is collected from 9 study plots established in three forest stands (regeneration felling years respectively 1996, 2000 and 2002). The study plots were re-measured 4–6 times respectively between the years of 2006 and 2012. The Weibull distribution function fit for empirical height distributions in consecutive years was tested and the estimated Weibull parameters were analysed. Results indicate that empirical height distributions of young regenerated forests do not fit well to theoretical distributions, but in many cases, empirical and theoretical distribution are similar. The Weibull distribution shape parameter was related to the maximum height and range of the height, and the scale parameter was related to the mean, quadratic mean and median height.
Microwave-assisted preparation of almond shell-based activated carbon for methylene blue adsorption
Authors: Du Chunfeng , Yang Hongbing , Wu Zhansheng , Ge Xinyu , Cravotto Giancarlo , Ye Bang-Ce , Kaleem Imdad
Published: June 2016

This study reports the synthesis of a novel adsorbent, hereinafter named almond shell-based activated carbon (ASAC), from waste almond shells (AS) via exposure to microwave radiation and the use of ZnCl2 as a chemical activator. Synthetic conditions were further elaborated using the response surface methodology to optimize the adsorption capacity of ASAC for methylene blue (MB) dye. The optimized ASAC preparation conditions were found to be as follows: a mass (ZnCl2/AS) ratio of 3:1 (w/w) and microwave heating time period of 15 min at 900 W. A maximum ASAC yield of 39.67% and a MB adsorption capacity of 314.20 mg/g were obtained. ASAC was also characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and point of zero charge measurement. Optimized ASAC had a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 839.60 m2/g and a total volume of 0.406 cm3/g. FTIR and XPS analysis exhibited a decline in oxygen-containing groups of ASAC as compared with AS. The adsorption behavior of ASAC for MB was fitted well to the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm model. These findings support the ease of preparation and cost effectiveness that make ASAC promising for use in environmental remediation.
Propagation of plane waves in a rotating transversely isotropic two temperature generalized thermoelastic solid half-space with voids
Authors: Bijarnia R. , Singh B.
Published: June 2016

The paper is concerned with the propagation of plane waves in a transversely isotropic two temperature generalized thermoelastic solid half-space with voids and rotation. The governing equations are modified in the context of Lord and Shulman theory of generalized thermoelasticity and solved to show the existence of four plane waves in the x – z plane. Reflection of these plane waves from thermally insulated stress free surface is also studied to obtain a system of four non-homogeneous equations. For numerical computations of speed and reflection coefficients, a particular material is modelled as transversely isotropic generalized thermoelastic solid half-space. The speeds of plane waves are computed against the angle of propagation to observe the effects of two temperature and rotation. Reflection coefficients of various reflected waves are also computed against the angle of incidence to observe the effects of various parameters.
Practice of Propaganda on Korean Peninsula (1945-1960)
Authors: Zhyvora Olexii
Published: June 2016

The topic of propaganda, which was thought to be a part of the Cold War past, was recently revived by modern and rather successful application in Georgian, Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts. In this regard Korean Peninsula is a perfect example of prolonged use of mutual practice of indoctrination to study its origins. This article discuses the evolution of propaganda use by both Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea (1945-1960) in cultural, economic and political dimensions. Qualitative text analysis and case study in conjunction with theoretical framework of A. E. Cassirer, S. Langer, E. Barneys and W. Lippmann are used to establish techniques used, and to explain its overall success.
Preliminary survey of the occurrence of goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus (GHPV) in wild birds in Poland
Authors: Styś-Fijoł Natalia , Kozdruń Wojciech , Czekaj Hanna
Published: June 2016

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus (GHPV) in wild birds inhabiting Poland.

Material and Methods: Samples from 508 birds of different species were obtained between 2010 and 2015. The internal organ sections were homogenised and then total cellular DNA was isolated. The study was performed by means of PCR assay using primers complementary to the VP1 gene of the GHPV.

Results: The presence of genetic material of GHPV was detected in 22 (4.33%) samples.

Conclusion: It was the first such study in Poland to emphasise the role of wild birds as a potential source of GHPV infection for farmed geese.
First record of wild boar infected with Trichinella pseudospiralis in Poland
Authors: Bilska-Zając Ewa , Różycki Mirosław , Chmurzyńska Ewa , Karamon Jacek , Sroka Jacek , Antolak Ewelina , Próchniak Marek , Cencek Tomasz
Published: June 2016

Introduction: The paper describes identification of Trichinella species isolated from wild boars (Sus scrofa) in the most popular hunting region of the West Pomeranian Province of Poland.

Material and Methods: The Trichinella larvae were identified by digestion method. For species identification of the larvae, multiplex PCR was used according to the European Reference Laboratory for Parasites Multiplex PCR protocol. The results were confirmed by molecular amplification of 5S rDNA gene and sequence analysis.

Results: Prevalence of 0.54% Trichinella–positive wild boars in the West Pomeranian Province was recorded. Examination of the larvae showed the occurrence of T. spiralis in 79 %, T. britovi in 16.5 %, mixed infection with T. spiralis/T. britovi in 3.5%, and T. pseudospiralis in 1.0% of the boars.

Conclusion: This is the first record of wild boar infected with non-encapsulated larvae of T. pseudospiralis in Poland. The species is very difficult to determine, especially using trichinoscopic method. The discovery of the larvae in the animals which may be intended for human consumption confirms that digestion technique should be the only method used for the inspection of meat, especially that from wild boars..
Laplace-Stieltjes transform of the system mean lifetime via geometric process model
Authors: Gökdere Gökhan , Gürcan Mehmet
Published: June 2016

Operation principle of the engineering systems occupies an important role in the reliability theory. In most of the studies, the reliability function of the system is obtained analytically according to the structure of the system. Also in such studies the mean operating time of the system is calculated. However, the reliability function of some systems, such as repairable system, cannot be easily obtained analytically. In this case, forming Laplace-Stieltjes transform of the system can provide a solution to the problem. In this paper, we have designed a system which consists of two components that can be repairable with the aging property. Firstly, the Laplace-Stieltjes transform of the system is formed. Later, the mean operating time of the system is calculated by means of Laplace-Stieltjes transform. The system’s repair policy is evaluated depending on the geometric process. This property provides the aging of the system. We also provide special systems with different marginal lifetime distributions to illustrate the theoretical results in this study.
Weighted fractional differential equations with infinite delay in Banach spaces
Authors: Dong Qixiang , Liu Can , Fan Zhenbin
Published: June 2016

This paper is devoted to the study of fractional differential equations with Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives and infinite delay in Banach spaces. The weighted delay is developed to deal with the case of non-zero initial value, which leads to the unboundedness of the solutions. Existence and uniqueness results are obtained based on the theory of measure of non-compactness, Schaude’s and Banach’s fixed point theorems. As auxiliary results, a fractional Gronwall type inequality is proved, and the comparison property of fractional integral is discussed.
Vehicle SI Engine with MPI of Liquid State LPG
Authors: Beroun Stanislav , Brabec Pavel , Dittrich Aleš
Published: June 2016

The first part of the article reviews the possible methods for LPG and air mixture forming (injection of gaseous or liquid state LPG) and their influence on the operating properties of an SI engine. The next chapter explains the processes that take place when liquid state LPG is injected into the air flow of an internal combustion engine intake manifold. A simplified calculation is used to show that the injection of liquid state LPG is associated with extreme low temperature of the LPG injected into intake manifold and with ice formation on the outlet nozzle. The article sets out the design of an end part injector (EPI) for liquid state LPG that reduces the risk of icing of the outlet nozzle. The results of experimental research indicate very good operational properties for a vehicle SI engine with the combustion mixture formed by the injection of liquid state LPG into the engine intake manifold. The calculation results are confirmed by recording plots of LPG pressure inside the end part of injector (EPI) and the temperature on the outlet nozzle (ON) of the LPG injector. Visual inspection of injection of liquid state LPG into the intake manifold clearly supports the performed measurements. The conclusions summarize the knowledge gained from the laboratory investigation of liquid state LPG injection into an engine intake manifold.
Stable phase CdS nanoparticles for optoelectronics: a study on surface morphology, structural and optical characterization
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Sharma J.K.
Published: June 2016

This work presents a study on the surface morphology, structure and optical behavior of stable phase cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles synthesized via co-precipitation technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis has been employed to study a cluster formation in the aggregated nanoparticles. An image analysis approach using ImageJ has been used to measure the size of nanoparticles from the SEM micrographs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) analysis identified absorption peaks of Cd–S stretching along with moisture content. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that CdS nanoparticles crystallized in wurtzite structure with a preferential orientation along (0 0 2) plane. The particle size, microstrain and lattice constants have been evaluated using XRD data. The lattice parameters of these nanoparticles were found to be shorter than the bulk value which led to lattice contraction. The optical absorption study showed a blue shift in the fundamental absorption edge indicating a quantum size effect.
Effects of Soret, Hall and Ion-slip on mixed convection in an electrically conducting Casson fluid in a vertical channel
Authors: RamReddy Ch. , Surender O. , Venkata Rao Ch.
Published: June 2016

The significance of Soret, Hall and Ion-slip effects on mixed convection flow of an electrically conducting Casson fluid in a vertical channel in the presence of viscous dissipation is analyzed. The system of flow governing equations are converted into the system of non-dimensional equations using appropriate non-dimensional transformations and hence solved analytically by homotopy analysis method. A quantitative comparison is made between homotopy analysis method and Adomian decomposition method and the results are found to be in good agreement. The dimensionless velocity, temperature and species concentration profiles are illustrated graphically and quantitatively with special focus on the Casson fluid, Soret, viscous dissipation, Hall and Ion-slip parameters.
Observations of Multi-Scale Granular Kinematics Around Driven Piles in Plane Strain Condition
Authors: Chen Z. , Omidvar M. , Iskander M.
Published: June 2016

The behavior of granular media around driven piles is not well understood. Current design guidelines still remain empirical and highly approximate. Plane-strain calibration chamber tests have been conducted to provide visual observations of the penetration mechanisms occurring during driving. Tests were performed to investigate the effects of confinement, relative density, and soil type. Digital image correlation (DIC) combined with other advanced image analysis tools were used to obtain meso-scale displacement, finite strain maps, as well as micro scale particle kinematics during pile installation. The observed shear strain map for the confined dense Ottawa sand test shows a wedge-type soil failure plane with a rigid cone of sand beneath the pile tip. The obtained volumetric strain maps show an intense compression zone directly below the pile tip, followed by a dilation zone to accommodate shear. High degree of sand compaction at the pile tip during driving also created a thin dilation strip along the pile shaft. High hoop stresses could then be sustained in the surrounding denser sand by arching. Large rotation and chaotic particle motion were also observed in the areas where there were large shear and volumetric strains. The random motion of particles near pile boundaries was further confirmed through affine/non-affine analysis of grain kinematics.
Repetitive Availability Demonstration Testing Procedure
Authors: Usher J. S. , Aslam M. , Hardin C. T. , Jun C.-H.
Published: June 2016

The proposed availability demonstration test (ADT) is an extension of the work of Usher and Taylor [Usher, J. S. and Taylor, G. D., “Availability Demonstration Testing,” Qual. Reliab. Eng. Int., Vol. 22, No. 4, 2006, pp. 473–472] and provides reduced testing time. The ratio of the cumulative repair times and the cumulative failure times are then compared to an upper and lower limit. Values of the ratio above the upper limit signal a reject decision. Values below a lower limit signal an accept decision. Values in between the limits signal a repeat of the test. The advantages of the proposed test are discussed over the test plan given by Usher and Taylor. This method should be of great value to consumers and producers who want to ensure that bad systems are rejected and good systems are accepted based on system availability.
GROWTH DISPARITIES AMONG REGIONS OF THE VISEGRAD GROUP COUNTRIES: AN EVIDENCE OF THEIR EXTENT AND NATURE
Authors: Zdražil Pavel , Applová Petra
Published: June 2016

The deepening of regional disparities is an issue of increasing importance that has been systematically emphasized in the EU policy, especially since the process of “Eastern Integration” has started. The paper focuses on the Visegrad Group countries whose regions are less developed in the EU context. The aim of the research is to assess the development of disparities in regional economic performance of the Visegrad Group countries, to identify how the factors of economic growth determine these disparities, and partly to assess whether the integration of the Visegrad Group countries into the EU infl uenced the development of regional disparities in these countries. For the analysis of disparities during 2000–2013 we selected an approach of measuring real convergence (sigma-convergence). Disparities were measured in the context of a breakdown of the GDP per capita into sub-components, refl ecting on the development of disparities in productivity and employment. The results show that, although regions of the Visegrad Group countries converged towards the EU average and also in terms of the Visegrad Group as a whole, regional disparities within countries rather increased. This led to a paradox where, although the objective of reducing regional disparities across the EU was satisfi ed, from a national perspective disparities increased. The Labour productivity factor, with its dominant yet steadily growing contribution, is the main determinant of disparities in the performance of the Visegrad Group regions. Other sources of disparities are characterized by a stable development or convergence. Only Polish regions deviated from the general conclusions, since the extent of disparities among them grew constantly, and the nature of disparities was the Labour participation rate. In terms of the impact caused by accession into the EU, the measured changes were rather minor and the identifi ed trends had mostly been in place before the Visegrad Group countries entered the EU.
A NOVEL SORTING METHOD TOPSIS-SORT: AN APPLICATION FOR TEHRAN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY EVALUATION
Authors: Faraji Sabokbar Hassanali , Hosseini Ali , Banaitis Audrius , Banaitiene Nerija
Published: June 2016

Many real-life problems are multi-objective by nature that requires evaluation of more than one criterion, therefore MCDM has become an important issue. In recent years, many MCDM methods have been developed; the existing approaches have been improved and extended. Multi criteria decision analysis has been regarded as a suitable set of methods to perform sustainability evaluations. Among numerous MCDM methods developed to solve real-life decision problems, Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) continues to work satisfactorily in diverse application areas. In this paper, a novel sorting method (TOPSIS-Sort) based on the classic TOPSIS method is presented. In the TOPSIS-Sort approach an outranking relation is used for sorting purposes. The proposed approach uses characteristic profi les for defi ning the classes and outranking relation as the preference model. Application of the proposed approach is demonstrated by classifying 22 districts of Tehran into fi ve classes (but none of the districts fi ts into Classes 4 and 5), representing areas with different levels of environmental quality. An analysis and assessment of the environmental conditions in Tehran helps to identify the districts with the poor environmental quality. Priority should be given to these areas to maintain and improve the quality of environment. The results obtained by the TOPSIS-Sort give credence to its success, because the results of sorting confi rm our and specialists’ evaluation of the districts. This research provides appropriate results with respect to the development of sorting models in the form of outranking relations. The model, proposed by this study, is applicable to the other outranking methods such as ELECTRE, PROMETHEE, etc.
Taiwan’s Hedging against China
Authors: Wu Charles Chong-Han
Published: June 2016

This article addresses the identifiable conditions for hedging strategies. By examining specific cases of policy choices and political situations in a triangular framework, the author suggests that Taiwan’s hedging behavior against China is sensitive to local variation in power capabilities, economic intention, and the security commitment from the United States.
TssA forms a gp6‐like ring attached to the type VI secretion sheath
Authors: Planamente Sara , Salih Osman , Manoli Eleni , Albesa‐Jové David , Freemont Paul S , Filloux Alain
Published: June 2016

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a supra‐molecular bacterial complex that resembles phage tails. It is a killing machine which fires toxins into target cells upon contraction of its TssBC sheath. Here, we show that TssA1 is a T6SS component forming dodecameric ring structures whose dimensions match those of the TssBC sheath and which can accommodate the inner Hcp tube. The TssA1 ring complex binds the T6SS sheath and impacts its behaviour in vivo. In the phage, the first disc of the gp18 sheath sits on a baseplate wherein gp6 is a dodecameric ring. We found remarkable sequence and structural similarities between TssA1 and gp6 C‐termini, and propose that TssA1 could be a baseplate component of the T6SS. Furthermore, we identified similarities between TssK1 and gp8, the former interacting with TssA1 while the latter is found in the outer radius of the gp6 ring. These observations, combined with similarities between TssF and gp6N‐terminus or TssG and gp53, lead us to propose a comparative model between the phage baseplate and the T6SS.
Achieving a physiological cortisol profile with once-daily dual-release hydrocortisone: a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Johannsson Gudmundur , Lennernäs Hans , Marelli Claudio , Rockich Kevin , Skrtic Stanko
Published: June 2016

Objective

Oral once-daily dual-release hydrocortisone (DR-HC) replacement therapy was developed to provide a cortisol exposure−time profile that closely resembles the physiological cortisol profile. This study aimed to characterize single-dose pharmacokinetics (PK) of DR-HC 5–20mg and assess intrasubject variability.

Methods

Thirty-one healthy Japanese or non-Hispanic Caucasian volunteers aged 20−55 years participated in this randomized, open-label, PK study. Single doses of DR-HC 5, 15 (3×5), and 20mg were administered orally after an overnight fast and suppression of endogenous cortisol secretion. After estimating the endogenous cortisol profile, PK of DR-HC over 24h were evaluated to assess dose proportionality and impact of ethnicity. Plasma cortisol concentrations were analyzed using liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry. PK parameters were calculated from individual cortisol concentration−time profiles.

Results

DR-HC 20mg provided higher than endogenous cortisol plasma concentrations 0−4h post-dose but similar concentrations later in the profile. Cortisol concentrations and PK exposure parameters increased with increasing doses. Mean maximal serum concentration (Cmax) was 82.0 and 178.1ng/mL, while mean area under the concentration−time curve (AUC)0−∞ was 562.8 and 1180.8h×ng/mL with DR-HC 5 and 20mg respectively. Within-subject PK variability was low (<15%) for DR-HC 20mg. All exposure PK parameters were less than dose proportional (slope <1). PK differences between ethnicities were explained by body weight differences.

Conclusions

DR-HC replacement resembles the daily normal cortisol profile. Within-subject day-to-day PK variability was low, underpinning the safety of DR-HC for replacement therapy. DR-HC PK were less than dose proportional – an important consideration when managing intercurrent illness in patients with adrenal insufficiency.
In situ androgen and estrogen biosynthesis in endometrial cancer: focus on androgen actions and intratumoral production
Authors: Ito Kiyoshi , Miki Yasuhiro , Suzuki Takashi , McNamara Keely May , Sasano Hironobu
Published: June 2016

In situestrogen biosynthesis is considered to play pivotal roles in the development and progression of human endometrial carcinoma. However, the biological roles of androgen have remained virtually unknown. Various epidemiological studies have revealed that elevated serum androgen levels are generally associated with an increased risk of developing endometrial carcinoma; however, studies directly examining androgens in carcinoma tissues are relatively rare and reviews summarizing this information are scarce. Therefore, we summarized recent studies on androgens in endometrial carcinoma, especially focusing androgen actions andin situandrogen biosynthesis. Among the enzymes required for local biosynthesis of androgen, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5 (conversion from androstenedione to testosterone) and 5α-reductase (reduction of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)) are the principal enzymes involved in the formation of biologically most potent androgen, DHT. Both enzymes and androgen receptor were expressed in endometrial carcinoma tissues, andin situproduction of DHT has been reported to exist in endometrial carcinoma tissues. However, testosterone is not only a precursor of DHT production, but also a precursor of estradiol synthesis, as a substrate of the aromatase enzyme. Therefore, aromatase could be another key enzyme serving as a negative regulator forin situproduction of DHT by reducing amounts of the precursor. In anin vitrostudy, DHT was reported to exert antiproliferative effects on endometrial carcinoma cells. Intracrine mechanisms of androgens, the downstream signals of AR, which are directly related to anticancer progression, and the clinical significance of DHT-AR pathway in the patients with endometrial carcinoma have, however, not been fully elucidated.