bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current and simulated structure, growth parameters and regeneration of beech forests with different game management in the Lány Game Enclosure / Struktura, růstové parametry, obnova a modelový vývoj bukových porostů s odlišným způsobem mysliveckého hospodaření v podmínkách Lánské obory
Authors: Ambrož Robin , Vacek Stanislav , Vacek Zdeněk , Král Jan , Štefančík Igor
Published: August 2015

The paper presents the results of the study of the current and simulated structure of beech forests in the Lány game preserve, which is situated in the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area in the Czech Republic. The research was conducted at two permanent research plots (PRP) of 0.25 ha in size in a mature beech forest using the FieldMap technology. Typological, soil and phytocoenological stand characteristics and the history of management of both PRP are comparable; however, they differ in the protection against wildlife. The results demonstrated that deer species including red deer (Cervus elaphus L. - 300 head), sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon Temm. - 300 head), mouflon (Ovis musimon Pallas - 250 head) and fallow deer (Dama dama L. - 300 head) is a limiting factor for successful development of natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Natural regeneration on PRP 1 with wild boar herd (Sus scrofa L. - 150 head) is sufficient in relation to site and stand conditions. On the contrary, there is no regeneration on PRP 2 with the occurrence of deer species. The results of biometric measurements and subsequent predictions by the SIBYLA forest biodynamics simulator indicate that the stands are insignificantly structured, mature, productive beech stands with the absence of individuals in the lower tree layer.
Effect of deforestation on watershed water balance: hydrological modelling-based approach / Vplyv odlesnenia na vodnú bilanciu povodia: prístup na báze hydrologického modelovania
Authors: Hlásny Tomáš , Kočický Dušan , Maretta Martin , Sitková Zuzana , Barka Ivan , Konôpka Milan , Hlavatá Helena
Published: August 2015

Changes in land cover, including deforestation, can have significant effect on watershed hydrology. We used hydrological model with distributed parameters to evaluate the effect of simulated deforestation on water balance components in the watershed Ulička (97 km2, 84.3% forest cover) located in the eastern Slovakia. Under the current land cover, average interception accounted for 21.1% of the total precipitation during the calibration period 2001-2013. Most of the precipitation (77%) infiltrated into the soil profile, and less than half of this amount percolated into the ground water aquifer. The surface runoff accounted for 1.2% of the total precipitation only, while the interflow accounted for ca. 12%. The largest proportion of the precipitation contributed to the base flow (23%). Watershed`s deforestation induced significant decrease in the interception and evapotranspiration (by 76% and 12%, respectively). At the same time, total runoff, surface runoff, interflow and base flow increased by 20.4, 38.8, 9.0 and 25.5%, respectively. Daily discharge increased by 20%. The deforestation significantly increased peak discharge induced by a simulated extreme precipitation event with the recurrence interval of 100 years. In the deforested watershed, the peak discharge was higher by 58% as compared with the current land cover. Peak discharge occurred in 432 minutes with the current land cover and in 378 minutes with deforestation, after the precipitation event had started. The presented assessment emphasized the risk of adverse effect of excessive deforestation on watershed hydrology. At the same time, the developed model allows testing the effect of other land cover scenarios, and thus supports management in the investigated watershed.
Teoretické východiská a praktické opatrenia na harmonizáciu záujmov lesného hospodárstva a poľovníctva na Slovensku / Theoretical bases and practical measures to harmonise the interests of forestry and game management in Slovakia
Authors: Kaštier Peter , Konôpka Jozef , Konôpka Bohdan
Published: August 2015

Strategic aims and priorities of forestry and game management in Slovakia are characterised. Using current knowledge in the field, common bases for both target sectors are introduced and possibilities for harmonisation of their interests are explained. Development of mutual relationship between forestry and game management is analysed and the causes of existing discrepancies are shown. The main reason of the discrepancies is unfavourable development of ungulate game population and high damage to forests stands caused by game browsing. The final part of the paper presents the recommendations for practical measures to be taken for reaching accordance between both sectors, eventually measures for achieving the primary goal to support all-society’s interests in this field. We base our suggestions on an assumption that both forestry and game management accept the proposed measures, or more precisely the measures will be implemented through mutual collaboration and integration.
Voľba lesného reprodukčného materiálu v podmienkach klimatickej zmeny / Choice of forest reproductive material under conditions of climate change
Authors: Gömöry Dušan , Longauer Roman , Krajmerová Diana
Published: August 2015

Climate change may endanger not only yield and fulfilling the social functions of European forests, but even the survival of several tree species. The study emphasises the complexity of climatic factors and physiological mechanisms, which may potentially endanger the persistence of tree populations and which cannot be reduced to problems of drought and temperature increase. A substantial inter-population variation in traits associated with the response to climatic stress, observed in provenance experiments, is a prerequisite for the choice of proper forest reproductive material (FRM) in reforestation as a strategy of climate-change mitigation. Assisted migration, i.e., transfer of FRM from source regions, currently characterised by such climate characteristics, which are expected in the target regions in the future, requires knowledge of key stress factors (depending on the climate scenario), physiological processes associated with the adaptation to this stress, identification of genes and eventually epigenetic mechanisms, controlling adaptation processes, and finally mapping of genetic and/or epigenetic variation in key genes. For most tree species, such information is not yet available. Therefore, assisted migration under such information uncertainty needs to be complemented by in situ gene conservation measures to preserve the possibility of reversing the effects of eventual erroneous decisions on FRM transfer.
Transmission of some species of internal parasites in horse foals born in 2013 in the same pasture on a farm in Central Kentucky
Authors: Tolliver S. C. , Lyons E. T. , Nielsen M. K. , Bellaw J. L.
Published: August 2015

The present research is a continuation of studies conducted periodically over 40 years on transmission of natural infections of internal parasites in the same horse herd on pasture (Field 10) on a farm in Central Kentucky. It included 12 mixed light horse foals born in 2013 and euthanatized between July, 2013 and April, 2014 for collection of internal parasites. Parasites found: Gasterophilus intestinalis, Strongyloides westeri, Parascaris equorum, Anoplocephala perfoliata, small strongyles (cyathostomes), Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus and Thelazia lacrymalis. Prevalence generally was related to age of the foals. Overall prevalence and number of specimens were lower than in earlier studies except for P. equorum. There were 15 species (much fewer than previously) of small strongyles found and recorded by location in the large intestines. All stages of small strongyles encysted in the mucosa of the large intestine were recovered by artificial digestion and in significantly lower numbers in older foals
Seasonal occurrence of some larval stages of endoparasites in three cyprinids from the Nwanedi-Luphephe dams, the Limpopo River System, South Africa
Authors: Mbokane E. M. , Theron J. , Luus-Powell W. J.
Published: August 2015

This study provides information on seasonal occurrence of developmental stages of endoparasites infecting three cyprinids in the Nwanedi-Luphephe dams, Limpopo River System. Labeobarbus marequensis (Smith, 1841), Barbus trimaculatus Peters, 1852 and Barbus radiatus Peters, 1853 were investigated seasonally from January 2008 to October 2008. The following larvae of metazoan parasites were collected: Diplostomum sp. from the eyes of L. marequensis and B. trimaculatus; Ornithodiplostomum sp. from the gills of B. trimaculatus; Posthodiplostomum sp. from muscle, skin and fins of B. trimaculatus and B. radiatus; third-stage Contracaecum larvae (L3) from the mesentery fats and on the liver lobes of L. marequensis and B. trimaculatus and gryporynchid cestode larvae from the outer intestinal wall of B. radiatus. All the flukes encountered were metacercariae. Diplostomum sp. and Contracaecum sp. dominated the parasite communities. Their prevalence exhibited seasonal fluctuations with maxima in summer. Factors likely to influence fish infection such as the body size of fish and their condition factors were also briefly considered in this study.
The first report of Morishitium vagum (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae) in Turdus merula in Iran
Authors: Kalani H. , Kalani F. , Faridnia R. , Pestechian N. , Mohaghegh M. A. , Mirzaei F. , Sharif M. , Daryani A.
Published: August 2015

This paper describes a trematode isolated from the air sacs of a common blackbird (Turdus merula) by the authors in Qaemshahr city, Mazandaran province, north of Iran. The specimens were in the best form to make whole-mounts for species identification. The identified species was Morishitium vagum (Morishita 1924) Witenberg 1928, belonging to the family Cyclocoelidae Stossich 1902, according to morphologic and morphometric characters, as explained in references. This is the first report of a species belonging to the family Cyclocoelidae in Iran, and the first report of this type-species isolated from Turdus merula in the world.
Usage-based recycling or creative exploitation of the shared code? The case of phraseological patterning
Authors: Vetchinnikova Svetlana
Published: August 2015

This paper sets as its aim to show that ELF research is not uniform in its fundamental theoretical assumptions. While one wing of ELF scholars follows a classical Saussurean tradition with its notions oflangueandparole, the other is distinctly usage-based. This is not presented as a problem but rather as a matter to be taken into consideration because the views are not easily reconcilable, if at all. Naturally, this divergence of view is clearly visible in data analysis and leads to different interpretations of the underlying processes. I will illustrate my point by the case of phraseological patterning. It is well-known that multi-word units occurring in ELF use are not quite the same as in standard varieties. In SLA the discrepancies are traditionally labelled as errors, a stance ELF researchers do not generally agree with since the conflicting usages do not seem to lose their communicative successfulness. The question at which ELF researchers look differently is whether not quite nativelike phraseological patterning in ELF is a result of analytic or holistic – although fuzzy – processing, in other words, creation or approximation. The answer to this question has profound implications for our understanding of second language processing.
The role of noun phrases in misunderstandings in Brunei English in ELF settings
Authors: Athirah Ishamina , Deterding David
Published: August 2015

Innovative usage of noun phrases is among the most widely reported features of new varieties of English throughout the world and also in discourse in ELF settings, but its effect on intelligibility has not been extensively investigated. In an attempt to remedy this, ten conversations in English between Bruneians and people from elsewhere were recorded, and a total of 153 tokens were identified in which the non-Bruneians did not understand the Bruneian speakers. In twenty of these tokens, the grammar of a noun phrase may be one factor in giving rise to the misunderstanding, involving added or absent articles, innovative use of plurals, and the unexpected gender of a pronoun. Further analysis suggests that non-standard grammar was probably the main factor in just four of these tokens, two involving an added article before a proper noun, one with a spurious -s on the end of other, and one in which she was used to refer to a male. There were many instances of non-standard grammar in noun phrases throughout the conversations, but this rarely caused a problem, which suggests that the innovative structure of noun phrases seldom impacts on the intelligibility of Brunei English in ELF settings.
Complex representation growth of finite quasisimple groups of Lie type
Authors: Häsä Jokke
Published: August 2015

We give upper bounds to the number of n-dimensional irreducible complex representations of finite quasisimple groups belonging to different families of groups of Lie type. The bounds have the form c
ns
, where c and s are explicit positive constants that both depend on the family in question. From these bounds, we deduce a uniform bound of the form c
n to the number of n-dimensional irreducible representations of all finite quasisimple groups of Lie type. Finally, an application of these results to counting conjugacy classes of maximal subgroups of Lie groups is discussed.
Statistical analysis and stochastic dislocation-based modeling of microplasticity
Authors: Kapetanou Olga , Koutsos Vasileios , Theotokoglou Efstathios , Weygand Daniel , Zaiser Michael
Published: August 2015

Plastic deformation of micro- and nanoscale samples differs from macroscopic plasticity in two respects: (i) the flow stress of small samples depends on their size, and (ii) the scatter of plastic deformation behavior increases significantly. In this work, we focus on the scatter of plastic behavior. We statistically characterize the deformation process of micropillars using results from discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) simulations. We then propose a stochastic microplasticity model that uses the extracted information to make statistical predictions regarding the micropillar stress-strain curves. This model aims to map the complex dynamics of interacting dislocations onto stochastic processes involving the continuum variables of stress and strain. Therefore, it combines a classical continuum description of the elastic-plastic problem with a stochastic description of plastic flow. We compare the model predictions with the underlying DDD simulations and outline potential future applications of the same modeling approach.
Strain gradient and electric field gradient effects in piezoelectric cantilever beams
Authors: Yue Yanmei , Xu Kaiyu , Aifantis Elias C.
Published: August 2015

A piezoelectric beam model with strain gradient and electric gradient effects is proposed. An energy variational principle with strain, strain gradient, electric field, and electric field gradient considered as independent variables is postulated to develop the governing equations and boundary conditions. Moreover, two strain gradient coefficients and one electric field gradient coefficient are introduced to account for higher order coupling effects of underlying microstructure. Then the bending problem of a cantilever beam is solved to illustrate the theory. It is found that the deflection of the cantilever may depend strongly on the so-introduced gradient effects. As a result of the electromechanical coupling, the generated electric field may also be affected by the strain gradient. However, electric field gradient has a limited effect on the electric field.
Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae), a predatory species of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Iran
Authors: Sohrabi Fariba , Hosseini Reza
Published: August 2015

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is a major worldwide pest of tomato crops, both in the greenhouse and in open field cultivations. Since this pest’s new introduction in Iran, it has caused extensive damage. Chemicals have mainly been used to control this pest. The purpose of our research was to identify the indigenous predators of the tomato leafminer, associated with tomato in the Borazjan region of the Bushehr province, Iran. From March to May 2014, infested tomato leaves were collected from protected tomato crops. A predator species from the family Miridae was found, reared, and identified as Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter 1895). This species is reported for the first time on tomato leafminer in Iran. Identification of important natural enemies provides a scientific basis for including these predators in the biological programs against this pest.
Detection and molecular characterization of the Iris severe mosaic virus-Ir isolate from Iran
Authors: Nateqi Masoud , Habibi Mina Koohi , Dizadji Akbar , Parizad Shirin
Published: August 2015

Iris belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the most important pharmaceutical and ornamental plants in the world. To assess the potyvirus incidence in natural resources of iris plants in Iran, Antigen Coated-Plate ELISA (ACP-ELISA) was performed on 490 symptomatic rhizomatous iris leaf samples, which detected the potyvirus in 36.7% of the samples. Genomic 3′ end of one mechanically non-transmitted potyvirus isolate, comprising a 3′ untranslated region (390 bp) and C-terminus of the coat protein (CP) gene (459 bp), was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which was ligated into pTG19-T vector. The nucleotide sequence of amplicons was compared with related sequences, using Blastn software available at NCBI GenBank, and showed the highest similarity withIris severe mosaic virus(ISMV) isolates. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the CP C-terminus region was more than 83% identical with other ISMV isolates, therefore this isolate was designated as ISMV-Ir. This new ISMV isolate is closely related to the Chinese ISMV-PHz in phylogenetic analysis, based on the partial nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the CP region. This is the first report of ISMV occurrence onIrisspp. in Iran.
Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of essential oil from Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. used against the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller
Authors: Kheirkhah Mohammad , Ghasemi Vahid , Yazdi Asghar Khoshnood , Rahban Samaneh
Published: August 2015

The Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, is a major pest of stored grain products, particularly flour. There have been major concerns over the application of conventional insecticides in stored products, which have strongly demonstrated the need for applying such alternative safe compounds as essential oils. The aim of the present study is to investigate the chemical composition and fumigant toxicity of essential oil from Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. against the eggs, larvae, and adults of E. kuehniella. All toxicity tests were carried out under laboratory conditions set at 26±1°C and 70% relative humidity (RH). The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis indicated that the essential oil extracted from the leaves of Z. clinopodioides, is rich in pulegone (49.4%), piperitenone (10.7%), menthone (8.9%), and 1,8-cineol (6.9%). Based on the bioassay results, the LC50 value of the tested oil was estimated to be 54.61 μl · l−1 air for larvae and 1.39 μl · l−1 air for adults. Also, it is shown that increasing the oil concentration resulted in a significant increase in oviposition deterrency as well as a considerable reduction in the egg hatching percentage. These results suggest that Z. clinopodioides oil could be a potential candidate as a fumigant for managing E. kuehniella in stored products.
On the Influence of Fracture Criterion on Perforation of High-Strength Steel Plates Subjected to Armour Piercing Projectile
Authors: Tria Djalel Eddine , Trebinski Radosław
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a numerical investigation of fracture criterion influence on perforation of high-strength 30PM steel plates subjected to 7.62x51 mm Armour Piercing (AP) projectile. An evaluation of four ductile fracture models is performed to identify the most suitable fracture criterion. Included in the paper is the Modified Johnson-Cook (MJC) constitutive model coupled separately with one of these fracture criteria: the MJC fracture model, the Cockcroft-Latham (CL), the maximum shear stress and the constant failure strain models. A 3D explicit Lagrangian algorithm that includes both elements and particles, is used in this study to automatically convert distorted elements into meshless particles during the course of the computation. Numerical simulations are examined by comparing with the experimental results. The MJC fracture model formulated in the space of the stress triaxiality and the equivalent plastic strain to fracture were found capable of predicting the realistic fracture patterns and at the same time the correct projectile residual velocities. However, this study has shown that CL one parameter fracture criterion where only one simple material test is required for calibration is found to give good results as the MJC failure criterion. The maximum shear stress fracture criterion fails to capture the shear plugging failure and material fracture properties cannot be fully characterized with the constant fracture strain
Flexure of Thick Plates Resting on Elastic Foundation Using Two-Variable Refined Plate Theory
Authors: Rouzegar Jafar , Sharifpoor Reza Abdoli
Published: August 2015

The two-variable refined plate theory is used in this paper for the analysis of thick plates resting on elastic foundation. This theory contains only two unknown parameters and predicts parabolic variation of transverse shear stresses. It satisfies the zero traction on the plate surfaces without using shear correction factor. Using the principle of minimum potential energy, the governing equations for simply supported rectangular plates resting on Winkler elastic foundation are obtained. The Navier method is adopted for solution of obtained coupled governing equations, and several benchmark problems under various loading conditions are solved by present theory. The comparison of obtained results with other common theories shows the excellent efficiency of this theory in modeling thick plates resting on elastic foundation. Also, the effect of foundation modulus, plate thickness and type of loading are studied and the results show that the deflections are decreased by increasing the foundation modulus and plate thickness
Monitoring of Tool Vibration for Magnetorheological Fluid Controlled Bar During Turning ff Hardened Aisi4340 Steel
Authors: Paul P. Sam , Jazeel Mohammed , Varadarajan A.S.
Published: August 2015

In recent times, the concept of hard turning has gained awareness in metal cutting as it can apparently replace the traditional process cycle of turning, heat treating, and finish grinding for assembly of hard, wear-resistant steel parts. The major apprehension in hard turning is the tool vibration, which affects the surface finish of the work piece, has to be controlled and monitored. In order to control tool vibration in metal cutting, a magnetorheological fluid damper which has received great attention in suppressing tool vibration was developed and used. Also an attempt has been made in this study to monitor tool vibration using the skewness and kurtosis parameters of acoustic emission (AE) signal for the tool holder with and without magnetorheological damper. Cutting experiments were conducted to arrive at a set of operating parameters that can offer better damping characteristics to minimize tool vibration during turning of AISI4340 steel of 46 HRC using hard metal insert with sculptured rake face. From the results, it was observed that the presence of magnetorheological damper during hard turning reduces tool vibration and there exist a strong relationship between tool vibration and acoustic emission (AERMS) signals to monitor tool condition. This work provides momentous understanding on the usage of magnetorheological damper and AE sensor to control and monitor the tool condition during turning of hardened AISI4340 steel
Web Application for Hierarchical Organizational Structure Optimization – Human Resource Management Case Study
Authors: Kofjač Davorin , Bavec Blaž , Škraba Andrej
Published: August 2015

Background and Purpose: In a complex strictly hierarchical organizational structure, undesired oscillations may occur, which have not yet been adequately addressed. Therefore, parameter values, which define fluctuations and transitions from one state to another, need to be optimized to prevent oscillations and to keep parameter values between lower and upper bounds. The objective was to develop a simulation model of hierarchical organizational structure as a web application to help in solving the aforementioned problem.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The hierarchical structure was modeled according to the principles of System Dynamics. The problem of the undesired oscillatory behavior was addressed with deterministic finite automata, while the flow parameter values were optimized with genetic algorithms. These principles were implemented as a web application with JavaScript/ECMAScript.

Results: Genetic algorithms were tested against well-known instances of problems for which the optimal analytical values were found. Deterministic finite automata was verified and validated via a three-state hierarchical organizational model, successfully preventing the oscillatory behavior of the structure.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the hierarchical organizational model, genetic algorithms and deterministic finite automata have been successfully implemented with JavaScript as a web application that can be used on mobile devices. The objective of the paper was to optimize the flow parameter values in the hierarchical organizational model with genetic algorithms and finite automata. The web application was successfully used on a three-state hierarchical organizational structure, where the optimal flow parameter values were determined and undesired oscillatory behavior was prevented. Therefore, we have provided a decision support system for determination of quality restructuring strategies.
A Statistical Model for Shutdowns due to Air Quality Control for a Copper Production Decision Support System
Authors: Aboura Khalid
Published: August 2015

Background: In the mid-1990s, a decision support system for copper production was developed for one of the largest mining companies in Australia. The research was conducted by scientists from the largest Australian research center and involved the use of simulation to analyze options to increase production of a copper production facility.

Objectives: We describe a statistical model for shutdowns due to air quality control and some of the data analysis conducted during the simulation project. We point to the fact that the simulation was a sophisticated exercise that consisted of many modules and the statistical model for shutdowns was essential for valid simulation runs.

Method: The statistical model made use of a full year of data on daily downtimes and used a combination of techniques to generate replications of the data.

Results: The study was conducted with a high level of cooperation between the scientists and the mining company. This contributed to the development of accurate estimates for input into a support system with an EXCEL based interface.

Conclusion: The environmental conditions affected greatly the operations of the production facility. A good statistical model was essential for the successful simulation and the high budget expansion decision that ensued.
Community Frames of Migration: The Path from Seaca to Spain
Authors: Deliu Alexandra
Published: August 2015

Transnational migration is a vast social phenomenon that has become a valid option for many Romanians since 1989. Romania is an emigration country and the favourite destinations of its citizens are Italy and Spain. This is the context in which I present my work, which focuses on the formation of transnational migration patterns from a village in the southern region of Romania. The data were generated during field research conducted in August 2012, and the empirical material consisted of field notes and interview transcripts corresponding to recorded conversations with local migrants, authority representatives and people without migration experience. In this particular community, two patterns of migration were identified, for which variables such as ethnicity (Roma/Romanian) and religious orientation (Orthodoxy/Adventism) appear to have explanatory power. My inquiry takes as its starting point the identification of this variety of migration patterns and concentrates on analysing them in the regional and national contexts based on the scholarly framework provided by network theory. Two major differences exist between them: the time frame of living and working abroad (clearly demarcated as three months, six months or indefinite) and the nature of the work environment (departures based on a work contract between the migrant and a company located at the destination and departures accompanied by uncertainty regarding workplace concerns upon arrival). Making sense of these life strategies and their local configurations are the objectives of this paper.
Social Work or Relief Work? A Crisis in Professional Social Work
Authors: Adhikari Harasankar
Published: August 2015

Social work is a sharing and caring profession based on scientific methods. This problem solving profession makes people self-reliant and self-dependent when he/she is in any sorts of crises. Thus, it differs from relief work, social services or social welfare delivered during emergence crises. This paper examined the application of professional social work as relief work, which did not bring any change among the beneficiaries; rather it set their mind as opportunist. For this purpose, the programme sponsored by the government of India and implemented by nongovernmental organizations for rehabilitation of the street children (i.e., pavements and slums dwellers, children of sex workers, and so forth) of Metro cities like Kolkata had priority. This evaluative study assessed the progress and changes among 500 street children who were the beneficiaries for 10 years of the programme, selected according to their parental residents/occupation through stratified sampling. Interviews, case studies and group interaction were used to collect data on various aspects, i.e. personal background, education, and occupation of these children. It revealed that after almost 10 years of services, the problem of children was static. Firstly, service delivery system was as relief work. The methods of social work were not implied while the professionals were in implementation. On the other hand, the scope of monitoring and evaluation of the programme by government was suspended due to several reasons. Definitely, the politicalization in human development would be restricted. The problems of suffering would be root out and it should not be a continued process.
Soil salinity effects on phenological traits, plant height and seed yield in rapeseed genotypes
Authors: Rameeh Valiollah , Gerami Mahyar
Published: August 2015

Among the various abiotic stresses limiting the crop production, salinity stress is the most important problem, which needs to be addressed and answered straight away. A pot experiment was carried out with rapeseed breeding lines in order to study the effects of salinity stress on phenological traits, plant height and seed yield of rapeseed. A factorial experiment was applied for evaluating the eight rapeseed genotypes under three salinity levels including 0, 6 and 12 dS m-1 taking NaCl:CaCl2 in the ratio of 1:1, which were equal to 42.8 mM and 85.7 mM, respectively. The results of analysis of the variance revealed significant variations among different salinity levels, genotypes and interaction effects of salinity levels × genotypes for days to flowering, days to end of flowering, days to maturity, plant height and seed yield. Due to increasing salinity levels, days to flowering, days to end of flowering and days to maturity were shortened. Although with increasing salinity levels plant height and seed yield of the genotypes were decreased but the ranks of genotypes were different in 0, 6 and 12 dS m-1 salinity levels. The genotypes had significant genetic differences for the traits and the increments of differences also were decreased due to increasing salinity levels. The genotypes had high amount of genetic coefficient variation for days to flowering and seed yield, therefore the efficiency of selection of these two traits will be high. The genotypes including KRN1, LRT1 and Hyola401 with high amounts of seed yield in all salinity levels were considered as tolerant genotypes.
Physical and chemical properties of selected soils from the surroundings of the Magura National Park (southern Poland) / Właściwości fizykochemiczne i chemiczne wybranych gleb z otoczenia Magurskiego Parku Narodowego
Authors: Szewczyk Adam , Kaniuczak Janina , Hajduk Edmund , Knap Renata
Published: August 2015

The aim of the study was to investigate the basic physicochemical and chemical properties of six soil profiles located in the surrounding of the Magura National Park (S Poland). The type of agricultural use and terrain relief were the main criteria for choosing the soil profiles. The research identified the following types or sub-types of soils: Eutric Gleysols, Dystric Cambisols, Eutric Cambisols, Gleyic Luvisols. The analyzed soils were characterized by particle size distribution of a silty clay or silt. They were usually strongly acidified as evidenced by low pH (in 1M KCl, values ranged from 3.8 to 5.8), high values of hydrolytic acidity (from 0.8 up to 10 cmol(+)·kg-1) and exchangeable acidity (from 0.05 to 4.05 cmol(+)·kg-1), as well as remarkable concentration of exchangeable aluminum (from 0 to 3.96 cmol(+)·kg-1). The organic carbon content in studied profiles did not exceed (except from gley soil in profile ) 30 g·kg-1 and it decreased along with the depth to several g·kg-1 in parent rock. These soils were characterized by not very high content of total nitrogen (from 0.3 to 9.39 g·kg-1) and low available phosphorus concentration (from 3.5 to 90.3 mg P2O5·kg-1). Contents of available potassium (from 82 to 570 mg K2O·kg-1) and magnesium (from 33 to 412 mg Mg·kg-1) allow for classifying the profiles studied as soils moderately or highly abundant in K and Mg. The highest levels of biogenic elements were determined in surface horizons. Studied soils were characterized by high total sorption capacity (T) - from 7.04 to 63.4 cmol(+)·kg-1. Sum of base cations (S) reached values from 3.01 to 61.2 cmol(+)·kg-1, which resulted in high base saturation (V) (maximum over 96%). The base saturations in profiles of the soils increased along with depth.
A Mechanistic Studies of Mn(II) Catalyzed Oxidation of a Gabapentin by Peroxomonosulphate in Aqueous Alkaline Medium
Authors: Asiri Abdullah M. , Parwaz Khan Aftab Aslam , Khan Anish
Published: August 2015

A mechanistic approach to the influence of Mn(II) catalyzed
oxidative deamination of an anti-convulsant drug [GP] by
peroxomonosulphate (PMS) at a constant ionic strength of
1.0 mol dm
–3 have been studied,
spectrophotometrically. The reaction shows first order dependence on
[PMS] and [Mn(II)] and apparent less than unit order dependence
each in [GP] and alkali concentrations. Influence of dielectric
constant and ionic strength of the medium on the reaction rate have
been evaluated. It was observed that the added sulphate ion, the
reduction product of the oxidant, had insignificant effect on the
reaction rate. The reaction stoichiometry and oxidation products
deprotonated GP, SO4
2− and MnO2 have
been identified and a suitable mechanism has been proposed. The
reaction fails to initiate polymerization in the presence of
acrylonitrile under the experimental conditions employed. In
a composite equilibrium step, deprotanated GP binds to catalyst and
form a complex C that subsequently decomposes with oxidant to yield
the products. Investigations of the reaction at different temperatures
allowed the determination of the activation parameters and a tentative
reaction mechanism in good consistency with the kinetic results is discussed.
Ultrafast Dynamics of the Indoline Dye D149 on Mesoporous ZnO and Al2O3 Thin Films
Authors: Flender Oliver , Lohse Peter W. , Du Juan , Oekermann Torsten , Scholz Mirko , Oum Kawon , Lenzer Thomas
Published: August 2015

Ultrafast photoinduced electron injection and subsequent relaxation
steps of the indoline dye D149 were investigated for
mesoporous thin films using pump–supercontinuum probe (PSCP)
transient absorption spectroscopy in the range
370–770 nm. Three types of mesoporous ZnO layers
were compared: Electrodeposited ZnO thin films prepared by
using the structure-directing agents (1) Eosin Y (EY) and (2) Coumarin
343 (C343), which are known to produce ZnO layers of different
morphology; and (3) mesoporous ZnO thin films consisting of
sintered nanoparticles with a diameter of 20 nm. As
a reference system, we used a “non-injecting” mesoporous thin film
with large band-gap, consisting of Al2O3 nanoparticles
with a diameter of 50 nm. On all ZnO thin films,
D149 efficiently injects electrons. We observed two
components, a dominant one with τ ≤ 70 fs
(time-resolution-limited) and a slower one with a time constant of
250–350 fs. Fast initial charge separation is also
consistent with the immediate appearance of oscillatory structure due
to a change in refractive index of ZnO upon electron
injection. For all ZnO thin films, we observe a transient shift
of the spectra with a time constant of ca. 20 ps which is
assigned to a transient Stark effect (= electrochromism). The
S0 → S1 absorption band of D149 is
shifted due to the build-up of a local electric field between dye
radical cations and ZnO conduction band electrons. On longer
timescales, step-scan FTIR spectroscopy revealed a slightly faster
cation-electron recombination on ZnO/C343 than on
ZnO/EY thin films. On Al2O3, metastable close
cation-electron pairs are formed initially which recombine afterwards,
and no transient Stark effect is observed. Complementary PSCP
experiments on D149 in the ionic liquid
[C2mim]+ [N(CN)2]
–
show that D149 is
ideally suited for solar cell applications because of its long
S1 lifetime of 590 ps. In addition, biphasic
solvation dynamics are observed in this IL with a subpicosecond
component and a much slower component related to the viscosity of the
IL which is well described by a stretched exponential.
Proficiency of Professional Document Examiners in Writer Identification
Authors: Kam M , Wetstein J , Conn R
Published: August 2015

A comprehensive writer identification test was designed and administered to a group of professional document examiners and to a control group of nonprofessionals. The professional group consisted of seven document examiners from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The control group consisted of ten graduate students in the areas of engineering and business. The main finding is that the professional document examiners performed significantly better than the members of the control group. The hypothesis that professionals and nonprofessionals are equally proficient in performing writer identification was found via the Kruskal-Wallis test to have probability of less than 0.001. These findings give indication that handwriting identification expertise indeed exists, and calls into question the conclusions of previous studies in this area.
Restoring Texts of Typewriter Ribbons: A Reliability Study of the RAW-1 Ribbon Analysis Workstation
Authors: Hunton RK , Puckett JT
Published: August 2015

The ribbon analysis workstation (RAW-1) is a computer driven electro-mechanical device designed to enable specialists in questioned documents to transcribe and analyze any of a wide range of multi-row, single-strike, carbon film ribbons. The time consuming method of manually reading a single-strike ribbon makes the introduction of the RAW-1 a unique labor saving instrument. This study examines the accuracy of the RAW-1 in reproducing an accurate transcription of an original text from a carbon film ribbon. Ten single-strike ribbons, with a predetermined text of ten thousand words, were processed on the RAW-1. The texts from the ribbons were then compared to the printout from the RAW-1 for accuracy and repeatability.
“Tarasoff” Defendants: Social Justice or Ethical Decay?
Authors: Leong GB , Eth S , Silva JA
Published: August 2015

In 1976, the California Supreme Court ruled in Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California that a duty to protect arises when a psychotherapist's patient poses a serious danger of physical harm to an identifiable third party. Discharging this duty by the issuance of a warning breaches the confidentiality of the psychotherapist-patient relationship. However, the potential benefit to society offsets the possible harm caused by the breach of confidentiality. Until recently, such warnings have served little purpose outside of possibly preventing harm. However, the cumulative effect of three recent California Supreme Court cases has been to permit the use of these confidentiality breaches in criminal proceedings to fulfill prosecutorial goals. Nonetheless, the cost of achieving social justice may be at the expense of other important ethical values for both the psychotherapeutic professions and society in general.
A Method for Establishing the Age of Subadults
Authors: Pfau RO , Sciulli PW
Published: August 2015

Accurate estimates of age-at-death of subadult human skeletal remains are limited because of the dearth of information on the covariance among reliable indicators in recent samples of children. To obtain these kinds of data, namely patterns of maturation among dental development, epiphyseal union, and long bone growth, we focused on a radiographic method using recently deceased children.

A total of 183 subadult cadavers were examined using X-radiographs of the six long bones and the mandibular dentition with measurements and evaluations thereof.

The results of this study show that cadaver samples can relatively inexpensively, provide accurate and precise information on the covariance of subadult age indicators and thus can contribute to the formation of age standards for population lacking such data.
Drift Trajectories of a Floating Human Body Simulated in a Hydraulic Model of Puget Sound
Authors: Ebbesmeyer CC , Haglund WD
Published: August 2015

After a young man jumped off a 221-foot (67 meters) high bridge, the drift of the body that beached 20 miles (32 km) away at Alki Point in Seattle, Washington was simulated with a hydraulic model. Simulations for the appropriate time period were performed using a small floating bead to represent the body in the hydraulic model at the University of Washington. Bead movements were videotaped and transferred to Computer Aided Drafting (AutoCAD®) charts on a personal computer. Because of strong tidal currents in the narrow passage under the bridge (The Narrows near Tacoma, WA), small changes in the time of the jump (± 30 minutes) made large differences in the distance the body traveled (30 miles; 48 km).

Hydraulic and other types of oceanographic models may be located by contacting technical experts known as physical oceanographers at local universities, and can be utilized to demonstrate trajectories of floating objects and the time required to arrive at selected locations. Potential applications for forensic death investigators include: to be able to set geographic and time limits for searches; determine potential origin of remains found floating or beached; and confirm and correlate information regarding entry into the water and sightings of remains.
Sudden Death Due to Coronary Artery Anomalies: A Case Report and Clinical Review
Authors: Rao C , Rao V , Heggtveit HA , King DL
Published: August 2015

Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries are relatively uncommon conditions with an incidence of approximately 2% in the adult population. Although less common than acquired coronary artery disease, these anomalies may be associated with myocardial ischemia and its consequences; angina, arrhythmia, infarction, and sudden death. A 21-year-old female patient with no significant prior medical history was found dead at home. Postmortem examination revealed high take-off of the right coronary artery with acute downward angulation of the proximal right coronary artery and acute downward angulation of the left main coronary artery. Microscopic examination revealed global myocardial ischemia consistent with a terminal ventricular dysrhythmia. There was no evidence of any other disease processes. Detailed toxicological investigation was negative. The Regional Forensic Pathology Unit experience with sudden death due to congenital coronary artery anomalies is presented along with a review of the current literature.
Asphyxial Suicide by Propane Inhalation and Plastic Bag Suffocation
Authors: Avis SP , Archibald JT
Published: August 2015

A 26-year-old male committed suicide by inducing asphyxia using a combination of plastic bag suffocation and propane-gas inhalation. This method has been reported in the literature, but it remains unusual. Autopsy findings were consistent with a hypoxic event, and blood, brain, and lung tissue tested positive for propane by gas chromatography. Propane, while possessing some narcotic properties, causes death primarily by displacing oxygen in the atmosphere with resultant asphyxia.
An Acetonitrile-Related Death
Authors: Swanson JR , Krasselt WG
Published: August 2015

A 39-year-old female who lived alone was discovered dead in her home. An autopsy produced no cause of death. The blood sedative screen was negative and only diphenhydramine was found by the urine organic base analysis. Examination of the blood and urine for volatiles produced an unexpected peak by GC analysis, which was then identified as acetonitrile by GC/MS. Acetonitrile concentrations were 31 and 56 mg/dL in two separate blood samples and 44 mg/dL in the urine. The blood cyanide concentration was 4.4 µg/mL. The cause of death was determined to be acetonitrile poisoning although the source of the acetonirile was not discovered.
Analysis of Ceramic Substrate Found in Cremains
Authors: Huxley AK
Published: August 2015

With the recent increase in the number of lawsuits questioning the possible commingling of cremains, recognition of nonosseous artifacts may aid in the circumstantial identification of a decedent. The remains of a cremated individual were analyzed both macroscopically and microscopically. Examination of material ranging in size from 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm to less than 0.5 cm yielded evidence of numerous nonosseous artifacts. Of primary interest were several fragmentary ceramic objects located in the material, which were pieced together under a microscope and photographed to reveal the imprint of circuitry suggesting a computer chip, subsequently identified from a pacemaker. Although this particular ceramic substrate did not have the necessary markings to facilitate identification of the manufacturer, the pacemaker brand may aid in identification.
A Review of “Forensic Geology”
Authors: Siegel JA
Published: August 2015

This book is a rewrite of a book written in 1975 by the same authors, entitled “Forensic Geology: Earth Sciences and Criminal Investigation.” At the time this was practically the only treatise on the forensic aspects of geology. Surprisingly, this remains the case today with this 1992 edition.