bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Prohibited Fish Drugs Using Silver Nanowires as Substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Song Jia , Huang Yiqun , Fan Yuxia , Zhao Zhihui , Yu Wansong , Rasco Barbara , Lai Keqiang
Published: September 2016

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering or surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a promising detection technology, and has captured increasing attention. Silver nanowires were synthesized using a rapid polyol method and optimized through adjustment of the molar ratio of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and silver nitrate in a glycerol system. Ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the silver nanowires. The optimal silver nanowires were used as a SERS substrate to detect prohibited fish drugs, including malachite green, crystal violet, furazolidone, and chloramphenicol. The SERS spectra of crystal violet could be clearly identified at concentrations as low as 0.01 ng/mL. The minimum detectable concentration for malachite green was 0.05 ng/mL, and for both furazolidone and chloramphenicol were 0.1 μg/mL. The results showed that the as-prepared Ag nanowires SERS substrate exhibits high sensitivity and activity.
The Effects of Early Post-Operative Soluble Dietary Fiber Enteral Nutrition for Colon Cancer
Authors: Xu Rui , Ding Zhi , Zhao Ping , Tang Lingchao , Tang Xiaoli , Xiao Shuomeng
Published: September 2016

We examined colon cancer patients who received soluble dietary fiber enteral nutrition (SDFEN) to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefit of early SDFEN compared to EN. Sixty patients who were confirmed as having colon cancer with histologically and accepted radical resection of colon cancer were randomized into an SDFEN group and an EN group. The postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOH), days for first fecal passage, and the difference in nutritional status, immune function and inflammatory reaction between pre-operation and post-operation were all recorded. The statistical analyses were performed using the t-test and the chi square test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. After the nutrition support, differences in the levels of albumin, prealbumin and transferrin in each group were not statistically significant (p > 0.05); the levels of CD4+, IgA and IgM in the SDFEN group were higher than that of the EN group at seven days (p < 0.05); the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the SDFEN group were lower than that of the EN group at seven days (p < 0.05); and patients in the SDFEN group had a significantly shorter first flatus time than the EN group (p < 0.05). Early post-operative SDFEN used in colon cancer patients was feasible and beneficial in immune function and reducing inflammatory reaction, gastrointestinal function and speeding up the recovery.
Observation and Monitoring of Mangrove Forests Using Remote Sensing: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Giri Chandra
Published: September 2016

Mangrove forests, distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, are in a constant flux. They provide important ecosystem goods and services to nature and society. In recent years, the carbon sequestration potential and protective role of mangrove forests from natural disasters is being highlighted as an effective option for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The forests are under threat from both natural and anthropogenic forces. However, accurate, reliable, and timely information of the distribution and dynamics of mangrove forests of the world is not readily available. Recent developments in the availability and accessibility of remotely sensed data, advancement in image pre-processing and classification algorithms, significant improvement in computing, availability of expertise in handling remotely sensed data, and an increasing awareness of the applicability of remote sensing products has greatly improved our scientific understanding of changing mangrove forest cover attributes. As reported in this special issue, the use of both optical and radar satellite data at various spatial resolutions (i.e., 1 m to 30 m) to derive meaningful forest cover attributes (e.g., species discrimination, above ground biomass) is on the rise. This multi-sensor trend is likely to continue into the future providing a more complete inventory of global mangrove forest distributions and attribute inventories at enhanced temporal frequency. The papers presented in this “Special Issue” provide important remote sensing monitoring advancements needed to meet future scientific objectives for global mangrove forest monitoring from local to global scales.
Collection and Processing of Data from Wrist Wearable Devices in Heterogeneous and Multiple-User Scenarios
Authors: De Arriba-Pérez Francisco , Caeiro-Rodríguez Manuel , Santos-Gago Juan
Published: September 2016

Over recent years, we have witnessed the development of mobile and wearable technologies to collect data from human vital signs and activities. Nowadays, wrist wearables including sensors (e.g., heart rate, accelerometer, pedometer) that provide valuable data are common in market. We are working on the analytic exploitation of this kind of data towards the support of learners and teachers in educational contexts. More precisely, sleep and stress indicators are defined to assist teachers and learners on the regulation of their activities. During this development, we have identified interoperability challenges related to the collection and processing of data from wearable devices. Different vendors adopt specific approaches about the way data can be collected from wearables into third-party systems. This hinders such developments as the one that we are carrying out. This paper contributes to identifying key interoperability issues in this kind of scenario and proposes guidelines to solve them. Taking into account these topics, this work is situated in the context of the standardization activities being carried out in the Internet of Things and Machine to Machine domains.
Zwitterionic Surfactant Modified Acetylene Black Paste Electrode for Highly Facile and Sensitive Determination of Tetrabromobisphenol A
Authors: Wei Xiaoyun , Zhao Qiang , Wu Weixiang , Zhou Tong , Jiang Shunli , Tong Yeqing , Lu Qing
Published: September 2016

A electrochemical sensor for the highly sensitive detection of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) was fabricated based on acetylene black paste electrode (ABPE) modified with 3-(N,N-Dimethylpalmitylammonio) propanesulfonate (SB3-16) in this study. The peak current of TBBPA was significantly enhanced at SB3-16/ABPE compared with unmodified electrodes. To further improve the electrochemical performance of the modified electrode, corresponding experimental parameters such as the length of hydrophobic chains of zwitterionic surfactant, the concentration of SB3-16, pH value, and accumulation time were examined. The peak currents of TBBPA were found to be linearly correlated with its concentrations in the range of 1 nM to 1 µM, with a detection limit of 0.4 nM. Besides, a possible mechanism was also discussed, and the hydrophobic interaction between TBBPA and the surfactants was suggested to take a leading role in enhancing the responses. Finally, this sensor was successfully employed to detect TBBPA in water samples.
Features of a Self-Mixing Laser Diode Operating Near Relaxation Oscillation
Authors: Liu Bin , Yu Yanguang , Xi Jiangtao , Fan Yuanlong , Guo Qinghua , Tong Jun , Lewis Roger
Published: September 2016

When a fraction of the light reflected by an external cavity re-enters the laser cavity, both the amplitude and the frequency of the lasing field can be modulated. This phenomenon is called the self-mixing effect (SME). A self-mixing laser diode (SM-LD) is a sensor using the SME. Usually, such LDs operate below the stability boundary where no relaxation oscillation happens. The boundary is determined by the operation condition including the injection current, optical feedback strength and external cavity length. This paper discovers the features of an SM-LD where the LD operates beyond the stability boundary, that is, near the relaxation oscillation (RO) status. We call the signals from such a SM-LD as RO-SM signals to differentiate them from the conventional SM signals reported in the literature. Firstly, simulations are made based on the well-known Lang and Kobayashi (L-K) equations. Then the experiments are conducted on different LDs to verify the simulation results. It shows that a RO-SM signal exhibits high frequency oscillation with its amplitude modulated by a slow time varying envelop which corresponds to the movement of the external target. The envelope has same fringe structure (half-wavelength displacement resolution) with the conventional SM signals. However, the amplitudes of the RO-SM signals are much higher compared to conventional SM signals. The results presented reveal that an SM-LD operating near the RO has potential for achieving sensing with improved sensitivity.
A Small Range Six-Axis Accelerometer Designed with High Sensitivity DCB Elastic Element
Authors: Sun Zhibo , Liu Jinhao , Yu Chunzhan , Zheng Yili
Published: September 2016

This paper describes a small range six-axis accelerometer (the measurement range of the sensor is ±g) with high sensitivity DCB (Double Cantilever Beam) elastic element. This sensor is developed based on a parallel mechanism because of the reliability. The accuracy of sensors is affected by its sensitivity characteristics. To improve the sensitivity, a DCB structure is applied as the elastic element. Through dynamic analysis, the dynamic model of the accelerometer is established using the Lagrange equation, and the mass matrix and stiffness matrix are obtained by a partial derivative calculation and a conservative congruence transformation, respectively. By simplifying the structure of the accelerometer, a model of the free vibration is achieved, and the parameters of the sensor are designed based on the model. Through stiffness analysis of the DCB structure, the deflection curve of the beam is calculated. Compared with the result obtained using a finite element analysis simulation in ANSYS Workbench, the coincidence rate of the maximum deflection is 89.0% along the x-axis, 88.3% along the y-axis and 87.5% along the z-axis. Through strain analysis of the DCB elastic element, the sensitivity of the beam is obtained. According to the experimental result, the accuracy of the theoretical analysis is found to be 90.4% along the x-axis, 74.9% along the y-axis and 78.9% along the z-axis. The measurement errors of linear accelerations ax, ay and az in the experiments are 2.6%, 0.6% and 1.31%, respectively. The experiments prove that accelerometer with DCB elastic element performs great sensitive and precision characteristics.
Correction: Pless, B. Risk Compensation: Revisited and Rebutted. Safety 2016, 2, 16
Authors: Pless Barry
Published: September 2016

I regret that the following errors have been found in the published paper [1].[...]
Communicating Sustainability: An Operational Model for Evaluating Corporate Websites
Authors: Siano Alfonso , Conte Francesca , Amabile Sara , Vollero Agostino , Piciocchi Paolo
Published: September 2016

The interest in corporate sustainability has increased rapidly in recent years and has encouraged organizations to adopt appropriate digital communication strategies, in which the corporate website plays a key role. Despite this growing attention in both the academic and business communities, models for the analysis and evaluation of online sustainability communication have not been developed to date. This paper aims to develop an operational model to identify and assess the requirements of sustainability communication in corporate websites. It has been developed from a literature review on corporate sustainability and digital communication and the analysis of the websites of the organizations included in the “Global CSR RepTrak 2015” by the Reputation Institute. The model identifies the core dimensions of online sustainability communication (orientation, structure, ergonomics, content—OSEC), sub-dimensions, such as stakeholder engagement and governance tools, communication principles, and measurable items (e.g., presence of the materiality matrix, interactive graphs). A pilot study on the websites of the energy and utilities companies included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index 2015 confirms the applicability of the OSEC framework. Thus, the model can provide managers and digital communication consultants with an operational tool that is useful for developing an industry ranking and assessing the best practices. The model can also help practitioners to identify corrective actions in the critical areas of digital sustainability communication and avoid greenwashing.
Sea-Level Rise and Land Subsidence: Impacts on Flood Projections for the Mekong Delta’s Largest City
Authors: Takagi Hiroshi , Thao Nguyen , Anh Le
Published: September 2016

The present paper demonstrates that inundation levels in the Mekong Delta’s largest city, Can Tho, are predominantly determined by ocean tides, sea-level rise, and land subsidence. Our analysis of inundation patterns projects that the duration of inundation at an important road in the city will continue to rise from the current total of 72 inundated days per year to 270 days by 2030 and 365 days by 2050. This is attributed to the combined influence of sea-level rise and land subsidence, which causes relative water level rises at a rate of 22.3 mm·yr−1. People in the Mekong Delta have traditionally lived with floods, and thus there is certain resilience among residents in coping with small floods. At present, daily maximum inundation depth, which is generally shallower than 10 cm on the road, seems to be still manageable; however, our analysis indicates that this will start drastically increasing in the coming decades and reach an average depth of 70 cm by 2050. Effective and well-planned actions to mitigate the effects of land subsidence and sea-level rise are urgently required, otherwise, local inhabitants will encounter an unmanageable increase in inundation depth and duration in the coming decades. This study, which considers both sea-level rise and land subsidence, suggests that inundation depth and duration are projected to rise much faster than those indicated by previous studies, which only consider sea-level rise.
Ship Routing with Pickup and Delivery for a Maritime Oil Transportation System: MIP Model and Heuristics
Authors: Rodrigues Vinícius , Morabito Reinaldo , Yamashita Denise , Da Silva Bruno , Ribas Paulo
Published: September 2016

This paper examines a ship routing problem with pickup and delivery and time windows for maritime oil transportation, motivated by the production and logistics activities of an oil company operating in the Brazilian coast. The transportation costs from offshore platforms to coastal terminals are an important issue in the search for operational excellence in the oil industry, involving operations that demand agile and effective decision support systems. This paper presents an optimization approach to address this problem, based on a mixed integer programming (MIP) model and a novel and exploratory application of two tailor-made MIP heuristics, based on relax-and-fix and time decomposition procedures. The model minimizes fuel costs of a heterogeneous fleet of oil tankers and costs related to freighting contracts. The model also considers company-specific constraints for offshore oil transportation. Computational experiments based on the mathematical models and the related MIP heuristics are presented for a set of real data provided by the company, which confirm the potential of optimization-based methods to find good solutions for problems of moderate sizes.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum-Occupied Vacuole Interactions with the Host Cell Cytoskeleton
Authors: Truchan Hilary , Cockburn Chelsea , May Levi , VieBrock Lauren , Carlyon Jason
Published: September 2016

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen of humans and animals. The A. phagocytophium-occupied vacuole (ApV) is a critical host-pathogen interface. Here, we report that the intermediate filaments, keratin and vimentin, assemble on the ApV early and remain associated with the ApV throughout infection. Microtubules localize to the ApV to a lesser extent. Vimentin, keratin-8, and keratin-18 but not tubulin expression is upregulated in A. phagocytophilum infected cells. SUMO-2/3 but not SUMO-1 colocalizes with vimentin filaments that surround ApVs. PolySUMOylation of vimentin by SUMO-2/3 but not SUMO-1 decreases vimentin solubility. Consistent with this, more vimentin exists in an insoluble state in A. phagocytophilum infected cells than in uninfected cells. Knocking down the SUMO-conjugating enzyme, Ubc9, abrogates vimentin assembly at the ApV but has no effect on the bacterial load. Bacterial protein synthesis is dispensable for maintaining vimentin and SUMO-2/3 at the ApV. Withaferin A, which inhibits soluble vimentin, reduces vimentin recruitment to the ApV, optimal ApV formation, and the bacterial load when administered prior to infection but is ineffective once vimentin has assembled on the ApV. Thus, A. phagocytophilum modulates cytoskeletal component expression and co-opts polySUMOylated vimentin to aid construction of its vacuolar niche and promote optimal survival.
Active Subjects with Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes have Better Metabolic Profiles than Sedentary Controls
Authors: Adamo M. , Codella R. , Casiraghi F. , Ferrulli A. , Macrì C. , Bazzigaluppi E. , Terruzzi I. , Inverardi L. , Ricordi C. , Luzi L.
Published: September 2016

Previous studies in humans with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and in nonobese diabetic mice have investigated the beneficial immunomodulatory potential of aerobic physical activity. Performing high volume of aerobic exercise may favorably regulate autoimmunity in diabetes. We tested whether increased physical activity is a self-sufficient positive factor in T1D subjects. During a 3-month observational period, active (six males; 40.5 ± 6.1 years; BMI: 24.5 ± 2.1) and sedentary (four males, three females; 35.9 ± 8.9 years; BMI: 25.7 ± 3.8) T1D individuals on insulin pump therapy were studied for metabolic, inflammatory, and autoimmune parameters. At baseline and at the end of a 3-month period, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), autoantibodies (anti-GAD, anti-ZnT8, anti-IA2, and ICA) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were evaluated. During the third month of the period, physically active T1D patients showed a significant reduction in the average glucose levels (-9%, p = 0.025, by CGM) compared to the first month values, and even their hyperglycemic episodes (>180 mg/dl) diminished significantly (-24.2%, p = 0.032 vs. first month). Moreover, active T1D subjects exhibited an improved body composition with respect to sedentary controls. No significant changes were detected as to the autoimmune and inflammatory profiles. This study confirms the beneficial role of physical exercise associated with insulin pump therapy in order to improve metabolic control in individuals with T1D. These preliminary positive observations need to be challenged in a prolonged interventional follow-up.
Speech Recognition in Nonnative versus Native English-Speaking College Students in a Virtual Classroom
Authors: Neave-DiToro Dorothy , Rubinstein Adrienne , Neuman Arlene C.
Published: September 2016

Background:Limited attention has been given to the effects of classroom acoustics at the college level. Many studies have reported that nonnative speakers of English are more likely to be affected by poor room acoustics than native speakers. An important question is how classroom
acoustics affect speech perception of nonnative college students.Purpose:The combined effect of noise and reverberation on the speech recognition performance of college students who differ in age of English acquisition was evaluated under conditions simulating classrooms with reverberation
times (RTs) close to ANSI recommended RTs.Research Design:A mixed design was used in this study.Study Sample:Thirty-six native and nonnative English-speaking college students with normal hearing, ages 18‐28 yr, participated.Intervention:Two groups of nine native
participants (native monolingual [NM] and native bilingual) and two groups of nine nonnative participants (nonnative early and nonnative late) were evaluated in noise under three reverberant conditions (0.03, 0.06, and 0.08 sec).Data Collection and Analysis:A virtual test paradigm was
used, which represented a signal reaching a student at the back of a classroom. Speech recognition in noise was measured using the Bamford‐Kowal‐Bench Speech-in-Noise (BKB-SIN) test and signal-to-noise ratio required for correct repetition of 50% of the key words in the stimulus
sentences (SNR-50) was obtained for each group in each reverberant condition. A mixed-design analysis of variance was used to determine statistical significance as a function of listener group and RT.Results:SNR-50 was significantly higher for nonnative listeners as compared to native
listeners, and a more favorable SNR-50 was needed as RT increased. The most dramatic effect on SNR-50 was found in the group with later acquisition of English, whereas the impact of early introduction of a second language was subtler. At the ANSI standard’s maximum recommended RT (0.6
sec), all groups except the NM group exhibited a mild signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss. At the 0.8 sec RT, all groups exhibited a mild SNR loss.Conclusion:Acoustics in the classroom are an important consideration for nonnative speakers who are proficient in English and enrolled in college.
To address the need for a clearer speech signal by nonnative students (and for all students), universities should follow ANSI recommendations, as well as minimize background noise in occupied classrooms. Behavioral/instructional strategies should be considered to address factors that cannot
be compensated for through acoustic design.
ANALYSIS OF THE UNILATERAL CONTACT PROBLEM FOR BIPHASIC CARTILAGE LAYERS WITH AN ELLIPTIC CONTACT ZONE AND ACCOUNTING FOR TANGENTIAL DISPLACEMENTS
Authors: Rogosin Sergei , Mishuris Gennady , Koroleva Anna , Vinakurava Anastasiya
Published: September 2016

A three-dimensional unilateral contact problem for articular cartilage layers attached to subchondral bones shaped as elliptic paraboloids is considered in the framework of the biphasic cartilage model. The main novelty of the study is in accounting not only for the normal (vertical), but also for tangential vertical (horizontal) displacements of the contacting surfaces. Exact general relationships have been established between the contact approach and some integral characteristics of the contact pressure, including the contact force. Asymptotic representations for the contact pressure integral characteristics are obtained in terms of the contact approach and some integral characteristics of the contact zone. The main result is represented by the first-order approximation problem. We supply the theoretical description of the asymptotic method by numerical analysis of the model. Our calculations demonstrate good convergence of the numerical scheme in determination of the parameters. In particular, it is shown that accounting for the tangential displacement is important in cases where the contact zone is non-circular.
Studies on Cyclic and Dynamic Loading on Cohesive Soil in Road Engineering
Authors: Sas Wojciech , Głuchowski Andrzej , Gabryś Katarzyna , Soból Emil , Szymański Alojzy
Published: September 2016

Soil investigations concerning cyclic and dynamic loading differ from static analysis. The Problem with the abovementioned loads becomes more important, when cohesive soils are taken into consideration. There are plenty of scientific reports containing the analyses of non-cohesive soil behaviour, yet there is still a lack of similar studies on cohesive soils. Repeated loading and dynamic excitations differ between themselves and parameters which are used to describe those phenomena are not congruent. Road constructors seek new approaches to design methods, which would take into account more types dynamic and cyclic excitations. For a successful utilisation of these occurrences in designing codes, mechanical parameters, such as resilient modulus Mr, shear modulus G and Poisson ratio υ or dumping ratio D, need to be determined. The laboratory tests were conducted on sandy clays, which are a common soil in Poland, using specialized laboratory equipment, such as a resonant column and cyclic triaxial apparatus. The aim of the work presented in this paper was to measureand analyse the abovementioned mechanical characteristics. The paper ends with conclusions regarding the application of cyclic and dynamic loading characteristics in road design.
Usage of Wood Fly Ash in Stabilization of Unbound Pavement Layers and Soils
Authors: Šķēls Pēteris , Bondars Kaspars , Plonis Raitis , Haritonovs Viktors , Paeglītis Andris
Published: September 2016

Modification and stabilization of road structure unbound layers has extensively been studied both at laboratory and field for decades. The most commonly used binders for soil modification and stabilization are cement and quicklime (CaO), but alternative pozzolans and their mixtures are of economical, technical and environmental interest. This study presents soil stabilization with wood fly ash (WFA) at laboratory. Natural sand (Sa), Sa mixtures with 10% and 20% WFA were compacted at optimal water content according to Standard Proctor test LVS EN 13286-2:2012, and California bearing ratio (CBR) tested according to LVS EN 13286-47:2012 for cured samples after 96 hours immersed in water with 2 kg surcharge and after 7 days sealed simultaneously. At the same time also Immediate bearing index was determined for natural soil and their mixture with 10% WFA. Results showed 3.79 times enhancement in CBR values Sa after 7 days curing, justifying that WFA is valuable material for hydraulically bound mixtures.
Ice Loads on Structures in the Baltic Environment
Authors: Steenfelt Jørgen S.
Published: September 2016

For offshore, nearshore and harbour structures ice loading is often a decisive ULS load. However, the Code requirements, the regulations and design practices vary considerably across the Baltic Sea region and beyond. This result in incommensurable values of the compressive strength of the ice and the resulting recommended/prescribed design loads. The paper examines these differences over time and in-between countries and elucidates the effects on the design for a number of case histories. The Danish rules show a pronounced trend of increasing values of compressive ice strength (five-fold from 1945 to 2015). Surprisingly, this is commensurate with the trend of less severe winters with time. In conclusion, the Danish code requirements need critical review to better match reality and to reduce the cost of foundation structures subject to ice loading.
Determination of Earth Pressure and Displacement of the Retaining Structure According to the Eurocode 7-1
Authors: Dembicki Eugeniusz , Rymsza Bogdan
Published: September 2016

Comparative analysis of standard guidelines and findings given in EC7-1 and in Polish Standard PN-83/B-03010. Discussed guidelines concerning active and passive earth pressure as well as at rest pressure state. Wall displacement causing limit states of earth pressure and resistance. Interactive assumptions concerning intermediate earth pressure and resistance values. Conclusions and final remarks.
Including the Influence of Waves in the Overall Slope Stability Analysis of Rubble Mound Breakwaters
Authors: Mollaert Justine , Tavallali Abbass
Published: September 2016

An offshore breakwater is designed for the construction of a LNG-terminal. For the slope stability analysis of the rubble mound breakwater the existing and the extreme wave climate are considered. Pore water pressure variations exist in the breakwater and its permeable foundation. A wave trough combined with the moment of maximum wave run-up results in a decrease and increase of the pore water pressure, respectively. Therefore, the wave actions have on overall effect on the slope stability of the breakwater. To include the wave actions in the slope stability analysis a simplified method is used. For the slope stability analysis, a specific piezometric line is determined. This piezometric line consists of a wave profile and the profile of wave run-up. The slope stability analysis are performed with GEO-SLOPE/W 2007. For the geotechnical design of the breakwater load cases of extreme and normal waves combined with, respectively, extreme and normal water levels are analysed. All the load cases which included the wave actions result in lower stability safety factors than the load cases with only still water levels. Therefore the wave actions are the determining load case for the geotechnical stability of the breakwater and it should be studied in detail.
Design of Foundations for Wind Turbine with Analysis by Finite Element Method
Authors: Zhussupbekov Askar , Lukpanov Rauan , Orazova Dinara , Sapenova Zhanbota
Published: September 2016

Presents engineering solution of wind energy tower (WET) foundation and basement designing in hydrogeological conditions of the Ereymentau area. Calculations of forces perceived by the WET, and following bearing capacity, settlement and stability analysis are made by the Finite Element Method in the program complex SCAD and Plaxis 2D. The calculated results in paper had been presented in graphics and tabulars.
Complex Analysis of the Impact of Construction of an Underground Metro Line on the Urban Environment – a Case Study from the Vistula Valley in Warsaw
Authors: Kaczmarek Łukasz
Published: September 2016

Underground construction in urban areas is a complex investment, impacting existing buildings. The paper presents a case study of the 2nd metro line, in close proximity to the Warsaw Slope (Kaczmarek, Popielski 2016; Kaczmarek et al. 2016). First the digital terrain model was analysed. Next the prospection of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) were performed. In addition results of archive boreholes were correlated to ERI outcome. Then complementary laboratory tests (e. g. triaxal CU tests) were carried out. Furthermore the prisms located on the Warsaw Slope were measured with tacheometric technique. This results were merged to archive monitoring observations of slope surface deformation and near building settlements. Based on previous steps the finite element method (FEM) simulations were performed. Thanks to numerical analysis cumulative settlements of a particular building above the metro tunnel were calculated. The values of vertical displacements does not affect the stability of the building or the slope nearby. Nevertheless, it can impact serviceability. Furthermore, the value of the calculated Safety Factor of the Warsaw Slope in this section is 1.1. Hence, slope changes require continuous observations. The presented case study shows the usefulness of complex research analysis and its suitability for the purposes of building an extension of the 2nd metro line.
Construction of “Panemunė Bypass” Highway in the Nemunas River Delta. Problems of 2003–2015 Roadbed Exploration, Design, and Construction
Authors: Gegieckas Saulius
Published: September 2016

In the Republic of Lithuania, there had been almost no experience in the road (roadbed) construction prior to the Panemunė bypass in terms of very complex geological, geotechnical and paleogeomorphological territories. All the roads constructed in previous decades in the Nemunas River Delta were built practically without special geotechnical and geological research and the resulting problems were solved either on the spot during construction or rectified later upon the emergence of reclaimed deformation. The article analyzes the whole process of the geological and geotechnical research during the bypass construction – from the first exploration work and designing to construction completion. The geological and geotechnical research stages are described; methods, research conditions, mistakes made, and recommendations for geotechnical investigations under similar conditions in the future are given. At the same time, the article contains the detailed geological and geotechnical conditions of the bypass, roadbed construction problems, forecasts of the roadbed seating during the design and construction with the assumption of additional factors. The article provides and analyses the actual results of the bed deposition monitoring and further forecast of the bed deposition.
ENHANCING PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF EQUIPMENT OF SEA AND RIVER TRANSPORT BY USING EPOXY COMPOSITES
Authors: Buketov Andriy , Maruschak Pavlo , Sapronov Oleksandr , Zinchenko Dmytro , Yatsyuk Vitaliy , Panin Sergey
Published: September 2016

Coatings based on epoxy diane oligomer ED-20 are being developed as environmentally benign, foulingresistant marine coatings. Silver oxide and carbonate (mixture) was used as filler, the dispersion of which is 0.5 µm. It is proved that for the formation of composites with the improved physical and mechanical properties it is necessary to add Mechanical Mixture of Silver Carbonate and Oxide (MMSCO) in the amount of q = 0.050…0.250 pts. wt. into the epoxy diane oligomer ED-20 (100 pts. wt.). The obtained values of impact toughness of composites during the introduction of MMSCO into the binder increased by 2.5 times compared to the epoxy matrix. Moreover, the maximum capacity to resist impact loads, including fracture toughness, was demonstrated by the Composite Material (CM) with the filler content q = 0.050 pts. wt. Impact toughness of this CM is а = 18.53 kJ/m2. The developed materials and protective coatings based on them were used on the dry cargo ship Oles Honchar.
L-BAND SPECTROSCOPY WITH MAGELLAN-AO/Clio2: FIRST RESULTS ON YOUNGLOW-MASS COMPANIONS
Authors: Stone Jordan M. , Eisner Josh , Skemer Andy , Morzinski Katie M. , Close Laird , Males Jared , Rodigas Timothy J. , Hinz Phil , Puglisi Alfio
Published: September 2016

L-band spectroscopy is a powerful probe of cool low-gravity atmospheres: the P, Q, and R branch fundamental transitions of methane near 3.3 μm provide a sensitive probe of carbon chemistry; cloud thickness modifies the spectral slope across the band; and

opacity can be used to detect aurorae. Many directly imaged gas-giant companions to nearby young stars exhibit L-band fluxes distinct from the field population of brown dwarfs at the same effective temperature. Here we describe commissioning the L-band spectroscopic mode of Clio2, the 1–5 μm instrument behind the Magellan adaptive-optics system. We use this system to measure L-band spectra of directly imaged companions. Our spectra are generally consistent with the parameters derived from previous near-infrared spectra for these late M to early L type objects. Therefore, deviations from the field sequence are constrained to occur below 1500 K. This range includes the L–T transition for field objects and suggests that observed discrepancies are due to differences in cloud structure and CO/CH4 chemistry.
MAPPING SEYFERT AND LINER EXCITATION MODES IN THE INNER KPC OF NGC 3393
Authors: Maksym W. Peter , Fabbiano Giuseppina , Elvis Martin , Karovska Margarita , Paggi Alessandro , Raymond John , Wang Junfeng , Storchi-Bergmann Thaisa
Published: September 2016

We mapped the extended narrowline region (ENLR) of NGC 3393 on scales of

(

kpc) from the nucleus using emission line images of Hα
λ6563, [O iii]

, and [S ii]

, taken with the Hubble Space Telescope as part of the CHandra survey of Extended Emission line Regions in nearby Seyfert galaxies (CHEERS). By mapping these lines onto a spatially resolved Baldwin–Phillips–Terlevich diagram, we investigate the impact of feedback from a Compton-thick active galactic nucleus on its circumnuclear ISM. We find that the expected Seyfert-like emission within the ionization bicone (

770 pc). We also find a new, figure-8-shaped low ionization emission line region (LINER) cocoon enveloping the bicone and defining a sharp (

pc) transition between higher and lower-ionization zones. These data illustrate the morphological dependence of ionization states of the ENLR relative to bicone and host gas geometries.
EINSTEIN–CARTAN GRAVITY WITH TORSION FIELD SERVING AS AN ORIGIN FOR THE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT OR DARK ENERGY DENSITY
Authors: Ivanov A. N. , Wellenzohn M.
Published: September 2016

We analyse the Einstein–Cartan gravity in its standard form


=
R
+



2

, where



and

R

are the Ricci scalar curvatures in the Einstein–Cartan and Einstein gravity, respectively, and



2

is the quadratic contribution of torsion in terms of the contorsion tensor



. We treat torsion as an external (or background) field and show that its contribution to the Einstein equations can be interpreted in terms of the torsion energy–momentum tensor, local conservation of which in a curved spacetime with an arbitrary metric or an arbitrary gravitational field demands a proportionality of the torsion energy–momentum tensor to a metric tensor, a covariant derivative of which vanishes owing to the metricity condition. This allows us to claim that torsion can serve as an origin for the vacuum energy density, given by the cosmological constant or dark energy density in the universe. This is a model-independent result that may explain the small value of the cosmological constant, which is a long-standing problem in cosmology. We show that the obtained result is valid also in the Poincaré gauge gravitational theory of Kibble, where the Einstein–Hilbert action can be represented in the same form:


=
R
+



2

.
TESTING LSST DITHER STRATEGIES FOR SURVEY UNIFORMITY AND LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURE SYSTEMATICS
Authors: Awan Humna , Gawiser Eric , Kurczynski Peter , Jones R. Lynne , Zhan Hu , Padilla Nelson D. , Arancibia Alejandra M. Muñoz , Orsi Alvaro , Cora Sofía A. , Yoachim Peter
Published: September 2016

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will survey the southern sky from 2022–2032 with unprecedented detail. Since the observing strategy can lead to artifacts in the data, we investigate the effects of telescope-pointing offsets (called dithers) on the r-band coadded 5σ depth yielded after the 10-year survey. We analyze this survey depth for several geometric patterns of dithers (e.g., random, hexagonal lattice, spiral) with amplitudes as large as the radius of the LSST field of view, implemented on different timescales (per season, per night, per visit). Our results illustrate that per night and per visit dither assignments are more effective than per season assignments. Also, we find that some dither geometries (e.g., hexagonal lattice) are particularly sensitive to the timescale on which the dithers are implemented, while others like random dithers perform well on all timescales. We then model the propagation of depth variations to artificial fluctuations in galaxy counts, which are a systematic for LSS studies. We calculate the bias in galaxy counts caused by the observing strategy accounting for photometric calibration uncertainties, dust extinction, and magnitude cuts; uncertainties in this bias limit our ability to account for structure induced by the observing strategy. We find that after 10 years of the LSST survey, the best dither strategies lead to uncertainties in this bias that are smaller than the minimum statistical floor for a galaxy catalog as deep as r < 27.5. A few of these strategies bring the uncertainties close to the statistical floor for r < 25.7 after the first year of survey.
HALL CURRENT EFFECTS IN MEAN-FIELD DYNAMO THEORY
Authors: Lingam Manasvi , Bhattacharjee Amitava
Published: September 2016

The role of the Hall term on large-scale dynamo action is investigated by means of the first-order smoothing approximation. It is shown that the standard α coefficient is altered, and is zero when a specific double Beltrami state is attained, in contrast to the Alfvénic state for magnetohydrodynamical dynamos. The β coefficient is no longer positive definite, and thereby enables dynamo action even if α-quenching were to operate. The similarities and differences with the (magnetic) shear-current effect are pointed out, and a mechanism that may be potentially responsible for

is advanced. The results are compared against previous studies, and their astrophysical relevance is also highlighted.
THE EFFECTS OF KINETIC INSTABILITIES ON SMALL-SCALE TURBULENCE IN EARTH’S MAGNETOSHEATH
Authors: Breuillard H. , Yordanova E. , Vaivads A. , Alexandrova O.
Published: September 2016

The Earth's magnetosheath is the region delimited by the bow shock and the magnetopause. It is characterized by highly turbulent fluctuations covering all scales from MHD down to kinetic scales. Turbulence is thought to play a fundamental role in key processes such as energy transport and dissipation in plasma. In addition to turbulence, different plasma instabilities are generated in the magnetosheath because of the large anisotropies in plasma temperature introduced by its boundaries. In this study we use high-quality magnetic field measurements from Cluster spacecraft to investigate the effects of such instabilities on the small-scale turbulence (from ion down to electron scales). We show that the steepening of the power spectrum of magnetic field fluctuations in the magnetosheath occurs at the largest characteristic ion scale. However, the spectrum can be modified by the presence of waves/structures at ion scales, shifting the onset of the small-scale turbulent cascade toward the smallest ion scale. This cascade is therefore highly dependent on the presence of kinetic instabilities, waves, and local plasma parameters. Here we show that in the absence of strong waves the small-scale turbulence is quasi-isotropic and has a spectral index α ≈ −2.8. When transverse or compressive waves are present, we observe an anisotropy in the magnetic field components and a decrease in the absolute value of α. Slab/2D turbulence also develops in the presence of transverse/compressive waves, resulting in gyrotropy/non-gyrotropy of small-scale fluctuations. The presence of both types of waves reduces the anisotropy in the amplitude of fluctuations in the small-scale range.
RELATIVISTIC MEASUREMENTS FROM TIMING THE BINARY PULSAR PSR B1913+16
Authors: Weisberg J. M. , Huang Y.
Published: September 2016

We present relativistic analyses of 9257 measurements of times-of-arrival from the first binary pulsar, PSR B1913+16, acquired over the last 35 years. The determination of the “Keplerian” orbital elements plus two relativistic terms completely characterizes the binary system, aside from an unknown rotation about the line of sight, leading to a determination of the masses of the pulsar and its companion: 1.438 ± 0.001 M
☉ and 1.390 ± 0.001 M
☉, respectively. In addition, the complete system characterization allows for the creation of relativistic gravitation test by comparing measured and predicted sizes of various relativistic phenomena. We find that the ratio of the observed orbital period decrease caused by gravitational wave damping (corrected by a kinematic term) to the general relativistic prediction is 0.9983 ± 0.0016, thereby confirms the existence and strength of gravitational radiation as predicted by general relativity. For the first time in this system, we have also successfully measured the two parameters characterizing the Shapiro gravitational propagation delay, and found that their values are consistent with general relativistic predictions. For the first time in any system, we have also measured the relativistic shape correction to the elliptical orbit, δ

θ
, although its intrinsic value is obscured by currently unquantified pulsar emission beam aberration. We have also marginally measured the time derivative of the projected semimajor axis, which, when improved in combination with beam aberration modeling from geodetic precession observations, should ultimately constrain the pulsar’s moment of inertia.
MULTI-EPOCH SPECTROSCOPY OF DWARF GALAXIES WITH AGN SIGNATURES: IDENTIFYING SOURCES WITH PERSISTENT BROAD Hα EMISSION
Authors: Baldassare Vivienne F. , Reines Amy E. , Gallo Elena , Greene Jenny E. , Graur Or , Geha Marla , Hainline Kevin , Carroll Christopher M. , Hickox Ryan C.
Published: September 2016

We use time-domain optical spectroscopy to distinguish between broad emission lines powered by accreting black holes (BHs) and stellar processes (i.e., supernovae) for 16 galaxies identified as active galactic nucleus (AGN) candidates by Reines et al (2013). Our study is primarily focused on those objects with narrow emission line ratios dominated by star formation, for which the origin of the broad Hα emission was unclear. Based on follow-up spectroscopy, we find that the broad Hα emission has faded or was ambiguous for all of the star-forming objects (14/16), over baselines ranging from 5–14 years, suggesting a transient stellar process was responsible for the broad emission in previous Sloan Digital Sky Survey observations. For the two objects in our follow-up sample with narrow-line AGN signatures (RGG 9 and RGG 119), we find persistent broad Hα emission consistent with an AGN origin. Additionally, we use high spectral resolution observations to measure stellar velocity dispersions for 15 objects in the Reines et al. (2013) sample, all with narrow-line ratios indicating the presence of an AGN. Stellar masses range from

to

M
⊙, and we measure

in the range of

. These

correspond to some of the lowest-mass galaxies with optical signatures of AGN activity. We show that RGG 119, the one object that has both a measured

and persistent broad Hα emission, falls near the extrapolation of the

relation to the low-mass end.
SUBHALO ACCRETION THROUGH FILAMENTS
Authors: González Roberto E. , Padilla Nelson D.
Published: September 2016

We track subhalo orbits of galaxy- and group-sized halos in cosmological simulations. We identify filamentary structures around halos and use these to define a sample of subhalos accreted from filaments, as well as a control sample of subhalos accreted from other directions. We use these samples to study differences in satellite orbits produced by filamentary accretion. Our results depend on host halo mass. We find that for low masses, subhalos accreted from filaments show ∼10% shorter lifetimes compared to the control sample, show a tendency toward more radial orbits, reach halo central regions earlier, and are more likely to merge with the host. For higher-mass halos this lifetime difference dissipates and even reverses for cluster-sized halos. This behavior appears to be connected to the fact that more massive hosts are connected to stronger filaments with higher velocity coherence and density, with slightly more radial subhalo orbits. Because subhalos tend to follow the coherent flow of the filament, it is possible that such thick filaments are enough to shield the subhalo from the effect of dynamical friction at least during their first infall. We also identify subhalo pairs/clumps that merge with one another after accretion. They survive as a clump for only a very short time, which is even shorter for higher subhalo masses, suggesting that the Magellanic Clouds and other Local group satellite associations may have entered the Milky Way virial radius very recently and probably are in their first infall.
Drought Analysis Using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)
Authors: Šebenik Urša , Brilly Mitja , Šraj Mojca
Published: September 2016

Drought indices are commonly used for detection, monitoring and evaluation of drought events. One of the most commonly used drought indices is the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). This paper presents the effect of theoretical distribution selection on SPI values, and the analysis of drought events for five selected meteorological stations in Slovenia. We found that the SPI on the annual time scale shows a similar pattern of occurrence of dry and wet periods at Ljubljana-Bežigrad, Novo mesto, and Trieste meteorological stations; something similar can be said for the Celje and Maribor-Tabor stations. The analysis of the correlations between the standardized data river discharge and precipitation data for the selected river basin of the River Pesnica shows the strongest correlation between the SPI-2 and standardized discharges.