bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Contribution to the diachronic study of Galician and Portuguese prosodies
Authors: Fernández Rei Elisa , de Castro Moutinho Lurdes , Coimbra Rosa Lídia
Published: November 2016

Galician and Portuguese have a common origin. This genetic affiliation is not accompanied by any historical continuity (Monteagudo 2012: 38), as these language varieties were separated in a distant past, mainly through the establishment of a political and administrative boundary between their territories. This lack of contact is interesting when studying common and divergent linguistic phenomena, in particular in the field of prosody and intonation, as it presupposes a challenge to historical study, given that we only recently have sound recordings of speech. Our proposal is therefore to contribute towards a diachronic study of the intonation of absolute interrogatives in Galician and Portuguese by using synchronic data collected over the past decade. We aim to show the usefulness of the quantitative method of measuring prosodic distances, because it enables us to determine geographic areas using common standards and shows the degree of separation between the intonations of the two varieties.
Optimal Placement Method of RFID Readers in
Industrial Rail Transport for Uneven Rail Traflc
Volume Management
Authors: Rakhmangulov Aleksandr , Muravev Dmitri , Mishkurov Pavel
Published: November 2016

The issue of operative data reception on location
and movement of railcars is significant the constantly
growing requirements of the provision of timely and safe
transportation. The technical solution for efficiency improvement
of data collection on rail rolling stock is the
implementation of an identification system. Nowadays,
there are several such systems, distinguished in working
principle. In the authors’ opinion, the most promising for
rail transportation is the RFID technology, proposing the
equipping of the railway tracks by the stationary points
of data reading (RFID readers) from the onboard sensors
on the railcars. However, regardless of a specific type and
manufacturer of these systems, their implementation is affiliated
with the significant financing costs for large, industrial,
rail transport systems, owning the extensive network
of special railway tracks with a large number of stations
and loading areas. To reduce the investment costs for
creation, the identification system of rolling stock on the
special railway tracks of industrial enterprises has developed
the method based on the idea of priority installation
of the RFID readers on railway hauls, where rail traffic volumes
are uneven in structure and power, parameters of
which is difficult or impossible to predict on the basis of
existing data in an information system. To select the optimal
locations of RFID readers, the mathematical model
of the staged installation of such readers has developed
depending on the non-uniformity value of rail traffic volumes,
passing through the specific railway hauls. As a result of that approach, installation of the numerous RFID
readers at all station tracks and loading areas of industrial
railway stations might be not necessary,which reduces the
total cost of the rolling stock identification and the implementation
of the method for optimal management of transportation
process.
Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of cycloheptyl substituted benzimidazolium salts and their silver(I) carbene complexes
Authors: Karataş Mert Olgun , Günal Selami , Mansur Ahmet , Alıcı Bülent , Çetinkaya Engin
Published: November 2016

Due to increasing infections caused by microbes, there is an urgent need for the development of new effective antimicrobial agents. Silver-N-heterocyclic carbene (silver-NHC) complexes are a new class of antimicrobial agents. In this study, we aimed to synthesize highly lipophilic silver-NHC complexes. Four new complexes were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding benzimidazolium salts and Ag2O in dichloromethane at room temperature. The synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial performances of benzimidazolium salts and silver complexes were tested against the standard bacterial strains Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of all compounds were determined. The obtained data demonstrate that all benzimidazolium salts and silver complexes inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. Silver complexes are more active than the corresponding benzimidazolium salts (MIC: 6.25 μg/mL for Gram-positive bacteria and fungi).
Report of Enodiotrema megachondrus (Looss, 1899) Looss, 1901 (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) in a green turtle Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758 (Testudines, Cheloniidae) from Brazil
Authors: Werneck M. R. , Modolo Conti L. , Berger B.
Published: November 2016

This paper describes the occurrence of Enodiotrema megachondrus (Looss, 1899) Looss, 1901 in a juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758) found on the coast of Brazil. This parasite has been described in Caretta caretta from Egypt, France, the Mediterranean Sea, the Madeira Archipelago, the Adriatic Sea and the USA, in C. mydas from Egypt and the USA, in Eretmochelys imbricata from Cuba, in Lepidochelys olivacea from Mexico and Costa Rica and in Lepidochelys kempii from USA. This note represents the first report of E. megachondus in a green sea turtle in the South-West Atlantic Ocean.
Characterisation of Trichodorus similis (Nematoda: Trichodoridae) associated with potato from the Czech Republic
Authors: Elshishka M. , Peneva V. , Lazarova S. , Kumari S.
Published: November 2016

Trichodorus similis associated with potato in the Czech Republic was described and illustrated. This study provides additional information on morphometrical and morphological characters of T. similis and integrates morphological and genetic data obtained by species-specific polymerase chain reaction and sequencing (ITS1 and D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA). The knowledge on morphological variability and genetic diversity is extended, and a rapid and accurate molecular diagnostics was successfully applied.
Dreams, aspirations and related behavior in children and adolescents: impacts on child developmental outcomes
Authors: Wu Florence K.Y. , Shek Daniel T.L. , Leung Hildie
Published: November 2016

“Dreams”, “aspirations” and related constructs are traditionally regarded as facilitators of adolescent educational attainment in the Chinese context. Besides, there is an emergent need to widen the understanding of such constructs and their impact on children and adolescent developmental outcomes. This paper discusses the developmental outcomes of dreams, aspiration and related concepts based on a thorough review of the literature. Besides outlining the impacts of aspirations, dreams and related constructs on children and adolescents, features of related intervention programs, including themes of the intervention programs, program participants, methods of implementation and evaluation in both Western and Chinese contexts are also documented.
Personal Network Analysis and Health among Latinas
Authors: Frank Lauren B. , Murphy Sheila T. , Ball-Rokeach Sandra
Published: November 2016

Interpersonal contacts play important roles in women’s health decisions. By using personal network analysis with a focus on specific role relationships, we can better examine interpersonal influences on health decision-making. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys of Hispanic women (N = 1632). Using an ego network name generator and name interpreters, participants detailed their personal networks for discussion about women’s health issues. Participants reported a mean of 1.99 (SD = 1.33) social network contacts with whom they discuss women’s health issues, of whom the most commonly reported contacts were female friends, sisters, mothers, and husbands, boyfriends, or partners. Many of the contacts nominated were family members, yielding a high personal network density (M = 0.84, SD = 0.32). Controlling for participant demographics and other forms of social influence, role relations’ encouragement to get a Pap test and personal network exposure to Pap test discussions were associated with Pap test status. Personal network analysis should leverage information on specific role relations. Given the importance of personal network contacts for women’s health status, health educators and medical professionals must account for women’s personal social networks in developing health interventions.
Analysing social networks in rural development: a gender approach
Authors: Esparcia Javier , Serrano J. Javier
Published: November 2016

Gender issues are of growing importance in the European and Spanish rural areas. The literature reflects that women have traditionally been linked to marginal positions in economic life, social activities and even political representation at the local level. Local development programs that have been implemented in Europe’s rural areas have had among its objectives the improvement of the articulation of local communities. To reach them, it has been fostered, among others, a gender perspective, promoting both productive activities led by women and their participation as stakeholders in the management and decision-making structures of such programmes. In this paper, we addressed this latter issue. The study focuses on a sample of 30 relevant social actors linked to the implementation of a rural development programme in the county of Rincón de Ademuz (Valencia, Spain) from the mid-1990s to recent date. Through Social Network Analysis, gender differences and women’s roles within the social network are studied in two differentiated periods. This analysis reveals that despite women representing a minority among the relevant stakeholders, their level of participation, prestige, position in the network, and frequency of relationships, among other indicators, are comparable with respect to those sustained by men. Therefore, it cannot be said, as reflected in some of the literature, that women tend to occupy marginal positions in the structure of social relations of local development programs.
Social network dynamics in the course of family formation: Results from a mixed-methods longitudinal study
Authors: Klärner Andreas , Keim Sylvia , von der Lippe Holger
Published: November 2016

In this article we examine the relationship between various biographical transitions of young adulthood and the structure of social networks. We ask how personal networks change in size and composition over the course of family formation or expansion, and due to other biographical transitions. We use data from an exploratory longitudinal study that uses mixed methods of social network analysis. We were able to reconnect with 29 of 98 young adults who were interviewed from 2004 to 2006, and conducted detailed qualitative interviews with 18 of them in 2011. Our findings suggest that biographical transitions do rather have an effect on the composition than on the size of personal networks. Biographical transitions do not necessarily lead to a decrease in network size due to network partners dropping out. These network partners often get substituted by new network partners that match changing priorities in different life stages. Particularly important transitions are the interviewees’ own parenthood, as well as the parenthood of their network partners. Transitions in relationship status, relocations, and job changes were also identified as relevant biographical transitions.
Der Zusammenhang zwischen dem Leistungsgeschehen im ambulanten und stationären Sektor des deutschen Gesundheitswesens / The Relationship Between Service Events in the Ambulatory and Hospital Sectors of the German Health System
Authors: Kopetsch Thomas
Published: November 2016

The strict separation between the ambulatory and hospital sectors of the German health system has been the subject of massive criticism on the grounds that it is (one of the factors) responsible for inefficiencies. This article describes an empirical study of the relationship between service events in the ambulatory and hospital sectors of the German health system. The aim of the study is to facilitate an assessment of the consequences of abolishing Germany’s almost unique dual specialist structure, a move widely considered politically desirable.

The results of the empirical analyses of the relationship between the service events in the two sectors are ambiguous. When the analysis is based on the density of office-based doctors, services in some medical specialities can be interpreted as complementing each other. When the number of cases per office-based doctor is taken as the basis, however, the relationship can be seen as substitutive, since the more patients a doctor treats, the fewer the number of hospital cases recorded in the region. Finally, when the ambulatory cases are considered as a whole, the relationship between the sectors is again seen to be complementary.

It is impossible to determine unambiguously whether the fundamental relationship between the sectors is predominantly complementary or substitutive. There is thus a need for further research.
Labor Market Transitions and the Wage Structure in Germany
Authors: Garloff Alfred , Fitzenberger Bernd
Published: November 2016

Equilibrium search theory suggests that the wage distribution in a cross section of workers is closely related to labor market transitions and associated wage changes. Accordingly, job-to-job transitions are central in explaining the wage distribution. This paper uses the IAB employment subsample 1975-2001 to describe the empirics of labor market transitions and the wage structure in Germany. Motivated by search theory, we use the data to explore descriptively labor market transitions and features of the wage structure. We find that labor market transition rates vary substantially over the business cycle and with individual characteristics. Regarding job-to-job transitions, we find huge wage changes. Most job changes involve considerable gains, but a sizeable number of individuals incurs a remarkable loss. Regarding the wage structure, we find strong effects of job-to-job transitions, age, and education on wage mobility. Based on our descriptive analysis, we conclude that indeed a close relationship exists between wages and labor market transitions as predicted by search theory. However, the noticeable share of wage losses following job-to-job changes contradicts a simple search-theoretic perspective.
Selbständigkeit in Europa 1991–2003: Empirische Evidenz mit Länderdaten / Self-Employment in 15 European Countries 1991–2003
Authors: Göggel Kathrin , Gräb Johannes , Pfeiffer Friedhelm
Published: November 2016

The number of self-employed workers in Europe has been in decline since the 1990s. At the same time unemployment has decreased and GDP per capita increased. In this study we analyse macroeconomic causes of these trends for the EU 15. We use data from the European Labour Force Survey for the period from 1991 to 2003. Our panel data analyses suggest that the number of self-employed workers in the EU 15 decreases with falling unemployment, while GPD per capita at first augments but later on diminishes self-employment. Rising real interest rates and rising tax rates decrease self-employment. Unemployment and tax rates seem to enhance especially the number of single entrepreneurs and not the number of self-employed with employees. The findings for Europe suggest that self-employment in itself is not necessarily an appropriate economic policy objective when considering the strong effects on single entrepreneurs and the nonlinear correlation between self-employment and GDP per capita.
Produktdiversifizierung: Konvergenz zwischen ost- und westdeutschen Unternehmen / Product Diversification: Have East-German Enterprises Caught-Up with the West?
Authors: Görzig Bernd , Gornig Martin , Werwatz Axel
Published: November 2016

In the aftermath of Germany’s reunification, redesigning their product range was a major challenge for East-German enterprises. At the same time, there were growing signs that Western enterprises reacted to globalization and European integration by increasingly pursuing strategies of specialization. Using representative micro data from Germany’s system of register based, official firm surveys, this paper studies how manufacturing enterprises from both parts of the country reshaped their product policies in recent years.

Our analysis reveals a common trend towards greater specialization during the period from 1995 to 2001. This process of focusing on their core competencies and reducing their range of products was more pronounced in the East - most likely as a result of the increased integration of Eastern firms into international markets.

We apply a nonparametric decomposition that yields estimates of the structural and regional components of the West-East gap. We find that in 2001 no significant gap remains among Eastern and Western enterprises of a similar, comparable type. However, there still exist pronounced structural differences. In particular, in 2001 East Germany is still lacking the large firms in many industries that push up the level of West German product diversification and economic performance.
Typisierung der Tarifvertragslandschaft / Identifying Types of Flexible Bargaining Agreements Using Cluster Analysis
Authors: Heinbach Wolf Dieter , Schröpfer Stefanie
Published: November 2016

The introduction of opening clauses in collective wage agreements allowing firms to deviate from their collective bargaining agreements has become widely accepted for the last fifteen years. With respect to the flexibility agreed through collective bargaining, the distinctions between single collective bargaining areas of the same industry have increased. Hence, the economic idea of uniform industry-wide central collective bargaining agreements is no longer tenable. The data set of the IAW used in this article provides differentiated information about opening clauses in collective wage agreements. By means of correspondence and cluster analysis, seven groups of collective bargaining areas are identified, which differ in the type of opening clauses introduced. Over the period from 1991 until 2004, the examination of dynamic aspects of these seven groups exhibits typical paths of development towards an improved flexibility agreed through collective bargaining. Furthermore, the conjunction of the data set with the German Structure of Earnings Survey of the years 1995 and 2001 makes it possible to show the relevance of the different types of single collective bargaining areas for employment and industries of the German manufacturing sector.
Employment Effects of Innovation at the Firm Level
Authors: Lachenmaier Stefan , Rottmann Horst
Published: November 2016

This paper analyzes empirically the effects of innovation on employment at the firm level using a uniquely long panel dataset of German manufacturing firms. The overall effect of innovations on employment often remains unclear in theoretical contributions due to reverse effects. We distinguish between product and process innovations and additionally introduce different innovation categories. We find clearly positive effects for product and process innovations on employment growth with the effects for process innovations being slightly higher. For product innovations that involved patent applications we can identify an additional positive effect on employment.
An Empirical Assessment of the EU Agricultural Policy Based on Firm Level Data
Authors: Murillo Carmen , San Juan Carlos , Sperlich Stefan
Published: November 2016

The study focuses on testing the hypothesis that the subsidy system of the Common Agricultural Reform in 1992 (CAP’92) drove to changes in farm efficiency towards the thereby claimed objectives. With sequential applications of semiparametric methods we succeed to identify the impact of the direct payments on environmental adaptation, productivity and efficiency before and after CAP’92 without restrictive model specifications. We find that the claimed objectives of the EU subvention policy were met only partly, but that the CAP’92 was, however, a step forward. Our case study uses large Spanish data sets of animal orientated farms.

This paper applies non parametric methods for policy evaluation at firm level. The study focuses on testing the hypothesis that the subsidy system of the Common Agricultural Reform in 1992 (CAP’92) drove to changes in farm efficiency towards the thereby claimed objectives. We concentrate here on animal oriented farms, in particular cattle, pig, sheep and goat farms. The correct quantification of efficiency and productivity differentials due to CAP’92 is crucial for such a policy analysis as different models can easily lead to different conclusions. Using non parametric methods we do not need to specify the production function of the farms. With sequential applications of semiparametric methods we succeed to identify the impact of the direct payments on environmental adaptation, productivity and efficiency before and after CAP’92 without restrictive model specifications. We find that the claimed objectives of the EU subvention policy were met only partly, but that the CAP’92 was – at least partly – indeed a step forward in that sense. Our case study uses large Spanish data sets of animal orientated farms. This is justified, among other reasons, by the relevance of these farms for Mediterranean forest and grazing land preservation in Spain.
Hepatoprotective Ayurvedic plants – a review
Authors: Valvi Anupama R. , Mouriya Neelam , Athawale Rajani B. , Bhatt Narendra S.
Published: November 2016

The liver plays vital functions in the maintenance and performance of the body. Most of the metabolic and physiological processes of our body as well as the detoxification of various drugs and xenobiotic chemicals occur in the liver. During this detoxification process, the reactive chemical intermediates damage the liver causing hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the maintenance of a healthy liver is vital to overall health. Unfortunately, the liver is often abused by environmental toxins, poor eating habits, alcohol, and prescription and over-the-counter drug use, which lead to liver diseases like hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The available synthetic drugs to treat liver disorders in this condition also cause further damage to the liver on long-term use. Hence, Ayurvedic plants have become increasingly popular and their use is widespread. Various Ayurvedic formulations are available in market to treat liver disease. Also there is increase in the export of Ayurvedic plants.
Statism, Tolerance and Religious Freedom in Egypt
Authors: Rieffer-Flanagan Barbara Ann
Published: November 2016

While much optimism about the future was expressed at the time of the Egyptian revolution in January 2011, little progress has been made on human rights including the protection of the fundamental right of freedom of religion and belief. In fact some argued that the situation in Egypt is worse today. This paper examines why many individuals (Copts, Atheists, Shiites, etc…) are unable to freely express their beliefs or practice their religion in Egypt. Some have argued that the denial of freedom of religion and belief is due to statism. But analysis of freedom of religion and belief that focus only on statism capture one aspect of the denial of this human right in Egypt. They neglect the intolerance in society that allows non-state actors to contribute to the difficult environment of FoRB in Egypt. This essay attempts to explore both the role that statism plays concerning the denial of FoRB, as well as how social hostilities contribute to an intolerant climate. This has important policy implications for future progress on this issue. Without more attention to attitudes and dispositions, Egypt will only make limited progress in the future.
Hungary and the Distortion of Holocaust History: The Hungarian Holocaust Memorial Year 2014
Authors: Kovács Henriet , Mindler-Steiner Ursula K.
Published: November 2016

This paper deals with the Hungarian Holocaust Memorial Year 2014 and the ongoing debate about how to assess Hungary’s involvement in the Holocaust. By introducing the Holocaust Memorial Year 2014, erecting the Monument on the German Occupation and initiating a Memorial to Child Victims of the Holocaust (the House of Fates), the Hungarian government tried to establish a common narrative about the Holocaust in Hungary. For various reasons, however, this attempt failed. Instead, it turned out that the anniversary year 2014 fostered the emergence of diverse new cultures of commemoration at different levels of society. This study discusses the reasons for these developments and provides an overview of the (public) events surrounding commemorations in the Holocaust Memorial Year, thus exploring Hungary’s process of coming to terms with its past. The events in 2014 were accompanied by disputes at multiple levels that were held in the public domain and involved all types of traditional and modern media. This study highlights the reactions to several statements and explains how they came about. Our aim is to engender interest in further scholarly examination.
In the Eyes of the Collapsing Empire: Yugoslavia’s Disintegration and Slovenian Independence as seen through Russian Diplomatic Sources (1990–1992)
Authors: Stopar Andrej
Published: November 2016

It is of critical importance for every newly established state to receive international recognition. The Soviet Union strongly supported the unity and territorial integrity of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and considered the latter’s break-up within the context of its own disintegration. The article sets out Slovenia’s efforts to gain Russian recognition of Slovenian independence and sovereignty, as described in Soviet and Russian diplomatic sources, official statements and comments from academic circles. It aims to demonstrate that Moscow’s decision on this subject was the result of the momentary overlapping of various international developments along with a new Russian foreign policy strategy (which changed frequently and was, thus, exceptional in the Russian foreign policy tradition). Especially important in this context were the internal political tensions in the Russian Federation after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Vibration Reduction Design with Hybrid Structures and Topology Optimization
Authors: Huo Fali , Yang Deqing , Zhao Yinzhi
Published: November 2016

The hybrid structures show excellent performance on vibration reduction for ship, aircraft and spacecraft designs. Meanwhile, the topology optimization is widely used for structure vibration reduction and weight control. The design of hybrid structures considering simultaneous materials selection and topology optimization are big challenges in theoretical study and engineering applications. In this paper, according to the proposed laminate component method (LCM) and solid isotropic microstructure with penalty (SIMP) method, the mathematical formulations are presented for concurrent materials selection and topology optimizations of hybrid structures. Thickness distributions of the plies in laminate components are defined as materials selection design variables by LCM method. Relative densities of elements in the components are defined as topology design variables by SIMP method. Design examples of hybrid 3-bar truss structures and hybrid floating raft with vibration reduction requirements verified the effectiveness of the presented optimization models.
Extended Elliptic Mild Slope Equation Incorporating the Nonlinear Shoaling Effect
Authors: Xiao Qian-lu , Li Chun-hui , Fu Xiao-yan , Wang Mei-ju
Published: November 2016

The transformation during wave propagation is significantly important for the calculations of hydraulic and coastal engineering, as well as the sediment transport. The exact wave height deformation calculation on the coasts is essential to near-shore hydrodynamics research and the structure design of coastal engineering. According to the wave shoaling results gained from the elliptical cosine wave theory, the nonlinear wave dispersion relation is adopted to develop the expression of the corresponding nonlinear wave shoaling coefficient. Based on the extended elliptic mild slope equation, an efficient wave numerical model is presented in this paper for predicting wave deformation across the complex topography and the surf zone, incorporating the nonlinear wave dispersion relation, the nonlinear wave shoaling coefficient and other energy dissipation factors. Especially, the phenomenon of wave recovery and second breaking could be shown by the present model. The classical Berkhoff single elliptic topography wave tests, the sinusoidal varying topography experiment, and complex composite slopes wave flume experiments are applied to verify the accuracy of the calculation of wave heights. Compared with experimental data, good agreements are found upon single elliptical topography and one-dimensional beach profiles, including uniform slope and step-type profiles. The results indicate that the newly-developed nonlinear wave shoaling coefficient improves the calculated accuracy of wave transformation in the surf zone efficiently, and the wave breaking is the key factor affecting the wave characteristics and need to be considered in the nearshore wave simulations.
Heating Control of Heated Twin Radiosonde Humidity Sensor Based on DMC
Authors: Sun Ninga , Zhang Ying-chaoa , Zhang Wei-guoa , Cheng En-lua , Yun-ping
Published: November 2016

In order to effectively solve condensation and icing problems of radiosonde in low-temperature environment at high altitude, humidity sensor heated automatic alternately to remove pollution and improve the measurement accuracy. Heat experiments obtained the curve of rising temperature and responsible time on heated twin humidity sensor in normal temperature and pressure, by expanded responsible curve to obtain heated model of twin heated humidity sensor and by the analysis of heating model, use DMC and PID control for heating respectively. Simulation results show that the DMC control meets the practical requirements of measure at high altitude.
Coupling Mechanism and Coupling Degree Measurement Model of Shipbuilding Industry Cluster
Authors: Su Yi , Wang Fa-yin , An Xiao-li
Published: November 2016

This article was aimed to analyse the working condition of the coupling mechanism in Chinese shipbuilding industry cluster. Literature review was conducted to unveil the coupling mechanism of shipbuilding industry cluster, providing analysis of the present development of shipbuilding industry. A theoretical model was proposed by using the efficacy function and the capacity of the coupling coefficient while measuring the coupling of the shipbuilding industry cluster. Four coupling characteristics were found including relevant, systemic, diversity, and collaborative in the shipbuilding industry cluster. The shipbuilding industry cluster has two levels of coupling mechanism including the core layer coupling mechanism and the support layer coupling mechanism respectively. The improvement through coupling the core layer, support layer, and the coupling between two levels, is an effective way to achieve long-term stable development in Chinese shipbuilding industry cluster.
Numerical Analysis on the Influence of the Twisted Blade on the Aerodynamic Performance of Turbine
Authors: Jin Jianguo , Wang Zhanzhou , Cao Lihua
Published: November 2016

With the gradual increase of the thermal power unit capacity, the inlet steam parameters and flow of the turbine also increase gradually, which causes considerable secondary flow loss. Therefore, studying the causes and distribution of secondary flow loss within the level is of great significance to effectively improve the stage internal efficiency of turbine. Take high-pressure stage moving blade of a turbine as the research object, and adopt the k-ωSST model, the SIMPLEC algorithm to numerically simulate the formation and development process of leakage vortex between the tip clearance of the positive bending twisted blade and its effect on the secondary flow of cascade passage. Results show that relative to the conventional twisted blade, the scope of influence of leakage vortex which the steam flow formed near the suction surface of positive bending twisted blade and the disturbance to passage mainstream become smaller, and the increase of tip clearance has weakened the „C“ type pressure gradient of suction surface of the positive bending twisted blade, increased the thickness of the boundary layer at both ends of blades and the loss of the blade end.
Modelling and Simulation Methodology for Dynamic Resources Assignment System in Container Terminal
Authors: Lu Bo
Published: November 2016

As the competition among international container terminals has become increasingly fierce, every port is striving to maintain the competitive edge and provide satisfactory services to port users. By virtue of information technology enhancement, many efforts to raise port competitiveness through an advanced operation system are actively being made, and judging from the viewpoint of investment effect, these efforts are more preferable than infrastructure expansion and additional equipment acquisition. Based on simulation, this study has tried to prove that RFID-based real-time location system (RTLS) data collection and dynamic operation of transfer equipment brings a positive effect on the productivity improvement and resource utilization enhancement. Moreover, this study on the demand for the real-time data for container terminal operation have been made, and operation processes have been redesigned along with the collection of related data, and based on them, simulations have been conducted. As a result of them, much higher productivity improvement could be expected.
Vertical Distribution of Nearshore Flow Velocity
Authors: Chunhui Li , Xiaoyan Fu , Ruijie Li , Lu Dai , Peng Chen
Published: November 2016

In this paper, a new exponential formed vertical distribution of nearshore flow velocity is constructed, which is simpler in form and more suitable for engineering application. The physical meaning of the new formula is more specific than that of Soulsby. Compared with those logarithmic formed ones, the new one does not need the maximum velocity and only needs the mean velocity in vertical, which gives it better engineering practicability. Apply the new formula to Jiangsu coastal area and compare the results with that of Soulsby whose results show the new formula agrees better with the measured flow velocity, which reasonably reflects the basic principles of vertical distribution of flow velocity.
Marine Industrial Cluster Structure and Its Coupling Relationship with Urban Development: a Case pf Shandong Province
Authors: Wenwen Xiao , Bingxin Zhao , Lili Wang
Published: November 2016

Marine economy is a new economic form, emphasizing new development concept, new operation mechanism and management mode. In recent years, marine economy shows rapid growth, and marine industry presents a clustering development trend. The industrial linkage effect, industrial agglomeration effect and industrial radiation effect of the marine industrial cluster are important motive forces for the development of coastal cities. The marine industrial cluster takes coastal cities as the development platform and space, while the coastal cities achieve rapid and sustainable development based on the marine industrial cluster. The synergetic and coupling development of the marine industrial cluster and coastal cities is an important way for the promotion of industrial competitiveness and urban competitiveness. This paper developed a measure to identify the marine industrial cluster, designed the evaluation index of coupling of marine industrial cluster and coastal cities development from two perspectives of industrial linkage and spatial agglomeration, taking Shandong province, a typical coastal province in China, as an example, it studied the situation of the marine industrial cluster based on input-output data and data of marine enterprises of coastal cities, based on which it explored the coupling relationship between marine industrial cluster and coastal cities of Shandong province.
Simulation and Experimental Study in the Process of Wave Energy Conversion
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Yanjun
Published: November 2016

This article introduces the operating principle of the wave energy device and makes AMEsim simulated analysis in the influence of the amplitude and period of the wave on the output efficient. By using the result of the simulation to optimize design, the article puts forwards a kind of suitable control technology which based on the disclosed amplitude and period of the wave to control the check valve, invoking the motor in different levels of efficiency. This kind of technology aims to solve the problem which includes low efficiency and high start wave of the wave energy device. The result is verified by the physical experiment, which lays the foundation for the implementation of marine engineering. The established methods of simulation model and analysis results are expected to be useful to designing and manufacturing of wave energy converter.
An Anti-Collision Method of Slip Barrel for Automatic Ship Loading in Bulk Terminal
Authors: Shen Yang
Published: November 2016

During the loading operation of a ship loader in bulk terminal, in order to bring bulk cargo, such as coal and ore, precisely into every corner of the cabin and not to raise dust at the same time, the slip barrel mechanism usually is placed fully inside the ship cabin near the cargo as close as possible. However, if too close, it will increase the risk of collision between slip barrel and cargo, which poses a security risk to loading operation.

This article proposes an anti-collision method for slip barrel in the process of automatic ship loading in bulk terminal. This method can accurately position the cargo of cabin which is blocked by slip barrel and shovel, and provide a reliable guarantee for the automatic loading operation. Firstly, this method use an array of laser radar mounted on the maintenance platforms to perceive the collision objects around the slip barrel, including the cargo and cabin. Meanwhile, it provides a compensation algorithm to reduce the effect of anti-collision recognition brought by dust and various obstacles during the operation. According to the calculated effective distance between the cargo and slip barrel, the automatic control system of ship loading can adjust the loading operation on a real-time basis. In the end, this article analyze and illustrate the reliability and validity of this method by the case of the application in automatic ship loading system in Tianjin coal terminal.
Group-Bay Stowage Planning Problem for Container Ship
Authors: Yifan Shen , Ning Zhao , Weijian Mi
Published: November 2016

Stowage planning is the core of ship planning. It directly influences the seaworthiness of container ship and the handling efficiency of container terminal. As the latter step of container ship stowage plan, terminal stowage planning optimizes terminal cost according to pre-plan. Group-Bay stowage planning is the smallest sub problem of terminal stowage planning problem. A group-bay stowage planning model is formulated to minimize relocation, crane movement and target weight gap satisfying both ship owner and container terminal. A GA-A* hybrid algorithm is designed to solve this problem. Numerical experiment shown the validity and the efficiency.
The impact of selected environmental, behavioral and psychosocial factors on schoolchildren’s somatic and mental health
Authors: Vondrova Diana , Kapsdorfer Daniela , Argalasova Lubica , Hirosova Katarina , Samohyl Martin , Sevcikova Ludmila
Published: November 2016

Children develop rapidly and many exogenous determinants of health significantly affect their somatic and mental development. There is a subjective perception of cognitive load associated with the educational process. The aim of the study is to assess individual environmental, behavioral and psychosocial factors influencing physical health and to investigate the amount of mental load in children. We investigated 87 schoolchildren (47 girls and 40 boys) aged 10–12 years, who were attending primary school in Bratislava. To assess values of selected factors we used a questionnaire form and personality characteristics were estimated by standardized psycho-diagnostic and IQ tests [range of classic fear, social-situation anxiety and jitters [skala Klasickeho strachu a Socialno-situacnej (in Slovak)] (KSAT), Eyesenck Personality Questionnaire for children (EPQ), Raven’s IQ test]. Self-reported perception of mental load was assessed by questionnaire of subjective feelings and states (SFS). Children’s body parameters were assessed using anthropometric measurements [height, weight, chest, abdominal and hip girth, Rohrer’s index (RI), body mass index (BMI)] and a body fat measurement method (skinfold thickness). The results confirmed a significant relationship between higher parameters of overweight and obesity and irregular breakfast eating (p<0.05), absence of family dining (p<0.05), exposure to tobacco smoke in the family environment (p<0.01) and mother’s level of education (p<0.05). Almost 60% of children reported high mental effort and cognitive load associated with the educational process. We note a close relationship between the higher mental load and the score of neuroticism (p<0.01). The physical and mental health of schoolchildren is significantly affected by exogenous factors. Therefore, in terms of protection and promotion of children’s health, it is important to evaluate and monitor environmental risk factors and to form their healthy habits.
Adaptive input data transformation for improved network reconstruction with information theoretic algorithms
Authors: Kannan Venkateshan , Tegner Jesper
Published: November 2016

We propose a novel systematic procedure of non-linear data transformation for an adaptive algorithm in the context of network reverse-engineering using information theoretic methods. Our methodology is rooted in elucidating and correcting for the specific biases in the estimation techniques for mutual information (MI) given a finite sample of data. These are, in turn, tied to lack of well-defined bounds for numerical estimation of MI for continuous probability distributions from finite data. The nature and properties of the inevitable bias is described, complemented by several examples illustrating their form and variation. We propose an adaptive partitioning scheme for MI estimation that effectively transforms the sample data using parameters determined from its local and global distribution guaranteeing a more robust and reliable reconstruction algorithm. Together with a normalized measure (Shared Information Metric) we report considerably enhanced performance both for in silico and real-world biological networks. We also find that the recovery of true interactions is in particular better for intermediate range of false positive rates, suggesting that our algorithm is less vulnerable to spurious signals of association.
Lepidophloios acerosus Lindley and Hutton 1831 in the Carboniferous Cucuiova Formation, “Iron Gates” Natural Park (Banat, Romania)
Authors: Popa Mihai Emilian
Published: November 2016

The Carboniferous Cucuiova Formation of the Sirinia Basin, Danubian Units, in Almăj Mountains, South Carpathians, yields a highly diverse yet rare compressive flora representing significant heritage values of the “Iron Gates” Natural Park. This flora includes pteridophytes (lycopsids, sphenopsids, filicopsids) and gymnosperms (pteridosperms and conifers), some of these representatives being important coal generators during the Late Carboniferous times. The facies features, distribution and paleofloral features of the Cucuiova Formation are discussed in the framework of the Sirinia Basin. The lycopsid Lepidophloios acerosus Lindley and Hutton 1831 is reported for the first time in Romania from the Cucuiova Formation in Dragosela Valley, in the central part of the “Iron Gates” Natural Park.
Orchidaceae L. Family in the “Iron Gates” Park (Romania)
Authors: Milanovici Sretco
Published: November 2016

Currently, little information is available about the orchid flora in the “Iron Gates” Nature Park, especially due to the lack of the data regarding the detailed geographical distribution and the actual conservation status of species and populations. According to the data provided by the specialist literature for the south-west of Romania, 39 species of orchids are found in this area, of which 29 are in the Danube Gorge (known as Clisura Dunării ‒ “Iron Gates” Nature Park). The field researches regarding the Orchidaceae L. family in the “Iron Gates” Nature Park area have been conducted over a period covering 15 years, from 1996 to 2011. During research conducted in the field I acknowledged the presence of 23 orchid species in the Danube Gorge area and ascertained the presence of new orchid species in the research area: two new species in the Danube Gorge area (“Iron Gates” Nature Park): Epipactis purpurata Sm. and Listera ovata (L.) R. Br.
“Porţile de Fier/Iron Gates” Gorges Area (Danube) Fish Fauna
Authors: Bănăduc Doru , Bănăduc Angela , Lenhardt Mirjana , Guti Gabor
Published: November 2016

An important fisheries sector of the Danube, the “Iron Gates” area, was studied by famous naturalists along the history like Marsigli, Haeckel, Kner, Antipa and Bănărescu. After more than half a century after the last main publication in this area, the “Iron Gates” Danube sector suffered significant human impact, and an assessment of the fish fauna was needed. The paper summarizes the trend of fish species along the XIX to XXIst centuries, and reveals the appearance of new species. The study includes data from about 65 fish species, belonging to: Acipenseridae, Polyodontidae, Clupeidae, Salmonidae, Esocidae, Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Siluridae, Ictaluridae, Anguillidae, Lotidae, Gasterosteidae, Syngnathidae, Centrarchidae, Percidae, Gobiidae, Odontobutidae, and Cottidae. The major hidrotechnical works along with pollution, overexploitation and poachery, induced major changes in the ichthyofauna structure.
Analysing Landscape Fragmentation and Classifying Threats for Habitats of Community Interest in the “Iron Gates” Natural Park (Romania)
Authors: Niculae Mihăiţă-Iulian , Niţă Mihai Răzvan , Vanău Gabriel
Published: November 2016

Our study aims at evaluating the ecological impact of landscape fragmentation, identifying, and classifying the threats affecting habitats of community interest in the “Iron Gates” Natural Park. We used landscape metrics for assessing the fragmentation process, results expressing decreases in the values of three metrics (MPS, ED, SDI) and increases for two metrics (NumP and IJI). We observed an insignificant increase in landscape fragmentation related to a reduced decrease of its landscape diversity for the 1990-2006 timeframe. We classified the main anthropic threats to habitats of community interest in three main categories: diversification and densification of buildings and transportation infrastructures, land use and industrial activities.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamic of Rural and Urban Landscapes Identified in the “Iron Gates” Natural Park
Authors: Niculae Mihăiţă-Iulian , Niţă Mihai Răzvan , Vanău Gabriel , Ciocanea Cristiana , Gavrilidis Athanasios
Published: November 2016

In the present paper, we identified landscape typologies in the “Iron Gates” Natural Park from Romania and assessed their dynamic starting with 1990 to 2006. We evaluated the dynamic of landscapes based on land use and land covers changes as extracted from the Corine Land Cover databases. We found no major modifications in the distribution of landscapes, only 4.4% of the study area recording changes. Forestry landscapes have the highest ratio of change (on 1.5% from the total surface of the park), with significant decreases also recorded in landscapes of shrub and rare vegetation, as well as mixed agricultural landscapes. Among the active transformation processes, forestation (on 45% of the modified surface) and agricultural activities (20%) recorded the highest distribution.