bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Status of Vitamin B12 and Folate among the Urban Adult Population in South India
Authors: Sivaprasad M. , Shalini T. , Balakrishna N. , Sudarshan M. , Lopamudra P. , Suryanarayana P. , Arlappa N. , Ravikumar B.P. , Radhika M.S. , Reddy G. Bhanuprakash
Published: December 2015

Background: Deficiency of vitamin B12 (B12) and folate (FA) leads to a wide spectrum of disorders that affect all age groups. However, reports on B12 and FA status in healthy adults in India are limited. Hence, we determined the plasma levels and dietary intake of B12 and FA in the adult population. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in an urban setup among 630 apparently healthy adults distributed into 3 age groups: 21-40, 41-60 and >60 years. Plasma concentrations of B12 and FA were analyzed by radio immunoassay and dietary intake by 24-hour recall method. Results: The overall prevalence of FA deficiency was 12%, but there was no significant difference in plasma FA concentrations among the groups. While the overall prevalence of B12 deficiency was 35%, it was significantly higher in the 21-40 (44%) and 41-60 age groups (40%) when compared with the >60 group (30%). B12 deficiency was higher in vegetarians (54%) compared to those consuming mixed diet (31%), and the reverse was the case with FA. However, the dietary intakes of FA and B12 were not significantly different among the groups. Conclusions: These results indicate a higher prevalence of B12 deficiency in apparently healthy adults in an urban setup.
Novelty-Driven Cooperative Coevolution
Authors: Gomes Jorge , Mariano Pedro , Christensen Anders Lyhne
Published: December 2015

Cooperative coevolutionary algorithms (CCEAs) rely on multiple coevolving populations for the evolution of solutions composed of coadapted components. CCEAs enable, for instance, the evolution of cooperative multiagent systems composed of heterogeneous agents, where each agent is modelled as a component of the solution. Previous works have, however, shown that CCEAs are biased toward stability: the evolutionary process tends to converge prematurely to stable states instead of (near-)optimal solutions. In this study, we show how novelty search can be used to avoid the counterproductive attraction to stable states in coevolution. Novelty search is an evolutionary technique that drives evolution toward behavioural novelty and diversity rather than exclusively pursuing a static objective. We evaluate three novelty-based approaches that rely on, respectively (1) the novelty of the team as a whole, (2) the novelty of the agents’ individual behaviour, and (3) the combination of the two. We compare the proposed approaches with traditional fitness-driven cooperative coevolution in three simulated multirobot tasks. Our results show that team-level novelty scoring is the most effective approach, significantly outperforming fitness-driven coevolution at multiple levels. Novelty-driven cooperative coevolution can substantially increase the potential of CCEAs while maintaining a computational complexity that scales well with the number of populations.
Timing of Cortical Events Preceding Voluntary Movement
Authors: Vvedensky Victor L. , Prokofyev Andrey O.
Published: December 2015

We studied magnetic signals from the human brain recorded during a second before a self-paced finger movement. Sharp triangular peaks were observed in the averaged signals about 0.7 second before the finger movement. The amplitude of the peaks varied considerably from trial to trial, which indicated that the peaks were concurrent with much longer oscillatory processes. One can cluster trials into distinct groups with characteristic sequences of events. Prominent short trains of pulses in the beta frequency band were identified in the premovement period. This observation suggests that during preparation of the intended movement, cortical activity is well organized in time but differs from trial to trial. Magnetoencephalography can capture these processes with high temporal resolution and allows their study in fine detail.
Opposing Abortion, Gay Adoption, Euthanasia, and Suicide
Authors: Deak Csilla , Saroglou Vassilis
Published: December 2015

In secularized modern Western societies, moral opposition to the liberalization of abortion, gay adoption, euthanasia, and suicide often relies on justifications based on other-oriented motives (mainly, protection of the weak, e.g., children). Moreover, some argue that the truly open-minded people may be those who, against the stream, oppose the established dominant liberal values in modern societies. We investigated whether moral and religious opposition to, vs. the acceptance of, the above four issues, as well as the endorsement of respective con vs. pro arguments reflect (a) “compassionate openness” (prosocial, interpersonal, dispositions and existential flexibility), (b) “compassionate conservatism” (prosocial dispositions and collectivistic moral concerns), or (c) “self-centered moral rigorism” (collectivistic moral concerns, low existential quest, and low humility instead of prosocial dispositions). The results, to some extent, confirmed the third pattern. Thus, compassionate openness does not seem to underline modern moral opposition, possibly in contrast to some rhetoric of the latter.
Religiosity and Depressive Episodes among African Migrant HIV-positive: The Mediation of Subjective Health
Authors: Doué Constance Mambet , Roussiau Nicolas
Published: December 2015

Religion and spirituality seem to be very important for HIV-positive patients believers. Indeed, a recurring number of studies show strong correlations between religiosity/spirituality of individuals and different dimensions of health. The majority of these studies show most positive associations of religiosity/spirituality to physical health through reducing emotional distress, reduced rates of depression, greater optimism, better psychological adjustment, better preservation of CD4 cells, better control of viral load (Jones, 2004; Koenig, 2012; Pargament, Koenig, Tarakeshwar, & Hahn, 2004; Parsons, Cruise, Davenport, & Jones, 2006; Szaflarski et al., 2006; Yi et al., 2006). The objective of this research is to understand the nature of the relationship between religiosity and emotional health among HIV-positive patients, migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. Religiosity, the frequency of depressive episodes and subjective health 81 asymptomatic HIV patients regularly followed, were evaluated. Regression models and mediation, backed by a resampling procedure (5000) were tested. From mediation analyzes, the results show that through the mediating effect of subjective health, religiosity explains a decrease in the number of depressive episodes in people with HIV migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
Atmospheric Stability Influences on Coupled Boundary Layer and Canopy Turbulence
Authors: Patton Edward G. , Sullivan Peter P. , Shaw Roger H. , Finnigan John J. , Weil Jeffrey C.
Published: December 2015

Large-eddy simulation of atmospheric boundary layers interacting with a coupled and resolved plant canopy reveals the influence of atmospheric stability variations from neutral to free convection on canopy turbulence. The design and implementation of a new multilevel canopy model is presented. Instantaneous fields from the simulations show that organized motions on the scale of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) depth bring high momentum down to canopy top, locally modulating the vertical shear of the horizontal wind. The evolution of these ABL-scale structures with increasing instability and their impact on vertical profiles of turbulence moments and integral length scales within and above the canopy are discussed. Linkages between atmospheric turbulence and biological control impact horizontal scalar source distributions. Decreasing spatial correlation between momentum and scalar fluxes with increasing instability results from ABL-scale structures spatially segregating momentum and scalar exchange at canopy top. In combination, these results suggest the need for roughness sublayer parameterizations to incorporate an additional length or time scale reflecting the influence of ABL-scale organized motions.
“Masterpieces for Ragpickers”
Authors: Carter Karen L.
Published: December 2015

This essay argues that the revolutionary potential of the poster—established by a legacy of the political poster extending back to the French Revolution—and the poster’s mode of collective spectatorship made it subject to greater scrutiny, censorship, and public debate in the period after the passage of the 1881 Press Law ( loi de press, 29 Juillet, 1881) until 1893 when political propaganda was increasingly repressed following anarchist bombings. Through an examination of archival material and contemporary press articles, the essay analyzes the poster’s mode of reception and its political message as having earned its reputation as a subversive object that required surveillance and scrutiny even after its display had been authorized under the 1881 Press Law. Despite these challenges, political activists from 1881 to 1893 were able to disseminate their radical viewpoints through clandestine distribution of posters that represented ephemeral resistance to the Third Republican government.
Immune status of high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma patients and its therapeutic modulation under LenDex: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Paiva Bruno , Mateos María Victoria , Sanchez-Abarca Luis Ignacio , Puig Noemi , Vidriales María-Belén , López-Corral Lucía , Corchete Luis A. , Hernandez Miguel T. , Bargay Joan , de Arriba Felipe , de la Rubia Javier , Teruel Ana-Isabel , Giraldo Pilar , Rosiñol Laura , Prosper Felipe , Oriol Albert , Hernández José , Esteves Graça , Lahuerta Juan José , Bladé Joan , Perez-Simon Jose Antonio , San Miguel Jesús F.
Published: December 2015

Key Points

High-risk SMM patients’ immune status is mildly impaired as compared with age-matched healthy individuals. High-risk SMM patients can be effectively immunomodulated by lenalidomide, even when combined with low-dose dexamethasone.
Long-term remote organ consequences following acute kidney injury
Authors: Shiao Chih-Chung , Wu Pei-Chen , Huang Tao-Min , Lai Tai-Shuan , Yang Wei-Shun , Wu Che-Hsiung , Lai Chun-Fu , Wu Vin-Cent , Chu Tzong-Shinn , Wu Kwan-Dun ,   on behalf of the National Taiwan University Hospital Study Group on Acute Renal Failure (NSARF) and the Taiwan Consortium for Acute Kidney Injury and Renal Diseases (CAKs)
Published: December 2015

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been a global health epidemic problem with soaring incidence, increased long-term risks for multiple comorbidities and mortality, as well as elevated medical costs. Despite the improvement of patient outcomes following the advancements in preventive and therapeutic strategies, the mortality rates among critically ill patients with AKI remain as high as 40–60 %. The distant organ injury, a direct consequence of deleterious systemic effects, following AKI is an important explanation for this phenomenon. To date, most evidence of remote organ injury in AKI is obtained from animal models. Whereas the observations in humans are from a limited number of participants in a relatively short follow-up period, or just focusing on the cytokine levels rather than clinical solid outcomes. The remote organ injury is caused with four underlying mechanisms: (1) “classical” pattern of acute uremic state; (2) inflammatory nature of the injured kidneys; (3) modulating effect of AKI of the underlying disease process; and (4) healthcare dilemma. While cytokines/chemokines, leukocyte extravasation, oxidative stress, and certain channel dysregulation are the pathways involving in the remote organ damage. In the current review, we summarized the data from experimental studies to clinical outcome studies in the field of organ crosstalk following AKI. Further, the long-term consequences of distant organ-system, including liver, heart, brain, lung, gut, bone, immune system, and malignancy following AKI with temporary dialysis were reviewed and discussed.
A shared mechanism of muscle wasting in cancer and Huntington's disease
Authors: Mielcarek Michal , Isalan Mark
Published: December 2015

Skeletal muscle loss and dysfunction in aging and chronic diseases is one of the major causes of mortality in patients, and is relevant for a wide variety of diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. Muscle loss is accompanied by changes in gene expression and metabolism that lead to contractile impairment and likely affect whole‐body metabolism and function. The changes may be caused by inactivity, inflammation, age‐related factors or unbalanced nutrition. Although links with skeletal muscle loss have been found in diseases with disparate aetiologies, for example both in Huntington's disease (HD) and cancer cachexia, the outcome is a similar impairment and mortality. This short commentary aims to summarize recent achievements in the identification of common mechanisms leading to the skeletal muscle wasting syndrome seen in diseases as different as cancer and HD. The latter is the most common hereditary neurodegenerative disorder and muscle wasting is an important component of its pathology. In addition, possible therapeutic strategies for anti‐cachectic treatment will be also discussed in the light of their translation into possible therapeutic approaches for HD.
The effect of mercuric chloride treatment as biocide for herbaria on the indoor air quality
Authors: Havermans John , Dekker René , Sportel Ron
Published: December 2015

One of the most previous conservation treatments for plant specimen in herbarium collections was mercuric chloride (HgCl2). However, due time HgCl2 may decompose and it may cause (metallic) mercury (Hg) emission. Hg vapour in indoor air should be avoided as mercury poisoning can already occur at levels of 6 μg/m3. Both field and laboratory studies were carried out while the Hg concentration was analysed in the air. Field studied included analysis of the indoor air in the repository and analysis of the concentration inside a herbarium box. Subsequently lab experiments were carried out on measuring the Hg emission using a small scale emission chamber. The lab studies proved that the emission of Hg from collections is according to the theories of Hoetjer–Berger–Fuji and therefore it can be seen as a continuous emission. Field studies concluded that workers and visitors may be subjected to a high mercury concentration in the repositories. Opening a herbarium box may even cause a peak concentration of over 80 μg/m3. The highest concentration observed in the repositories was 13 μg/m3. Although this value is lower than the official Dutch threshold levels of 20 μg/m3 (time weight average over 8 h for work places), this concentration has to be considered as high. Based on the lab studies, it can be concluded that by adjusting the ventilation rate in work rooms and repositories, the mercury concentration indoor can be lowered drastically and improve the indoor air quality. However care should to be taken when opening herbarium boxes, due to possible high mercury emission.
A semianalytic solution to the response of a triaxial induction logging tool in a layered biaxial anisotropic formation
Authors: He Zhili , Huang Kai , Liu Richard C. , Guo Chen , Jin Zhao , Zhang Lina
Published: December 2015

We have developed a forward-modeling method to compute the response of a triaxial induction logging tool in a layered biaxial anisotropic dipping formation without borehole and invasion zones. The purpose of this development is to provide a fast-forward computation algorithm to handle cracks in transverse isotropic (TI) formations in oil exploration, which is a mathematically challenging problem for log data inversion. We solve for the spectral-domain transverse electromagnetic (EM) field equations, propagation matrix, and reflection matrix in a biaxial anisotropic planarly layered media. The EM fields in the space domain are obtained by a 2D inverse Fourier transform. We derive formulations of the EM fields generated by three orthogonal transmitting coils in a fully anisotropic layered media. The proposed formulations are based on arbitrary relative dipping and azimuthal and tool angles; thus, we obtain the full coupling matrix connecting source excitations and magnetic fields anywhere along the tool axis. Computation results using this method in the response of triaxial induction tools in several cases were compared with published data in TI formations and biaxial layered formations. Our results agreed very well with the published data.
Multiple Beneficial Roles of Repressor of Estrogen Receptor Activity (REA) in Suppressing the Progression of Endometriosis
Authors: Zhao Yuechao , Chen Yiru , Kuang Ye , Bagchi Milan K. , Taylor Robert N. , Katzenellenbogen John A. , Katzenellenbogen Benita S.
Published: December 2015

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, inflammation-driven gynecologic disorder in which endometrial tissue creates inflammatory lesions at extrauterine sites, leading to pelvic pain and impaired fertility. Although dysregulated estrogen receptor (ER) signaling has been implicated, understanding of this disease is incomplete and current therapies are of limited benefit. Using an immunocompetent syngeneic murine model, we used combinations of donor uterine tissue and/or recipient host mice with partial genetic deletion of the ER coregulator, repressor of ER activity (REA) (also known as prohibitin 2), to investigate roles of REA in the contributions of donor uterine tissue and host cell influences on endometriosis establishment and progression. Ectopic lesions derived from donor tissue with half the wild-type gene dosage of REA (REA+/−) grown in REA+/− hosts displayed enhanced proliferation, vascularization, and markedly increased neuron innervation and inflammatory responses, including elevated cytokine production, nuclear factor kappa B activation, cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and immune cell infiltration. Although lesion progression was greatest when REA was reduced in both donor tissue and host animals, other donor/host combinations indicated that distinct stimulatory inputs were derived from ectopic tissue (proliferative signals) and host cells (inflammatory signals). Importantly, depletion of REA in primary human endometriotic stromal cells led to elevated proliferation and expression of cell cycle regulators. Notably, REA was significantly lower in human endometriotic tissue versus normal human endometrium. Thus, REA modulates cross talk among multiple cell types in the uterine tissue and host background, serving as a brake on the estradiol-ER axis and restraining multiple aspects that contribute to the pathologic progression of endometriosis.
The NK3 Receptor Antagonist ESN364 Suppresses Sex Hormones in Men and Women
Authors: Fraser Graeme L. , Ramael Steven , Hoveyda Hamid R. , Gheyle Lien , Combalbert Jean
Published: December 2015

Context:

Women's health disorders are commonly treated by agents that suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. NK3 receptor antagonism modulates this axis with distinct pharmacology compared to existing therapies.

Objective:

The study aim was to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics on gonadotropins and sex hormones after single- and multiple-dose administration of an NK3R antagonist to healthy men and women.

Design and Setting:

This was a first-in-human, double-blind, placebo-controlled, combined single and multiple ascending dose trial.

Participants:

Forty-one men and 24 regularly cycling women participated in the study.

Intervention(s):

In part 1 of the study, men received single oral doses of 3–180 mg or placebo. In part 2, men received placebo or 20, 60, or 180 mg each day for 10 days. In part 3, women received placebo or 20, 60, or 180 mg each day for 21 days, where dosing was initiated on day 3 ± 2 after menses.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics on circulating levels of LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, in addition to physiological biomarkers of endometrial thickening, follicle growth, and the duration of the menstrual cycle were evaluated.

Results:

ESN364 was well-tolerated and rapidly bioavailable with linear pharmacokinetics and no drug accumulation with repeated, daily oral administration. Drug treatment dose-dependently decreased basal LH, but not FSH, and consequently decreased estradiol and progesterone (in women) as well as testosterone (in men). The hormonal changes in women corresponded to delayed ovulation, decreased endometrial thickening, impeded follicular maturation, and prolongation of the menstrual cycle. Drug effects were rapidly reversible.

Conclusions:

Oral administration of the NK3R antagonist, ESN364, suppressed the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in healthy volunteers by selective modulation of gonadotropin secretion, leading to a restrained decrease in ovarian hormone levels in women. These results suggest that ESN364 may offer therapeutic benefit in the treatment of women's health disorders with a mitigated risk of menopausal-like adverse events.
Molecular phylogenetics and floral evolution in the sarracenioid clade (Actinidiaceae, Roridulaceae and Sarraceniaceae) of Ericales
Authors: Löfstrand Stefan D. , Schönenberger Jürg
Published: December 2015

The sarracenioid families (Actinidiaceae, Roridulaceae, Sarraceniaceae) were rarely affiliated with other ericalean taxa in pre‐molecular classifications and have seldom been considered closely related to each other. In molecular phylogenetic studies, the sarracenioids form a strongly supported clade and are sister to the ericoid clade (Clethraceae, Cyrillaceae, Ericaceae); the sarracenioids and ericoids together make up core Ericales. To date, no phylogenetic study has included all sarracenioid genera (Actinidia, Clematoclethra and Saurauia in Actinidiaceae; Roridula in Roridulaceae; Darlingtonia, Heliamphora and Sarracenia in Sarraceniaceae). In particular, the monophyly of Saurauia has not previously been tested using molecular characters. We shed light on the phylogenetic relationships within the sarracenioid clade and, based on ancestral state reconstructions, test floral characters previously suggested as potential synapomorphies for the sarracenioids and ericoids. Phylogenetic analysis was performed for the DNA regions ITS, rbcL, rpl32‐trnL, trnK and trnL‐F using RAxML, MrBayes and PAUP*. Our results support the monophyly of the sarracenioid clade as well as of all its families and non‐monotypic genera. Two distinct geographical lineages are identified in Saurauia; the two lineages are characterised by differences in petal union (choripetaly versus sympetaly), style union (free versus partially united), gynoecium merism and base chromosome numbers. Our analyses identify the following floral characters as synapomorphic for core Ericales: adaxial anther attachment, anther inversion and a depression at the ovary‐to‐style transition. Proximally thick to massive petals, the presence of a nucellar hypostase in ovules and polystemony are synapomorphies of the sarracenioid clade. The presence of calcium oxalate raphides, mucilage cells, a secretory inner gynoecium surface and the absence of synlateral vasculature in the ovary are synapomorphies of the Actinidiaceae‐Roridulaceae clade. A two‐whorled androecium is a synapomorphy of the ericoid clade.
The Cortisol to Cortisone Ratio during Cardiac Catheterisation in Sows
Authors: Skarlandtová Hana , Bičíková Marie , Neužil Petr , Mlček Mikuláš , Hrachovina Vladimír , Svoboda Tomáš , Medová Eva , Kudlička Jaroslav , Dohnalová Alena , Havránek Štěpán , Kazihnítková Hana , Máčová Ludmila , Vařejková Eva , Kittnar Otomar
Published: December 2015

A possible effect of mini-invasive heart intervention on a response of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal stress axis and conversion of cortisone to cortisol were studied. We have analysed two stress markers levels (cortisol, cortisone) and cortisol/cortisone ratio in 25 sows using minimally invasive heart catheterisation as the stress factor. The values of studied parameters were assessed in four periods of the experiment: (1) the baseline level on the day before intervention, (2) after the introduction of anaesthesia, (3) after conducting tissue stimulation or ablation, and (4) after the end of the catheterisation. For statistical analyses we used the non-parametric Friedman test for four dependent samples (including all four stages of the operation) or three dependent samples (influence of operation only, baseline level was excluded). Statistically significant differences in both Friedman tests were found for cortisol and for cortisone. We have found the highest level of cortisol/cortisone ratio in unstressed conditions, then it decreased to the minimal level at the end of the intervention. We have concluded that cortisol levels are blunted by the influence of anaesthesia after its administration, and therefore decrease back to the baseline at the end of the operation.
Cycles in Jacobians: infinitesimal results
Authors: Raviolo Emanuele
Published: December 2015

Let C be a generic smooth curve of genus g ≥ 4.We study the normal functions and the infinitesimal invariants associated to Ceresa cycles Wk − W−
k , k = 2, . . . , g − 2. We show how they can be obtained from the normal function associated to the basic cycle C − C− and, for k = 2, we also explicitly determine the zero locus of the infinitesimal invariant. If C is general hyperelliptic of genus g = 3, we define the K-theoretic counterpart of W2 − W−
2 , generalizing a construction of A. Collino, and we prove that it is indecomposable.
The OAE1a in Cuchía (Early Aptian, Spain): C and O geochemistry and global correlation
Authors: García-Mondéjar Joaquín , Fernández-Mendiola Pedro A. , Owen Hugh G.
Published: December 2015

C-isotopes, TOC and O geochemical data from the lower Aptian Cuchía section in the western Basque-Cantabrian basin (BCB) allow an accurate delimitation of the OAE1a-equivalent and its geochemical Menegatti´s segments, a detailed δ13Ccarb correlation with regional and interregional sections, and a high-resolution construction of TOC and bulk-rock δ18Ocarb curves and their interpretation. The δ13Ccarb values range from -2‰ and +4‰ (VPDB). They agree with previous data from the eastern BCB sections (Aralar) confirming the ammonite age of the OAE1a in the Basque-Cantabrian basin: Deshayesites forbesi, Deshayesites deshayesi, and Deshayesites deshayesi-Dufrenoyia furcata transition Zones. Interregional δ13Ccarb correlation with pelagic (Cismon, Italy, and Mid-Pacific Mountains, DSDP Site 463) and neritic (Roquefort-La Bédoule, France) core sections, reveals a common profile of a wide negative excursion characteristic of the OAE1a. It consists of a double trough separated by a flat relative maximum, with two negative spikes in the upper trough of neritic sections. TOC absolute values range from 0.12% to 1.37%. Segments of the TOC curve with persistent low values closely correspond with descending segments of the δ13Ccarb curve, and are attributed to lesser organic productivity in the BCB. Detailed bulk-rock δ18Ocarb data (-5.71‰ to -1.05 ‰ PDB) and variation curve show two main positive O-isotope shifts and three minor positive inflections, within a general negative trend characteristic of the OAE1a. The two major positive shifts correspond to both shallowing upwards sequences and the lowermost can be related to a eustatic sea level fall. Independent interregional correlation of the O-isotope shifts with C-isotopes supports their interpretation as punctuating colder events within a general warming trend.
Do Tillage Methods Affect Germination and Species Similarity of Soil Weed Seeds Bank?
Authors: Shahgholi Hassan , Makarian Hassan , Shokati Behzad , Talaei Ghassem Hossein , Asgharipour Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2015

Cultural practices such as tillage used for crop production influence the composition of the weed seed bank in the soil. In order to investigate the effects of different tillage methods on seed bank properties, species diversity and similarity, two laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out as randomized complete block design with four replications in 2011. Treatments included: once tillage per year (T1), twice tillage per year (T2), more than twice tillage (T3) and no tillage (T4). Laboratory results showed that the T3 and T4 treatments had the highest and the lowest observed seeds numbers, respectively. Between the laboratory observed weed seeds, the maximum weed seed numbers were Echinochloa crus-galli and Amaranthus retroflexus in the T3 treatment, while Chenopodium album, Polygonum aviculare and Cuscuta campestris had the highest seed numbers in the T2 treatment. At the greenhouse study, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus and Hordeum morinum in the T2 treatment were dominant species. The highest diversity was observed in the T2 treatment, and Chenopodium album and Echinochloa crus-galli were dominant species in the T2 and T3 treatments. Maximum species similarity index was achieved from the T1 and T3 treatments. Thereby this study concluded that increasing of tillage number could affect the similarity index of weed seeds and subsequently alters the weed community composition.
Vacuum Fluctuation in 2 × 13 Herringbone Milking Parlour in Dependence on Vacuum Control Method
Authors: Fryč Jiří , Los Josef , Kukla Radovan , Kudělka Jan
Published: December 2015

Vacuum fluctuation was measured using three different vacuum control methods. Firstly, the use was made of a control valve delivered by the manufacturer; then, an additionally installed frequency converter was used. Lastly, a frequency converter fitted with the stabilisation device prototype was used. First, control sensitivity according to ISO was measured in all the three alternatives. Then, vacuum fluctuation during milking was measured. To conduct the measurements under objectively identified conditions, another measurement was conducted with air feed during milking being replaced with a precisely defined variable flow rate. The conducted measurement confirmed the fact that when the frequency converter is used, vacuum fluctuation in stabilised condition is at the same level as when the control valve is used. If there are sudden changes in flow rate and the frequency converter is used, vacuum fluctuation increases. The proposed stabilisation device prototype can reduce the fluctuation in small milking plant but it is not suitable in large milking parlours.
Acoustic Emission with Testing the Pressure Resistance and Structural Integrity in Mineral Feeds
Authors: Začal Jaroslav , Dostál Petr , Šustr Michal
Published: December 2015

This work deals with a specific method of non-destructive testing - acoustic emission. The theoretical part of the article is focused on the underlying principle of this method and its applicability. The experimental part is focused on the research of pressure resistance in mineral feed using acoustic emission. Mineral feed is a condensed cube of rock salt (sodium chloride) with supplementary minerals, which is fed to livestock and game to supply the mineral elements necessary for their health and condition. Acoustic emission gives the overview of internal changes in material structure. With use of specific software we can interpret the acoustic signal and identify the current state of material integrity in real time.
Evaluation of experimental designs in durum wheat trials
Authors: Katsileros Anastasios , Koukouvinos Christos
Published: December 2015

Variability among experimental plots may be a relevant problem in field genotype experiments, especially when a large number of entries are involved. Four field trials on 24 durum wheat genotypes were conducted in 2013/14 in order to evaluate the efficiency of Incomplete Block, Alpha and Augmented designs in comparison with the traditional Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results showed that the RCBD can be replaced by an Alpha design, which provides better control of variability among the experimental units when the number of treatments to be tested in an experiment exceeds twenty. The ranking of the genotypes across the four designs was not constant.
Plug-in direct particle swarm repetitive controller with a reduced dimensionality of a fitness landscape – a multi-swarm approach
Authors: Ufnalski B. , Grzesiak L.M.
Published: December 2015

The paper describes a modification to the recently developed plug-in direct particle swarm repetitive controller (PDPSRC) for the sine-wave constant-amplitude constant-frequency (CACF) voltage-source inverter (VSI). The original PDPSRC algorithm assumes that the particle swarm optimizer (PSO) takes into account a performance index defined over the whole reference signal period. Each particle stores all the samples of the control signal, e.g. α = 200 samples for a controller working at 10 kHz and the reference frequency equal to 50 Hz. Therefore, the fitness landscape (i.e. the performance index) is -dimensional ( D), which makes optimization challenging. That solution can be categorized as the single-swarm one. It has been previously shown that the swarm controller does not suffer from long-term stability issues encountered in the classic iterative learning controllers (ILC). However, the convergence of the swarm has to be kept at a relatively low rate to enable successful exploitation in the D search space, which in turn results in slow responsiveness of the PDPSRC. Here a multi-swarm approach is proposed in which we divide a dynamic optimization problem (DOP) among less dimensional swarms. The reference signal period is segmented into shorter intervals and the control signal is optimized in each interval independently by separate swarms. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated with the help of numerical experiments on the CACF VSI with an output LC filter operating under nonlinear loads.
Posturographic methods for body posture symmetry assessment
Authors: Łukaszewicz T. , Kania D. , Kidoń Z. , Pethe-Kania K.
Published: December 2015

The article presents a number of posturographic methods enabling objective postural symmetry assessment in patients undergoing rehabilitation after total hip replacement surgery. The key goal of such rehabilitation is fast restoration of a proper body weight distribution. The postural symmetry measures proposed in the article enable generalized quantification of the CoP (Center of Pressure) trajectories measured during standard static posturography diagnostics and the so-called follow-up posturography examination. The follow-up posturography is a relatively new but promising method of physical rehabilitation. All of the herein discussed posturographic measures have been designed specifically to quantify postural symmetry either in a standing and relaxed upright position, in the absence of any deterministic external stimulation (static posturography) or in the presence of a visual biofeedback stimulation enforcing the coordinated slow swaying movements of the body (the follow-up posturography). The experimental results presented in this paper constitute the outcome of the long-term cooperation between the Institute of Electronics of the Silesian University of Technology and the Silesian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital. The usefulness of the proposed postural symmetry measures has been verified in a series of clinical trials carried out in a selected group of patients undergoing rehabilitation after total hip replacement surgery.
Robust stability of positive linear time delay systems under time-varying perturbations
Authors: Ngoc P.H.A. , Tinh C.T.
Published: December 2015

By a novel approach, we get explicit robust stability bounds for positive linear time-invariant time delay differential systems subject to time-varying structured perturbations or non-linear time-varying perturbations. Some examples are given to illustrate the obtained results. To the best of our knowledge, the results of this paper are new.
Adaptive, compensating control of wheel slip in railway vehicles
Authors: Kabziński J.
Published: December 2015

The problem of slip stabilization and tracking in railway vehicle applications is considered. A nonlinear adaptive control compensating for unknown disturbance in motion dynamics such as: friction, contact force variations and air resistance is proposed. The control is based on approximate models with adaptive parameters. The stability of several control algorithms is proven and performance of the derived controllers is investigated. The proposed controllers are evaluated in numerical simulations and by DSP application to slip control in a friction gear driven by a permanent magnet synchronous motor.
Miniature size multiband planar patch antenna fabricated on a bioplastic substrate
Authors: Ahsan M.R. , Islam M.T. , Habib Ullah M. , Arshad H. , Ali M.T.
Published: December 2015

In this article, a simple design of rectangular microstrip feed planar antenna with wide arcs and square shape slot is proposed for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and C/X-band wireless communications. The prototype of the antenna has been fabricated 1.0 mm thick ceramic filled bioplastic substrate by using optimal dimension obtained from design/simulations and antenna performances are experimentally tested. The experimental results confirm the impedance bandwidths for S11 ≤ −10 dB are of 712 MHz (0.355-1.067 GHz), 1.38 GHz (2.92-4.3 GHz) and 2.46 GHz (6.55-9.01 GHz) for 0.788, 3.34 and 8.01 GHz band respectively. The proposed antenna shows almost steady and symmetrical radiation patterns for all three bands with the maximum gains of 1.37, 2.8 and 3.56 dBi respectively. Based on the antenna performances, it can successfully cover the frequency band requirement for RFID, WiMAX and C/X-band applications.
Calibration of TDR Test Probe for Measuring Moisture in the Body of the Railway Substructure and its Subgrade
Authors: Dobeš Peter
Published: December 2015

In the introduction of the paper there is characterized a way of monitoring the moisture in the railway substructure in the experimental stand, which is a part of the experimental workplace of the Department of Railway Engineering and Track Management. A substantial part of the paper is devoted to the calibration of TDR test probe for selected rock materials as a basic prerequisite for the determination of the actual moisture in the body of the railway substructure and subgrade.
Enhancement of the Work in Scia Engineer's Environment by Employment of XML Programming Language
Authors: Kortiš Ján
Published: December 2015

The productivity of the work of engineers in the design of building structures by applying the rules of technical standards [1] has been increasing by using different software products for recent years. The software products offer engineers new possibilities to design different structures. However, there are problems especially for design of structures with similar static schemes as it is needed to follow the same work-steps. This can be more effective if the steps are done automatically by using a programming language for leading the processes that are done by software. The design process of timber structure which is done in the environment of Scia Engineer software is presented in the article. XML Programming Language is used for automatization of the design and the XML code is modified in the Excel environment by using VBA Programming language [2], [3].
Corrosion of multiphase flow pipelines: the impact of crude oil
Authors: Wang Zi Ming , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2015

The control of multiphase flow corrosion during oil production is a challenging task. In this review, the impact of crude oil on pipeline corrosion is broadly discussed, with the notion to reduce corrosion risks of pipelines in aggressive field conditions. First, the properties, emulsion stability, and multiphase flow patterns of crude oil fluids are concisely summarized and correlated to the corrosion behavior. Second, for proper evaluation of the corrosiveness of the oil-brine mixtures, related corrosion test methods and experimental techniques are critically evaluated. Third, the effects of crude oil on corrosion inhibition are conceivably attributed to four aspects, i.e. the entrainment of water, the wetting by crude oil, the partitioning effect, and the modification of the corrosion product layers. Fourth, the presence of crude oil may consume more corrosion inhibitors; however, the inhibitors can produce additional benefits on corrosion mitigation in oil-brine mixed conditions, such as altering the surface wettability to hydrophobic and enhancing the entrainment of water. Finally, some ideas to reduce pipeline corrosion are proposed and future research viewpoints are discussed.
Every conformal minimal surface in ℝ3 is isotopic to the real part of a holomorphic\break null curve
Authors: Alarcón Antonio , Forstnerič Franc
Published: December 2015

We show that for every conformal minimal immersion

u
:

M
→

ℝ
3

{u:M\to\mathbb{R}^{3}}

from an open
Riemann surface M to

ℝ
3

{\mathbb{R}^{3}}

there exists a smooth isotopy

u
t

:

M
→

ℝ
3

{u_{t}:M\to\mathbb{R}^{3}}

(

t
∈

[
0
,
1
]

{t\in[0,1]}

) of
conformal minimal immersions, with

u
0

=
u

{u_{0}=u}

, such that

u
1

{u_{1}}

is the real part of a holomorphic null curve

M
→

ℂ
3

{M\to\mathbb{C}^{3}}

(i.e.

u
1

{u_{1}}

has vanishing flux). If furthermore u is nonflat, then

u
1

{u_{1}}

can be chosen to have any prescribed flux and to be complete.
An Approach to a Flexible Thermoelectric Generator Fabricated using Bulk Materials
Authors: Geppert B. , Feldhoff A.
Published: December 2015

A prototype flexible thermoelectric generator fabricated with bulk materials is presented. Mineral-fiber band and copper tape are used as flexible substrate and electric connectors, respectively, to coil up the constructed thermoelectric device under investigation. The applied active thermoelectric materials are

C

a

3

C

o

4

O

9

${\rm{C}}{{\rm{a}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{C}}{{\rm{o}}_{\rm{4}}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{9}}}$

ceramic and Cu-Ni alloy for hole and electron conduction, respectively. Thermal parallel and electric series connections of the mentioned materials were realized in the prototype flexible thermoelectric generator. The device delivered an open-circuit voltage of 16.52 mV and a short-circuit current of 19.40

μ
A

${\rm{\mu A}}$

with a temperature difference of

Δ

T

T
E
G

=
31
 
K

${\rm{\Delta}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{TEG}}}}{\rm{= 31\ K}}$

for the hot side temperature of 420 K. The device exhibits an approximately 3 cm long stripe that include four basic units (n-p pair and electric connector).
A Multiple Criteria Decision Making Method Based on Relative Value Distances
Authors: Shyur Huan-jyh , Yin Liang , Shih Hsu-shih , Cheng Chi-bin
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes a new multiple criteria decision-making method called ERVD (election based on relative value distances). The s-shape value function is adopted to replace the expected utility function to describe the risk-averse and risk-seeking behavior of decision makers. Comparisons and experiments contrasting with the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution) method are carried out to verify the feasibility of using the proposed method to represent the decision makers’ preference in the decision making process. Our experimental results show that the proposed approach is an appropriate and effective MCDM method.
Proving Opacity of Transactional Memory with Early Release
Authors: Siek Konrad , Wojciechowski Paweł T.
Published: December 2015

Transactional Memory (TM) is an alternative way of synchronizing concurrent accesses to shared memory by adopting the abstraction of transactions in place of low-level mechanisms like locks and barriers. TMs usually apply optimistic concurrency control to provide a universal and easy-to-use method of maintaining correctness. However, this approach performs a high number of aborts in high contention workloads, which can adversely affect performance. Optimistic TMs can cause problems when transactions contain irrevocable operations. Hence, pessimistic TMs were proposed to solve some of these problems. However, an important way of achieving efficiency in pessimistic TMs is to use early release. On the other hand, early release is seemingly at odds with opacity, the gold standard of TM safety properties, which does not allow transactions to make their state visible until they commit. In this paper we propose a proof technique that makes it possible to demonstrate that a TM with early release can be opaque as long as it prevents inconsistent views.
Aboveground Net Primary Production of tree cover at the post-disturbance area in the Tatra National Park, Slovakia
Authors: Konôpka Bohdan , Pajtík Jozef , Šebeň Vladimír , Bošeľa Michal
Published: December 2015

Large-scale disturbances under the conditions of Slovakia, caused especially by storm and bark beetle, bring dramatic decline in carbon budget of the country, besides other negative consequences. The largest disturbance in modern history of the Slovak forestry was the storm damage that occurred in November 2004. The Tatra National Park (TNP) was one of the most affected regions. Thus, in this territory, two transects (T1 – the Danielov dom site and T2 – near the Horný Smokovec village) were established to survey basic dendrometric properties of trees in young stands established after the disaster. The standing stock of aboveground biomass in tree cover for the spring and autumn 2014 was calculated using the recorded variables, i.e. tree height and diameter measured at the stem base, together with the region-specific allometric relations. Then, the Aboveground Net Primary Production (ANPP) in tree cover was estimated with respect to its components (stem, branches and foliage). ANPP was 315 g m−2 per year (Transect T1), and 391 g m−2 per year (Transect T2). The differences in the structure of ANPP, i.e. contribution of tree components, were found between transects T1 and T2. They were caused by the contrasting tree species composition, specifically the ratios between Norway spruce and broadleaved species. Broadleaves allocated more biomass production to foliage than spruce. This phenomenon together with higher turnover (once a year) of foliage caused that broadleaves manifest higher share of fast-cycling carbon in comparison to the amount of carbon sequestrated in woody parts (stem and branches). High variability of ANPP was found within the transects, i.e. among the plots (microsites). As for the representative estimation of the standing stock of aboveground part of tree cover as well as ANPP at the post-disturbance area in the TNP territory, the survey should be performed on a net of research plots. Only this approach enables reliable estimates of carbon amount sequestrated in woody parts, eventually carbon yearly absorbed by young forest stands.