bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beneficial effect of 6 weeks lasting handling of adult rats on spatial memory in experimental model of neurodegeneration
Authors: Stara Veronika , Mach Mojmir , Ujhazy Eduard , Liptak Boris , Gasparova Zdenka 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Handling is a form of experience which can result in physiological changes depending on the period of postnatal age when performed. There is a lot of evidence about the positive effect of neonatal handling, but a lack dealing with handling of adult rats. Behavioral changes and memory deficits are present in dementia-like disorders. In the present work, we tested whether 6 weeks lasting handling of young adult rats could revert memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) (7.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Testing rats in Morris water maze revealed significant effect of TMT as well significant effect of handling. We observed improvement of spatial memory also between healthy, non-degenerated rats as well as degenerated rats, represented by shorter latency onto the platform. In our paper, we report beneficial effect of handling on spatial memory that is in compliance with published works about beneficial effect of cognitive therapy and training in patients with early stage of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Sub-chronic oral toxicity assessment (90 days) of ethanolic fraction of leaves of Neurocalyx calycinus (R. Br. ex Benn.) Rob. in rodents: A lesser known ethnomedicinal plant from the Cholanaickan tribal community, India
Authors: Aneeshkumar Ajayakumar Lalitha , Suja Somasekharan nair Rajam , Vilash Viswambaran , Nair Ragesh Raveendran , Siril Elenjikkal Avarachan , Rajasekharan Sreedharan nair 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety of long term consumption of ethanolic fraction of Neurocalyx calycinus leaves (NCEF) in rodents. The NCEF was subjected to detect the presence of various phytoconstituents. In acute oral toxicity study, graded doses of NCEF was administered in mice and were observed up to 14 days. In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, NCEF was administered to Wistar rats at doses of 50, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w. per day for 90 days and after that, observed up to 28 days. NCEF showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, phenolics and glycosides. In acute toxicity study, there was no mortality and no behavioural signs of toxicity at the highest dose level (6400 mg/kg b.w.). In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, there were no significant difference observed in the consumption of food and water, body weight and relative organ weights. Haematological, serum biochemical, hepatic oxidative stress marker analysis and urine analysis revealed the non-adverse effects of prolonged oral consumption of NCEF. The histopatho-logic examination did not show any differences in vital organs. Based on our findings, NCEF, at dosage levels up to 1000 mg/kg b.w., is non-toxic and safe for long term oral consumption.
The developmental effects of isoflavone aglycone administration on early chick embryos
Authors: Kawakami Yasuhiko , Saito Kenichi , Itoh Yasuhiko 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Soybeans contain the isoflavone aglycone, an endocrine disrupter. To determine the effects of small amounts of isoflavones on developmental processes, we administered 6.25, 62.5, or 625 µg isoflavone per egg to early stage (stage 10) developing chick embryos via the yolk just beneath the embryo. Eggs were kept at 37±0.5 °C and >80% relative humidity, with one rotation per hour for 48 hrs. The embryos were observed under a stereomicroscope for morphological abnormalities and number of somites. Relative to control eggs, there were no significant differences in the average number of somites in eggs administered isoflavone aglycone. Isoflavone, however, had a dose associated effect on abnormal embryogenesis. Embryos treated with isoflavone aglycone showed developmental arrest not reaching somitegenesis, dysmorphology of the neural tube, and shortening of entire embryos.
Zika virus infection from a newborn point of view. TORCH or TORZiCH?
Authors: Tahotná Adriana , Brucknerová Jana , Brucknerová Ingrid 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the group of viruses called arboviruses. Congenital Zika syndrome is a new disease with infectious teratogenic aetiology. The clinical symptoms are divided into morphological and functional. Most severe complication is the foetal brain disruption sequence that includes severe microcephaly, anomalies of the eyes and congenital contractions of joints. The aim of this paper was to review available facts about Zika virus infection from a newborn point of view in a form of the summary of all important information. Zika virus infection is a problem of past, present and future. Epidemics may occur because of global climate changes, also in countries where natural conditions for life of mosquitos are not present. This clearly indicates the need to continue developing of vaccines and specific antiviral drugs. Until this happens, we must adhere individual preventive measures. Zika virus has proven to us how it can affect the health of adults and neonates but also thinking of healthy people. Newborns with microcephaly on the front pages of the media caused in 2015 panic and fear around the world – for this reason education of people is necessary. Due to serious congenital disorders associated with ZIKV infection and global impact of virus we suggest modifying old acronym TORCH for new TORZiCH to accent the position of Zika virus.
Effect of AgNPs on the human reconstructed epidermis
Authors: Franková Jana , Juráňová Jana , Kamarád Vojtěch , Zálešák Bohumil , Ulrichová Jitka 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Nanoparticles are utilized in a wide range of industries. The most studied silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used in medicine and also in several wound dressings due to their antimicrobial properties. The inflammatory response or potential morphological changes of skin cells after their application are not well known yet. In our study we used the model of human reconstructed epidermis (RHE), prepared in our laboratory, to evaluate whether the AgNPs penetrate through RHE, induce some morphological changes of keratinocytes or influence the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8). After the application of three different concentrations (25 ppm, 2.5 ppm, 0.25 ppm) of AgNPs to of RHE for 24 hours we verified that AgNPs did not affect the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) and neither did they influence the expression of keratin K14 and loricrin. The morphology of the cells was likewise unchanged. Based on these results we conclude that AgNPs do not have any negative effect on the morphological changes and do not increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibition and Na+K+ATPase dysfunction are determinant factors modulating the toxicity of nickel in the brain of indian catfish Clarias batrachus L.
Authors: Maiti Arpan Kumar , Saha Nimai Chandra , Paul Goutam , Dhara Kishore 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Nickel is a potential neurotoxic pollutant inflicting damage in living organisms, including fish, mainly through oxidative stress. Previous studies have demonstrated the impact of nickel toxicity on mitochondrial function, but there remain lacunae on the damage inflicted at mitochondrial respiratory level. Deficient mitochondrial function usually affects the activities of important adenosinetriphosphatases responsible for the maintenance of normal neuronal function, namely Na+K+ATPase, as explored in our study. Previous reports demonstrated the dysfunction of this enzyme upon nickel exposure but the contributing factors for the inhibition of this enzyme remained unexplored. The main purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of nickel neurotoxicity on mitochondrial respiratory complexes and Na+K+ATPase in the piscine brain and to determine the contributing factors that had an impact on the same. Adult Clarias batrachus were exposed to nickel treated water at 10% and 20% of the 96 h LC50 value (41 mg.l−1) respectively and sampled on 20, 40 and 60 days. Exposure of fish brain to nickel led to partial inhibition of complex IV of mitochondrial respiratory chain, however, the activities of complex I, II and III remained unaltered. This partial inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain might have been sufficient to lower mitochondrial energy production in mitochondria that contributed to the partial dysfunction of Na+K+ATPase. Besides energy depletion other contributing factors were involved in the dysfunction of this enzyme, like loss of thiol groups for enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation-derived end products that might have induced conformational and functional changes. However, providing direct evidence for such conformational and functional changes of Na+K+ATPase was beyond the scope of the present study. In addition, immunoblotting results also showed a decrease in Na+K+ATPase protein expression highlighting the impact of nickel neurotoxicity on the expression of the enzyme itself. The implication of the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and Na+K+ATPase dysfunction was the neuronal death as evidenced by enhanced caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities. Thus, this study established the deleterious impact of nickel neurotoxicity on mitochondrial functions in the piscine brain and identified probable contributing factors that can act concurrently in the inhibition of Na+K+ATPase. This study also provided a vital clue about the specific areas that the therapeutic agents should target to counter nickel neurotoxicity.
Conditions of Safe Ship Operation in Seaports – Optimization of Port Waterway Parameters
Authors: Gucma Stanisław 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
A seaport is presented in this article as a system composed of various types of waterways. The author has defined relationships between port waterway system elements and conditions of safe operation of ships in port. Relationships were determined between the conditions of safe operation of ships and the parameters of the following port waterways: anchorage, fairways (approach and inner channels, port entrances), turning area and port basin. The identified relationships between port waterway system and conditions of safe ship operation provided a basis for formulating the objective function of waterway parameter optimization during port design. In practice, these relations were used to determine the parameters of the Outer Container Terminal being built in Świnoujście, where two optimization problems were to be solved:

The optimization of approach channel parameters,

The optimization of parameters of the port entrance, turning area and port basin.

The Outer Container Terminal in Świnoujście is expected to handle ocean-going ships with a length overall Lo = 400 m, and its projected capacity is estimated at 1.5 million TEU per year, a figure that can be doubled in the future.
Diagnostic Model of Crankshaft Seals
Authors: Bzura Piotr 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The paper presents a research stand being a diagnostic model of radial lip seals used, among others, on crankshafts of piston combustion engines in order to identify the correctness of their operation. The possibility of determining the technical condition of lip seals on the basis of the proposed coefficient of correctness of operation has been described. The basic features of seals influencing their correctness of operation were also described, along with examples of determining the durability limits of lip seals. A modified version of the friction node of the T-02 four-ball apparatus is presented. It allows to check the correctness of sealing lips operation as well as to test the compatibility between the steel shaft, sealing lip and sealed lubricating oil. It was shown that the test results con-firmed the usefulness of the hypothesis that the quality of oil affects the durability of sealing lips and their coefficient of correctness. Additionally, attention was paid to the possibility of analyzing the pumping effect affecting the transition of the seal-shaft system from the state of partial suitability S2 to the state of full suitability S1 or to the state of unfitness S3, and because the change in the state of such a system is random, it requires a probabilistic analysis.
Numerical Investigating the Effect of Water Depth on Ship Resistance Using RANS CFD Method
Authors: Hoa Nguyen Thi Ngoc , Bich Vu Ngoc , Tu Tran Ngoc , Chien Nguyen Manh , Hien Le Tat 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
On inland waterways the ship resistance and propulsive characteristics are strictly related to the depth of the waterway, thus it is important to have an understanding of the influence of water depth on ship hydrodynamic characteristics. Therefore, accurate predictions of hydrodynamic forces in restricted waterways are required and important. The aim of this paper is investigating the capability of the commercial unsteady Reynolds–Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver to predict the influence of water depth on ship resistance. The volume of fluid method (VOF) is applied to simulate the free surface flow around the ship. The hull resistance in shallow and deep water is compared. The obtained numerical results are validated against related experimental studies available in the literature.
Numerical and Experimental Study on Seakeeping Performance of a High-Speed Trimaran with T-foil in Head Waves
Authors: Li Ang , Li Yunbo 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The longitudinal motion characteristics of a slender trimaran equipped with and without a T-foil near the bow are investigated by experimental and numerical methods. Computational fluid dynamics ( CFD) method is used in this study. The seakeeping characteristics such as heave, pitch and vertical acceleration in head regular waves are analyzed in various wave conditions. Numerical simulations have been validated by comparisons with experimental tests. The influence of large wave amplitudes and size of T-foil on the longitudinal motion of trimaran are analyzed. The present systematic study demonstrates that the numerical results are in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data. The research implied that the longitudinal motion response values are greatly reduced with the use of T-foil.
Pulsation Signals Analysis of Turbocharger Turbine Blades based on Optimal EEMD and TEO
Authors: Wang Fengli 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Turbocharger turbine blades suffer from periodic vibration and flow induced excitation. The blade vibration signal is a typical non-stationary and sometimes nonlinear signal that is often encountered in turbomachinery research and development. An example of such signal is the pulsating pressure and strain signals measured during engine ramp to find the maximum resonance strain or during engine transient mode in applications. As the pulsation signals can come from different disturbance sources, detecting the weak useful signals under a noise background can be difficult. For this type of signals, a novel method based on optimal parameters of Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) and Teager Energy Operator (TEO) is proposed. First, an optimization method was designed for adaptive determining appropriate EEMD parameters for the measured vibration signal, so that the significant feature components can be extracted from the pulsating signals. Then Correlation Kurtosis (CK) is employed to select the sensitive Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). In the end, TEO algorithm is applied to the selected sensitive IMF to identify the characteristic frequencies. A case of measured sound signal and strain signal from a turbocharger turbine blade was studied to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed method.
Power Performance of the Combined Monopile Wind Turbine and Floating Buoy with Heave-type Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Homayoun Esmaeil , Ghassemi Hassan , Ghafari Hamidreza 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This study deals with a new concept of near-shore combined renewable energy system which integrates a monopile wind turbine and a floating buoy with heave-type wave energy converter( WEC). Wave energy is absorbed by power-take-off (PTO) systems. Four different shapes of buoy model are selected for this study. Power performance in regular waves is calculated by using boundary element method in ANSYS-AQWA software in both time and frequency domains. This software is based on three-dimensional radiation/diffraction theory and Morison’s equation using mixture of panels and Morison elements for determining hydrodynamic loads. For validation of the approach the numerical results of the main dynamic responses of WEC in regular wave are compared with the available experimental data. The effects of the heaving buoy geometry on the main dynamic responses such as added mass, damping coefficient, heave motion, PTO damping force and mean power of various model shapes of WEC in regular waves with different periods, are compared and discussed. Comparison of the results showed that using WECs with a curvature inward in the bottom would absorb more energy from sea waves.
CFGFRPT Piles with a Circular Cross-Section and their Application in Offshore Structures
Authors: Mieloszyk Eligiusz , Abramski Marcin , Milewska Anita 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The possibilities of using concrete piles in a polymer composite reinforced with glass fibres in offshore facilities were shown. Laboratory tests of CFGFRPT type piles compressed axially and in eccentric compression for the analysis of CFGFRPT piles were used. Methods of analysis of dynamic systems for mathematical modelling of the displacement of the hammer in the pile driving process were applied. The possibilities of combining CFGFRPT piles, including the creation of hybrid piles were also presented. For example, concrete piles can be combined with concrete piles in a polymer composite reinforced with glass fibres with different fibre beam angles. The possibilities of using such hybrid piles in offshore facilities were indicated.
Optimizing the Shape of a Compression-Ignition Engine Combustion Chamber by Using Simulation Tests
Authors: Pielecha Ireneusz , Merkisz Jerzy 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Modern solutions used in compression-ignition internal combustion engines are quite similar to each other. The use of high-pressure, direct fuel injection results in high combustion rates with controlled exhaust emissions. One of the combustion system quality criteria is to obtain adequately high thermodynamic indicators of the combustion process, which are obtained through, among others, the right combustion chamber geometry. Its shape influences the fuel atomization process, turbulence of fuel dose, evaporation and the combustion process. Optimizing the combustion chamber shape is one of the decisive factors proving the correct execution of the combustion process. This article presents the methodology of choosing the combustion chamber shape (changes of three selected combustion chamber dimensions) by using the optimization methods. Generating multidimensional data while maintaining the correlation structure was performed by using the Latin hypercube method. Chamber optimization was carried out by using the Nelder-Mead method. The combustion chamber shape was optimized for three engine load values (determined by the average indicated pressure) at selected engine operating conditions. The presented method of engine combustion chamber optimization can be used in low and high speed diesel propulsion engines (especially in maritime transport applications).
Parametric Method Applicable in Calculating Breakout Force and Time for Lifting Axisymmetric Objects from Seabed
Authors: Michalski Jan P. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The issue of calculating parameters for lifting objects of axisymmetric shapes from the seabed is studied. The article presents the results of numerical simulation examination of the equation formulated by Foda for the force needed to extricate the object from the seabed depending on soil and water parameters, extrication speed, and object diameter. The simulations were performed within the range of parameters characteristic for real applications, and their results were used for deriving approximate algebraic formulas applicable in engineering practice of lifting objects resting on seabed.
Introduction to Coastal HF Maritime Surveillance Radars
Authors: Ilcev Dimov Stojce 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This paper presents the main technical characteristics and working performances of coastal maritime surveillance radars, such as low-power High-Frequency Surface Wave Radars (HFSWR) and Over the Horizon Radars (OTHR). These radars have demonstrated to be a cost-effective long-range early-warning sensor for ship detection and tracking in coastal waters, sea channels and passages. In this work, multi-target tracking and data fusion techniques are applied to live-recorded data from a network of oceanographic HFSWR stations installed in Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), Wellen Radar (WERA) in Ligurian Sea (Mediterranean Sea), CODAR Ocean Sebsorsin and in the German Bight (North Sea). The coastal Imaging Sciences Research (ISR) HFSWR system, Multi-static ISR HF Radar, Ship Classification using Multi-Frequency HF Radar, Coastal HF radar surveillance of pirate boats and Different projects of coastal HF radars for vessels detecting are described.
Ship reports from the Automatic Identification System (AIS), recorded from both coastal and satellite Land Earth Stations (LES) are exploited as ground truth information and a methodology is applied to classify the fused tracks and to estimate system performances. Experimental results for all above solutions are presented and discussed, together with an outline for future integration and infrastructures.
Application of Thermo-chemical Technologies for Conversion of Associated Gas in Diesel-Gas Turbine Installations for Oil and Gas Floating Units
Authors: Cherednichenko Oleksandr , Serbin Serhiy , Dzida Marek 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The paper considers the issue of thermo-chemical recovery of engine’s waste heat and its further use for steam conversion of the associated gas for oil and gas floating units. The characteristics of the associated gas are presented, and problems of its application in dual-fuel medium-speed internal combustion engines are discussed. Various variants of combined diesel-gas turbine power plant with thermo-chemical heat recovery are analyzed. The heat of the gas turbine engine exhaust gas is utilized in a thermo-chemical reactor and a steam generator. The engines operate on synthesis gas, which is obtained as a result of steam conversion of the associated gas. Criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the developed schemes are proposed. The results of mathematical modeling of processes in a 14.1 MW diesel-gas turbine power plant with waste heat recovery are presented. The effect of the steam/associated gas ratio on the efficiency criteria is analyzed. The obtained results indicate relatively high effectiveness of the scheme with separate high and low pressure thermo-chemical reactors for producing fuel gas for both gas turbine and internal combustion engines. The calculated efficiency of such a power plant for considered input parameters is 45.6%.