bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of Two-Parameter Fatigue Charactersitics in Fatigue Persistence Calculations of Structural Components Under Conditions of a Broad Spectrum of Loads
Authors: Szala Grzegorz 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The paper presents an original method of calculation of the fatigue persistence based on the adoption of the load spectrum in the form of a correlation table, two-parameter fatigue characteristics and the linear hypothesis of fatigue damage summation. The calculation results by the proposed method were compared with the results of fatigue tests programmed for node-seal construction. On the basis of a comparative analysis of the test results and calculations conclusions regarding the usefulness of the proposed method to evaluate the fatigue persistence of components have been reached.
Comparative Study on Educational Management in Public and Private Institutions in the Twin Cities of Pakistan
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Azad Zeeshan , Ali Ashiq , Mahmood Saba 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The aim of this research paper is to compare the quality of education delivered at the undergraduate level in the public and private institutions of the Twin Cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) in Pakistan. Data is collected with the help of questionnaires from 246 students. The data was collected from three public and three private educational institutions of the Twin Cities, and the age of students ranged from 18 to 27 years. The research instrument used in this paper is the independent sample t-test to find the difference between the three private and three public educational institutions selected in Rawalpindi and Islamabad in terms of different variables that are very important in measuring the quality of education. For analysis, Levene’s test was adopted, which reflects the variations in educational quality with respect to academic staff availability in the twin cities. The differences in close supervision of students by academic staff between public and private sector educational institutions were also analysed, and the results reflected a difference between private and public educational institutions with respect to close supervision of students. The results also highlighted the factors that are involved in higher performance of students in private institutes as compared to that of students in public institutes. These factors can be implemented in the public sector to increase student performance.
Higher Education Globalization in the Context of American Guidelines
Authors: Bidyuk Natalya 
Published: January 2017

Abstract The article deals with the problem of globalization impact on higher education system in the United Stated of America. It has been concluded that globalization as a phenomenon has been acquiring much significance in all the spheres, especially in higher education. Different views on the essence of globalization, especially in the context of higher education, have been presented. It has been indicated that many scholars have studied the essence of globalization within higher education systems of different countries and identified that globalization encompasses important aspects of HEIs’ activities, namely, economic, social and cultural. The concept of globalization has been defined in the article. It has been pointed out that main issues within the changing landscape of higher education still remain: the increasing significance of both knowledge-based economy and society; innovations connected with the latest information and communication technologies (ICTs); the emphasized role of the market and the market economy. Therefore, it has been suggested that educators and higher education institutions should develop different approaches to fulfill all the educational needs of the growing community of students, especially international students. The activities of American organizations promoting the positive impact of globalization in higher education have been analyzed. Сore challenges for higher education institutions in the context of increasing globalization have been outlined and characterized in detail. Critical responses considered as components to the above-mentioned challenges have been clarified. Key principles needed to meet both the challenges and responses have been presented. It has been concluded that the USA has been enhancing the positive influence of globalization on the system of higher education and thus inspired other countries to follow such an example.
African Studies as a Part of Philologists’ Professional Training in the USA
Authors: Ikonnikova Maryna 
Published: January 2017

Abstract It has been concluded that until recently debates on what is understood as African Studies have involved American scholars or have been mainly located within the African Studies Association (ASA) in the USA. Lately, European scholars have begun to occupy more discursive space and challenged Afrocentric orientations as well. African Studies emerged, on the one hand, predominantly due to the states’ participation in either the colonisation or decolonisation of Africa and its people. On the other hand, powerful strategic geopolitical dimensions have motivated the emphasis on area studies and, in particular, African studies, in the United States after Second World War. It has been stated that American curricula consist of the following groups of subjects: 1) the major, i.e. the subjects which provide the required level of knowledge, abilities and skills in a particular area; 2) the minor, i.e. the subjects, that are necessary for better mastering of specialization subjects; 3) other areas of concentration, which are also a part of the curriculum (optional classes, etc.); 4) liberal studies courses, that provide mastering necessary skills and understanding of the interconnectedness of different fields of knowledge; 5) upper division courses, that are studied at the third and fourth years of study; 6) electives, which students can choose to explore new fields or expand the list of both professionally oriented and non-oriented courses. Based on the results generated by the official websites providing applicants with relevant information about degree programs, we have found out that African Studies are offered by numerous American higher education institutions, namely, Stanford University, Yale University, Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, University of Chicago, Brown University, University of Richmond, University of Kansas, University of Iowa and others. It has been indicated that African studies provide students with the understanding of the interactions among the social, economic, cultural, historical, linguistic, genetic, geopolitical, ecological and biomedical factors that shape and have shaped African societies. The interdisciplinary structure of the programs offers students an opportunity to satisfy the increasingly rigorous expectations of admissions committees and prospective employers for a broad liberal arts perspective that complements a specialized knowledge of a field. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue Study Abroad to enhance their understanding of African diasporic experiences.
Forming Students’ Professional Legal Competency in the Context of European Universities’ Experience
Authors: Yashchuk Sergiy 
Published: January 2017

Abstract The article deals with theoretical analysis of the educational process in European higher education institutions in the context of forming future social workers’ professional legal competency. Based on the study of scientific and reference sources the author has defined the peculiarities of the educational process in the most popular higher education institutions of European Union, offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work, namely, social and technical division of labour based on the interdisciplinary relations (theoretical and practical learning, pre-professional research constituent during placements); stipulating for a less ethnocentric understanding of social problems; training of a social worker able to skillfully provide individuals, families, organizations and communities with social support to achieve optimal social functioning in a society; analysis of aims and objectives of modern social work in the local and global context of promoting human rights and social justice; application of social work methods with a focus on client participation in the process of changing; reflection of learning and professional experience and independent learning to develop professional skills of a social worker; obtaining specialization in social programmes and projects management aimed at optimizing social integration of social risk groups, such as the disabled, and supporting individuals, groups and communities (to help realize one’s potential, achieve social and economic justice, prevent one’s dysfunctions); accordance of doctrinal and operative education standards that reflect a modern approach to social work - an applied social science with various principles, values, theory and practice methodology.
Performance Analysis of Two Big Data Technologies on a Cloud Distributed Architecture. Results for Non-Aggregate Queries on Medium-Sized Data
Authors: Fotache Marin , Hrubaru Ionuț 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Big Data systems manage and process huge volumes of data constantly generated by various technologies in a myriad of formats. Big Data advocates (and preachers) have claimed that, relative to classical, relational/SQL Data Base Management Systems, Big Data technologies such as NoSQL, Hadoop and in-memory data stores perform better. This paper compares data processing performance of two systems belonging to SQL (PostgreSQL/Postgres XL) and Big Data (Hadoop/Hive) camps on a distributed five-node cluster deployed in cloud. Unlike benchmarks in use (YCSB, TPC), a series of R modules were devised for generating random non-aggregate queries on different subschema (with increasing data size) of TPC-H database. Overall performance of the two systems was compared. Subsequently a number of models were developed for relating performance on the system and also on various query parameters such as the number of attributes in SELECT and WHERE clause, number of joins, number of processing rows etc.
Relevant Determinants of the Political Parties’ Environmental Preference
Authors: Apostoaie Constantin-Marius 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAn instrument that political parties use to inform the electorate with regard to their policy preference (including preference towards the environment) is the electoral manifest. This paper analyses some important drivers that push political parties towards adopting pro-environmental attitudes by analysing the content included in their electoral manifestos (using the Comparative Manifesto Dataset). As explanatory factors we consider various socio-economic, ideological and international related variables, but our main focus is on environmental related determinants. We proceed as such because the paper aims to test the validity of ‘the ecological approach’ given that the current literature overlooks this issue or doesn’t succeed in providing strong evidence of its existence. Our dataset covers 49 countries worldwide and a total of 190 national electoral years, occurring between 2000 and 2015. The resulting evidence, which might confirm the validity of ‘the ecological approach’, is rather weak, but there is nonetheless strong evidence to prove the existence of an opportunistic behaviour of the political parties (confirming the validity of the ‘opportunistic political cycle’).
Les recherches de Greimas sur la mythologie lithuanienne
Authors: Nastopka Kęstutis 
Published: February 2017

RésuméPour les Lithuaniens il existe au moins deux Greimas : Greimas sémioticien, fondateur de l’école sémiotique de Paris, et Greimas mythologue, menant des recherches sur les anciennes croyances lithuaniennes. En fait, ces deux Greimas sont inséparables. Les recherches de Greimas sur la mythologie lithuanienne constituent deux volumes : Apie dievus ir žmones (Des dieux et des hommes, 1979) et Tautos atminties beieškant (À la recherche de la mémoire du peuple, 1990). Dans le premier volume de son diptyque, Greimas cherche à reconstruire les anciens rites et coutumes propres à une société paysanne isolée et archaïque. C’est la voie qui a été tracée par C. Lévi-Strauss à travers la description des mythes des sociétés dites primitives. Dans une partie du deuxième volume et dans des analyses des mythes enregistrés dans les chroniques lithuaniennes, il découvre les traces de la religion pratiquée par la société lithuanienne avant l’adoption du christianisme. C’est la voie que G. Dumézil a choisie dans ses analyses des sociétés indo-européennes. L’autorité de Greimas pour les chercheurs lithuaniens est indiscutable, bien que la base sémiotique de sa méthodologie soit souvent ignorée. Les recherches de Greimas sur la mythologie n’ont pas encore trouvé le retentissement qu’elles méritent en dehors de la Lithuanie.
Recycling of the Electronic Waste Applying the Plasma Reactor Technology
Authors: Lázár Marián , Jasminská Natália , Čarnogurská Mária , Dobáková Romana 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The following paper discusses a high-temperature gasification process and melting of electronic components and computer equipment using plasma reactor technology. It analyses the marginal conditions of batch processing, as well as the formation of solid products which result from the procedure of waste processing. Attention is also paid to the impact of the emerging products on the environment.
Lightweight Grid Shell Pavilion - Design, Manufacture and Erection of Full Scale Grid Shell Prototypes
Authors: Vaněk Aleš 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe main goal of author’s research is to design and construct grid shell structures, which are subsequently realized as experimental structures in full scale. These structures should make the place suitable for various events and also a friendly, pleasant, relaxing and free time space. By thinking about how such structure should look like and what materials and structure types are suitable, there were many kinds of lightweight structures considered.The most logical solution is to create a grid shell structure combining with a single layer membrane that would fulfill all aspects of elegant remarkable lightweight structure using some original details and workflow advancements. These grid shell projects should demonstrate another possibility to build and think about unconventional structures and provoke a deeper interest in these unique structures. The goal of this project was to create a feasible design of a grid shell structure and to build up the structures while being capable to understand the core of such an interesting phenomenon.
Biphasic Regulation of p38 MAPK by Serotonin Contributes to the Efficacy of Stimulus Protocols That Induce Long-Term Synaptic Facilitation
Authors: Zhang Yili , Smolen Paul , Baxter Douglas A. , Byrne John H. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe MAPK isoforms ERK and p38 MAPK are believed to play opposing roles in long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF) induced by serotonin (5-HT) inAplysia. To fully understand their roles, however, it is necessary to consider the dynamics of ERK and p38 MAPK activation. Previous studies determined that activation of ERK occurred ∼45 min after a 5-min pulse of 5-HT treatment. The dynamics of p38 MAPK activation following 5-HT are yet to be elucidated. Here, the activity of p38 MAPK was examined at different times after 5-HT, and the interaction between the ERK and p38 MAPK pathways was investigated. A 5-min pulse of 5-HT induced a transient inhibition of p38 MAPK, followed by a delayed activation between 25 and 45 min. This activation was blocked by a MAPK kinase inhibitor, suggesting that similar pathways are involved in activation of ERK and p38 MAPK. ERK activity decreased shortly after the activation of p38 MAPK. A p38 MAPK inhibitor blocked this decrease in ERK activity, suggesting a causal relationship. The p38 MAPK activity ∼45 min after different stimulus protocols was also characterized. These data were incorporated into a computational model for the induction of LTF. Simulations and empirical data suggest that p38 MAPK, together with ERK, contributes to the efficacy of spaced stimulus protocols to induce LTF, a correlate of long-term memory (LTM). For example, decreased p38 MAPK activity ∼45 min after the first of two sensitizing stimuli might be an important determinant of an optimal interstimulus interval (ISI) for LTF induction.
A new desorption method for removing organic solvents from activated carbon using surfactant
Authors: Hinoue Mitsuo , Ishimatsu Sumiyo , Fueta Yukiko , Hori Hajime 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Objectives
A new desorption method was investigated, which does not require toxic organic solvents. Efficient desorption of organic solvents from activated carbon was achieved with an ananionic surfactant solution, focusing on its washing and emulsion action.

Methods
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and methyl ethyl ke-tone (MEK) were used as test solvents. Lauryl benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (LAS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were used as the surfactant. Activated carbon (100 mg) was placed in a vial and a predetermined amount of organic solvent was added. After leaving for about 24 h, a predetermined amount of the surfactant solution was added. After leaving for another 72 h, the vial was heated in an incubator at 60°C for a predetermined time. The organic vapor concentration was then determined with a frame ionization detector (FID)-gas chromatograph and the desorption efficiency was calculated.

Results
A high desorption efficiency was obtained with a 10% surfactant solution (LAS 8%, SDS 2%), 5 ml desorption solution, 60°C desorption temperature, and desorption time of over 24 h, and the desorption efficiency was 72% for IPA and 9% for MEK. Under identical conditions, the desorption efficiencies for another five organic solvents were investigated, which were 36%, 3%, 32%, 2%, and 3% for acetone, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, toluene, and m-xylene, respectively.

Conclusions
A combination of two anionic surfactants exhibited a relatively high desorption efficiency for IPA. For toluene, the desorption efficiency was low due to poor detergency and emulsification power.
Search for the new anti-inflammatory agents based on glycosylated polypeptide complex extracted from sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis
Authors: Katelnikova Anastasiya E , Kryishen Kirill L , Makarov Valeriy G , Vorobieva Victoria V , Pozharitskaya Olga N , Shikov Alexander N 
Published: January 2017

We performed the study of the anti-inflammatory activity of glycosylated polypeptide complex (GPC) extracted from sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis in the model of acute bronchitis induced by endotracheal administration of 1% formalin solution in male Wistar rats. Animals of experimental groups were inhaled by GPC solution at 25, 50 and 100 mcg/kg, control animals – by the reference drug ambroxol at 3.6 mg/kg once daily during 7 days starting from the day of pathology induction. 24 hours after pathology induction GPC at 100 mcg/kg reduced the total leukocyte count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by 34%, after 48 hours – by 61% compared with control animal group (р ≤ 0.05). If the normal number of goblet cells per 1 mm bronchial mucosa was 33.7 ± 1.7 and after formalin exposure – 67.5 ± 1.8, then after a course administration of polypeptide complex (7 days) at 100 mcg/kg – 55.7 ± 2.7. By the results of morphology and histology study we determined that mononuclear infiltration of bronchial submucosa layer by lymphocytes and macrophages, neutrophil leukocytes of mucosa and submucosa was significantly less than in control animal group (р < 0.05) affected by formalin without any pharmacological protection. Upon the results of the study, we determined the anti-inflammatory activity of glycosylated polypeptide complex at 25, 50 and 100 mcg/kg, which was not inferior to the similar activity of ambroxol (3.6 mg/kg).
Effect of long term consumption of graded levels of powdered stored Ocimum gratissimum supplementation on the weight performance in Wistar rats
Authors: Kunle Ogungbemi , Taiwo Ishola D. , Tomilayo Ishola O. , Adebisi Arowora K. , Funmilayo Ilesanmi F. 
Published: January 2017

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The influence of <em>Ocimum gratissimum</em> leaf supplementation on feed intake; weight change via growth performance of Wistar rats was investigated.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of twenty (20) rats (average weight of 80 g±10 g), housed in a well-ventilated cages and given feed and water <em>ad libitum</em> for 2 weeks after which they were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments comprising 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 10%, of powdered stored <em>Ocimum gratissimum </em>leaf inclusion. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Group of rats fed with the lowest supplementation (2.5%) of <em>Ocimum gratissimum </em>showed significant increase (P&lt; 0.05) in weekly feed intake than group fed with the highest supplementation (10%). While, there was no significant difference (P &gt;0.05) between the groups fed with 0% and 5%. Also, the weight gain by the rats with 2.5% <em>Ocimum gratissimum</em> diet supplementation had highest weight gain which was significantly different to 10% supplementation and non-significantly different to 5% supplementation. Animals which received 2.5% of leaf of <em>Ocimum gratissimum</em> had the fastest growth rate, followed by those that received 5% and 10%. However, the control feed had higher body weight gain than 10% supplementation. The observable increase in the feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency seen in the lowest supplementation level (2.5%) can be attributed to the spicing and seasoning of food with <em>O</em>. <em>gratissimum</em> and as such could also increase the palatability of the food. Furthermore, 2.5% has the highest dietary lipid which increases the palatability of food by absorbing and retaining flavor.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> It can be concluded that 2.5% <em>O. gratissimum </em>supplementation has a better palatability than other experimental diets which reflected on the performance characteristics of this treatment. </p>