bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of Selected Methods of Black Box for Modelling the Settleability Process in Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Szeląg Bartosz , Gawdzik Alicja , Gawdzik Andrzej 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The paper described how the results of measurements of inflow wastewater temperature in the chamber, a degree of external and internal recirculation in the biological-mechanical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Cedzyna near Kielce, Poland, were used to make predictions of settleability of activated sludge. Three methods, namely: multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), random forests (RF) and modified random forests (RF + SOM) were employed to compute activated sludge settleability. The results of analysis indicate that modified random forests demonstrate the best predictive abilities.
Potential Use of Alluvial Groundwater for Irrigation in Arid Zones - Mhamid Oasis (S Morocco)
Authors: Dłużewski Maciej , Kozłowski Rafał , Szczucińska Anna 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
In arid zones, the availability of fresh water is usually very limited because of high salinity, which greatly limits their use for irrigation purposes. High mineralization of water used for irrigation leads to increased soil salinity. The aim of the study was to examine the potential use of alluvial groundwater for irrigation in arid zones. The works were conducted in the Middle Draa Valley in southern Morocco (the Mhamid Oasis) in October 2015. Water samples of alluvial groundwater were collected for laboratory analysis from 42 wells located in the oasis. In order to determine the possibility to use the water for irrigation purposes, the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (%Na), permeability index (PI), Kelly’s ratio (KR), magnesium hazards (MH) and electrical conductivity (EC) were assessed. EC values, exceeding 3000 μS·cm-1 in all the samples, classify the water as unsuitable for irrigation. MH and the KR indexes show that 30% of water samples represent levels making them unsuitable for irrigation. SAR confirms the very high degree of susceptibility of the analyzed waters to salinity hazard. The PI index of these waters is moderate, however in terms of sodium content they can be deemed suitable for irrigation purposes. It has been found that even within a small area of the oasis, a very large differentiation in the alluvial groundwater suitability for irrigation purposes occurs.
The Bodily Texture of Phantasy
Authors: Brudzińska Jagna 
Published: April 2017

Summary
In opposition to the traditional empiricist understanding of phantasy as a copy of perception and therefore as a weakened form of experience, this paper interprets phantasy as an independent and creative modus of consciousness that is responsible for the individuation of the subject. The article reconstructs Husserl’s approach to phantasy as a specific kind of intentional operation as well as its relationship with mood-intentionality, bodily-kinesthetic expressivity and with hyletic anticipation as a structure of sensibility. In this way, the bi-valence of human experiential orders is claimed and the concept of bodily phantasy is pointed out. This leads the phenomenological analysis closer to the psychoanalytical approach to fantasy. The latter is investigated with reference to Freud’s concept of primary processual thinking and Gaddini’s understanding of bodily phantasy as a specific individuation factor within the personal history of bonding
Plerosis and Atomic Gestalts
Authors: Koenderink Jan , van Doorn Andrea , Pinna Baingio 
Published: April 2017

SummaryFranz Brentano, 1838–1917, introduced the intriguing concept of “plerosis” in order to account for aspects of the continuum that were “explained” by formal mathematics in ways that he considered absurd from the perspective of intuition, especially visual awareness and imagery. In doing this, he pointed in directions later developed by the Dutch mathematician Luitzen Brouwer. Brentano’s notion of plerosis involves distinct though coincident points, which one might call “atomic entities with parts”. This notion fits the modern concepts of “receptive field” in neurophysiology, “perceptive field” in psychology and “differential operator” in the formal theory of scale space. We identify Brentano’s boundary points as the primordial atomic Gestalts of visual imagery. The concept deserves to play a key role in Gestalt theory.
Experimental Paper. Activity of essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin lesions in the course of staphylococcal skin infections
Authors: Kwiatkowski Paweł , Mnichowska-Polanowska Magdalena , Pruss Agata , Dzięcioł Małgorzata , Masiuk Helena 
Published: April 2017

Summary
Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is an important etiological agent of skin and soft tissue infections. Due to the increasing resistance of this bacterium to antimicrobial agents, treatment of staphylococcal infections remains a great challenge for clinicians and requires an alternative treatment options. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of essential oils: caraway (CEO), patchouli (PEO) and geranium (GEO) against S. aureus strains isolated from skin lesions in the course of staphylococcal skin infections. Methods: The antibacterial activity of essential oils was tested using the dilution method in Mueller-Hinton broth. Results: The antimicrobial effect of CEO, PEO and GEO was observed. The highest antimicrobial activity showed PEO (MIC = 1.7±0.8 µl/ml), the lower was observed for GEO (MIC = 5.4±2.0 µl/ml) and CEO (MIC = 18.8±10.3 µl/ml). Conclusion: All tested essential oils showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus strains isolated from skin lesions of patients with staphylococcal skin infections. Application of the CEO, PEO and GEO can become an alternative method of treatment of staphylococcal infections, but further microbiological tests and clinical trials should be assessed.
Experimental Paper. In vitro synthesis of mucilage in Plantago ovata Forsk affected by genotypes and culture media
Authors: Golkar Pooran , Amooshahi Farzad , Arzani Ahmad 
Published: April 2017

SummaryIntroduction: Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) is medicinally used mainly for its mucilage content. Objective: In the present study, an attempt was made to improve mucilage yield under in vitro callus culture using different genotypes, explants and culture media. Methods: The effects of a range of concentrations of plant growth regulators including 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (Kin) were evaluated on mucilage synthesis under in vitro culture using cotyledon, hypocotyl and seed explants. Fourteen genotypes originating from different geographical regions of Iran were used to evaluate their response to in vitro mucilage synthesis. Results: The highest rate of callus induction (76%) and callus growth rate CGR (0.38 mm/day) were induced on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D and 1 mg/l Kin and the hypocotyl explant. The results of analysis of variance showed significant genotypic differences for callus induction, CGR and mucilage content of callus and seeds. The mucilage content ranged from 0.38 to 0.08 (g/g DW) and 0.13 to 0.042 (g/g DW) for callus and seed, respectively. The superior callus induction (73%), CGR (0.45 mm/day) and mucilage content of callus (0.38 g/g DW) was denoted to Po1 genotype. The callus produced nearly three times more mucilage than the seeds using superior genotype (Po1). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that high efficiency of callus culture of P. ovata using hypocotyl explant accompanied by the exploration of genetic diversity are important to improve the yield of mucilage synthesis by in vitro callus culture.
Bee pollen in allergy and immunology. Short review
Authors: Zarobkiewicz Michał K. , Woźniakowski Mateusz M. , Sławiński Mirosław A. , Wawryk-Gawda Ewelina , Jodłowska-Jędrych Barbara 
Published: April 2017

Summary
Bee pollen is a natural resource - pollen collected by bees and stored in the beehive with various bee enzymes added as it is a mixture of plants pollen and bee saliva. It is rich source of various nutrients, among them exogenous amino acids. Therefore, it can be a good and natural dietary supplement. New possibilities for bee pollen usage arise every day, yet it can also be a threat. Although bee pollen can act as an immunostimulant and anti-allergic agent, it is also and maybe even primarily allergic or cross-reactive with many allergens. A number of bee pollen allergy cases was described worldwide. A caution is therefore needed before ingestion or any other form of administration, especially in case of children or individuals with atopic predispositions. Anti-allergic attributes and immunostimmulation ability still need further research.
Cellulose fiber based fungal and water resistant insulation materials
Authors: Zheng Chao , Li Dongfang , Ottenhall Anna , Ek Monica 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe development of thermal insulation materials from sustainable, natural fibrous materials is desirable. In the present study, cellulose fiber based insulation foams made of bleached chemi thermo mechanical pulp (CTMP) have been investigated. To improve water resistance, the foams were impregnated with hydrophobic extractives from the outer bark of birch (Betula verrucosa) and dried. The surface morphology of the foams and the distribution of the deposited particles from the extractives were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The modified foams showed improved water resistance, as they did not disintegrate after immersion in water for 7 days, whereas the unmodified foam did. Compared to the unmodified foam, the modified foams absorbed 50% less moisture within 24 h. The modification had no negative effects on the thermal insulation properties, fungal resistance or compressive strength of the foams. The proposed approach is simple and can be easily integrated into plants working based on the biorefinery concept.
The Model Analysis of Inclusion Moving in the Swirl Flow Zone Sourcing from the Inner-Swirl-Type Turbulence Controller in Tundish
Authors: Jin Yan , Ye Chen , Luo Xiao , Yuan Hui , Cheng Changgui 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
In order to improve the inclusion removal property of the tundish, the mathematic model for simulation of the flow field sourced from inner-swirl-type turbulence controller (ISTTC) was developed, in which there were six blades arranged with an eccentric angle (θ) counterclockwise. Based on the mathematical and water model, the effect of inclusion removal in the swirling flow field formed by ISTTC was analyzed. It was found that ISTTC had got the better effect of inhibiting turbulence in tundish than traditional turbulence inhibitor (TI). As the blades eccentric angle (θ) of ISTTC increasing, the intensity of swirling flow above it increased. The maximum rotate speed of fluid in swirling flow band driven by ISTTC (θ=45°) was equal to 25 rmp. Based on the force analysis of inclusion in swirling flow sourced from ISTTC, the removal effect of medium size inclusion by ISTTC was attributed to the centripetal force (F
ct) of swirling flow, but removal effect of ISTTC to small size inclusion was more depend on its better turbulence depression behavior.
Computationally Efficient Hybrid Method for Transmission Network Expansion Planning
Authors: Verma Ashu , Das Soumya , Bijwe P. R. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) is an important and computationally very demanding problem in power system. Many computational approaches have been proposed to handle TNEP in the past. The problem is mixed integer, large scale and its complexity increases exponentially with the size of the system. Metaheuristic techniques have gained a lot of importance in last few years to solve the power system optimization problems, due to their ability to handle complex optimization functions and constraints. Many of them have been successfully applied for TNEP. The biggest challenge in these techniques is the requirement of large computational efforts. This paper uses a two-stage solution process to solve the TNEP problems. The first stage uses compensation based method to generate a quick, suboptimal solution. The valuable information contained in this solution is used to generate a set of heuristics aimed at drastically reducing the number of population for fitness evaluations required in the 2nd stage with application of metaheuristic method. The resulting hybrid approach produces very good quality solutions very efficiently. Results for 24 bus and 93 bus test systems have been obtained with the proposed method to ascertain the potential of the method in comparison to earlier approaches.
Impact of meteorological drought on hydrological drought in Toruń (central Poland) in the period of 1971–2015
Authors: Bąk Bogdan , Kubiak-Wójcicka Katarzyna 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The paper presents impact of meteorological drought on hydrological drought on the Vistula River in Toruń in the period of 1971-2015. It uses index method for the assessment of hydrological drought threat degree as a result of multi-month lasting meteorological drought. Based on the values of the SPI-24 (24-month standardized precipitation index) it was determined that meteorological drought in Toruń appeared six times and the total time of the phenomenon was 33% of the studied interval. Periods of hydrological drought on the Vistula River in Toruń have been determined based on the values of the SWI-24 (24-month standardized water level index). It has been found out that hydrological drought appeared four times and its total time was 10% longer that the meteorological drought. Based on the values of both indices (SPI-24 and SWI-24) correlation coefficient for months, seasons and years, it was found that the relation between both kind of droughts is weak (r < 0.5). That result is also confirmed in the distribution of both kinds of drought. Only in 32 months (8% of the total time) the intensity of the two simultaneously occurring drought was at least moderate. The achieved results revealed that the hydrological drought was occurring periodically, independent on meteorological drought. Hydrological drought was also influenced by the external factors (hydropower plant in Włocławek, Major Groundwater Basin - GZWP) and climate factors appearing in the upper and middle part of the river basin.
Mapping erosion prone areas in the Bouhamdane watershed (Algeria) using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation through GIS
Authors: Bouguerra Hamza , Bouanani Abderrazak , Khanchoul Kamel , Derdous Oussama , Tachi Salah Eddine 
Published: April 2017

Abstract Soil erosion by water is a major problem that the Northern part of Algeria witnesses nowadays; it reduces: the productivity of agricultural areas due to the loss of lands, and leads to the loss of storage capacity in reservoirs, the deterioration of water quality etc. The aim of this study is to evaluate the soil losses due to water erosion, and to identify the sectors which are potentially sensitive to water erosion in the Bouhamdane watershed, that is located in the northeastern part of Algeria. To this end, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used. The application of this equation takes into account five parameters, namely the rainfall erosivity, topography, soil erodibility, vegetative cover and erosion control practices. The product of these parameters under GIS using the RUSLE mathematical equation has enabled evaluating an annual average erosion rate for the Bouhamdane watershed of 11.18 t·ha-1·y-1. Based on the estimates of soil loss in each grid cell, a soil erosion risk map with five risk classes was elaborated. The spatial distribution of risk classes was 16% very low, 41% low, 28% moderate, 12% high and 3% very high. Most areas showing high and very high erosion risk occurred in the lower Bouhamdane watershed around Hammam Debagh dam. These areas require adequate erosion control practices to be implemented on a priority basis in order to conserve soil resources and reduce siltation in the reservoir.
Range of soil and climate characteristics appropriate for Pistacia atlantica forest development and rehabilitation (case study: Fars province, Iran)
Authors: Nejabat Masoud , Negahdarsaber Mohammadreza , Ghahari Gholamreza 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Investigation of ranges of soil and climate characteristics appropriate for the tolerant species: Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica according to field study was the main objective of this research. This study was carried out based on random sampling across 20×20 km wild pistachio forests of Fars province (Iran). Results showed that mountainous and hilly lands are the main land types that pistachio species have evolved on. Statistical analysis of physical and chemical soil characteristics based on principal component analysis (PCA) method showed that wide ranges in soil characteristics, even up to about 40% differentiation in some measured properties, did not restricts this subspecies natural growth. The main growth limiting factors were shallow soil depth and light soil texture that decreased storage capacity of soil moisture, necessary for wild pistachios survival during drought and long dry periods. Climatic elements were analysed through the same approach and showed that temperature, precipitation and wind with overall variability of 85.9% were the most effectual factors. Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica is one of the species refractory to various soil conditions and adapted to weak soils for the establishment and rehabilitation of forests in semi-arid regions.
Evapotranspiration data to determine agro-climatic zones in Egypt
Authors: Ouda Samiha A. H. , Norledin Tahany A. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract The objective of this paper was to compare between agro-climatic zones developed from 10-year interval of weather data from 2005-2014, 20-year interval of weather data from 1995-2014 and the zoning developed by [NORELDIN et al. 2016] using 30-year interval from 1985-2014 in the old cultivated land of Egypt in the Nile Delta and Valley. Monthly means of weather data were calculated for each year, and then monthly values for 10-year and 20-years were calculated for each governorate. Basic Irrigation scheduling model (BISm) was used to calculate reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Analysis of variance was used and the means was separated and ranked using least significant difference test (LSD0.05). Our results showed that agro-climatic zoning using 20-year values of ETo was similar to the zones developed with 30-year values of ETo, with different values of average ETo in each zone. Furthermore, using 10-year values of ETo resulted in higher values of ETo in each zone, compared to 20-year and 30-year ETo values. However, the average value of ETo over the three classifications was close to each other. Thus, depending on the availability of weather data, either zoning can be sufficient to develop agro-climatic zones.
Legal and Cultural Implications Inherent in Managing Multilingual and Multicultural Labor: Selected Translation Issues from the US National Labor Relations Board
Authors: Manzella Pietro , Koch Karl 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This paper examines one consequence of the increasingly multilingual and multicultural labor market, resulting from migratory flows caused in part by globalization. It focuses on selected legal and translation issues in labor relations arising from misinterpretations and cultural disparities in communication between different languages and cultures. It draws on decisions of the United States National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), where there were misleading and ambiguous translations. It employs a theoretical approach based on concepts from cross-cultural management, including cultural theory, and thereby expands the discipline of Translation Studies. The findings suggest that an understanding of the cultural content, particularly in the practice of intercultural management, is imperative. The paper concludes that a systematic methodology linking culture and language in labor relations should be adopted.
Wiedergabe der Rezipientenperspektive: Entsprechungen desbekommen-Passivs im Spanischen
Authors: Sánchez-Nieto María Teresa 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEvery linguistic phenomenon pertaining to the passive voice in German should be principally of interest for studies of translations and for contrastive studies between German and Spanish, as such phenomena build a source of possible language-pair specific translation problems. In this paper, the equivalence relations that help to express in Spanish the semantic content of the German ‘bekommen-passive’ — i.e., recipient’s perspective with agent’s decentralizing — are identified. The recipient’s perspective is kept in most cases in Spanish, implying, though, high lexical costs in many cases. Further, the semantic profiles of the ‘kriegen-passive’ and the ‘erhalten-passive’ are described.
“Never too late to spot a difference”: the development of L2 speech perception in adults
Authors: Lipińska Dorota 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Learning correct pronunciation of a second/foreign language always represents a considerable challenge for language learners (e.g. Rojczyk, 2010a), especially for adults (e.g. Flege, 2007). There is an abundance of studies (e.g. Nowacka, 2010; Flege, 1991) showing that second language learners whose first language (L1) phonetic system has only one sound where L2 is characterized by noticeable richness of separate sound categories, encounter serious problems when they try to distinguish those new sounds and, moreover, they tend to apply their native vowels or consonants in L2 speech. It may be easily audible in the case of vowels and actually a lot of studies on L2 learners’ production and perception of L1 and L2 vowels have been carried (e.g. Flege, 1992; Nowacka, 2010; Rojczyk, 2010a; Rojczyk, 2010b).
The aim of this study was to examine elementary learners’ perception of 4 German vowels, namely: /ɪ/, /iː/, /ʏ/ and /yː/. They were organized as two sets of minimal pairs, namely /ɪ/ vs. /ʏ/ and /iː/ vs. /yː/. The aforementioned sounds were chosen for the study since /ʏ/ and /yː/ are considered to be very difficult vowels for Polish learners (e.g. Bęza, 2001). Twelve elementary, adult (29-52 years old) Polish learners of German agreed to participate in the study. The subjects had just began their A2-level language course, however they had been taught the basics of German pronunciation for a year, during their A1-level course. They were presented a printed list of word pairs and listened to the recorded words. Then they were asked to circle the right option in each pair. The results revealed that although all study participants were adults when they started learning German and they were still just elementary users of the language, they were already able to distinguish correctly a considerable number of words. It may suggest that proper pronunciation training during a FL/L2 course can provide language learners with measurable benefits.