Three-dimensional dispersion induced by extreme tensile strain in La_(2–x)Sr_xCuO_4 films

The electronic band structure probed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on thin epitaxial La2–xSrxCuO4 films under extreme tensile strain shows anomalous features compatible with c-axis dispersion. This result is in striking contrast with the usual quasi-two-dimensional (2D) dispersion observed up to now in most superconducting cuprates, including relaxed and compressively strained La2–xSrxCuO4 films grown under the same conditions. The data were analyzed using a 3D tight-binding dispersion for a body-centered-tetragonal lattice. We relate the enhancement of the c-axis dispersion to the significant displacement of the apical oxygen induced by epitaxial strain

Implementation of triticale in nutrition of non-ruminant animals

Cognition of chemical composition and nutritive values of triticale grain as well as the effect of its application in non-ruminant animal nutrition were pointed out in this paper. There is a high level of proteins in the grain of triticale (2 to 3% more than wheat and 4% more than rye), with very beneficial amino acid composition, and is the reason for its usage in domestic animals nutrition. Nowadays, people are of the opinion that triticale is one of potential plant species with the brightest perspective in the production of food for domestic animals. Considering the increased production of triticale, some detail researching of its nutritional value is necessary due to the required evaluation of the role and significance in domestic animal nutrition based on triticale. Due to intensive plant breeding programs, there are new varieties of triticale in the market, distinctive by the higher yield and wide range of desired traits. As a result of this, triticale is becoming very attractive and is occupying larger portions of arable land. These review will show if there are some advantages of triticale compared to other cereals and how large the frame of these advantages is, as well as how it will affect the further spreading of triticale on arable land.Key words: Triticale, chemical composition, nutritive capacity, nutrition

Interpretation of the Friction Coefficient During Reciprocating Sliding of Ti6Al4V Alloy Against Al2O3

Tribological behaviour of Ti6Al4V alloy, during linear reciprocating sliding against alumina, at nanotribometer (ball-on-flat type of contact) was investigated. Experiments were carried out for sliding in Ringer's solution, over a range of loads (100 - 1000 mN) and speeds (4 - 12 mm/s). Friction behaviour of the contact pairs was investigated by analysis of the dynamic friction coefficient plots and effective root mean square (rms) coefficient of friction, COFrms. Presented mathematical envelopes of dynamic coefficient of friction curves and averaged envelope signals provided additional explanation of one calculated COFrms value. Envelopes of dynamic coefficient of friction enabled easier determination of different periods during sliding, which were further related to wear mechanisms

The e!ects of a non-intervention HACCP implementation on process hygiene indicators on bovine and porcine carcasses

Four sites on each of 720 dressed carcasses (360 bovine and 360 porcine) were sampled (2,880 samples in total) in a single commercial abattoir slaughtering cattle and pigs using two separate slaughterlines. The carcasses were sampled before HACCP (pre-HACCP; 960 samples) and after HACCP implementation (post-HACCP; 1,920 samples) and Total Viable Count (TVC), Enterobacteriaceae count (EC) and Salmonella spp. prevalence were determined. During the pre-HACCP period, mean TVC levels on four tested sites varied on bovine carcasses between 3.03 and 4.19 log10 cfu/cm2 and on porcine carcasses between 3.73 and 3.99 log10 cfu/cm2. During the post-HACCP period, TVC levels on all tested sites on carcasses were further signicantly reduced, by 0.33-1.64 log and 1.13-2.04 log on bovine and porcine carcasses, respectively, compared to the pre-HACCP period. Both the EC occurrence in samples and EC levels in EC-positive samples somewhat decreased during post-HACCP as compared to pre-HACCP period, but the reductions were not statistically signicant due to large proportion of EC-negative samples and very low counts in EC-positive samples. Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of bovine or porcine carcass samples, regardless of whether they were taken pre- or post-HACCP. Overall, the processhygiene- improving eects of non-intervention HACCP have been proven through reduction of TVC on carcasses, but could not be veried in the present study through similar reductions in EC and/or Salmonella, because of their low levels and/or absence

Corrosion Behavior of the As-cast and Heat-treated ZA27 Alloy

Corrosion behaviour of the as-cast and heat-treated ZA27 alloy was examined. The alloy was prepared by conventional melting and casting route and then thermally processed by applying T4 heat treatment regime (solutionizing at 370 °C for 3 hours followed by water quenching and natural aging). Corrosion rate of the as-cast and heat-treated ZA27 alloy was determined in 3.5 wt. % NaCl solution through immersion test using both weight loss method and polarization resistance measurements. It was shown that applied thermal treatment resulted in increased ductility of the heat-treated alloy and had a small beneficial effect on the corrosion resistance of ZA27 alloy

Microindentation of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Based Bone Cement

Characterization of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) based bone cement subjected to cyclical loading using microindentation technique is presented in this paper. Indentation technique represents flexible mechanical testing due to its simplicity, minimal specimen preparation and short time needed for tests. The mechanical response of bone cement samples was studied. Realised microindentation enabled determination of the indentation testing hardness HIT and indentation modulus EIT of the observed bone cement. Analysis of optical photographs of the imprints showed that this technique can be effectively used for characterization of bone cements

Possibilities of more efficient usage of genetic potential of broilers breeders

During the last ten years, poultry production in the world and particularly, EU has been specific due to new trends, whereby special attention is focused on regulations and procedures that are adopted by European Union (EU), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the World Trade Organization. Legal regulations in EU (standards, directions) are focused on all species and categories of poultry. Based on this, breeding of broiler (meat-type line strains) and production of hatching eggs and day old chickens (incubation) as well as other issues are the focus of this review. This paper presented results of studies carried out using different technological procedures in the breeding of broiler and production of one day old chickens. These showed a full expression of genetic potential of strains, along with preservation of poultry welfare

Hafnia and alumina on sulphur passivated germanium

In this work hafnia (HfO2) and alumina (Al2O3) films were deposited on germanium, using either water or oxygen plasma as the oxidant, by atomic layer deposition at 250 °C with and without sulphur passivation of the substrate. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was carried out to investigate the interface between both HfO2 and Al2O3 films and germanium. The results show that for hafnia and alumina deposited with water on pre-sulphur treated germanium there is negligible GeOx formation when compared to films grown using oxygen plasma. The results support the case for sulphur passivation of the interface

Electronic customer relationship management assimilation in Southeastern European companies—cluster analysis

This article aims to investigate the factors influencing the electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) assimilation in Southeastern European companies. With ICT innovation in mind, a conceptual model is developed, integrating three theories of innovative diffusion. Multivariate techniques, factor analysis, and cluster analysis are applied in order to reduce the number of variables and classify the cases. A discriminant analysis is taken in order to test the reliability of the clustering and to explore the clusters’ characteristics. The relationships between cluster categorization and life cycle phases, along with the size of the firm, are all checked against contingency coefficients. When comparing cluster categorization, the research results show that the significance of technical, organizational, and environmental factors changes depending on the phase of the e-CRM assimilation. The results additionally show that the degree of usage and diffusion of these technologies differs in small to medium enterprises compared to big enterprises. Owing to these findings, which have enabled us to provide insights into the ways in which contextual factors influence the e-CRM assimilation, theorists, and practitioners can see the necessary patterns of action

Intelligent and adaptive tutoring for active learning and training environments

Active learning facilitated through interactive and adaptive learning environments differs substantially from traditional instructor-oriented, classroom-based teaching. We present a Web-based e-learning environment that integrates knowledge learning and skills training. How these tools are used most effectively is still an open question. We propose knowledge-level interaction and adaptive feedback and guidance as central features. We discuss these features and evaluate the effectiveness of this Web-based environment, focusing on different aspects of learning behaviour and tool usage. Motivation, acceptance of the approach, learning organisation and actual tool usage are aspects of behaviour that require different evaluation techniques to be used