bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language policy and teacher preparation: The implications of a restrictive language policy on teacher preparation
Authors: Arias M. Beatriz , Wiley Terrence G.
Published: June 2014

Applied linguistics, with its sub-domains of language planning and policy can make significant contributions to language teaching. In order to explore this issue, the authors focus on the contested arena of language minority instruction in the United States. Attention is given specifically to the state of Arizona, where, recently, its educational policies have captured national and even international attention. Of particular concern is Arizona's implementation of a restrictive language policy for the instruction of English Language Learners (ELLs). The authors present a framework for reviewing the relationship between language policies and teacher preparation. Applying this framework to Arizona's teacher preparation for ELLs, we find that the state sanctioned curriculum transmitted a deficit view of students who speak a language other than English and provided prospective teachers with few alternative approaches for their instruction. In response this outcome, the authors recommend that applied linguistics content needs to be embedded within teacher preparation.
Multilingual speakers and language choice in the legal sphere
Authors: Angermeyer Philipp Sebastian
Published: June 2014

This paper explores the effects of linguistic diversity on equality before the law, by surveying sociolinguistic and applied research that investigates interaction between speakers of different languages in a variety of legal institutions, including genres such as courtroom talk, police interrogations, and asylum interviews. While the institutions have official languages that are used by agents working in them, many people who interact with them speak other languages and have limited or no proficiency in the official language. The paper examines how language choice is determined in such settings, considering factors such as legal statutes, language proficiency assessments, and language ideologies. It then investigates the indexical and pragmatic consequences of language choice for lay participants, whether they speak in the official language (their L2) or in another language (often their L1), but mediated by an interpreter. Demonstrating how interpreter-mediated interaction differs from interaction in the same language, the paper challenges the common assumption that competent interpreting can put a person in the same position as a speaker of the official language would be. Finally, alternative approaches to multilingualism in interaction and entextualization are explored, which address some of the disadvantages that speakers of non-official language face.
Co-construction of interpreted conversation in medical consultations
Authors: Li Shuangyu
Published: June 2014

It has been largely accepted that face-to-face consecutive interpreting should be studied as a communicative event and an interactive process. Linguistic methods, including conversation analysis, have been used to investigate interactive elements in the discourse, such as turn-taking, adjacency pair, overlapping speech, repair, etc. Researchers acknowledge that participants' verbal behaviours in the turn-by-turn interactions are co-constructed by all participants; however, little has been said about the co-constructive mechanism. This research aimed to provide a better understanding of the generic mechanism of such co-construction, hoping to inform the training for interpreters and medical professionals who work with them.

Using conversation analysis, I recorded seven naturally occurring interpreter-mediated GP consultations in the UK. Participants included two GPs, three professional and ad hoc interpreters and seven patients speaking either Urdu, Mirpuri Punjabi or Czech.

My analysis elaborates on the inter-determination between the types of information the primary speakers (doctor and patient) produce in the current turn and the consequent actions the interpreter undertakes in the next turn, and also points out that such inter-determination is not definite in that the interpreter's turn design is also influenced by their own characteristics. This analysis emphasises that the interpreter, both professional and ad hoc, is key to the quality of the doctor-patient communication and doctors can alter their own behaviours to optimise the interpreter's turn-design and thus the communication outcome.

This research provides an insight into the co-construction of the triadic interactions in interpreted medical consultations. With a better understanding of this mechanism, doctors may be taught to alter their verbal behaviours to optimise the interpreter's performance and thus improve their communication with patients. This interactional framework may also help us understand other critical issues of power, identify, cultural competence, etc.
Reaching out to the other side: Formal-linguistics-based SLA and Socio-SLA
Authors: Leung Alex Ho-Cheong , Young-Scholten Martha
Published: June 2014

Generative linguistics has long been concerned with the linguistic competence of the “ideal speaker-listener, in a completely homogeneous speech-community, who knows its language perfectly” (Chomsky 1965: 3). Research in formal-linguistics-based second language acquisition takes as its starting point the second language (L2) speaker's underlying mental representation. Here the factors of interest are influence of the learner's native language and, in generative SLA, the operation of innate linguistic mechanisms (Universal Grammar). Similar to methodology in formal syntax, lxSLA adopts techniques such as grammaticality judgment, comprehension and perception tasks supplementing spontaneously produced oral data. While there may be individual differences in oral production, tasks that tap learners' mental representations reveal commonalities across learners from a given native language background with the same amount/ type of exposure and age of initial L2 exposure. When it comes to phonology, age has long been a central factor with numerous comparative studies showing younger learners far outperforming older learners (see Piske et al. 2001). This paper discusses a case of possible non-acquisition by L2 children who had had considerable exposure to the L2. Children's non-acquisition is only apparent, and this allows us to consider the value of lxSLA methodology on the one hand, and and raises issues about what might be lacking in the current socio-SLA paradigm, on the other. We argue that only when we return to the cooperation that marked its birth in the 1960s will we have a comprehensive picture of SLA.
Linguistic Baptism and the Disintegration of ELF
Authors: Park Joseph Sung-Yul , Wee Lionel
Published: June 2014

There is growing recognition that language cannot be seen as a pregiven system that correlates with and simply manifests itself in social context, but as a form of social practice. However, this perspective has not yet made a serious impact on applied linguistic research, where dominant modern ideologies of language that tend to conceive of language as an entity with clear boundaries and autonomous structure still prevail. We argue that this problem reflects a general lack of critical reflection on the fundamental assumptions of the discipline, and make this point via a review of some of the recent work on English as a Lingua Franca (ELF). In particular, we focus on a direction in research in which increasing effort is put into identifying and describing distinct ELFs within specific communities or domains, leading to a proliferation of ELFs, each of which can in turn be characterized in terms of a distinct set of formal linguistic features. We analyze the problems with identifying such “downscaled ELFs”, considering this research practice as an act of “linguistic baptism”, and discuss how it constitutes an uncritical appropriation of dominant metadiscursive regimes, rather than a careful engagement with them. In doing so, we call for a more serious consideration of metadiscursive regimes and the fundamental assumptions about language inherent in them.
Co-construction of ``doctorable'' conditions in multilingual medical encounters: Cases from urban Japan
Authors: Mori Junko , Shima Chiharu
Published: June 2014

This paper, as part of a growing body of studies that investigate translingual communicative practices, introduces a microanalysis of doctor-patient interactions that took place in urban Japan, a country that has been identified as belong to the expanding circle of world Englishes (Kachru 1986). Through the examination of two cases of primary care visits, one conducted in lingua franca English and another in a hybrid of Japanese and English, the study demonstrates how a Japanese doctor and two migrant patients from Ghana skillfully deploy a variety of semiotic resources to achieve the problem presentation stage of their encounters. More specifically, it investigates how concerns expressed by the patients become constructed into ``doctorable'' (Heritage and Robinson 2006) medical conditions through their subsequent interaction. The turn-by-turn examination of interactions reveals how the doctor's biomedical knowledge, embodied in his interactional practices, together with his cooperative disposition (Canagarajah 2013) to the interactional uncertainty inherent in multilingual and multicultural encounters, serve as a critical vehicle for making both the doctor's and the patients' seemingly ``truncated multilingual repertoires'' (Blommaert 2010) work in this particular institutional context.
EFL motivation development in an increasingly globalized local context: A longitudinal study of Chinese undergraduates
Authors: Gao Yihong , Wang Xiaoying , Zhou Yan
Published: June 2014

As part of a larger longitudinal study, this paper examines the development of Chinese students' EFL learning motivation throughout university undergraduate study, in an increasingly globalized local context. The study adopted a social constructivist perspective of language learning and combined research methods; the participants were over 1,000 undergraduates from 5 universities. The quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire (based on Gao et al. 2004) including motivational intensity and motivation types – instrumental, cultural, and situational, implemented annually from university entrance to graduation. The qualitative data consisted of individual and group interviews, student journals, and observations. Integrated data analysis revealed that sustained high-level long-term instrumental motivations coexisted with an increase of L2- oriented cultural motivations and situational motivation, particularly in the first and fourth year. The increased L2-oriented cultural motivations indicated neither ``ntegrativeness'' in the sense of becoming a member of the native English speaker community, nor a culturally neutral ``global identity.'' The increase of such L2- oriented cultural motivations was also accompanied by a sustained ``social responsibility'' motivation oriented to learners' home culture. Such complexities of motivational development call for further investigation in increasingly globalized EFL contexts.
How to check understanding across languages. An introduction into the Pragmatic Index of Language Distance (PILaD) usable to measure mutual understanding in receptive multilingualism, illustrated by conversations in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish
Authors: Rehbein Jochen , Romaniuk Olena
Published: June 2014

The paper proposes, under the roof-concept of a method abbreviated PILaD, a combination of quantitative and qualitative procedures aiming to clarify the relationship of ``closely related languages'' (Voegelin and Harris 1951). The method is based on the functional-pragmatic theory of `Communicative Apparatus', a cross-linguistically operating interactive structure, which is modified by Lingua Receptiva communication. The data consist of 4 Russian-Ukrainian, 4 Polish-Ukrainian and 4 Polish-Russian conversations which were recorded with a digital camera and transcribed in a HIAT transcription format under the multiparty data program EXMARaLDA. Cases of `problematic understanding' defined in terms of problematic utterances are related to the total number of utterances in a discourse. The communicative success is compared across the three language constellations and refined down to every participant. Statistical analysis gives an overall picture of how receptive multilingualism works in the three language constellations. The findings reveal that receptive multilingual communication between Polish, Russian and Ukrainian interactants is generally successful, yet, not symmetric, but depends itself on the direction of intelligibility. A summary of the PILaD method and the data base are attached.
Facilitating mutual understanding in everyday interaction between Finns and Estonians
Authors: Härmävaara Hanna-Ilona
Published: June 2014

Finnish and Estonian are relatively closely related languages, which, however, are not considered unconditionally mutually intelligible. The present article discusses the mutual intelligibility of Finnish and Estonian and explores the means by which mutual understanding is created in actual Finnish-Estonian multilingual communication. The data consist of video-recorded informal conversations between Finns and Estonians belonging to a social network in which using both languages (Finnish and Estonian) is a common way of communication. The data are analyzed within the framework of conversation analysis using the concept of participation framework. An overview of informal Finnish- Estonian receptive multilingualism is provided and the language choices are discussed. It is demonstrated that participating in either language does not necessarily cause problems in interaction, and that the shared elements of the languages constitute one resource in creating mutual understanding. However, the participation is also actively facilitated for the participants not competent in both the languages. Receptive multilingualism is shown to be a group phenomenon in the studied data.
The role of dialect exposure in receptive multilingualism
Authors: Gooskens Charlotte , Heeringa Wilbert
Published: June 2014

Previous investigations of inter-Scandinavian intelligibility have shown that, in general, Norwegians are better at understanding the closely related languages Danish and Swedish than Danes and Swedes are at understanding Norwegian. This asymmetry is often explained by the strong position that dialects hold in Norway as opposed to in Denmark and Sweden. In Norway, the general public is more exposed to language variation than in Sweden and Denmark. Due to this exposure Norwegians are assumed to have higher language awareness and more possibilities for linguistic transfer than Swedes and Danes. This could make it easier for them to understand closely related language varieties. The aim of the present investigation is to get an answer to the question whether Norwegians are better at understanding Nordic varieties relative to linguistic distances than Danes. If it is indeed the case that Norwegians have more language awareness, we would expect them to be better than Danes at understanding varieties with the same linguistic distance to their native variety. Our results show that Norwegians are generally better at understanding Nordic language varieties than Danes are. However, this can be explained by linguistic distances and knowledge of the language varieties in the test. No evidence was found for more general language awareness among Norwegians than among Danes.
Perturbations of functional inequalities for Lévy type Dirichlet forms
Authors: Chen Xin , Wang Feng-Yu , Wang Jian
Published: June 2014

Perturbations of super Poincaré and weak Poincaré inequalities for Lévy type Dirichlet forms are studied. When the range of jumps is finite, our results are natural extensions to the corresponding ones derived earlier for diffusion processes; and we show that the study for the situation with infinite range of jumps is essentially different. Some examples are presented to illustrate the optimality of our results.
Prediction of Residual Stress Distributions in Welded Sections of P92 Pipes with Small Diameter and Thick Wall based on 3D Finite Element Simulation
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Gong Jianming , Zhao Yanping , Wang Yanfei
Published: June 2014

This study used ABAQUS finite element (FE) software to investigate the residual stress distributions of P92 welded pipes in both the as-weld and post weld heat treated (PWHT) condition. Sequential coupling quasi-static thermo-mechanical in conjunction with moving double ellipsoidal heat source and an element add/remove technique to simulate deposition of new weld material, are combined in the 3D FE analysis. To validate the simulation results, the residual stresses in axial direction at the surface of pipe were measured by X-ray diffraction technique and compared with the results of FE analysis. Detailed characteristic distributions of the residual stresses are discussed. Results show that the FE model can predict the residual stress distributions satisfactorily. Highest residual stresses on the outer surface are found in the last weld bead to be deposited. And the highest tensile residual stress for the full welded section take place in heat affected zone (HAZ) near the middle thickness. Larger residual sstress can be found around the welding start point along the pipe circumference. Comparison of heat treated specimen and untreated specimen illustrates that PWHT has a strong effect on the residual stress field.
Microstructures and Creep Properties of Mg-2.5Zn-xCe (x = 4, 6 and 8 mass%) Alloys
Authors: Chen Z.H. , Wang W. , Chen D. , Xia W.J.
Published: June 2014

The effect of 4, 6 and 8 (mass%) Ce additions on the microstructure and creep resistance of the Mg-2.5Zn alloy was investigated by tensile creep test in the temperature of 200 °C, 225°C with the tensile stress of 60 MPa and tensile test in room temperature. The microstructure and phase composition of these alloys were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The results showed that the grain sizes of Mg-2.5Zn-
Psychosocial status of Hungarian cancer patients. A descriptive study
Authors: Rohánszky Magda , Katonai Rózsa , Konkolÿ Thege Barna
Published: June 2014

Introduction: Psychosocial status of cancer patients is still understudied in Hungary. Aim: The aim of the authors was to obtain current information on the mental and social status of this patient group. Method: Altogether, 1070 cancer patients with a wide range of cancer types were included in the study (30.0% male; age: 55.9±11.0 years). Results: A large part of the patients had serious financial difficulties and 41.3% of them were struggling with at least one more comorbid chronic disease. Further, 52.2% of the patients reported at least moderate anxiety or depression, while the occurrence of suicidal thoughts was almost three times higher among them than in the Hungarian normal population (13.0% vs. 4.6%). Level of perceived social support was also lower than the population standards and 61.6% of the patients reported willingness to benefit from professional psychological support. Quality of social life of the patients deteriorated with time after cancer diagnosis. A positive phenomenon, however, was that the primary coping style reported was active problem solving. Conclusions: The authors conclude that it is necessary to screen cancer patients for psychosocial difficulties and to establish conditions for their adequate mental and social care in Hungary. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(26), 1024–1032.
Better Safe than Sorry: Planning for Safe and Successful Fieldwork
Authors: Daniels Lori D. , Lavallee Suzie
Published: June 2014

Although enjoyable and rewarding, fieldwork has inherent hazards and risks. In this article, we describe five steps to help students plan for safe and successful fieldwork in a variety of study sites. In addition to identifying potential hazards and mitigating them, successful graduate research should include a communications plan, strong leadership and awareness of power relationships among faculty, graduate students and undergraduate student assistants. We provide example scenarios, based on actual student experiences, to “test” if your team is well‐prepared for a range of possible situations that may arise in the field. Lastly, we outline a workshop that integrates these steps to facilitate safety planning for graduate students in Forestry at the University of British Columbia.
Update on Prognostic Markers for Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Binder Pratibha S , Mutch David G
Published: June 2014

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the USA and the second most common worldwide after cervical cancer. While common symptomatology of endometrial cancer leads to early diagnosis and favorable 5-year survival in most cases, there is a subset of cancers that have a poorer prognosis. The clinical and pathologic prognostic factors for endometrial cancer are well known and instrumental in determining the need for adjuvant therapy. Recently, research has been focused on the identification of molecular changes leading to different histologic subtypes to improve classification of endometrial cancer. The identification of novel mutations and molecular profiles should enhance our ability to personalize adjuvant treatment with genome-guided targeted therapy.
Contrast-Enhanced Dual-Energy Mammography: A Promising New Imaging Tool in Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Lalji Ulrich , Lobbes Marc
Published: June 2014

Contrast-enhanced dual-energy mammography (CEDM) is a promising new breast imaging tool for breast cancer detection. In CEDM, an iodine-based contrast agent is intravenously administered and subsequently, dual-energy mammography is performed. This results in a set of images containing both a regular mammogram and an image that contains contrast enhancement information. Preliminary studies have indicated that CEDM is superior to conventional mammography and might even match the diagnostic performance of breast MRI. In this review, the imaging technique, protocol and patient handling of CEDM is presented. Furthermore, an overview of current results on CEDM and potential future indications are outlined.
Fluid flow approximation of time-limited TCP/UDP/XCP streams
Authors: Domańska J. , Domański A. , Czachórski T. , Klamka J.
Published: June 2014

This article presents the use of fluid flow approximation to model interactions between a set of TCP, UDP and XCP flows in the environment of IP routers using AQM (Active Queue Management) algorithms to control traffic congestion. In contrast to other works, independent UDP and TCP streams are considered and the model allows to start and end data transmissions in TCP, UDP and XCP streams at any time moment. It incorporates several Active Queue Management mechanisms: RED, NLRED, CHOKe.
An extension of Klamka’s method of minimum energy control to fractional positive discrete-time linear systems with bounded inputs
Authors: Kaczorek T.
Published: June 2014

The Klamka’s method of minimum energy control problem is extended to fractional positive discrete-time linear systems with bounded inputs. Sufficient conditions for the existence of solution to the problem are established. A procedure for solving of the problem is proposed and illustrated by numerical example.
Design of the oscillatory systems with the extremal dynamic properties
Authors: Górecki H. , Zaczyk M.
Published: June 2014

In this article the problem of determination of such coefficients a1, a2, ..., an and eigenvalues s1, s2, ..., sn of the characteristic equation which yield required extremal values of the solution x(t) at the extremal value τ of time is solved. The extremal values of x(τ ) and τ are treated as functions of the roots s1, s2, ..., sn. The analytical formulae enable us to design the systems with prescribed dynamic properties. For solution of the problem the properties of symmetrical equations are used. The method is illustrated by an example of the equation of 4-th degree. The regions of the different kinds of the roots: real, with one pair of complex and two pairs of complex roots are illustrated. A practical problem is shown.
Finite-dimensional approximations of distributed RC networks
Authors: Mitkowski W.
Published: June 2014

Spectral properties of ladder and spatial electrical networks are considered. Dynamic properties of the networks are characterised by eigenvalues of the Jacobi cyclic state matrix. The effective formulas for eigenvalues of appropriate uniform systems are given. Numerical calculations were made using MATLAB.
Remarks on five equivalent forms of the fractional – order backward – difference
Authors: Ostalczyk P.
Published: June 2014

In this paper a fractional-order backward-difference/sum (FOBD/S) equivalent formulae are considered. From the Gr¨unwald- Letnikov (GL - FOBD) definition formula and its Horner equivalent form one derives the Riemann-Liouville FOBD (RL - FOBD). Also the Caputo and polynomial-like forms are defined. All forms may be useful in real-time calculations (in the evaluation of digital control strategies) due to the reduction of fractional orders. The investigations are illustrated by a numerical example.
Vertical vibrations of composite bridge/track structure/high-speed train systems. Part 3: Deterministic and random vibrations of exemplary system
Authors: Podworna M. , Klasztorny M.
Published: June 2014

Based on the one-dimensional quasi-exact physical and mathematical modelling of a composite (steel-concrete) bridge/track structure/high-speed train system (BTT), developed in Part 2, advanced computer algorithms for the BTT numerical modelling and simulation as well as a computer programme to simulate vertical vibrations of BTT systems are developed. The exemplary bridge under numerical quasi-static and dynamic analysis, designed according to Polish standards, has a 15.00 m span length and belongs to the SCB series-of-types developed in Part 1. The bridge is loaded by a German ICE-3 high-speed train moving at the resonant and maximum operating speeds. A continuously welded ballasted track structure adapted to high operating velocities is applied. The output quantities include: time-histories of the vertical deflection of the main beams at the midspan, time-histories of the longitudinal normal stress in the bottom fibres of the main beams at the midspan, time-histories of the vertical acceleration of the bridge deck at the midspan, time-histories of the vertical accelerations of the suspension pivots in car-bodies, time-histories of the dynamic pressures of the wheel sets of moving rail-vehicles. The design quantities, understood as the extreme values of the output quantities, are used to verify the design conditions. The basic random factor, i.e. vertical track irregularities of the track, is taken into consideration. Basic statistics of the design quantities treated as random variables are calculated and taken into account in the design conditions.
Flow of Stokesian fluid through a cellular medium and thermal effects
Authors: Wojnar R.
Published: June 2014

The thermal effects of a stationary Stokesian flow through an elastic micro-porous medium are compared with the entropy produced by Darcy’s flow. A micro-cellular elastic medium is considered as an approximation of the elastic porous medium. It is shown that after asymptotic two-scale analysis these two approaches, one analytical, starting from Stoke’s equation and the second phenomenological, starting from Darcy’s law give the same result. The incompressible and linearly compressible fluids are considered, and it is shown that in micro-porous systems the seepage of both types of fluids is described by the same equations.
Estimation of the inductive current transformer derating for operation with distorted currents
Authors: Kaczmarek M.
Published: June 2014

The aim of the paper is to present a new method for estimation of the CT (Current Transformer) rated primary current and / or load of the secondary winding derating levels for transformation of distorted current in relation to the rated values fixed for transformation of sinusoidal current. This ensures the values of the CT composite errors/transformer correction factors as resulting from its IEC 60044-1/IEEE C57.13 accuracy class in condition of distorted currents transformation.
Determination of optimal current in the non-ideal one-phase system with unsteady parameters
Authors: Dębowski K.
Published: June 2014

Some of parameters in electrical systems cannot be considered as constants. In particular, some electrical loads should be described as unsteady because of physical reasons, e.g. arc and arc-resistance furnaces. One of the method to describe parameters of such loads is description by fuzzy numbers. Moreover, this description enables to determine optimal current of the system with unsteady parameters by an application of the optimisation technique called as fuzzy mathematical programming. The optimisation problem has been presented for one-phase system with sinusoidal waveforms. The obtained solution (optimal current) can be determined as crisp one (real numbers) in frequency domain in the numerical way. The determined optimal current has minimal RMS value in this case when the power constraints do not have to be fulfilled strictly because of changes of system parameters. It means simultaneously the minimisation of power losses in the system. This solution generalizes the classical optimisation solution obtained for the systems with constant parameters. In order to illustrate the problem the appropriate example has been presented.
Design of a nanoswitch in 130 nm CMOS technology for 2.4 GHz wireless terminals
Authors: Sobhan Bhuiyan M. Arif , Ibne Reaz M. Bin , Jalil J. , Rahman L. Farzana
Published: June 2014

This paper proposes a transmit/receive (T/R) nanoswitch in 130 nm CMOS technology for 2.4 GHz ISM band transceivers. It exhibits 1.03-dB insertion loss, 27.57-dB isolation and a power handling capacity (P1 dB) of 36.2-dBm. It dissipates only 6.87 μW power for 1.8/0 V control voltages and is capable of switching in 416.61 ps. Besides insertion loss and isolation of the nanoswitch is found to vary by 0.1 dB and 0.9 dB, respectively for a temperature change of 125°C. Only the transistor W/L optimization and resistive body floating technique is used for such lucrative performances. Besides absence of bulky inductors and capacitors in the schematic circuit help to attain the smallest chip area of 0.0071 mm2 which is the lowest ever reported in this frequency band. Therefore, simplicity and low chip area of the circuit trim down the cost of fabrication without compromising the performance issue.
Acinetobacter johnsonii and Acinetobacter lwoffii - the emerging fish pathogens
Authors: Kozińska Alicja , Paździor Ewa , Pękala Agnieszka , Niemczuk Wiktor
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to characterise Acinetobacter sp. isolated from fish. Eight isolates obtained from diseased rainbow trout and common carp cultured in Poland were analysed. The isolates were identified using API 20 NE system as Acinetobacter sp. Afterwards, they were identified by sequencing 16S rDNA gene fragment. The bacteria were identified as A. johnsonii (two isolates), A. lwoffii (two isolates), A. junii/johnsonii (one isolate), A. calcoaceticus (one isolate), and Acinetobacter sp. (two isolates). The drug resistance of isolates was examined. The majority of the isolates were resistant to ampicilin, amoxicillin, and cephalothin and all demonstrated sensitivity to fluoroquinolones, except of one isolate. Two isolates were selected for the experimental infection of trout and carp to confirm their pathogenicity. Experimentally infected fish showed disease symptoms similar to those observed in fish naturally infected with these bacteria. This is the first report concerning pathogenicity of A. johnsonii for rainbow trout and A. lwoffii for common carp. These bacteria were regarded as emerging opportunistic pathogens of fish farmed in Poland. Acinetobacter strains are commonly known as microorganisms transmitting the antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, they might have a great impact on the resistance transfer in aquaculture.
Endoparasites of the European beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758) in north-eastern Poland
Authors: Demiaszkiewicz Aleksander W. , Lachowicz Jacek , Kuligowska Izabela , Pyziel Anna M. , Bełżecki Grzegorz , Miltko Renata , Kowalik Barbara , Gogola Wojciech , Giżejewski Zygmunt
Published: June 2014

Parasitological examination after necropsies of 48 European beavers from Podlaskie and Warmisko-Mazurskie provinces were performed between April 2011 and November 2012. All helminthes were isolated from the contents of the gastro-intestinal tract and their species were determined. In addition, blood samples and faeces were examined. All beavers were infected with six species of parasites. Stichorchis subtriqetrus trematodes were found in 93.7% of animals. They were localized mainly in the caecum, less in the colon, and single juvenile parasites were found in the small intestine. The intensity of infection ranged from two to 893 parasites. Travassosius rufus nematodes (10-4336 specimens) were present in the stomach of 68.7% of the beavers. In the small intestine of four (8.3%) beavers, two-six specimens of Psilotrema castoris were found. This is the first record of this species in Poland and the third of its discovery in the world. Furthermore, in the small intestine of one beaver, two Trichostrongylus capricola nematodes were detected. In the liver of one beaver, pathological changes caused by hydatid cestode Echinococus granulosus occurred. Inflammatory changes of the gastric mucosa caused by Travassosius rufus and of caecum caused by Stichorchis subtriquertus, were observed. Coproscopy was performed with the use of Baermann, flotation, and decantation methods. All results of Baermann method were negative. Examinations with flotation and decantation methods confirmed necropsy findings. Using the flotation method, single oocysts of Eimeria sprehni in one beaver were detected. A blood test conducted by Kingston and Morton method did not reveal the presence of protozoa or microfilariae.
Clinical and laboratory findings associated with naturally occurring babesiosis in dromedary camels
Authors: Swelum Ayman A. , Ismael Alaa B. , Khalaf Ahmed F. , Abouheif Mohamed A.
Published: June 2014

Clinical, haematological, and biochemical changes induced by naturally occurring babesiosis in dromedary camels were described. Of 258 dromedary camels studied, 34 camels suffered from fever, appetite loss, weakness, depression, and reluctant movement; abortion and/or infertility were also observed. Parasitological blood examinations were performed using Giemsastained blood smears. The clinically affected animals were diagnosed with babesiosis, with 13.17% overall morbidity. Camels that suffered from babesiosis were subjected to haematological and biochemical analyses and the affected group was compared with a control group containing 34 healthy camels. The affected animals showed a highly significant (P<0.001) reduction of the total red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (HGB) concentration, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) as well as a highly significant reduction (P<0.01) of haematocrit (HCT) and a significant reduction of (P<0.05) mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Additional, highly significant increases (P<0.01) in white blood cell (WBC) count and plateletcrit (PCT) percentage were detected. However, other haematological parameters were not significantly altered. There was a very significant reduction (P<0.001) of the blood iron level and a very significant increase (P<0.001) in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the affected camels. Additionally, significant increases in total protein, albumin, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin were observed in the affected camels. It was concluded that babesiosis highly affects the haematobiochemical parameters of dromedary camels, including the liver, kidney, and muscle functions. These results represent novel findings concerning natural babesiosis in camels.
Prevalence of feline hyperthyroidism in mature cats in urban population in Warsaw
Authors: Gójska-Zygner Olga , Lechowski Roman , Zygner Wojciech
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of feline hyperthyroidism in a cat population in Warsaw, considering risk factors. The study was conducted between June 2007 and July 2011. Seven-year-old and older cats were examined. Diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism was based on the results of clinical examination, data from clinical history, and serum concentrations of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 20.14% of 417 cats (95% confidence interval (CI): 16.28%-24.01%). Statistically significant risk factors were age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.27), feeding with a commercial wet feed (OR = 6.74, 95% CI: 2.03-22.37), and an indoor lifestyle (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.04-4.84). There were no effects of breed, gender, castration, or the frequency of deworming on the occurrence of hyperthyroidism. Feline hyperthyroidism in Warsaw is a prevalent disease. This probably results from chronic exposure to dietary and environmental factors.
Influence of duration of clinical signs on surgical treatment results of 16 dogs with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Authors: Wrzosek Marcin , Kiełbowicz Zdzisław , Giza Elżbieta , Płonek Marta , Nicpoń Józef
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment in 16 dogs, depending on the animal’s age, body weight, deep pain perception, and time from the onset of neurological symptoms to the consultation with a veterinary neurologist and successive surgery. Sixteen dogs diagnosed with cervical (n = 11) or thoracolumbar (n = 5) disc extrusions underwent spinal surgeries (eleven ventral slots and five hemilaminectomies). The success rate of surgical treatment was 64.3% in dogs with preserved nociception. No association between the animal’s age or body weight and the result of surgical treatment was found. A successful surgical outcome was more likely when the symptom-to-surgery time was shorter.
Influence of caffeine used at various temperature ranges on the concentrations of glucose and total serum protein as well as body weight gain in pregnant rats
Authors: Cendrowska-Pinkosz Monika , Łuszczewska-Sierakowska Iwona , Dworzański Wojciech , Tomaszewski Marek , Krauze Magdalena , Grzebalska Agnieszka Magdalena , Madej-Czerwonka Barbara , Burdan Franciszek
Published: June 2014

Caffeine (120 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically to pregnant rats daily on gestational days 8-21. An increase in serum concentration of glucose and total protein was found in animals, which were given caffeine. The protein content proved to be highly significant in the experimental group of animals. The control group showed a negative interdependence between body weight gain and glucose concentration. No correlation was found between body weight gain and total protein concentration, yet the glucose concentration significantly influenced the total protein concentration in this group of animals. Among animals which received caffeine, correlations between total protein and glucose concentrations were observed. The analysis did not show that the glucose or total protein concentration significantly influenced the body weight gain of pregnant female rats in the experimental group. The research conducted suggests the possibility of modulating effects of caffeine on adaptive processes during pregnancy.
Polioencephalomalacia in ruminants caused by excessive amount of sulphur - a review
Authors: Lutnicki Krzysztof , Madej Eligiusz , Riha Tomasz , Kurek Łukasz
Published: June 2014

Polioencephalomalacia as a result of sulphur excess is a growing problem in cattle and sheep, mainly in young, growing animals. It is common in different regions of the world. The disease develops favoured by certain conditions such as sustained provision of feed and water with high sulphur content, use of dietary supplements containing sulphur, and a habitat with high hydrogen sulphide concentration. Pathogenesis of the disease is complex, but very important are oxidative-antioxidative imbalance, dysfunction of vessels, and secondary cerebral cortex ischaemia as a result of direct and/or indirect action of sulphur metabolites, namely hydrogen sulphide, sulphides, and sulphites. Clinical signs and changes in the cerebral cortex in the form of degenerative necrotic lesions are similar to those observed in polioencephalomalacia caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, and lead and salt intoxication. Highly increased sulphur content (more than 0.3-0.4 of dry matter) in the diet is the basis for differential diagnosis, as well the high concentration of hydrogen sulphide in gas and sulphides in rumen fluid. In prophylaxis and treatment the most important measure is to limit sulphur intake and in acute cases to neutralise low pH in rumen and administer vitamin B1 injections.
Characteristics of the Clayey-Siliceous Rock From The Dylągówka–Zapady Deposit (Polish Flysch Carpathians) as a Mineral Raw Material
Authors: Panna Wojciech , Wyszomirski Piotr , Myszka Ryszard
Published: June 2014

Streszczenie

Badaniom zostały poddane trzy próbki z nieeksploatowanego dotąd złoża Dylągówka-Zapady. Charakterystyka surowcowa tych próbek, pochodzących z różnych głębokości złoża, polegała na określeniu ich składu fazowego (przy użyciu takich metod jak: analiza rentgenograficzna, spek- troskopia w podczerwieni oraz analiza termiczna), składu chemicznego, ziarnowego oraz określenia właściwości sorpcyjnych. Badania te wykazały, że kopalina w przekroju pionowym złoża wykazuje zmienny skład chemiczny i mineralny, aczkolwiek generalnie jest zasobna w minerały grupy smektytu (montmorillonit). Zawartość tego minerału ilastego mieści się w przedziale 28^3%. Kolejną fazą mineralną, która ma istotny wpływ na właściwości technologiczne omawianej kopaliny jest opal. Obecność tej fazy krzemionkowej została potwierdzona analizą rcntgenograficzną i termiczną. Stwierdzono, że w próbkach pobranych z różnych głębokości złoża występuje zarówno opal-A jak i opal-CT. Ponadto, w próbce pobranej z nadkładu złoża, stwierdzono także obecność innego minerału palinic podwyższonej ilości smektytów, opalu i zcolitów, wiąże się jej wybitna drobnoziarnistość i dobre właściwości sorpcyjne, co predysponuje ją do wykorzystania jako sorbentu różnego rodzaju zanieczyszczeń.
Availability of Rock Raw Materials in the Context of Legally Protected Areas of the Dolnoslaskie Voivodeship
Authors: Kaźmierczak Urszula
Published: June 2014

Streszczenie

W publikacji poddano analizie możliwości eksploatacji kopalin skalnych z udokumentowanych i nieeksploatowanych złóż kopalin skalnych zlokalizowanych na obszarach prawnie chronionych województwa dolnośląskiego. Badania wykazały, że na obszarach prawnie chronionych wojewódz- two zlokalizowanych jest 39 przedmiotowych złóż o łącznych zasobach 985,2 min Mg. Złoża te położone są na terenach Parków Krajobrazowych, Obszarów Chronionego Krajobrazu, obszarów Natura 2000, pod zbiornikiem retencyjnym Słup (1 złoże piasków i żwirów) oraz na obszarach dwóch projektowanych Parków Krajobrazowych. Analiza możliwości eksploatacji badanych złóż wykazała, że względy przyrody nie wykluczają całkowicie eksploatacji kopalin, ale w dużej mierze ją ogra- niczają. Bowiem złoże surowca może być eksploatowane zgodnie z zapisami ustawy z dnia 9 czerwca 2011 r. prawo geologiczne i górnicze, tj. po uzyskaniu koncesji, która uprawnia do wykonywania działalności górniczej w określonej przestrzeni. Jednym z załączników wniosku koncesyjnego jest wcześniej uzyskana decyzja o środowiskowych uwarunkowaniach realizacji przedsięwzięcia zgodnie z art. 72 ustawy o udostępnianiu informacji o środowisku (Dz.U.2008.199.1227 z późn zm.). Najważniejszym elementem uzyskania takiej decyzji jest przeprowadzenie tzw. procedury oceny oddziaływania. Celem tej procedury jest zapobieganie niekorzystnemu oddziaływaniu planowanego przedsięwzięcia na środowisko. Dodatkowo, w przypadku terenów prawnie chronionych, możliwości eksploatacji uwarunkowane są ustawą o ochronie przyrody, a w przypadku Parku Krajobrazowego zależą od aktu prawnego uchwalającego dany Park Krajobrazowy. W aktach prawnych ustana- wiających trzy Parki Krajobrazowe (PK Doliny Bobru, Rudawski PK i PK Chełmy) wprowadzono całkowity zakaz realizacji przedsięwzięć mogących znacząco oddziaływać na środowisko oraz pozys- kiwania dla celów gospodarczych skał, skamieniałości i minerałów. Oznacza to, że osiem złóż zlo- kalizowanych na terenie tych parków nie będą mogły być zagospodarowane. Wyjątek w tej grupie stanowi złoże amfibolitu „Wieściszowice” ze względu na zapis, w akcie uchwalającym Rudawski Park Krajobrazowy, dotyczący możliwości wydobycia kopaliny jeśli przeprowadzona procedura oceny oddziaływania wykaże brak niekorzystnego wpływu na przyrodę parku. W przypadku Obszarów Chronionego Krajobrazu i obszarów Natura 2000 eksploatacja udokumentowanych złóż jest możliwa pod warunkiem, że przeprowadzona ocena odziaływania na środowisko wykaże brak znacząco negatywnego wpływu inwestycji na przyrodę obszaru chronionego i na cele ochrony obszaru Natura 2000. Analiza wykazała także, że wykluczona jest eksploatacja złoża piasków i żwirów spod zbiornika retencyjnego Słup. Spowodowane jest to ustanowioną strefą ochronną ujęcia wody obejmującą czaszę zbiornika i jego budowle hydrotechniczne, co eliminuje całkowicie możliwości wydobycia kopalin z tamtego obszaru.
The Use of AHP Multi-Criteria Method and Leopold Matrix to Assess the Impact of Gravel and Sand Pits on the Environment of the Jasiolka Valley
Authors: Sobczyk Wiktoria , Kowalska Anna , Sobczyk Eugeniusz J.
Published: June 2014

Streszczenie

Zadaniem sieci Natura 2000 jest zachowanie bioróżnorodności przy zrównoważonym rozwoju regionów. Działalność górnicza może być prowadzona, gdy nie oddziałuje negatywnie na obszary ochronione. W artykule opisano przedmioty ochrony na obszarze Natura 2000 Jasiołka. Scharakte- ryzowano rodzaje negatywnego oddziaływania eksploatacji złóż żwirowo-piaskowych na środowisko przyrodnicze. Przedstawiono wpływ wydobycia złóż piasków i żwirów w Trzcianie na przedmioty ochrony sieci Natura 2000. Przeprowadzono ocenę tego wpływu z wykorzystaniem wielokryterialnej metody AHP i macierzy Leopolda. Oceny wpływu eksploatacji kruszyw na środowisko dokonało 35 ekspertów, których kompetencja obejmowała wszystkie elementy oceny analizowanego problemu. Reprezentowali oni następujące dziedziny nauki: geologia, górnictwo, zarządzanie środowiskiem, inżynieria środowiska, ochrona środowiska, ekologia.

Eksploatacja złoża piasków i żwirów w Trzcianie wywiera największy wpływ na biosferę, w szczególności na florę, następnie na hydrosferę i litosferę. Oddziaływanie to jest jednak mało znaczące. Wydobycie kruszywa naturalnego w Trzcianie nie posiada znamion negatywnego wpływu na okoliczne obszary Natura 2000. Eksploatacja kopaliny w niewielkim stopniu wpływa na stosunki wodne obszaru. Zmiana rzeźby terenu, szaty roślinnej i degradacja gleby są przejściowe. Rekul- tywacja w kierunku rolnym umożliwiła powrót do zagospodarowania terenu zgodnego z tym, jaki był przed przystąpieniem do eksploatacji. Stwierdzono, że inwestycja po zakończeniu wydobycia i po rekultywacji wodnej wzbogaci siedliska rzeczne i dolinowe, tworząc nowe miejsca dla rozrodu i bytowania fauny.

Podkreślono, że zrekultywowane tereny są cennym elementem środowiska: siedliskiem chro- nionych roślin oraz miejscem wypoczynku i żerowania wielu gatunków zwierząt.

Opisany przykład oddziaływania eksploatacji kopaliny na środowisko skłania do spojrzenia na górnictwo jako na działalność tworzącą nowe wartości. Ocena rzeczywistego wpływu górnictwa na środowisko na podstawie działających żwirowni pozwala znaleźć optymalne rozwiązanie dla obu stron.